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The Battle of Leyte Gulf was in many ways the twilight of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Despite being the closest the IJN ever came to fulfilling its grand strategy for a decisive or "final" battle ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantai_Kessen ''kantai kessen'']) with the United States Navy, the Japanese failed at the tactical level in disrupting the American landing operations in Leyte Gulf and at the strategic level in stalling the American advance across the Pacific. Devastated by personnel and materiel losses and low on fuel, the Combined Fleet effectively ceased to exist as an effective fighting force after the battle. The only major naval operation to follow was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ten-Go Operation Ten-Gou], the sacrifice of the ''Yamato''.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was in many ways the twilight of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Despite being the closest the IJN ever came to fulfilling its grand strategy for a decisive or "final" battle ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantai_Kessen ''kantai kessen'']) with the United States Navy, the Japanese failed at the tactical level in disrupting the American landing operations in Leyte Gulf and at the strategic level in stalling the American advance across the Pacific. Devastated by personnel and materiel losses and low on fuel, the Combined Fleet effectively ceased to exist as an effective fighting force after the battle. The only major naval operation to follow was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ten-Go Operation Ten-Gou], the sacrifice of the ''Yamato''.

As a result, these seasonals tend to reflect a strong desire by the shipgirls to overcome the demons of their pasts. Lines prior to the Fall 2017 event, which centered on the Battle of Surigao Strait, emphasize interactions with members of the Nishimura and Shima Fleets. Lines prior to the Winter 2018 event, which will cover more of the Battle of Leyte Gulf as a whole, emphasize preparation by members of the Kurita, Suzuki, and Ozawa Fleets.

As a result, these seasonals tend to reflect a strong desire by the shipgirls to overcome the demons of their pasts. Lines prior to the Fall 2017 event, which centered on the Battle of Surigao Strait, emphasize interactions with members of the Nishimura and Shima Fleets. Lines prior to the Winter 2018 event, which will cover more of the Battle of Leyte Gulf as a whole, emphasize preparation by members of the Kurita, Suzuki, and Ozawa Fleets. They may refer to the battle as "Operation Sho-1" ("Operation Victory I"), because the Philippines was the first of four alternative defense plans the Japanese had in place after the Battle of the Philippines Sea (the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot).

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