Full Metal Panic!
Full Metal Panic! (Katakana: フルメタルパニック!, often abbreviated to FMP!) is the name of an anime series which originally aired in 2002. It is based on a light novel series by author Shouji Gatou and arts illustrated by Shiki Doji. The anime was produced by GONZO Digimation.
There also exists a manga, which was serialized in Newtype and drawn by Retsu Tateo. Both the anime and the manga were based on a series of novels. Different parts of the original graphic novels form the basis for the Full Metal Panic! anime and the side story Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and the sequel Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid. The manga is published in English by ADV Manga. The anime is a combination of near-futuristic combat and teen antics and relationships.
Despite the similar name, it has no relation to the anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. Template:Spoiler-other
Synopsis
The series is set in a modern, parallel world where the Cold War has yet to end and the KGB and other secret governmental agencies are running rampant. It follows the events of Sousuke Sagara, an unduly disciplined member of Mithril (an anti-terrorism organization which often operates under the guise of the UN), and Kaname Chidori, the schoolgirl whom he was assigned to protect. Chidori is considered to be one of the "Whispered"; that is, she possesses an inherent understanding of advanced Black Technology. Such knowledge was implanted genetically upon birth, of which she herself initially remained unaware of and consequently which she has access to only when in a near-comatose frenzy (which is generally induced through fear of harm). The Lambda Driver is an example of Black Technology which allows pilots of select Arm Slaves (combat mecha) to manifest their desires in defensive and offensive manuveurs. Therefore, the knowledge of the "Whispered" is highly desirable to both terrorists and governmental agencies alike.
In-depth Plot
While carrying out his mission in an environment previously foreign to him, Sagara assumes the identity of a high school student at Jindai High School. His inability to "blend in with the crowd", however, is quickly made transparent by his peers (though ultimately to no consequence as they merely regard him as being a military obsessed otaku). Chidori had initially mistaken him to be a stalker of sorts as he was always "coincidentally" nearby. The fish-out-of-water Sagara continues to pester Chidori -- albeit with good intentions -- until she finally realizes his purposes in doing so.
Throughout the span of the anime, Sagara's battle-hardened demeanor is matched -- often accompanied by a quick blow to the head -- by Chidori's overtness of discontent towards his lack of any experience outside of military fanaticism. It is this attitude, however, which drives potential suitors away from her, appropriately rendering her "the most popular, yet dateless". As the story unfolds, their lives intertwine through a series of dramatic events, and both are able to gain insight into the other's composure and state-of-mind, as well as some facets of life which were previously incomprehensible to them.
Ultimately, the relationship between Sagara and Chidori is perpetuated by Mithril's ongoing war against terrorism, particularly the A21 faction. Chidori gets into some rather extreme situations, though she is rescued each time by the steadfast Sagara and the crew of the Tuatha de Danaan (TDD-1), a billion-dollar submarine and the pride of the Mithril fleet, first envisioned and then brought to fruition by Teletha "Tessa" Testarossa. Tessa, the Captain of the TDD-1, is similar to Chidori not only in age but in that she also possesses the "Whispered" traits, although she is much more proficient at having access to those skills. At a later point in the anime, she is revealed as being involved in the unlikely love triangle between Chidori, Sagara, and herself.
Subplots
An important subplot revolves around the rivalry between Sagara and Gauron, a diehard terrorist who happens to be highly adept at utilizing the Lambda Driver. Although he views Sousuke as a worthwhile enemy, he feels that Sousuke is a barrier to his goals and must be disposed of. For this and other purposes, he goes to such lengths as hijacking a plane and employing use of Sagara's onetime comrade-in-arms. He is ruthless and self-absorbed, quick to act and often with pensive judgement, which makes him a deadly foe. He is presumably a member of a secret faction known as Amalgam, although it is in his personality to not acknowledge any authority other than his own. Sousuke manages to overcome difficulties onset by this worthy enemy, however, having been empowered by his difficult past and having the full backing of his two fellow soldiers, Kurz Weber and Melissa Mao.
Characters and Cast
Sousuke Sagara
(相良宗介 Sagara Sōsuke)
Seiyū: Tomokazu Seki / Chris Patton
Sousuke, the unwitting hero of the story, is a Sergeant in the Uruz regiment of the Mithril anti-terrorism force and uses the callsign Uruz-7. Raised as a guerilla fighter since the age of eight, he hones his survival instincts which enable him to become a highly skilled AS pilot and an elite soldier. He is the only Mithril pilot who is capable of piloting ARX-7 Arbalest, the only AS in Mithril's armament that has the Lambda Driver. However, his current mission to protect Kaname forces him to cope with an unfamiliar and peaceful lifestyle, forcing many awkward and comical situations. His over-protectiveness usually annoys Kaname to no end but later in the story, they grow fond of each other and a hint of a romantic relationship develops.
Kaname Chidori
(千鳥かなめ Chidori Kaname)
Seiyū: Satsuki Yukino / Luci Christian
The main female protagonist of the story is a "normal" high school student. However, the discovery of her Whispered abilities attracts the attention of terrorist organizations. As a result, Sousuke has been assigned by Mithril to protect her. While Sousuke's battle sense generally saves her from tight situations, she often considers Sousuke's instincts an irritant in daily high school events, leading to comical situations. Due to her background, she has developed a "tough-lady" attitude, perhaps a façade to protect herself from being hurt again. Sousuke's appearance aids to soften her character.
Kurz Weber
Seiyū: Shinichirou Miki / Vic Mignogna
An over-the-top fellow soldier of Sousuke, Kurz makes numerous failed attempts at flirting with and/or peeking at girls. Despite his eccentricity, he is -- oddly enough -- Sagara's most trusted friend. His skill in marksmanship is probably unrivalled by any member of Mithril's personnel which is why he is most often the sniper in the team. He is part of team Urzu (the callsign of their regiment) with callsign Uruz 6.
Sitenote: Not only his name is german, the word "Kurz" is german and means "short", however Kurz is around 1,80 meters tall.
Melissa Mao
Seiyū: Michiko Neya / Allison Keith
Melissa Mao, a former US Marine and a Chinese American, is the second-in-command of team Uruz and works with Sagara and Kurz to protect Kaname. She is a tough lady who does not tolerate nonsense, especially from Kurz Weber. Her callsign is Uruz 2. She personally chose to have Kurz and Sagara assigned to her squad after seeing through Sagara's fake test scores (Sagara was purposely scoring low) and Kurz's attempt at pretending to be a poor marksman. Occasionally, she provides Sagara with keen insight on attracting members of the opposite sex.
Teresa “Tessa” Testarossa
Seiyū: Yukana Nogami / Hillary Haag
Being the charming yet seemingly fragile Captain of the revered TDD-1 (Tuatha de Danaan) "Toy Box" submarine, she is a child prodigy who rose to such a high rank at the age of only sixteen. Her high level of mathematical and scientific adeptness is dwarfed only by her brother's, which seems to have given her a sense of inferiority. She is also fairly clumsy, but she has shown to be a very good swimmer. It is later revealed that she is also one of the Whispered. She also seems to have an interest in Sousuke, thus making a love triangle between her, Sousuke and Kaname.
Andrei Kalinin
Seiyū: Akio Otsuka / Mike Kleinhenz
Sagara's commanding officer and one of Tessa's military strategists. He is also the foster father of Sagara. He and Sousuke were once enemies, as mentioned in a two part episode by Sagara himself. The foster father status may be on the school's official papers only but Kalinin is certainly a very fatherly figure to Sagara.
Richard Mardukas
Seiyū: Tomomichi Nishimura / Andy McAvin
An overly protective aide of Tessa's who insists on guarding her with his life. He holds the rank of Commander and is in charge of Mithril's TDD-1 when the captain, Testarrosa, is not on board. Mardukas is often seen wearing a hat bearing the name of the HMS Turbulent (S87), a real British submarine.
Kyoko Tokiwa
(常盤恭子 Tokiwa Kyōko)
Seiyū: Ikue Kimura / Monica Rial
Chidori's camera-touting best friend. She is constantly trying to bring Chidori and Sagara together, however impossible it may have seemed given Sagara's tendency to blow things up at whim.
Shinji Kazama
Seiyū: Mamiko Noto / Greg Ayres
Sousuke's AS loving classmate. He shares the same amount of passion to AS as Sousuke and could be considered Sousuke's best school friend other than Kaname. His father is Shintaro Kazama and a secretary of Narashino's Assault Machine Troop, his love for AS began when his dad failed to become an AS pilot. As a result of his father's failure, Shinji strives to discover the result of the failure and to fulfill his father's dream of becoming a pilot.
Ren Mikihara
Seiyū: Rie Tanaka
By first glance, one would never expect this charming schoolmate of Chidori's to be the daughter of a Yakuza boss. Nevertheless, she remains dignified and upstanding (though somewhat naive), especially when placed in comparison with Chidori.
Mizuki Inaba
Seiyū: Sayuri Yoshida / Mandy Clark
A classmate of Chidori who initially blames her for having stolen her boyfriend. She becomes one of her closer friends later on in the story.
Arm Slaves
M6 Bushnel
The M6 Bushnel is manufactured and used by the UN and most first world countries. A second generation AS, the technology behind the M6 is well understood, and as a result is easier to operate and maintain than the 3rd generation AS prototypes. Mithril owns several models for training purposes, being ideal for both fresh pilots and mechanics to learn how to operate and maintain AS units. Several variants of the M6 are produced worldwide, often specialty variants produced to suit the particular needs of a region or mission; among the known variants are a specialized amphibious operations version used by the US Navy and Marines, and a two-seater version used by the Japanese Self-Defence Forces.
M9 Gernsback
The Gernsback is the primary weapon of Mithril, the anti-terrorist organization of which Sousuke is a member of. It represents the cutting edge of ultra smart technology and is unparalleled by any country in the world.
This bi-pedal weapons platform is capable of not only high maneuverability, but also, thanks to its ECS technology; it cannot be detected by any sensor or radar. It can also achieve optical invisibility and become undetectable to even the naked eye.
While having significantly improved mobility over that of the M6, it is considered to be harder to operate. As with most of the 3rd generation AS's, the M9 is powered by a Palladium cold nuclear fusion reactor instead of the diesel engine used in older 2nd generation AS's (including the M6).
The Gernsback would not generally do anything as reckless as attempt to pummel a Soviet Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter with its bare hands, but as part of its specifications, it could if the pilot so desired.
ARX-7 Arbalest
The prototype AS piloted by Sousuke under the auspices of MITHRIL. It is loaded with a black technology-based Lambda Driver, and judging from its external design is probably the successor to the M9 Gernsback. The Arbalest was created by the same person that designed the M9, Bunny Morauta, who was a “Whispered” engineer with MITHRIL.
The Arbalest is significantly more maneuverable and faster than the M9 Gernsback and boasts the same ECS technology; rendering it completely undetectable any sensor or radar. Also like the M9, it can also achieve optical invisibility and become undetectable to even the naked eye. In addition to is Lambda Driver, the ARX-7 is also equipped with an exceptionally (and unusually) advanced AI system named Al that assists Sousuke with various advanced functions, navigation, and the operation of the Lambda Driver. Another unique feature of the ARX-7 is it's ability to be deployed from the Tuatha de Danaan by means of a specially outfitted ICBM.
The potential power that this Arm Slave has contained within its armored shell is simply unfathomable. Since the Arbalest was first piloted by Sousuke in episode 6, it refuses to recognize anyone other than him as its pilot. This experimental model still has numerous bugs to be worked out; for example, it is not yet certain whether the mecha's Lambda Driver is even fully operable or not.
A distinctive feature of the Arbalest is that its face resembles that of a ninja carrying a rolled-up scroll in its mouth. This feature is actually shown to be a sheath for the Arbalest's 'anti-tank' dagger in episodes 6 & 7, as well as other later episodes. The dagger is held in place across the 'mouth' by a pair of clamps on each end of the 'scroll'.
RK-86 Shamrock
An earlier Soviet AS that sells well to nations and groups without their own AS production capabilities as a cheap alternative to the Savage, though generally considered obsolete and inferior to it. The precursor to the RK-92 Savage, its technical specs are comparable to it, though refinements to the Savage from the Shamrock make the Savage undoubtedly superior.
RK-92 Savage
The Rk-92 Savage is a second generation Soviet-made AS provided mainly to communist countries such as China and North Korea, as well as various guerilla organizations. Sousuke also often piloted this model during his time as a guerilla fighter in Afghanistan.
Though the Savage tends to be defeated rather soundly throughout the course of the series, its squat, froglike appearance makes it a favorite when compared to the other more robot-like mecha. As with other second generation ASs, the Savage is powered by a gas turbine engine.
An exceedingly popular design among 2nd and 3rd world nations, the RK-92 Savage is sold worldwide, and are in the employ of terrorist organizations, organized criminal groups, and various guerilla factions, as well as national governments. Easy to pilot and maintain, they are none the less inferior to their 1st world counterparts, the M6s, and are hopelessly outclassed by 3rd generation ASs such as the Shadow, the Gernsback - or the Arbalest.
ZY-98 Shadow
Manufactured by the Soviet Union, and the successor of the mass production model "RK-92 Savage". It comes equipped with ECS (Electromagnetic Camouflage System) and its technical specs are on par, and may even exceed, those of the M9 Gernsback.
Codarl (Gauron's 1st Arm Slave)
This is the AS piloted by Gauron, distinctive for its long, ponytail-like extension at the base of its head unit. The Codarl is also loaded with a Lambda Driver, the product of extensive research into black technology. It also comes equipped with ECS capabilities. Its final form is that of the Codarl-M, codenamed "Venom" by Mithril.
Because this AS is still in the testing stage, the unit tends not to operate as expected, even breaking down in the middle of battle. However, it’s no exaggeration to say that the Codarl is the most powerful AS yet developed. Its maneuverability is so fast that even Kurz, an elite marksman, has a tough time aiming at it. This mecha would appear to be the product of some as yet-unidentified organization that has declared war on Mithril.
Codarl-M (Gauron's 2nd Arm Slave)
Amalgam's AS in the Codarl-series. Also given the codename "Venom" type by Mithril. It has high mobility and is equipped with the Lambda Driver. Also equipped with an ECS (Electromagnetic Camouflage System).
Behemoth
The colossal red AS “Behemoth” is owned (possibly stolen from Amalgam) by the terrorist organization A21 and is piloted by Takuma Kugayama. This gigantic AS is nearly 40 meters in height (a normal Arm slave is around 8 meters tall), and if the Lambda Driver is not activated upon startup, this massive AS would collapse under its own weight. In spite of its large size, the Behemoth moves rather quickly. Its main weapons include a huge sword suitable for its body size, and a cluster of 30mm cannons mounted in the head.
In order for Takuma to maintain the concentration required to keep the Lambda Drivers operating at all times, he has undergone a special treatment to amplify his emotions to the extreme. He is also given special drugs to suppress his volatile emotions.
Episodes
- That guy is a sergant?
- I Want to Protect You.
- Lingerie Panic
- Kidnap
- Whispered - The One who Whispers
- Still Alive
- Boy Meets Girl
- Part-Time Steady
- A Dangerous Safehouse
- Run, Running, Ran
- Behemoth Awakes
- One-Night Stand
- The Cat and the Kitty Cat's Rock 'n' Roll
- Is Narashino Burning?
- Rising Wind in the Homeland, Part 1
- Rising Wind in the Homeland, Middle Story
- Rising Wind in the Homeland, Final Part
- Ocean Party
- Engage: Six-Seven
- Venom's Fire
- Deep Trap
- Jack-in-the-Box
- A Giant's Field
- Into The Blue
Soundtrack
Opening
Tomorrow, by Mikuni Shimokawa (下川みくに Shimokawa Mikuni)
Ending
枯れない花 (Karenai Hana), by Mikuni Shimokawa (下川みくに Shimokawa Mikuni)
Full Metal Panic OST 1
- Tomorrow
- Arashi No Mae
- Subtitle
- Sasayaki
- Check List
- Tatakau M9
- Conspiracy
- Kokonotsu No Ryu
- No Mercy
- Black Operation
- Eye Catch
- Plan 1056
- Torio No Shokutaku
- Wareraga Manabiya
- Shisseki To Benkai
- Cool Running
- Kaname No Kitchen
- Kaname No Pajama
- Kakumo Heiwana Yoru
- Jojireru Mondai
- Komeko No Sanpo
- Kadokawa Gorou To Suppin Girls Desu
- Tokkou Yoraou
- Karanai Hana
Full Metal Panic OST 2
- The Man Who Came In From The Cold
- Scoundrels
- Under the Surface
- A Picture
- The overture of a reckless run
- Attending School
- Safehouse
- Let's go home together...
- The captain is 16 years old!
- Tuatha De Danaan
- Exective Orders
- Lady Chapel
- Passing each other
- Sad Little Bird
- Warmth
- The empire of darkness
- Monster film
- Creeping
- The savage beast presses
- Run silent, run deep
- Pursuit
- Counterattack
- Fire at will
- Direct action
- Hit & Run
- Hate is exceeded
- The end of the fight
- Epilogue
- Take me out Marina trench
- Eye catch
Trivia
- Full Metal Panic! was to premiere shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks, however it was delayed due to a terrorist plane hijacking being an integral part of the first major plot arc.
- The employers of Gauron's services has been changed to a fictional country in the anime, while the employer is North Korea in the manga. This is probably to avoid political issues.
Tuatha De Danaan SRT Team name
The correct spelling of the TDD-1 SRT team name in this series is "Uluz". This can be seen in episode 6: "Still Alive" when Sousuke activates the Arbalest for the first time after it was sent by the TDD-1 inside an ICBM. The Arbalest's screen identified him as "Uluz-7". However, in episode 6, "Edge of Heaven" of Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, an E-mail sent to Sousuke identifies him as "Uruz-7".
This confusion and consequent double transliteration is caused by the fact that the Japanese language doesn't distinguish between R and L. The word, ウルズ, is thus read as "Uruzu" or "Uluzu".
In the DVDs released by ADV Films the term used in the english subtitles is "Urzu", which can be argued that when read in english it sounds the closest to the original Japanese sound. This term is used by some fansub groups for Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid.
The correct romanization of the name is Uruz, which is derived from the runic alphabet (like the names of the other SRT teams).
Non-Japanese Releases
- North America: The anime series was licensed by ADV Films, and has been released by its total of 7 volumes of videos on DVD.
Sequels and Side Stories
In 2003, a side-story to FMP! was released. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, also known as FMP? Fumoffu, focuses (almost entirely) on the high school life of Sagara and Chidori. Although it does include more slapstick humor and randomness, it is not a complete spinoff of the series as its events develop the relationship between the two main characters.
The series continued in July 2005 with Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, which continues the events of the original. It is an adaptation of the two "Full Metal Panic! End of Day By Day" novels.