Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu

Alternate Titles: None

Original Japanese Release Date: 2003

Episode Length/Run-time: 12 ( 24 mins ea. )

Summary:

Kaname Chidori is back with her war-loving classmate Sousuke Sagara as they encounter more adventures both in and out of school. However, when Kaname gets into some big trouble, Sousuke takes on the role of the gun-toting, butt-kicking mascot Bonta-kun. All the while still struggling to fit into normal highschool life, he now has to protect his superior officer Teletha Testaross, who decided to take a vacation from MITHRIL and become one of their classmates for a few weeks.

Review:

In this rendition of Full Metal Panic, Fumoffu focuses solely on the school life that Sousuke and Kaname must face. This was touched on lightly in the original series. In Fumoffu, each episode is an individual story, with funny antics like Sousuke blowing up all the lockers because he thought something was inside. Seeing as there is no terrible evil threatening the world, Fumoffu focuses on the relationship between Sousuke and Kaname. Also, since it focuses on the school life, the other minor characters in the original show get more attention, like Kyoko and Mizuki.

Fumoffu functions very well independently of the original series, as there are little to no references back to it. You can watch this show by itself, with a small understanding of the characters relationships and their background story. Art hasnt deteriorated much, and the series tries to focus on the lighter side. And much to some peoples dismay, the girls appear to have gotten more proportioned (if you know what I mean). There is no mecha in this anime, so mecha fans will be disappointed. Fear not though, there is still plenty of explosions, gunshots, and action to feed your need.

I still give it a thumbs up because the relationship between Sousuke and Kaname remains intact, and the series stays pretty true to the original, minus the mechas. Lots of action, and the animation is still great.

[starrater]