Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! explained

Native Name:
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Kanji:ガールズ&パンツァー これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!
Revhep:Gāruzu ando Pantsā: Kore ga Hontō no Antsio-sen desu!
Director:Tsutomu Mizushima
Screenplay:Takaaki Suzuki
Cinematography:Yoshihiro Sekiya
Editing:Masato Yoshitake
Music:Shirō Hamaguchi
Studio:Actas
Distributor:Showgate
Runtime:38 minutes[1]
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese
Gross:[2]

is a 2014 Japanese original video animation (OVA) directed by Tsutomu Mizushima from a script written by Takaaki Suzuki. Produced by Actas and distributed theatrically by Showgate, the OVA stars Mai Fuchigami, Ai Kayano, Mami Ozaki, Ikumi Nakagami, Yuka Iguchi, Maya Yoshioka, Misato Fukuen, Mikako Takahashi, and Kana Ueda. Set during the seventh episode of Girls und Panzer (2012), the OVA follows the full tank match between Ōarai Girls' Academy and Anzio High School led by Anchovy (Yoshioka).

The production of the OVA was announced in April 2013. The OVA's full title was revealed in November 2013 and was set to be released in theaters aside from its home media release. Misuzhima and Suzuki were revealed as the director and scriptwriter of the OVA in February 2014, respectively.

Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle was released in Japan on July 5, 2014, simultaneously in theaters and several paid online distribution services. The OVA grossed million at the box office and was nominated for an award at Newtype Anime Awards.

Plot

After their victory against Maginot Girls' Academy at the 63rd National High School Sensha-dō Tournament, Commander Anchovy of Anzio High School's Sensha-dō club announces a secret weapon that they will be using against Ōarai Girls' Academy. After Yukari Akiyama infiltrated their school, Ōarai learns the weapon is a P 40 heavy tank. Miho Nishizumi visits the Hippo Team to learn more about the tank and learns that Caesar has a childhood friend at Anzio.

On the day of the quarter-final match, Ōarai's Duck Team goes into reconnaissance and finds Anzio's Semovente and Carro Veloce tanks already positioned ahead of them at the crossroad. Following the Rabbit Team's report on the number of same tanks they found, Ōarai finds a discrepancy with Anzio's number of tanks allowed during the match, learning the tanks their two teams encountered earlier are made out of cardboard and Anzio is trying to encircle them at the crossroad with their mobility.

With Anzio's plan being discovered, Duck Team pursuits the Carro Veloces led by Pepperoni and Rabbit Team flees from Semoventes. Anglerfish, Turtle, and Hippo teams encounter Anchovy's P 40, Anzio's flag tank, and engage in a fight, with Hippo Team fighting a Semovente led by Caesar's friend Carpaccio. Duck Team manages to disable several Carro Veloces, forcing Anchovy to order her remaining tanks to regroup with her. Ōarai corners Anzio, with Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV disabling the P 40 to win the match. After the match, Anzio treats Ōarai with their Italian foods.

In a post-credits scene, Anzio arrives earlier to watch the tournament's final match between Ōarai and Kuromorimine Girls' Academy, but they end up sleeping during the match after holding a huge party.

Voice cast

CharacterJapanese[3] English
Miho NishizumiMai FuchigamiMargaret McDonald
Saori TakebeAi KayanoJessica Calvello
Hana IsuzuMami OzakiCaitlynn French
Yukari AkiyamaIkumi NakagamiRebekah Stevens
Mako ReizeiYuka IguchiMolly Searcy
Anzu KadotaniMisato FukuenRozie Curtis
Yuzu KoyamaMikako TakahashiMaeghan Avocato
Momo KawashimaKana UedaPatricia Duran
AnchovyMaya YoshiokaKira Vincent-Davis
CarpaccioSaori HayamiChristina Stroup
PepperoniYō TaichiChristina Kelly
Noriko IsobeMika KikuchiChelsea McCurdy
Shinobu KawanishiMari KirimuraCynthia Martinez
Akebi SasakiSakura NakamuraCarli Mosier
Takako Suzuki / CaesarEri SendaiShannon Emerick
Riko Matsumoto / ErwinSatomi MoriyaLuci Christian
Kiyomi Sugiyama / SaemonzaYuka InoueTiffany Terrell
Takeko Nogami / OryōAyuru ŌhashiNancy Novotny
Azusa SawaHitomi TakeuchiAllison Sumrall
Ayumi YamagōNozomi NakazatoKatelyn Barr
Karina SakaguchiKonomi TadaMonica Rial
Yūki UtsugiYuri YamaokaMaggie Flecknoe
Aya ŌnoChunaJuliet Simmons
Midoriko SonoShiori IzawaTiffany Grant
Reira NakajimaNozomi YamamotoTiffany Grant
Keiko HoshinoHisako KanemotoDiane Gallagher
Mai Nekota / NekonyāIkumi HayamaMonica Rial
Ami ChōnoHekiru ShiinaShelley Calene-Black
Erika ItsumiHitomi NabatameElizabeth Bannor

Production

Development

At the Heartful Tank Carnival event held in April 2013, the production of an original video animation (OVA) featuring the skipped match between Ōarai Girls' Academy and Anzio High School in the seventh episode of Girls und Panzer (2012) was greenlit.[4] In November 2013, the full title of the OVA was revealed, with new characters Carpaccio and Pepperoni debuting for the first time, and mechanical designer Hajime Katoki was announced to be contributing to its storyboards.[5] Character designs for Anchovy, Carpaccio, and Pepperoni were revealed in February 2014, as well as the tank designs that would be featured in the OVA: P 40, Semovente da 75/18, and Carro Veloce 33.[6]

Pre-production

In February 2014, Tsutomu Mizushima and Takaaki Suzuki were revealed to be directing and writing the script for the OVA at Actas, respectively, with Reiko Yoshida handling the series composition.[7] In May 2014, Saori Hayami and Yō Taichi were announced to be respectively voicing Carpaccio and Pepperoni in the OVA.[8] In the same month, Anchovy's voice actress Maya Yoshioka, who also voices Taeko Kondō as her original role, revealed that she was selected by sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami when he asked who should voice the character since they had not decided during the recording of the seventh episode.[9]

Post-production

Masato Yoshitake was revealed as the OVA's editor in February 2014. In May 2014, producer Kiyoshi Sugiyama revealed that the OVA was originally planned to be half-an-hour long but was extended by eight minutes due to the staff's desire to make it "in the same level as the movie" and new music being composed.

Music

Shirō Hamaguchi was revealed to be composing Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! in February 2014, after previously doing so for Girls und Panzer (2012). Similar with the anime television series, the OVA uses "Dream Riser" by Choucho and "Enter Enter Mission!" by the voice cast of Anglerfish Team as its opening and ending theme songs, respectively. The OVA's original soundtrack is included in the third drama CD of Girls und Panzer, which was released in Japan on August 6, 2014.[10]

Marketing

The announcement about the production of Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! was included in the teaser footage featuring the upcoming projects of the Girls und Panzer franchise in May 2013.[11] A television advertisement previewing the OVA was released in December 2013.[12] The key visual for the OVA was released in February 2014. The promotional video for the OVA was released in April 2014,[13] which was first shown on the eve of Ōarai Spring Festival Kairaku Festa in Ōarai last month,[14] followed by another one in June.[15]

The OVA's first five minutes began streaming on Bandai Channel, Gyao!, Rakuten ShowTime, and J:COM On Demand on July 2, 2014.[16] The OVA's Blu-ray theatrical limited edition was sold in theaters on its premiere, which includes a bust figure of Anchovy.[17] Promotional partners for the OVA included Namco and the cake specialty store Anishuga.[18] [19]

Release

Theatrical and online distribution services

Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! was released simultaneously in 14 theaters in Japan and on Bandai Channel, PlayStation Video Unlimited, J:COM On Demand, and au Video Pass on July 5, 2014.[20] [21] The OVA was previously scheduled to be released in March 2014 before it was shifted to the July premiere.

Home media

Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! was released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on July 25, 2014. They include an episode of Yukari Akiyama's Tank Course special featuring the Italian tanks.[22] The OVA was aired on AT-X on June 21, 2015,[23] on BS11 on December 30,[24] and on Tokyo MX on January 3, 2016. As part of the 10th anniversary of Girls und Panzer, the OVA aired on Animax on October 15, 2022,[25] and on January 1, 2023.[26]

In the United States and Canada, Hidive began streaming the OVA on June 3, 2020,[27] while Sentai Filmworks released it on Blu-ray and DVD combo set on March 21, 2017,[28] and on Blu-ray on January 12, 2021.[29] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, MVM Entertainment released the OVA on Blu-ray and DVD combo set on November 20, 2017.[30]

Reception

Box office

Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! grossed in Japan. In its opening weekend, the OVA ranked eleventh behind Documentary of AKB48: The Time Has Come (2014).[31]

Critical response

Ian Wolf of Anime UK News gave Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! 6 out of 10, worrying about Anchovy's nickname "Duce" due to its association with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and criticizing how the OVA was released, particularly by MVM, separately from the six-episode Girls und Panzer OVA. Despite the criticism, he praised the new characters introduced in the OVA, particularly Anchovy whom he described as "a fun, cheerful, confident creation" and Carpaccio who provides "a bit of background knowledge of the minor characters" due to her connection with Caesar.[32]

Accolade

Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! was nominated for Newtype Anime Award for Mecha Design in October 2014.[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://eiga.com/movie/79947/ . Eiga.com . Japanese . ja:ガールズ&パンツァー これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!. Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! . January 31, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131003328/https://eiga.com/movie/79947/ . January 31, 2022.
  2. Web site: Loo . Egan . July 9, 2014 . Girls & Panzers Anzio Anime Earns 34 Million Yen in Theaters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131012037/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-08/girls-and-panzer-anzio-anime-earns-34-million-yen-in-theaters/.76468 . January 31, 2022 . January 31, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  3. Web site: Cast . girls-und-panzer.jp . Japanese . January 31, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220115141006/https://girls-und-panzer.jp/cast/ . January 15, 2022.
  4. Web site: Loo . Egan . April 28, 2013 . Girls & Panzer Anime Gets 2014 Film, New OVA, Fan Disk . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131090915/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-28/girls-and-panzer-anime-gets-2014-film-new-ova-fan-disk . January 31, 2022 . January 31, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  5. Web site: Loo . Egan . November 17, 2013 . Girls & Panzers Anzio OVA, Mitsubishi Campaign Outlined . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131092636/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-17/girls-and-panzer-anzio-ova-mitsubishi-campaign-outlined . January 31, 2022 . January 31, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  6. Web site: Loveridge . Lynzee . February 9, 2014 . Girls & Panzers Anzio Anime Unveils July 5 Date & Designs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131100219/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-09/girls-and-panzer-anzio-anime-unveils-july-5-date-and-designs . January 31, 2022 . January 31, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  7. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . February 21, 2014 . Japanese . ja:公式サイトリニューアル!大幅更新致しました!. Official site renewal! We've made a major update! . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201402-article_15-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201015906/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201402-article_15-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  8. Web site: Nelkin . Sarah . May 3, 2014 . Saori Hayami, Yō Taichi Join Girls & Panzers Anzio Video Anime Cast . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131100917/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-03/saori-hayami-yo-taichi-join-girls-and-panzer-anzio-video-anime-cast . January 31, 2022 . January 31, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  9. Fuchigamu . Mai . Mai Fuchigami . Yoshioka . Maya . Sugiyama . Kiyoshi . Japanese . ja:ガールズ&パンツァー「これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!」スペシャルトークショー . Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! Special Talk Show . May 3, 2013 . Machi★Asobi . . https://gigazine.net/news/20140515-girls-und-panzer-machiasobi12/ . live . https://archive.today/20140515101532/http://gigazine.net/news/20140515-girls-und-panzer-machiasobi12/ . May 15, 2014 . February 2, 2022.
  10. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . July 11, 2014 . Japanese . ja:8/6発売ドラマCD「あんこうチーム訪問します!」詳細公開他、公式サイト更新!茨城空港でイベントも!. Drama CD to be released on Aug. 6 "Anglerfish Team Will Do Their Best!" details released and the official site updated! An event at Ibaraki Airport! . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_7-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201160244/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_7-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  11. Web site: Loo . Egan . May 20, 2013 . Girls & Panzer Video Teases 2014 Film, New Anzio OVA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201054422/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-19/girls-and-panzer-video-teases-2014-film-new-anzio-ova . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  12. Web site: Loo . Egan . December 9, 2013 . Girls & Panzers Anzio Video Anime Previewed in Ad . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201054951/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-08/girls-and-panzer-anzio-video-anime-previewed-in-ad . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  13. Web site: Nelkin . Sarah . April 4, 2014 . Girls & Panzers Anzio Video Anime Previewed in Video . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201060608/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-04/girls-and-panzer-anzio-video-anime-previewed-in-video . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  14. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . March 20, 2014 . Japanese . ja:海楽フェスタ前夜祭にて、OVA&ゲームの最新PV公開決定!<街なか解禁> 他、公式サイト更新!. The latest PV of OVA and game will be shown at the eve of Kairaku Festa! Other official website updates! . https://girls-und-panzer.at.webry.info/201403/article_9.html . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201062020/https://girls-und-panzer.at.webry.info/201403/article_9.html . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Girls und Panzer Official Blog.
  15. Web site: Nelkin . Sarah . June 6, 2014 . Girls & Panzers Anzio Video Anime's Theatrical Promo Streamed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201100532/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-06/girls-and-panzer-anzio-video-anime-theatrical-promo-streamed/.75271 . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  16. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . July 2, 2014 . Japanese . ja:OVA「これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!』 冒頭約5分 無料配信開始!. This Is the Real Anzio Battle! OVA's first 5 minutes are now available for free! . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_1-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201101524/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_1-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  17. Web site: http://girls-und-panzer.jp/pro_bddvd_8.html . girls-und-panzer.jp . ja:OVA「ガールズ&パンツァー これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!」. Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! OVA . February 3, 2022 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625135801/http://girls-und-panzer.jp/pro_bddvd_8.html . June 25, 2014.
  18. Web site: https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/goods/tieup-charapopup/ . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp . Japanese . ja:キャラポップストア「ガールズ&パンツァー」がオープン!. Chara Pop Store Girls und Panzer Opens! . February 1, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201102016/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/goods/tieup-charapopup/ . February 1, 2022.
  19. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . July 4, 2014 . Japanese . ja:いよいよ明日からOVA上映開始!キャストコメント到着!. OVA screening will finally start tomorrow! Cast comments have arrived! . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_3-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201103636/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201407-article_3-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  20. Web site: http://gs.dengeki.com/news/9606/ . July 3, 2014 . . Japanese . ja:7月5日(土)からいよいよイベント上映が始まる『ガールズ&パンツァー これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!』の本編冒頭が、3週間限定で無料配信されることが決定しました!. The first part of Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle!, which will be screened from July 5 (Saturday), will be distributed for free for three weeks only! . February 1, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201091745/http://gs.dengeki.com/news/9606/ . February 1, 2022.
  21. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . June 6, 2014 . Japanese . ja:OVAの劇場本予告公開!他、「もっとらぶらぶ作戦です!」web出張版など、公式サイト更新!. Theatrical trailer for OVA released! Other updates to the official site include It's the More Love Love Operation! Web business trip edition, etc. . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201406-article_4-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201095409/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201406-article_4-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  22. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . February 20, 2014 . Japanese . ja:「これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!」BD&DVD 7月25日発売決定!. This Is the Real Anzio Battle! BD & DVD will be released on July 25th! . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201402-article_14-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201021533/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201402-article_14-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  23. Web site: https://www.at-x.com/news/detail/1447 . May 8, 2015 . . Japanese . ja:「OVAガールズ&パンツァー これが本当のアンツィオ戦です!」放送時間注意のお知らせ【6月21日~】. Girls und Panzer: This Is the Real Anzio Battle! OVA Notice of Broadcast Time [June 21st–] . February 1, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201040420/https://www.at-x.com/news/detail/1447 . February 1, 2022.
  24. Web site: Hirooka . Yūji . December 11, 2015 . Japanese . ja:劇場版 大ヒット御礼!年末年始特番放送決定!OVAアンツィオ戦 地上波初放送!. The movie is a big hit! Year-end and New Year special program broadcast decided! First terrestrial broadcast of Anzio Battle! OVA . https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201512-article_5-html/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201041055/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/201512-article_5-html/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp.
  25. Web site: https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/202208-article-3/ . August 26, 2022 . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp . Japanese . ja:【公式サイト更新】放送情報、タイアップ・キャンペーン情報、「もっとらぶらぶ作戦です!」WEB出張版 . [Official website update] Broadcast information, tie-up campaign information, It's More Love Love Operation! WEB version edition . August 27, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220827133306/https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/202208-article-3/ . August 27, 2022.
  26. Web site: https://girls-und-panzer-finale.jp/broadcast-finale/ . girls-und-panzer-finale.jp . Japanese . ja:2022年10月、アニマックスにてTVシリーズ、劇場版、コンサートの放送が決定!. TV series, der Film, and concert will be broadcast on Animax in October 2022! . November 26, 2022.
  27. Web site: May 27, 2020 . Girls Und Panzer: This Is The Real Anzio Battle! OVA Streams on Hidive with a Dub . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311021059/https://www.hidive.com/news/2020/5/27/girls-und-panzer-this-is-the-real-anzio-battle-ova-streams-on-hidive-with-a-dub . March 11, 2022 . March 11, 2022 . Hidive.
  28. Web site: Ressler . Karen . November 23, 2016 . Sentai Filmworks to Release Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle! OVA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201022152/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-11-22/sentai-filmworks-to-release-girls-und-panzer-this-is-the-real-anzio-battle-ova/.109091 . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  29. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . January 13, 2021 . North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 10–16 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201022553/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-12/north-american-anime-manga-releases-january-10-16/.168306 . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  30. Web site: Osmond . Andrew . November 20, 2017 . Eureka 7 Released Monday (Updated) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201023153/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-11-19/eureka-7-released-monday/.124220 . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.
  31. Web site: Komai . Naofumi . July 7, 2014 . Japanese . ja:映画ランキング 2014年7月7日発表(毎週火曜更新). Movie Ranking Announced on July 7, 2014 (updated every Tuesday) . https://eiga.com/ranking/20140707/ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201043234/https://eiga.com/ranking/20140707/ . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Eiga.com.
  32. Web site: Wolf . Ian . December 5, 2017 . Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle! Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220202133134/https://animeuknews.net/2017/12/girls-und-panzer-this-is-the-real-anzio-battle-review/ . February 2, 2022 . February 2, 2022 . Anime UK News.
  33. Web site: Cardine . Kyle . October 13, 2014 . Kill la Kill, Idolm@ster Movie Win Top Prizes in Newtype Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201044652/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-12/kill-la-kill-idolm@ster-movie-win-top-prizes-in-newtype-awards/.79838 . February 1, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . Anime News Network.