How Girls und Panzer Helped Rebuild Ōarai
14 years after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the small town of Ōarai stands as a remarkable example of how hope and recovery can come from the unlikeliest places—even through an anime about high school girls in WW2-era tanks.
After the devastating earthquake and tsunami, the small coastal town of Ōarai in Ibaraki Prefecture faced significant challenges in revitalizing its local economy. The release and growing popularity of the anime Girls und Panzer, which is set in Ōarai, played a crucial role in the town’s recovery.
Fans from all over the world began visiting real-life locations featured in the series. In response, the local government and businesses embraced the anime’s success, collaborating on themed events and tourism initiatives. These efforts not only boosted morale but also allowed the town to developed an established tourism industry.
As a result, Ōarai experienced a remarkable economic turnaround—between 2015 and 2016, local revenues surged 21-fold. The company Oarai Creative Management was even recognized with the Japan Tourism Agency’s Encouragement Prize for its role in promoting tourism, while Ōarai’s collaboration with the anime earned the Grand Prize for improving Ibaraki Prefecture’s image. Thanks to the support of anime fans and strategic local initiatives, Girls und Panzer became a driving force in rebuilding and revitalizing the town.
Today was the last day of Steam Delivery Girl, and I wanted to say a final farewell! (some cheesy text down below).
Thank you everyone for the amazing response! This has been one of the most fulfilling projects of my life! 🥹✨💖