Upotte!!

Upotte!!
Upotte! manga cover as released by Kadokawa Shoten, featuring the main protagonist, Funco.
うぽって!!
Genre	Action, comedy
Manga
Written by	Kitsune Tennouji
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic	Shōnen, Seinen
Magazine	Young Ace 4-Koma Nano Ace Shōnen Ace
Original run	2009 – ongoing
Volumes	4
Original net animation
Directed by	Takao Kato
Written by	Naruhisa Arakawa
Studio	Xebec
Licensed by	Sentai Filmworks
Released	April 8, 2012 – June 9, 2012
Episodes	10 + OVA

Upotte!! (うぽって!!) is a Japanese manga series by Kitsune Tennouji which began serialization in July 2009. An original net animation (ONA) series by Xebec was streamed on Nico Nico Douga and Crunchyroll between April and June 2012. The series will later air on Japanese television in July 2012. Its title comes from reverse-spelling of 鉄砲 (てっぽう, Teppou^?, gun(s)).

Plot

The series takes place at a school known as Seishou Academy. Unlike average school, all the students are actually anthropomorphized guns, training to one day become a useful weapon, and is divided up into submachine guns (elementary school), assault rifles/shotguns (middle school) and battle/sniper rifles (high school) classes. All students in Seishou trains to shoot their target (literally) using live ammunition. The series mainly focuses on an FN FNC assault rifle named Funco and her friends.

Characters

The main characters as they appear in the anime adaptation. From left to right: Ichiroku, Eru, Funco and Sig.

Assault Rifle/Shotgun Class

Funco (ふんこ, Funko)

Voiced by: Iori Nomizu

The main heroine, a small and energetic girl. Since those around her often play dumb, she naturally ends up delivering the punch-lines. She is a Belgian FN FNC, who is often displeased to be nicknamed Funco, she is the younger sister of FN FAL. As the real FNC has a skeleton stock, she wears a thong instead of panties, much to her embarrassment and occasional anger. Ever since their first meeting, she has displayed an attraction towards her homeroom teacher, though the feelings are one-sided.

Ichiroku (いちろく, Ichiroku)

Voiced by: Misuzu Togashi

Funco's best friend, who nicknames her Fukko due to a spelling mistake. She has an energetic personality and a foul mouth with Osaka dialect, but is very kind. She is an American M16A4 assault rifle (her name literally means "one" and "six") and has a large number of fans, as she is usually photographed for the cover of specialized gun magazines and this cohere with the real M16 which is very famous around the world (Second to AK-47 in terms of production number; see Comparison of the AK-47 and M16). In non-combat action, she tends to rapidly alternate between bursts of activity and sudden rests, relating to her namesake's three-round burst fire only capacity.

Elle (える, Eru)

Voiced by: Misato

Another close friend of Funco and also Ichiroku's roommate. She is a British L85A1 assault rifle (her name stands for the letter "L" in her weapon's name). Shy and clumsy, she has an unreliable nature and the habit of breaking a lot, but is very enduring for the sake of her friends, just like her namesake gun. She idolizes Funco's elder sister Fal.

Sig (しぐ, Shigu)

Voiced by: Kaori Sadohara

Another close friend of Funco. She is a Swiss SG 550 assault rifle. Her name is based on the former name of manufacturer Swiss Arms AG. Her grades are top notch and she's an honor student, but a bit out of it at times. She sports exceptional firing accuracy at mid-to-long-range and able to survive in freezing temperature (similar to real SG 550), and doesn't like to lose. She appears to have feelings for Funco and gets jealous when others get close to her.

Ichihachi (いちはち, Ichihachi)

Voiced by: Aya Gōda

Funco's roommate and Ichiroku's foster sister. She is an American AR-18 assault rifle. Like Ichiroku, her name literally means "one" and "eight". She is often troubled by her loose pants as a result of the real AR-18, which has a loose stock.

Sako (サコ)

Voiced by: Madoka Yamanaka

A transfer student and rather vicious control freak determined to defeat Ichiroku in the mock battle. She is a Finnish SAKO Rk 95 Tp (commercially known as M95 under brand name Valmet) assault rifle. Following the mock battle tournament, she has taken a liking to Funco and has even taken her first kiss then Sako leaves the school. She has elf-like ears.

Galil (ガリル, Gariru)

Voiced by: Mariko Honda

Another transfer student and Sako's partner. She is an Israeli Galil AR, and just like Sako, she harbors a rivalry towards Ichiroku as both are variants of an old enemy of hers, the AK 47. After losing the mock battle, she decides to stay at the school despite Sako's departure becoming quite fond of Ichihachi who helped her on that time. She has several canine features, such as a tail and dog ears.

Steyr AUG (あぐ, Agu)

Voiced by: Shizuka Furuya

Member of the student council, she is one of Funco's classmates with a crush on her. Despite that, she has difficulties to approach and befriend her. She is an Austrian Steyr AUG and just like her namesake weapon can change barrels for different uses, Agu has two personalities: one with short hair, timid and friendly and another with long hair that is aggressive and imposing. Both personalities have their own issues regarding Funco, and while one is too shy to approach her, the other usually leaves her scared.

Tei (てい)

Voiced by: Yuka Iguchi

Aug's close friend who supports her in confessing her feelings for Funco. She is a Taiwanese T91 and is usually nicknamed "Fountain" by Ichiroku because of the multiple pigtails she wears throughout her hair.

Chusuri (ちゅーすり, Chūsuri)

Voiced by: Chinatsu Akasaki

G3's younger sister who is a German HK33E assault rifle. She is often nicknamed "Chusuri" after her sister, which annoys her, while Ichihachi calls her "Mimi" after the two 3s in her name.

M3 (Emusuri)

She is a Benelli M3 shotgun and member of the student council.

M4 (Emuforu)

Vice-president of the student council, she is a M4A1 assault rifle.

Betty

An Italian Beretta AR70/90 assault rifle. During the trip to the beach, she sets some schemes to get close to Genkoku, much to Funco's jealousy.

Type 89

She is a Japanese Howa Type 89 assault rifle. Having a timid demeanor, she can't leave Japan just like her fellow rifle Type 64, for being exclusively designed for use of the JSDF.

Saiga

Red Steel High student, a Saiga 12 shotgun.

AK-74

Red Steel High student, an AK-74 assault rifle.

AN-94

Red Steel High student, an AN-94 assault rifle, wounded by Sig at the Battle of Atami

Battle/Sniper Rifle Class

Main characters of the Battle Rifle class. From left to right: Jisuri, Fal and Ichiyon.

L1A1-SLR (FAL) (ふぁる, Faru)

Voiced by: Mina

Funco's elder sister. She is an English-made L1A1 battle rifle. The natural leader of her class, Fal has it all: excellent grades, popularity, and beauty (not to be confused with the Belgian FN-FAL, FNC's real sister).

Ichiyon (いちよん, Ichiyon)

Voiced by: Saeko Zōgō

Ichiroku's elder sister with a tomboyish personality. She is an American M14 battle rifle (hence her name meaning "one" and "four"). She is beautiful if she stays quiet, but she's often crude and rowdy. She has an ear for corny jokes, which she perceives as coming off silky smooth, but in reality have a husky delivery that annoys the other characters.

Jisuri (じーすり, Jīsuri)

Voiced by: Mami Kosuge

As her Japanese name ("G3") suggests, Jisuri is a German G3A3 battle rifle. Despite her strict appearance, she is actually very caring. She has lots of little sisters in the Submachine Class, and an effective but embarrassing posture that improves her shooting without worrying much about the recoil. Her sniping skill is top class, and she often wears dark pantyhose.

Dragunov

She is a Soviet Dragunov SVD sniper rifle who studies in the Red Steel High school, first appearing during the challenge at the school trip.

Type 64

She is a Japanese Howa Type 64 battle rifle. Having a dignified air and usually seen in a kimono, she can't leave Japan just like her fellow rifle Type 89, for being exclusively designed for use of the JSDF.

FN FAL

The original FN FAL made in Belgium, FNC's real sister.

Submachine Gun Class

Emupii (えむぴ, Emupi)

One of G3's younger sisters, she is a German MP5A2 submachine gun. Despite G3 having several sisters, MP seems to be the favorite one. Also nicked named Chii-3,Chii for Chibi, a proper english translation would be wee-3, because she's a smaller G3. Her elementary sisters family consists of MP5K, UMP45, MP7(who happens to have the same vs Uzi rivalry towards P90, HK53

Gossan (ごっさん, Gossan)

Gossan ("53") is a German HK53 submachine gun. Just like her namesake gun (a submachine gun designed to fire assault rifle rounds), she is much taller and look much older than her classmates.

UZI (ウージー, Ūjī)

MP's self-proclaimed rival. She is an Israeli Uzi submachine gun.

Emuten (えむてん, Emuten)

She is an American MAC-10 submachine gun. Similar to her namesake gun that can shoot rapidly, she talks rapidly in one stroke, leaving her out of breath afterwards.

TMP

She is an Austrian Steyr TMP and Aug's younger sister. Due to being a stockless submachine gun, she has the habit of wearing no panties, and just like her older sister, she idolizes Funco.

Bizon

She's a Russian PP-19 submachine gun from Red Steel High.

Teachers

Modern Literature Teacher (現国, Genkoku)

Voiced by: Takayuki Kondo

Homeroom teacher for Funco and the others, and the only human character other than the Colonel at Red Steel High, whose real name is unknown. He was appointed to Seishou Academy unaware about the girls' nature. He usually comes into some misunderstandings with Funco (usually regarding her underwear), leaving him at the receiving end of her anger, but Funco cares about him and sometimes dreams about being chosen as his personal weapon.

Ms. Fujiko (ふじこ先生, Fujiko-sensei)

Voiced by: Yuu Asakawa

A teacher of the Battle class, she is a German FG42 battle rifle. She has heterochromia and wears on eye patch on her right eye. Due to her usual appearance being similar to a Nazi Germany serviceman, more leaning to the Paratrooper division, even the Japanese Teacher didn't recognize her when she removes her eyepatch and loosens her hair on one occasion.

Ms. Thompson (トンプソン先生, Tonpuson-sensei)

Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara

A teacher of the submachine gun class, she is an American Thompson submachine gun and a very easy-going personality. In the anime, it is noted that she speaks Japanese with a slight American accent.

Headmaster Springfield (スプリングフィールド校長, Supuringufīrudo Kōchō)

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake

The principal of Seishou Academy. As his name suggests, he is a M1903 Springfield Rifle.

Professor Garand (ガーランド教官, Gārando Kyōkan)

Voiced by: Tōru Ōkawa

He is the main instructor at Seishou Academy, usually seen as a WW2 era USMC Drill Sergeant. As his name suggests, he is a M1 Garand Rifle.

Ms. Erma (エルマ先生, Eruma-sensei)

The teacher responsible for the submachine class' dorm. She is a German MP40 submachine gun and is named after the shortage for Erfurter Maschinenfabrik, where the MP40 was originally produced.

Ms. Esuku (エスク先生, Esuku-sensei)

Ms. Esuku, the school nurse, is a Swiss SIG SK46 semi-automatic rifle, a successor to the bolt-action K31.

Media

Manga

The original manga by Kitsune Tennouji began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine from July 4, 2009, before moving over to Shōnen Ace from June 2011. A 4-Koma titled "Upotte Nano" also runs in 4-Koma Nano Ace.

Anime

An original net animation series by Xebec was streamed on Nico Nico Douga and Crunchyroll between April 8, 2012 and June 9, 2012, also streaming on the Anime Network from May 9, 2012. A television broadcast of the series began in July 2012. The opening theme is "I.N.G." by Iori Nomizu, Misuzu Togashi, Kaori Sadohara and Misato under name "Sweet Arms" while the ending theme is "Calendar" (ひめくり, Himekuri) by Kaori Sadohara. The anime has been licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.

A Blu-ray containing an extra episode of the anime series will be bundled with limited editions of the fourth volume of the manga series to be released in October 13, 2012.

Episode list

No.	Title	Original airdate
1	"Grip and Hold!" "Nigitte Tamotte" (にぎって たもって)	April 8, 2012
A Japanese man travels to Seishou Academy to begin his new job as a modern lit teacher. He soon learns that all the students are this school are anthropomorphic assault rifles trained to perfect their weaponry, and he soon finds himself hospitalized after getting on the wrong side of FN-FNC rifle, Funco.
2	"Go for it! Pass it!" "Kibatte Ukatte" (きばって うかって)	April 15, 2012
Funco, Ichiroku and Eru of the Assault Rifle Class are challenged to a battle by their seniors in the Battle Rifle Class.
3	"Wash and Scrub!" "Aratte Kosutte" (あらって こすって)	April 22, 2012
The Japanese Teacher finds out a bit more about Funco and the other assault rifles and battle rifles. Later, the assault rifles takes the submachine guns out for volunteer work, which brings up the subject of the sad history of L85A1.
4	"Sing! Compete!" "Utatte Kisotte" (うたって きそって)	April 29, 2012
The Annual Seishou Academy Team Battle is commencing soon, Ichiroku has a bone to pick with her partner Eru and is being menaced by the two new transfer students; the Kalashnikov-derived assault rifles, Sako and Galil, who are her main opponents in the Team Battle.
5	"Graze it! Beat it!!" "Kasutte Sakatte!!" (かすって さかって!!)	May 6, 2012
The team battle begins and Ichiroku advances to the final match by herself while Eru is convinced by Sig to remember their friendship and lend a hand to her. Sako shows her merciless and sadistic side while confronting Funco in the semi-finals, much to the anger of her friends.
6	"Take it! Hurry!" "Ubatte Asette" (うばって あせって)	May 13, 2012
To avenge Funco and Sig, Ichiroku and Eru have their face off against Sako and Galil in the final match. After the team battle ends, Funco's classmate AUG tries to overcome her shyness to get closer to her.
7	"Be Afraid! Visit!" "Burutte Mimatte" (ぶるって みまって)	May 20, 2012
Winter comes and Funco and her friends play together in the snow, leading to an accident that ends with the Japanese Teacher becoming sick at home. Funco pays a visit to him to help him get better.
8	"Take a Look! Scold Someone!" "Mawatte Shikatte" (まわって しかって)	May 27, 2012
The girls of the Assault Rifle class organize a maid café for the upcoming school festival. However, all their work is destroyed during a shootout between Ichiroku and her elder sister Ichiyon. When all hope seems lost, the Japanese Teacher encourages his students to work overnight to have everything ready in time.
9	"Burn Up! Go Mad!" "Moyatte Ikatte" (もやって いかって)	June 2, 2012
The girls go on a class trip to a coastal town. They spend the day playing on the beach, exploring the town and relaxing in the baths. While heading to the shops, 18, Galil and G3's younger sister Hk33E are mysteriously shot down. As Ichiroku deduces the assailants are targeting her, Funco and the Japanese teacher also come under attack, but are safe thanks to the arrival of the others. As the assailants leave behind a message, declaring a war against the Western guns will begin at midnight, several explosions occur around the town.
10	"And then! Upotte!" "Demotte Upotte" (でもって うぽって)	June 9, 2012
Funco, Ichiroku, Eru and Sig accept the challenge and depart to confront the assailants. Sako, who was informed of the situation by Galil, appears to join them. The girls have a fierce fight throughout the city until Funco comes face to face with the enemy leader, the AK74. Genkoku tries to stand between them, but is shot by AK74, much to Funco's anger. However, Genkoku recovers from his wounds as guns can not truly harm anyone when not used by people. In the end, AK74 and her crew decide to withdraw, vowing to return another day, and the girls get back to the academy along their beloved human teacher.
OVA	"Behold! Laugh!" "Miatte Waratte" (みあって わらって)	October 13, 2012
Funco, Ichiroku, Eru and Sig go on a camping trip in the mountains where they do some fishing in the river, smash a watermelon and relax in a hot spring. Later as the girls turn in for the night, Funco and Sig make a promise that they'll always be together.

External links

• Upotte!! (ONA) (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Upotte!! (OAV) (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Upotte!! (manga) (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Official website (Japanese)