Girls Und Panzer Character Analysis: Erika Itsumi 

Erika is an amazing character, her development through the series has just been great and regardless on how she thinks she isn't cute she really is a cutie.

5:45 Erika being alone on the computer is actually one of her lesser-known hobbies. Her hobby based on official Japanese supplementary material is surfing the internet. So she often browses the internet in her free time.

Season 1 Erika and Das Finale Erika are practically night and day compared to one another. She went from a cold, overly competitive, arrogant, prideful, antagonist living in Maho's shadow to a legendary commander in her own right who stands out even among other legendary Sensha-do commanders, including Maho. I remember back when she was one of the most hated characters in the series behind characters like Renta and Shiho. Now look at her, possibly the most character development outside of Oarai was hers. Early on, we see her acting all prideful and arrogant, with an underlying resentment towards Miho for running away from Sensha-do, only to come back leading a ragtag rival team. And for one who admires and follows the Nishizumi style of never running away, this was also personal to her. Shown in the trash talking at the tank cafe in episode 5. And even early on in the final battle her arrogance is shown full force by how much she trashed on Oarai while Maho remained mostly silent. And it was only after Kuromorimine's defeat at the hands that Erika began to change, looking forward to the next match after seeing the results of the previous one and Maho's reaction to it. This really shows that Erika is capable of being humble when not in a competitive environment like during the period of the Sensha-do Tournament. Erika didn't really have much screentime in Der Film honestly. There it was really just continuing on with her development before, Erika mocking Miho's plans and Maho shutting her down, and later her cute shoulder ride for Katyusha foreshadowing their own growing relationship in the Das Finale 4 OVA. But Das Finale is where things really really pick up for her. With Maho gone, Erika really had to step up as Kuromorimine's commander. Made only more daunting of a task when the Nishizumi style she admired so much wasn't working for her in the match against Pravda. But after coming to understand both Maho's advice of finding her own Sensha-do and the Nishizumi style she admired so much not working for her, she changed her strategy and ultimately won the match. Leading to the cutest Erika moment in the series. And it was thanks to that that Erika mellowed out and understood the true nature of Sensha-do, to have fun, something Miho herself had to learn while characters like Kay and Maho understood already by the time we first see them. And as shown in the Das Finale 4 OVA she has mellowed out a lot while also still being serious enough to be the straight man in the room, but one who also puts forth her own cute ideas as well. And her friendship with Katyusha that started off in Der Film and grew so much until this point is just so sweet and wholesome. Erika is peak gap-moe and I love her for that. From a character disliked by most to a character loved by most, me included, Erika really grew throughout the series. She pretty much is the second main character in the series in terms of development, right behind Miho of course, going from arrogant antagonist to an adorable fun and cheerful supporting character with her own deep and enriching story. I personally disliked her a lot before Der Film, but now, after all the development she received up to this point in the series, she's now one of my favorites. I'm happy she got the development she received throughout the series, she really became one of the best characters in the series thanks to it. Thanks for the amazing analysis of one of the best characters in GuP! I certainly enjoyed watching this a lot and seeing how much growth and development Erika went through throughout Girls und Panzer as a whole. Definitely one of my most favorite character analysis videos you've done so far. Thank you for the amazing video. Take care, and I'll see you next time.

Erika reminds me of a scene on Band of Brothers, Winters is talking about this officer who he said "Seen too many war movies and thinks he needs to shout all the time" and Erika's a bit like that to be honest she's seen how Maho commands and is trying to copy but it doesn't really fit, when we see her in Das Finale 3 and she loosens up, she becomes much more comfortable in the role and a better commander over all. Also a detail i liked about Erika was when we see Koume going up and talking to Miho just before the final, Erika doesn't shout or even try and stop Koume from talking to Miho, in fact she doesn't even look angry as she watches (She actually seems to have a neutral expression on her face), the writers could have easily had Erika do something like have Erika snap at that or make a snide comment or two to Koume about it but they didn't, Erika just let's it go showing shes not a bully.

On the heath, there blooms a little floret And it's called Erika Eagerly, hundred thousand little beelets Swarm around Erika For her heart is full of sweetness A tender scent escapes her blossom-gown On the heath, there blooms a little floret And it's called Erika Back at home, there lives a young maiden And she's called Erika That girl is my faithful little darling And my joy, Erika When the heather blooms in a reddish purple I sing her this song in greeting On thе heath, there blooms a littlе floret And it's called Erika

Yeah, I never hated Erika's Character. I love her when she is the ice Princess at the beginning of the series, all the way to her self actualization towards the end of the series. Also best girl if you ask me

We love you Fiction.

Honestly it is true. They’ve really put in the legwork since the original series to make her vastly more likeable and contextualize how she acted. It’s really cool to see her grow on her own once out from under Maho’s shadow (though the effects had were never really intentional) in both Ribbon Warrior (which I know isn’t canon but it is to me damnit) and now in Das Finale. Easily top five for me now.

Ribbon Warrior Spin-off also adds to Erika's development and even Maho

Erika and Shiho are really misunderstood characters. While the manga are not necessarily canon, it was seeing them in both that first allowed me to see beyond their first bad impression in the anime and realize there is actual nuance to the characters in the original. Erika is fascinating, it's no wonder she was given her own spin-off manga.

I always thought that she never hated Miho but rather liked her. Like a tsundere character

Excellent analysis! Erika has really grown on me, and seeing them evolve her character in such a natural and believable way is one of the great things about the show and its writers.

If you like Erika then ME TOO. Oh wait. I meant the Song

ironically Ooarai would have lost if Maho would have just listened to Erika

Great job as always. Man, I would love to see an analysis with Koume, though I'm not sure theres even enough footage for a yt short 😅

Auf Der heide bluht eine kleines Blümelein...und Das heißt...Erika!!

Another fantastic character study and of a character that often gets misunderstood. So glad the show didn't just make her some basic bully.

I love her development. She truly is one of the best characters in the show. I think it's stupid she lost in DF4, she really deserved to win and the plot convenience of Miho facing Alice and SG is so stupid and angers me. Erika cares deeply for Kuromorimine, I feel that's why she's so competitive and hostile, she only wants her team to win. I love how humble she becomes, and how amusing she is in MLLSD Auf Der heide blüht ein kleines blumelein Und das heißt ERIKA!

im still sad that erika entire redemption and "her own senshado" arc got dumped becuse they wanted the same fight thrid time and the 13 year old kid revenge

We were too she's come Quick to judge a long way

This is great !!

YES FINALY

Just an editing tip, cut out the parts were you stop to breathe to reduce the awkward silence.

The scene Erika talking to Maho on laptop, which film is it?

The fact she penetrated the front of a t34 with a 37 or 50mm armed panzer 3 makes no sense. The t34 should not have been penetrated frontally

5:24 This scene is from movie?