Let's Watch Full Metal Panic Together!

[Darthtabby]

I'm not sure how well these first two episodes would work if they were combined into one. The second episode does have some scenes that weren't in the source novel, but I think cramming all the developments that happen into a single episode might have been too rushed. Kaname warms up to/takes an interest in Sousuke awfully quickly as it is.

While we're on the subject of how anime has changed over time: Full Metal Panic is based on a series of light novels. Nowadays being based on a light novel has a certain stigma attached, but a decade ago that wasn't so much the case. In fact I think during my early days as an anime fan I considered being based on a light novels an indication of quality.

[Darthtabby]

Episode Three: "Lingerie Panic"



Choosing a screenshot for this episode was pretty easy.

One aspect of FMP that can strain suspension of disbelief is someone as young as Tessa being in command of the TDD-1. You kind of get used to it though. (I did at any rate.)

Kurz definitely has a bit of a different approach to things from Sousuke. Interestingly the old ADV trailer for the series actually has a clip of Kurz singing Karaoke with Kaname and her friends, but I've never been able to find where the clip comes from (its certainly not in this episode!).

Its interesting to note how smoothly things were going between Sousuke and Kaname in this episode before the balcony scene threw a spanner in the works. Speaking of that scene I think its pretty darn funny. Some of the humor in these early episodes is kind of low, but it also tends to be very well executed.

"It appears they destroyed the enemy's hideout. So it has become safe for the moment." Sure it has.

Anyway, as you might have guessed, this is the last comedic episode before this arc gets serious. Buckle up everybody -the excrement is about to hit the fan!

[Dextro]

Sousuke really is a klutz. He was specifically told to wrap up the "mission" before Kaname got out of the bath but got completely sidetracked talking to his colleague instead of doing what he was told. But that's Sousuke for you. It's the same reason Fumoffu was so amazing

[Ulin]

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

Episode Three: "Lingerie Panic"



Choosing a screenshot for this episode was pretty easy.

One aspect of FMP that can strain suspension of disbelief is someone as young as Tessa being in command of the TDD-1. You kind of get used to it though. (I did at any rate.)

Probably the scene that got me hooked for good Sosuke is just so funny at the beginning

And it is not so weird that Tessa is the commander... it is a very typical trope in the anime to have school directors, commanders, store owners or landladies of that age.

Spoiler for ..:

At least in this show there is an explanation for it

[Darthtabby]

Originally Posted by Dextro

Sousuke really is a klutz. He was specifically told to wrap up the "mission" before Kaname got out of the bath but got completely sidetracked talking to his colleague instead of doing what he was told. But that's Sousuke for you. It's the same reason Fumoffu was so amazing

Klutz probably isn't quite the right term -he's not physically clumsy like Tessa (all the injuries he got running into things notwithstanding). I will agree he messes up a lot though.

Originally Posted by Ulin

And it is not so weird that Tessa is the commander... it is a very typical trope in the anime to have school directors, commanders, store owners or landladies of that age.

Spoiler for ..:

At least in this show there is an explanation for it

I know, but FMP is relatively realistic about a lot of things.

One of the side stories from the Mithril themed collection actually addresses the issue.

Spoiler:

Apparently Mithril had major technical issues with the TDD-1 until Tessa got personally involved with overseeing construction.

I still think it would have been more realistic for her to be a technical specialist than the ship's commanding officer, but I guess we might have missed out on some of her awesome moments later in the series if that were the case.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Wait, we're getting a S3?! This is crazy talk... hopefully it isn't bad. Because the Second Raid was a bit of a letdown from what I remember.

[Mugen26]

Originally Posted by Mr Hat and Clogs

Wait, we're getting a S3?! This is crazy talk... hopefully it isn't bad. Because the Second Raid was a bit of a letdown from what I remember.

Technically season 4 (Hence the initial title of the new series being Full Metal Panic! IV) but, yes we are getting another season of FMP. As a fellow fan on the forum, we all hope for it to be outstanding since the material it covers should be some of the most engaging parts of the story yet! I also recommend giving The Second Raid a refresher, because my personal opinion is that it blows S1 out of the water in terms of animation and direction. However, this discussion belongs on another topic.

After giving episode 3 a re-watch, here are a few of my quick thoughts:

• Shinichiro Miki is absolutely hilarious with his Engrish "Japanese Pretty Girls" line. Gotta give credit to the English dub direction as well with having Vic sound like a vaguely-French foreigner in that scene.
• Gonzo did an impressive job animating the cruise missile. Also they give Tessa some good screen time not only showcasing her klutz side early on, but also her position as Captain giving orders.
• After the Shinji/Sousuke fanboy banter on Kaname's balcony, I feel like Sousuke can be both a Specialist AND a nerd/otaku since he has such an interest in the Arm Slave's specs.
• Ahh, the pre-9/11 days; Were you can casually make jokes about throwing high schoolers off a plane at 8000 meters and flight attendants don't get suspicious.

[Darthtabby]

I suspect this first arc is the main reason why the show's airing was delayed a season. It was actually scheduled to air in Fall 2001.

[Dextro]

And so the fecal matter hits the rotary impeller and Sousuke has to finally jump into action instead of overreacting over everything. And we must say he can do one liners with the best of them: "I am the garbage man". That was an epic comeback.

[Darthtabby]

Little late this week.

Episode 4: "Kidnap"



This episode represents a pretty significant tonal shift for this story arc as the series' action side takes to the forefront.

I find it a bit odd that the NOT! North Korean soldiers are armed with the same folding submachine guns as Gauron's hijackers. Those weapons are designed for clandestine work, they lack the range and punch needed by a general purpose infantry weapon like the ubiquitous Kalashnikov rifles.

I know its basically directly from the source novel, but am I the only person who thinks that garbage man one liner is a bit out of character for Sousuke? He's not generally snarky.

The music in the briefing room scene is really awesome. I like the bit where that one guy says five minutes is too short and Kurz replies that its a long time to defend a target.

Of course the big conflict this episode is between hard logic and Sousuke's budding feelings for Kaname. One could argue the show laid it on a bit thick there, but IMO it worked.

Btw, by the time I saw this series in 2005 or 2006 it was available in full, but its worth noting that ADV Films originally released it as individual DVDs over the space of over half a year. This was the last episode on the first disc.

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

I know its basically directly from the source novel, but am I the only person who thinks that garbage man one liner is a bit out of character for Sousuke? He's not generally snarky.

I think Gatou-san only wanted to be able to drop in a cool action one-liner there since I agree with you: Sousuke is too oblivious most to pull them off usually. However, Sousuke is prone to actually pull off some sick burns on account of being so oblivious that I can't put past Sousuke to just reply like that to "keep his cover" despite it being blown to pieces for quite some time now

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

Btw, by the time I saw this series in 2005 or 2006 it was available in full, but its worth noting that ADV Films originally released it as individual DVDs over the space of over half a year. This was the last episode on the first disc.

I actually first saw FMP weekly on the TV channel I now work for. I think it's thanks to that particular anime block in the early 00s that I became an anime fan in the first place.

[Alf]

I have always thought that garbage man line is meant to answer the question without disclosing anything. It's not like he really care about his opponent believing him or not.

Sousuke's struggle between mission priority and his affection for Kaname may seem a bit laid thick by today's standard, but back than we had that luxury of having sufficient time to sink the narrative and emotions into the scenes.

[Ulin]

In my case, what surprised me the most now is how fast Kaname seems to be interested in Sousuke. From the very first episode Kyoko teases her and she seems to be embarrassed, something pretty fast if you tell me

[Darthtabby]

Good points on Sousuke's garbage man one liner.

Originally Posted by Ulin

In my case, what surprised me the most now is how fast Kaname seems to be interested in Sousuke. From the very first episode Kyoko teases her and she seems to be embarrassed, something pretty fast if you tell me

Yeah, I think I'd noted that during the discussion of Episode 1. I'd noted that I think Gatoh got a lot better at writing convincing romance as he went along. Though perhaps I should review the source novel more closely before I write off his initial efforts as unconvincing. (And actually its not like the early stuff in the anime is entirely unconvincing either -some of it actually does work pretty well, even if there are parts that are questionable.)

[Mugen26]

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

Btw, by the time I saw this series in 2005 or 2006 it was available in full, but its worth noting that ADV Films originally released it as individual DVDs over the space of over half a year. This was the last episode on the first disc.

Wow, that's quite a long time for the initial DVD releases, but somehow it doesn't surprise me. Funny enough, this episode was my very first introduction to the series around 2003/2004 via Anime On Demand. Since I wanted to watch more anime outside of Toonami shows and I also had an interest in Mecha genre, I discovered the series. It quickly became a standout series for me to watch out of all of ADV's On Demand catalog. Ahhh, youthful memories.

Anyways, my key notes for episode 4:

• Right away we are reminded how murderous Gauron can be on a whim. He had no second thoughts shooting the pilot and almost silencing Kagurazaka-sensei.
• As for the soundtrack, many of my favorite themes make their debut in this episode as well. The Tuatha De Danaan track has a fantastic build up and certainly is one of the themes that can represent FMP as a whole.
• I used to think the one liner Garbage man was way too cheesy and out of character myself, but revisiting it, it's almost as low-key as Sousuke's personality. There's nothing glorifying about a Garbage man. They swoop in, do there job, and leave. Plus the fact that it's also his assigned high-school duty is the icing on the cake and makes perfect sense.
• Spoiler for More about Gauron:

  This is also the first of several instances where we learn how much of a damn cockroach Gauron is. The dude just won't die!

[Darthtabby]

Originally Posted by Mugen26

[*]Right away we are reminded how murderous Gauron can be on a whim. He had no second thoughts shooting the pilot and almost silencing Kagurazaka-sensei.

Yeah. I actually remembered pretty much everything he did, and yet I was still thinking "woah, this guy is psycho." Guess time can dull memories a little.

[Darthtabby]

Episode 5: "Whispered -The Ones to Be Whispered"



Given how electrical currents work, shouldn’t Kaname have gotten shocked when Sousuke tasered the guys who were holding her down?

I tend to consider this more of a serious/action episode. I’d forgotten how funny its first half can be. I love Kaname’s sceptical reaction to Sousuke’s explanation about who he is. Also her “I’ll be dead soon” comment after he crashes the truck through a hangar door. Her accusing Sousuke of being a pervert for diving on top of her when they're being shot at is a bit ridiculous though.

The series introduces another awesome piece of music this episode in the form of “Counterattack.” It’s the music that plays while Mithril’s rescue team launches from the TDD-1.

It may be cannon fodder, but I rather like the design of the RK-92 “Savage.” (BTW “Savage” is not the Soviet designation for the type, it’s a Reporting Name assigned by NATO.) I also appreciate that there’s a noticeable difference between the movements of the Savage and the more sophisticated third generation Arm Slaves like Mithril’s M9s and Gauron’s Codarl.

Some people kind of sneer at Gonzo’s work on season one in comparison to Kyoto Animation’s work on The Second Raid. I’ll admit the first season has its share of problems but I think Gonzo actually got a lot right –from casting to music to how different types of mechs move.

[Dextro]

I'll agree with you 100% on the Gonzo comment Darthtabby, they made some good decisions when it came to soundtrack choices in particular and, for the day, their CGI was pretty decent. Remember that Gonzo was actually one of the first studios to really go down the CGI route. It didn't always mesh perfectly (and FMP is actually a great example of some jarring changes) but they did pave the way for the state of the art today.

And yes, Counterattack is an awesome track.

[Darthtabby]

Is there actually very much CGI in season one? I know its used for external shots of the TDD-1, but the mechs don't really look CGI.

I do know that FMP used computer assistance in the production process, notably for coloring. That's pretty much standard practice nowadays. I think some of the early 2000s anime that were produced with digital assistance have really nice use of color. In addition to FMP season one I also really like the use of color in 2004's Mai-HiME.

Another interesting thing about Full Metal Panic's first season is that its widescreen -that wasn't always the case in the early 2000s. Despite being produced two years later than FMP that aforementioned Mai-HiME was still 4:3.

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by Darthtabby

Is there actually very much CGI in season one? I know its used for external shots of the TDD-1, but the mechs don't really look CGI.

I do know that FMP used computer assistance in the production process, notably for coloring. That's pretty much standard practice nowadays. I think some of the early 2000s anime that were produced with digital assistance have really nice use of color. In addition to FMP season one I also really like the use of color in 2004's Mai-HiME.

Another interesting thing about Full Metal Panic's first season is that its widescreen -that wasn't always the case in the early 2000s. Despite being produced two years later than FMP that aforementioned Mai-HiME was still 4:3.

We had some really big CGI scenes in both episode 4 and 5. They looked pretty awesome back in the day (even if they look a bit dated nowadays).

I don't recall if we had many more throughout the season but the episode 4 one in particular got stuck in my mind and I always recall it when thinking of FMP.