Four Matilda IIs and one Churchill advancing.
Their formation is marvelous, isn't it?
Yeah.
It's amazing that they can maintain their speed and move without breaking formation.
Even our armor-piercing rounds couldn't penetrate their front armor.
That's where tactics and skill come in.
Yeah!
Wake up, Mako.
Start up our tank, but be careful it doesn't get too loud.
All 5 enemy tanks are advancing.
As we discussed earlier, we shall be the bait.
Everyone else, please remain on standby on the ridge.
Let's start Operation Sneaky!
Okay!
Um, what are we going to do?
We're supposed to open fire on them and have them pursue us.
I wonder if it'll all go down well.
If we lose, you're performing the Anglerfish Dance.
This is our first battle.
All we can do is try our best.
Let's do this.
Right? We just gotta do it.
Just seeing a British tank move around live makes me overjoyed!
You sure look happy.
I'm sorry.
No problem.
We weren't trying to blow them up anyway.
Zig-zag around as much as possible!
Our armor is fairly thin, so we can't afford to take a direct hit.
Understood.
Every cake should be strawberry shortcake...
Oh yeah.
I'm not at home anymore!
I'll take up Panzerfahren!
The smell of freshly baked bread!
We don't have Sunkus stores at home.
It's both ugly and cute!
What are you going to eat for lunch today?
I wonder what I should pick.
I wonder what's for lunch today.
Let's buy some bread and eat it on the roof.
Hey there, miss!
Wanna eat together?
Come on, Saori.
You're startling Nishizumi.
Sorry, sorry!
Now, let me ask properly.
Would you like to join us for lunch?
Me?! Join you?
We picked a girl up!
We've wanted to talk to you for a while.
What? Really?
You always seem so air-headed and amusing!
"Amusing"?
Yes.
Yeah.
Hey, I'm...
Takebe Saori.
Your birthday's June 22nd.
And you're Isuzu Hana.
Your birthday's December 16th.
Correct.
Wow, you even remembered our birthdays!
Yeah.
I checked the class register so I'd know once I made some friends.
Isn't Nishizumi a peculiar one?
Right! Can I call you by your first name?
"Miho"...
That's great!
It's so friendly!
Here's your mackerel meal.
I'm so happy I made some friends.
I moved here to Ooarai alone.
I see.
Life is strange.
Like long, drawn-out love triangles,
being turned down before you've even confessed,
or finding out the guy you're dating is seeing four other girls.
Did something happen in your family?
Maybe a quarrel or an unforeseen inheritance?
That's not really...
Oh, okay. Did your parents get a different job?
Let's eat before it gets cold.
Aren't we manipulating information there?
You worry too much.
Understood.
I shall start right away.
Want to hang out after school?
What? Hang out?
It's like I'm in a girl's high school!
But you are.
You know, there's something I need to ask you about.
It's been a problem for me.
I'm a bit too popular.
That again?
A lot of guys have been approaching me lately.
What should I do?
A lot?
I mean, they're just from the neighborhood...
Every day they greet me with, "Good morning," or, "How's it going?"
Like I've been telling you, those are just greetings.
But I'm sure they have a crush on me.
Yeah, sure.
Takebe, you're always so bright and easy to approach.
Maybe that's why they want to be your friend.
I think it's a good thing if you can make friends quickly.
I was so happy today when you called out to me!
I thought I'd made a wonderful friend!
You're great yourself, Nishizumi.
What? No! Not at all!
You're always so calm and strong.
And also so mature.
I'm so jealous!
Please...
I'm told so often that I'm too stiff...
Really?
At my last school, people would always get upset and tell me not to rely on them.
I wonder what I have to do to be more like you.
Maybe it's because I've been doing flower arrangement forever.
That's awesome!
I've always wanted to try that!
It's nice to be girly and beautiful.
Thank you so much for being my friend.
Our pleasure.
The President?
What's the Student Council doing here?
Hey Nishizumi, sweety!
Yes!? Um...
She's the Student Council President.
There's also the Vice President and the Public Relations Reprensentative.
We've got a little business to discuss.
Yes?
About your elective choice...
Take up Panzerfahren, okay? Thanks.
Um, I'm fairly sure this school doesn't have Panzerfahren on its curriculum.
It's being brought back starting this year.
I specifically came here thinking it wouldn't have any tanks.
Well, it must be fate then!
I thought I could choose my electives myself!
Thanks for picking it!
Now the next question.
Nishizumi.
Miho.
What's wrong?
Are you unwell?
Go to the infirmary then.
Teacher, my stomach hurts!
I've got a chronic condition!
A lot of girls seem to be feeling sick today.
Just get some peace and quiet.
Miho.
Are you okay?
Just lie down.
I'll bring your bag if you leave school early.
Thanks.
Just what did the President tell you?
Tell us if you don't mind.
She told me they're resurrecting Panzerfahren.
Panzerfahren, as in the martial art traditionally reserved for girls?
What does that have to do with you?
She told me to take up Panzerfahren.
What? Why?
Um... Well...
Is that some sort of harassment?
Oh, I get it!
Are you in a love triangle with someone on the Student Council?
No!
If the thought of taking up Panzerfahren was so hard for you to take,
are you maybe some battle-hardened war hero?
You go in 1-on-1, extort money and go on a rampage?
Not really.
So what is it?
You see, my family has a long history in Panzerfahren.
But I don't really have any nice memories of it.
I came to this school to avoid the Panzer.
I get it now...
I see.
Well, you don't have to force yourself!
I mean, it's not like all girls have to do it anymore.
If going to the Student Council alone to turn them down bothers you, we'll come with you.
Thanks.
The lesson is already over.
And it was just starting to feel cozy here.
Now it's just homeroom left.
What's that?
To every student.
Gather in the gym.
What's going on?
No idea.
This is how they do things.
Everyone's used to it.
Quiet down.
We shall now show you an orientation to your required elective.
Introduction to Panzerfahren
Panzerfahren!
This is tradition, this is culture,
A once-in-a-lifetime meeting
studied by girls from around the world to hone their character.
They also study this martial art
to hone their polite grace and their dignified feminity.
Studying Panzerfahren means studying what it means to be a woman.
Hot and hard like steel.
Lovable like the clatter of iron tracks.
And of absolutely deadly passion like the main cannon.
If you learn to know the Panzer,
you will be a good wife,
a good mother,
and successful in business.
When your body and spirit are sound and indomitable,
the goodwill of countless men is sure to be yours.
Come now!
Let us all study the Panzer and grow into beautiful, healthy women!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Come,
Maidens!
Required Electives Sign Up
Panzerfahren
Tea Ceremony
Aikido
Flower Arrangement
Archery
Taoist Philosophy
Calligraphy
Incense Ceremony
Long Sword
Ninja Art
Wonderful...
You see, in a few years the Panzerfahren World Cup will take place in Japan.
The Ministry of Education ordered high schools and universities to strengthen Panzerfahren education.
That's why our school is also resurrecting Panzerfahren!
I think you'll find that participating has plenty of benefits!
Vice President!
The one with the highest grades will be given 100 food coupons,
200 pardons when coming in late,
and also triple credits on all normal subjects!
We're counting on you!
I'll do it!
I'm hearing that guys like strong and dependable girls these days!
And if I take up Panzerfahren, won't I be super popular?
You do it too, Miho!
It's a family tradition, right?
But I'd rather not...
Actually, I understand Nishizumi well.
Flower arrangement is our tradition.
Really?
But isn't Panzerfahren just wonderful?
I've always wanted to do something more active than flower arrangement.
I'll take up Panzerfahren too!
Let's do it together!
I hope to learn from you!
If you took it, I'm sure you'd be top of the class in no time!
Panzerfahren
I'm sorry...
I just... can't...
I came here because I really didn't want to study Panzerfahren!
That's okay.
We're sorry. We put you through this.
We'll go with your pick.
No, no! You two should go and pick Panzerfahren!
Don't worry! Being together is best!
And besides,
maybe you'll start remembering things you don't want to if we do it.
I'm fine.
I don't want to make my friend suffer.
I can just take up whatever my boyfriend does!
What did you pick?
It was a hard choice, but I went for the Panzer.
No way!
Me too!
What do you think the tanks are like?
They say it's the girl's path.
I mean, who's ever heard of a man driving a tank?
Yeah, those two just don't belong together.
He said he wants to see me in my uniform.
I want to fire the battle-cannon thing!
They used to have it here at this school. Panzerfahren, I mean.
Hey, wanna get some sweet potato ice cream on the way home?
Ooarai is famous for its sweet potatoes.
I know! The dried potatoes too, right?
I heard some call them parched potatoes.
I see.
Nishizumi Miho from Standard Education class 2-A.
Come to the Student Council room.
Over.
What should I do?
We'll come with you.
Calm down.
What is the meaning of this?
Why won't you pick it?
Our school has no other experienced Panzerfahrerin.
This is the end.
Our school is done for!
Don't be so selfish!
Yeah!
Are you going to force her even though she doesn't want to?
She doesn't want to drive tanks!
Please leave her alone.
Keep saying that and you'll get expelled.
Threatening is cowardly.
It's not an empty threat.
The President is always serious.
That's right.
You should apologize while you still can.
Okay?
That's so mean!
This tyranny is beyond reason!
Tyranny is our privilege as the Student Council.
They both want to go into Panzerfahren, and yet they're here with me.
That's how it is.
Yes, it's a privilege!
You can't force her to do it. That's—
They're doing it for me.
Miho won't do it, no matter what you say!
Don't be so reticent.
For me.
Um, I will...
I'll take up Panzerfahren!
Thank God!
Are you sure about that?
Yeah.
Don't force youself.
I'll be fine...
But...
I... was happy.
You two did your best for me.
That's never happened to me before.
Nobody's ever considered how I felt.
My mom and sister just naturally expected me to take up Panzerfahren...
Well, those two are really talented...
But...
I'm not...
I'm always...
My sweet potato ice cream has chocolate chips!
Mine has mint.
So good! Both of them!
Let me have some of yours too!
I wanna try yours.
There won't be any left like this!
There are fewer than expected.
There are 18 in total.
Including us, 21.
It'll work out.
Everything's okay.
Things are beginning to take shape.
What am I gonna do with all my extra popularity?
The Panzerfahren lessons will now begin.
Um, is our tank a Tiger?
Or maybe...
What was it again?
What is this?
It's in shambles.
You've gotta be kidding.
There's subdued art here.
This is just a pile of rust.
The armor and the moving parts seem fine.
We might be able to pull this off.
I just feel my wind
I just feel my shine
The sky is ever cheery
I've always known my dreams won't wait for me
even though the wind hurts me countless times
I'll reach out to the sun
and feel the resonance in my fingertips
I want to feel the blinking of the sunrays
I always take care of the foundations later
I'll shed my faux-adult defenses
and fly away
The light streamed through the sky overhead
with a speed that drew me from my sleep
Now it carries along my weak heartbeat
It tells me to be more than I am now
I'll rise to my feet
Episode Two
Next time on Girls and Tanks:
I'll get into the tank!