Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

The return of the "tank girls" is worth the journey.

Girls und Panzer das Finale 1 is the return of the beloved franchise. The series picks up its pace with a new and ambitious motion- picture series. The first episode of the saga amps up the action-packed fun. Featuring animation produced by Actas (Girls und Panzer, Classroom For Heroes), Girls und Panzer das Finale 1 is the installment fans of the franchise have been waiting for. Under the series production by Bandai Namco Pictures (Raven of the Inner Palace, Battle Spirits Double Drive), fans of the anime are certainly going to enjoy the revival.

Saori Takebe (Ai Kayano), Yukari Akiyama (Ikumi Nakagami), Miho Nishizumi (Mai Fuchigami), Hana Isuzu (Mami Ozaki), and Mako Reizei (Yuka Iguchi) are back with a vengeance. The girls of the Oorai Academy have once again taken it upon themselves to set forth with badass tanks as the girls traverse across the land. The girls are now involved in the Caterpillar Thread Cup.

The event is causing some conflict with college exams but the girls try their best to succeed nonetheless. With changes in rank, Momo becomes the head commandeer while Miho is now relegated to being the new vice commander of the fleet. The girls face new challenges while juggling all of their responsibilities. Can the team traverse the terrain with their mobile tanks and win the contest?

Girls und Panzer das Finale has a charming and quirky cast of characters at the charge. These “tank girls” are brave fighters in their own right and each girl has their own respective mannerisms. These fun characters help to make the viewing experience all the more rewarding and enjoyable. A breezy component of the production, the cast of characters delivers. The voice-acting is solid as well.

A great new arc begins.

The animation is stunning. Girls und Panzer das Finale has a remarkable animated landscape: big, bold, and imaginative. The background art work is exceptional and the landscapes provide a wonderful and breathtaking vista. Isao Sugimoto (Girls und Panzer, Ultimate Otaku Teacher) handled the animation direction as well as the character designs and there is plenty to appreciate about the effort from Sugimoto. The character designs are delightful.

The cinematography by Yoshihiro Sekiya (Fantasista Doll, If Her Flag Breaks) is showstopping. The visual component of the cinematography is something to appreciate on many levels. The colors are bright: providing an array of eye-candy. A solid effort from Sekiya.

With screenplay by Reiko Yoshida (Aria - The Natural, Bomberman Jetters), the story is fast-paced fun. The movie speeds ahead with a sense of energetic fun. The plotline in the feature is straightforward, zipping through the action and to an adrenaline- packed finish line. Yoshida remembers to balance character moments with the spectacle.

Tsutomu Mizushima (Girls und Panzer, Witch Craft Works) capably directs. Girls und Panzer das Finale 1 is an enjoyable beginning to the new arc of the saga. The action-packed mayhem is fast paced and exciting. Mizushima understands how to keep the energy high octane. Simply put – the film offers audiences sheer entertainment.

Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Sentai Filmworks, Girls und Panzer das Finale is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The release features a solid presentation with a crisp, colorful, and dynamic image. The video quality is solid throughout. The encode doesn't suffer from any egregious issues such as compression artifacts. Fortunately, the release is rock- solid and there any issues with banding and other video-based anomalies.

Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with a selection of audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound (with English subtitles). The lossless presentation is stunning. The surrounds are actively engaged and make the experience even more rewarding. The soundstage is expanded for the sound-effects (such as the artillery) alongside the original score. Dialogue is clear and crisp throughout.

Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:46)

Clean Closing Animation (HD, 1:49)

Japanese Promo (HD, 1:32)

Part 2 Trailer (HD, 1:02)

The release also includes a selection of trailers from distributor Sentai Filmworks: Heaven's Memo Pad (HD, 1:37), Magical Girl Site (HD, 1:33), Say "I Love You" (HD, 1:36), and The Magnificent Kotobuki – The Movie (HD, 00:40).

Girls und Panzer: das Finale - Part 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Girls und Panzer das Finale 1 is a kick-ass beginning to the new installment in the anime franchise. The episode packs a mighty punch with plenty of adrenaline infused action. The saga certainly finds a good pace from the get-go here and audiences will find that there is plenty to keep them glued to the fun. Sentai Filmworks has produced a quality Blu-ray release with excellent video and audio. The release includes a small selection of extras. Fans of the franchise will want to check out the new episode. Recommended.