Ep 1. The Devil of the Rhine

In the first episode of the Saga of Tanya the Evil anime series, we are introduced to Tanya Degurechaff, a young and ruthless soldier in the Empire's military force. The Empire is engaged in a war with a coalition of neighboring countries and Tanya is a powerful asset in their battle against the enemy forces.

Tanya is known as "The Devil of the Rhine" for her ruthless tactics on the battlefield. She possesses great magical abilities that allow her to single-handedly take on large groups of enemies. However, Tanya's unwillingness to follow orders and respect her superiors becomes a problem for her commanding officers.

As the episode begins, Tanya is in battle, fighting off enemy forces with ease. She is seen as a hero by her troops, but the Empire's commanders are concerned about Tanya's behavior and insubordination. Tanya is summoned to the office of her superior, where she is reprimanded for her actions and given a final warning to follow orders or be sent to the front lines.

Tanya refuses to listen to her superiors and continues to act on her own accord. She is then summoned to a meeting with the General Staff, where they propose a new project called "War College" which will give Tanya the opportunity to continue her military career without being sent to the front lines.

However, Tanya doesn't trust the general staff and believes that they have ulterior motives for the War College project. She initially refuses to participate, but eventually agrees to it only as a means to ensure her own survival and advancement within the military ranks.

As Tanya begins her training at War College, she quickly rises through the ranks due to her impressive magical abilities. However, she still clashes with her fellow students and instructors due to her abrasive personality and independent nature.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to Tanya's past life as an ordinary businessman who was killed by a former employee. Tanya is then reborn in a new world as a powerful mage in service to the Empire. These flashbacks provide insight into Tanya's motivation and perspective on the world around her.

Overall, the first episode of Saga of Tanya the Evil sets up an intriguing story of a powerful and ruthless soldier who must navigate the political machinations of the military hierarchy in order to survive and advance in her career. Tanya is a complex and compelling character who is both feared and respected by her peers, making her a formidable force on the battlefield. The episode sets the stage for a much larger story to come and leaves viewers eager to see what happens next.