Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 1
Girls und Panzer das Finale – Part 1
『ガールズ＆パンツァー 最終章』第1話
Rumor has it that Momo Kawashima, former student council member at Ooarai Girls Academy, is bound to repeat a year. Having failed her university entry exams, she is far from spending another year at Ooarai, but her plight is unenviable nevertheless. The only way for her to gain admission into a university is to be granted an athletic scholarship. With the Winter Continuous Track Cup rapidly approaching, Momo becomes the commander of Ooarai's tankery team, so as to demonstrate her sport skills and wipe away the stain on her honor. Their first opponent—French-themed BC Freedom High School—is split into two factions that are constantly at odds with each other. Despite this seemingly fortuitous match against a disorganized rival, Ooarai might soon find itself taking one step too far. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Synopsis
Rumor has it that Momo Kawashima, former student council member at Ooarai Girls Academy, is bound to repeat a year. Having failed her university entry exams, she is far from spending another year at Ooarai, but her plight is unenviable nevertheless. The only way for her to gain admission into a university is to be granted an athletic scholarship. With the Winter Continuous Track Cup rapidly approaching, Momo becomes the commander of Ooarai's tankery team, so as to demonstrate her sport skills and wipe away the stain on her honor. Their first opponent—French-themed BC Freedom High School—is split into two factions that are constantly at odds with each other. Despite this seemingly fortuitous match against a disorganized rival, Ooarai might soon find itself taking one step too far. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Trailer
Reviews(7)
earl_of_sandvich
August 12, 2018
Re-posted review with minor edits since we seem to be treating each episode as its own show a la YuYuYu prequel's initial release. It's been said before: "Great shows leave you wanting more, terrible shows leave you demanding a refund for the time it wasted." Dammit, I want more. I should've heeded advice I heard long ago: "Don't watch an OVA until all the episodes are out." For those of you unfamiliar with Girls und Panzer (GuP), a few things to keep in mind: - The entire show is like a long sketch comedy skit, and the first episode of this finale series is no different. - If youwant to enjoy the show, don't take anything but the friendships seriously. There's nothing realistic about the tanks, and the cultural references are mostly jokes. - Seriously, watch the whole series, movie, and bonus OVA. If you love a good laugh, you'll love this franchise. This series is something of a cult hit/classic, even though series 1 hit a production snag that caused it to take a month or so of hiatus. I wasn't bothered by that, because I only started watching a few years after it aired. Holy cow, this anime is hilarious. So naturally fans wanted more. A movie and OVA were announced during a live show, and there was much rejoicing (yay). But even after an absurdly ridiculous and over-the-top movie, fans still wanted more. OK, said the production staff, we'll do more. But this is the last time! Kinda like Strike Witches but with skirts. Episode 1 feels like a movie all on its own (in fact it feels like the recent Nanoha movie), the action and story feel "meaty" for lack of a better term, the new tank and team had me in stitches (especially when the show poked fun at Army vs Navy rivalry-- and I was sure they would go for the TOG II, but this new tank will do just as well, since it was designed for a similar role), and the new rival team is also hilarious. Watching a blonde aristocrat munching cake with glee is one of my favorite scenes in the show. The soundtrack for the OVA is expanded even further from the movie, and I love the new tracks that make use of the horns and drums; one of them is kind of like a team of ballerinas doing a quick march in army boots. The Shark Team is the only team to get a theme song/tune (sung by Madoka Yonezawa, who has a great singing voice), and the orchestral version soars while they save the day. Give the composer a raise. The OP is fantastic, especially with that animation. Wow. You wouldn't think the gal who sang the Anglerfish Dance would come up with that, but she's got skills. And an orchestral Enter Enter Mission? ... OK, I could dig that. Finally, since the new team is French themed, there's no better army song than La Chanson de L'Oignon, or "The Song of the Onion." Yes, really. One of the most beloved marches in the French military is a song about onions fried in oil, and how they're going to keep the Austrian dogs from having some (must be a Marie Antoinette reference). Yes, really, I kid you not. The girls are driving tanks while (obliquely) singing about onion rings. If that doesn't make you laugh, I'm sure there's a highly artistic French film out there you'll enjoy.