Full Metal Panic!

Full Metal Panic! or FMP for short, one of the funny and action pack anime series for 2002. Action and military are something to look forward to in this kind of set up story. an original light novel story and produced by Gonzo known for some famous work like Rosario to Vampire, Kaze no Stigma, Special A, Black Cat and Vandread. Opening song “Tomorrow” performed by Mikumi Shimokawa. Ending song “Karenai Hana” by Mikuni Shimokawa. Full Metal Panic! consist of 24 episodes and runs around 24 minutes per episode. Full Metal Panic! is directed by Koichi Chigira.

Mithril a private military organization who strives to end the world terrorism and all the threats to peace of earth. To prevent and to protect the peace of earth Mithril is equipped with an advanced cutting-edge weapon that they can use. Mithril is powered by a “Whispered” , a great individual who possesses a great knowledge and remarkable ability to create a powerful device and weapons that can be used at wrongdoings if it falls at wrong hands. Mithril other mission is to prevent other terrorism group to get hands of Whispered individual.

Sousuke Sagara a sergeant of Mithril is given an assignment to protect a civilian student named Kaname Chidori who also be seen a potential Whispered. Sousuke is ordered to join her high school class and be close as much as possible to prevent Kaname to fall into enemy hands, also includes to try to act as high school student to blend in place where Kaname is studying and to keep everything secret. This is one of the hardest assignments given to Sousuke, without any background for high school life student lifestyle. Sousuke grown up in the battlefield and no idea at all how to become a normal student, but he must adapt it and keep Kaname safe at any cost. 

In terms of story Full Metal Panic! adopts the light novel volume 1 – 3 of the original story and Full Metal Panic! Tanpenshuu from episode 14 to 17 is the original anime story. Mixing an original story and original anime story makes a lot of things can be confusing if you just follow the story at the light novel but seeing the whole series makes the story more interesting until the end. The story is good enough to enjoy how Sousuke adopts in his new surroundings at a school where he is not really good because his life starts a war and grows up in the war but a sudden change slowly changes his life. 

The animation in terms of action is a small highlight and selected fight scene to remember and the good one is at the end part. A one on one battle to settle everything is a great finale of the season, at the middle of the story the action chases a bit confused on that part but everything is done and bit good on the details makes everything looks cool. The sound effect feels real because of the battle scenes. For the music opening a bit catchy rhythm that easily to remember that this is FMP opening song. 

Full Metal Panic! is a good anime for the said year, deserves a good recommendation if you are looking for an action with a military and some mecha battle it balance it and the comedy part it feels bit fun but you will more understand it because Sousuke Sagara is more on military side and don’t know how to have some fun, to understand it more just watch the whole series it also includes the backstory of his life. No need to spoil the story as much as my concern to the people who look for anime to watch and hate to be spoiled a lot and to be fair to others.  

Information:

Title:

• Full Metal Panic!
• フルメタル・パニック！

Type: Series (24 episodes)

Aired: Jan 8, 2002 to Jun 18, 2002

Studio: Gonzo

Source Story: Light Novel

Genre: Action, Military, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Mecha

Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)

Song:

Opening:

• "Tomorrow" by Mikuni Shimokawa

Ending:

• "Karenai Hana" by Mikuni Shimokawa

Director: Koichi Chigira

Character and Voice Actor:

• Sagara, Sousuke (Seki, Tomokazu)

• Chidori, Kaname (Yukino, Satsuki)

• Testarossa, Teletha (Yukana)

• Mao, Melissa (Neya, Michiko)

• Weber, Kurz (Miki, Shinichiro)