Girls und Panzer: Panzer IV Type H Debuts in Anime-Accurate Colors & Pre-Painted Parts!

After finishing watching “Girls und Panzer,” some people might have found the chibi-style tank appearing in the ending surprisingly memorable. What lets you enjoy such unique cuteness as a plastic model is “Panzer IV Ausf. H (D-type modified) Ending Ver. Semi-Pre-Painted Plastic Model.” Differing in direction from realistic tank models, its major feature is reproducing Panzer IV with approachable proportions reminiscent of the main anime's ending. Ingenuities making it easy to reach out even for people hesitant thinking “Tank models seem detailed, and wouldn't painting be difficult?” are applied, making it a single vehicle where you can casually savor the fun of assembling and the joy of displaying after completion.

What is delightful about this kit is that it is easy to imagine the completed form from the start. Because a brown molding color matched to the impression in the anime is adopted for the hull, if you make use of that color, there is no need to paint the entire hull. Not only that, fine parts like vehicle-mounted tools and road wheels are pre-painted in advance. Furthermore, even the “Anglerfish Mark” symbolizing the tank and the school emblem of Ooarai Girls' Academy are printed. In other words, there is little need to worry asking “Will I be able to finish the mark neatly after assembling?” Even for people not used to model building, it is easy to get close to the completed form, yet the sense of achievement unique to plastic models assembled one by one with your own hands is properly retained.

Just because it is a chibi model does not mean it simply shrank Panzer IV cutely. What is reproduced this time is the H-type (D-type modified) spec enhanced for the National Tournament finals. Schürzen acting as auxiliary armor are added to the sides of the hull and around the turret, and the main gun, which became more powerful, is also reproduced. Furthermore, pay attention to parts that changed from the D-type as well, such as the additional armor at the lower front of the hull and the added air cleaner. Checking details thinking “Oh, around here is properly different too” is also a fun unique to this kit. While maintaining a chibi feel typical of the ending version, features of Panzer IV that evolved in the story are also incorporated, so the more you know the work, the more you will want to look for fine differences.

What can add a bit of personality to the completed figure is the specification allowing selection of open or closed states for each hatch. Whether to show the silhouette of the whole vehicle body cleanly in a closed state, or produce a dynamic atmosphere in an open state can be decided by the builder's preference. Having such options creates the enjoyment of finishing it into a form you like, rather than a sense of “making the exact same thing as the finished sample.” While holding the convenience of being semi-pre-painted, parts that the creator can choose are also prepared. This balance seems to have good compatibility not only for people challenging tank plastic models for the first time, but also for people who want to casually make “Girls und Panzer” models.

The total length of the completed tank is approximately 115mm, containing 1 vehicle. Because it is not too large, it is easy to display even in limited spaces like desks or shelves, making it an easy-to-enjoy size for a collection. Because the powerful figure of the H-type equipped with Schürzen and the chibi sculpt unique to the ending version are combined, it seems like it will become a presence drawing lines of sight despite being compact. Differing again from realism-oriented tank models, the charm is being able to savor the feeling as if “displaying the figure as it appeared in the work as is.”

And what “Girls und Panzer” fans would be curious about is the paper “Senshado National High School Tournament Championship Flag” attached as a bonus. Because the flag pole is not included in the set, it needs to be prepared separately, but if displayed together with the completed Panzer IV, a display recalling the fierce battles in the national tournament can be made. It is a delightful point that it is an accessory that lets you feel even the story of the work, rather than ending as a mere tank model.

This product packs in painted small parts, printed markings, brown molding utilizing hull color, selectable hatches, and equipment unique to the H-type. Even for people saying “I am interested in plastic models, but starting from full-scale painting seems a bit tough”, it seems to serve as an opportunity to challenge. Enjoying the process of Panzer IV being reinforced during assembly time, and displaying the worldview of the ending nearby upon completion. From building to gazing, it is a plastic model where you can thoroughly savor “Girls und Panzer”-ness.