Girls und Panzer das Finale explained

Native Name:
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Kanji:ガールズ&パンツァー 最終章
Revhep:Gāruzu ando Pantsā: Sai Shūshō
Director:Tsutomu Mizushima
Screenplay:Reiko Yoshida
Editing:Masato Yoshitake
Music:Shirō Hamaguchi
Studio:Actas
Distributor:Showgate
Runtime:Total (4 films):
203 minutes
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese
Gross:Total (4 films):
billion

is a six-part Japanese animated film series and a sequel to Girls und Panzer (2012) and Girls und Panzer der Film (2015). Produced by Actas and distributed by Showgate, the film series is directed by Tsutomu Mizushima from a script written by Reiko Yoshida and features an ensemble cast from previous installments of the franchise.

The film series follows the students of Ōarai Girls' Academy helping Momo Kawashima with her university entrance by winning the Winter Continuous Track Cup. With Miho Nishizumi demoting to Vice-Commander to give her commanding position to Momo, Ōarai faces and defeats BC Freedom Academy, Chihatan Gakuen, and Keizoku High School, advancing to the finals against St. Gloriana Girls' College, where Alice Shimada transferred.

A sequel project for the franchise was greenlit in August 2016. Although the project was first teased as a stand-alone film in September 2016, the format was revealed to be a six-part film series in November. The first film in the series was completed four days before its premiere in December 2017. That month, Mizushima began working on the second film, which was completed in June 2019. Production on the third film continued in May 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which was completed in March 2021. Production on the fourth film began in April 2021 and was completed in September 2023. That month, Mizushima began working on the fifth film.

Four films in the Girls und Panzer das Finale series have been released in Japan since 2017: Part 1 on December 9, 2017, Part 2 on June 15, 2019, Part 3 on March 26, 2021, and Part 4 on October 6, 2023. The film series has grossed over billion in Japan and received nominations at Newtype Anime Awards and Tokyo Anime Awards Festival.

Films

Part 1

As winter arrives, Momo Kawashima is determined to find Ōarai Girls' Academy's missing ninth tank. However, news travels throughout the school that Momo has not been accepted by any universities, resulting in a misleading rumor that she might be held back. Miho Nishizumi and her friends figure that they can get Momo accepted into the same university as Anzu Kadotani and Yuzu Koyama if they can demonstrate that Momo is skilled at Sensha-dō. To achieve this, they name Momo as the commander of Ōarai's tank teams and join the Winter Continuous Track Cup. Anglerfish Team travels below the aircraft carrier's deck to find the tank and wins the challenges set by a delinquent group led by Ogin. Learning of Momo's predicament, Ogin's group decides to join them, forming the Shark Team, to repay their debt to Momo for saving them from expulsion. They also recover the missing Mark IV tank being used as a smokehouse. Ōarai faces off against BC Freedom Academy at the start of the tournament. Yukari Akiyama learns through surveillance that the BC Freedom students are deeply divided between the original students and the high school transfer students, with their commander Marie seemingly oblivious of the situation. Confident that BC Freedom lacks the teamwork for a coordinated defense, Ōarai undertakes a direct attack on their flag tank. However, BC Freedom demonstrates an unexpected esprit de corps and traps Ōarai in a crossfire on a bridge. Ōarai uses Shark Team's tank as a makeshift bridge to escape. BC Freedom and Ōarai retreat following the failed ambush.

Part 2

After escaping BC Freedom's ambush, Ōarai uses Mallard Team's Renault Char B1 and the cover of a bocage's hedgerows to pose as a BC Freedom tank and reignite the quarrel between their students. Exploiting their opponent's temporary confusion, Ōarai takes out Marie's flag tank and wins the match. While on a break before the next match, Saori Takebe accompanies Momo to her home and meets her four siblings and her frail mother. Meanwhile, Chihatan Gakuen, Pravda Girls' High School, Saunders University High School, Kuromorimine Girls' High School, St. Gloriana Girls' College, Anzio Girls' High School, and Keizoku High School advance to the next round. Ōarai's next opponent is Chihatan, which adapts a new set of effective tactics that they learned from Ōarai's examples. Chihatan uses hit-and-run attacks and amphibious assaults to launch numerous ambushes on Ōarai, but the latter forces their retreat after luring them into a trap.

Part 3

After regrouping, Chihatan resumes its hit-and-run attacks on Ōarai. Chihatan's commander Kinuyo Nishi decides to focus on taking out Anglerfish Team to destroy Ōarai's morale. Ōarai tank teams quickly become separated in the confusion and multiple skirmishes take place. Miho decides to turn on her tank's headlight to expose her location and draw all of the Chihatan tanks towards her. As Chihatan celebrates after disabling Anglerfish Team's tank, Turtle Team, Ōarai's flag tank, comes out of hiding and disables Kinuyo's tank, winning the match in the process. In other matches, Kuromorimine defeats Pravda after Erika Itsumi followed Maho Nishizumi's advice and used her tactics that diverge from the school's traditional frontal attack, St. Gloriana easily defeats Anzio, and Keizoku manages to pull an upset victory against Saunders. This leaves Ōarai to face off against Keizoku and Kuromorimine against St. Gloriana in the semifinals. At the outset of the third match, Keizoku uses hit-and-run attacks and guerilla tactics against Ōarai, splitting their forces as a result. As Anglerfish Team protects the Anteater Team, their flag tank, one of the Keizoku's tank team, commanded by the one known as the "White Witch", disables Miho's tank with a single long-range shot.

Part 4

The quick elimination of the Anglerfish Team sinks the morale of Ōarai and sends shockwaves to viewers of the game. Anzu takes an impromptu role as commander to keep the team from falling apart and has their tanks protect the Anteater Team by digging trenches in the snow. After discovering an abandoned underground aqueduct for escape, Anzu appoints Azusa Sawa as the new commander, before the Turtle Team's tank is taken out by the "White Witch", Jouko. Sawa leads the Ōarai tank teams to weed out Jouko and eliminate her, through baiting tactics. With Sawa's commands, she allows Ōarai tanks to outnumber Keizoku's flagship tank, Mika. However, Mika lures them into a trap, causing both Keizoku's and Ōarai's tanks to plunge down the side of a mountain. As the two teams fight, while sliding down the mountainside, an avalanche takes out all but the Anteater Team and two Keizoku tanks, including Mika. Keizoku chases Ōarai into a village, where they are tricked by a diversion allowing the Anteater Team to eliminate Keizoku's flagship tank and win the match. Meanwhile, Kuromorimine and St. Gloriana face each other in the semifinals. Darjeeling overwhelms Erika, by spreading Kuromorimine's teams apart. Before St. Gloriana can corner Kuromorimine, a sandstorm allows Erika to regroup and bring the match to an even playing field. St. Gloriana then introduces their new transfer student, Alice Shimada, who enacts a decisive blow on Kuromorimine and wins the match, deciding the final match between St. Gloriana and Ōarai.

Cast and staff

Voice cast

This section includes characters who have appeared in more than two films in the series.

CharacterPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 4
Ōarai Girls' Academy
Miho Nishizumicolspan="4"
Margaret McDonald
Saori Takebecolspan="4"
Jessica Calvello
Hana Isuzucolspan="4"
Caitlynn French
Yukari Akiyamacolspan="4"
Rebekah Stevens
Mako Reizeicolspan="4"
Molly Searcy
Anzu Kadotanicolspan="4"
Christina StroupChelsea McCurdy
Yuzu Koyamacolspan="4"
Serena VargheseMeaghan Avacato
Momo Kawashimacolspan="4"
Elizabeth Maxwell
Noriko Isobecolspan="4"
Genevieve Simmons
Taeko Kondōcolspan="4"
Kalin Coates
Shinobu Kawanishicolspan="4"
Cynthia Martinez
Akebi Sasakicolspan="4"
Carli Mosier
Takako Suzuki / Caesarcolspan="4"
Shannon Emerick
Riko Matsumoto / Erwincolspan="4"
Luci Christian
Kiyomi Sugiyama / Saemonzacolspan="4"
Joanne BonassoTiffany Terrell
Takeko Nogami / Oryōcolspan="4"
Elissa Cuellar
Azusa Sawacolspan="4"
Allison Sumrall
Ayumi Yamagōcolspan="4"
Savanna Menzel
Karina Sakaguchicolspan="4"
Monica Rial
Yūki Utsugicolspan="4"
Maggie Flecknoe
Aya Ōnocolspan="4"
Juliet Simmons
Midoriko Sonocolspan="4"
Tiffany Grant
Moyoko Gotōcolspan="4"
Shelley Calene-Black
Nozomi Konparucolspan="4"
Emily Neves
Reira Nakajimacolspan="4"
Juliet Simmons
Maria Suzukicolspan="4"
Brittney Karbowski
Keiko Hoshinocolspan="4"
Chaney Moore
Muuton Tsuchiyacolspan="4"
Luci Christian
Mai Nekota / Nekonyācolspan="4"
Monica Rial
Taki Momose / Momogācolspan="4"
Olivia Swasey
Aoi Hiyoshi / Piyotancolspan="4"
Amelia FischerMaggie Flecknoe
Ogincolspan="4"
Dawn M. Bennett
Rumcolspan="4"
Sarah Wiedenheft
Murakamicolspan="4"
Morgan Berry
Flintcolspan="4"
Amber Lee Connors
Cutlasscolspan="4"
Alyssa Marek
BC Freedom Academy
Marierowspan="2"
Cat Thomas
Andorowspan="2"
Alexis Tipton
Oshidarowspan="2"
Avery SmithhartJade Kelly
St. Gloriana Girls' College
Darjeelingcolspan="4"
Kara Greenberg
Orange Pekoecolspan="4"
Christina Kelly
Assamcolspan="2"
Joanne BonassoBrittney Karbowski
Rosehipcolspan="2"
Emily NevesEmily Neves
Alice Shimada
Shanae'a Moore
Saunders University High School
Kayrowspan="2"
Emily Neves
Naomirowspan="2"
Shelley Calene-BlackPatricia Duran
Alisarowspan="2"
Brittney KarbowskiBrittney Karbowski
Pravda Girls' High School
Katyushacolspan="2"
Hilary HaagHilary Haag
Nonnacolspan="2"
Olga JankowskiShannon Emerick
Klaracolspan="2"
Sarah NatochennyChristina Kelly
Kuromorimine Girls' High School
Maho Nishizumirowspan="2"
Kim PrauseKim Prause
Erika Itsumicolspan="4"
Katelyn Barr
Koume Akaboshicolspan="3"
Melissa MolanoEllen Evans
Emi Kozimacolspan="3"
Olivia Swasey
Anna Irumacolspan="2"
Anzio Girls' High School
Anchovycolspan="4"
Kira Vincent-Davis
Carpacciocolspan="4"
Christina StroupChelsea McCurdy
Pepperonicolspan="4"
Christina Kelly
Chihatan Gakuen
Kinuyo Nishicolspan="4"
Alexis LeeSuzie YeungChrsity Guidry
Tamaki Tamadacolspan="4"
Chaney Moore
Shizuko Hosomicolspan="4"
Joanne Bonasso
Emi Ikedarowspan="2"
Genevieve Simmons
Noriyo Hamadarowspan="2"
Monica RialWhitney Rodgers
Tomiko Teramotorowspan="2"
Mai Le
Rin Kubotarowspan="2"
Emily Neves
Haru Fukudacolspan="3"
Terri Doty
Setsuko Nagurarowspan="2"
Kara Greenberg
Yasoko Nishihararowspan="2"
Kristen McGuire
Keizoku High School
Mikacolspan="4"
Allison SumrallLauren HerinkKelly Greenshield
Akicolspan="4"
Melissa Molano
Mikkocolspan="3"
Jenny Strader
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Ami Chōnocolspan="4"
Shelley Calene-Black
Chitose Hachiyacolspan="2"
Hand-picked University Team
Azumirowspan="2"
Melissa Pritchett

Staff

StaffPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 4
DirectorTsutomu Mizushima
ScreenwriterReiko Yoshida
Original character designerFumikane Shimada
Chief animation director and character designerIsao Sugimoto
Historical researcher and supervisorTakaaki Suzuki
Original character design assistantTakeshi Nogami
Military worksTakeshi Itou
Prop designerTakao Takegami, Noriko Ogura, Momoko Makiuchi, and Kanta Suzuki
3D directorKeiichiro Yagino
Modeling draftKeiji Harada and Arkpilot
3DCGIGraphinicacolspan="2"
Studio Katyusha
Color designerSachiko Harada
Art directorSatoru Hirayanagi
Director of photographyYoshihiro Sekiya
Hyo Gyu Parkcolspan="3"
Kōhei Tanada
EditorMasato Yoshitake
Sound directorYoshikazu Iwanami
Sound effectsYasumasa Koyama
Recording adjustmentTakayuki Yamaguchi
ComposerShirō Hamaguchi
Animation studioActas
DistributorShowgate

Production

In August 2016, the production for the sequel to Girls und Panzer der Film was announced. The following month, producer Kiyoshi Sugiyama teased the format of the project would be a standalone film, but he later retracted his comment and apologized for causing a confusion. The format was revealed in November 2016 to be a series of six films. Screenwriter Reiko Yoshida revealed that the sequel was intended to be an original video animation. When it became a six-part film series, Yoshida began writing the script starting from the last film and finishing at the first film to adjust the overall length of the story.

In October 2017, the new characters to appear in the first film, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1, was revealed, namely Yumi Hara as Marie, Minami Tsuda as Ando, Chika Anzai as Oshida, and Ayane Sakura as a "mysterious new character". The film was completed in December 2017, four days before its release. That month, Sakura's character was revealed to be Ogin, along with Natsumi Takamori, Yō Taichi, Madoka Yonezawa, and Ami Nanase as Rum, Murakami, Flint, and Cutlass, respectively. Sentai Filmworks revealed the English staff and dub cast for the film in September 2021.

Director Tsutomu Mizushima began working on the second film, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2, in December 2017. The staff used Unreal Engine 4 for the jungle match between Ōarai Girls' Academy and Chihatan Gakuen. Mizushima confirmed in May 2019 that the film was seven minutes longer than Part 1. The film was completed in June 2019. Sentai Filmworks revealed the English staff and dub cast for the film in December 2021.

In May 2020, production for the third film, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 3, was confirmed to be continuing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with Mizushima stating that the staff had begun to edit the film and prepare for the cast's dialogue recording. It was completed in March 2021. Sentai Filmworks revealed the English staff and dub cast for the film in December 2022.

Production for the fourth film, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 4, began in April 2021. The dubbing was completed in June 2023. The final cut was finished in July 2023, with the film's runtime to be around 53 minutes. Studio Katyusha used 3DCG for about 800 cuts and Unreal Engine for another 600 or more cuts. In September 2023, Shion Wakayama was revealed to be voicing Jouko. That month, the film was completed. New characters were revealed in October 2023, namely Konomi Tada as Yuri, Ai Kayano as Tami, Ikumi Nakagami as Tomi, Nozomi Nakazato as Reino, Satomi Akesaka as Ari, Satomi Moriya as Hida, Sumire Uesaka as Iruma and Katsuya, Misato Fukuen as Cranberry, Kana Ueda as Vanilla, and Yuka Iguchi as Peach.

Mizushima began working on the fifth film, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 5, in September 2023. He stated the film would focus on depicting the "everyday lives" of the characters.

Music

In July 2017, the title of the opening theme song for the first three films in the Girls und Panzer das Finale series was revealed as "Grand Symphony", performed by Sayaka Sasaki. That month, ChouCho was set to perform the opening theme song for the final three films. The CD for "Grand Symphony" was released in Japan on December 6, 2017. The ending theme song for the film series was titled, performed by Maho (Mai Fuchigami), Saori (Kayano), Hana (Mami Ozaki), Yukari (Nakagami), and Mako (Iguchi). Its CD was released in Japan on December 13, 2017. The original soundtrack album for the first three films, titled Girls und Panzer das Finale Episode 1–Episode 3 OST, was released in Japan on May 12, 2021.

In July 2023, the title of the opening theme song that would be used for the final three films was revealed as "Never Say Goodbye". Its CD was released in Japan on October 4, 2023.

Marketing

An announcement video for the Girls und Panzer das Finale project was released online on September 16, 2016, which was first shown at Girls und Panzer Heartful Tank Carnival II event last month. In June 2017, a bus tour promoting the film series was held at Tsukuba Circuit during the D1 Grand Prix series, in which two cars of Pacific Racing Team with Girls und Panzer character designs participated. In October 2017, Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company announced that they would issue Mastercards designed with members of Anglerfish Team. In September 2023, JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation revealed a collaboration with the film series, in which they would promote it during the match between Mito HollyHock and Oita Trinita at the 2023 J2 League on September 23 and would release a commercial featuring the company mascot Copper-kun and the Anglerfish Team in early October. In November 2023, Heiwa Corporation announced a smart pachislot based on the film series, which was launched in February 2024. In January 2024, Culture Entertainment announced the original goods based on the film series would be available on their online lottery Kuji Luck Online.

The film series had collaborations with brand partners, namely Lawson, Tsutaya, Marui, Animate, Coco's, Daily Yamazaki, Morinaga Milk Industry, Sega, HMV, Joysound, Baskin-Robbins, Marion Crepes, Tower Records, Seiko, Cospa, Big Echo, Saza Coffee, Don Quijote, Sato Pharmaceutical, and Kentex. It also had collaborations with video games, such as Vivid Army and World of Tanks.

Release

Theatrical

Four films in the Girls und Panzer das Finale series have been released in Japan since 2017. Part 1 was released on December 9, 2017. Part 2 was released on June 15, 2019, and in Dolby Atmos and theaters on August 16. Part 3 was released on March 26, 2021, and in 78 4DX and MX4D theaters on October 8. Part 4 was released in regular and Dolby Atmos theaters on October 6, 2023, and in 4D theaters on November 23.

Home media

The home videos of Girls und Panzer das Finale films were distributed by Bandai Namco Filmworks, under their label Emotion, in Japan, Sentai Filmworks in the United States and Canada, and MVM Entertainment in the United Kingdom.

FilmFormatCountryRelease date
Part 1Blu-ray, DVDJapanMarch 23, 2018
Blu-rayUnited States, CanadaSeptember 14, 2021
United KingdomApril 11, 2022
Part 2Blu-ray, DVDJapanFebruary 27, 2020
Blu-rayUnited States, CanadaNovember 23, 2021
United KingdomMay 16, 2022
Part 3Blu-ray, DVDJapanDecember 24, 2021
Blu-rayUnited States, CanadaSeptember 20, 2022
United KingdomOctober 31, 2022
Part 4Blu-ray, DVDJapanMarch 27, 2024

The first three films were streamed on Hidive: Part 1 on December 13, 2021, Part 2 on February 21, 2022, and Part 3 on December 19.

Reception

Box office

, the four Girls und Panzer das Finale films have collectively grossed billion in Japan and million worldwide. In the opening weekend, Part 1 earned million, Part 2 earned million, Part 3 earned million, and Part 4 earned million.

FilmBox office gross
JapanOther territoriesWorldwide
Part 1million[1] [2]
Part 2million[3] [4]
Part 3million[5] [6]
Part 4million[7] [8]
Totalbillion

Critical response

Ian Wolf of Anime UK News gave Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1 a score of 9 out of 10, praising the production, the comedy despite being "basic and based on stereotyping", the new characters that belonged to Shark Team, and the opening theme song. Regarding the whole film series, he felt "frustrat[ed]" about how it would be taking a long time to be completed due to a "two-year gap between each [films]" and suggested "mak[ing] a few longer films rather than many short ones". Wolf gave a similar score to Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2, praising the action scenes that he described as "thrilling, with unexpected twists and turns", the music, and the "slightly longer" runtime.

The Japanese review and survey firm Filmarks placed Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 3 first in their first-day satisfaction ranking, with an average rating of 4.17/5, based on 284 reviews. Fuminobu Hata scored the film 9 out of 10 for IGN Japan, praising the tank action sequence, the "inductive flow and cliffhanger-style" direction for a 48-minute runtime, and the "exquisitely composed" sound. Wolf gave Part 3 a score of 8 out of 10, noting the use of mixed CGI during the scene taking place in the jungle and finding the characters being animated with CGI "disappointingly clunky". He found the action sequence "more substantial" as compared to Part 2.

Filmarks placed Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 4 first in their first-day satisfaction ranking, with an average rating of 4.33/5, based on 477 reviews. Hata gave the film a score of 9 out of 10, lauding it for featuring tank battles that were "more gripping" than Part 3 from start to finish and noting the use of visuals to develop a story that had minimal dialogue. He also noted how the film explored the theme of .

Accolades

In October 2018, Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1 and the film's mechanical animation director Takeshi Itou were nominated for Best Picture (Film) and Best Mechanical/Prop Design categories, respectively, at the Newtype Anime Awards. In December 2018, Part 1 was nominated by fans to win the Anime of the Year at Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2019. In October 2019, Itou and prop designers Takao Takegami, Noriko Ogura, Momoko Makiuchi, and Kanta Suzuki, who all worked on Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2, were nominated for Best Mechanical/Prop Design at the Newtype Anime Awards. In December 2021, Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 3 was among the Top 100 Favorites nominated for the Anime of the Year at Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2022. In December 2022, Part 3s 4D version placed sixteenth among the top 20 Japanese animated films voted by fans to win the Anime of the Year at Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2023.

Original video animations

The Blu-ray and DVD of Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 were bundled with original video animations. In September 2021, Saori Onishi and Azusa Tadokoro were revealed to be voicing Jane and Belle, respectively, in Daikon War!. In February 2024, new characters and cast to be introduced in Commander War! were revealed, namely Kebiko as Minami Iinuma and Chinami Hashimoto as Sofia and Yūko.

Related books

Manga

Girls und Panzer das Finale: Heartful Tank Anthology

A manga anthology based on Girls und Panzer das Finale, titled, was released by Kadokawa under their MF Comics Alive Series label., it has been published in a single volume in Japan.

Girls und Panzer das Finale: Keizoku High School's Starving Art of Dining

A spin-off manga illustrated by Ashimoto☆Yoika, titled, was serialized in Monthly Dengeki PlayStation Comic magazine from November 28, 2018, to March 28, 2020. It follows Keizoku High School students Mika, Aki, and Mikko struggling with their meals due to financial difficulties. The first volume was published in Japan on June 10, 2019, and the second and final volume was published on June 27, 2020.

Light novel

A light novel adaptation of Girls und Panzer das Finale by Media Factory, under their label MF Bunko J, was set to be published in Japan on March 25, 2024, but it was temporarily cancelled on the day of its release due to "various circumstances in the production process".

Notes and References

  1. 7833606 . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1 . August 3, 2024.
  2. Girls-und-Panzer-das-Finale-Part-I-(Japan) . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 1 . August 3, 2024.
  3. 7834494 . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2 . August 3, 2024.
  4. Girls-und-Panzer-das-Finale-Part-II-(Japan) . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 2 . August 3, 2024.
  5. 12286898 . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 3 . August 3, 2024.
  6. Girls-und-Panzer-das-Finale-Part-III-(2021-Japan) . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 3 . August 3, 2024.
  7. 28821523 . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 4 . August 3, 2024.
  8. Girls-und-Panzer-das-Finale-Part-IV-(2023-Japan) . Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part 4 . February 24, 2024.