Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
Starring: Ai Kayano, Jessica Calvello, Ikumi Nakagami, Rebekah Stevens, Mai Fuchigami, Meg McDonald, Mami Ozaki, Caitlynn French, Yuka Iguchi, Molly Searcy
Running Time: 300 minutes
Certificate: 12
The idea of girls and tanks could have easily sparked a creative flourish of voluptuous fanservice and gratuitous violence. It comes as a great surprise that GIRLS UND PANZER gives us neither. This is a very gentle show which focuses on friendship in much the same way as other innocent schoolgirl focused anime such as K-ON! The transformation of tank warfare into a sporting event, where tactics and hard work are rewarded over death and destruction, makes this both an unexpectedly uplifting show that has plenty of action, without being inappropriate or unsuitable for most audiences (pretty sure that 12 rating is just for the use of tanks and not how they are used).
Miho (Fuchigami/McDonald) transfers to a new school that doesn’t have a Tankery club in order to get away from her past. However, the school soon sets up its own Tankery club and wants Miho to join. This little conflict is quickly sorted out as Miho makes strong bonds with a range of characters. Although each character is lovable in their own right, none are developed that much. We learn things about them, but their effect on the plot could very well be interchangeable. The plot is also rather simple, but its this simplicity that makes the show work. It doesn’t try to be convoluted or stretch itself too far. This is all about the girls and their friendships, with hardly any males present, no romantic subplots, and just a pleasant tone throughout. Even when different teams go to battle they always have respect for one another. It would have been very easy to make an “evil” team to boo and hiss at, but fortunately we’re spared such nonsense.
The battles themselves are incredible. The tanks are computerised, but are done so as to create very movable objects that can manoeuvre in amazing ways throughout their environments. Speaking of environments, each battle takes place in a memorable and beautifully designed location. Whether this be a snow covered ghost town, open and green fields, or even cities (where people are evacuated and a crash into your house is good luck). Each skirmish is also exciting without having to become overly dramatic or violent. You’re never in fear of any harm coming to characters, which puts this series in the realm of sports movies. The tension is still very much there, but it’s due to the fact that we want Miho and her team to win.
GIRLS UND PANZER has taken something as cool as tanks, and given it a friendly finish. It’s very refreshing to see a show that takes a simple idea filled with tons of action and doesn’t feel the need to shove boobs in your face or add in millions of distracting elements. Wholesome action is something that is exceptionally rare today, but the show is also beautifully constructed and well executed. English and Japanese voice casts capture the soft innocence as well as showing the girls learning to command and work together. If it’s a little predictable, that can be forgiven, because after all is said and done, you want it to turn out for the best.
[usr=4]GIRLS UND PANZER is released on DVD 14th April and Blu-ray 28th April via MVM.
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