View Full Version : Information and FAQs regarding FMP
The following infos were originally posted back by me in 2004, but has since been recovered thanks to many helpful members after the crash. Thank you!
CHAPTER ONE: "FULL METAL PANIC!" IS A NOVEL.
What is "Full Metal Panic!" ?
"Full Metal Panic!" known in Japan as "fullmeta" and outside of Japan as FMP, is an anime based on a novel
What do you mean by novel? Do you mean graphic novels? Then it is from a manga right?
NO. When I say novel I mean a novel. The ones with letters in in which you actually have to read everything word for word.
"Full Metal Panic!" is a 'light' novel that is aimed for teenagers. Here in Japan, we have many novels that are targeted for teens. Many of these novels become animated when they are successful. Just to name a few, "Slayers," "Scrapped Princess," "Maburaho," and "Maria-sama ga Miteru" are all animes that are based on light novels. A broad definition of the term can be found on the English wikipedia site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_novel).
These novels are initially serialized on a monthly magazine (just like mangas are initially serialized in a weekly/monthly comic magazine).
In the case of fullmeta, stories are initially run on Monthly Dragon Magazine - a magazine aimed at teenagers from the publisher Kadokawa Shoten. When enough stories are compiled to form one volume of a novel, they are placed into a book. The book is released by Fujimi Fantasia Bunko press - a subsidiary of Kadokawa Shoten.
A light novel consists of around 200-400 pages of text, with around 5-7 picture inserts in them. Light novels are a tag team effort between the author and the illustrator. The author writes up the story, while the illustrator draws cover designs and picture inserts for a specific scene. See example below:
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji / "Houtte Okenai Lone Wolf" pp. 152-153
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/kj1980/example.jpg
[right (pg 152)]: roughly 95% of the book consists of this
[left (pg 153)]: the other 5% has illustrated art
In the case of "Full Metal Panic!" the original author is Gatoh Shoji, and the illustrator is Shiki Doji. In all fullmeta anime that you see, you will see their names credited for main story and main character designs.
CHAPTER TWO: THE ANIME "Full Metal Panic!"
The light novel "Full Metal Panic!" was very successful that it spawned its own anime series.
The anime "Full Metal Panic!" was originally scheduled to be broadcasted beginning Fall of 2001. Unfortunately, the initial airing coincided around the time 9-11 occurred in the United States. Since "Full Metal Panic!" involved a mercenary who lived through the hell of Afghanistan (Sagara Sousuke) and a hijacking of a plane, the censor board at WOWOW decided it was not the appropiate time to air at that time. The broadcast was moved back to January 2002.
"Full Metal Panic!" aired on WOWOW BS satellite for a 24 episode run. Anime production was done by GONZO.
OP song: tomorrow
Music & Lyrics: Shimokawa Mikuni
Arrange: ab:fly / Nakayama Nobuhiko
Chorus: Something ELse
Sung by: Shimokawa Mikuni
ED song: Karenai Hana
Lyrics: Kobayashi Natsumi
Arrange: ab:fly
Sung by: Shimokawa Mikuni
Episode 01: Kini Naru Aitsu wa Sergeant
Episode 02: Mamotte Agetai
Episode 03: Lingerie Panic
Episode 04: Kidnap
Episode 05: Whispered
Episode 06: STILL ALIVE
Episode 07: Boy Meets Girl
Episode 08: Parttime Steady
Episode 09: Abunai Safehouse
Episode 10: Run Running Run
Episode 11: Behemoth Kakusei
Episode 12: One Night Stand
Episode 13: Neko to Koneko no R&R (Rock 'n Roll)
Episode 14: Narashino wa Moeteruka?
Episode 15: Kokyou ni Mau Kaze Pt. 1
Episode 16: Kokyou ni Mau Kaze Pt. 2
Episode 17: Kokyou ni Mau Kaze Pt. 3
Episode 18: Shinkai Party
Episode 19: Engage Six-Seven
Episode 20: Venom no Hi
Episode 21: Deep Trap
Episode 22: Jack In The Box
Episode 23: Kyojin no Field
Episode 24: Into the Blue
Main Characters (and their seiyuus):
Sagara Sousuke: Seki Tomokazu
Chidori Kaname: Yukino Satsuki
Teletha Testarossa: Yukana
Melissa Mao: Neya Michiko
Kurtz Weber: Miki Shin'ichiro
Andrei Kalinin: Ohtsuka Akio
Richard Mardukas: Nishimura Tomomichi
Gauron: Tanaka Masahiko
Kazama Shinji: Noto Mamiko
Tokiwa Kyoko: Kimura Ikue
Inaba Mizuki: Yoshida Sayuri
Kagurazaka Eri Sensei: Natsuki Rio
CHAPTER THREE: THE ANIME "Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu"
Technically, this is not a sequel to the previous "Full Metal Panic!"
As I have written in chapter one, FMP is based on a light novel.
The light novels volumes can be divided into two distinct categories:
A. The main story
B. Short story compilations
The former and the first anime "Full Metal Panic!" was based on the main storyline, with some episodes taken from the comedic school life stories.
On the other hand, the latter and "Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu" is based entirely upon the side stories which deals with comedic antics centered upon Sagara and Chidori's life at Jindai High School, and a close-up of other characters on their everyday normal (or, not-so-normal) life.
Quoting the author, "these side stories are just comedic antics to show the life of Sousuke and Chidori at school when they are not being involved as a target of underground military conspiracy."
So, "FMP? Fumoffu" is not a sequel, but more of a side story depicting Sagara as he tries to adapt to civilian life as a normal Japanese high school student.
The anime "Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu" began airing on FujiTV on August 2003. However, it seems "Full Metal Panic!" series is cursed with uncontrollable events that inhibits its initial broadcasting schedule. When "FMP? Fumoffu" was supposed to air, it got stopped at FujiTV's censor board. At the time, there were news regarding kidnapping and a sensitive issue regarding food poisining at schools. Hence the initial airing date of "FMP? Fumoffu" was delayed three weeks to reshuffle the episodes.
The anime was done by Kyoto Animation. This anime would start the legend that "Kyo-Ani = Gods that create high quality anime." Reference: See "AIR" (TV Version)
OP song: Sore ga, Ai deshou
Lyrics: Shimokawa Mikuni
Music & Arrange: Sin
Chorus: Yoshida Kumiko
Sung by: Shimokawa Mikuni (FLIGHT MASTER)
ED song: Kimi ni Fuku Kaze
Lyrics: 何茶季
Music & Arrange: Sin
Song by: Shimokawa Mikuni (FLIGHT MASTER)
Broadcasted Episodes:
Episode 01: Minami Kara Kita Otoko / Kara Mawari no Lunch Time
Episode 02: Koutetsu no Summer Illusion
Episode 03: Geijutsu no Hamburger Hill / Ichizu na Stake Out
Episode 04: Oshiuri no Fetish / Kurayami no Patient
Episode 05: Jun de Fujun na Grappler / Zen-i no Trespass
Episode 06: Yarisugi no Warcry
Episode 07: Megami no Rainichi (Junan Hen)
Episode 08: Megami no Rainichi (Onsen Hen)
Episode 09: Jingi Naki Fancy
Episode 10: Mamanara nai Blue Bird
Episode 11: Go Jikan-me no Hot Spot
DVD Episodes:
Episode 01: Minami Kara Kita Otoko / Dakyou Muyou no Hostage
Episode 02: Surechigai no Hostility / Kara Mawari no Lunch Time
Episode 03: Koutetsu no Summer Illusion
Episode 04: Geijutsu no Hamburger Hill / Ichizu na Stake Out
Episode 05: Oshiuri no Fetish / Kurayami no Patient
Episode 06: Jun de Fujun na Grappler / Zen-i no Trespass
Episode 07: Yarisugi no Warcry
Episode 08: Megami no Rainichi (Junan Hen)
Episode 09: Megami no Rainichi (Onsen Hen)
Episode 10: Jingi Naki Fancy
Episode 11: Mamanara nai Blue Bird
Episode 12: Go Jikan-me no Hot Spot
The two fifteen minute episodes Dakyou Muyou no Hostage (deals with kidnapping and extortion) and Surechigai no Hostility (school food poisoning) were the episodes that were snipped out in the broadcast run.
New characters (and their seiyuus):
Hayashimizu Atsunobu: Morikawa Toshiyuki
Mikihara Ren: Tanaka Rie
Bonta-kun's voice: Kaneda Tomoko
Tsubaki Issei: Fukuyama Jun
Mizuhoshi Iori Sensei: Miyamoto Mitsuru
Onodera "Ono-D" Koutarou: Okada Takayuki
Principal Tsuboi Takako: Arima Mizuka
CHAPTER FOUR: THE ANIME "Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid "
Apparently, the author Gotoh Shoji loved the way Kyo-Ani handled "Fumoffu." Fans also seem to have preferred Kyo-Ani's godly sakuga quality over the first GONZO version. Hence, the anime production rights for the next series was handed over to Kyoto Animation once again.
"Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid" uses the same staff and director for "Fumoffu." And since Mr. Gotoh himself was impressed for their handling of "Fumoffu," he came in to supervise the slight arrangements that he wanted to do for some of the characters and stories for this series.
Title: "Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid"
Airing started: July 13, 2005 on WOWOW BS Satellite
Total number of episodes: 13
New characters (and their seiyuus):
Belfangan Clouseau: Koyama Rikiya
Leonard Testarossa: Namikawa Daisuke
Gaetz: Otsuka Houchuu
Xia Yu Fan: Shinohara Emi
Xia Yu Lan: Sawashiro Miyuki
OP song: Minamikaze
Lyrics & Music: Asada Nobukazu
Arrange: Nishikawa Susumu
Sung by: Shimokawa Mikuni
ED song: Mou Ichido Kimi ni Aitai
Lyrics: Shimokawa Mikuni
Music: Gajin
Arrange: Nishikawa Susumu
Song by: Shimokawa Mikuni
As of October 5, 2005, the aired dates and their titles were:
Episode 01 (2005.07.13 24:00) - "Owaru Hibi"
Episode 02 (2005.07.20 24:00) - "Suimenka no Joukei"
Episode 03 (2005.07.27 24:20) - "Meikyuu to Ryuu"
Episode 04 (2005.08.03 24:00) - "Daylight"
Episode 05 (2005.08.10 24:20) - "Uruwashiki Sicilia"
Episode 06 (2005.08.17 24:10) - "Edge of Heaven"
Episode 07 (2005.08.24 24:20) - "Torinokosarete"
Episode 08 (2005.09.14 24:10) - "Jungle Groove"
Episode 09 (2005.09.21 24:00) - "Kanojo no Mondai"
Episode 10 (2005.09.28 24:30) - "Futatsu no Hong Kong"
Episode 11 (2005.10.05 24:15) - "Kare no Mondai"
Episode 12 (2005.10.12 24:30) - "Moeru Hong Kong"
Episode 13 (2005.10.19 24:15) - "Tsuduku Hibi"
There was a two week blank period between episodes 7 and 8 due to WOWOW's special coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
__________________________________________________ ______________
Several items to note:
The anime "Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid" is largely based on the novels "Owaru Day By Day - (Upper Vol.)" (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=410483&postcount=12) & "Owaru Day By Day - (Lower Vol.)" (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=410485&postcount=13)
Episodes 01-04 are not in the original novel. The scripts for these episodes were re-created by the author himself as he sat down with the anime staff for the anime series. Hence, Mr. Gatoh Shoji's is credited as the main script writer for episodes 01, 03, and 04.
Episode 08 is also credited with Mr. Gatoh Shoji as the main script writer
The character Gaetz is not in the original novel. He was one of the characters that was re-created by Mr. Gatoh Shoji for this anime.
The two twin sisters Xia Yu Fan and Xia Yui Lan were brought in as the anime replacement for the twin brothers Fei Xiu and Fei Won in the original novels.
Fans of "FMP!" here in Japan were very excited that Corporal Yan Jun-Kyu finally made an appearance in TSR. Corporal Yan is a SRT member and his Call sign Uruz-9. His specialty is being able to drive anything like a pro, with the exception of an AS. Corporal Yan made his first appearance in the novel "Hashiru One Night Stand" (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=410445&postcount=7) as Mithril's get-away driver against the Behemoth. However, his existence was wiped out in GONZO's "FMP!" anime. However, thanks to Kyoto Animation, Corporal Yan was able to make his anime debut in episode 02 of "FMP! TSR" It was especially surprising that his voice was done by the veteran seiyuu Sasaki Nozomu.
CHAPTER FIVE: THE NOVELS
Notes for summary:
1. "Full Metal Panic!" will be abbreviated as "FMP!"
2. "Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu" will be abbreviated as "FMP? Fumoffu"
3. References to "FMP:Fumoffu" anime episodes will use the listing on the DVD version
4. When making references to the 15 minute episodes of "FMP? Fumoffu," The first half with called "Part A," and the second half as "Part B."
5. "Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid" will be abbreviated as "FMP! TSR"
6. The two volumes that make up "Owaru Day By Day" and its anime counterpart "FMP! TSR" has slight differences. See above.
__________________________________________________ _____________
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 1: "Tatakau Boy Meets Girl"
Original publishing date: 1998.09.25
Category: Main Plot
"FMP!" episodes 01-07 covers this volume.
Sagara Sousuke is a sergeant of an elite mercenary force named Mithril. His life in the military comes to a weird turn when he is sent to Jindai High School to protect a girl named Chidori Kaname from a possible kidnapping attempt by the KGB. Can he adapt to normal school life? Who are the people targeting Chidori, and why?
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 2: "Houtte Okenai Lone Wolf"
Original publishing date: 1998.12.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Minami Kara Kita Otoko "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 1 Part A covers this story.
Sagara Sousuke receives a love letter in his shoe box. Things go awry as he mishears Chidori's explanation of "love letter" as "rob later." Saeki Ena makes her first appearance.
Aizou no Propaganda First half of "FMP!" Ep. 8 covers this story.
A student named Shirai tries to ask Chidori out. Except Shirai has a girlfriend named Mizuki. When Mizuki finds out, she starts slandering Chidori by graffitting the bathroom doors...
Koutetsu no Summer Illusion "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 3 covers this story
Sagara, Chidori, and their friends go to the beach. Sagara becomes worried when Chidori doesn't return. Did she find a mortal enemy? Maybe she had a sudden heartattack? Or maybe she stepped on a mine. Hmm...the most probable one is...the mine.
Koibito wa Specialist Second half of "FMP!" Ep. 8 covers this story.
Mizuki got dumped by Shirai-kun. She needs to impress her friends from middle school, so she uses Sousuke as a replacement.
Geijutsu no Hamburger Hill "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 4 Part A covers this story
Jindai classmates are on a field trip to capture nature at its work for their art class. Sousuke, not knowing what to do, asks the art teacher for some advice. Things go wrong when he misinterprets the advice and starts setting up booby traps.
Cinderella Panic! This episode has not been animated
School play goes wacky as Chidori plays the role of Cinderella and Sousuke as the good witch.
Memorable quotes:
Chidori: "Thanks, but how am I supposed to get to the ball?"
Sousuke: "No problem. Do as I say. First, bring me a pumpkin, four mice, a lizard..."
Chidori: "Okay..."
Sousuke: "And an assault rifle, one shotgun..."
Chidori: "What...?"
Sousuke: "Two dozen grenades, 160 rounds of 5.56mm bullets, three cases of C4, and six Claymore mines...."
Chidori: "Oh no, the clock struck twelve!!"
Sousuke: "Hurry up! We've gotta get out of here?"
Chidori: "Why are you here?"
Sousuke: "My service includes after care to help you escape"
Chidori: "What's that in your hand?"
Sousuke: "It's a magic Remington M870. It comes pre-equipped with a rubberball slug."
Chidori: "And what's that? A magic hand grenade?"
Sousuke: "No, this is a HOLY HAND GRENADE. Legend has it that King Arthur himself used it." (Reference to "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The author, Gatoh Shoji is a self-proclaimed Monty Python buff.)
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 3: "Hashiru One Night Stand"
Original publishing date: 1999.03.25
Category: Main Story
"FMP!" episodes 09-12 covers this volume.
A mysterious mercenary run by children who call themselves A21 leads a terrorist destruction as the Behemoth strikes Ariake, Tokyo. Worse, all this happens when the Captain of Tuatha De Danaan, Teletha Testarossa is in Japan. Chidori and Tessa meet, love triangle relationship begins.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 4: "Honki ni Narenai Nishi Manrui"
Original publishing date: 1999.05.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Dakyou Muyou no Hostage "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 1 Part B covers this story
Sousuke beats up a group of hooligans military style. Their boss, Akutsu Mari seeks revenge by kidnapping Chidori. Sousuke retaliates by kidnapping Mari's younger brother, Yoshiki. First appearance of Akutsu Mari and Akutsu Yoshiki.
Karamawari no Lunchtime "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 2 Part B covers this story
Sousuke forgets Chidori's homework at his apartment. They have less than an hour to go back, retrieve the goods, and come back to school before the teacher comes to submit their homework. However, on the way back, they are chased by a psychotic female police officer...
Bachi Atari na Lethal Weapon This story has not been animated
Sousuke helps out Chidori as she works part-time at the local Shinto shrine. When they learn that the main shrine houses a secret, they go off on an adventure. Seemingly out-of-place, the main shrine consists of booby traps and laser sensors that makes even Sousuke struggle....
Yarisugi no War Cry "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 7 covers this story
Hayashimizu appoints Sousuke and Chidori to help out Jindai High School's ailing rugby team. Continuous losses and their lack of sportsmanlike motivation has the rugby team on the brink of disbandment. It is up to Sousuke to train the rugby team members into lethal fighting machines.
Ichizu na Stake Out "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 4 Part B covers this story
Chidori meets with Fuwa-Senpai. They haven't seen each other since middle school, and they go out on a date. Sousuke and Kyoko go undercover to spy why Chidori has been acting strange lately. First appearance of Sousuke disguising himself with a Bonta-kun costume.
Captain Amigo to Ougon no Hibi This story has not been animated
Sousuke and Kurtz go treasure hunting for Captain Amigo's long lost treasure on Melida Island. In the end, they do find a treasure worth USD$11 million. But in the process, they also destroyed a M6 Bushnell AS....worth USD$11 million.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 5: "Jiman ni Naranai Sankan-ou"
Original publishing date: 1999.10.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Surechigai no Hostility "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 2 Part A covers this story
Sousuke injures bread shop owner that comes at lunch to feed hungry students. As a result, Chidori and Sousuke have to stand in to sell breads. However, Mr. Ogura does not like the way Sousuke caused havoc and his demeanors escalates to attempt food poisoning of the breads...
Daimeiwaku no Suicide This story has not been animated
Shouji Mia is distraught at how she practices basketball everyday, but cannot beat Chidori Kaname when she doesn't even try. Chidori and Sousuke tries to talk Shouji Mia, a female basketball player for Jindai from committing suicide. Comical, but gives a certain other perspective about Chidori's innate ability to excel at everything without effort.
Oshiuri no Fetish "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 5 Part A covers this story
A lecher with a horse mask stalks around town. When Kyoko became the victim of the lecher's fetishism, Sousuke and Chidori goes out into the night to patrol the area.
Yuuben na Portrait This story has not been animated
Both Mr. Mizuhoshi (art teacher) and Ms. Kagurazaka (Sousuke & Chidori's HR teacher) have something on each others minds. Chidori and Sousuke help out to learn that they both like each other, but have yet to confess their love to each other...
Kurayami no Patient "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 5 Part B covers this story
Chidori takes Sousuke to an abandoned hospital to scare Sousuke once and for all. First appearance of Amemiya Takami.
Neko to Koneko no R&R "FMP!" Ep. 13 covers this story
Tessa and Mao get into an argument. In the heat of the quarrel, it leads to Tessa and Mao to fight against each other in a mock AS battle.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 6: "Yureru Into The Blue"
Original publishing date: 2000.02.25
Category: Main story
"FMP!" episodes 18 & 20-24 covers this volume.
Sousuke suddenly asks Chidori to come to a island in the tropics with him. Little did Chidori expect to do a HALO jump to go to a party aboard the Tuatha De Danaan. However, things get out of control when Gaurun attempts to seajack the Tuatha De Danaan...
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 7: "Doujou Dekinai Shimen Soka"
Original publishing date: 2000.06.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Iso no Kaori no Cook Robin This story has not been animated
A highly renowned professor donated a rare and endagered clam to Jindai High School. Chidori accidentally eats it. When Ms. Kagurazaka and Sousuke find that the rare clam is missing, Sousuke leads the head invenstigation committee to find the culprit who "brutally murdered innocent and unarmed beings in cold blood using icepicks and setting them ablaze on an oven."
Tsuioku no Innocent (First Half) This story has not been animated
"Tsuioku no Innocent" is a short story that depicts a rare, meloncholic past of Hayashimizu Atsunobu - the Jindai High School Student Body President. Sousuke and Chidori learn that Student Body President Hayashimizu may have a dark secret. They came across and began interrogating the leader of the gang, Kusakabe. "You want to know what kind of scum he is? He killed my best friend!" Sousuke and Chidori were in shock.
Tsuioku no Innocent (Second Half) This story has not been animated
During middle school, Hayashimizu was friends with a girl named Niura Tomoko, who was Kusakabe's best friend. One day, she decides to change her ways. She asks Hayashimizu to tutor her so she can go to the high school she always wanted to go. Hayashimizu tutored her day and night. But one fateful day, Tomoko gets hit by a car as she walked sleepily from studying all night (Hence Kusakabe blames Hayashimizu for Tomoko's death). The life of Tomoko alters Hayashimizu's view of life as he kicked all the elite high schools against his parent's wishes to go to the high school Tomoko wanted to go to - Jindai High School.
Otona no Sneaking Mission This story has not been animated
Hayashimizu enlists the help of Sousuke and Chidori to go undercover to find out the new local club where Jindai High School girls seem to be going to for a part time job. The club turns out to be [what is assumed to be] a brothel called C&J....and Chidori finds Saeki Ena (the girl who tried to confess her love to Sousuke earlier in the year) working there...
Engage Six, Seven "FMP!" Ep. 19 covers this story
Mao recalls when she first met Kurtz and Sousuke at a militia camp in Latin America.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 8: "Owaru Day By Day (Upper Vol.)"
Original publishing date: 2000.11.15
Category: Main Story
"FMP! TSR" episodes 05-07 covers this volume (NOTE: The anime is slightly different from the original novel)
Sagara, Kurtz, and Mao are in Sicily to retrieve a spy named Vincent Bruno - a man who aided Gauron's takeover of De Danaan. When Sagara returns back to Japan, he finds himself starting to adapt to the civilian life. However, things turn around when an order is given to him to be relieved of being Chidori's bodyguard and to return to Melida Island base immediately. His job is to be succeeded by a mysterious man (or woman?) named Wraith. Meanwhile, danger looms above Chidori's life. As she becomes more aware of the peril that seems to follow her steps, she seeks the assurance from Sousuke, but....
New characters:
Wraith - mysterious man (or woman?) from the intelligence division of Mithril
Belfangan Clouseau - new leader and the new Uruz 1 of the SRT who came in place of Gail McCarran (the former leader that was killed during Gauron's takeover of De Danaan).
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 9: "Owaru Day By Day (Lower Vol.)"
Original publishing date: 2001.03.25
Category: Main Story
"FMP! TSR" episodes 07-13 covers this volume (NOTE: The anime is slightly different from the original novel)
Chidori Kaname becomes worried that Sousuke hasn't returned her calls. As the days progresses, she increasingly becomes paranoid that someone is following her. When she goes to Sousuke's place, she finds his apartment to be empty....
Sousuke is in Hong Kong and meets Gauron...a quadriplegic lying in bed.
"Look at you. You used to be cool. Now that you adapted to civilian life, you became wussy like the rest of them. Guess what? I'll help you return to your kick ass state, Kasim. You know that girl that you have your hearts on? Well, she's dead! Hahaha. I ordered her death!!! Now throw your anger! Lash out at the world! Put a bullet into my head!! Become who you truly are, a ruthless killer!!!"
When Venoms start attacking Hong Kong hoping to instigate a civil war between North and South China (in the FMP world, mainland China is divided between the Communist North and the Nationalist South), Sousuke just stares at the world like he doesn't give a damn. But then, a voice yells at him "Sousuke! What the heck are you just standing there for!!!" He turns around and sees....Chidori Kaname.
New Characters:
Leonard Testarossa - Tessa's brother, aka Mr. Ag (Silver). He steals Chidori Kaname's first kiss
Fei Xiu (飛鷲) & Fei Won (飛鴻) - twin brothers who owe their allegiance to Gauron. Former (older) brother wrecks havoc in Hong Kong with the Venom AS, the latter gets killed in the assasination attempt of Chidori Kaname by Leonard's Astral robot.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 10: "Dounimo Naranai Gori Muchuu"
Original publishing date: 2001.10.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Jun de Fujun na Grappler "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 6 Part A covers this story
Chidori and Kyoko are running away from some hooligans when a guy saves them with martial arts. The next day, Sousuke and Chidori head to a school clubhouse to persuade their members to leave the premises as it is to be demolished. The head of the martial arts club happens to be the same person who saved Chidori.... Tsubaki Issei makes his first appearance in this story.
Zen'i no Trespass "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 6 Part B covers this story
Sousuke and Issei got off to a wrong start, and they have become rivals at school. Everywhere they go, they wreak havoc, causing stress and pain to the school caretaker, Oonuki Zenji. As punishment, Sousuke and Issei are given orders to help out Mr. Oonuki on his daily activities. Things go wrong when they accidentally prepare Mr. Oonuki’s dinner by killing the koi he has taken care of.
Jingi Naki Fancy "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 10 covers this story
The Mikihara yakuza clan is on the brink of extinguishment. Their only remaining hope is to hire a military master (Bonta-kun) to help the inept Mikihara clan members to shape up. When Oren-san and Chidori are kidnapped by the rival Ryuujinkai, Sousuke leads a mass army of Bonta-kuns on a rescue mission.
Houkago no Peacekeeper This story has not been animated
Chidori and Sousuke are called in to help resolve a quarrel between two rival elementary school “gangs” for their territorial rights of a nearby playzone by Amemiya Takami. Sousuke plays the role of a diplomatic mission, going back and forth between the rival students’ headquarters to try to resolve this matter peacefully. However, both ends do not back down on what they want. In the end, Sousuke took his matter to his own hands by blowing up the cause of the quarrel – the playground itself.
Maigo no Old Dog This story has not been animated
Sousuke helps meets an old man named Komura Shujiro, a former lieutenant in the old Imperial Japanese Navy. Mr. Komura asks Sousuke to help him find a carry-on bag that some hooligans have stolen from him. Due to Sousuke’s usual misconceptions, he believes that the bag contains some lethal toxic agent and frantically joins Mr. Komura finding the bag “before things become too late.” Little did Sousuke know that Mr. Komura Shujiro is Chidori’s grandfather…
Wari to Hima na Sentaichou no Ichi Nichi "FMP! TSR" OVA covers this story
A diary depicting the everyday life of Teletha Testarosssa’s role as a captain of the De Danaan. Journal entries include Tessa being forced to drink alcohol with Mao, getting involved in Kurtz’ usual lecherous antics, being lectured by Commander Mardukas, eating Lt. Commander Kalinin’s dinner which tastes very great except for his borscht, etc. etc…
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 11: "Ateni Naranai Roppou Zensho"
Original publishing date: 2002.06.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Mamanarai nai Blue Bird "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 11 covers this story
Jindai High School is facing a crisis where there are many clubs, but limited rooms to carry out their activities. When one particular club accepted to step down to give their room on one condition, many clubs accepted their offer in order to get their own activity room – including Sagara Sousuke. However, Sousuke starts causing trouble that gives headaches Chidori when he misunderstood the meaning of the one condition to get a clubhouse: to go out “girl hunting.”
Mato Hazure no Emotion This story has not been animated
Sousuke and Issei fight as usual. However, they accidentally bump Mizuki out the window. When Issei saves Mizuki from falling, she falls in love with Issei. Several days pass with Mizuki professing her new found love by chasing after Issei. Issei, who hasn’t got enough sleep for the past several days, calls Sousuke to help get rid of Mizuki off his back. Then Issei collapses into Sousuke’s arms due to insomnia. Chidori witnesses this in shock. When Sousuke asks Mizuki to stop chasing after Issei, Chidori makes further misanalysis that “Sousuke is jealous that Mizuki is after Issei” and that “Sousuke and Issei are gay.”
Machigai darake no Sentence This story has not been animated
Every year, the local high schools strive to admit as many prospective students. Jindai High School is no exception. But with Jindai’s image spiraling down day by day (thanks in no part due to a trouble-wrecking transfer student), they need something that makes their school shine. Ms. Kagurazaka (Sousuke & Chidori’s teacher) was given the task to come up with an idea by Principal Tsuboi. Ms. Kagurazaka doesn’t want to deal with it, so she delegates the task to her students to come up with something interesting to put into the school pamphlet to promote prospective students to come to Jindai...
Jikan Gire no Romance This story has not been animated
Sousuke and Chidori observe the movie club create their own movie for an indies theatrical release. However, many members of the movie club are not present, which leads Sousuke and Chidori to lend a helping hand…
Go Jikan Me no Hotspot "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 12 covers this story
Tragedy befalls the classroom when a toxic nerve agent is released. Sousuke orders a lockdown of the classroom. But when they discover that there is a vaccine only enough to spare one of them….
Megami no Rainichi (Junan Hen) "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 8 covers this story
Tessa decides to come to Jindai High School. Enough said.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 12: "Odoru Very Merry Christmas"
Original publishing date: 2003.03.25
Category: Main Story
This story has not been animated
A certain philanthropist group felt sorry for Jindai High Schoolers' field trip got cancelled by a terrorist hijacking. To compensate, they provided a two day cruise aboard a luxury cruise liner for the Jindai High School students. But of course, everything was just a ruse to kidnap Chidori Kaname once again. However, this time, Mithril takes the initiative against Amalgam by faking a seajacking.
Memorable quotes:
Tessa: "Sagara-san"
Sousuke: "Yes, ma'am"
Tessa: "Do you love Kaname-san?"
Sousuke: "....I believe it is affirmative to say so."
Tessa: "More than me?"
Sousuke: [long pause] "Yes"
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 13: "Anshin Dekinai Nanatsu Dougu"
Original publishing date: 2003.07.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Ana Darake no Conceal This story has not been animated
A big shot politician in the Tokyo Metropolitan government who is also a leading member of the district education committee will be visiting Jindai High School. He is a strict conservative, who focuses on orderly conduct, educational reform, and strict code of behavior. One problem. Jindai has a cancerous tumor that they need to get rid of for one day.
Migatte na Blues This story has not been animated
OnoD, Sousuke, and Kazama go out on a gou-kon date with three older women. Things go weird when they each go their separate ways into the night with their girls...
Miira tori no Drunker This story has not been animated
Hayashimizu did not come to school today since he came down with a cold. The members of the Student Body Council decide to pay Hayashimizu a get-well visit. Only problem is...no one has ever been to where Hayashimizu lives.
Giri Ninjo no Undercover This story has not been animated
Hayashimizu has a network of spies working for him. One of his undercover agents infiltrated Akutsu Mari's gang. However, it seems his cover was blown. It is up to Sousuke and Chidori to save him from the possible torture that Mari's gang would inflict upon him.
Mayonaka no Raiders This story has not been animated
Two ex-cons enter Jindai's ground in the night to recover the stash that they hid three years ago. The only thing that stands in their way were:
A. A military nut (Sagara Sousuke)
B. A girl who has been through a lot of shit in her life (Chidori Kaname)
C. A martial arts master (Tsubaki Issei)
D. And a psychotic chain-saw wielding school caretaker (Oonuki Zenji)
Rouhei tachi no Fuga This story has not been animated
Teletha Testarossa is going off to a uneasy meeting with the leaders of Mithril. Sousuke was appointed by Teletha to be her bodyguard. Seeing that it would be an honor to meet such great men of military warfare, he accepts. However, his images of them being men above the clouds are smashed to bits when he finds that they are nothing more than Yankee old geezers who sexually harass "Tessa-tan" as if it were a complimentary thing to do to women (they were born and raised in that era).
Sousuke's image of these old geezers using examples of people he works with:
Former US Navy Fleet Admiral Jerome Border - An aloha shirt wearing who guffaws annoyingly
Former US Navy Vice Admiral Kevin Skyray - "Tessa-tan, would you want to experience a dangerous love affair with me?" (age Kurtz Weber 50+ years and you'll get him)
Former US Marine Corps Lt. Colonel J.G. Courtney - A man who cusses and swears excessively and uses the word "fuck" and "fucking" as an adjective to everything (Mao becomes like this when she's drunk)
Former US Navy Captain Roy Seals - "Te...Tessa-tan, [breathes heavily] Care to join me for a stroll? [breathes heavily]" (If Major Kalinin was a lecher, you get him)
Former US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Ross - "Tessa-tan! Here! You've gotta look at the tatoo I have engraved on my butt!!" (If Commander Mardukas went insane, you get him)
Memorable quotes:
Tessa: "When I first met them, I thought it would be an honor to meet such war veterans. I had no idea that they were just a bunch of Yankee old geezers."
Sousuke: "But ma'am, you are an American too"
Tessa: "I'm from the traditional and strict upper East Coast! Don't you dare associate me with those West Coast idiots whose brains have palm trees sticking out of them!"
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 14: "Side Arms - Ontei wa Takaku, Shatei wa Tooku"
Original publishing date: 2004.04.25
Category: Side Story Compilations (but as it focuses on side stories of Mithril, it can also be somewhat of a main storyline)
Ontei wa Kanashiku, Shatei wa Tooku (First Half) This story has not been animated
Kurtz and Sousuke are enjoying eating yakitori in the outskirts of Tokyo. There, Kurtz meets his middle school teacher, Ms. Shiina. Ms. Shiina asks if Kurtz is still playing the guitar. Kurtz for some reason says yes, and that his rock band is gaining popularity. After the meeting, Kurtz begins to rethink his current job as a mercenary and ponders if he can still go back to becoming a guitarist like he dreamed of when he was a kid. He digs out his old Gibson Les Paul guitar that his father left him...
Ontei wa Kanashiku, Shatei wa Tooku (Second Half) This story has not been animated
Kurtz decides to give Ms. Shiina a present by inviting her to his mini-rock concert at a local bar in Tokyo. Sousuke helps Kurtz by acknowledging to give the invitation to Ms. Shiina. However, Sousuke learns that Ms. Shiina wasn't who Kurtz thought she was anymore....
We all know that Kurtz lived in Tokyo until he was 14. Some additional info is revealed in this two-part story:
Kurtz's father was a journalist and loved to play the guitar. Kurtz would learn to play his father's guitar as a kid and would play classic rock in middle school. However, Kurtz's life would change 180 degrees when his family was killed by a terrorist bomb explosion at an airport. Distraught, he quit school and went to a militia camp in Lebanon to learn military skills for revenge. He learned everything from being able to handle various weaponry and tactical fighting skills. One thing that stuck with him was his seemingly innate ability to excel in sniping. And ever since then, he was a mercenary for hire.
Ed Sax Chuu-i no Kiwamete Senmonteki na Tatakai This story has not been animated
A day in the life of Lieutenant Ed Sax, head of the AS maintenance crew in the Tuatha De Danaan.
Megami no Rainichi (Onsen Hen) "FMP? Fumoffu" Ep. 9 covers this story
While Tessa is visiting Jindai, the usual members decide to go to an onsen hot spring. If you are man, you know what you've gotta do, don't you?
Trivia: Actually, this was an anime original story for "FMP? Fumoffu." However, the author Mr. Gatoh Shouji loved the way Kyoto Animation handled this original story (he especially was highly impressed by the director's and animators' god-like work in hiding the girls' nipples and private parts), he decided to re-adapt this into the novel.
Yoiko no Jikan~Mao Neesan to Arm Slave ni Notte Miyou~ This story has not been animated
Lieutenant Melissa Mao teaches Yan to pilot an AS
Aru Sakusen Chokuzen no Hitomaku This story has not been animated
Sousuke and Kurtz get into a heated argument about each other's tactical skills. Mao intervenes to calm them down. After Mao calms them down and talking to them individually for their side of their story, Mao learns that Sousuke and Kurtz actually fought against each other in one guerilla battle in Lebanon several years before they first met in Latin America without them knowing who the other guy was
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 15: "Tsuduku On My Own"
Original publishing date: 2004.10.25
Category: Main Story
This story has not been animated
Amalgam decides that play time is over. They go on a massive offensive to get rid of Mithril once and for all. This story marks a major turning point in the main story.
1. Mithril's HQ in Sydney is destroyed
2. Melida Base is overrun by Amalgam's forces
3. Tuatha De Danaan barely escapes
4. The entire Jindai High School is taken hostage
5. AS fights in the middle of Tokyo
6. Wraith shows her true identity
7. Tokiwa Kyoko is massively injured
8. Chidori Kaname accepts to be kidnapped to ensure the safety of her classmates
9. Sagara Sousuke loses to Leonard Testarossa
10. Sousuke's AS "Arbalest" is destroyed against Leonard's AS, "Verial."
Epilogue scene:
Spoiler:
Sousuke: "Sensei"
Ms. Kagurazaka: "....Yes?"
Sousuke: "I need to speak to everyone. May I have a minute?"
Ms. Kakugaraza: "Um..."
Eri looks at the empty seat where Kaname used to sit, thought carefully, put aside her sadness,
Ms. Kagurazaka: "Sure. Go ahead."
Sousuke: "Thank you."
Sousuke walked to the stand. For some reason he remember his first day of school.
Sousuke: "I'm sure everyone is already talking about the matter"
Everyone was silent to listen for what Sousuke was about to say.
Sousuke: "The one inside that white AS was....yes, it was me. I was...no I am a member of a certain mercenary force. Piloting AS' is my job. When I first came here, I told you that I was a transfer student from the US. That is all a lie."
Everyone just listened quietly, looking at Sousuke directly in his eye. With everyone's eyes at him, Sousuke explained everything - that he is a elite member of a secret mercenary organization, he faked his application to come to Jindai, his primary mission was to protect Chidori Kaname, the evil organization who was after Chidori Kaname, and the reason why their two school trips went out of control with a hijacking and a seajacking. He told everyone that the evil organization had stopped doing things indirectly and went after her directly this time. For that reason, Tokiwa Kyoko was severely injured and is in critical condition at a nearby hospital. And, that Chidori Kaname was taken away as captive in order to save everyone.
Sousuke: "I am sorry that I kept all of this a secret."
As Sousuke quietly ended his story to his classmates with an apology, one student broke the silence as his body began to shake in anger. It was one of Sousuke's friends, Onodera Koutaro (OnoD).
OnoD: "Wait a minute....'I'm sorry'....!? That's all you can say!? Say that to Tokiwa!!"
Sousuke: "....."
OnoD: "She's still in the hospital hooked up to a respirator and tubes hooked all over her body!! You know the last word she said to her parents before she fell into a coma!? She gave them a key to Chidori's apartment and asked them to take care of Chidori's hamster! She said that was her promise that she made with you!!"
Sousuke: "I see."
OnoD: "Don't you guys even feel a single remorse for what you did to Tokiwa!? She had nothing to do with this!?"
OnoD abruptly stood up, with tears in his eyes and grabbed Sousuke by his collar. Several classmates and Eri tried to restrain him
OnoD: "Let go of me!"
Ms. Kagurazaka: "Calm down, Onodera-kun!"
OnoD: "I've got a thing to score with this bastard! You call yourself a friend!? Fuck you!!"
Sousuke: "I...."
OnoD: "Why the fuck did you come back!? Cuz, it's funny!? If you have nothing more to do at school, get the fuck out of here!"
Sousuke: "I....I just wanted to say one last thing before I left."
Sousuke knew that this was going to happen. And he also knows what he must now do the moment he lost to Leonard.
OnoD: "What!?"
Sousuke: "I will bring her back"
That is the only thing that makes Sousuke move on. And he wanted it to say it, not just to everyone, but also make himself listen.
Sousuke: "I will bring her back. No matter what happens, I will bring her back to this place. That what I wanted to say."
Everyone became silenced. Even Koutaro, gazed silently at Sousuke's remark.
Sousuke: "This is all my fault. There is no fault for her. That is why, I will return her, right here. I promise."
There was nothing left, no plan, anything. But it was if each cell in his body began to order Sousuke himself "You need to do it," and "You must fight."
Sousuke: "That is why...Please, welcome her back when she returns."
Sousuke didn't have to listen to what his classmates had to say. He turned around, walked out of the classroom, out through the hallway, across the school grounds, and past the school gate. He walked foward, without ever turning back. He knows what he must do.
To be continued
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 16: "Nayande Rarenai Happou Fusagari"
Original publishing date: 2005.07.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Yakusoku no Virtual (first half) This story has not been animated
Zama the good sorcerer must rescue his girlfriend from the evil clutches of the evil sorceress Yoko. ...Ok, to keep it simple, Kazama-kun is playing an MMORPG as "Zama" the Sorcerer, and he needs to rescue his online girlfriend from...who else? The psychotic policewoman Yoko, who wrecks havoc as the evil sorceress in the online game world. Kazama-kun enlists the help of his friends - Chidori (who mistakenly and unknowingly picks her online name as "Toilet Paper"), Sousuke ("Seagal"), and Issei ("Baki") as well as other students of Jindai High School.
Yakusoku no Virtual (second half) This story has not been animated
Legend says that the four heroes met underneath a tree and understood what their purpose of their lives were to topple the reign of the evil sorceress and bring peace back to the land. In reality, the four met with Sousuke and Issei fighting each other (as in the real world). Troubles aside, the four heroes were able to gain the sponsorship of Hayashimizu-Sempai. He was able to amass an incredible fortune through trade in the online world. With his money and his sponsorship of an online militia, the four heroes were able to go up against evil Yoko and her cronies...
Kagemusha no Showbiz This story has not been animated
Kousuke is a teen idol who has a tough job. He is becoming frustrated as days after days of busy schedules with little or no time for his own leisure continues. One day during a film shoot, Kousuke meets up with a weird person who astonishingly looks very similar to himself - Sousuke. In a weird twist of events, the two takes each other's lifestyle. Imagine what would Sousuke do to the show business world?
Tairitsu no Festival This story has not been animated
It's almost Jindai High's School Festival. As usual, Chidori's class is the only one which hasn't decided on what they are going to do. After much debating, they finally agreed to do...a cosplay-coffee house. However, their request was denied by the Student School Festival Committee. But when Chidori learns that the class members of the School Festival Committee set up their own "costume-dressing" coffee house, Chidori and her class declares war on them
Aizou no Festival This story has not been animated
One of the big events during the Jindai High School Festival is the Miss-Jinkou Beauty Pageant. Chidori brushes it off as usual...until she was confronted by Shouji Mia (see: Daimeiwaku no Suicide). Shouji Mia learns that she is no match for Chidori's innate physical ability, so she challenges her in the beauty pageant. What ticks Chidori the most was that Sousuke is one of the panel judges and it seems he's falling for Mia's seduction. In jealous anger, Chidori enters the contest.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 17: "Moeru One Man Force"
Original publishing date: 2006.01.25
Category: Main Story
This story has not been animated
Namsak is a small town in Southeast Asia. Anything goes in this area - corruption, violence, black market arms trading. One thing that Namsak stands out from the rest is that this town is the home of the Arene ("arena") where AS dukes it out with other AS in the special coliseum - a part of illegal gambling.
Sousuke arrives at Namsak following a lead that may lead to Amalgam. While at Namsak, Sousuke meets a girl named Nami and a French reporter named Lemon. Lemon is a poor reporter who traveled all the way here in or to find something to "make it big," while Nami is an active 16 year old girl who leads one of the AS fight teams. Nami's AS pilot was murdered and she had no one to pilot her Rk-91 Savage named "Crossbow." (Note the name "crossbow" with "arbalest.") But then Sousuke appeared asking for the name of the dead AS pilot....
With Sousuke piloting Crossbow, Nami's team began winning each fight after fight at the Arene. With the amount of winnings, Nami's team was able to retrofit their Crossbow into much better shape. They even had enough money to paint their AS, to which Sousuke paints it white. Lemon became the accountant and the primary sponsor for Nami's team.
Sousuke begins to feel that living a life with Nami, her assistants, Lemon isn't so bad. It has only been several months since he decided to stake out on his own to find Chidori, but he begins to forget about her and why he has to go through all the trouble against Amalgam. Couldn't I just forget everything? Couldn't I start a new life here with them? As Nami begins to fall in love with Sousuke, things make a turn.
The police chief of Namsak, pissed off at the winnings of Crossbow and Nami's gang, arrests Sousuke and Lemon when they are out buying parts at the local black market. As with any other place with lackluster corruption, the police plays a major role in illegal gambling and kickbacks. With Crossbow winning all the time, the amount of cash flow going into the pockets of the police chief is diminishing. After spending the night at the slammer, Sousuke accepts the police chief's demands to stave off on winning - on one condition. Sousuke wants in on a deal to play in the "real battle" reserved for VIPs.
Sousuke's main purpose was to come to Namsak because of this one lead: many of the AS pilots of Amalgam seem to all have experience in fighting a real one-on-one battle in the outskirts of Namsak. Not the pish-posh sporty fight at the Arena - the real one whose betting stakes are so high that the rich and the VIP gets to enjoy. And unlike the sporty Arena battles, the real one involves using live artillery - a duel to the death.
The police chief acknowledges this and sets Sousuke free that day, but leaving Lemon behind as "collateral." When Nami asks what happened and confronts Sousuke to tell her the truth, Sousuke has a flash back of Kyoko being strapped with explosives at the top of Jindai High yelling "I don't want to die knowing nothing!" (incident occurred in previous main story novel). Sousuke tells Nami the truth - that he's a remaining member of Mithril, about going after Amalgam, and to retrieve something very important to him. Nami, after much consideration, believes Sousuke and helps him out.
Nami and her gang sets up their Crossbow for Sousuke. Nami sets up a better OS, in which she says to Sousuke "I spent all night creating this OS." Sousuke, was surprised when she said that - "You did all this in one night? By the way, I always wanted to ask you - where did you learn to restore and retrofit this old AS without any prior knowledge?" To which Nami replies "Huh? You can do this by playing and fiddling around with this several times." It is highly implied that Nami is a prospective Whispered at this scene.
Sousuke appears at the real one-on-one battle in the outskirts of Namsak. Nami and her gang are separated and escorted to a different location by the police. Sousuke's Rk-91 Savage battle enemy was....an M9 Garnsbuck equipped with ECS. Watching this from a safe location was the corrupt police chief and...Mr. Kurama (member of Amalgam, appears in previous main story novel). Sousuke's gamble was correct - no government in the world can get an M9 yet, unless they happen to be Mithril or Amalgam.
Sousuke wins the battle against the enemy M9, whose pilot happened to be a former member of Mithril who surrendered to Amalgam. When Sousuke learns that Mr. Kurama is in the VIP area, Sousuke hurries to that location. However, the police chief and Mr. Kurama comes out with a hostage - Nami. Mr. Kurama dares Sousuke to come out or else Nami gets killed at the count of ten. At the final countdown of "two," Sousuke decides to come out to save Nami, when Mr. Kurama suddenly says "oh hell, I changed my mind" and shoots Nami anyway without saying "one" or "zero." Nami is killed.
Furious with rage, Sousuke tries to attack when a group of masked forces suddenly attack the police chief and Mr. Kurama from all sides. It was Lemon and his forces. Lemon's true identity is a member of Direction Generale de la Securite Exterieure - a French intelligence agency who is on the trail against Amalgam. Lemon managed to escape the jail and was able to rescue Nami's gang from their deaths, but did not arrive soon enough to save Nami.
With Lemon's help, Sousuke manages to get his Savage up and running to chase after the police chief and Mr. Kurama. After several battlecapades of Sousuke's AS and several Arene AS, Sousuke finally confronts Mr. Kurama in the building of the Arene. Sousuke is seriously injured in the final one-on-one gunfight, in which he manages to usurp priority information from Mr. Kurama right before his death - Sousuke: "Where is Chidori!!"
Mr. Kurama: "In San Carlos. Or in Nikero. Or Grenada. That's all I know. Shit I should never have quit smoking."
Sousuke lies near death with images of Chidori scolding at him to "get up! move foward!" as he hears Lemon's voice of "Epinephrine! Need medic here stat!!"
-Cut scene to some remote tropical area-
Chidori dreams of someone giving her information
-I'm sorry
-Why are you sorry?
-I am sad
-Why?
-I couldn't be your replacement
-Is he alright?
-I don't know
-Why?
-Because I am dead
-Where is he now?
-In Namsak
It is implied that this Whispered conversation is between Chidori and Nami.
-Cut scene to some remote arctic region-
Wraith meets up with a mysterious man
"You have the stuff?"
"We are both on our own now."
"So what is this AS' name?"
"There is none since the project was scrapped - but if it had one, it would be known as..."
"ARX-8"
TO BE CONTINUED
Several interesting thing to note from this novel:
A little of Sousuke's past is revealed - a distant memory scene where he recalls his real mother clutching a very young Sousuke in her arms inside an airplane that made an emergency landing on an icebed.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 18: "Side Arms 2 - Kyokuhoku Kara no Koe"
Original publishing date: 2006.07.25
Category: Side Story Compilations
Kyokuhoku Kara no Koe This story has not been animated
This side story reveals the past between Kalinin and Sousuke. Sousuke was the lone survivor of a plane crash in the Arctic. The person that saved little Sousuke was Andrei Kalinin, who was still just a master sergeant riding on a Soviet sub. Years later, Kalinin would meet Sousuke in Afghanistan. By then, Sousuke has changed from a cute little boy into a cold-hearted assassin named Kasim.
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji / "Kyokuhoku Kara no Koe" pp. 25 & 216
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Left: Little Sousuke being rescued from the wreckage by Kalinin in the Arctic
Right: Sousuke (a.k.a. "Kasim") at 10 years old as an assassin in Afghanistan
Tuatha de Danaan no Tanjou This story has not been animated
The story of Richard "The Duke" Mardukas from his years as a submariner in the Royal Navy, meeting and befriending Carl Testarossa (Leonard and Tessa's father), how he joined Mithril, and overseeing the construction of the Tuatha de Danaan under Tessa's supervision.
Oogui no Comrade This story has not been animated
Sousuke decides to adopt a pet cat. Except that "cat" is a white Bengal tiger from Myanmar...
Copyright: Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, Gatoh Shoji, Shiki Doji
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VOLUME 19: "Tsudou Make My Day"
Original publishing date: 2007.03.25
Category: Main Story
This story has not been animated
Tessa is secured in San Francisco as a stray mentally-ill girl. She proclaimed that she was dumped there after a mutinee broke out onboard Tuatha Dé Danaan several days after the attack on Melida Island. Obviously the female doctor assigned to Tessa's care doesn't believe her story. Just when Tessa was about to be transferred to a mental institution, Tessa, her doctor, and an innocent nurse who was wheelchairing Tessa were abducted by unknown men. The leader of that group was Lee Fowler, a member of Amalgam. Just as he was about to pull the trigger against the doctor, the "innocent nurse" (Mao in disguise) pulled out her gun, Tessa rose up and ordered her team to start firing. It was all an act on Tessa's part to fish out Amalgam for a lead to her brother Leonard. As Amalgam agents receded, Tessa gave a message to Lee to state to her brother:
Let me put this bluntly as I can. I dislike FUCKING SHIT people like you who pretend to be nice and believe that they are all high and mighty
Tessa used a swear word which surprised all the members of de Danann.
Meanwhile Kaname is still stuck somewhere with Leonard.
Sousuke wakes up at a hospital in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Lemon secured Sousuke out of Namsak as he was dying and managed to revive him albeit in critical condition. Lemon works for the DGSE, in which the French government is highly interested in what the US refers to as the "Toy Box" (de Danaan) and the mysterious syndicate known as "Amalgam." Sousuke is a valuable intelligence source so Lemon secures his safety...but also seems to have found a friendship with Sousuke. Hence Lemon goes against his superior officer's demands to torture Sousuke in order to gain intelligence. But Lemon's true motive being with Sousuke is very primitive - if he stays close to Sousuke, he may get a chance get revenge against those who killed Nami.
Later in the night, a group of armed men (Amalgam) storm the hospital compound to kill Sousuke. Lemon and some of his men barely escape with Sousuke...
Back at de Danaan, Tessa is clearly over-working herself. Mardukas pleas that she take some rest.
Flashback scene, Tessa remembers when she told the surviving members of Mithril in de Danaan that they are all for themselves now. Since Mithril is virutally dead, they have no means of paying these mercenaries. The battle against Amalgam is not honor or because it's good, it's plain an simple revenge. She announced that anyone who wished to disembark de Danaan to do so freely and that there were no obligations to stick with her ship anymore. To her surprise, most of the crew remained (lest for a few soldiers who had families back home) willing to fight to the death. Like Tessa said, this was just simple revenge against Amalgam - and a one that they very well deserve.
Meanwhile, Lemon and Sousuke managed to escape the French Polynesian islands. They only place Sousuke could think of was a remote place deep within the Florida Everglades. There, Sousuke enlisted the help of Lt. Col. J.G. Courtney (see "Rouhei tachi no Fuga") (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=410501&postcount=17), veteran Vietnam War marine who has a tendency to use the word "fucking" as an adjective to everything. Sousuke chose this location as a prime place to rehabilitate (read: self-forced military boot camp) to regain the strength he lost while he was in the hospital.
tbc
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