Matsumoto Riko/Erwin (girls und panzer)

Rico's favorite flower is the cornflower, and his favorite tank is the German tank destroyer Jagdpanther. Rico's birthday, June 18, coincides with the anniversaries of several important political speeches from World War II: A speech given by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom during the country's "finest hour". The address of French general and statesman Charles de Gaulle on June 18 (L'Appel du 18 juin) is often considered the beginning of the French Resistance. Additionally, although unrelated to World War II, the same day in 1815 saw the Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon Bonaparte's Grande Armée was defeated by the combined forces of Arthur Wellington (better known as the Duke of Wellington) and Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, effectively ending the Napoleonic Wars. Rico's soul name, "Erwin", is inspired by German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, also known as "der Wüstenfuchs" (The Desert Fox). Rommel commanded the Wehrmacht's 7th Panzer Division during Germany's invasion of France in 1940 and also led German and Italian forces in Germany's North African campaign. He is considered one of the most skilled tank commanders of the war and earned the respect of his opponents. Rico's hairstyle resembles a pair of fox ears sticking out from the sides of her cap, just like Erwin Rommel's nickname. Riko's seiyuu, Satomi Moriya, also voices the following characters: Chiyoko Uenishi, commander of the Type 2 Ka-Mi amphibious tank from Chi-Ha-Tan Academy.

Rico has short blonde hair styled in spikes on the sides and a medium build.

At school, Riko modifies her Ooarai uniform by tying her headscarf into a bow and wearing Marshstiefel (German military marching boots) instead of her regular school shoes. She also wears a dark green field marshal's cap and an Afrika Korps jacket, similar to the one worn by her namesake. Riko also has World War II-era British gas mask goggles attached to her cap, just like the ones her namesake wore.

In Sensha-dō, Riko wears a blue Ooarai uniform jacket and a field marshal's cap.

Confident. Cunning. Calm under fire. Riko Matsumoto embodies the best qualities of the legendary German field marshal, whose name—and uniform—she bears with pride. With a powerful Sturmgeschütz III assault rifleman from Ooarai at her command, a wealth of historical knowledge about the Wehrmacht, and the support of her fellow Reki-jo, Riko is a valuable ally in sensha-dō and a dangerous enemy.

Perhaps its danger lies in its incredible ability to always stay one step ahead of its enemies. Take the battle against Pravda, for example. A school, decorated in Russian style, went duck hunting, when they should have been wary of a hippopotamus, waiting for their flagship tank to smash right into their jaws. Another striking example is Operation Spaghetti. Anzio invented it, but Erwin and her team perfected it.

My advice? Beware the jaws of the hippopotamus and the desert fox in the commander's cupola. They'll be in your face before you know it.