As I discussed on the introduction, I've decided to have a change of plans. I'm going to liveblog the manga at the same time as the anime, and will start with the
I won't be discussing most of the scenes that are from canon, unless they're changed in some way, but will focus on the scenes that were added and the scenes that were cut.
The manga starts with color pages essentially showing the propaganda filmstrip for tankery. However, the girls involved are wearing Miko robes rather than tank uniforms.
The scene cuts to our protagonist- Yukari, who is watching the film in the auditorium with barely contained excitement.
If you've watched the anime, you'll know that much of Yukari's motivation revolves around Miho, for whom she has the utmost admiration, and possibly even more than that. Essentially, if you did one of those pictographs of the human brain (the kind that works like a pie chart without taking into account how the various regions of the brain work), most of Yukari's brain would consist of the "Nishizumi-dono" region, with "tankery" coming a relatively close second, and most of what's left being taken up by militay history and the like.
Essentially, it's clear that the focus is on Miho, and while Yukari does provide an outsider's perspective on Miho, Miho is still the protagonist, and more focus on her would be good.
Morning comes at the Akiyama family barbershop, and Yukari declares that she "will conduct a blitzkrieg-like infiltration operation and capture everyone's heart." A woman who has light brown hair in a ponytail, and is wearing a black shirt and an apron, grows exasperated with Yukari talking like that in public, and even more so when Yukari salutes and says "Yes, ma'am!" in response.
I wondered if she's meant to be Yukari's mother, but it doesn't seem likely. Take a look at this picture of Yoshiko, from the official art
.
- In terms of appearance, Yoshiko doesn't look anything like the woman, having darker and shorter hair, and a warmer expression on her face
- Both wear aprons, but Yoshiko wears a dress shirt and slacks.
- Yoshiko calls Yukari by her first name without honorifics (standard address from a parent to a child), while the woman calls Yukari "Yukari-chan."
- Yoshiko's significantly more laid-back than the woman.
Yukari is greeted by Miho, and replies in turn with a formal greeting and salute that leaves Miho unsure of how to respond.
Yukari reflects on how she met Miho, saying that when they formed into small teams, Miho was the only one who sought her out. In the anime, it was the opposite. Yukari followed Miho, Hana and Saori on their search for a tank, fitting with the fact that there's no one she'd rather serve under.
Yukari excitedly talks about getting to do tankery, which she's awaited since orientation, but Miho seems less sure of it. Most of the plot of Episode 1 wasn't shown, since it wasn't events that Yukari saw, so people who only read the manga don't know about Miho's initial reluctance to do tankery. While Yukari is undoubtedly very supportive of Miho, she wasn't there from the beginning like Saori and Hana were, which is one downside to showing her perspctive.
The other three members of Anglerfish Team arrive, with Yukari greeting them formally, Saori trying to get her to stop, and Mako barely awake. It should be pointed out that at this point in the anime, the day of the instructor's arrival midway through Episode 2, Miho has just met Mako, but here, Miho appears to know her to some degree.
As Saori goes on about her desire for a cute instructor, and Yukari introduces each of the characters, while expressing envy of Saori's bubbly personality, Hana's grace and Mako's intelligence. As they head to class, Yukari, excited by the prospect of practical exercises later in the day, quickens her pace and walks ahead of the group.
Yukari, seeing the first five tanks, sans the 38(t) goes on a "Panzer High," and looks downright horrified to be caught in the middle of it, rather than slightly embarassed. Yukari and Hana go on longer versions of their speeches about tanks and flowers, and Saori points out that unattractive girls can still be popular, prompting Mako to snarkily comment on her tangent.
As Anglerfish Team wonders what's keeping the Student Council, the 38(t) then arrives, and the Student Council arrives, thanking everyone for joining tankery, and says that practical instruction will now begin, with Momo briefly mentioning the incentives.
The student council debuting in this scene means that their pressganging Miho into doing tankery. While they do ultimately have a good reason, some viewers still haven't forgiven them for it. Removing that scene does make the student council come off as less morally grey.
Yukari begins an internal monologue, saying she was all alone because of her love of tankery, showing her gradually growing older surrounded by nothing but toy tanks. She then reminisces on how she first heard of Miho at the last tournament, and found her place with her and the rest of her new friends. The Student Council then snaps her back to reality by saying that the instructor will soon arrive. This look at Yukari's past was nice, but it could have been done in more depth, especially since Yukari is supposed to be the main character here.
Ami, after parachuting out in a tank and totaling the principal's car, introduces herself, but doesn't appear to notice or recognize Miho. Anzu comments on how the instructions seem simple, prompting some teasing from Yuzu.
The four tanks besides the Panzer IV are introduced, with Yukari giving some background on them. More details are found in a section at the end of the volume, which seems like the best place for them, so as not to break the flow of the story and bore people who aren't as interested in tank specs. Miho and the others enjoy the view from atop their tank, while Yukari comments on the practicality.
The roles are handed out, but this time, Miho is much more vehement in refusing the commander position (Saying "NO, NO! NO FUCKING WAY!" in one fan translation, an uncharacteristic use of profanity). The roles are handed to the people you would expect to get them, and Mako, part of the team at this point is assigned the radio operator position.
The teams set out, and Saori once again tries to steer by kicking Hana in the shoulder, but with a twist in this version. Since they're in a German tank rather than a Japanese one, Saori's legs can't reach Hana's shoulders, so Miho gives her a stick instead.
Before the battle itself begins, Miho cautions against shooting randomly because she doesn't want them to give away their position. Anglerfish Team is once again set upon by Duck and Hippo Teams, and the chapter ends with them in dire straits, but not about to run over Mako, as Yukari thinks about how desperate their situation seems.
So the manga managed to get to tankery in the first chapter without using an Action Prologue, at the cost of forgoing most of the first episode's establishing Miho's character. I've heard that the manga is best viewed by those who have already seen the anime, and this is one reason why.
I'll also start including brief previews of what will happen next, similar to my Final Fantasy Tactics Advance liveblog, this time partly for the purpose of what part of which adaptaion will be covered in the next installment.
Next Installment: In the second chapter of the manga, Anglerfish Team works their way out of their desperate situation, and decides on their roles.
