Line #149 Characters/GirlsUndPanzerSaunders


1	[[WMG: [[center:''Anime/GirlsUndPanzer'' '''[[Characters/GirlsUndPanzer Main Character Index]]'''\
2	[-''Ōarai'': [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerOaraiAcademy Ōarai Girls' Academy]] ([[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerOaraiAcademyAnglerfishTeam Anglerfish Team]], [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerOaraiAcademyDuckAndHippoTeam Duck Team and Hippo Team]], [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerOaraiAcademyRabbitAndTurtleTeam Rabbit Team and Turtle Team]])\
3	''Rival Schools'': [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerRivalSchools Rival Schools]] ([[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerStGloriana St. Gloriana Girls Academy]], '''Saunders University High School''', [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerAnzio Anzio High School]], [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerPravda Pravda High School]], [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerKuromorimine Kuromorimine Girls High School]])\
4	''Others'': [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerDerFilm Der Film Characters]] \| [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerDasFinale Das Finale Characters]] \| [[Characters/GirlsUndPanzerOtherCharacters Other Characters]]]]]]-]
5
6	[[foldercontrol]]
7	----
8
9
10	!Saunders University High School
11	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/GUP_SaundersSmall_7264.png]]
12	A very [[{{Eagleland}} American-themed]] school, representing Nagasaki Prefecture. They uses [[UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks American tanks]] that mainly includes a wide variety of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_tank Shermans]]. [=M4, M4A1(76)W, M4A4=], and Firefly models were all seen.
13
14	In the movie [[spoiler: they assist Ōarai Academy by transporting their tanks to the mainland so they would not be confiscated. They also join the other rival schools as additional forces for Ōarai High School's match against the University Teams, bringing with them an [=M4A4, M4A1(76)W=], and a Firefly.]]
15
16	----
17	!!!Tropes for Saunders in general
18	* CoolPlane: Saunders has a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_C-5_Galaxy Lockheed C5M Super Galaxy]], [[spoiler: which they used to transport Ōarai's tanks to the mainland, as well as their own tanks during the ending credits of the movie.]]
19	** They also have several B-29 bombers which they use for towing gliders.
20	* {{Eagleland}}: Saunders has distinctive American traits, such as being rich, using GratuitousEnglish, having a cheer squad and mostly relying on numbers as their Sensha-do style. They are portrayed as beautiful Americans since they are friendly and good-hearted girls.
21	* {{Leitmotif}}: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10vnuku2VrI The Battle Hymn of the Republic]]
22	* PaperThinDisguise: The "Flying Tankers" Tankathalon team is in no way associated with Saunders University High School.
23	* ThemeNaming: the names of the important Saunders characters have similar pronunciations in both English and Japanese; Kei/Kay, Arisa/Alyssa and Naomi[[note]]which is pronounced as Na-o-mi in Japanese and Nigh-o-mee in English[[/note]]
24	* TheWorfEffect: In the Movie, they are twice shown to be completely outmatched by the University team's skill level.
25	** Throughout the series, they are frequently refered to as being one of the strongest Sensha-do teams in the league. However, they have yet to be seen scoring a single win against another main school. This wouldnt be as bad if it wasnt for the fact that the only other schools with this honour are Anzio and Chi-ha-tan the two poorest performing main schools in the series.
26	* ZergRush: Their specialty is to deploy a lot of Shermans and simply overwhelm the opponent with superior numbers. They have enough tanks to have three full Sensha-do teams.[[note]] official Sensha-do rules allow a maximum number tanks per team in the tournament, starting with 10 in the first rounds, then 15, then up to 20 tanks per team in the final round.[[/note]]
27	----
28
29	[[folder: Kay]]
30	!!Kay
31	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kay.png]]
32	->''This is Sensha-do, not war. [[BadassCreed Your tank will cry if you are a bad person!]]''
33
34	->'''Position:''' Squadron Commander/Tank Commander, [=M4A4=]
35	->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AyakoKawasumi (Japanese), Creator/EmilyNeves (English)
36
37	Saunders' leader and commander of an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Sherman M4 Sherman]] during the Saunders-Ōarai match.
38	----
39	!!!Tropes Kay finds exciting!
40	* ActuallyPrettyFunny: While Alisa and Naomi are outraged by Yukari's infiltration of Saunders, Kay breaks down in uncontrollable giggles at her ''Film/KellysHeroes'' reference and compliments her when they meet again just before their match.
41	* BadassCreed: See her quote above. Let's put it in perspective: in a world where Sensha-do is SeriousBusiness enough to justify [[spoiler: disowning one's daughter over preferring lives to victories]], she firmly believes the [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen opposite]]. She utters it only once, so it could be a BadassBoast, but she then she lectures [[spoiler:Miho]] about it, after having behaved that way all the battle [[spoiler:and before and after it]], making clear it's a creed and not a boast.
42	* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler:Saves Alisa from Ōarai's pursuit.]]
43	** In the movie [[spoiler:they show up to save Ōarai's tanks when the school is closed]]
44	* BigEater: Downplayed, but she is supposed to be American-themed, so this trope is naturally present: during the final, she is seen munching her way through a tub of popcorn roughly the size of her torso. In ''Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu'', it is revealed she wears some sports-channel fat burner belt so she can eat more fried chicken.
45	-->'''Nonna''': You could just eat ''less''...
46	** Apparently shares this trait with her direct subordinates, as the end credits scene of the movie would point out: [[spoiler:Worfing popcorn inside the cockpit of their school's transport plane, and even taking a large bite out of Arisa's burger.]]
47	* BoisterousBruiser: Typically American boisterousness combined with a typical American 30-ton war machine leads to this.
48	* CavalierCompetitor: Being spied upon? No biggie. Losing first blood to the enemy? Surprising, but interesting! For her, tank combat is ''fun''.
49	-->''"Exciting!"''
50	-->''"That's'' Sensha-do!"''
51	* DefeatMeansFriendship: Becomes friends with Miho and Ōarai's sensha-do team after losing to them.
52	* {{Eagleland}}: Not actually American, but she represents the Noble variety as the friendly sportsman with a lot of firepower.
53	* {{Expy}}: Of sorts to [[Manga/{{Saki}} Touka Ryuumonbuchi]]; both have the same hairstyle, and both are {{Large Ham}}s. The only difference is that Touka is a more of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold, compared to Kay who is at least more open as long as she gets to enjoy the sport.
54	* {{Foil}}: Nicely contrasts with Manga-Anchovy, given that she's laid-back and enjoys exciting matches, while Manga-Anchovy values victory above all else. This is nicely emphasized in that Kay's match is shown in the anime, while Anchovy's in the manga.
55	* GenkiGirl: Her energy during a match (or outside a match) is unrivaled in her team.
56	* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: Embraces Miho after her loss to Ōarai, then teaches the latter her creed.]]
57	* GratuitousEnglish: Liberally sprinkles her speeches with American English.
58	* InformedAttribute: Darjeeling's claim that Saunders often uses "dirty tactics" becomes this after Kay is shown in action, unless Darjeeling somehow knew about [[spoiler:Alisa intercepting radio communications]]. She probably assumed that Saunders' foreknowledge of Gloriana's positions in previous matches was Kay's own doing, if she didn't know about [[spoiler:Alisa]].
59	* InformedAbility: Kay is lauded as an incredible Sensha-do commander, good enough to be made one of the 3 commanders of 'operation Bumpy' alongside Miho and Maho in Der Film. However Kay has yet to be seen scoring a victory against a named school in the series. See TheWorfEffect above
60	* {{Irony}}: Saunders is known for utilizing ZergRush tactics to overwhelm their opponents. In ''Der Film'', her tank ends up being ganged up, and then taken out by the Bermuda Trio.
61	-->''"Oops..."''
62	* LargeHam: A genki girl that loves her sport in a sherman tank? Yes, this is the result.
63	* TheLeader: Of Saunders' sensha-do squad. She's the charismatic type.
64	* LetsFightLikeLadies: She only pursues Ōarai with four tanks rather than taking advantage of her superior numbers, because [[spoiler:one of her teammates was intercepting their radio transmissions]].
65	-->''"This is ''Sensha-do'', not war."''
66	** In ''Dream Tank Match'', at Saunders' Domination Battle against Saint Gloriana, Darjeeling has a small trash talk session with Kay about whether Saunders "brought their listening ear today". While Alisa gets fidgety, Kay claims that [[ComicallyMissingThePoint she has really good ears]]. When Assam whispers to Darjeeling that perhaps Kay is SarcasmBlind, Darjeeling simply says something along the line, "It is as expected; after all, Kay is not [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat that kind of person]]."
67	* MsFanservice: Between her long blonde hair, ample breasts, and choice of outfit, she can prove very attractive.
68	* NamedAfterSomebodyFamous: She may be named after the British Sherman Firefly driver and historian of armored combat Douglas Kay.
69	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: While [[GenkiGirl genuinely energetic]], she becomes stern and subdued while telling Alisa that she wants a word with her regarding [[spoiler:her radio tapping, which ended up backfiring and costing them the match. When she first finds out about Alisa's radio tapping and screams "YouFool" at her down the radio so hard Alisa cringes. She brings Alisa to the final with her, though so it seems she wasn't too mad.]]
70	* PassThePopcorn: Munches on a nice container of the stuff in Episode 12 watching the battle with Miho and Maho. Justified because it is a sporting event.
71	* PhenotypeStereotype: Like Darjeeling, she has the Anglo-Saxon blue eyes and blonde hair gig going for her. Her hair is more strawberry blonde as opposed to Darjeeling's paler color to give off the more wild American vibe.
72	* PrecisionFStrike: In the movie, when the University teams fully breaks through her line, and she is unable to pursue, she tosses her Periscope aside with a loud, and very [[GratuitousEnglish American]], "Shit!!"
73	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Believes in the concept of fair play and condemns dirty tricks like [[spoiler:radio interception]].
74	* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Kay, or Kei, depending on translator
75	* TranquilFury: Not long after the match with Ōarai, she tells Arisa she wants a word with her in a tone that, while subdued, makes it abundantly clear that she's ''furious'' at her. Considering Arisa [[spoiler:set up a communications-intercepting balloon behind her back]], it's not hard to she why she's so mad.
76	----
77	[[/folder]]
78
79	[[folder: Naomi]]
80	!!Naomi
81	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/naomi_8.png]]
82	->''"Yes, ma'am."''
83
84	->'''Position:''' Tank Commander/Gunner, Sherman Firefly
85	->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MariyaIse (Japanese), Creator/StephanieWittels (English, ''der Film''), Creator/ShelleyCaleneBlack (English, ''das Finale'')
86
87	Saunders' second-in-command. Serves as gunner on the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Firefly Sherman Firefly]] in Saunders vs Ōarai.
88	----
89	!!!Tropes for Naomi
90	* BoyishShortHair: This is how it looks in comparison to her superior's longer hair.
91	* TheCasanova: In ''Motto Love Love Sakusen'', she is said to have many girlfriends and in one scene, is shown to be able to charm St.Gloriana's Assam.
92	* ChewBubblegum: While blasting away, she's chewing gum. She even runs out of gum right before kicking [[spoiler:Anglerfish's]] ass.
93	* FriendlySniper: Down three Ōarai tanks with her Firefly.
94	** Played in an amusingyly ''literal'' sense in the movie, where she exchanges [[CasualDangerDialogue friendly, polite small tea-talk]] with Darjeeling right before sniping [[spoiler:the obstacle between Darjeeling and her target, allowing her to destroy it]].
95	* FunbagAirbag: When she slumps back in her seat with a "sigh" at the end of their onscreen battle, her head finds some... [[UnusualEuphemism comfortable pillows...]] courtesy of her startled commander.
96	* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: While visibly disappointed by their slim margin of defeat, she nevertheless harbors no ill will towards Ooarai at the end of the day.]]
97	* LadyLooksLikeADude: [[BoyishShortHair Conspicuously so]]. Outside the tank it's not so conspicuous, due to her bosom.
98	* NumberTwo: To Saunders as a whole.
99	* WorthyOpponent: Considers Hana as this in the spin-off manga. If the end of the match between Saunders and Continuation High School towards the end of das Finale Part III is any indication, Naomi also considers the largely-unseen Continuation gunner Jouko as one, viewing the match-ending shot Jouko fired with both contempt and reluctant respect.
100	----
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder: Alisa]]
104	!!Alisa
105	[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/alisa_6.png]]
106	->''"Why are those run-down tanks driving us off?" (Turns to her gunner) "Aim to the right! Our school is on a different level than yours!"''
107
108	->'''Position:''' Tank Commander/Radio Operator, [=M4A1(76)W=]
109	->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AyaHirano (Japanese), Creator/BrittneyKarbowski (English)
110
111	Saunders' third-in-command. Commands the flag tank, an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Sherman_variants M4A1(76)W]], during the Saunders-Ōarai match.
112	----
113	!!!Tropes Alisa eavesdropped on
114	* AllLoveIsUnrequited: Mentions a guy she likes called "Takashi" who doesn't like her back while her tank is fleeing from Ooarai, though considering her [[VillainousBreakdown mental state]] at the time, she could have just been babbling. She also implies that [[LoveTriangle Takashi likes another girl]], but gives no indication as to whether his love is requited. It's a very cryptic ShoutOut: Hirano voiced Suzumiya Haru''hi'', and [[VisualNovel/RumblingHearts Takayuki Narumi]] is whom Suzumiya Haru''ka'' is in love with.
115	* AscendedExtra: Gets a much larger role in the Ribbon Warrior spin-off as the leader of the "Flying Tankers" Tankathalon group.
116	* AwesomenessByAnalysis: She might not be the best tank commander around and clearly needs a remedial course on good sportsmanship, but episode 5 shows why she's Saunders' Vice-Captain:
117	** She accurately guesses Ōarai's positions at the time of the radio transmission (time-distance calculation + terrain analysis), translates the very vague "leftwards direction" into a specific set of coordinates (more terrain analysis) and accurately estimates how fast Rabbit Team would get there (time-distance calculation, and it wouldn't have worked unless she got the first two approximately right). She then coordinates the movements of two platoons so the platoon moving in the open comes into view shortly before the flanking platoon moves in through the forest and counters Ōarai's reinforcing element by moving in Naomi's platoon (latter is not quite as impressive because her team has visual contact now, but still requires time-distance calculations). She also figured out the feasibility of withdrawing two tanks back out of commitment and into envelopment ahead of Ōarai's tanks (same). Keep in mind that all this was accomplished using only a radio and a map, without even seeing the battle unfold.
118	* BerserkButton: Bringing up her non-existent love life.
119	* BlatantLies: Claims her knowledge of Ooarai's positioning comes from "female intuition". Kay only doesn't notice because she's too pumped up.
120	* BoisterousWeakling: For all her boasting, she's an ineffective tank commander, whose panic over Oarai catching her results in an amusing symmetry with her calling Ōarai "weaklings". This is {{discussed}} in the second recap episode (and downplayed because Miho is ''that'' [[NiceGirl nice]]).
121	* ButtMonkey: After her master plan against Ooarai falls to pieces, she seems to fall into this. ''Especially'' in ''Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu'', where she gets caught trying to infiltrate Ooarai and humiliated, and later in the Christmas installment, [[ItMakesSenseInContext where Kay, dressed as Santa, crowdsurfs a sled into the back of her head and knocks her into a cake.]]
122	* CombatPragmatist: She's willing to seek every advantage in battle.
123	* DickDastardlyStopsToCheat: Saunders had numerical superiority, better tanks and more experienced crews, but Alisa just ''had'' to bring a radio listening balloon regardless. This enables Ōarai to turn the tables by sending fake communications via radio and ''real'' orders via text message.
124	* EvilLaugh: She lets rip with one after intercepting another transmission, getting some startled looks from her crew.
125	* {{Foreshadowing}}: [[spoiler: In Episode 6, when her Sherman flag tank was being pursued by Oarai's tanks, she stressfully asked why such a school was participating in the tournament and that she knew that it was supposed to be abolished soon. This happened way early, even before the Student Council President of Oarai stated that if they lost the tournament, the school would be abolished.]]
126	* GirlishPigtails: Which make her look like a loudmouth brat after tangling with Ōarai.
127	* GutFeeling: [[BlatantLies She claims]] that her knowledge of Ōarai's positions comes from this.
128	* HoistByHerOwnPetard: The reason the numerically superior Saunders units ended up out-of-position, leaving her tank at Ōarai's mercy and convincing Kay to bring matching numbers of tanks during their counterattack? She fell for fake communications (when Miho deduced that their radio transmissions were being intercepted), fooling her into [[AttackAttackAttack emptying her guns without informing her allies]].
129	* JerkassHasAPoint: In general, she’s not a very nice individual, but she does have a point in calling out her crew for not using their tank’s machine gun [[RuleOfCool just because it’s not as cool as the cannon]],
130	* LargeHam: She's LaughingMad as she's running for the hills and [[ChewingTheScenery combining these mad laughs with non-sequiturs]].
131	* LoopholeAbuse: Technically, intercepting radio transmissions isn't cheating, but it's not good sportsmanship either. To further elaborate, using radio interception ''airplanes'' is illegal in the Sensha-do tournament. She gets around this by using a radio interception ''balloon''.
132	* MissionControl: Serves as one for Saunders and helped by the radio intercepts.
133	* {{Munchkin}}: Her team already had a two-one advantage in numbers, better tanks, and many more veterans, yet she still decided to eavesdrop on her opponent's communications to further increase the odds of winning. Imagine how bad she would be in ''World of Tanks''!
134	* OhCrap: After realizing Kay disapproves of her actions and wants a word with her in an [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness uncharacteristically stern tone]].
135	* PaperThinDisguise: [[spoiler:In ''Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu'', she only uses a pair of fake sunglasses and breast pads as a disguise.]]
136	* RankUp: Takes over as commander of Saunders's Sensha-do team in the ''Little Army 2'' spin-off manga.
137	* {{Revenge}}: [[spoiler: In ''Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu'', she decides to infiltrate Ōarai to steal its classified information in revenge for Yukari infiltrating Saunders. However, her disguise is... less than stellar, as Leopon Team finds her suspicious immediately]].
138	* SmugSnake: When she thinks her team holds the upper hand, she holds very dismissive views of her opponents, acting condescending towards them and letting loose with UnsportsmanlikeGloating when she's particularly confident of victory. But when the tables are turned or some unexpected complication happens, she tries to flee while having what can only be described as a panic attack.
139	* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Depending on the translation, is "Arisa", "Alisa," "Alyssa" or "Alice."
140	* ThrowTheDogABone: Leads Saunders to victory against Pravda in ''Little Army 2''.
141	** ''Ribbon Warrior'' also shows that she's a good strategist, at least in Tankathlon, where her penchant for more underhanded tactics gives her an advantage.
142	* TokenEvilTeammate: [[DownplayedTrope Relatively minor]], but she's still a poor sport and a cheater in a team known for fair play and graciousness in both victory and defeat.
143	* UnsportsmanlikeGloating: When TheCavalry appears she goes back to her ''eeevil'' ranting.
144	* VillainousBreakdown: When she finds out she was outsmarted and led into a trap, she doesn't take it well and starts babbling incoherently as her tank drives for its life.
145	* YouthfulFreckles: Her freckled face combined with her attitude brings to mind a BrattyHalfPint who didn't grow up.
146	----
147	[[/folder]]
148
149	[[folder: Loader and Gunner, [=M4A1(76)W=]]]
150	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/loader-chan_and_gunner_chan_5773.jpg]]
151	Two nameless crew members of Alisa's flag tank during Saunders vs Ōarai. Left and right in the pic, respectively.
152	----
153	!!!Tropes for the two
154	* BeleagueredAssistant: Crewing Alisa's tank is not a cake walk.
155	* CoolHelmet: The loader easy to distinguish in group shots because she's very rarely seen without her tanker helmet, even outside of matches. Because of this many fans also commonly refer to her as Helmet-chan.
156	* IneffectualSympatheticVillain: The "ineffectual" part being because their tank is cramped with [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat radio spying equipment]], to the point of the loader being unable to find her shells in a hurry.
157	* NoBadassToHisValet: It's clear they don't have a high opinion of Alisa's capabilities.
158	* NoNameGiven: Hence the fan nicknames (a simple [[EverybodyCallsHimBarkeep "Loader-chan" and "Gunner-chan"]]).
159	* NotSoHarmlessVillain: When Alisa finally gets out of her VillainousBreakdown and stops distracting them, they become quite effective. {{Discussed}} by Miho in the second recap episode.
160	* SilentSnarker: They ''do'' speak, but most of their frustration at Alisa's antics and command (or lack thereof) style is conveyed through exasperated facial expressions.
161	* ShowDontTell: They get lots of characterization in a very limited screen time. See SilentSnarker above.
162	* TheReliableOne: They fill the trope so closely that quoting verbatim the first two paragraphs of its page would accurately describe their on-screen time.
163	* [[ThoseTwoGuys Those Two Girls]]: The two are just there in Alisa's Sherman.
164	----

Context Characters / GirlsUndPanzerSaunders