Full Metal Panic Review

Full Metal Panic is the anime adaptation of the light novel series of the same name by Gatoh Shoji. The adaptation was produced by Gonzo and it ran from January 8, 2002 to June 16, 2002.

Full Metal Panic follows the story of Kaname Chidori, an athletic and level headed high school student who possess a strange ability that is constantly being sought by terrorists. She shares the same ability with Teletha Testarossa, the captain of Tuatha de Danaan. This ability is the power to access Black Technology and the unique individuals who have this ability are called the Whispered.
Now enter Sousuke Sagara, he, along with Kurz Weber and Melissa Mao were tasked to protect Kaname Chidori in the early part of the series. This begins Kaname's unusual life with Mithril (the military organization which Sousuke and the others belong to) especially with Sousuke. 
Sousuke is an exceptional military soldier but despite his notable skills in being a soldier, his social skills and "common sense" are what you'd usually find in a deranged military otaku.
With action packed gunfights, terrorists, AS smashing here and there, and a soldier who lacks social skills in addition, what could possibly go wrong with Kaname's high school life?

Full Metal Panic aired 11 years ago, but the quality of the anime compared to animes today is not something that you'd call ancient. Gonzo did a pretty good job in the animes technical parts. The music,opening and ending sequences were both great. The seiyuus of each character were normal and sound effects and other background music all fit into place.

If there was any problem with the anime, I suppose, it'd be the pacing. Gonzo, nowadays, is known for unusual pacing. Though I do not want to compare their Last Exile to Last Exile-Ginyoku no Fam, my opinion  and expectations in Gonzo slightly diminished over time.
FMP has a whole lot of plot-holes. Unexplained character backgrounds, weak back stories and a very annoying antagonist.
I know annoying antagonists are supposed to be a success because the audience would hate him more but the way Gonzo depicted Gauron was not in the good sense of "Annoying" it was annoying that he keeps coming back without explanation and what are his real motives, is it the Whispered? Or is it the downfall of Mithril? Or is it to die with Kashim (Sousuke)? 
Another thing is, what's up with the Berseker Arc? It's like it was just there to give the anime a little length to fill in the 24 episode mark.
What's up with that? is what I'd like to ask, but considering the time it was released, I know that i'm too late in asking.




Here's my final verdict for the 1st season of Full Metal Panic
Art: 7/10
Characters: 8/10
Music: 9/10
Story: 7/10

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