Shichiro Kodama is a plump, older man who serves as the chairman of the Japan Tankery Federation in the Girls und Panzer movie. He is first seen wearing a traditional kimono with a straw boater hat. While he must consider the Ministry of Education’s policies, he has a friendly side toward Anzu Kadotani and the girls from Ooarai Girls’ High School. Even though his job often puts him in tough situations, he looks for clever ways to support the students. In both the movie and extra stories, he shows he cares about Tankery and tries to help even if he can’t always take strong action.
Shichiro Kodama is an older man with a large build.
He dresses in traditional kimono and often wears a straw boater hat.
In the spin-off story Pravda Chronicle, when he was younger he wore a suit with his hair neatly parted (although it was a wig).
Kodama is gentle, understanding, and good-natured.
He tries to help the students of Ooarai Girls’ High School, even when he has to be careful not to go against the Ministry of Education.
He shows cleverness, sometimes finding loopholes in the rules to protect the girls.
He can act strong and confident when needed, but often looks a little uneasy when under pressure.
He truly loves Tankery and wants to support those who play it.
Shichiro Kodama is the chairman of the Japan Tankery Federation, taking the position after previously serving as Vice Chairman during Miho Nishizumi’s first year.
He owes his current role to the former chairman, Nogi, and sometimes struggles with being stuck between what is right and what is required by authorities.
Even as Vice Chairman, he cared about the problems in high school Tankery but felt powerless at times.
After a controversial championship match held in bad weather, he promised to speak out against the old ways and help reform Tankery.
"Isn’t everything private property? Was there ever a rule against private property?"
He uses this phrase when someone questions the use of non-school tanks by Ooarai.
It shows his willingness to stand up for the girls using quick thinking and bending the rules.
The Movie and Shichiro Kodama’s Role
Shichiro Kodama first appears in the Girls und Panzer movie.
He is the head of the Japan Tankery Federation.
When Anzu Kadotani and Ami Chōno visit him to talk about saving Ooarai Girls’ High School, he listens and understands their problem.
Still, Kodama hesitates to help directly because the Ministry of Education is proud of creating the Tankery professional league and wants everything to follow the rules.
Giving Quiet Support
Even though he can’t say yes at first, he later helps Anzu Kadotani by working together with Shiho Nishizumi, who is now the Professional League Committee Chairman.
He quietly supports the girls of Ooarai by allowing students from other schools, like Maho Nishizumi, to transfer to Ooarai temporarily so they can help the team.
When Renta Tsuji tries to stop the use of these extra tanks, Kodama points out there is no rule against using privately owned tanks, cleverly helping the girls.
After the Battle
When Ooarai and its allies win in an exciting match against the university team, Kodama celebrates.
He is shown happily cheering, even as Renta Tsuji, who was against the girls, is disappointed.
Personal Opinions
Kodama doesn’t like the idea that open-top vehicles, like the Karl self-propelled mortar, count as tanks in battles.
He questions Renta Tsuji about this during a match, but is brushed off quickly.
Later Appearances
In the Final Chapter, Kodama can be seen watching the Tankery tournament, but he does not have any lines.
In spin-off stories like Pravda Chronicle, younger Kodama is shown as Vice Chairman.
He struggled with the old problems in Tankery tournaments but promised to do his best to fix things.
Kodama works closely with Shiho Nishizumi and often has to deal with Renta Tsuji from the Ministry of Education.
He is supportive toward Anzu Kadotani and the students of Ooarai, even if he can’t always show it openly.
In the movie’s ending credits, Kodama is only listed as “Chairman,” but his real name, Shichiro Kodama, was confirmed in later books and on the official website.
He helped make the rules work for the benefit of the students.
His first major role was in the movie, but he appears in other stories, sometimes looking back on his past.
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