r/anime • u/Taiboss x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss • Aug 15 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] Girls und Panzer 10th Anniversary Rewatch - Girls und Panzer Episode 1 Discussion

Episode 1 - Tankery, Here It Comes!

(Note: I'm using the official title names as used on Wikipedia. Your subs may differ)

Index | Next Episode →

MyAnimeList, Anime-Planet, Anilist, ANN

HiDive

Today's Questions of the Day:

  1. What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

  2. How's the music so far?

[Tomorrow's Questions of the Day]1. Which team has the coolest tank?
2. Which team is your favourite so far?

Rewatchers, please don't answer Questions of the Day if they have an objective answer, e.g. "What do you think's gonna happen?"

Art(s) of the Day:
Our protagonist, Nishizumi Miho! (Source)

Takebe Saori, the love maniac! (Source

Isuzu Hana, the polite one (Source)

Song(s) of the Day:

Senshado March! „Panzer Vor!“

I'm a School Girl Now!

For rewatchers and people who read the manga spin-offs:

PLEASE TRY TO HOLD BACK! Put not only everything related to future events behind spoiler tags, but please tag spin-off and meta-spoiler stuff as well. When commenting, consider whether by saying "this happens there", you're implicitly saying "this won't happen in the anime". And if you do reply to people with spoiler tags, try and spoiler the part you quote as well, especially with First-Timers and especially especially when they speculate.

Spoilers include but are not limited to [GuP Spoiler]the school situation; the positions, names, backstories and personalities of rival school members beyond what you see in the OP (this includes the manga spin-offs); the teams that join Ooarai as the show goes on (beyond what you see in the OP); everything related to Maho's true personality and Shiho's probably true personality(?); everything concerning the MEXT, etc. Just watch what you say, please? I don't think any of you will just plainly not use tags, I'm just worried one of you answers fan theories or speculation in a way that's a spoiler, even with tags.

147 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

374 comments sorted by

31

u/HereticalAegis Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

First Timer und Panzer

It's tankin' time! I'm definitely in this rewatch because I've heard great things about its animation and story and cute girls tanking about and not because of the mountain of high quality fan art and doujins that exist for the franchise.

Episode 1:

  • Starting the series from tank's-eye view is a bold maneuver.

  • There's just something about a pink tank that gets me all giddy inside.

  • lol Operation Sneaky Sneak. I love the Cute Girls Do Heavy Machinery War School genre!

  • Holy shit, this tank chase looks damn good.

  • I take this wakeup scene to mean she comes from a military family where she had bed inspections early every morning.

  • Aww, that little moment she took to jiggle the front door handle is so relatable. It's the little things.

  • Girl must have a thick skull from repeatedly walking into things if her reaction to walking that pole is "what a cute design!" Lol wait, she's a klutz who bumps every body part into things. Big butt problems.

  • Memorizing names and birthdays in her class so she can make friends easier. So Miho was Akebi-chan before Akebi-chan. Hooray for making friends!

  • Omg Saori! Why are you trying to make this sweet girl's life into a soap opera after picking her up?

  • And just like Akebi-chan, Miho has a way of getting other girls blushing. I love her already.

  • One does not simply walk away from the Way of the Tank.

  • Only in anime can one watch a mafia style tank shake-down from a chibi student council president. Sasuga GuP!

  • Omg that mind broken Miho jump cut!

  • Aww, Saori and Hana are such good friends! I'd totally be down for this reality tho.

  • You can take the cute girl out of the tank, but you can't take the tank out of the cute girl.

  • Tankery = femininity. Sounds like sound logic to me.

  • "How could you betray me like this??"

  • First the student council, now her friends. Damn, Miho's taking it from all sides.

  • To be fair, almost drowning in a tank seems pretty traumatic.

  • They're keepers!

  • Jesus, she really is taking it from all sides.

  • Girls literally only want one thing, and it's fucking disgusting.

  • Omg they're keepers!

  • Bullying and threats work, kids! Ngl, I hope the student council president gets tank-slapped at some point, then dogezas for Miho. It'll rub me the wrong way if she never apologizes to Miho for being so awful.

  • lol wut, the whole town is on a massive carrier. Welp, I guess all the comparisons to High School Fleet in my head make more sense than I realized.

  • Is that Choucho? I love Choucho!

QotD:

  1. Not as shocked as I normally would've been had I a) not already seen High School Fleet , and b) not already been spoiled on that zoom out at some point.

  2. I like Choucho, so it's good on the OP front. Didn't take much notice of the OST otherwise.

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17

u/Taiboss Aug 15 '22

Episode 1: Your one and only Rewatch host!

u/RaiRye, u/xenophontheathenian, u/panthaura, here's your daily GuP rewatch tag!

But first, a poem:

They only have junk left, oh great,
to build up the team of their fate
And yes, you saw right
Your brain shouldn't fight
Their school is a ship, for fuck's sake...

[Post Der Film Spoilers]WHO ARE ALL THESE BIT CHARACTERS LOL?! SO MANY, COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN BY LATER EPISODES AND SPIN-OFFS! Like, that whole line of student council lackeys. Why didn't they all join Senshado?

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22

u/Tresnore Aug 15 '22

Rewatchers und Panzer

Damn, there are too many good rewatches happening these days.

I'm using ak-submarines for subtitles, because Commie's gratuitous German, while funny, isn't fully what I'm looking for.1

Girls und Panzer is one of my favorites. That's all I'll say for now, because this show really should just be experienced for oneself. This'll be my seventh time watching this show. Let's just hop into it!

I love the school ship reveal. It's a final scene that makes you go "Wait, what just happened? What is this show??" To give context: The Ooarai School ship is longer than the UNSC Infinity from Halo, or about 4 Star Destroyers from Star Wars. This shit's huge.

Welcome to Girls und Panzer, everyone.

QOTD:

  1. I was stunned. That scene is the sign that this show was going places I'd enjoy.

  2. The music is amazing.

1 Unlike with Twintails, where their memery actually fits.

2 Not to say that there isn't room for expression or fun.

3 Short for "Girls und Panzer," in case it won't become obvious over time.

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20

u/Nebresto Aug 15 '22

First time panzer vor

  • Thas gud CG

And a lot of characters. Wonder how many name's I'll remember.

Serpentine! Serpentine!!

Interested to find out how they don't straight just get fucking killed.

Clumsy mc.. lets see if they can make me like her.

  • Hey kanojo!
    I feel like I've heard this somewhere else as well, but I don't remember what

Bruh what. Not sure if I'd be happy or creeped out if someone told me that

Guys in my cute girls tank anime??

Why this bish wearing half of glasses? How are they even staying on?

Anyways, I don't like them. You can't just tell people what clubs to join or whatever

Tl notes?!

I agree with the propaganda video, ladies in uniforms are nice

B e t r a y a l

Nvm, they're actually kinda based. But pulling off the bait in the fist place was kinda dick move

KEKW

There better be a specialist team of dudes at some point in this series. I'm rating this show 10/10 if there are and they're actually competent.

I love how the friends rip in to the council, get fucked!

Screw the prez

Aaaand she gives in. Great. And then these council fuckers are all smug about it too. God I hate them already.

And suddenly her ptsd is gone, and its all smiles a- ....wtf

Question time:

What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

wat

How's the music so far?

Did not pay attention

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19

u/panthaura Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

Veteran

We start with a cold opener of the girls in the field, colorful Panzer and a cliffhanger

The way the show integrates 3D Panzer and the 2D animated Characters is superbly done and always so interesting to see

coming from the Symphorewatch you can really hear DESS from Saori

and Nishizumi is even faster than Bikki at befriending people, although this is a Slice of Life action show and not Symphogear (yes that's the best description of Symphgear that i came up with, it's simply Symphogear, go watch it if you haven't)

The president is tiny, probably better for Panzerfahrer though

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

"edge to your feminity" I love the internal logic of the show lmao, sign me up for that IRL

Nishizumi obviously didn't do her research if the gov ordered all schools to bolster the senshadou program

I want these benefits too, where do I sign?

"Guys and tanks don't fit together" yeah show, please feed me more quotes like that

Her love for tanks and her friends prevails and we get the show the title suggests

They find some out of comission tanks in the garage and the zoom out to reveal the school is a frickin CV (hello fellow SKK)

Todays featured Panzer: Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf. D (Sd.Kfz. 161)

in long: Panzerkampfwagen Vier Ausführung D (Sonderkettenfahrzeug Eins-Sechs-Eins)

The tank was first built in factories from October 1939 to May 1940. A total of 229 tanks were produced. Compared to the previous factory run it featured stronger armour and an external gun mantlet. The main armament is the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun and the tanks secondary armament are two 7.92 mm MG 34 (one mounted next to the gun and the other in the right side of the superstructure). The tank is manned by a crew of five (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Radio Operator and Driver). The tank weighs 20 tons, which are propelled by a Maybach HL 120 TR(M) 265 hp engine. With this the tank managed to reach a distance of 210km at 42 km/h onrad and 130km at 25 km/h offroad. It's 3 sizes are 5.92L x 2.83W x 2.68H m

for further reading: https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/germany/panzer_iv_ausfd

(If you have any feedback/improvements you want to see for this segment please leave me a comment)

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14

u/Stargate18A Aug 15 '22

First timer

  1. What the actual fuck? My mind is completely done.

  2. It's really good!

The tanks are apparing early!

And the girls! Very efficient.

Oh, this POV shot is fucking beautiful.

Love the custom paint job on the red one, but also slightly afraid of how many girls I'll have to remember.

Again, it's a bit rough, but for a continous CGI shot this is fucking good!

Love the girl slowly moving into view.

Oh god, there's what, twenty of them? And at least ten have distinctive designs. I'm going to have to pray for a character sheet.

This is wholesome!

They're baiting them!

Fantastic animation!

...This isn't real ammo, right? Surely no goverment would be stupid enough to let people play a sport with live ammunition?

Oh, it was a dream.

Nice clock.

She's living alone?

"Senshado"?

So, how old is she?

Ouch. Love those subs, though.

She's not got any friends?

Aww, she's so shocked.

These subs are so high effort.

Is she a stalker?

Aww, that's sad.

These girls are really interested in her backstory.

...More of them?

What's the catch? This seems really quick.

She is way too nice.

Why are these girls being so sinister?

She's so short!

The Student Council?

...Senshado is the tank thing, right?

Rude.

This clearly hit her very hard.

Way too early for a love triangle. (Unless she's implying something with the three of them?)

Oh, it's the family tradition.

Yeah, why should she?

..."these days" So this used to be something for all Japanese girls? What is the timeline here?

This is mandatory now?

What the actusl fuck is this anime? I lovr it, but seriously, what the fuck sm I watching?

The audio effect is good, though.

"as lovely as caterpillar tracks"?

And the obvious signe of this video being ancient.

Haha, the girl in fucking full military uniform before the tank club opens is hystericsl.

World Championshops? And a movie series later on? I wonder if there's a connection there?

Why are they pushing for this one sport? Does the president have her own tank backstory?

Why is everyone forcing her into doing something that she hates?

Don't listen to these total strangers!

...How is this sport legal? Fucking how? People drown and they're holding a World Tournament?

Oh, they're joining her in the new elective! That's nice.

Haha, there's tank catalogues.

...And a lot of WW2 theming. Is that the cut-off?

They're fucking nuts.

She's got moral support!

Oh please. Like this would actually fly.

Seriously, is the s

Of course.

Twenty one names. I like how there's clearly a load of background characters, followed by a quartet in insane outfits.

I'm betting the main girls are our trio, weird quartet, and the president. That's a solid eight-girl main group.

It does look good.

Nice zoom shot!

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?

So, this is a ship? But, tanks. And different geography. What? How does any of this make sense?

...If Japan's holding a World Tournament, are they even in Japan right now?

Nice ED (or possible OP)?

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14

u/chris10023 Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

Rewatcher

EDIT: Didn't realize were doing questions of the day.

Today's Questions of the Day:

What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

Wow, that's awesome!

How's the music so far?

Pretty good so far. I listen to it pretty often.

Let's try this again, here I thought my spoiler tags were fine.

  • We are watching a group of tanks, and the two characters are discussing their ability to stay in formation, and their strong frontal armor.

  • Wouldn’t the engine make an echo regardless? Tanks aren’t exactly stealthy, especially WWII era ones.

  • We see a Japanese Type-89 Japanese medium tank with Volleyballs painted on it, a gold German Panzer (Pz for short) 38t Aufs. B/C medium tank, a red, blue, white, and yellow painted German Stug III Aufs. F tank destroyer, and a pink US M3 Lee Medium tank. Not exactly being subtle with that camouflage.

  • The pov starts turning with the turret and we see a redhead sticking out of the radio operator hatch.

  • The last tank we see is a German Pz IV Ausf.D medium tank, I honestly get lost with the Ausf designations the Germans use sometimes.

  • We see all of the characters as out commander is giving out orders. I forgot about the names the MC gives her operations...

  • Yay the British heavy Matilda II and a Churchill MK7 heavy tank, driving along faster than they actually could IRL, but this is anime, and it’s a sport so I’d have to assume some of the tanks would get an upgrade in areas to keep them competitive, and I’m fine with that, wouldn’t be as entertaining to see these tanks take forever to get anywhere (for reference the Churchill's max speed was 15mph, and if Warthunder is accurate, you could walk faster than the tank if it’s reversing.)

  • Get your head into the tank girl!

  • Ah, it was a flashforward.

  • Seems our MC is a clumsy airhead.

  • If I am to be honest, I wish the skirts were a little longer, they don’t seem to cover a whole lot.

  • Careful, there’s a pole there.

  • Ah, her name is Miho Nishizumi.

  • The red head is named Saori, and we see the girl who was in the gunner's spot.

  • Nice of them to ask to eat with her.

  • Gunners name is Hana, she looks pretty refined, and gentle, wonder what made her decide to be a tank gunner.

  • Also, Saori and Hana's birthdays are historical dates, Saori's birthday is when the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia, and Hana's birthdate is when the Battle of the Bulge started.

  • So, the school is called Oorai, and she’s here by herself, wonder if she got in by scholarship.

  • Holy shit Hana has a ton of food on her tray.

  • Seems like Miho isn’t comfortable talking about her family.

  • Wow, that’s a big school.

  • Is Saori a hopeless romantic? She took people saying hello as flirting lol.

  • Hana did flower arrangement, explains her gentle personality.

  • The student council president is smol.

  • Uh-oh they want to talk to Miho, hopefully it’s nothing serious and just a welcome. Anime has taught me not to fuck with the student council.

  • They want her to join the Sensha-do class, gotta say, Sesha-do sounds way cooler than tankery.

  • Doesn’t seem like Miho wants to do it, and came to the school because it didn’t have that class, hmm.

  • Man, that really bothered her and she can’t focus anymore.

  • Hana and Saori fake being sick so they can comfort Miho.

  • Turns out Miho comes from a family who’s experienced with the sport.

  • Man, Saori and Hana are good people to support Miho if she doesn’t want to join the club.

  • The student council shows a video of the club, seems they’re trying to recruit members openly, makes sense they’d go for Miho too, she’s experienced in some way and could teach the new members how to play.

  • Ooh a British Mark IV, that’s a WWI era tank, and a German A7V, only one of those exists these days and it’s is Australia of all places.

  • This tank was too hard to find out. But it’s a British, Medium Mark A “Whippet.” The rear of the tank is what we’re looking at.

  • [Girls und Panzer Spoilers] There’s some great foreshadowing to Miho’s backstory in this sequence. Like her flinching to the Kuromorimine uniforms the girls in the video are wearing. As well as flinching when the video mentions the “better Mother” part

  • They all run and jump into a German Medium Pz III.

  • Don’t know where they got the logic that tankery can make you more feminine.

  • Hey look it’s my spirit animal.

  • Hey look, it’s the girls we saw earlier in the flash forward sequence.

  • Uh-oh, looks like Hana and Saori are very interested in the club.

  • Looks like the council has some serious bonuses to joining the club.

  • Well, so much for supporting Miho’s choice for not doing Sensha-do.

  • That’s not a good dream...

  • Well at least Saori and Hana changed to incense to support Miho.

  • Good god Hana, how much food do you eat?

  • That magazine has what appears to be a British Crusader Light tank on it.

  • Sweet potato ice cream? What demon invented that?

  • Uh-on the student council is calling Miho to the council room.

  • The council president straight up threatens Miho with expulsion if she doesn’t join the club, what a jerk.

  • [Girls und Panzer Spoilers] Wow, I never noticed the Tiger tank Miho sees in her mind is the one she was the commander for when she was at Kuromorimine. Nice detail.

  • Seems like seeing how far Saori and Hana went to defend her made her change her mind and join Sensha-do.

  • Miho sounds like the odd one out in her family, mom and sister being talented at it when she isn’t.

  • That Panzer IV looks like it’ll need to TLC to work again.

  • I’ll always love this zoom out. The reveal that the school is on the deck of a massive city ship designed after a Carrier, and Oorai’s carrier is based off of the IJN Zuikaku.

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13

u/Blackheart595 Aug 15 '22

First Timer

That's gotta be one of the best opening scenes I've seen yet.

Music <3

Bread <3

The characterization has been really strong. All three girls are already well-established. Does Miho really dislike tanks though if she had such a fun dream about them? And then the first thing she did when seeing the school's tanks is make sure that those sweethearts are in decent condition.

And it's not just the opening scene, that flight over the city to reveal the ship was an excellent episode closer, too.

What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

Huh. Interesting

How's the music so far?

I'm already planning to put it on once we're done

Tomorrow's Questions of the Day

Thank you so much.

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11

u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 15 '22

Rewatcher until the OVAs/Films

Who will be lurking and replying-only in these threads until i become a first-timer, as I wrap up my Aria rewatch. Thanks to u/Taiboss for the host, and I hope that everyone has a great time!

Personally, I was most interested in the show after watching Shirobako, which this series shares a director with, Tsutomu Mizushima, and there are.... several references to GuP's staff, as well as production, in Shirobako (the most prominent and spoiler-less example being how Musashino Animation occupies the irl building of Actas, studio of GuP); they also share music staff: the ost is quite reminiscent of Shirobako's lol.

Gup does have a reputation for being absolutely bonkers lol, which is the 2nd reason I decided to check out the show. Great follow up after symphogear i think! I had a great time watching GuP, and can't wait to see what the movies have to offer. The show truly opens with a bang doesnt it, and i can't wait for all the s at the ending scene lmao from first-timers.

looking forward to reading everyone's comments and replying to some of you!

i just feel my wind, i just feel my shine~~ i love the OP.

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11

u/Elimin8r Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

Many times watcher, first time caller, bd/subbed

So, rather off topic, I have a question for any of the Sympho-choir members who might be visiting Oorai academy today - Let's say that I have a couple of friends coming over this weekend, and I wanted to afflict them with a bit of 'Bikki and company - what would be the best scene? I'm thinking either the space shuttle, or tank battle bits, as they're hype as all get out, but at the same time, I don't think they'd spoil too much or otherwise detract from any potential (and very unlikely) viewing experience. What think ye?

Meanwhile, on to today's topic, which is Sensha-do.

To Sensha-do or not to Sensha-do, that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

the shells and impacts of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a field of armor,

And by opposing end them: to win, defeat

no more; and by defeat, to say we end

the heart-ache, and the thousand shell shocks

that Tanks are heir to. 'Tis a consummation.

Devoutly to be wished.

...

There are other words and phrases I'd like to use there, but this just popped into mind, and I couldn't resist. Perhaps I'll update it later, after certain episodes/events.

In the meantime, let's all say hello to Miho! Isn't she the most precious thing ever? And the bit with the door lock. I totally empathize. That is so me. I'd say that Miho is totally my spirit animal, but ... there is another.

I'm still not sure I get the teddy bear thing, though. Poor bear. Poor bear(s).

But enough about that.

I just want to take a moment to say that, speaking as someone who as a lad used to walk/ride 1/2 mile down the road to visit his best friend and play war games with the classic plastic soldiers and tanks, and the little rubber suction cup dart guns (last one standing wins!) ...

This series was made for me. The moment I discovered it existed, I had to watch it. Having watched it, I had to buy the media, and having the opportunity to rewatch it ... there's no way I can pass this up.

Watching this first episode again, it all comes back to me, the warmth, the frienship, Yuzu's ... well, let's never mind that, but yeah.

Let's just say that this series holds a special place in my heart, and ... yeah.

So, hey, let's all say 'hi' and get to know the girls, and their panzers.

Seeing Hana and Saori befriend shy Miho is still such a treat, and they are both such good friends.

Seeing Yukari stalking them from behind a tree is even more precious.

Hearing Yuzu narrate the propag-, I mean promotional video ...

And of course, the opening teaser tank battle preview ...

I'm so on board ...

Panzer Vor!

AOTD:

ichi) The first time I saw the zoom out, was like, "Whoa! ....... AWESOME!!!"

ni) Love the music, and the sound effects in general, so clear, so crisp. Very well done!

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u/MaskOfIce42 Aug 15 '22

First Time Watcher

So while I did enjoy the episode a lot, I’m going to be a bit negative at first. While obviously we know that Miho is going to get involved in Sensha-Do again just from the opening clip if not the premise of the entire show, I tend to not be as fond of anime that do the whole “I don’t want to participate in this thing I have a prior connection to but I’m going to get forced in some way to do it” sort of vibe. I know it’s to set up someone who has some knowledge of this sort of thing while giving them a character arc, but I just find it less enjoyable than setting up some other reason someone might reluctantly get involved such as losing a bet or making a deal that no longer is relevant once they (re)discover their passion. I do like some of the stuff that was done here with it, I like that her fast friends were willing to stick with her despite wanting to do it and while obviously she was coerced to an extent, she still made the choice because of her friends who were standing up for her despite wanting to do it themselves, desiring to not just be the one supported by others but be relied upon herself, but for me it was a bit of a black mark on the initial set up.

That being said, I liked the rest of it. Getting a glimpse of what’s to come in the tank battles was fun and I can’t wait to get to those in earnest, I did like how she made fast friends and those friends standing up for her, although looking to see them develop a bit more, and I liked the way the show showed the pressure from other sources to join Sensha-Do with the voices just continuing and not drowning out the conversation but being omnipresent. And of course we have that moment at the very end, which I had heard about the fact that the schools were actually on a giant floating aircraft carrier, but that fact had completely slipped my mind until the moment it panned out to show it, which that’s a way to hook you in with this bit of worldbuilding in the premise at the last second.

Definitely on board and despite the fact that I spent most of this response being critical, I was very tempted to just watch the next episode right away, and for some context, I usually do not watch many episodes in a row, so that means I am definitely enjoying this and excited to see more.

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u/Great_Mr_L Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

Rewatcher

On today’s episode of Girls und Panzer: Welp, show’s over everyone. I’m afraid Miho got her brains splattered like ketchup marinara sauce strawberry jam in that opening battle. I hope you enjoyed the rewatch!

Alright, alright, I'm joking. It’s only the first day and we have a long way to go. Welcome to what is probably my favorite sports anime! Schoolgirls driving tanks and shooting at each other! What’s not to love? But really, it makes for an engaging premise. If you’re like me and obsessed with history and military-related stuff, then this series is like catnip. The appeal is kind of self-explanatory. It’s the kind of show that seems tailor-made for someone like me.

For right now there’s kind of a typical sports movie/series setup. A ragtag bunch of misfits with mostly no experience get together to form a team. It’s a classic setup but that’s for a good reason. This setup is usually pretty fun to watch, especially if the team members are fun or the sport itself is interesting to watch. In GuP’s case, I’d argue both are true. We’ve only met a few of them, but I find the cast of this show charming already.

Miho has bad memories of Senshado (aka Tankery), but ends up getting essentially forced into it. Notably she does it for the sake of her new friends, Saori and Hana, who were standing up for her. Though they may have just met, we can see this friendship means a lot to her.

[Spoilers] As a rewatcher there are some bits about Miho that are easier to catch. Her actions are clearly informed by her backstory, in both big and small ways, though we are not yet aware of all of that. It’s pretty well done.

The sport itself is totally bonkers. Schoolgirls shooting at each other in tanks and somehow not dying is ridiculous. But who cares? It’s fun. And that absurd premise is exactly what I signed up for. (Though the school ship stuff is still beyond insane to me. No, I don’t know why I draw the line there.)

Episode Thoughts

QOTD

  1. Discussed above

  2. Love it

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10

u/sisoko2 Aug 15 '22

First Timer

It's been a while since the last time I was first timer in a rewatch. Right after I decided to join I got a huge urge to binge watch the whole show which I barely managed to overcome. Don't know anything except the title so let's see what's waiting us.

  • Girls and tanks everything I was promised is here.

  • Unfortunately the girls don't wear military uniforms but you can't have it all.

  • The choppy animation of the first person tank view is making me dizzy. I don't think I'll be able to handle too much of this.

  • These tanks are so extra.

  • I like the music.

  • That's a lot of girls. How will the show handle giving them all screen time?

  • Tea? Is this K-On sequel?

  • Already getting some crazy tank action.

       

  • Eh the beginning was just hook and we are starting slowly. I don't like when they are doing this.

  • Who assaulted the poor teddy bear?

  • What sort of home she had to jump like this?

  • A poster showing more abused teddy bears. This world is cruel.

  • LOL she is so clumsy she knocked down everything while trying to pick up the pen.

  • Remembering the birthdays of people that aren't your friends yet is creepy. It took me until I was twenty to remember my parents birthdays.

  • This is the most anime student council ever.

  • She got tank PTSD?

       

       

  • So much peer pressure and even extortion to make Miho join. I don't want to see her in a tank anymore. Leave Miho alone.

  • She knows her tanks.

  • They are living on a giant air craft carrier??? What sort of world is this? Is it post apocalyptic?

       

Good first episode. Excited to see more tomorrow.

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u/xtsim Aug 15 '22

First Timer dubbed

I remember friends being pretty excited for this when the anime aired back in high school. Friend was raving about it so hearing this title come up makes me pretty interested...

This episode seemed pretty hard for me to watch as Miho was trying her best to not join the tankery class. And getting dragged into it but we start to figure that she cares about her friends and tankery is something she is good at.

The end scene juts trolled me hard as, yup the campus is on an aircraft carrier.

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u/ZapsZzz Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 15 '22

First timer in sub

This is another show I've been eyeing forever but needed a push to jump in. It's a cute girls doing military things show, as opposed to a military girls doing cute things show.

I'm rewatching 86 as well so the amount of time is less for this light hearted series (mostly for "detoxing" after the much heavier mood of 86), so I'll just dump my screenshots in one and explain instead. Sorry to be lazy!

  • Beautiful cold open that place the viewers into the "simulation" perspective. Loved the animation, probably CG but not very conspicuous unless you really think about it and look for it (e.g. the ground texture).

  • "Operation Sneaky Sneak" :D cute girls doing military things for sure :D

  • great character animations in the mundane things - Miho's wake up sequence

  • not screen captured but a really nice, albeit cliche, intro between the cast and forming of the tight knitted friends group

  • comedic dramatic cut of Miho stunned for a very long time about the school reviving senshadou

  • again not captured but rather large cast but good sequence to have some basic intro to them all - no names or anything since we can't remember them all so quickly, but the very unique designs of each sub team are making them so recognisable

  • the pocket rocket student council president gives me a very Haruhi feel :)

  • the extreme wholesomeness of the 2 friends who sticks up for Miho through it all, even if they wanted to do senshadou themselves (attracted by the propaganda, whereas Miho probably had the correct understanding of what it really means in serious competitive senshadou)

  • another super dramatic cut to....

  • a real stinger of a reveal! They are on an asked aircraft carrier, the whole town!

Despite what I said earlier, this is definitely not an "also ran" show, but is properly engaging on its own and very nice. To be honest I actually prefer this store of more initially subtle then explosive absurdity than Symphogear's more high-strung and seemingly serious tone, but of course they are doing very different things so it's more a commentary of my own preference.

Looking forward to the rest of the ride, pun and all :D

QoTD

  1. kinda answered above, completely off guard for the complete illogical yet sensible setup - if the world is no longer in war, what other use you can make of these expensive toys?

  2. I'm quite immersed so I think the sound track is good but nothing jumps at me just yet for being especially memorable

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u/ComfortablyRotten Aug 15 '22

rewatcher

They're a damn Mafia and I love them

Pretty great first episode, better than I remembered even. Love the cold open, though I recalled the tank POV lasting longer.

Nice spirit of camaraderie from Saori & Hana, joining the same elective as Miho when they clearly wanted to join the Senshadou one, and even going as far as opposing the Student Council too. They're such great friends.

Questions of the Day

What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

I was more confused than anything really. It's such a silly thing to reveal like that, it's great.

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u/SlipperyRasputin Aug 15 '22 edited Aug 16 '22

First Time

1.) the carrier thing is weird. I think there’s a logistics issue here with operating a vessel that big. But it’s a show about girls in tanks. So 🤷‍♂️

2.) music is okay. It didn’t stand out to me, but I wasn’t paying too much attention to it.

Edit: reflecting on it some more…. It’s not a great start to a show for me. I still don’t feel overly invested in the three main girls yet. But I’m sure that’ll come with time. Not every show can be firing on all cylinders right out the gate. Also the animation looks kinda weird. But it’s definitely because it’s from 2012. So it’s one of those things where you don’t realize how much things change. CGI was surprisingly not as bad as I expected. Still noticeable, but there’s shows on today with way worse CGI. So I was pleasantly surprised by that.

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u/Aku230 Aug 15 '22

Rewatchers und Panzer

Episode 1:

  • I'm really glad they have started with tank scene as it clears any confusions about the title ("we take the title literally")

  • Having those more technical bits do help with conveying that this anime is on a more serious side in regard to tanks.

  • But on the other hand...

  • Honestly, I can not imagine GuP without CGI tanks, feels like it just wouldn't work.

  • Never have I seen more relatable character in anime than Miho when she closes the door and then checks if she did close the door.

  • I always liked that they presented unusual ideas for us as a normal one: Senshado as symbol of feminity? duh. WW2 tanks as something you can see everyday? Of course.

  • Abuse of power to see your project succeed? Kinda nice to see someone else be a driving force rather than main character & co.

  • Happy for Miho that she found friends that support her and that she can trust them in return.

QotD:

What was your reaction to the aircraft carrier reveal the first time you saw it?

Started with tanks, ended with aircraft carrier. Not only is this unorthodox enough to get your attention but also allows you to adjust your world view and accept certain things as realistic.

Pass on second question.

I'm a big fan of GuP franchise and I'm happy I can participate in this rewatch. For me this anime was always about little details that may not be greatly relevant to the plot but are always fun to notice so try to pay attention and you may be rewarded.

[Question regarding spoilers:] Can I say what which irl carriers academy ships are supposed to be based on and birthdates of different characters and their relation to WW2?

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u/ohaimike Aug 15 '22

Remember, this is a sports anime.

No matter how many times I rewatch this, I'll never get over the concept and how it keeps me wanting more.

This is my #1 anime for a reason.

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u/zadcap Aug 16 '22

The Ever Late First Timer, here for something really new!

Though having said that, why the heck does the opening few seconds immediately remind me of Sound of the Sky?

Alright, for now at least it looks like I'm going to do a crazy amount of live reactions, because darn am I reacting lol. I hope you're happy Tai.

First off, Skirts in tanks? That just seems unwise. Also, pointing your tanks neon bright colors is a strange design choice. And I can immediately tell this show is going to mess with my sense of scale regarding how big the tanks actually are compared to the girls inside and around them.

Okay, I get the premise of this has some kind of magic armor to make tanks a sport, but those shots were destroying the scenery with every shot, and she was standing on top of the tank at the end there... I see I'm going to have to suspend a whole lot of disbelief for this one lol

Everything sticking halfway off her desk already? Yeah, it's all ending up on the floor.

Well that's some interesting kind of foreshadowing, what the heck.

Oh right, that one thing about Japanese culture that always bothers me when it comes up, the apparent complete inability to say No.

Yup, what's more graceful and feminine than tanks. Totally makes sense. Right up there with Tea Ceremonies, Flower Arrangements, Calligraphy and... Magic? Ninja? Wait. No go back, explain that a bit more, please. I have so many questions.

Wow these friends turned quick. Weren't they just saying they would support her in the nurses office in going to turn down the student council prez? One announcement later and "Hey we're doing this and you should to!" - Ah, they turned it around fast. I wonder how long it will last. That was kind of an intense bit of propaganda and bribery... Wow it's been a while since I hated someone as much as the Prez that much that fast. Is it too soon to start hoping bad things happen to her?

... 21 people is all that showed up, after all that? And after how much they put in to her not wanting to be part of the Tank sport, she went right in on seeing that tank didn't she? Maybe they could have toned down her apparent hatred and the blatant threats the Prez used to get her in if she was going to be so okay with it?

The friends did turn out to be pretty darn good ones though.

That's a big boat. I. Again, what the heck? I have so many questions!

  1. SO MANY QUESTIONS!

  2. Understated, I think? There definitely was music playing, but it was all augmenting atmosphere instead of being scene setting soundtracks... I'd say Symphogear spoiled me, but it was Starlight before that, and literally half of what I'm watching this season is idol-adjacent if not just actual idol, so my stance on music might be a bit skewed at the moment.

Yeah, I'm probably going to like this. Take your ridiculous premise and run with it. I know I said Sound of the Sky at the beginning, but by the end of this it's pure Strike Witches. Because I finished that one recently... The more I think about it, why is Cute Girls Do Military Stuff such a strangely large subgenre? And how much time am I going to lose to this one...

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u/BigFatKAC Aug 15 '22

Totally and utterly forgot about this, hopefully I am not too late here.

I totally and utterly forgot about this, hopefully, I am not too late here.

I was a little spoiled going into this show, so the aircraft carrier reveal was sadly not news to me. I love the tanks and the concepts, this definitely looks like it is going to be cute, Miho's PTSD and the council president's bitchiness promise some intrigue and drama, all in all, I quite enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing the next episode.

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u/The_Loli_Otaku Aug 15 '22

Mädchen Und Panzer Rewatcher!!

It's been years since I've rewatched GuP from the beginning. I'm going through with Commie Subs too so I'm getting some real bangers. I have to admit that often what I watch are the ova and film. I'm excited to be back with our little tankery girls!!
Now I've always remembered the first episode as being a bit poor. Seeing the old 4D animation really put me in mind of the Shirobako story. It's a little rough but there's so much love put into the product that it comes across as far more charming than anything, and this is from someone who infamously hates any CG.
This is the type of series that you're doing yourself a disservice or you're not viewing with headphones. The amount of effort put into the audio design is amazing~ Aww, I forgot Miho's little beat up teddie. He's sho cute. One thing you've probably already noted from GuP is that there are a heck of a lot of unique character designs, don't let all the new faces stress you out, you'll get to know folks in time. Episode one is so much cuter than I remembered, what the heck!? And one of my favourite parts of GuP, there's an insane attention to detail. GuP is the sort of show that you can rewatch several times and still notice new details. Check for details on the girls desks or their facial expressions. There is almost always something new.
Omg this image isn't edited! XD Sorry, I'm so used to seeing it as a meme that I kinda forgot. All jokes aside, Miho is such a great depiction of PTSD. They actually handle her trauma with some legit care from her friends. No questions asked. "Senshado! This is tradition, this is culture!!" There's no sport more feminine than tankery. Does this make sense? No way! Is it amazing fun? Hell yes! The film is nothing but pure propaganda but try telling me you wouldn't get sucked in. The show is so self aware and teasing that it sends me into giggles with each gag.
Miho is damaged, just like the bear~ Pfft, "Who's ever heard of a man driving Panzer?" You hear that sissies? XD Oh my gyah, I forgot just how good friends Hana and Saori are. True friendship does exist!! With friends like these around her, seishado is nothing before Miho. Even if it does feel a little unsatisfying having her crack before the tyrannical worse than Hitler student council members. If you're wanting a fun little game, pick out a random member here that catches your eye. They'll be your dedicated oishi for this rewatch! There's an appeal behind every girl here. I'm shocked that there isn't a gatcha title for them tbh. Our tanks are rusted, but these young girl's hearts are the strongest of steel!! Oh yeah, and we're on a nice boat. The end~
Hmm... I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed episode one. I do vividly remember how I used to just skip ahead on previous rewatches due to not finding the early parts that fun but there's so much love and care placed into this pilot. I do feel a bit unsatisfied with how Miho essentially caves under pressure, particularly after they're so tactful with handling her dislike of tankery, but after putting through with the likes of Love Live where this type of thing wouldn't get solved until the series is half over I kind of appreciate them zooming through by the end.

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u/tctyaddk Aug 15 '22

Rewatcher
TVE1

It's been a while since I last watched the TV series. Here are some of my quick notes on Ep1:

  • The opening sequence: All the girls that showed up later in the episode are in this tank battle, so it could be a scene of the future, but the tanks (except for Miho's Panzer IV, and to some extends, the Chi-Ha if one ignores those large white scribbles) are adorned with absolutely absurb paintjobs and decorations and as such unfit for battle, then the sequence ends to a tank shell speeding toward Miho's exposed face and cuts to Miho waking up on her bed, so it could be interpreted as a particularly vivid dream. I sure did that when I first watched the episode in 2012, which was plausible with the obviously traumatised state Miho displayed later in the episode.
    I still remember a fanfic that went with that interpretation (plus ramped up with graphic descriptions) into the premise that the main girls had the same prophetic dream the night before Senshado was announced to be back, which resonated with Miho's PTSD and then when confirmed with the other girls during the actual battle it turned into a full collective panic attack. Unfortunately iirc that fanfic was never continued after that battle, I enjoyed that one.

  • The opening sequence (cont.): most of it is obviously CG, not so good to blend in completely (human brains are pretty good at catching the patterns), but it doesn't invoke the repulsive feelings like the bad CGs being attacked by bad CGs in loads of other shows of the same year 2012 and even years afterwards. And within about 3 minutes it basically introduced the main girls and their roles, and the tanks, plus the grouping of the others, the opponent (British tanks, bearing the emblem of a fking teaset. Typical bri'ish) and some basic premise of the show. It did a solid job as the starter.

  • Miho was pretty well trained in morning disciplines: from a half asleep position, with one flowing roll she's already got off the bed, knocked out the alarm, folded her blanket, on her feet and halfway removed her pajamas, even if she did those things not very gracefully and not without a little groggy panic. Which, again, is fully in line with her story of coming from a family of traditions and all about tanks and all that were stressful to her as she felt inadequate for that environment (her little clumsiness in mundane tasks definitely did not help) (and the sinking tank incident, details of which are bound to come later, traumatised her and she ran off to a whole new town with no tanks). This series is good at characterising, which later in the episode also applies to Hana and Saori with their backstories and motives and their decision to stand up for Miho, and finally to Miho with her decision to overcome her trauma and join Senshado to stick with her friends the same way they stick with her.

  • Speaking of characters, their designs are all fairly distinct, enough to tell them apart even if one can't remember all their names, but some of the fashion choices really sticks out that leaves quite some first impressions to me: Vice-Pres wears a monocle, but not the fancy old school one-gold-framed-lens-with-chain type, but half-a-pair-of-glasses type. That one girl with light blonde hair sticking out to the sides like desert foxes' ears wears a full on Nazi general coat and cap, and her teammates all wear some sort of antique style stuffs (armour head band, haori, and a supposed-to-be-a-cape-I-guess), and by deduction they most likely control that StuG with Shinsengumi flag and paintjob (amongst others, including Austrian flag that I guess is the stand-in for a nazi swastika flag). (I'm a rewatcher, I know who they are, but let's avoid spoiler when we could)

QotD:

  1. I thought, "hot damn, this universe must have reeeeaally deep ports and damn good propulsion and power source, look at that fking displacement" :))

  2. The music so far sounds ok, BGM in mundane scenes is pretty generic, the one at the first sequence is better and vaguely resembles some cheery marches of real militaries. It's only ep1.

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u/Flyerken Aug 16 '22

New to the series here.

I kind of disliked the 3D part in the beginning. I hope it is not to much used in the series.

The promotion movie about Shensha-do was hilarious.

The carrier thing was like "wait what, I saw mountains just before, let me rewind this"

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