Hidden in Plain Sight: Girls Und Panzer's Brilliant Character Development of Rabbit Team 

Finally someone points out the character development

What I find interesting, is that despite the huge cast, we do not feel overwhelmed by so many characters. The show expertly uses interesting quirks and stereotypes to help us remember the characters. (Plus the special music for each school).

One thing I love about this show is that the show writers do not talk down to their audience. They realize that we are intelligent and do not need to be spoon-fed every little detail. Instead, we are rewarded by rewatching again and again and picking out all of the details.

Rabbit team's while story was just amazing. And their development was perfect, and it was shown not told. They went from the scared girls that abandon their tank in the middle of the match to being an effective team with the self appointed title of "Heavy Tank Killers". And seeing the Fandom appreciate them to the point of naming Azusa Miho's successor and the one who will take charge in Das Finale 4 against Keizuko is just heartwarming. They went from a bunch of side characters who were scared girls with research being their only redeeming quality to the Heavy Tank Killers and future lead team of Ooarai once Miho and Anglerfish team graduate. Truly these girls embody the "show don't tell" aspect that makes Girls und Panzer so great. Plus Der Film was their best performance with the goodbye to Ooarai, the support/rescue of Anzio, and the ferris wheel rescue of everyone else.

Rabbit Team is one one of my favorite team. At first it was because they crewed an M3 Lee which I have a soft spot for along with other tanks, but as you said, She's becoming the next Nishizumi which is a character arc I enjoy

Das Finale 3's scene where Azusa told her team to rotate their turret backwards and firing at Chi-ha-tan's two tanks disabling both of them. That was one of my favorite scenes in Das Finale 3 and it shows the development of how organized the Rabbit Team is and their understanding of their tank's strengths. I also noticed that throwaway line where Yuuki said Azusa resembles Miho after re-watching the series (3 times as of writing this comment). With how Das Finale 3 ended, I really would love to believe that it is the Rabbit Team's time to shine and Azusa would take charge as their Overall commander versus Keizoku, and they will show us what the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog really means in that match.

Another small wink to show the growth of the rabbit team is when the shark team got stuck in the river in das finale 1 and they were the one who pushed them out. They could make a side series of GuP where the story is just retold but we follow rabbit team's perspective and it would be as satisfying as the main series.

I like Erika's character development over the series, specifically in Dad Finale. She's gone from being a cocky side villain to a competent commander that you can actually root for. That moment when her cold demeanor cracks after defeating Pravda is just heartwarming. Hopefully, we see more of this side of Erika as the series progresses.

Great Video as always. I too believe that Azusa will take command of Oarai in the Jatkosota match. I first began to wonder when I saw in one of the scenes from the teaser trailer for part 4 that turtle was missing. I think they are saving Momo's development for the final battle against Gloriana. This fight will essentially be the completion of rabbit's arc and maybe begin a friendship with shark team, who will finally begin to respect rabbit team for what they can do (especially Ogin). Momo getting taken out next would also be great development for shark team, as they have been refusing to follow anyone's orders except Momo. But with her taken out, they would be forced to work with everyone else and begin to work as a team. And I hope at the end of Das Finale, rabbit and shark will be working together very closely. One idea for a future video is about how in Der Film, it is shown that senshado does teach many valuable life lessons, pointed out by "best girl" Mika. Many people criticize senshado that it ultimately is a dumb sport that cannot make girls into better women. But a close look shows that everyone has grown a lot, and not just as tankers. And we are reminded of that at the end of Der Film, Aki: Senshado really is the essence of every important lesson in life! Mika: Isn't it? Also Mika is best girl.

And don't forget they are first years.

Think das finale part 3 is setting up momo to take charge. Episode 1; she's mostly useless and panicked. Episode 2; she lands the killing blow. The next step for her is to actually lead them to victory in a match.

Azusa being the successor to Miho is no surprise, considering that Azusa is pretty much the only one that exhibits any sort of leadership skills.

First off I want to say I have been watching your GuP videos and have really enjoyed your take on the series. It is in my opinion one of the best animated series ever made, and one that is sadly overlooked, or just ignored because people think it is something that it is not. I decided to comment on this video...well...because I love The Rabbit Team and glad to see someone sees them for who they are and notice their growth throughout the series, like I have.

Man the studio worked really hard for this show

They actually take out both Semoventes! Azusa has them pursue the second one and by the time it reaches Anchovy (spectacularly) the Rabbits show up and put a round in it to finish it off. Great analysis as always!

I have to say that I was guilty of dismissing as the show not having any character development. The only time I realized that the Rabbit Team has grown when they put themselves out in leadership role in one of the movies. Think it was the one that they used the Pajendrum as diversion.

Good video. Always nice to see someone recognize Rabbit Team potential.

The M3 Lee, "The coffin for 6 freshman" (Though you forgot their "Light Tank Killers" title making them like the final boss of the "Ribbon Warrior" manga and actually somehow giving Alisa a sort of character arc)

I'd say Girls und Panzer is like an unironic example of "It's _so_ dense". There's _a lot_ of characters cramped in a rather short runtime, and there are a lot of little things you might miss on your first watch.

So I just watched the sub of the latest film. And bro, you are going to love it. They do such a wonderful job of showing the rabbit teams evolution and growth. I won't spoil anything since the move is still hard to find... but all this to say alot of the thing you say in this video come to fruition and than some!

yeah, gotta rewatch at least 5 times to really get EVERY detail absolutely amazing show

rabbit team quote monty python, instant favorite for me

'Oh god... the freshmen'

i get why people say that GuP doesnt have character character development. GuP doesnt have any _major,_ and most importantly blatantly obvious character developments. it draws focus on the spectacles, the loud, earpiercing, but still masterfully choreographed tank battles. but it doesnt offer nothing else beyond that. other than the battles, the interpersonal narrative of the characters are subtle, but still very sufficiently deep if people are willing to look for it. for example, in Das Finale 3 if one werent paying attention, one would easily miss how Fukuda defeated the duck team with their own advice, which left a somber note on her personal victory. i really love details as such because it paints a personal color to each of the character, as simple as it might be, and helps make the fictional world feels a touch more real.

The rabbit team reminds me of Vegeta, when at first if things got ugly he would run away with his tail between his legs but later thanks to his teammates he never ran away from any fight no matter how difficult it was.

I have seen some of those reviews that say GuP has "no character development..." And had a good laugh over that view. I too think that Rabbit Team is going to be a key to the next episode of Das Finale, and it's going to have something to do with something they saw while watching "The Great Escape." Also Saki will have a profound observation as usual. Saki knew that Keizoku would beat Saunders, so she knows something. You could probably do a five minute episode just on Saki and her quiet wisdom. BTW did you get her butterfly reference in der Film, when they were about to "die" to Nonna? It's a really obscure reference that I think a lot of people didn't get.

Well, Part 4 is out and I can say one thing - you were right on the money.

Azusa is being groomed to become Miho's successor. Once Anglerfish team is gone, she and Rabbit Team will be some of the only original members left to carry on.

1:40 5:55 Now I know why they’re called the Rabbit Team…

Das finale 4 really shows this

Once again superb analysis. I agree GuP style is unique inasmuch as unlike most shows who feel the need to shove character development in your face, (where honestly as a heavy reader I kind of get insulted by movies/TV shows who seem to think I'm an idiot and can't think outside the superficial) I was charmed at the myriads of genuine character development throughout the series if you're paying attention. Hell you can probably write a whole thesis on the Miho/Maho/Mom family alone, yet the show only provides a glimpse.

Your videos are great keep it up man👍🏻.

In my defense By the time I got to Das Finale it was between like 04:00 and 05:00 so you can't expect me to be paying full attention Next time I watch it all in Chronological order I shall begin in a morning when I am alone at home and really pay attention, I am still impressed I remembered ALOT of the anime despite being practically ready to pass out by the time I got to Das Finale Part 3 Also I didn't sleep until like 21:50 on Sunday soo yeah

March 27th, Das finale Episode4 (blu-ray) is gonna be out. Azusa is almost like .. no .. really the protagonist in it.

i really rope that azusa gets to be a commander in das finale 4 even if just against Jatkosota

SUPER NICE, love the rabbits!

4:05 oh mein Gott, ze idiets...

The match between Ooarai and Chi-Ha-Tan is a huge character development

I would just ask them what you expect about character development in a military movie. Like how much you expect.

Girls und panzer is way better than people credit it