Full Metal Panic!

Reviewed By:  Carla Land

ADV Films DVD/ Studio Gonzo

Review based on first disk (first 4 episodes)

Rated 13+

What it’s (basically) all about: A secret agency called Mithril that is not run by any one nation is on a mission to protect a 16 year old girl (Kaname Chidori) from being kidnapped by the Soviets (yes, Soviets) because she is a Whispered. Unfortunately I cannot tell you what that means because as of episode 4 it’s not explained. A high school aged sergeant named Sagara Sousuke is secretly assigned to protect her…and it’s sad, really, because he has no social skills whatsoever. Imagine a war hardened general going back to high school and trying to blend in and you’ll have a rough idea of what I’m talking about. He is constantly monitoring Chidori’s every move, which makes her crazy, and has already had two guns confiscated by the teacher. There are several times when you just want to put your head in your hands out of shame for the poor boy, who only really lights up when he starts talking about military mecha equipment and vehicles.

Nitty Gritty: The action in this series is really good, and the plot, once it gets rolling after the first two or three episodes, is really good. The animation is high quality and the voice work is well done. The story is interesting, but it takes all of the first four episodes and a trip to an anime news site to figure out the intricate plot details. Be willing to invest some time in watching several episodes or it won’t be entertaining at all.

Things to watch out for are Sgt. Kurz Weber, who is prone to sexual innuendo and has an unhealthy obsession with teenaged girls (unless he, like Sousuke, is a teen himself, in which case it makes sense). There is stylized nudity in the opening sequence and a few bad words (“bullsh*t” appears in episode 3, and so far is the most hardcore word I’ve heard.) Some fan-service makes it in- a couple of panty shots, a scene where Sousuke is unknowingly holding Chidori’s boob and squeezing (one will assume out of nervousness), a classmate on a panty raid- but it’s minimal. The focus of this series is action. Some of the more violent bad guys will shoot to kill and there will be blood, but it isn’t gory or glorified.

One final thing is that this is a mecha that only pulls out the big robots every now and then. Some of the gadgets they have are positively Bond in nature. I imagine that as the series rolls along the robots will have a more prominent role in the story.

As far as the special features go, you have the obligatory clean opening/ closing credits, some nifty production sketches, and previews that are geared for the same type of show/ same age range.

Survey says: If you buy this, be sure to buy at least the first two disks as this one leaves off on a high tension cliffhanger. This is clearly not meant for young children, and although it would be at home in YA collections the fan-service (minimal though it is) might make some squirm if showing at an anime club where pre-teens are welcome. I’d say this is appropriate for 13 and up.

Personal Ad: At first I didn’t care if I finished this series or not past the first disk, but after the last episode I really want to see what happens. It sucks you in very slowly- so slowly that you don’t even realize that you’re getting involved in the show. I found myself inching forward to the edge of my seat a couple of times, and I don’t usually care for mecha myself.