Girls und Panzer (2012–2013) User Reviews

Surprisingly fun

[Snootz · 8/10 · 31 January 2020]

When I first saw this on Netflix I almost chose not to watch it. It just looked too absurd. But after the first episode I was greatly interested-- mainly due to the humor of the one liners and setup of characters. By the 2nd & 3rd episode I was hooked.

This show starts with a ridiculous concept-- that girls in tank battles is the ultimate of high school femininity-- and jumps the shark from there, repeatedly and intentionally. Typical line: "It's just that tankery is the very essence of femininity. I don't think I've ever seen guys driving tanks."

The concept is not without precedence. Cute girls and hot cars have sold hotrod magazines for decades. So why not cute girls and tanks? Especially if they throw in a good sense of humor-- which is the case.

Creds have to be given to the research staff. Obviously the creator and staff are *really in to tanks*. I'm no expert so all I can speak from is audience impact-- but it seems they have the tank models, weights, armor, maneuverability and power down pat. I think just about every tank ever made is featured in this 12-episode series and the follow-up 2 hour movie.

Ridiculous? Yes. Strategic? In some parts very much so, in other parts ludicrously so. If you're in the mood for anime girls, heavy weapons and ridiculous humor all in one series, this might be just the ticket.

On the downside: I have to say some of the rules of the tank competitions are a bit lop sided. In the drama of the show it's intended as an underdog sympathy trick... but pitting 5 tanks against 10 just doesn't seem cricket. One would think balanced sides would be a requirement. But then, one doesn't go into a high school girl tank battle expecting fair play and realism, eh? ;D

Fun watch that exceeded expectations.

Tanks and school girls

[Loco10sdfg · 7/10 · 30 April 2013]

Hilariously over the top series about girls and old tanks. One of the weirder things I have ever seen. It is not meant to be a comedy, but you can't help but laugh at some of the things they do on this show. Yes this is Japanese so they wear school girl outfits and yes there is an episode or two in which the girls are in bathing suits (in a scene or two). I have always had an interest in tanks so I was surprised to find that the show uses historically accurate tanks in each episode. As others have said in their reviews, the tanks are used in competitions between schools. And oh by the way, the schools are on different aircraft carriers (!).

Culture shock

[duce_aleksandr · 6/10 · 31 October 2021]

I'm a fan of tanks and their history. When I found out that such an anime exists, it interested me.

After watching the first 3 episodes, I felt bad. Painted tanks, a kind of plot presentation. And the physics of movements and destruction of tanks... I will not comment on this in any way lol.

In general, everything was very mediocre and for that I would bet 3/10. But closer to the middle, the series became a little better, many terrible moments were fixed, and the end of the anime in principle wasn't bad.

This is the anime where the beginning is terrible, but not a bad end. By the end of the anime, I had already begun to get used to both the physics of movement and the behavior of the characters, and I even started to like it. After the series, it's worth watching films about this universe, they turned out much better and there is more action.

So absurd it's genius!

[amuru-81105 · 9/10 · 13 March 2021]

What makes a girl feminine? Driving heavy tanks apparently. A clash of wills, where kindness and prowess unites resulting in the genius that is our coy and self deprecating protagonist! Still, I will be first to say that the mixture of ludicrousness and bonhomie is a winning combination! A wonderful watch, though in this series the question as to why Japan needs teenage girls to fight simulated tank battles is still not answered. Also, what's up with the gargantuan ships with whole towns and landscape on them? Looking forward for the next romp; where I'm sure all would be elucidated! Panzer vor!

A sports anime about girls in tanks!

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 6 April 2013]

There are many anime series about sports, schoolgirls and weaponry but I can't think of any other where these tropes are combined like they are in 'Girls und Panzer'! Miho Nishizumi is a schoolgirl who transfers to Oarai Girls High School because it is the only school that doesn't take part in the sport of tankery… the martial art where girls compete against each other in Second World War era tanks! Unfortunately just after she arrives the school takes up the sport using a handful of old tanks and Miho finds herself talked into taking part. They are always outnumbered and outgunned but somehow manage to win their matches. As they progress in the competition further pressure falls on their shoulders when they learn that the school will close if they aren't the overall champions at the end of the year.

This is one of the more original series I've seen; the idea of girls fighting in tanks is both hilarious and exciting even though nobody is ever killed despite blasting away at each other and occasionally flipping the tanks! The characters are typical of school girl anime without feeling excessively cliché. The animation looks great; with the battle scenes looking particularly fluid; sometimes everything seems to be in motion… and action never just features a shaky shot of a static image as is sometimes used in other series. Overall I'd say that this is well worth watching if you want something which is both funny and exciting.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

What can you say about a show where high-school girls debate whether to take flower arranging or driving a tank?

[seybernetx · 19 June 2021]

Actually, the title pretty much says it all. This show involves a future/alternative history where teenage girls drive tanks as a martial art, to the point that at one point one of the characters notes 'it just looks weird to see a man driving a tank'.

The tanks are restricted to 1945 and before, with some (probably rather unlikely) restrictions to keep from killing off all the competitors. I suspect someone with an interest in World War I & II vintage military equipment would have a lot of fun watching this show just for the stuff in the background. By all accounts, most of the equipment seem in this show in a good copy of existing WW I & II equipment. On a related note, the various high-schools are all mounted on what look like converted aircraft carriers, so there are some more early 20th century military equipment to check out there.

There are lots of interesting side notes in this show, as well. For example, at one point some crew visit a military version of a Dick's Sporting Goods or Bass Pro Shop type store. (for lack of a better way to describe it) Another time, the team gets a hold of a WWII (I think) French tank that was famous for its unreliability in the field. The team starts up the tank, drives it out onto the battlefield, and promptly gets knocked out of the fighting.

I could go on and on, but I suspect you know by now if you are interested in this show or not, so I'll close here.

Panzer Vor!

[theplanetofeurick · 7/10 · 28 November 2022]

There is only one reason why you should watch this anime: To watch girls blow the living crap out of each other in tanks!

On the outside it looks adorable, but on the inside, past the surface, they are metal A. F.! (Word-play intended!)

Pros: *This is a must-watch if you are infatuated with tanks or World War II.

*Minimal (if any) fanservice at all.

*The characters' designs are aesthetically pleasing.

*If you are looking for something to watch while exercising on the treadmill, then this would be an appropriate pick. It does not require much cerebral thought or mental involvement, yet it has just enough action in it to get you pumped!

Cons: *There isn't that much of a narrative. They do not really explore anything other than "what would happen if we put high school girls in a tank and have them fight other tanks?" *There is some back story, but not necessarily quite as much as one might hope. The main back story comes in the form of flashbacks.

*The realism goes in and out in places. This anime has particularly become notorious as a meme across the internet community for following "anime logic" with respects to its tank battles. This might be a pro or a con, depending on whichever perspective you view it from.

Great eye candy for TANK FANATICS!

[trujillof58 · 10/10 · 28 March 2018]

How cool is this series? A Hetzer, a Maus and Czech 38t?!! If any of these words make sense to you, then you are truly a fanatic for these tank models as I am. Love the animation and story line. Good healthy fun!!

Moé with Tanks

[jon_carlson-28953 · 7/10 · 1 May 2020]

The Moe genre is something that has really gotten about every treatment under the sun. It's not a genre I'm particularly fond of because it's just too cutesy, sickly sweet, and all rather pointless. However, I am a big Second World War buff. So, here I go with "Girls & Panzer". An adorable original production from Actas, who are best known for, well, "Girls & Panzer". I have to admit I was skeptical going into this series as it involves the usual bunch of high school girls who look like they're 8 years old forming up a band of misfits into a club where they compete with a rogue's gallery of opposing schools.

The bonus here is that their sport is "tankery". Think of it as a war game, but not war itself. Tanks fire live rounds that can take out other tanks and buildings, but never seem to harm actual people. Despite several big explosions and high impact collisions, there is nary a spot of blood shed by the cast- although they at times appear to suffer mild injuries, broken eye glasses, and a lot of soot covering fires. We must remember they *are* cartoons. And this is a game. Played with tanks. Real tanks.

When I say real tanks, I mean they really went out of their way to add as much realism as possible. The descriptions and designs of these vehicles are true to history. While most are CG produced, it fits fairly seamlessly with the hand drawn animation of the characters, producing some wonderful combat scenes with the most impressive sound effects I've heard in quite some time from an Anime. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were watching a WW2 film with all the quality sound editing and mixing going on. Masterful work! Added into this mix is a wonderful soundtrack that sounds like something Elmer Bernstein would have written along with ballads from other nations. I particularly enjoyed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the American tanks and "Panzerlied" for the German ones.

I guess in all this fuss over the accuracy of the tanks and songs I forgot about the plot. It's not a new one, a new student with a past must lead a band of oddballs and misfits to glory in a tankery tournament to save the school. Along the way they grow as a team, as people, and learn the value of friendship. I don't recall many of the characters names, despite decent attempts to give them depth. It's not really a big deal, because this was not going to be a character driven show. This is literally a TANK driven show. Neither the Japanese or English voice cast left much of an impression, as there isn't much dialogue to shine with, so you can go either way when it comes to Sub or Dub.

I want to mention this however- despite the Panzer being given top billing and center stage in this show, NO attempts are made to glorify Nazi Germany or war itself. Names of various legends of tank warfare- Rommel, Guderian, and Wittmann- are mentioned. They are recognized as pioneers and innovators in armored warfare. A status they hold to this day, despite wearing the uniform and serving under the flag of an army of darkness.

Attention to detail and production values save this from just being an adorable little show about cute girls in tanks. It's a good bit of fun. 7/10. Check it out. Cheers!

What a fantastic series

[blackmamba99971 · 10/10 · 9 October 2013]

Not very many anime series like this comes forth a lot. But with this one, there is mayhem, fun, tanks, blazing guns, and camaraderie unlike any other. Basically, it is about a young girl named Miho. Who transfers from her original High school Black Forest Peak to come to Oorai High school where she heard that they do not have Panzerfaren in its curriculum. Meaning it is a marital art only for girls to partake in tank warfare to hone their skills as a woman, whether being a housewife, or career minded.

Seeing as her past as a tank girl are not happy memories, she is content to attend a school where tanks are not part of the program. At least, not until the school council show up to announce their intentions to revive the lost art. But what makes it so much harder for Miho is, is that the council heard of her transfer from Black Forest so they intimidate for her to join up as soon as possible.

Reluctantly, and with a great deal of pressure mounting up around her, she agrees along with some very close class mates who help her along the way. Now armed with a Panzer, Miho, and her fellow combatants practise as much as they can to rev up the reputation they once had in the school as the most feared tank busters on the eastern seaboard.

Along with Miho, are Hanna, Yukari, Saori, and Mako. Who without their skills and determination to win, that their school would have closed down because of budget cuts in the faculty. In fact, their entire town is built on top of a heavy carrier which floats from port to port as part of their daily lives.

But in the mix, are other such carriers who also play Panzerfaren, including the rambunctious Kei from Saunders Academy, Darjeeling from St. Gloriana Academy, Katyusha from Pravda, and Maho Nishizumi from Black Forest Peak. Maho being the older sister to Miho, must face off with each other to settle a score because of a bad loss in Miho's early career before her transfer.

All in all, this is a great series, with lots of fun, explosive battles, witty humour from the girls in any tank, and just a plain old moral that anyone can enjoy themselves in such difficult situations. These panzerfaren girls are driven, ready, and willing to take it the extreme when it comes to keeping their school safe from money hungry mongrels. Highly recommended to those over 15. Suggestive language in a few episodes.

One of a kind

[charles940316 · 9/10 · 7 March 2020]

The other reviewers have already explained a lot in back story so I won't bother add more details to it, cuz as to whether you can be convinced by the whole story is pure personal preference. Like there's carbon coating applied on inner side of the tanks so the girls won't get injured by real tank ammunition. I'm totally fine with it given that other isekai shows have much more logics and backgrounds. It's only a matter of taking it or leaving it.

The title might give you an impression of a cliche drama from a bunch of moe high school girls but don't let it deceive you. From 1 to 10 you can rate "moe level" at around 3~4. The girls are cute indeed thanks to designing artists but the director doesn't offer much fan service in the script. On the contrary the most exciting parts in the show are tank battles. It has one of the maturest CGI performance I've ever seen. It's impressive to the point that you won't feel it appropriate at all when the 3D tanks move and shoot in 2D backgrounds.

From the historical perspective those tanks in this anime are made as authentic as possible to match real WW2 tanks. Though velocity are not quite historical accurate, they can do some cool manuevers. Combined with the presentation of tank battles those inaccurate parts can be easily forgiven.

Dialogues, dressing and even the names of the girls are deliberately designed. With a bit of Googling you can find that almost every girl in the protagonist's team refer to someone real back in history. I really appreciate the staff members to do that. Those research must have taken a long time.

GuP is so intriguing that I've watched it like more than 10 times and every time I can find some details that I previously overlooked, maybe a team leader making gestures to order other students to shoot in tank battles, or how those tanks run in different scenarios because of different size and weight. It's a shame that with so many 3D animation works in it the production cycle is longer than you'd expect from a conventional JP anime. Now the staff team release an OVA every 18 months or so. Other than that I'm totally satisfied with GuP.

English Dub cast is good and art but not the whole thing...

[Irishchatter · 5/10 · 11 September 2019]

Really the story goes is about groups of school girls just riding on tanks which honestly felt boring for me to even watch further than episode 1. It could've been better if it already tried.

I do suggest to others of this anime though if they like tanks but if they really want to see a serious plot, this is definitely not one of them...

Fun!

[weeman-58893 · 10/10 · 5 July 2021]

The title of the series says it all. Girls driving about in tanks and having fun while doing so. I was skeptical before I watched this. I looked at the title and the pictures, I thought this show was going to be a weird, predictable and inappropriate. Instead I was treated to a show where I spent most of my time smiling and laughing.

Overall this is a fun series, one that you should not take too seriously. Ultimately, any TV show or movie should entertain you and this anime will certainly do that. If you like history, you will enjoy it more due to the historical references, jokes and the detailed level of accuracy on tank warfare. However, even if you don't like history, this show will still be entertaining for you.

It's a show for everyone, you will have fun watching it and I can't recommend this anime enough.

Amazing series

[chloeg-25 · 10/10 · 25 April 2021]

This is such an amazing series, it's really unfortunate how underrated it is. I rarely see anyone talking about it and most people I know don't know it. People definitely need to watch this as it's much more better than I thought it would be.

Panzer Vor!

[hahoangbao · 10/10 · 10 May 2020]

Despite having some anime-cliche moments, over the top, predictable plot, this anime was unexpectedly amazing.

And no, I didn't watch this because of girls. Infact, I thought it was silly in the first place. As a history enthusiast, the anime did a very good job at referencing real and mostly accurate historical context that bring joy to me (and yes, there were some inaccuracies) because I never expected so much history mentioned in pop culture. I really enjoy watching this, and this is definitely made by history fans and for history fans.

LIKE CMON? 2D GIRLS DRIVING TANKS? YOU CAN'T FIND THESE NOWADAYS

Girls and tanks make a perfect match

[scottqk · 10/10 · 23 April 2020]

Though the premise of such a sport in the style they portray it isn't very realistic. The tanks are well done and the show flows nice with adventure and action.

perfect

[has_a_bad_film_taste · 10/10 · 3 January 2024]

Anime girls and panzer tanks? It is literally every mans dream i really love this anime it will be inside of my favourites i will recommend this anime a lot it is worth to watch, absurd and genius dont forget to watch it fella it is old but perfect if you love tanks, war and comedy watch it immediatly you cant say that you dont like tanks and anime girls right? If you say yes you will love it i promise it!!! But i will definitely say that it needs more episodes altrought i will definitely say that it is way better than boruto... dont forget to watch see ya later i hope you will watch that have a good day.

Trash

[bhavadeep-53750 · 1/10 · 20 September 2021]

A bunch of nobodys who don't even know how to start a fking tank won a international championship!, Outrageous the other school character had been experienced for ages and yet lost to stupid tricks? Seriously? Fk this.

Cute, fun series.

[chloeee_mk · 10/10 · 18 January 2023]

An incredibly unique anime. Because have you ever heard of an anime where teenage girls drive large tanks? Not until now you haven't, I'm sure.

Girls und Panzer is a hilarious and amazing series. In this series, teenage girls play tank warfare as a sport, known as sensha-do. The protagonist, Miho Nishizumi, tries to avoid this sport by transferring schools due to becoming traumatised by a previous battle. Unfortunately for her, the new school is planning to bring back sensha-do and signes Miho up for it. Thankfully Miho begins to enjoy it again soon and makes new friends playing the sport.

Girls und Panzer is a cute and funny anime which I would recommend. Panzer vor!!!