Japanese 19th-century history gets an anime makeover in Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan. The story revolves around the adventures of Yukimura Chizuru and the Shinsengumi - a special police force of the period.
The anime has the fictional heroine Yukimura interacting with actual Japanese historical characters of the Kondo Faction of the Shinsengumi.
Yukimura journeys to Kyoto (Japan's ancient capital) in search of her physician father. Disguised as a young boy, Yukimaru becomes the target of samurais. She is saved by members of the Shinsengumi and taken prisoner. Once she explains her situation, she discovers the Shinsengumi are also looking for her dad.
Yukimura eventually gains the trust of the Shinsengumi but our heroine is soon distracted by the political turmoil of the period.
The show is based on the popular video games of the same name for PS2 and NDS. It's produced by Studio Deen whose previous works include Law of Ueki and Getbackers.
The first season has just finished airing in Japan with the second season due to begin in October. Season 1 should be out on DVD in the next couple of months.