Girls und Panzer Saishuushou [Episode 4]

Girls und Panzer Saishuushou Episode 4: Tank Sledding, Sauna Villages, and the Insanity That Keeps Us Hooked

Let’s cut to the chase: Girls und Panzer Saishuushou Episode 4 isn’t just another anime episode—it’s a masterclass in turning “wait, that can’t be real” into “OH MY GOD, THAT’S REAL AND I LOVE IT.” Released in October 2023 by Actas (the studio that’s been making tank battles look cooler than your favorite video game montage since 2012), this installment of the six-part Saishuushou series takes everything we love about the franchise—cute girls, WWII tanks, and unapologetic chaos—and cranks it to 11. And according to fans on MyAnimeList? It’s not just good—it’s “peak anime.”

First off, let’s talk about the plot (spoilers, but let’s be real, you’re here for the chaos anyway). The Winter Continuous Track Cup semifinals are in full swing, and Ooarai Girls’ Academy is up against Continuation High School—a team that makes “unconventional tactics” look like child’s play. Early in the match, Ooarai loses their chain of command twice (oops), but instead of panicking, they do what any sensible tank crew would: they grab their tanks and sled down a snowy mountain. Yes, you read that right. Tank sledding. As one fan put it, “Snowboarding? Skiing? No! Tank sledding, you get in a tank and slide down the biggest mountain you can find.” And if that’s not wild enough, there’s an avalanche thrown in for good measure. We’ve come a long way from tanks falling into rivers, folks.

But the chaos doesn’t stop there. Continuation High School’s secret weapon? A sauna village. Imagine a bunch of tanks parked next to wooden saunas, girls in towels chilling like they’re at a spa, and a Moominhouse (yes, that Moominhouse) sitting in the middle of it all. It’s absurd, it’s cozy, and it’s exactly the kind of weirdness that makes Girls und Panzer so endearing. “The sauna village was super nice,” one fan gushed. “Lots of towel girls, let’s go!” Who needs a post-battle debrief when you can sweat out the stress with your tank crew?

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the animation. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at CGI in anime, this episode will make you eat your words. Actas didn’t just use CGI—they nailed it. The snow particles? “Some of the best animation I’ve ever seen.” The tank sledding down the mountain at 100km/h, bullets flying, snow spraying everywhere? “This is how CGI should be done, and damn they nailed it to the orbit.” Even the shaky cam (which usually gives people headaches) works here, making every battle feel like you’re right there in the tank, holding on for dear life. As one retired World of Tanks vet put it, “That combat when they were all wildly sliding down from that snowy mountain was specially insane. How do they even animate all of that?”

But it’s not just the action that’s got fans talking—it’s the characters. We finally get to see someone other than Miho or Anzu take charge of Ooarai, and let’s just say Momo’s moment to shine? Chef’s kiss. “Was nice to see that Ooarai have someone to command well aside from Miho and Anzu,” a fan noted. And then there’s Alice—yes, that Alice from St. Gloriana—showing up out of nowhere to join the fray. “I was shocked to see Alice with St. Gloriana!” one fan admitted. “It almost feels like a personal betrayal!” But let’s be real: if anyone’s going to make a dramatic return, it’s the girl who once tried to out-tank Miho.

Of course, no Girls und Panzer episode is complete without its fair share of meme-worthy lines. “Well, she’s flatter than a pancake” (thanks, Mimi Alpacas) had fans cackling, while the Finnish team’s refusal to play by the rules (“Defeat a Finnish school like you would defeat a Russian school”) had viewers yelling, “Finland is truly goated!” Even the music got love—though one fan was left begging for the name of Jatkosota’s new insert song (same, tbh).

But here’s the thing: Girls und Panzer Saishuushou Episode 4 isn’t just about tanks and jokes. It’s about heart. When Ooarai loses their commanders, they don’t fall apart—they pull together. When Continuation High School uses their sauna village to throw Ooarai off, it’s not just a trick—it’s a reminder that war (even tank war) is as much about strategy as it is about spirit. “It’s nice to see Ooarai keep it together after losing chain of command, twice,” a fan said. And that’s the magic of this series: it balances chaos with heart, making you care about the girls behind the tanks as much as the tanks themselves.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: CGI. For years, anime fans have side-eyed CGI like it’s a bad cover song, but Actas? They’ve changed the game. “I used to hate CGI in anime a lot,” one fan confessed, “but Actas really showed me they know how to use it well and make it look amazing!” The tank battles are smooth, the snow particles are so detailed you’ll feel cold, and the mountain-sledding sequence? It’s so immersive you’ll want to grab a controller and join in. As another viewer put it, “This is how CGI should be done.”

And let’s not forget the hype for what’s next. With St. Gloriana (and Alice) now in the mix, fans are already speculating about the final battle. “St. Gloriana was the first team Ooarai ever went up against, and now they’re also their final opponent,” one fan noted. “It would be a fitting end.” And even if we have to wait two years for Part 5? Most fans agree: it’s worth it. “I don’t mind waiting years to get the next episode if they keep maintaining this insane level of quality,” a viewer said.

So, is Girls und Panzer Saishuushou Episode 4 perfect? No. The shaky cam gave some fans headaches, and a few wished for more screen time for the Ankou Team (same, where are our favorite underdogs?). But does it matter? Not really. Because when you’re watching tanks sled down a mountain, girls in saunas, and Alice making a dramatic return, you’re not thinking about flaws—you’re thinking about how you can rewatch that avalanche scene for the tenth time.

In the end, Girls und Panzer Saishuushou Episode 4 is more than an anime episode—it’s a celebration of everything that makes the franchise great. It’s cute, it’s chaotic, and it’s unapologetically itself. As one fan summed it up: “This is peak anime right here.” And honestly? We couldn’t agree more.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to rewatch the tank-sledding scene. Again.

Final Verdict: 10/10. Would tank sled down a mountain again.

— A fan who now wants a sauna village for their next birthday.