Full Metal Panic!
From Wikinfo
| Full Metal Panic | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:FMP-DVD.jpg FMP Mission 01 DVD Cover showing an M9 Gernsback preparing to engage the ECS | |||
| フルメタル パニック (Furumetaru Panikku) | |||
| Genre | Action, Mecha, Romantic comedy | ||
| Light novel | |||
| Author | Shoji Gatoh | ||
| Illustrator | Shiki Douji | ||
| Publisher |  Kadokawa Shoten | ||
| English publisher |   Tokyopop[1] | ||
| |||
| Demographic | Male | ||
| Published | September 9, 1998 – ongoing | ||
| Volumes | 20 | ||
| TV anime | |||
| Director | Koichi Chigira | ||
| Studio | Gonzo | ||
| Licensor | ADV Films   Madman Entertainment | ||
| Network | WOWOW | ||
| |||
| Original run | 8 January 2002 – 18 June 2002 | ||
| Episodes | 24 | ||
| Manga: Full Metal Panic (フルメタル パニック) | |||
| Author | Retsu Tateo | ||
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten | ||
| |||
| Original run | May 2003 – April 2005 | ||
| Volumes | 9 | ||
| Manga: Full Metal Panic - Sigma (フルメタル Σ) | |||
| Author | Ueda Hiroshi | ||
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten | ||
| |||
| Volumes | 9 | ||
| Manga: Full Metal Panic - Overload (フルメタル オバーロード) | |||
| Author | Tomohiro Nagai | ||
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten | ||
| Volumes | 5 | ||
| Manga: Full Metal Panic - Surplus (フルメタル スルプルス) | |||
| Author | Tomohiro Nagai | ||
| Publisher | Kadokawa Shoten | ||
| Volumes | 1 | ||
- For criticism see Criticism of Full_Metal_Panic!
Full Metal Panic! (フルメタル・パニック! Furumetaru Panikku!?, often abbreviated to FMP!) is a series of light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist mercenary group Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl.
Individual chapters are published on Monthly Dragon Magazine, followed by a paperback compilation released by Kadokawa Shoten's Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. The novels are split between stories focusing on Sousuke's mission as a soldier of Mithril and comedic side stories centered on his life at Jindai High School.
Full Metal Panic! has been adapted to other media a number of times, including an animated television series by Gonzo in 2002.
Contents |
Overview
Full Metal Panic! is written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji, serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Dragon Magazine since 1998.
The main story develops its characters carefully, and is the shadow or "unusual" events of the protagonist's life. These stories feature the mercenary group Mithril, their mobile base/submarine, called the TDD-1 Tuatha De Danaan, giant humanoid powered suits called Arm Slaves, and the various missions to which Sousuke Sagara is assigned. A highlight of the series is a serious and semi-realistic view of humanoid robotic weapons on the battlefield. The Arm Slave has significant consideration in its portrayal, with explanations given for its power source, operations, maintenance and pilot user interface. The existence of such advanced weaponry and equipment is explained through Black Technology.
The comedic segments are the contrasting "normal life" portrayal of a high school student in Tokyo. These segments are in stark contrast to the more serious main story; explosions are symbolic and humorous, and no death results from these visual gags, while in the main story characters are heavily injured and/or perish when hit by a bullet.
This has led to two discrete series of books within the narrative: the collected short stories, and the full novels. As of April 2007, there have been nine novels and ten short story collections published. There is also a significant number of short stories that have not yet been published in a collection, making the stories difficult to find outside back issues of the magazine. The main storyline is still continuing, with the latest novel, Approaching Nick of Time, released on February 2008. Shoji Gatoh has recently stated in his blog that the next novel will be the "climax" of the series, meaning it could possibly be the final novel of the series. However, there is no specific details, release date or name for the moment. It will probably begin production next year.
The author's handling and balance between the serious character-driven plot of the full plot arcs, contrasted with the caricature portrayal of the same characters in the comedy arcs, is one of the most lauded aspects of the series.
Characters
- See also: List of Full Metal Panic! characters
Mithril
Sousuke Sagara: Sousuke grew up in Helmajistan, a region in Afghanistan that was caught up in political strife. At age 8, he joined a guerrilla movement to survive, and eventually found his way into Mithril. Sousuke only knows military life, so he is suspicious of everything out of the ordinary. He also has a tough time integrating into high school life, as his social skills are not quite up to par.
Teletha (Tessa) Testarossa: Tessa is Captain of the Tuatha de Danaan. She is a young girl of about 17 who bears the weight of Mithril's mission - to make the world safer by destroying terrorist organizations and drug facilities. Tessa is young, and therefore, hasn't lost that optimism that she can make a difference. She is also stubborn and will try her hardest to prove you wrong if you tell her she can't do something. Still, most of her crew sees her as weak and frail - someone who never got her hands dirty on the battle field and therefore can't defend herself.
Melissa Mao: Melissa is the superior officer of both Kurz and Sousuke and demands respect for her role. She is also a spunky girl who loves beer, smokes a lot, and wishes she could be free spirited and optimistic like Tessa.
Kurz Weber: Kurz first appears to your typical lady's man, yet he often is the one giving Sousuke advice about life and love. He's a laid back kind of guy who won't dodge responsibility if it comes his way, and is one of the finest snipers in Mithril.
Andrei Kalinin: Kalinin is Tessa's right hand man and Lt Commander on the Danaan. He's been through a lot, and apparently once was Sousuke's enemy. Together, the two fought Gauron and left him for dead. Kalinin is almost like the wise sage Tessa turns to for advice and support.
Richard Mardukas: Mardukas is also one of Tessa's top commanders and advisors along with Kalinin.
Jindai High School
Kaname Chidori: Kaname is the most popular girl at school - the kind of girl everyone looks up to, but no boy wants as their girlfriend, as one character put it. She's very much the loud mouth, speak your mind kind of girl - a trait she picked up when she studied abroad. Still, Kaname has a softer side - that little girl that has a crush on Sousuke if he'd just for once open up emotionally. Until then, she feels like she must protect him from the harsh, cruel world of high school - a place where he doesn't quite fit in.
Kyoko Tokiwa: Kyoko is Kaname's best friend. A happy-go-lucky girl, she ignores Kaname's worst traits and accentuates the positives. She also seems to love photography.
Mizuki Inaba: We first meet Mizuki when she is dumped by her boyfriend, Shirai. She is a very proud girl who'd rather hold up her image at all cost than admit things aren't as perfect as she says. She also has a bitter streak for those who cross her the wrong way.
Shinji Kanzama: Shinji is probably the only high school male Sousuke is able to relate to. The two meet briefly during a panty raid and soon find they have a lot in common - both love to talk about military stuff.
Other Characters
Gauron: Gauron is Full Metal Panic's main antagonist. He's an arrogant man who so far has been able to buy and/or blackmail his way to power. He also has the ability to command the lambda driver and pilots a super AS called Venom, which gives Sousuke problems from day 1.
Seina: Seina joined terrorist organization A21 a long time ago when it was a refuge for delinquents. Now that the world has turned against her, she uses anyone close to her to aid her in revenge - complete destruction.
Takuma Kugayama: Takuma is the unstable experiment of the terrorist organization, A21. All he wants out of life is to please his big sister, Seina, but she's been scarred and vowed revenge against society long ago. Now, the only thing that seems to please her is Takuma piloting the mech, Behemoth, and wrecking as much havoc as possible.
Zaiede: When Sousuke joined a guerrilla movement at age 8, he was befriended by Zaied, who was only 3 years older. Zaied became his mentor and taught him the art of combat and survival.
Setting
The series is set in a parallel world, based upon actual world events around the late 20th century to the early 21st century. The story begins in Heisei 10 (1999 AD), where the Cold War has yet to end. China has split into a north and south, with Hong Kong being split much like Berlin. The major differences are:
- China has split into the People's Liberation Committee (North China) and the Democratic Chinese Alliance (South China) along the Yangtze River. Kowloon is North Chinese territory, while Hong Kong Island is held by South Chinese forces. Combat in Hong Kong is prohibited by terms of a recent peace treaty.[2][3]
- A nuclear warhead was used in the 1991 Gulf War. This triggered the Fifth Middle East War.[4]
- Following the beginning of the fifth Middle East war, the Soviet Union successfully reinvaded Afghanistan (Helmajistan).
- Mikhail Gorbachev was assassinated, and the Perestroika was halted.
- Significantly different military technology such as Arm Slaves and Black Technology.
Other subtle differences differentiate the fictional world. Common changes are in the Japanese names, as they use homonyms to the names of real life locations. The fictional Jindai (陣代) High School is based on the real life Jindai (神代) High School[5] in Chōfu, Tokyo. The closest station to the real life Jindai High School is the Senkawa station, changed from 仙川 to 泉川. The Japanese calendar of Heisei era name is altered from 平成 to 平政. Other geography and names of location in the fictional Tokyo remain identical to reality.
These overt divergences in history form the backdrop of the plot, while the less obvious divergences and cause of these differences form the many intriguing mysteries within the narrative.
However, there are also real life aircraft and vehicles featured in Full Metal Panic. These include, but are not limited to:
- See also: Whispered
Adaptations
- See also: List of Full Metal Panic! media
Manga
Full Metal Panic! was adapted into a manga on several discrete occasions. The first series was serialized in Newtype by Retsu Tateo, titled “Full Metal Panic”. This is collected in nine volumes, published by Kadokawa Comics. Much like the novel series, a parallel series was written by the same Retsu Tateo, titled “Full Metal Panic!: Comic Mission”. As of June 2006, there are five volumes published. A third and most recent manga adaptation is “Full Metal Panic! Σ (sigma)”, written by Hiroshi Ueda. There are 2 series, Full Metal Panic! and Sigma. Sigma is not Overload, it is a sequel with 8 books and ongoing.
Full Metal Panic!
Full Metal Panic! is the first manga adaptation of the light novels. The mangaka for the manga was Retsu Tateo. The events of the manga parallel those of the first anime and the comedy anime "Fumoffu".
Full Metal Panic! Overload
Full Metal Panic! Overload is a comedy manga, by mangaka Tomohiro Nagai. It is licensed and published in English by ADV Manga. There are five volumes to this manga.
Full Metal Panic! Comic Mission
Full Metal Panic! Comic Mission is a comedy manga by mangaka Retsu Tateo.
Full Metal Panic! Sigma
Full Metal Panic! Σ is a manga by mangaka Hiroshi Ueda. The storyline parallels the anime OVA The Second Raid.
Full Metal Panic! Surplus
Full Metal Panic! Surplus is a single tankoban manga by mangaka Tomohiro Nagai
Anime
Full Metal Panic!
- See also: List of Full Metal Panic! episodes
The anime series originally aired in 2002, produced by Gonzo Digimation, after its real premiere date was canceled because of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York. The series was licensed for North American release in 2003 by ADV Films, and the manga released by ADV Manga. The first three of the novels form the basis for the Full Metal Panic! anime.
The animated series follows the events and relationships surrounding Sousuke Sagara, a professional soldier of a covert, international, anti-terrorist mercenary group named Mithril, and Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school student that, unbeknownst to her, is more than she seems.
Due to his Japanese heritage and young age, Sgt. Sousuke Sagara is selected to go undercover as a transfer student and secretly remain Kaname's undetected bodyguard. With orders only to protect her from abduction by an unknown hostile force, neither Sousuke nor his two fellow Mithril soldiers assigned to the mission—Sgt. Kurz Weber and Sgt. Major Melissa Mao—are told any further details except to remain undetected and avoid drawing attention to their charge.
Lina Inverse from the TV and manga series Slayers also makes a short appearance on the cover of Dragon Magazine in the first episode of the anime, and is the third magazine taken off the submarine.
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
- See also: List of Full Metal Panic! episodes
Also known as FMP? Fumoffu, the side-story was broadcast in 2003. It focuses almost entirely on the high school life of Sagara and Chidori, highlighted in the short story collections. The series was a departure from the serious tone set in the first anime adaptation, with its slapstick humor and comedy focus. It's also one of the first Full Metal Panic series to be supervised by animation studio Kyoto Animation.
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid
- See also: List of Full Metal Panic! episodes
A third anime series was produced by Kyoto Animation in July 2005. It is the proper sequel to the first adaptation, following the events of the two "Full Metal Panic! End of Day By Day" novels. A Second Raid OVA episode, focusing on Teletha Tessa Testarossa, was released on June 2006.
References
- ^ "Tokyopop New York ComicCon 2007" (HTML). Anime News Network. http://animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/new-york-comiccon/2. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
- ^ Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, Episode 3.
- ^ Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, Episode 10.
- ^ S. Gatou, "The Birth of the Tuatha De Danaan", Voice from the north - Side Arms 2. Fujimi Shobo, 07/2006. ISBN 4829118423.
- ^ Official Jindai High Japanese webpage. Retrieved on November 5, 2008. (Japanese)
| This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Full Metal Panic!. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of this Wikinfo article is available under the GNU Free Documentation License and the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. |
External links
- Full Metal Panic! (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Full Metal Panic! at the Internet Movie Database
- Full Metal Panic! at TV.com
Template:Full Metal Panic Series
