Girls & Panzer: Saishuushou Part 1

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]

Akiyama, Yukari Main

Nakagami, Ikumi Japanese

Reizei, Mako Main

Iguchi, Yuka Japanese

Nishizumi, Miho Main

Fuchigami, Mai Japanese

Isuzu, Hana Main

Ozaki, Mami Japanese

Takebe, Saori Main

Kayano, Ai Japanese

Anzai, Chiyomi Supporting

Yoshioka, Maya Japanese

Katyusha Supporting

Kanemoto, Hisako Japanese

Darjeeling Supporting

Kitamura, Eri Japanese

Nishizumi, Maho Supporting

Tanaka, Rie Japanese

Itsumi, Erika Supporting

Nabatame, Hitomi Japanese

Maruyama, Shunpei Producer

Sekine, Youichi Producer

Nishikawa, Kazuyoshi Producer

Kamiji, Tomoyo Producer

Reviews

Dec 15, 2017

inisipis

Recommended

This movie's tank battle is a fight for honor.

Momo is the center of this story. No save the school this time.

First off from the start of a new opening sequence it's quite clear that this 6 part movie is meant to be the new 12 episode second season. With a new season comes with new characters and new tanks and new tounament, but let's save that for later. That being said the movie indeed felt like a two parter episode. The production values are not as grand as "Der Film" but it's still very good. Besides the somewhat noticeable 3D Miho in the opening prologue ... the CGI used in the film is still quite impressive, especially showing the vast pastoral landscape of quasi-French rural area.

The movie is truly enjoyable. Every minute is so fun to watch that time passes very quickly. The movie is much better than the battle with Anzio. We can see that Marie is a more crafty person than what the previews would led us to believe and BC team are a much more formidable team.

It's a sheer enjoyment to watch. Everything clicks with the pacing, the funny rapporteur with the characters, the ever expansive world building and the great setup of things to come. But, then it became a big disappointment. I'll state why on the spoilers in the Forum, but I was disappointed at the end and it's got nothing to do with the quality of the film. No, the film is stellar. The makers haven't lost their touch in delivering a great story nor did they lost their creative juices in this. The characters are quite refreshing to see again, along with their usual antics.The film is pack with gimmicks, tricks and homages to other films but one doesn't get to feeling that it's forced or contrived. Yukari's clandestine filming of the rival BC team is hilarious. The new characters are a good addition to the cast, as well as a good foil to the bubbly cuties of the Rabbit team. The ED sequence "Enter enter mission!" is even sung with a naval tune to go with the new characters personas.

Yes, I was disappointed with the movie for different reasons but I also enjoyed it so much that I watched it thrice. Maybe it's my GuP fan partiality, but I really really really... can't wait for movie 2.

----------------------------
4/14/18 update:

Since, the BD/Dvd is out for while now I can finally say why I'm disappointed in the film, it's because of the Cliffhanger at the end.

When I came out of the theater I can see in everyone's silent faces what they're thinking when the sad reality dawn on them "That is such a good and enjoyable movie!!! but damn, it'll be probably be months or even a year we get to see how they beat BC Freedom in part 2."

Sadly, still no word on Movie 2.:(

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by inisipis (4)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Aug 12, 2018

earl_of_sandvich

Recommended

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 you ... want 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.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by earl_of_sandvich (102)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Mar 31, 2022

Pika10032

Mixed Feelings

I don't write a lot of reviews, but I wanted to write this one for a simple reason.

This is not a movie.

This and the next 5 parts are essentially season two. I'm not writing a review for each part, but so far they each end with a cliffhanger and act just like a double-episode. They even slow down right in the middle where a new episode would start.
The quality is as good as the show, but it is not a movie. This of course means nothing after they have all been released, but right now expect a cliffhanger for each movie.
It's been 5 years and ... they are only halfway done. Why was this not a TV show?

Now my score has nothing to do the viewing format. I gave this a 4 because this episode is slow and basically just introduces the new plot and the new team. If this were a whole season, then my current score would be a 7. Not spectacular plot or characters, but awesome fight scenes, especially in movies 2 and 3. Better than the first season overall, but not as good as the movie.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Pika10032 (3)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Wyvern22's Short Movie Listing - 46m to 59m Part 1

by Clamshell

50 Entries · 3 Restacks

Film Series

by Lucifrost

42 Entries · 3 Restacks

GIRLS WITH GUNS (Part 2)

by MainBattleTanks

45 Entries · 45 Restacks

Recommendations

North American Anime & Manga Releases for September

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for September. Week 1: September 7 - 13 Anime Releases Bleach Set 21 Blu-ray [incl. episodes 292-3...read more

Sep 6, 2021 7:41 AM by Aiimee | Discuss (2 comments)

Q3 2021 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 9/29]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of anime and manga licensed in the second quarter (Jul-Sep) of 2021. Summer 2021 anime which were licensed befo...read more

Jun 25, 2021 3:43 PM by Snow | Discuss (36 comments)

	Poll: Girls und Panzer das Finale Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 ) removed-user - Mar 23, 2018	68 replies	by Zetsumu »» Oct 20, 3:59 PM
	FYI, Girls und Panzer das Finale is a 6-part OVA series. zenjamibu - Jul 6, 2017	15 replies	by Gar_Logan »» Aug 26, 2023 7:35 PM
	Wrong number of episodes for Fushou Akiyama Yukari no Sensha Kouza Bryce3D - Apr 17, 2022	1 replies	by chiliehead »» Jun 19, 2022 7:10 AM
	Sentai Filmworks had licensed Girls und Panzer das Finale Part 1 zenjamibu - Jun 29, 2021	4 replies	by zenjamibu »» Jul 27, 2021 3:47 PM
	ANOTHER DUBBED alvinreddelta - Dec 24, 2018	1 replies	by MrGarland »» May 1, 2020 3:26 AM