Full Metal Panic!

Full Metal Panic!

Cover of the first light novel
フルメタル·パニック!
(Furumetaru Panikku!)
Genre Mecha, Military science fiction
Light novel
Written by Shoji Gatoh
Illustrated by Shikidouji
Published by Fujimi Shobo
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Imprint Fujimi Fantasia Bunko
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Original run September 9, 1998 – August 20, 2011
Volumes 23
Manga
Written by Retsu Tateo
Published by Fujimi Shobo
English publisher
ADV Manga
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Monthly Comic Dragon
Original run August 30, 2000 – July 1, 2005
Volumes 9
Manga
Full Metal Panic! Overload
Written by Tomohiro Nagai
Published by Fujimi Shobo
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Original run January 30, 2001 – April 1, 2003
Volumes 5
Anime television series
Directed by Koichi Chigira
Produced by Shigeaki Tomioka
Tsuneo Takechi
Masafumi Fukui
Toshihito Suzuki
Written by Fumihiko Shimo
Koichi Chigira
Shoji Gatoh
Music by Toshihiko Sahashi
Studio Gonzo
Licensed by
Network WOWOW
English network
Original run January 8, 2002 – June 18, 2002
Episodes 24
Manga
Full Metal Panic! Surplus
Written by Tomohiro Nagai
Published by Fujimi Shobo
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Published July 1, 2003
Anime television series

Anime television series
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
Directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto
Produced by Hiroyuki Kitaura
Tomoko Suzuki
Satoshi Matsui
Tsuneo Takechi
Written by Shoji Gatoh
Music by Toshihiko Sahashi
Studio Kyoto Animation
Licensed by
Network WOWOW
Original run July 13, 2005 – October 19, 2005
Episodes 13
Manga
Full Metal Panic! Σ (Sigma)
Written by Shoji Gatoh
Illustrated by Hiroshi Ueda
Published by Fujimi Shobo
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Original run August 1, 2005 – September 20, 2013
Volumes 19
Original video animation
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
Directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto
Produced by Tomoko Suzuki
Tsuneo Takechi
Written by Shoji Gatoh
Music by Toshihiko Sahashi
Studio Kyoto Animation
Licensed by
Released May 26, 2006
Runtime 29 minutes
Light novel
Full Metal Panic! Another
Written by Naoto Ooguro
Illustrated by Shiki Douji
Published by Fujimi Shobo
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Original run August 20, 2011 – ongoing
Volumes 7
Manga
Full Metal Panic! Another
Written by Naoto Oguro
Illustrated by You Taichi
Published by Fujimi Shobo
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Newtype Ace
Original run March 26, 2012 – ongoing
Volumes 4
Manga
Full Metal Panic! Zero
Written by Shoji Gatoh
Illustrated by Tetsurō Kasahara
Published by Fujimi Shobo
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Dragon Magazine
Original run September 20, 2013 – ongoing
Volumes 2

Full Metal Panic! (フルメタル·パニック! Furumetaru Panikku!, often abbreviated to FMP!) is a series of light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a hot-headed Japanese high school girl.

Individual chapters are published on Monthly Dragon Magazine, followed by a paperback compilation released by Fujimi Shobo's Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. The novels are split between stories focusing on Sousuke's mission as a soldier of Mithril and comedic side stories centered on his life at Jindai High School.

The series has been adapted into different media; including three animated television series: Full Metal Panic! by Gonzo in 2002, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid by Kyoto Animation in 2003 and 2005 respectively. An OVA was also released in 2006; and five different manga series.

Tokyopop licensed the novels for English-language publication in North America[1] and released parts of the series, while ADV Films licensed and dubbed the first season and the spin-off. The second season was licensed by Kadokawa Pictures USA with ADV Films producing the dub yet again. Mandalay Pictures acquired the film rights to the series in 2009.[2] At Anime USA 2009, Funimation announced that it had acquired the rights to the first and second series of Full Metal Panic! and both were re-released and remastered on DVD and Blu-ray in 2010.[3][4] The series began airing in North America on November 22, 2010, on the FUNimation Channel.[5] The Fumoffu series made its North American television debut on the FUNimation Channel on November 15, 2010.[6] A new spin-off to the light-novel series, called Full Metal Panic! Another, has been revealed to be in development.[7]

Plot

The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of a covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl. He moves to Japan to study at Chidori's school, Jindai High School, with assistance from his comrades Kurz Weber and Melissa Mao. Having never experienced social interactions, Sousuke is found as a military maniac by his schoolmates as he interprets everyday situations from a combat perspective. He comes to relate with Chidori who realizes that Sousuke is protecting her, but he does not reveal the reasons due to orders as well as the fact he does not know why Chidori is being targeted by different organizations.

Development

When starting the series, Shoji Gatoh commented that as the series' theme was "Boy Meets Girl." Gatoh worked in the order to keep that as the focus regardless of the several other conflicts the story presented.[8]

Media

Light novels

The light novel series Full Metal Panic! is written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. It was published by Fujimi Shobo in its monthly magazine Gekkan Dragon Magazine since September 9, 1998, under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint. Gatoh often found delays in writing of the novels, which lead to delays to the publication of the series' volumes.[9] The series focuses on Sergeant Sousuke Sagara's arrival to the Jindai High School where he was assigned to protect the student Kaname Chidori while also acting as a student.

A total of twelve volumes have also been released from December 18, 1998, to August 20, 2010.[10][11] In parallel to the twelve volumes, ten autoconclusive light novels of the series have also been published starting on December 17, 1998. Ten volumes have been published as of July 20, 2006.[12][13] In contrast to the regular series, these light novel ones focus on the comedy elements from the series. In January 2010, Gatoh wrote another of these stories in celebration of Gekkan Dragon Magazine‍ '​s 300th issue.[14] Another series of spin-off novels was released by Gatoh from August 20, 2011, to August 20, 2012, consisting of four volumes and is set years after the original series' ending.[15] The light novels have also been adapted into various manga,[16] as well as three anime TV series for which Gatoh was also part of the staff.[17]

Tokyopop licensed the Full Metal Panic! series for North America release, publishing the first regular light novel on September 11, 2007.[18] The latest released volume is the fourth on February 1, 2011, which is a compilation from the original fourth and fifth volumes from the series.[19][20]

Manga

Full Metal Panic! was adapted into a manga on several occasions. The first series entitled Full Metal Panic, was serialized in Newtype by Retsu Tateo. The first Full Metal Panic! manga was collected in nine tankōbon volumes published from August 30, 2000, to July 1, 2005.[21][22] Full Metal Panic! was one of the first manga licensed by ADV Manga, being announced in July 2003.[23] They released all of its volumes from November 10, 2003[24] to April 11, 2006.[25] A parallel series entitled Full Metal Panic! Comic Mission (フルメタル・パニック! Comic Mission), was also written by Retsu Tateo and focuses on the comedy elements from the series. Five volumes were published from November 1, 2003, to September 1, 2006.[26][27]

Another spin-off series is Full Metal Panic! Overload (いきなり! フルメタル・パニック! Ikinari! Furumetaru Panikku!) by Tomohiro Nagai. It was released in five volumes from January 30, 2001, to April 1, 2003.[28][29] Overload was licensed by ADV Manga in December 2004,[30] and all of its volumes were published in English from June 6, 2005, to May 24, 2006.[31][32] Nagai also wrote Full Metal Panic! Surplus (フルメタル・パニック!SURPLUS) which is a single tankōbon manga published on July 1, 2003, focused more on the action elements from the franchise.[33] Next manga adaptation Full Metal Panic! Sigma (フルメタル・パニック!Σ) was written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Hiroshi Ueda and focuses on the missions of Sousuke as a sergeant. The first volume was published on August 1, 2005, and the last volume, the nineteenth, was published on September 20, 2013.[34][35] Its events are based from the fourth Full Metal Panic! light novel onwards.[16]

Anime

Full Metal Panic!

The anime series was produced by Gonzo Digimation and originally aired in 2002 after its original air date was canceled because of the September 11 attacks.[36] The series was licensed by ADV Films for North American release in 2003. The first three novels form the basis for the anime. The series was available on the Anime Network on Demand from 2003 to 2004.

Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu (フルメタル? ふもっふ Furumetaru? Fumoffu) is a companion series to the anime series Full Metal Panic! by Kyoto Animation, and takes place between the first season and The Second Raid. Markedly different in tone to the first series, Fumoffu emphasizes the high school romantic comedy aspects of Full Metal Panic! with often crude humor and focuses on the romantic tension between Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori. It frequently parodies itself and anime stereotypes. None of the mecha combat or political intrigue, which characterized much of the original Full Metal Panic!, can be seen in the series. The only reference to the mecha aspect of Full Metal Panic! is the Bonta-kun, which is one of the most prominent parodies in the anime. Sousuke uses spare Bonta-kun costumes to make highly effective suits of power armor, but they look like teddy bears wearing army gear and can only say: "Fu" and "Mo" in different combinations.

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (フルメタル TSR Furumetaru TSR) is the direct sequel to the original anime series. It was produced by Kyoto Animation and ran for 13 episodes. The series is based on The End of Day by Day novels and takes place three months after the events that occurred in the Tuatha de Danaan at the end of the original Full Metal Panic! series. Mithril learns of a secret organization that has technology able to counter the ECS (Electronic Conceal System) mode. The organization, known as Amalgam, has access to Black Technology, which was obtained from the Whispered. Like the other intelligence agencies, Amalgam intends to obtain more. Sousuke's mission to protect Chidori is terminated by Mithril, instead leaving her in the care of an anonymous agent known as Wraith.

There is a one episode OVA that takes place after Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid. It's a humorous stand-alone story.[37] It focuses on the Captain of the Tuatha De Danaan: Teletha Tessa Testarossa, rather than the two main characters of the series. The OVA is based on short story Wari to Hima na Sentaichou no Ichi Nichi in short story collection Dounimo Naranai Gori Muchuu. The story is also told in chapters 13 & 14 in Full Metal Panic Sigma Volume 04.

Live action films

A live action film adaptation was announced by Mandalay Pictures in April 2009, with Zac Efron rumored to be attached to the project.[2] Efron has since confirmed a meeting took place regarding the project but added that the adaptation was unlikely to happen.[38]

Writer and director Kenneth Lindbloom announced in an interview with ASO radio, released March 2012, that a fifteen-minute live action fan film, Full Metal Panic! Come Make My Day, was in post production and due to be released sometime in 2012.[39] The project was undertaken by a group of professionals and enthusiast with the goal of creating a high-quality portfolio piece based on the Full Metal Panic! novel Come Make My Day.[40]

Reception

The second DVD volume of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid was given a favorable review by Theron Martin of Anime News Network for pushing the character developments of Sousuke and Kaname as well as dramatic elements beyond comedy and action. Describing the impact of the volume, Martin explains that "[t]he full impact of that [Sousuke and Kaname's relationship] comes out beautifully in episode 7, when Kaname seeks out Sousuke in a moment of fear and, for the first time, Sousuke isn't there for her. It's one of those telling moments that can define an entire series."[41]

THEM Anime Reviews has noted that the Arm Slaves, like most real life vehicles, are done meticulously that fans of mecha series would "online catalogues for tech books and sketches."[42] Bureau 42 says that the "mecha[Arm Slave] action in the show is very well done. While I can’t compare the action with other more grounded mecha shows like Patlabor, the combat is very well done and easy to follow, and visually interesting."[43] Triforce commented that Arm Slave battles in the Full Metal Panic! series would be able to keep viewer's attention to the show.[44] Anime Chaos praises the 2D and 3D CG done on the 1st Full Metal Panic! season, with emphasis on the use of CG for the Arm Slaves.[45]

Negative criticism has surfaced on the role of the Arm Slaves throughout the Full Metal Panic! series. For instance, Ender's review states that their mecha roles are confusing that the Arm Slaves are both "08th MS Team soldiers and Dragon Ball Z-type fighters, hurling energy balls at each other and going "Super Saiya-jin."[46] Anime Database rated the Full Metal Panic! series 4 out of 5 because of the Arm Slaves battles since they start out from being good to being very unrealistic.[47] GameSpot Union comments on the relationship between the Arm Slaves and the animation done on Full Metal Panic!, saying both animation and camera views were bad.[48]

References

  1. ↑ "Tokyopop New York ComicCon 2007". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Zeitchik, Steven (April 6, 2009). "Mandalay nabs rights to 'Full Metal Panic'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Funimation Announces Three New Titles". Toon Zone. 2009-11-21.
  4. ↑ "Funimation Adds Sekirei, Testuwan Birdy Decode And Decode 02". Anime News Network. 2009-11-22.
  5. ↑ "Funimation Mon 22 Nov 2010". Funimationchannel.com. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  6. ↑ Funimation (November 15, 2010). "FUNimation Premieres Four New Shows" (Press release). Retrieved 20 April 2015 – via Animation World Network.
  7. ↑ "Full Metal Panic Spinoff Novel Project Starts This Summer". Anime News Network.
  8. ↑ Gatoh, Shoji (2010). Full Metal Panic! 12. Fujimi Shobo. p. 97. ISBN 978-4-8291-3553-2.
  9. ↑ "News: Full Metal Panic's Next Novel Listed for July Release". Anime News Network. March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  10. ↑ フルメタル・パニック! 1 - 戦うボーイ・ミーツ・ガール (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  11. ↑ フルメタル・パニック! 12 - ずっと、スタンド・バイ・ミー（下） (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  12. ↑ フルメタル・パニック！ - 放っておけない一匹狼? (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  13. ↑ フルメタル・パニック！―サイドアームズ２ ― 極北からの声 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  14. ↑ "News: Last Full Metal Panic Light Novel Volume Being Written". Anime News Network. January 5, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  15. ↑ "News: Full Metal Panic Spinoff Novel Project Starts This Summer". Anime News Network. May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Hiroshi, Ueda (2005). Full Metal Panic! Σ, Volume 1. Fujimi Shobo. p. 162. ISBN 4-04-712416-8.
  17. ↑ Gatoh, Shoji (2003). Full Metal Panic! The Anime Mission. ADV Manga. ISBN 978-1-4139-0027-9.
  18. ↑ "Full Metal Panic! (Novel) Volume 1". Tokyopop. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Full Metal Panic! (Novel) Volume 4". Tokyopop. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  20. ↑ "News: Full Metal Panic Novels 4 & 5 to Ship in U.S. Next February". Anime News Network. June 6, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  21. ↑ フルメタル・パニック!1 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  22. ↑ フルメタル・パニック!9 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  23. ↑ "ADV Announces Manga Line". Anime News Network. July 7, 2003. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Full Metal Panic! Volume 1". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Full Metal Panic! Volume 9". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  26. ↑ "フルメタル・パニック! Comic Mission" (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  27. ↑ "フルメタル・パニック! Comic Mission:7" (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  28. ↑ いきなり!フルメタル・パニック!1 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  29. ↑ いきなり!フルメタル・パニック!5 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  30. ↑ "New ADV Manga". Anime News Network. December 20, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Full Metal Panic: OVERLOAD! Volume 1". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Full Metal Panic: OVERLOAD! Volume 5". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  33. ↑ "フルメタル・パニック!SURPLUS" (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  34. ↑ フルメタル・パニック!Σ 01 (in Japanese). Kodakawa Shoten. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  35. ↑ フルメタル・パニック!Σ 19 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Japanese Anime Pulled Because of WTC". Anime News Network. 2001-09-28.
  37. ↑ McCarthy, Helen. 500 Essential Anime Movies: The Ultimate Guide. — Harper Design, 2009. — P. 59. — 528 p. — ISBN 978-0061474507
  38. ↑ "Zac Efron: Not 'Likely' to Be in Full Metal Panic! Project - Anime News network". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  39. ↑ "Anime Podcast ASO Radio -Interviews". ASO Radio. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  40. ↑ "Behind The Scenes -Full Metal Panic! Come Make My Day". FullMetalPanicTheMovie.com. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  41. ↑ Martin, Theron (2007-01-29). "Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid: DVD 2". Review. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  42. ↑ Jason Bustard. "T.H.E.M. Anime Review's Full Metal Panic". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  43. ↑ Dave (2008-09-06). "Review: Full Metal Panic". Bureau 42. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  44. ↑ "Trifoce's Full Metal Panic! review". Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  45. ↑ "Anime Chaos' Full Metal Panic! Review". Anime Chaos. Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  46. ↑ Ender (2005-10-16). "Anime Academy's Full Metal Panic! review". Anime Academy. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  47. ↑ "Anime Database's Full Metal Panic! Review". Anime Database. Archived from the original on 2004-04-11. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  48. ↑ Gr33nHippo (2008-07-12). "Full Metal Panic! Review". Anime Cafe, Gamespot Union. Retrieved 2009-09-07.

Further reading

External links