Any other Full Metal Panic fans here?

[Arnold]

I'm just over midway through this show, and I gotta say I'm liking it.

I like the mix of the "real robot" mecha genre with high school slice of life. Neither half, the way it's been handled so far, can stand particularly well on its own but I think together it's a nice mix. The mecha elements "ground" the series, and the comedy elements provide a nice balance.

Generally I do like my military anime to be a little more serious (love Zeta Gundam) but I dunno, on the whole this series works well, IMO.

[throughhim413]

You might be surprised to learn that both halves stand better on their own then they do together. Or at least, I was surprised to learn of it. The original series is a blend of both comedy and action as you mentioned. Fumoffu takes and runs with the comedy/school life aspect and is pretty successful. At least, more successful than the original series in my mind. And then The Second Raid came along and blew me away with its action. I thought it was the best of the three series. It still had its comedy moments, but the action was definitely a step up. Each series has a different goal, but they all accomplish their respective objectives.

In any case, if you like the first series, definitely check out the other two. They're very worth it.

[ryushe]

I've only ever seen the first season and Fumoffu and both, I personally thought, we're great. In the first season, each part that makes up the show by themselves aren't very notable, but it's like one of those the whole is greater than the sum of its parts scenario which in turn made everything blend surprisenly well together.

Fumoffu (dub) on the other hand is one of the funniest things I've ever watched, Anime or not.

[Arnold]

I just finished this finally, and I'm a little underwhelmed by how everything played out. There are SO many questions about the Whispered that went completely unanswered, and I was kind of hoping that all of that would come together at some point. I mean, earlier they mentioned in passing how the advanced weaponry may have something to do with the Whispered, but all of that was completely forgotten about. What happened to Zaide and how was it that he turned against Sousuke's guerrilla movement?

[Bradster]

The light novels this series is based on are still ongoing, with only the first three (out of ten) available in English. The events from the first FMP series cover only those first three novels, and TSR covers events from the next two. It's entirely possible more has been explained in the most recent five, or "in the cracks" of the existing five.

[Jayman]

Can you watch the Second Raid before watching Fumoffu? I have the Second Raid coming on Blu-ray but haven't seen Fumoffu yet.

[Jon]

Can you watch the Second Raid before watching Fumoffu? I have the Second Raid coming on Blu-ray but haven't seen Fumoffu yet.
Yes, you can watch TSR without missing anything. I would recommend watching FUMOFFU in the middle, but it's not required. It really does make Kaname and Souske feel much more "in love" though if you watch all of FUMOFFU, I highly suggest it.

And I just got it on Blu-ray too, looks stunning!

[Jayman]

Thanks!! Looks like I am going to bump FUMOFFU to the top of my NF Queue then. Second Raid will be my first Anime Blu-Ray experience so I am really looking forward to it!

[Red45]

I just finished this series and I loved it. I especially liked how the show was able to do goofy and serious at the same time. TSR blew my mind!

[Sora N]

Full Metal Panic! is a great series! I loved Fumoffu (one of the best comedy series out there!) The Second Raid was really good as well however I do wish there was more.

[Tonyx35]

I thought the 1st series, which was animated by Gonzo was pretty good. The High School life, Battlefields. I especially enjoyed the last set of episodes when we got to see life onboard the TDD-1 (Toybox) submarine.

FMP Fumoffu had me laughing or cracking a smile at the very least, the whole way. Kyoto Animation really did a good job ever since they took over animating FMP. I've seen a few hot springs themed episodes but this one had one of my favorites :D I found the mix of various scenarios very entertaining.

FMP: The Second Raid - It's so serious and they throw in the lesbian assassins, an even crazier bad guy. There's this scene that's one of my favorites, I'm talking about that haircut scene.

The FMP: TSR OVA was fun for two reasons. The opening where Tessa thinks she's still dreaming and teases Sousuke and then we get to see more of the stuff that happens at the base. It even had dancing robots. :lol:


The music composer Toshihiko Sahashi, even got this A-Team like theme in here
:lol:. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia1HHJbhjJU
I really like his work on all three FMP series. He also worked on Gundam Seed/Destiny.

There's so much FMP material I haven't read but the Anime production have been good, if not great so far.

[Arnold]

I'm in the middle of The Second Raid right now, and I think it's very good, probably the best of the three series so far. At least Kaname is -trying- to be a bit more understanding of Sousuke, and not just being a typical hardass tsundere on him all the time.

[autsiticanime]

Second Raid is pretty good. Not just in it's drama but TESSA-CHAN FANSERVICE!

I just felt the original series was a little drawn out in it's pacing, and I wanted more of the school parts...

[Ryvius]

Pretty fun series all around, I liked all three seasons or whatever you'd want to call them. The Second Raid definitely took the serious tone up a notch and then suddenly ... it ends! I hear the novels continue but it's been years, hopefully we get some sequels someday.

[RayearthIX]

I love FMP and Fumoffu, but it seems like I'll be one of the few to say that I didn't like Second Raid as much. Part of the greatness of FMP was the attention to not just mech action, but humor too, and I felt that Second Raid was almost entirely lacking in humor. I think if I didn't see FMP and Fumoffu first I would have liked it more. I might've just had expectations that were too high.

[Red45]

I love FMP and Fumoffu, but it seems like I'll be one of the few to say that I didn't like Second Raid as much. Part of the greatness of FMP was the attention to not just mech action, but humor too, and I felt that Second Raid was almost entirely lacking in humor. I think if I didn't see FMP and Fumoffu first I would have liked it more. I might've just had expectations that were too high.

IMO, FMP's claim to fame is mecha combat based in as realistic circumstances as possible. The high school comedy thing was just something that helped make the characters easier to relate to and show them as humans instead of killing machines

[Arnold]

I just finished Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid, and I have to say that it really is stronger than the first two, which I also liked. It's a more compact story, but I thought that gave it a much more "urgent" and focused atmosphere, and I thought that character development and the military plot were stronger as a result. I liked that it dealt with things like Sousuke's difficulty with integrating into society in a serious and dramatic way, for instance, and showing Kaname (at times) mellowing out with regards to Sousuke.


Sometimes longer isn't better, and I felt that 13 episodes was just right for this story.

[Levon]

I love FMP and Fumoffu, but it seems like I'll be one of the few to say that I didn't like Second Raid as much. Part of the greatness of FMP was the attention to not just mech action, but humor too, and I felt that Second Raid was almost entirely lacking in humor. I think if I didn't see FMP and Fumoffu first I would have liked it more. I might've just had expectations that were too high.

Then you shouldn't like Fumoffu as much either because that also only focuses on the humor and not both aspects. Was Fumoffu even based off the novels or manga? The Second Raid is the true direct sequel to the first series, Fumoffu is like a filler arc and could take place at any time after the first few episodes. I prefer the first series & TSR more because of the story & characters.

TSR was the strongest in story, character development, action & drama. It does mix in some brief comedy at the start. And it does have an OVA episode that takes place after it which is pure comedy just like Fumoffu.

[Zerotaku]

Wait. It's got a good mix? The ratio I remember is: 90% slice of life 10% mecha. :lol:

The Second Raid had a good mix, but not so much season 1.

[old hat]

It's a fairly good show though I was less than impressed with the dub. It goes a bit overlong imo. The pacing could have been tighter. I wouldn't call it a real robot show though. It kind of looks like one until they activate the magic system powered by fighting spirit. hat kind of threw me. The mecha look like real robot style mecha but in some ways they operate more like super robots.

[Arnold]

Wait. It's got a good mix? The ratio I remember is: 90% slice of life 10% mecha. :lol:

The Second Raid had a good mix, but not so much season 1.

Wow, you really think season 1 is only 10% more mecha than Fumoffu?

[Levon]

Wait. It's got a good mix? The ratio I remember is: 90% slice of life 10% mecha. :lol:

The Second Raid had a good mix, but not so much season 1.

I really can't agree with that. Season 1 was greatly mixed with the school comedy & the mecha action. I didn't feel either really overpowered the other. There are episodes that are pure school comedy but there are also episodes of pure serious mecha action.

The Second Raid wasn't a mix of school comedy & mecha action like season 1 was. TSR was like 95% mecha action & drama. Only a tiny bit at the start had the school comedy.

[LISA HAYES]

I dont care for mix.Show is one of my favorites together with Onegai Teacher and True tears.characters are fresh and original.its rare to see with good action anime with good romantic part and even better comedic part.Tessa is one of strangest female characters.

[adadqgg]

I loved Fumoffu.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/adadqgg/Anime%20Screenshots/Tetrarossagettingwet.jpg
^this is why. Tessa-chan fan service.

I wish they would have maybe one more season of anime.

[animefan88]

I love all of the FMP series'!

First one is a good mix of school and action.
Fumoffu is all school comedy.
and TSR is mostly action.

I have to say the Fumoffu is my favourite tho, because the situations are just hilarious!
The episode with the Amatur Karate club and the Rugby episode especially :lol:.

*Thinks at least one more season is in order*

[Sora N]

I have to say the Fumoffu is my favourite tho, because the situations are just hilarious!
The episode with the Amatur Karate club and the Rugby episode especially :lol:.


The Rugby, The Plain Roll/Bun and Last episode are my favorites! :D

Fumoffu is my favorite season out of the three. I really wish that they would make another season of FMP and would be even better if was a second season to Fumoffu; however, it’s just wishful dreaming!

[mdauben]

I like all three seasons of FMP!

IMO, the first season was a nice balance of action/comedy, the second was OTT comedy, and the third season had a bit more emphasis on the action/drama side of things. All three were good in their own way.

I just wish they would do another season. I miss my FMP! :(

[Vaikyuko]

I've yet to see FMP and people tell me it's great, but they never tell me why.

Is it action, drama, comedy? How big a role do the robots play?

[Levon]

I've yet to see FMP and people tell me it's great, but they never tell me why.

Is it action, drama, comedy? How big a role do the robots play?

My opinion:

First series: 45% comedy, 45% mecha, 10% Drama
Fumoffu: 99% comedy, 1% Mecha(if the Fumoffu suit counts)
The Second Raid: 10% comedy, 40% mecha, 50% Drama


Its nothing special or anything, just a fun show.

[Daichi]

I love the original Full Metal Panic more becuase there is more action. Furmofuu is funnier than the original, but I am more of an action person than a comedy person.

[LISA HAYES]

I adore all FMP because they all serve their purpose .

Character are very originally drawn.Kaname is just awesome

[Zerotaku]

Wait. It's got a good mix? The ratio I remember is: 90% slice of life 10% mecha. :lol:

The Second Raid had a good mix, but not so much season 1.

Sorry about this, I just recently saw the openings to the 2 and mixed them up.

[Brill]

Well if they ever animate the resrt of it there will be little slice of life stuff to put in it.