T w e n t y S i d e d

Girls und Panzer: This Is The Real Anzio Battle! is an interesting mix of “retcon that isn’t really a retcon”, budget and intentions, character-exploration, and pushing the envelope of the series’ formula. Only about 45 minutes long the OVA does a good job of fitting into the series lineup appropriately. The Oarai tanks are all depicted as they were after the Saunders battle recounted in episodes five and six, but references new information from episode seven. Which makes perfect sense, as episode seven ENDS with a brief scene showing Oarai’s victory over Anzio. Ankou’s Panzer 4 is still shown with the short 75mm infantry support gun and the Char B1 bis that would be used first against Pravda does not appear. More interesting to me is figuring out the production decisions. The early parts of the OVA, everything “pre-battle;” are clearly lower-budget. In fact a couple of shots are nothing more than panned still-images with dialogue. This indicates to me the production team originally intended this to be included in the series. It should also be noted that one of the TWO recap episodes in this twelve-episode series first aired in the slot the Anzio battle would have occupied. Although, there are some caveats to that. The recap episode technically ends in the MIDDLE of the Saunders battle; not at the end. And the Anzio-battle-titled episode, as I documented; is entirely about all the OTHER things that occurred between the Saunders and Anzio battles.

What I *think* happened is that the production team started creating the Anzio episode, which even included sending off scenes to be animated. Many of these scenes were never completed before it was realized there were more important stories that had to be told *at this point*, so production was started on a NEW episode and, either at this point or soon, it was realized they just didn’t have the budget to do this new episode *and* return to scripting and animating the entire Anzio battle. As it was they were going to have to write up a recap episode just to give them enough time to get the new episode done. I don’t know when the team learned they were going to have enough support to continue the story into OVAs and movies, but I know it was before the end of the original production run. Because viewers at the time learned about the first OVA being the Anzio battle before the series ended. And it’s clear what parts were new when they did the animation. The battle itself has much more time and money behind it, including some outstanding shots. There *is* one more caveat to this theory, but I’ll touch on that at the end.

This Is The Real Anzio Battle! starts off with Roman architecture and a squad of girls in stockings and berets. Except for the one addressing everyone else, who has almost-unbelievable hair.

This is…Anchovy. Most-commonly referred to as “Duce” by the other students, she is the “Leader” of Anzio High School’s Sensha-do team. In a twist, her real name is Chiyomi Anzai; although this is never revealed in the OVA. In fact the blonde-haired girl to her right on the steps, a Vice-Commander who goes by “Carpaccio” is actually “Hina,” something we will soon learn. The other Vice-Commander is called “Pepperoni.” Her actual name is not referenced. Like every other school Anzio is actually a Japanese school, this time founded by an Italian man who wanted to bring Italian culture to Japan. The school is based in Toyota City, a metropolitan area located west of Tokyo. The students of Anzio are encouraged to be impulsive and straightforward. They tend toward hot-headedness. Their school ship is the Aquila (Eagle), based on World War 2 Italy’s only attempt at an actual aircraft carrier vessel (never completed and scrapped after World War 2.)

Anchovy is telling her Sensha-do team how the other schools see Anzio: all spirit and enthusiasm, no talent or ability. Or money, which turns out to be fairly true. It’s not clear how they’re doing financially compared to Oarai, but most of their tanks are Carro Veloce CV.33’s and some variants. The CV.33 is a two-person “tankette,” a small relatively-fast scouting and patrol vehicle that mounted a single or dual-machine gun, was covered in very light armor, and powered by a forty horsepower engine. It’s not beating ANYTHING shown in the series and is completely useless at tank warfare. OR IS IT?

The Anzio team is ready to rumble when they hear Anchovy’s proclamation

until Hina, erm, Carpaccio points out no one ACTUALLY said that; and Pepperoni adds this is simply the analysis of their brilliant Leader Anchovy. What she *imagines* other teams think of them. The Tankery team starts to tune out at this; they really wanted a good reason to fight. Anchovy quickly rallies them by reminding the team they beat Maginot Girls’ College in the first round. Maginot is *a* French school, not *the* French school, based on France’s Third Republic era. They are considered a minor school in Tankery; in fact no one really knows why they have a Sensha-do team. The school is not reputed for extreme talent or achievements; EXCEPT in cooking. They have possibly *the premier* cooking program of all Japanese High Schools. So to be proud of beating them (and as Carpaccio points out, *barely*) isn’t much of a brag. But as Pepperoni adds to Carpaccio’s comment, “a win is a win.”

Anchovy says they need to take their spirit and enthusiasm with them to the second round, where they will face Oarai Academy. Oarai’s Sensha-do team is now led by, as is quickly becoming common knowledge, a girl educated in the Nishizumi style, actually *from* the Nishizumi family. The students murmur in fear at this, but Anchovy tells them “Never Fear!”

Anchovy continues: Why do you think I cut the food budget (afternoon snacks cut from three to two…I know the financial comments are a reference to World War 2 Italy’s poor financial standing but they can’t be THAT bad off to have had three afternoon snacks)? To purchase Anzio’s new SECRET WEAPON! She points at what is clearly a tank under a tarp. Carpaccio and Pepperoni prepare to pull the tarp off and reveal Anzio’s new tank…when the clock strikes noon.

Within seconds the courtyard is empty except for Anchovy, Carpaccio, Pepperoni, and the covered tank. Anchovy laments that Anzio’s impulsive and straightforward attitude makes the place very nice…normally.

Oarai’s story starts with a strategy meeting that includes the Student Council and Ankou Team. This seems odd at first, but this would have taken place right after the other members of Ankou volunteered to help Miho and the Student Council with various training and other chores, so it makes sense. Hana mentions Anzio’s CV.33’s remind her of a flower vase, a possible reference to her eventual depiction of a tank exploding via flower arrangement. Yukari joins the meeting, having infiltrated and scouted Anzio using a similar method she used with Saunders: by pretending to be a convenience store employee then changing to an Anzio school uniform on-board the Aquila. She first encounters what she mistakes for a street carnival filled with food vendors. Excusing herself as a new transfer student Yukari finds out this is just an every-day activity for Anzio. Plus, since the school doesn’t have much money, they can supplement school club activities by selling food to residents and visitors here.

Across the aisle from her initial encounter Yukari spots a large stall with a tank design on top. Sure enough this is the location operated by Anzio’s Sensha-do team. Pepperoni is cooking Pasta Napolitan, which *could* be a reference to one of two things: a meatless Italian tomato sauce with onion and herbs…or more likely a popular Japanese dish that is what westerners would consider a “spaghetti” dish. Although the most popular home version of Pasta Napolitan uses ketchup…so…YMMV. Pepperoni even mentions that the sauce is “a secret” while the screen shows her squirting the sauce from what many people would call “a ketchup bottle” so I know how I’m betting. Yukari, complimenting the dish, not-so-slyly adds that she heard Anzio has a new “secret weapon” for their Tankery team. Pepperoni acts affronted: “Who told you that?” As Yukari stammers out an apology Pepperoni decides Yukari *must* know the secret already and just wants to talk to a Sensha-do member about it (Pepperoni makes questionable decisions) and shares that the Sensha-do team has acquired a Carro Armato P40 for their next match against Oarai.

The Carro Armato P40, also called the Carro Amato P 26/40, was an Italian heavy tank design that was more akin to the medium tanks of other European nations during World War 2. Maybe five were produced before Italy surrendered, and despite about 100 being produced by the end of the war only a few ever saw combat. Most of the 100 sat engine-less at the factory. With a 75 millimeter gun it could have been a threat to the tanks currently fielded by Oarai, although this conclusion is mostly speculative. It would have been similarly vulnerable to the Panzer 4 at moderate to close range, the STuG III, and possibly a well-targeted shot by the Panzer 38(t). And technically the M3 Lee Rabbit team, although no one ever expects good shot placement from them. Or, for that matter, the Turtles in the Panzer 38(t) as Momo is still manning the gun.

With so little known about the P40 Miho visits the History Club:

The four members, Erwin, Caesar, Saemonza, and Oryou all live together in a Japanese-style house. The club does have some information on the P40 but it’s all in Italian. And somehow, NO ONE knew that Caesar could understand, speak, and read Italian. So she translates for the group and writes down important specifications for Miho to use. She also mentions she has a friend at Anzio, later revealed to be Hina, a.k.a. Carpaccio. Erwin suggests Caesar should have used that resource already, but Caesar shoots that idea down. She wants to be fair and open about Tankery with her friend. Oryou agrees; personal matters should be kept away from Sensha-do.

Miho and Anzu plan a practice to simulate taking on Anzio’s tanks. As the STuG III can penetrate the P40’s armor from further away than the P40 can engage with its own gun, and Hippo Team needs to practice gunnery and ambush tactics, that team is designated to chase the Panzer 4 which will play the P40. The Ducks will use only their machine gun and screen the Panzer 4/P40 as if they were a Carro Veloce CV.33. The Rabbits and the Turtles will support the STuG.

The Ducks, very aptly it turns out, fire their machine gun at the Turtles, prompting Momo to loose her cool and miss badly when she tries to retaliate. The Ducks then turn right and split off. Momo takes the bait. Hippo remembers they are after the Panzer 4, but the Rabbits get confused and slow down. Commander Azusa tells them to stay after Ankou, but they lose pace anyway on a series of hills the Rabbits are unable to rapidly respond to. Hippo also loses sight of Ankou and stops at the top of the next hill to take a look, only to get plinked by Ankou just to illustrate they made a mistake being so visible.

Miho tells Hippo they should be staying 1500 meters from their target, then has Mako take the Panzer 4 1500 meters away and invites Hippo to fire at them. Hippo rotates (meanwhile, the Ducks are still leading the Turtles around all over the battlefield while Momo flails uselessly at the trigger button); Saemonza (the gunner) fires right as the STuG completes its rotation. Miho sighs:

Hippo tries again. The shot really isn’t much better, even if the technique was. Still, Ankou fires immediately after and nails Hippo’s OTHER fender. “Please start moving again as soon as you shoot,” Miho explains. Oarai’s Mistress of Tankery is dealing out some hard, fast lessons. Lessons that to some degree help fill in the details to the battle after Anzio, but also to new material.

The Ducks are still evading the Turtles, impressing Anzu. Yuzu asks, pointedly “Can you please help us out a bit? Maybe?”

The Rabbits wander into the middle of the circle formed by Duck and Turtle, noting that Duck Team is able to keep Turtle Team engaged by constantly taunting Momo. This continues until the end of practice. Ankou meets at Sayori’s apartment to cook Italian food. This is the most prominent scene that is comprised of still shots and almost no animation. Mako notices a Radio Operator’s instruction book, referencing Sayori’s achievement from the end of the series. At school the next day Nekota tries and fails to talk to Miho about joining the Sensha-do team:

Fleshing out another plot point, Anzu informs the Public Morals Committee (the hall monitors) that THEY will be driving the Renault Char B1 bis. It was apparently NOT their idea, or desire; which goes a ways to explaining how upset Sodoko was:

To finish out the section of references, the Student Council is shown observing the Automobile Club extracting the Tiger(P) from the bowels of the School Ship. This process is apparently not going well, as we’re shown what appears to be the tank’s turret coming off and crashing through the deck below. Momo screams at them to get it all fixed tonight; Nakajima, the head of the Automobile Club, tells her “Sure, Jan.” Anzu plays peacemaker; the Automobile Club has been foundational to the Tankery Team’s success. Literally.

Nakajima promises the Automobile Club will ride this tank themselves, which is likely necessary as we see in the last few episodes.

We jump to the preamble to the battle itself. As has become custom, Anchovy is driven by her Vice-Commander, in this case Carpaccio, to meet her rival. Anzu greets Anchovy as “Chovi-ka” or “Chovi-ga”, which I spent some time puzzling over. Although Anchovy’s real name is presented in other media, it’s not part of this story; so a connection there, even though it would be tenuous anyway, is not likely. “Chovi” of course, would just the second part of “Anchovy,” but the suffix of address Anzu uses I can’t pin down. Neither “ka” nor “ga” is an actual suffix. When written “ka” can be used to point to the subject of a sentence (IIRC, and pardon if I don’t). “Ka” is also one part of several suffixes used in royal forms of address, AND in forms of address toward people ACTING like royalty. So there’s something there, especially if you consider how some vowel sounds and syllables can be dropped verbally. Otherwise the technicalities don’t match up. “Ga” seems more likely as it can be used as a part-of-speech similar to “but”. This works as a joke in English, “But”chovy instead of “And”chovy; but I can’t really say that would work in Japanese. Subtitles from different providers handle this differently, and I don’t know if any of them are correct. That it’s some kind of play-on-words is very likely, not only because Anzu has done this several times before and will again, but because Momo turns “Anchovy” into a pun herself which irritates the Anzio Captain.

Momo calls Miho over to meet with Anchovy, but this encounter is set aside for Carpaccio (Hina) looking for Caesar (who we now learn is actually called “Taka”, an abbreviation of her real name “Takako”). The other members of the History Club/Hippo team are quite amused Caesar is addressed by a cute nickname and is on such familiar and friendly terms with another person. Erwin points out this is a side of Caesar they had never seen. There’s also some romantic-relationship undertones; Caesar blushes furiously as Hippo teases her. This will be returned to later.

Oarai and Anzio will start the battle at opposite sides of a heavily-wooded intersection surrounded by hills and washes. In the crowd we see Yukari’s parents again along with Gloriana and Saunders. Saunders is driving a DUKW (popularly known as a “duck”, as in the former “Ride The Ducks” attractions). While it would be easy to mock their choice of vehicle, I sincerely doubt it gets much use; and they have more than enough money to maintain it.

This battle allows ten tanks per side. Anzio has brought six Carro Veloce CV.33’s, the Carro Armato P40, and three Semovente da 75’s. The Semovente da 75 was actually very similar to the STuG III. It had a similar gun, a similar overall design, and was roughly as capable. It was the most successful Italian tank of World War 2. Also, now would be a good time to note that Anchovy commands from the P40, which is also Anzio’s Flag Tank, Carpaccio commands the three Semovente’s, as well as loading her own Semovente da 75; and Pepperoni commands her own and all of the other Carro Veloce’s. As we’ve already seen, Anzio isn’t big on maintaining strict, obedient hierarchies.

Anchovy quickly commands Operation Macaroni, which seems to be centered on Pepperoni’s CV.33’s. It turns out the wooded area is actually a mountain. Four of Oarai’s tanks slowly advance up the switchback road, while Duck Team climbs directly where they can to scout ahead. They reach the central crossroads first and discover two Semovente’s and three CV.33’s waiting in ambush above them.

Miho, not sure what Anzio is planning, wants to approach cautiously. Momo hollers that it’s just Anzio and they should go ahead and attack; advice Anzu endorses. Miho complies, but only after following the road approach they’re on. She sends Rabbit team ahead to scout the crossroads opposite the Duck’s position. The Rabbits, proud they’re being entrusted with an important task, overshoot their target and enter the road west of the target position, right as they spot another contingent of Anzio tanks:

They back into cover and report what they saw and that they’re sure they were seen, but Anzio didn’t respond. Hana is the first to point out the numbers don’t add up. The teams can only field ten tanks. So far the two scouting teams are reporting ELEVEN spotted tanks, none of which are the known P40. Miho orders Rabbit Team and Duck team to fire on Anzio’s position, retreating immediately if they draw fire. But of course, they don’t draw fire:

Pepperoni is laughing about their successful diversion when one of her subordinates warns that the Oarai Type 89 is chasing them, meaning the subterfuge didn’t work. The Rabbits, engaging in their own seek-and-destroy now, spot two Semovente’s on a nearby hill. Aya (the twin-tailed girl who kept ignoring the Type 92 tank in the parking lot) says she won’t be fooled by fakes again and fires even as Commander Azusa tells her to stop. Turns out both Semovente’s are real and return fire. Azusa tells Aya to listen to her next time (and don’t fire until given the order). Azusa reports their position back to Miho. Miho tells them not to worry; she has the plan figured out. The Rabbits need to do that thing they do so well and DODGE until they all meet up.

The Ducks find themselves taking on half of Anzio, five CV.33’s. As aggravating as the nimble tankettes are, the Ducks are able to knock three out quickly, and the machine guns operated by the CV.33’s aren’t really hurting them. The Rabbits have a philosophical discussion about their situation: Yuuki points out it’s actually an equal battle, not running away; because the Lee has two guns, and the Semovente’s have one gun each. Ayumi thinks this is a really good argument, but Karina (who is actually driving) says that makes no sense at all.

In the P40 Anchovy is wondering why her plan hasn’t produced results yet. She asks Pepperoni over the radio how it went; Pepperoni asks if they can talk about it later; she’s busy fighting the Type 89 right now. Losing patience Anchovy asks if Pepperoni put up the diversions? “Yep” says Pepperoni, “all of them! I wonder how they figured it out?” Anchovy screams “OF COURSE they figured it out if you put up all of them! That’s too many tanks!” “Ooooooh,” responds Pepperoni,

And I want to be clear, she says this with genuine admiration. Which means the problem here is Anchovy…overestimated Pepperoni’s intelligence.

Anchovy, along with the last CV.33 and Hina in a Semovente, move out to confront Oarai’s surely-oncoming tank force. And just as they start moving the Panzer 4, STuG III, and Panzer 38(t) meet them from the other direction. This is, honestly, a gorgeously-animated scene. Screencaps don’t do it justice:

Hina spots the blue Hippo on the STuG III, recognizing it from Caesar’s online avatar. For the rest of the battle, the Hippos and Hina’s Semovente engage in a dual on this spot. Both tanks heavily damage each other, and in the end they take each other out. But as neither is their team’s Flag Tank this is largely inconsequential. For Anzio this takes out Oarai’s strongest gun. By the numbers it hurts Oarai more, but Miho has already figured out how to win this match.

As the two assault guns duel, the Rabbits continue to lead the two other Semoventes. Duck Team finally takes out the last of the five CV-33’s, only to watch three more come from behind. Soon it’s back up to five. The Ducks complain to Miho that the enemy keeps coming back; they must be invincible. Miho calmly explains: the CV.33’s are so light all the Ducks are doing is knocking them over. The crews then set them aright, fix whatever is broken, and rejoin the battle.

All Duck Team has to do is hit the tankette’s weak point instead of just randomly whacking them with shells. Duck Team starts aiming at the engine cooling grates and rear hatch (they kept bouncing shells off the upper hull previously) and quickly disable four of the tankettes. About the same time Ankou disables the CV.33 screening Anchovy’s P40. Anchovy recalls all tanks to protect the Flag Tank, an order everyone obeys except Hina. She continues her duel with Hippo Team. And in all fairness, if Hina tried to withdraw she would be be a wide-open target, logically.

Oarai, surprisingly, does not continue to pursue Anchovy. Ankou and Turtle Team head into the woods, while Rabbit and Duck pursue the tanks that had previously been pursing them. Anchovy wonders what’s going on when she spots Oarai’s Flag Tank, Turtle Team’s 38(t), off by itself to her right. It takes flight and she foolishly follows. The Rabbits continue to miss shots while pursuing the two Semovente’s. Azusa finally takes charge of the gunners. “OK, listen to me. We’re going to fire our guns properly, finally.” She commands the tank to stop and tells the two M3 Lee gunners to take the time to adjust their sights properly. “How?” asks Aya. Anzio’s Semovente’s are just now climbing a hill a few hundred meters away. Azusa walks them through using the location of the shot to adjust their aim and instructs them to fire again

Anchovy realizes chasing the Panzer 38(t) is probably a trap, but tells herself Anzio is NOT weak! Er, I mean ANZIO IS STRONG! There may be some self-image problems going on, here. In the Panzer 38(t) Anzu dejectedly states that Momo’s shot missed…again. Yuzu complains “Could you hit something at least ONCE?” It’s pretty clear the team is reaching a breaking point with Momo’s gunnery.

They pull out of the woods straight against a cliff face and start juking back and forth to dodge the inevitable incoming shot from Anchovy as she breaks from the trees.

Anchovy does in fact miss…then notices the problem:

She starts backing away, only to be blocked by a CV.33 tumbling down the mountain, which is then disabled for good by a careful shot from the Rabbits. Pepperoni races in from behind only to be blasted by Duck Team, coming to rest against Anchovy’s P40. Hana adjusts her aim slightly, and Miho gives the command to fire:

Oarai lost one tank during this battle; the STuG III during its personal friendly duel with a member of Anzio. Anzio lost nine tanks in the end, possibly even that last Semovente that the Rabbits didn’t get to while practicing gunnery. This isn’t shown, but that tank wasn’t in the final scene, either. Anchovy congratulates Miho, and Miho describes this battle the most honestly of all:

Anzio then rolls out a MASSIVE pasta feast for both teams. Heck, probably most of their support structure was for food. I again wonder if they really have a money problem, of if the problem is how much money they spend on eating. Even Anchovy, after bragging on the meal, wishes the Anzio girls would devote as much effort to Tankery as they do to eating pasta. A final scene before the credits shows Caesar and Hina discussing their battle, when Hina notices the rest of the History Club spying on them (a common relationship-building trope). As they part, Caesar corrects Hina: “I am no longer Taka. I am Caesar!” Hina responds “As you say. And I will be Carpaccio.”

After the credits the Anzio team is shown arriving early to watch the finals between Oarai and Kuromorimine from a nearby hill. In fact it’s the day before. They break out the food, feast, and then sleep through the entire final battle. Anchovy awakens just Oarai is proclaimed the winner. Thus explaining why Anzio WASN’T among the teams supporting Oarai at the finals.

And to address that final caveat I mentioned at the beginning. I don’t know when the OP for the anime was created. But it actually features every team and every opponent that appears throughout the series. Even the teams that only take part in the final battle. But NOT Anzio, despite a few seconds of the Anzio battle actually appearing in the series. I argue that the Anzio battle was originally meant to appear in the series; all the clues point to that, except for this exclusion. Before the OP was created the decision had been made that Anzio was not going to appear in the series, especially to the point that anything with Anzio would not factor in the rest of the show. To the point the creators felt they needed to address that absence in the first OVA.

And one last possibility: Anchovy may have such extreme hair purely to contrast with the real-life “Il Duce.” Who was famously bald.

Next time on Girls und Panzer: der Film!

Paige Francis He/him