FMP: The Second Raid! ITS GO TIME!

[TypicalIdiotFan]

GET SOME!

"Acquiring..." I'll get back to you on this. I just wanted to be the first to start the actual anime discussion / criticism thread. ;)

[Kuragari]

Watched it. It was alright, not really all that much comedy, but I'm guessing there'll be more as the series goes on and all. Mostly action in this ep. The comedy side of FMP appeals to me more, so I guess that's why I probably didn't love this ep as much, but hey it's only the first one. Can only get better right.. ~~

[TypicalIdiotFan]

The first version I "acquired" was in the H246 codec, which I can't get to work for crap on my computer, so I have to "acquire" the other version, even though it's a larger file size.

[Shadowmage]

My impression:

Intro: Nice song and animation, but the music does not fit the action packed nature of the animation as well as I would have liked it. It seems that there will be another cliched antagonist. There also seems to be two mysterious girls who are shown in a manner that gave me a deja vous of Evangelion's intro.

First Half: If I was not in tune with the Full Metal Panic! franchise, I might have thought this was a serious war anime. One of the antagonists is established, and he is, as expected, cliche.
Eyecatch: GONZO mech action... Nothing excellently cheorographed, but fun to watch.

Second Half: The action shines through once again and the final quarter of the episode seems to be returning to the high school/military roots we all love. Chidori is once again POed by Sausuke's idiocy, and her friend is yet again trying to mediate between the two. The episode ends with a appropriate mystery.
Eyecatch: GONZO mech action once again... Lots of explosions...

Ending: Once again, good song and animation. The overall feel of the ending is serenity... which is a good thing.

Overall: Not as funny as the first two, but the episode was supposed to be explosive in nature. (The BANG introductory episode.)

Grade: 4/5
Interest: 4/5

[TypicalIdiotFan]

SM stole my format. ;) That's ok, it allows for some varieties of opinions based on the same general profiling style.

Henceforth:

Episode 1:

Probably the most anticipated anime since Bleach last fall, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid comes at us from the get go with a TON of improvements over the predecessors. However, from what I've noticed, it doesn't appear as though they're going to be faithfully following the "End of Day by Day" novel, merely taking quite a few of the major points and events and changing the people and places a bit. That's not too bad as long as everything turns out okay.

The characters introduced in the EODBD novel are significant for the rest of the book series, and from what I saw of the intro and the preview earlier it seems as though they're going to be here, and in tact. Some of the more minor characters who appear only in this novel are not significant enough for me to care about. So if they're changed (which, judging by the intro, they have been), then it wont matter as long as they're interesting.

I'm trying to avoid spoilers here, because I think whatever I say about the novel will probably be seen here. However, I want to point out that, by comparison, the EODBD novel is relatively short insofar as the actual story progression that happens. The novel's contents could probably be done in about 10-12 episodes and since this is planned for a 26 episode romp like the first show, it's likely we'll get quite a bit of filler and perhaps some "fleshing" out that even the novel didn't do properly. In this regard, they probably should have saved some of the shorter / random stories from the novels from being in Fumoffu! and put them in here instead.

There are two scenes I'm looking forward to from this novel. Here's one:

http://www.animegalleries.net/albums/media/121/fmp_kaname039.jpg

The other? That's a surprise. ;)

Okay on to the show:

Intro:

It seems to be a tradition for all Full Metal Panic intros to be done by Mikuni Shimokawa. The song is rather pretty and follows the same mold of other FMP songs, though this one might be a bit softer then Tomorrow and Sore Ga Ai Deshou. No biggie. Good song. The intro reveals quite a bit about what we're going to see, and the more I look at it, the more I am worried.

Because I have a feeling the "other" scene I'm wanting to see, isn't going to happen. I can't say anything without spoilers, so I wont.

Part A

The improvements:

They're doing the serious / military stuff a lot better then they did in the first FMP series. There actually seems to be some real attempts at military tactics, and the action scenes are just flat out top notch. Sure, The Mithril units are still capable of basically thrashing any opposition in "one hit", but hey, it's Anime™.

I loved the Colonel guy. They made him look like a cross between Miomar Khadafi and Manuel Noriega and stole a scene straight out of Tears of the Sun. Just nice little nods to all of us who pay attention to politics and bad Bruce Willis movies. They stole another one straight from Black Hawk Down later too.

Best line from the first half:

"Astronomers discover new satteliite around Jupiter"

Wowzers! As if Jupiter doesn't have enough moons already!

Eyecatch

It works. GONZO showing off.

Part B

Yep, the action scenes have been upped by a budget of about 2 billion. Sousuke rushing forward and impaling another AS with his knife is one of the cooler robot action scenes I think I've ever seen. It just worked so well. The detail that GONZO is putting into the "weapons of the day" is also worthy of praise. This is a military otaku's wet dream, but at the same time they HAVE to do this. These sequences don't seem like big important things to us on the superficial level, but by giving us a chance to see how these weapons actually work, they're painting a whole new world based on the Whispered and what weird "black technologies" they bring to the world.

This is one of the more important parts of the overall story. You have to pay attention to this, because as Kalinin mentioned in the first series, these kinds of things "SHOULDN'T" exist. They're doing a great job of showing us just what kinds of weird and sick weapons of destruction can be created.

And finally, at the end, we get to see Kaname. YAY! And they borrow a joke from Fumoffu, complete with Kaname lamenting about him doing it "again", to seal the deal.

Exit

Pretty peaceful exit. I think except for Fumoffu's exit, they've all been pretty soft.

Overall

HAH! Are you kidding? It's Full Metal Panic! I'm having a goddamn orgasm here!

Everything's gotten better. Animation, story, attention to detail. After Fumoffu, I think this first episode being serious was necessary for GONZO to show us that the overall story is supposed to be one about a greater story here. And that story is about something sinister. There's quite a bit more visceral realism to the combat here, with people actually bleeding like stuck pigs when shot. Of course, the last scene with the Colonel and his aide surviving the missile attack was just for comedic effect.

I imagine the next episode will focus more on the comedy side of FMP, which is GONZO just letting us know they haven't forgotten about that part either. But if they manage to keep up a regular storyline, I think I'll be happy.

Looks like the next episode will introduce us to two characters who only exist in the EODBD novel, but they're changed from what they were. Oh, actually three. The third one is one of the cooler characters in all of the novels. ;)

Grades:

Interest: 10/5
-Hype? You bet. Delivery? Solid.
Overall: 5/5
-They done a good jorb here with the first episode. Bring on more.

[Linuts]

Wow wee ^^. A great first episode^^. The animation is superb and the action is well choreographed. Not as much jokes, but the action made up for it greatly^^. I'm guessing the comedy will return in the next ep with Chidori showing up again ^^. Can't wait to see how this develops. And I'm guessing that white hair guy in the intro is Tessa's brother?

[TypicalIdiotFan]

And I'm guessing that white hair guy in the intro is Tessa's brother?

I'm trying to avoid spoilers... but I figure since you blurbed this one, I might as well. Yes, that's Tessa's brother. But you get no more out of me, young man.

[Tremolo]

I know it's a silly little nitpick but GONZO have absolutely nothing to do with Fumoffu! or The Second Raid - the animation studio is Kyoto Animation.

I plan on watching this someday. I really enjoyed what I saw with the original FMP and I'm glad to hear The Second Raid has got off to a strong start.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

I know it's a silly little nitpick but GONZO have absolutely nothing to do with Fumoffu! or The Second Raid - the animation studio is Kyoto Animation.

Ah.

Well don't I feel stupid?

Perhaps, though, that's significant as to the improved attention to detail and overall animation and pacing spiffiness that was Fumoffu and now The Second Raid.

*edit*

After looking at some other Kyoto Animation contributions, I think that my above statement is true. We're talking about the people who animated AIR. Wow. I knew there was something incredible about what I was seeing.

Kyoto Animation Contributions (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=235)

[PerfectDeath]

i enjoyed this episode, it did hit a great start, lets just all ponder about if it can keep up.

[etane]

Just like in Kenshin's OVAs compared to the TV eps, the Second Raid FMP is more on the serious side although maybe not so much so compared to how much the Kenshin's OVA deviated from the TV eps. This is just a conjecture/anecdotal examination after viewing the first ep. And, the way the characters are drawn seem to have changed a bit too similar to how the Kenshin's OVAs have changed. The skin is paler and the "feel" of the characters are, overall, a few years older.

Oh, and I liked it very much.

[PerfectDeath]

oh ya forgot this
*drool*



http://www.animegalleries.net/albums/media/121/fmp_kaname039.jpg


:eek5:

[soundchazer]

My only problem with this first episode...

ALMOST NO CHIDORI!!!!

WTF?!?!?!? Full Metal Panic with 30 seconds of Chidori is like preparing a sandwich with only bread in it!

As for the rest of the content... it seem we will finally learnmore about this secret technology and the whispered. Cool... I was wondering about that after the first series (which were the ones made by GONZO, for future TIF reference!)

[TypicalIdiotFan]

My only problem with this first episode...

ALMOST NO CHIDORI!!!!

WTF?!?!?!? Full Metal Panic with 30 seconds of Chidori is like preparing a sandwich with only bread in it!

Yeah. But... in the book, she's not in there for a bit either. Wait, Chidori gets plenty of play in this book. In fact, I think this book managed to endear me to her even more then the stuff I had already seen. She does great things in this book. And has a few things happen to her...

mwa ha ha... i r spoiler ****tease boy...

As for the rest of the content... it seem we will finally learnmore about this secret technology and the whispered. Cool... I was wondering about that after the first series (which were the ones made by GONZO, for future TIF reference!)

**** you, Gringo! >=O

[KiraraKim]

Personally I found the military scenes pretty boring, but I am not really into that stuff in the first place.

It was nice to see Chidori and Sousuke again. The chemistry between those two is enough to keep me watching. :)

And although this is leaning more to the serious side, I hope it's more like the original FMP story where it will still have a fair bit of comedy mixed in with the serious stuff.

[etane]

Military scenes are cool but not as cool as scenes with Chidori wearing swimsuit.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

*hands etane some tissues*
this may become a promising series, in my opinion

[loner]

Finally got it. That was cool.

I love how much attention they have paid to the details this time. Animation is even a notch higher than previous installments, and the action is swift and exciting. I'm sure the comedy will come back soon, though I don't expect it to take center stage.

<3 Tessa. Kalinin = teh pimp.

[etane]

*ends salivating*

Wuts that anime in your sig, Kaito? Looks watchable. Also looks sorta Lodoss which is good. I like Lodoss.

[Itachi Uchiha]

*ends salivating*

Wuts that anime in your sig, Kaito? Looks watchable. Also looks sorta Lodoss which is good. I like Lodoss.
It's Tsubasa Chronicle in his sig. Also, it's not at all like Lodoss Wars. Either way it is a decent show, I suggest watching it.

Come to think of it, people should watch Tsubasa Chronicle once just to hear the music. The music is that good.

[Tyrdium]

Aaavooooooo Mariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaa...

'twas good. :D

[Neo-Hunter]

man i have got to see this now!!

[soundchazer]

Episode 2:

ZOMG!!!

We get YURI, we get NUDITY, we get nice COMEDY, lot's of Chidori air time, a very funny and crazy new enemy, nicely coreographed beheadings and even the snap sound of the elastic of panties! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

Great episode!!!

[Shadowmage]

Episode 2

Part I

They seem to be keeping the Fumouffu comedy roots with hints of plot every other screen transition.

I'm still wondering how they got away with nudity shots... :eek5:

Eyecatch

Teh Nekkid Yuri! :D

Part II

More comedy! Another cliched madman! Lots of dead bodies as well!

Eyecatch

Action! Guts! Decapitation! (I'm still wondering how they managed to air this episode if they didn't do it late at night or on an obscure channel...)

[Linuts]

Awesome XD! So freakin's AWESOME! XD

The new bad guy scares the hell out of me yet makes me ROFL (especailly what he said at the very end). So let's see that check list

Beautiful Animation.... Check
Great Music... Check
ROFFLE comedy... Check
Nudity... Check
Yuri.. Check
Fast and smooth action... Check
Interesting plot... Check
Still lovable characters... Check

This show WINZ a new interweb!

[TypicalIdiotFan]

I'm still wondering how they got away with nudity shots... :eek5:

Because it's on WOWOW. Remember when Girls Bravo went to WOWOW?

Episode 2:

I must admit, tho, that seeing blatant nudity (with Nipplage), sexuality, and intense gruesome murders is not what I am used to with Full Metal Panic. Do I like it? Hell ****ing yes! But it seems a little "out there" compared to the other two series, and even the original novel.

Which is something I wanna bring up. In the novel, the yuri twins we're seeing are there, but they're not girls, and certainly not yuri. Not that I care. Like I said, if they change the characters that only appear in the novel, then that's fine. The balding psycho with the Oedipus Complex is no where to be found in the novel at all, and it appears as though he's going to be just a sort of "nag" for this series. That's fine, means he'll end up dead somewhere. I can live with that.

But, this episode also showed me that there is one key piece of the original novel in tact. No, I wont spoil it. It has to do with the scene I want to see other then the one I gave a picture for.

One last nitpick; Sousuke didn't know about Wraith in the novel. He finds out later. Wraith, also, is a master of disguise. And I assume that was him/her that you saw at the end of this episode. So that old man with glasses look is probably not him/her. In the novel, Wraith is so anonymous that you never find out his/her gender, even though he/she does get "seen" a lot, there's always a new disguise.

Anyway, good episode. Damned good episode. Kyoto Animation is showing off here. There's some very very beautifully animated sequences that I had to go back and view frame by frame to get a better look at. Phew, FMP is in good hands.

[PerfectDeath]

from fast paced battles to rofle comedy, yuri, and more killing... me like ^_^
especialy the crazy guy.

I like it when the bad guys are like that.

[soundchazer]

Because it's on WOWOW. Remember when Girls Bravo went to WOWOW?

Episode 2:

I must admit, tho, that seeing blatant nudity (with Nipplage), sexuality, and intense gruesome murders is not what I am used to with Full Metal Panic. Do I like it? Hell ****ing yes! But it seems a little "out there" compared to the other two series, and even the original novel.

Which is something I wanna bring up. In the novel, the yuri twins we're seeing are there, but they're not girls, and certainly not yuri. Not that I care. Like I said, if they change the characters that only appear in the novel, then that's fine. The balding psycho with the Oedipus Complex is no where to be found in the novel at all, and it appears as though he's going to be just a sort of "nag" for this series. That's fine, means he'll end up dead somewhere. I can live with that.

But, this episode also showed me that there is one key piece of the original novel in tact. No, I wont spoil it. It has to do with the scene I want to see other then the one I gave a picture for.

One last nitpick; Sousuke didn't know about Wraith in the novel. He finds out later. Wraith, also, is a master of disguise. And I assume that was him/her that you saw at the end of this episode. So that old man with glasses look is probably not him/her. In the novel, Wraith is so anonymous that you never find out his/her gender, even though he/she does get "seen" a lot, there's always a new disguise.

Anyway, good episode. Damned good episode. Kyoto Animation is showing off here. There's some very very beautifully animated sequences that I had to go back and view frame by frame to get a better look at. Phew, FMP is in good hands.

Hey TIF, just to see if we are talking about the same thing... are talking about the ADV manga translation for FMP? The one that right now is in volume 7?

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Hey TIF, just to see if we are talking about the same thing... are talking about the ADV manga translation for FMP? The one that right now is in volume 7?

No. The original novels written by Shouji Gatoh. Rather, the original short novels / picto-novels written by him and illustrated by the same guy who does the manga.

Although I have not seen the manga, so I am not 100% sure if they follow the novels more closely or not.

[Itachi Uchiha]

-Lesbian sisters... *drool* Who really needs more than that?
-Lots of killing and action.
-An evil as villain.
-Sasuke being Sasuke...

Yep, i'm very pleased with the direction this show is taking!

[loner]

I'm always late on this, eh?

Ah well, that was FMP! at it's entertaining best. Cool characters, awesome action (even a higher standard than normal) and hilarious comedy mixed perfectly. The yuri twin was a great bonus, and they are from Hong Kong too (well at least they first show up in HK)! Chidori's still lovable, even when she's picking her nose.

Wait...I thought the guy in the end of the episode was the guy in the OP, Tessa's brother or something? I'm wrong, ne?

/me goes to watch again

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Wait...I thought the guy in the end of the episode was the guy in the OP, Tessa's brother or something? I'm wrong, ne?

* loner goes to watch again



For my 2000th post, I will explain.

The guy at the end of the episode was Wraith, who is an observer from a special branch of Mithril Intelligence basically there to "watch" / "guard" Chidori. Sousuke and the other Urzu team were put there first by the "active" part of the Mithril team, and Wraith has been there all along. This is explained in the novels, and when Souske finds out about it, he's incredibly pissed that Wraith has never lifted a finger to help before with all the times Chidori has been in danger. And now, the spoiler tags:

Eventually Sousuke gets removed from active duty in guarding Chidori so he can concentrate on being a full time AS pilot for Arbalest, since Arbalest will not accept any pilot except Sousuke. As such, Wraith is left in charge of "protecting" Chidori, although his orders are "not to get directly involved." Sousuke, when finding out about this, gets so pissed that he forces Wraith to contact him by basically shouting a bunch of secret information about Mithril, Wraith, and whatever, out the window. After a brief verbal scuffle with Wraith over the phone, Sousuke is left with no option but to leave Chidori in Wraith's hands.

Later, he lets Chidori in on the secret about Wraith, even though he's ordered not to. Chidori then (cleverly) concocts a plan to confront Wraith herself, but that leads to disaster, and to the picture I posted earlier in this thread. Though who or what Chidori is aiming the gun at, I wont explain. You can wait for that yourself.

Anyway, Wraith sorta grudgingly becomes Chidori's inside informant about Mithril, what Sousuke is up to, and other things. She's basically blackmailing him/her into doing it... heh. This is how we also learn that Wraith is a master of disguise, as he/she shows up as many different people and genders and ethnicities. Sousuke finds out about Wraith being Chidori's informant later too, and isn't happy about it, though he does find it amusing and impressive.

[PerfectDeath]

whaoh, almost read that O_o
you should put htem under super spoiler tags <_<
tryin to spoil the entire anime... but alas i was slightly spoiled int eh first line... but considering the size of the spoiler... i think this was a minor burn.

so Super Spoiler that beast >_<

[Shadowmage]

Episode 3

Part I
It seems that the anime is sticking to the military roots of the Full Metal Panic! franchise. While I am partially saddened that the anime opted for such an option, the increased gravity helps the audience take the show seriously. I honestly have no clue what all the technobable was about, but considering that Tessa looked serious the entire time, I'm sure it was important. (This should allude to what version I err.... aquired.)

Eyecatch
Spiderman! With sexual innuendo!

Part II
The mech action has not really impressed me (probably because I'm watching Gunbuster Aim for the top! 2 right now). The hand to hand fights are always exciting to watch though... To put it simply, those girls are violent. Full Metal Panic TSR seems to have taken to gore as there are some graphic deaths, and the fact the show is airing on WOWOW does not help.

Eyecatch
We get to see one of the two girls in a formal Chinese outfit pwn a handful Mithril's foot soldiers. (Bloody masscre ensues)

Grade: 4.5/5

Interest: 6/5 (Can't wait for the cat fight between Mao and one of the twins next episode!)

[Linuts]

~SPIDERMAN~

~SPIDERMAN~

~SAMURAI SPRAYING SPIDERMAN~

D=<

[soundchazer]

The last "spraying" from that Spiderman was just plain wrong. It looked like something else completely...

by the way... NO CHIDORI!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Hee hee, enjoyed the Spiderman parody, and Chidori going nuts when it was interrupted.

I didn't expect to get so much neck exposure from being sliced. But hey, I like it.

This whole episode wasn't in the novels, so they're just having fun.

They're definately doing the military part of FMP better this time around, and I am glad to see that. I was pretty disappointed that the first "serious" arc of FMP was good, and the others not so much. So maybe they'll pick things up a little all around.

So far so good.

Semper fi! Carry on! Roo-Rah!

*edit*

Some people have been asking me where to get the novels. Well I know a few places that have them translated, so PM me and I'll give you the link to the novel translations.

[Maveric]

I'm still wondering how they got away with nudity shots... :eek5:

Because it's on WOWOW. Remember when Girls Bravo went to WOWOW?

Also cuz it's on at midnight.

I've been away from these forums a while, and even from fansubs for that matter too. But TSR has got me all tingly inside in antici........................pation. I don't think I've been so anxious to see the next episode of a series in a long time. I think I'm going to have to hunt down a translation of the novels. Especially to see what happens in that picture :eek5:

Man, I'm watching a lot of FMP lately. I've also recently purchased vol 2 of Fummoffu (vol 3 will be the best of the series with both the Rugby and hot springs episodes on it!)

[loner]

Ep. 3! (why am I so slow on this?)

That Spiderman was just OMGWTFBBQ!!!111ROFLMFAO!!!!111 Let's just say the producers were having a bit too much fun with the last scene...

Chinese Civil War? Um, whatever. I did recall Kuzu saying that Nanjing is his favorite city. Hmm. As long as the ASs leave the historical sites alone, I'll be happy.

Xia Yufang and Xia Yulan rocks. That neck-cutting was almost Elfen Lied-ish. I believe the word Dirty Harry would use is 'ghetto'. Personally, I don't fancy Mao's chances. Chinese girl catfight! Yawr!

[Maveric]

Oh TIF, I found a translation site for the books. Without spoiling anything, is the second thing you want to see the picture that comes right after that one with Chidori and the taser? I kinda want to see what that's all about myself (I've not read that far yet, I just went hunting for that pic of Chidori, and found it afterwards)

And considering we see a pic of Chidori crying in the rain in the opening sequence, I'd be willing to bet we see teh nekkid skuul gurl pic.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Oh TIF, I found a translation site for the books. Without spoiling anything, is the second thing you want to see the picture that comes right after that one with Chidori and the taser? I kinda want to see what that's all about myself (I've not read that far yet, I just went hunting for that pic of Chidori, and found it afterwards)

Nyet. The second I will wrap in spoilers for those who haven't read that far.



You've been warned, bitch. Don't highlight any farther unless you know this already.

Good?

Okay.

The second scene I want to see is actually near the end of the End of Day by Day novel, when we find out who sent the twins out to attack / kill Kaname and pilot the Venom in Hong Kong, destroying wontonly. It turns out that our old friend Guaron is still alive, albeit barely, being held on only by life support. Otherwise he's a veritable parapalegic with viscious wounds and other such brouhaha. Anyway, during the scene he has a final verbal showdown with Sousuke, and what he says pushes Sousuke to the brink.

Sousuke then points his pistol at Gauron and empties the clip, ending Guaron forever, but basically doing exactly what Gauron wanted. In a sense, Gauron "wins" against Sousuke, but Sousuke doesn't seem to care. I want to see that scene. When I was reading the novel, I kept imagining in my head what I would do during that scene, if I were the director.

I would make it so that with every pull of the trigger, the camera pans closer to Sousuke's rage scarred face, finishing with a close up of his eye. Then the clicking of the gun out of ammo. The next shot would be Sousuke dropping the gun to his side and then noticing the bomb about to kill him.

Yes... that and the Kaname Tazer scene are what I want to see.

And if you spoilered yourself by highlighting this, well that's your own fault mother****er. Die.

[icelava]

btw, does anybody think what an incredible marksman that mad scientist is? To hit squarely on the head with quick draw reflexes and one hand at such a distance.....

[Maveric]

quite the linguist as well, as he called out to them in Chinese

[icelava]

Excusing their glorious nakedness for awhile, i find the Yuri twins most beautiful in their eyes - immense depth that sucks you in, emitting an incredible aura of sadness and a void that yearns to be filled. Possibly the best drawn expressive eyes I've seen to date.

The violence may be appear "cruel" but brings in a much needed perspective of realism to war and combat - death and injury is never glorious, and they never come clean. The scenes don't deliberately glorify the violence as they are detailed enough to prove the point and quick enough not to delve too much into it.

[loner]

Ep. 4:

Awesome action. Mao vs. Xia Yulan does not disappoint. It would be great to see them go at it again. And yeah, I agree the Xia sisters' eyes are extremely intriguing.

Zero Chidori. Hmm...

Next episode appears to be the Sicily part in the Sigma, except that I don't remember Gates and the Xia sisters in the manga. Also, I doubt there will be any yuri action. Too bad. Mao in that hot dress will be worth it though.

[Maveric]

Yep, I read the Sicily part of the novel the other day. This is where the "Kani Kati" part in the preview bit occurs. The whole conversation that follows is quite funny.

Oh, and in case someone didn't get why they did the opposite of the orders, the story they were talking about in the previous episode was a paradox. A Cretian Philosopher said that "All Cretians are liers" which is a paradox because we don't know if he's telling the truth (which as a Cretian he shouldn't be able to), or lieing (which would make the statement false, but he's lieing about it).

[Kuragari]

Zero Chidori. Hmm...

Yeah. :( From the preview for the next ep kind of seems that she won't be in that one much or even at all either.

[Maveric]

Actually, unless they split the chapter of the book up into two episodes, she should be in next weeks episode quite a bit near the end.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Next episode appears to be the Sicily part in the Sigma, except that I don't remember Gates and the Xia sisters in the manga. Also, I doubt there will be any yuri action. Too bad. Mao in that hot dress will be worth it though.

I'm glad you pointed out that this version is from the SIGMA graphic novels, because the original novel had no yuri action at all. I don't know why they changed that for the manga, other then the obvious fanservice factor.

[PerfectDeath]

well what would the point be to watch teh anime is you KNOW what happenes, besides the obviouse resons that people read the mangas then watch the anime.

If you change it you watch it wondering if things will follow or if they willb e slightly different.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

well what would the point be to watch teh anime is you KNOW what happenes, besides the obviouse resons that people read the mangas then watch the anime.

Same reason I watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter movies:

I want to see the imagination of the book put onto the screen. I also like seeing if my own imagery of what's going on is the same as the director's ideas. Sometimes they are, sometimes they're not. But it's fun.

[tsiki]

So far this is a mixed bag for me. The action is great and the humor, when it's there, is of top-quality. The character interaction that makes the humor so funny is suffering a bit due to the absence of Chidori, but I guess the plot will revolve more around her later since they were talking about how 'she needs to be protected'.

On the bad side, gawd I hate the main bad guy and his crew. The guy is half-crazy, kills his comrades because of sligtly distasteful comments, and still everyone just keeps working for him and he seems to have an endless money supply. He bring to mind Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. Oh well, maybe they'll explain his background later, which I hope they do.

[Maveric]

Is it just me, or is the crazy baddie voiced by the same guy as the kendo guy in the Jubei-chan series?

[TypicalIdiotFan]

On the bad side, gawd I hate the main bad guy and his crew. The guy is half-crazy, kills his comrades because of sligtly distasteful comments, and still everyone just keeps working for him and he seems to have an endless money supply. He bring to mind Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. Oh well, maybe they'll explain his background later, which I hope they do.

Shall I explain? Nah, that would require spoiler tags and I just don't give a fap anymore.

Let's just say it'll be explained. He's not even the main bad guy here. Just another Guaron "enforcer" type working for a bigger boss... with lots of moolah.

[soundchazer]

Still no Chidori... ;_;

[Shadowmage]

Still no Chidori... ;_;
Hey, at least the action scenes were interesting to watch... But then again, Full Metal Panic is better as a comedy. I think that this sequel is taking the opposite stance of Full Metal Panic Fumouffu?. I guess they're trying to balance out the comedy of the Fumouffu through the series story and action.

[Maveric]

You guys are missing the point. The Full Metal Panic books/manga are not a straight comedy story, but an action story first, and comedy second. Fummoffu was a collection of the funny stories they didn't get to air in the first season dues to time constraints. TSR is going back to the series' roots by re-integrating the action aspect. Hell, from what I've read, in this section of the story (the novels called "The End of Day by Day") there is very little comedy at all. In the epilogue of the second book, the author goes so far as to apologise for the lack of comedy in the story, but that it had to be done for the characters to grow. This story is all action, and tons of Drama as well, with a little splash of comedy from time to time.

And don't worry about lack of Chidori. It's only been 4 episodes guys. She's going to play a major role in this arc before all is said and done. Remember the picture from a few pages back!

[icelava]

Chidori is the family name. Sousuke has always been casual but distant from Kaname, which is her given name.

Chidori Kaname (in proper japanese order)

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Chidori is the family name. Sousuke has always been casual but distant from Kaname, which is her given name.

Was there a point here?

Not trying to be a jerk, but we all know that.

[icelava]

but we all know that.If you do, then excellent.

[Linuts]

CHIDORI!!! XD

Ep 5 is another mixed bag... A lot of guns and explosions, but I think the comedic part was kinda forced... The same can be said about Mao's little advice at the end. Kyoto Animation seems to be rushing a bit like they did with Air... This episode was only ok... But hey, Mao in that dress and wig looked mighty foxy! XD

[Maveric]

Mao's advice at the end is a major plot point in the coming future though, so it is necessary.

I agree with you on the pacing though. We're only 5 episodes in, and we're almost done the first book of a two book series. Episode 6 will end it. Kinda makes me wonder if this series will only be 12 episodes in length like Fumoffu.

[Shadowmage]

Episode 5

Some parts of this episode does seem forced, and the plot is going at least twice as fast as the first Full Metal Panic. Even though I have never seen the manga, I can tell that the creators are really eager to go somewhere fast. Apparantly, Sousuke actually might develop in this anime and the romance between him and Chidori might finally bare some fruit.

[Tyrdium]

... the romance between him and Chidori might finally bare some fruit.Freudian slip? :D

[tsiki]

I, too, thought some of the comedy from ep 5 was forced (mainly the car chase), as it didn't have that trademark FMP-feel in it. Maos advice in the end as quite obviously a starter for a big plot element, but I don't know if I like Sousuke getting all the coverage. Sousukes character is funny because he's so predictable and because of his interaction with other people, and I'm afraid they'll screw that funnyness up somehow by developing him into the wrong direction.

[Maveric]

I, too, thought some of the comedy from ep 5 was forced (mainly the car chase), as it didn't have that trademark FMP-feel in it. Maos advice in the end as quite obviously a starter for a big plot element, but I don't know if I like Sousuke getting all the coverage. Sousukes character is funny because he's so predictable and because of his interaction with other people, and I'm afraid they'll screw that funnyness up somehow by developing him into the wrong direction.

He can't be naive forever you know. He has to grow as a person, or else it makes him a poor character. I'm not saying that he loosens up a bunch and no longer goes off the deep end, but the focus of the plot is going to be on him and the maturation of his emotions (especially with what's coming up by the end of the next episode).

As fir the pacing, I think I've figured it out. The first anime actually followed two plot arcs in the manga (I've not read the novels of that series), with a bunch of funny stuff in between (some of which was later animated in Fumoffu). These two plot arcs are 4 volumes apart, and the first serious arc didn't happen until volume 4, so there is a lot of the funny materiel in between to work with. "The End of Day by Day" is a rather serious story. I've read through most of it by now, and there is very little comedy in it other than what we have already seen. There is no materiel with which to create the filler episodes. If you take this into account, the pacing makes a little more sense, though I still wonder how they plan to get 26 episodes out of it. Maybe they will animate the "A Dancing Very Merry Christmas" arc next, which comes right after TEoDBD.

[icelava]

Ep 5 is another mixed bag... A lot of guns and explosions, but I think the comedic part was kinda forced... The same can be said about Mao's little advice at the end. Kyoto Animation seems to be rushing a bit like they did with Air... This episode was only ok... But hey, Mao in that dress and wig looked mighty foxy! XDI find that Kaname, having more than enough adventures during the first season, should be more than the unacceptable ignorant state she displays, or did Mithril had some flashing device to erase her memory and thus forgetting about Sousuke's real job?

After this episode, I am convinced Melissa Mao, for the sake of the world, has to grow her hair. I will be setting up an online petition page.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Episode 5:

Almost verbatum from the EoDBD novel, except for "Gates'" scenes. When I originally read Mao's criticism to Sousuke, I don't think the novel (or perhaps the translator) really made the scene that emotionally important. But seeing it animated, and voiced, put a lot more feeling into the scene. You really got a sense that what Mao and Kurtz were saying had an impact on the young Sargeant, because as Maveric points out, that little scene is actually a changing point for Sousuke. But you'll see the ramifications of that yourselves later.

[icelava]

I have never read the novels, but y'know that was the point where i thought, "WOW! some actual character development for Sagara Sousuke! We may have a real story after all!"

[loner]

Episode 5:

Wow, that was fast. I thought they were going to dedicate the entire episode to the actions in Sicily, and leave Mao's advice to Sousuke to next episode or something. I didn't laugh much at the comedy, mainly because I've already seen them 2 times before already. I think I like the Sigma version the best.

EoDBD obviously can't fill a 26-episode series, unless they make 13 episodes of filler. I expect A Dancing Very Merry Christmas to be animated too.

Mao is indeed hot.

[icelava]

Wow, finally some actual human emotions from Sousuke after receiving his orders. We definitely are in for some character development in this sequel.

[Shadowmage]

Episode 6

Holy crap! A turning point! We're only 6 episodes in and we have friggin' turning point! Looks like the creators want to get somewhere fast. Hopefully, they don't have to stack up on fillers in the later part.

[Maveric]

Episode 6

Holy crap! A turning point! We're only 6 episodes in and we have friggin' turning point! Looks like the creators want to get somewhere fast. Hopefully, they don't have to stack up on fillers in the later part.

It's also the end of the first novel of TEoDbD. Considering there is only one more novel in the series, we're really heading somewhere quickly.

You know, the whole thing with Kaname cutting Souske's hair was very sensual. The mood was perfect for the scene, and the lack of any noise in the background just made it perfect. It was better than what I had imagined when I read the novel.

And souske dumping out all those weapons caught me off guard, and I laughed really loud (to quote my sister who was in the room down the hall: "It can't be that funny..."). It's also a better explination as to where Kaname got the tazer in the pic in the first place (in the novel, she just sorta has it).

Man, I can't wait for the next few episodes to come out. It's going to be really intense. They would almost ruin the show if they went to comedy fillers after this story arc.

And what the hell was Gates doing :eyebrow:

[Shadowmage]

And what the hell was Gates doing :eyebrow:
Indulging in err.... Kitty fantasies. (literally "Kitty")

[etane]

Awww... Souske fell asleep while Chidori was waving a sharp object around his head. I guess all it took was some titty shot to get Souske to chill. :chillpill

[Datsun]

You know, the whole thing with Kaname cutting Souske's hair was very sensual. The mood was perfect for the scene, and the lack of any noise in the background just made it perfect.
Personally, I didn't find the scene too sensual as such... perhaps a better word would be intimate? But that withstanding I do actually totally agree that the scene was perfectly done. It shows that both the director and Sagara and Kaname are able to take a step back from the break neck action and be shown at a totally diffent pace.

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Episode 6:

I am really happy with how Kyoto Animation is doing these episodes. Now that we're actually getting to the End of Day By Day material, they're doing this very very well.

Others have gushed about the haircut scene, and I'll do the same. That was a helluva lot more intimate then the book. In the book, it's just sort of a "cute" scene. Sousuke and Kaname having a sort of interpersonal moment. But the anime version of that same scene was, just as Mav said, quite sensual. The way they allowed Kaname's fingers to play with Sousuke's hair and such. Just really well done. I'm not sure how I feel about the cleavage shot. Kinda seemed out of place by comparison, but wasn't terrible.

Tho Mav is wrong, Kaname gets the tazer gun from Sousuke in the book too, but I think he gives it to her before he leaves instead of there.

Gates is just ****ed up. I love him.

The "goodbye" scene before the end of the episode was probably just as well done as the haircut scene itself. An uncomfortable parting. Nicely done.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with how FMP: TSR is going so far. The next episode seems to be the period of confusion for Sousuke. He can't tell Kaname he's leaving, and hopefully it'll culminate in the scene where Sousuke confronts Wraith.

[Linuts]

Well after watching AIR and this show, Kyoto Animation has jumped into my all time favorite studio list.

This episode was a little more romantic and dramatic than the others. Good! We can use that break from all the action and get some real character development going. I'm not sure how this is paced in the novels, but the way things are moving now are fine with me. Maybe it's because we already know Sousuke and Chidori well enough from all the previous incarnations of FMP, it was much easier to sympathise with their relationship so nothing feels rushed.

Anyway, the hair cut scene and Sousuke's outrage at the end finally reveals the more human side of him. We need to see more of Chidori and Sousuke getting intimiate like this ^^.

And that Gates guy... Even if he is a Kittyborderlinelolicon, he is still AWESOME! :D

[Maveric]

Tho Mav is wrong, Kaname gets the tazer gun from Sousuke in the book too, but I think he gives it to her before he leaves instead of there.
Bah. You're right. Though, we don't "see" him give it to her. She has it in the scene, and the author says she got it from Sousuke.

[soundchazer]

Is it me, or is the haircut scene very sexy?

[TypicalIdiotFan]

Is it me, or is the haircut scene very sexy?

The last 6 posts say...

It's just you.

Although considering Kaname and Sousuke are two of many people's favorite couples in anime, I am glad that Kyoto Animation is helping that favoritism along by making that scene so good. Seriously, writing can only go so far. It takes a well animated... no well DIRECTED scene to truly bring about a visual stir of emotion. But I think I've gushed enough on that chit.

[loner]

The last 2 episodes are not really different from the novel contentwise. In fact, it's almost completely the same. But they way they portrayed it is indeed brilliant.

Kaname and Sousuke ftw. I won't say anything more to the haircut scene, since everyone already said it.

[icelava]

I'd say the haircut scene wasn't well done because Kaname's fingers weren't animated well enough to really show how she was fondling with his hair. When you wish to communicate body language, animation has to be top notch.

[soundchazer]

Obviously we are watching two different anime, or maybe you can cite examples when this has been done better in the past in another TV series.

[HidekiMotosuwa]

Tell you one thing as slowly as they been going with the development of Sosuke and his relationship with Kaname the haircut and Sosuke's emotion in reaction to his new orders showing me they plan on developing even futher just makes me want to see the rest of this series.

[Maveric]

Hey, I noticed something last night. All three shows have opening and ending songs sung by the same person: Shimokawa Mikuni. That's fine and dandy, and is actually kinda cool. But, after getting the third opening and listening to it, I have to say that all three openings are very nearly the same song with different words to them. They all have the same feel to them (despite the more serious tones in TSR versus the more lightheartedness in Fummoffu), and in fact the same guitar riff can be heard in the background of all three songs as well. Three notes on the electric guitar going up the scale (couldn't tell you what notes, but they are exactly the same). Sure the fact that they all come from the same singer means they should sound similar, but I've listened to some of her other songs, and they are significantly different from the three openings.

[Kei]

I haven't watched the show, but in episode 6, there was some major fanservice for fans of the popular manga series: Death Note.

http://xs42.xs.to/pics/05334/image12ro.jpg

As this brief scene from FMP:TSR has a few of the main characters from DN in it.

~Kei

[ultbaka]

In regards to Soundchazer's idea of the Haircut scene...

I had a discussion on episode 6 on a whole...

We both agree that... it is filler and not needed. Kinda like... saying "is this a car?" when you've been driving in it for about 6 hours and you know you aren't delerious.

Where was the action? What? 3 seconds? Please...

Now, is the haircut scene sexy? Er, hhmm...wait... maybe... no...


Back to the couch fort!! :couch:

[soundchazer]

Well... as much as I like the action, to me what makes this anime special is the relationship between Kaname and Sousuke and the dynamic they have. The rest of the stuff is something you can see in any mecha show (although I must admit it is nicely choreographed).

Therefore, back to couch with you!

[Linuts]

In regards to Soundchazer's idea of the Haircut scene...

I had a discussion on episode 6 on a whole...

We both agree that... it is filler and not needed. Kinda like... saying "is this a car?" when you've been driving in it for about 6 hours and you know you aren't delerious.

Where was the action? What? 3 seconds? Please...

Now, is the haircut scene sexy? Er, hhmm...wait... maybe... no...


Back to the couch fort!! :couch:


You may want to look up the meaning of "filler" again.

Characters in a fictional story are usually more important than the plot itself. How the characters grow also makes the story grow. The character development we got in this episode is exactly what every FMP fan has been asking for for the last three season. If it's only action you want, gb2 Doom.

[soundchazer]

Episode 7:

Good lord... the truth hurts! Wraith bitchslapping Sousuke with truths was painful to watch.

[Linuts]

Another emotional episode. Damn, do I feel sorry for Souske. But it all had to be done for the good of the show!

Sad news though... According to the preview, we wouldn't see the next FMP ep until more than 3 weeks. D:>

[etane]

Nyeah... I've outgrown Chidori anyways. The sisters are hotter stuff. Bout time Sousuke dump the bodyguard role and get with the sisters.

[Miroku90]

Man Sousuke got told off by an old fart. As said by SC the truth hurts.

[Maveric]

Another emotional episode. Damn, do I feel sorry for Souske. But it all had to be done for the good of the show!

Sad news though... According to the preview, we wouldn't see the next FMP ep until more than 3 weeks. D:>

two and a half weeks by my count. The 14th is the Wednesday on the third week.

Damn glad I already know what's going to happen. I would hate to be in suspense for so long. That was one hell of a cliffhanger to end on before the break. Anybody know why there is a break?

[loner]

Ep. 7

Beautiful episode. The mounting tensions of Chidori was executed in excellent fashion. You gotta feel for Sousuke. Even though Wraith is telling the truth, I still feel like bitchslapping that old bastard.

[ultbaka]

why did ep. 7 look like a B rated horror film scene?

I mean, here we have the girl. Usually in control as to what she has to do. She can't find Souske and then suddenly gets stupid. Worse than baka stupid, trust me I know...

Back to the couch fort!! :couch:

[Linuts]

why did ep. 7 look like a B rated horror film scene?

I mean, here we have the girl. Usually in control as to what she has to do. She can't find Souske and then suddenly gets stupid. Worse than baka stupid, trust me I know...

Back to the couch fort!! :couch:


Yeah, I didn't think the Twins' aura of death can be this strong XD.

The whole point of this episode, though, was to show just how much Chidori depends on Souske. Despite being a strong character, this isn't the first time Chidori has been scared out of her wits, but she knew then that Souske will always look after her. It's like if I give you a rotweiler as a guard dog, you'd think you can take on anyone. But once you take that away... Uh oh...

[Shadowmage]

Episode 7

The last scene where Chidori walks into the empty room is probably the most powerful moment in the episode. It seems that the Full Metal Panic franchise is aimming for a 90%+ grade this time around.

[PerfectDeath]

ya they have been cranking the drama lately and the action scenes, i havn't seen the first FMP series so i'm lost on the otehr parts... meh it doesn't seem to bothe me that much and they arn't trying to satisfy those veiwers with re-cap.
that's a good thing.

[ultbaka]

Here's the issue...

Season 1: HUGE HUGE Amounts of Action...
Season 2-Fumofu: er.... well... it's funny but not what we discussed in one... There is about... 40% of action from previous... (hey, check AA on their percent rating)
Season 3: it looks like it'll be a mixture... seems like they want as many otaku as possible

Back to the couch fort!! :couch:

[Moe]

A Review by TiF and many more to come

Full Metal Panic 7:

This may be the best episode of FMP ever.

Why?

Because it combines all the best elements of the more dramatic / serious novels and puts them together with great visuals, superb acting, and a great sense of direction. Sousuke's humanity and his confrontation with Wraith were better seen / heard then read about. Chidori's panic attack later in the episode has to be some of the best acting I've ever seen in an anime. To top it off, the director gets to tell us a tale of saddness from the perspective of Sargeant Sagara, silently packing away his things, seething with anger at not being able to contact Chidori to let her know what's going on, and reeling from the whiplash of his conversation with Wraith.

This, folks, is drama. This, folks, is what I have been screaming about for anime to do ever since I started watching it. This, folks, is good television.

FMP: TSR right now is, hands down, the anime of 2005 (or at least tied with Honey & Clover). You can even detach it from it's previous incarnations and it still beats out most of the other shit we've seen.

And it's only going to get better. The best scenes, the ones I've been talking about, haven't even been seen yet. But from what I've seen thus far, the anime is surpassing the novel, or at least the bits that have been covered by the novel. That's a very tough thing to do. Very tough. Hat's off to Kyoto Animation and the FMP TSR team for this one.

* * *

hope you enjoyed it...

[Shadowmage]

Episode 8

Holy crap. I wonder if releasing stress is the in thing this month. Just two weeks ago we saw Morita unload, but now it seems that it's Tessa's turn. This is show is getting more intriguing, and the story is really taking over the series. I can't wait until next week for episode 9... Must get raw...

*Shadowmage sees that there is none...

[Linuts]

Hmmm who here agrees with me when I say "Kyoto Animation is above every other studio when it comes to atmosphere" ? They seem to have a way of making you feel everything that the characters feel with just the right voice acting, mood, and expressions. I don't think I've seen any other studio in recent memory who does a better job at this than them (Bones maybe... But not as much). Tessa's little outburst, Chidori's paranoia, and what they did with AIR kinda triggered this thought in me :p.

[ultbaka]

Episode 8

Holy crap. I wonder if releasing stress is the in thing this month. Just two weeks ago we saw Morita unload, but now it seems that it's Tessa's turn. This is show is getting more intriguing, and the story is really taking over the series. I can't wait until next week for episode 9... Must get raw...

*Shadowmage sees that there is none...



She's always upset about something... MAN! It's like... Sagura, why won't you listen to me! WWWAAAA!!

Back to the couch fort!! :couch:

[soundchazer]

Episode 8

Dammit... no Chidori... again.

[Kuragari]

Episode 8

Dammit... no Chidori... again.

Yeah... :(...but look on the bright side, the previews for the next ep have Chidori in it. :icon_danc

:victory:

[icelava]

Dammit... no Chidori... again.I think the Testarossa breakdown more than made up for it. Although the characters constantly being geographically dispersed makes the story somewhat not as cohesive as it could have been.

[HidekiMotosuwa]

I agree with the masses man did Tessa get alot of pent up frustrations out of her system in on fell swoop particulary about her feelings about Sosuke

And the man did the new Liutenent really hit the nail on the head when he said That Sosuke Loathes piloting the Alabaster(probably cuz it keeps him from being with Chidori but that just a personal opinion)

I can't wait to see the next episode cuz the story is getting much deeper and I can't wait to see what happens next :D

[PerfectDeath]

yeay for outbursts, yeay for cool AS fights, yeay for bars! :D

[loner]

Well I think the story works. The world's will collide very soon. I'm suspecting a certain scene that *ahem* TIF *ahem* will love is coming up. Which means much love from Chidori :D

Tessa is so cute when she's bitching.

[soundchazer]

Tessa is so cute when she's bitching.

Pffft... Drama Queen.

[Maveric]

Was mine the only sub where they screwed up the new guy's name? It's supposed to be "Clouseau" with an "L". It's a French name dammit, and not exactly one you never hear on this side of the Atlantic (Jaques Clouseau anybody?)

[Ghostmaster]

Saw the first episode, even though i still haven't finsihed the original FMP. It seems good, but not as originall obviously, so I don't know where they'll go with this.

[soundchazer]

Saw the first episode, even though i still haven't finsihed the original FMP. It seems good, but not as originall obviously, so I don't know where they'll go with this.

Pffft... watch the original plus Fumoffu before doing that. You will have so much insight to the characters by then that you will care.

[loner]

I think TSR is better than the original. The original was good, because if it wasn't I won't be watching this. But TSR has it pwned on direction, cinematography and atmosphere. And of course, characters like Sousuke are actually getting developed now. The original was a great combination of action and comedy, but this one adds more to that equation. Plus, all the military stuff seem much more realistic now.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

Saw the first episode, even though i still haven't finsihed the original FMP. It seems good, but not as originall obviously, so I don't know where they'll go with this.


I think with a title "the second raid" it's obvious that you'd need to see the previous series to fully understand the story

[PerfectDeath]

i get the story even without seeing the first series... i'm friggin psychic ^_^

[soundchazer]

i get the story even without seeing the first series... i'm friggin psychic ^_^

Once again... you are missing out if you don't see FMP in order. It is all about the relationships.

[DarkKanti]

i get the story even without seeing the first series... i'm friggin psychic ^_^

Once again... you are missing out if you don't see FMP in order. It is all about the relationships.


While I do agree with you SC, (and I have seen both series) I think someone could still enjoy The Second Strike on a more superficial level without watching the first two series.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

i get the story even without seeing the first series... i'm friggin psychic ^_^

I'm psychic too! watch as I read your mind!



......hmm, I'm getting a blank.

[soundchazer]

While I do agree with you SC, (and I have seen both series) I think someone could still enjoy The Second Strike on a more superficial level without watching the first two series.

Oh I agree with that. But let's take an example: Tessa's outburst in the current episode. Someone who has not see the original series will miss out on the significance of the outburst from Tessa's perspective, and maybe just chalk it as a normal outburst from the Captain to a subordinate.

Someone who has watched the first two series, will know it is a bit more personal than that.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

...but I get the feeling that if you watched further into the series, that someone who hasn't seen the previous series will end up becoming really confused. probably eventually leading that person to dislike the series.

[Shadowmage]

Episode 9

This show really is turning out to be one of the greatest of 2005. (heck, one can say it ranks pretty high in the best anime of all time list) The story is moving fast, as usual, and a major character already dies. For those who wanted Chidori, you get her along with fanservice and some authentic drama. I have seen the "boy gets separated from girl" conflict many times, (especially in harem anime) but this is the first time that I thought the emotions were genuine. Great stuff...

*Shadowmage eagerly anticipates next episode

[Yuzuriha Nekoi]

May i ask why FMP:TSR has only 13 episodes instead of 24 or 26?

Me thinks the plot cannot be fully explained and shown. Anyways,i'm currently up to date (episode 9) and it's too early to tell.

Will there be a fourth season then?

[etane]

Actually, this sorta reminds me of Orange Road OVA. I am not a big fan of Orange Road thus never watched the series so dunno much about it before watching the incredible OVA. Anyways... everything starts out fruity tooty in the OVA... then bammo... the ending is emotions meter going bonkers.... however, without the frooty tooty part in the beginning, you won't get the emotional bonkering full effect...

I think this is similar to FMP.. if you didn't watch the first two fruity series... you won't feel the full emotional impact of the second raid...

[loner]

There's still more novels to go through.

Anyways, Ep. 9

IMO best damn episode of the series. Chidori may knock Sousuke around from being *ahem* over-cautious, but she's even more paranoid without him. Still, fast brainstorming to trap first Wraith, then Yu Lan.

Leonard Testarossa is a prick. Poor Yu Lan.

This has been the episode TIF has been waiting for, and unfortunately it has outlived TIF. Adaptation is top notch. The anime pwns the books hands down. The books were good, but restricted by its own medium. With the anime, when the directions, camera works and atmosphere is added, there's just so much tension and emotion there that just elevates this series to incredible heights. Chidori in this episode probably showed more character development than that off all characters in Negima combined in the entire show. And she's got great moves and rocks.

[Kuragari]

Yay...Chidori...and an almost completely naked Chidori at that. :D

Leonard Testarossa is a prick. Poor Yu Lan.

True...although I don't think I felt too much for Yu Lan...probably because she tried to kill Chidori. :bnono:

[Shadowmage]

This has been the episode TIF has been waiting for, and unfortunately it has outlived TIF. Adaptation is top notch. The anime pwns the books hands down. The books were good, but restricted by its own medium. With the anime, when the directions, camera works and atmosphere is added, there's just so much tension and emotion there that just elevates this series to incredible heights. Chidori in this episode probably showed more character development than that off all characters in Negima combined in the entire show. And she's got great moves and rocks.
Eh? You mean this...


http://www.animegalleries.net/albums/media/121/fmp_kaname039.jpg


*Shadowmage bows down to loner's memory... And kicks himself for forgetting about this.

[currywu]

I was a little confused by this episode:

What was the whole point of going to a hotel with a stranger? To throw Wraith off her track and get rid of the transmitter? Why did Chidori specifically pick room 202? And I'm assuming Chidori's whispered powers allowed her to track down Wraith. Maybe the book provides more insight...

Only four more episodes left. *sigh*

[loner]

Well, she's a middle school student, and she probably won't have enough money to check in, so she used the pervert to help her get in. Room 202 was chosen to throw Wraith off track, as it is probably furthest from Wraith's sight and easiest to get out the other side of the building. As for getting to Wraith, Chidori has the feeling that she's been spied on for quite a while, and has a pretty good idea of where he is by the time she went all over the city. You do sense where people are when you are being spied on, especially someone like Chidori who's getting all cautious and has Whispered powers

[PerfectDeath]

well it's like watching the climax before. It may kick ass, but you don't get that feeling of drama.
So for me the intro to the FMP series was some cool fight scenes and sosuke being paranoid. But from your posts... he's always been like that.

Anyway, my main comment on ep 9 is:
no one died from their first attacks, Wraith got shot in the head and his paper mache mask protected him from a 9mm pistol round O_o
Yu Lan wasn't even flintched from a stun gun, she should have been twitching or sumthin <_<... but NOOO everyone just gets back up or is not dead... untill a robot strangles you.

[Linuts]

Anyway, my main comment on ep 9 is:
no one died from their first attacks, Wraith got shot in the head and his paper mache mask protected him from a 9mm pistol round O_o
Yu Lan wasn't even flintched from a stun gun, she should have been twitching or sumthin <_<... but NOOO everyone just gets back up or is not dead... untill a robot strangles you.


Pffft, you're thinking too much :p



Interesting how they have these human sized AS now. But damn, there goes Yu-Lan T_T... So forget about anymore Twincest scenes...

Just when I was worried that Chidori may turn into a little wuss, she stepped into the spotlight again as one of the stronger female leads in an anime series in this ep. Yet, she retains her feminie side when she expressed how much she was missing Souske.



With all this tension build up, I am expecting a spectacular ending now. Hopefully my expectations will be met ^^.

[DarkKanti]

Awesome episode. This episode shows just how strong Chidori is by herself. She was able to trick Wraith, her stalking bodyguard, and Yu Lan, her assassin.
Leonard Testarossa is a prick. Poor Yu Lan.
I have no sympathy for her. I understand and enjoyed her contributions ;), however, she went after Chidori. Bad idea...

[Kuragari]

Eh? You mean this...



*Shadowmage bows down to loner's memory... And kicks himself for forgetting about this.

She looks kinda evil there, lol...

[Tyrdium]

... WOW. Now I need to go watch the original.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

...you mean you haven't yet?

[Natsuke Takeda]

I have not posted on an AA thread since 2003.

But you guys are honestly the best commentors I've read ANYWHERE these past two years. You guys are geniune people with geniune and opinionated responses that would be probably immaturely flamed in those adolescent sites. I've been around. I should know, and for some reason, I came back here, and that's the reason why.

This anime has caught me on the edge of my seat. Now don't get me wrong. To be honest, I love ALL ANIME. I loved FLCL just as much as Battle Arena Toshinden, but not since... not since Escaflowne have I gotten such goosebumps. But that's just me.

The haircut scene made me shiver. The silence of it just made the atmosphere that much more well-rounded.

Chidori... oh man. I mean, for the most recent eps, that's gotta be one of her best if not THE best action she's gotten. Sosuke's influence has rubbed off on her to even a military standpoint, lol.

I can't believe this will end in 13 episodes. There should be more, I'm serious. I really, really, REALLY like this anime. It keeps me awake sometimes thinking how the next episode is going to happen. And when I watch it, it's even better than I thought.

I have suddenly started to love *EDIT due to stupidity* Kyoto Animation as much as my first love, Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion is my fav, lol). They have really set the bar for this year.

And I really gotta commend you guys. I come here every week to read your thoughts. I've referred to your site NUMEROUS times. About 50x this past 8 months. You guys are just THAT damn good and you need such praise. You've made my now 11 years of anime otaku-ness an experience worth riding for.

Best wishes for the future, long live Full Metal Panic, and long live you all.

You make my day worth it sometimes.

~Natsuke

P.S: For you guys who remember be, I never forgot about you. Thanks.

[Linuts]

I have suddenly started to love Gonzo as much as my first love, Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion is my fav, lol). They have really set the bar for this year.



Mayday! Mayday! Common Misunderstanding approaching!

FMP: 2nd Raid is done by the almighty Kyoto Animation. NOT Gonzo. Though Gonzo did do the first FMP, they simply can't match Kyoto's greatness!

Oh and I remember you :D. I've only seen you post, but I remember you :D.

[HidekiMotosuwa]

I finally watched this most recent episode and it just left me speechless it was nuts seeing Chidori that paronoid without Souske around and her reaction to this paronoid state of mind left me with goosebumps. I really can't wait to see what happens this is just one of the best animes I've seen this half of the year. Especially if they keep doing things like this Having Tessa's brother kiss Chidori and her reaction of constantly wiping her mouth while he's telling her that he's in love with her while she's in denial about her feelings for Souske and the fact that she in anger keeps wiping her mouth punching the water tower and offering to kill the prideful Wraith just sent chills up my spine. .

[soundchazer]

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!

A LOT OF CHIDORI!!!!

NEKKID!

Finally she shows her true colors. And we now know the Testarosa family is just wacko!

[Ghostmaster]

I have only seen the first episode, and have still not finished the original FMP, but it seems like a good show so far.

[icelava]

i get the story even without seeing the first series... i'm friggin psychic ^_^
What is the story then?

Soundchazer: you must be celebrating with fireworks for a complete episode covering Chidori Kaname now. :hyper:

But do you find the episodes kinda highly isolated and lacking a cohesive feel of a running story? It appears to just skip from location/person to location/person with very few moments of gelling.

[Maveric]

I don't think so. It follows the original story rater well in fact. Maybe if you saw it as a whole you would see the flow better.

[Xeerot]

It appears to just skip from location/person to location/person with very few moments of gelling. It seems that way to me too. Almost as if they are only thinking episode to episode and then they have a rough idea where they want them to end up in the end.

[loner]

Hmm?? These recent episodes are very much connected IMO, with a few events that have not yet connected with each other. From the Sicily episode onwards, the plot is moving quite cohesively thank you. That episode showed Sousuke that there's more to following orders, and gave him the idea that there's life outside Mithril. The haircut episode followed that on, with Sousuke finally deciding to do something a normal high school student would do, as well as showing the blossoming relationship between Sousuke and Chidori perfectly. At the end of the episode to the next episode, Sousuke was forced away from Chidori, and it showed his rebellious side as he doesn't want to leave, as well as introducing Wraith. Meanwhile, Sousuke's departure leads to Chidori's paranoia, which directly leads to her actions in this episode. Granted, there was ep. 8 in between, but what that has to do with the overall plot is spoilerific and I won't go into that. However, saying that they don't have a plan, and like Gundam Seed Destiny, is entirely false. If you want to see what only thinking episode to episode to like without any development, check Destiny out.

[Shadowmage]

However, saying that they don't have a plan, and like Gundam Seed Destiny, is entirely false. If you want to see what only thinking episode to episode to like without any development, check Destiny out.
Actually, the producers had a very good idea where they wanted to go during the 50 episodes. The problem is that they stretched a plot that should have spanned 13 epiosdes into four times that length.

[icelava]

However, saying that they don't have a plan, and like Gundam Seed Destiny, is entirely false.Designing the flow and presentation of the story into isolated blocks does not equate to lacking a plan. Those are two separate things.

[soundchazer]

Episode 10

Man... now THIS is what I call character development. It is painful to watch Sousuke in such a state of despair. And the final 2 minutes are just great! I can't wait to watch episode 11 and the repercusions of Sousuke's decision.

[Natsuke Takeda]

Phew, what a tension-filled 10th episode, neh? It just keeps building up into what I think will be one of the best endings I'll ever see. I REALLY felt bad for Sosuke. The poor guy is suffering so damn much, and what makes this so good is how they make Sosuke's angst so geniune and believeable. I really feel for him right now.

Then those last two minutes? Phewwwww... Man, it should have been predictable, but when I really saw it, it stll surprised me. This anime is so damn good! I can't stand it!

Sosuke: Neither can I...
Me: ....*cries* I FEEL YOU, MAN! Gimme a hug!
*Sosuke is already gone*
Me: ....Are? *cries more*

Episode 11... o00o0o0o0o0o

Can't wait! I really can't! lol

Sorry for such a wierd outburst. I JUST watched it and I'm always like this when I watch FMP now. Iono why...

[Shadowmage]

Episode 10

There is not a single low quality episode yet. It seems that Sousuke really is human... I love how all the characters show their vulnerabilities in this series.

[Miroku90]

I've heard from some people on the ANN forums that FMP: TSR will only be 13 episodes. Can any of you hear clearify that to me too?

[Shadowmage]

I've heard from some people on the ANN forums that FMP: TSR will only be 13 episodes. Can any of you hear clearify that to me too?
Yup, it is only 13 episodes. It's a shame that the series is not 26 episodes, but the story is flowing pretty well. I'm sure that the creators accounted for the short length in their script.

[Miroku90]

Oh yeah I've also heard that the creator of the series is continuing the story in four lengthy stories. If you need more info on it check out the forums on ANN and search for the thread. Sorry I don't have link.

[Linuts]

Episode 10

There is not a single low quality episode yet. It seems that Sousuke really is human... I love how all the characters show their vulnerabilities in this series.


No kidding, we get to know so much more about each character in TSR and everything works. Mao has quite an amusing story about her recruitment. Souske is now down right pathetic... To even be scolded by his own Arbalast. The poor guy...

I think the only thing that irked me so far is the Chinese they are using... Mao does not know how to speak Cantonese well... As well as all the other Cantonese in the show :p.

[Maveric]

Episode 10

There is not a single low quality episode yet. It seems that Sousuke really is human... I love how all the characters show their vulnerabilities in this series.


No kidding, we get to know so much more about each character in TSR and everything works. Mao has quite an amusing story about her recruitment. Souske is now down right pathetic... To even be scolded by his own Arbalast. The poor guy...

I think the only thing that irked me so far is the Chinese they are using... Mao does not know how to speak Cantonese well... As well as all the other Cantonese in the show :p.

Well, they are a Japanese company making this anime. I give em props for at least trying rather than just making everyone in the world speak Japanese (like a lot of American shows do with English)

[Tyrdium]

Wow, great episode. They'd better come out with a fourth series!

[DarkKanti]

Excellent episode. It actually showed Sousuke as a human for once. I mean he actually has feelings? He's finally shown that he has weaknesses. I found Mao's past a pretty funny little extra that they threw in.

[Maveric]

Excellent episode. It actually showed Sousuke as a human for once. I mean he actually has feelings? He's finally shown that he has weaknesses. I found Mao's past a pretty funny little extra that they threw in.

Extra nothin. That's word for word from the book. I don't think there is anything extra between the novels the show is based on and the TV show (other than the twins being girls & lesbians rather than guys)

[DarkKanti]

Extra nothin. That's word for word from the book. I don't think there is anything extra between the novels the show is based on and the TV show (other than the twins being girls & lesbians rather than guys)

I didn't really mean extra as in tacked on or whatnot, but more as a something really fun and unexpected. I actually haven't read the book, so I wouldn't know anything about the differences between them.

[loner]

Ep. 10

Never pictured Hong Kong as a place where big AS's kill each other, a fighting ground. Kyoto Animation did the homework extremely well. This episode managed to make me feel homesick, because they got almost every single detail of Hong Kong right. The winding, turning roads and its signs, the names of the districts, the Manning stores, the looks of the cars such as taxis and license plates...Sometimes I feel like looking at pictures of Hong Kong. Only 3 minor details:

1. The Cantonese, as Linuts has mentioned. But the only beef that there really could be is the one line of the taxi driver. Melissa Mao is a Chinese-American, and while she claims to have lived in HK for 2 mths, she surely couldn't manage to learn how to speak Cantonese in such a short time (it took me half a year to speak somewhat properly, and I still can't pronounce it right after 5 1/2 years). The soldiers most likely came from mainland China, and therefore unless they are from Guangdong, won't be able to speak Cantonese either (I laugh at the idea of recruiting soldiers from HK). So not much beef.

2. The 'Hunter' in Chinese on the vans is not right. It's 猎人 (I can't type Traditional)， not 狩人.

3. The taxi driver should have cursed, saying something like puk kai or diu lei.
That would show how rude taxi drivers are in HK better.

Anyways on to the actual show, with Sousuke sliding down a slippery slope. The Arbalest is too smart for a robot and handed him a Wraith-esque pwnage. It was tough seeing Sousuke sulk like this, and it might get tougher come next episode.

[Datsun]

This is certainly a bit late, but ep.9 - Yukino Satsuki take a bow - that was a heart felt last scene when she (Chidori) seems to sort of finally accept her feelings for Sousuke - albeit without Sousuke. But absence makes the heart grow fonder I guess.

And, like Loner said it is tough seeing Sousuke like this as he was always portrayed as a consumate military professional, so to see him like this is an unfamiliar experience. But it shows how rounded he is or should I say, has been developed.

Extra nothin. That's word for word from the book. I don't think there is anything extra between the novels the show is based on and the TV show (other than the twins being girls & lesbians rather than guys)

It did seem interesting that they didn't decide to animate this rather amusing anecdote. To me there seems to be some sort of reason for the director to decide not to do this - I don't know what it is, and I realize I'm over-analyzing this, but it just seemed... interesting that we don't get a visual representation of Mao's past experiences.

[PerfectDeath]

well i can't come up with any comparison posts, so i'll just go an ramble like a fan boy.

after the tragedy of SEED-D's finale This show has beaten down my sour feelings towards Mecha anime. mainly because there are no re-used cels O_o

but it's a short anime so it gets points there.

How come the short anime's usualy do the best for endings?

well that is a given :D

[Shadowmage]

Episode 11

Let me put it bluntly, this show seems to be setting the stage for a sequel. I see no way for this anime to end without haphazardly rushing the final two episode. Anways...

Geez, they know how to make atmosphere. Sousuke is as vunerable as last episode. He is essentially licking his wounds, but this seems much deeper than that. At least, he hasn't completely lost himself. Shame there is no Chidori this episode. I really cannot predict how this will end. Well, it seems that the main stage will be Hong Kong seeing how the next episode is dubbed Burning Hong Kong. (Yay! Sousuke's past is actually going to be revealed.)

[Miroku90]

Theres no Chidori, but theres a look-a-like. Anyways pretty funny how he just took one sip of the scotch and then coughed it up. I can relate to his feelings on how people can drink alcohol but then again i'm still a minor. Anyways good episode overall and a short but satisfying look into a bit of Sousuke's past. Really hoping that theres a sequel, which probably will happen...............in a year or two.

[Linuts]

I agree, everything seems awfully packed... Hard to see how this will end with just 13 eps.

Again, a good episode. Souske is still emo, but at least he is still himself.

That little comment from Mr.Gates about what he might do with the girl's corpse was sick! At least implicitly... God I love that sick bastard :D.

[HidekiMotosuwa]

I liked this episode alot and after seeing the preview for the next episode makes me want to watch it more , but there is one little porblem and that is I'm going through Chidori withdrawal :) . Oh and btw I did like the necrophilac's version if William Tell :)

[soundchazer]

Chidori clone FTW!!!!!!

[Tyrdium]

Chidori clone FTW!!!!!!Hehe. Somehow, I can't quite see Chidori becoming a hooker.

[Natsuke Takeda]

Yet another great episode.

Honestly, what made me laugh was how the hooker gave Sosuke back the scotch. I don't know any hooker which would give them back anything... Not that I KNOW any hookers.

Sosuke... *sighs* poor you. I'm sure you'll find Chidori kicking your ass soon, and you'll be finally happy.

[Maveric]

Yeah, Chidori should show in the next episode, probably at the end of it though. She plays a big part in the end here.

Honestly, they aren't squishing a big story into a little season, they're stretching it. That whole thing with the hooker was new.

Damn, I soooooooooooooooo want to talk about what's gonna happen next, but I know I'll be flamed to death if I reveal any spoilers!

[PerfectDeath]

*turns off the torch*
damn i was hoping to use this <_<

[Shadowmage]

Episode 12

Holy crap! This episode has its fair share of plot twists and Sagara gets some background information! Once again, he is shown to be vulnerable and human. The whole Amalgan affair with Testarossa's brother is probably only going to set the stage for the sequel. For now, its time to settle the score from the original FMP!

[Miroku90]

Wow! Amazing episode. As said earlier in this thread this series knows how to create atmosphere. This episode was just plain amazing. Still with the way the episode went and how fast it seemed to go I wonder how they're going to end this in the last episode. From what the preview is it sounds like Sousuke is gonna kick major ass boo yeah. Oh and Gates is funny as hell when he is talking to Yu ??? on the cellphone. Lmao. Really hope a sequel series comes out soon.

[Linuts]

Awesome +plural!

Seeing that this should be the next to last episode, this series has yet to have one episode that disappoints me... Well ok except for that car chase episode way back when... But disregarding that, they just keep building up the pressure on the main characters. I can't wait to see Souske in action. And looks like Chidori is gonna show up, too.

[Erigion]

And looks like Chidori is gonna show up, too.I do believe that she's already in Hong Kong

And I'm sad that the the next episode will be the last.

[loner]

Argh, fell behind.

Ep. 11 had loads of horrible Cantonese from the start. The producers must have realized that, and just gave up on it. Therefore, from the point when the hooker start speaking Japanese to ep. 12, there's no more grating wannabe-Canto.

And that's the only thing that really bothered me. The rest of ep. 11-12 were excellent. Ender's review talks about the main characters of the original FMP being flat. Well, they are certainly some of the best male and female leads now. However cliched their personalities may be, their story and development completely makes up for it and then some more in TSR.

Go go Tessa for handing it to Mardukas. <3.

Gauron got a very fitting death. That's the way he would want to die, mouth wide open in a maniacal grin.

Ah, final episode. Well, there will be more for sure.

[Erigion]

Gauron also got his death the way he wanted it, not dying slowly from wounds but dragging Sousuke down to his level. He wanted to see that look in Sousuke's eyes again and he got his wish.

[Shadowmage]

Episode 13

There are two things I want to say: I love Chidori! Yu Fang actually has feelings! Gates is a sick pervert as always. His final neutral expression and trivial comment were quite fitting. Nice mech scenes, nice drama, nice ending!

[Erigion]

The interaction between Chidori and Sousuke is awesome as usual, now the interaction between Sousuke and Tessa is better as well.

Who was that black haired chick who brought Chidori to HK and is now watching over Sousuke and Chidori?

[Shadowmage]

Who was that black haired chick who brought Chidori to HK and is now watching over Sousuke and Chidori?
That would be the stalker of Chidori... Wraith.

[Datsun]

ep 13.

Wow. Despite warning signs that this was going to be a rushed ending, they've actually managed to make a really satisfying ending. They dispensed with the intro and outro themes to show a full 27 minutes, which seems like something shows should do more often.

And no disrespect to the earlier series, but I think this one tops both FMP 1, and Fumoffu. Chidori and Sagara especially seemed to have grown so much by the end - it was particularly emphasized with Sagara's conversation with Tessa at the end how much he has changed for his own good.

And it had great mecha action as well with one of the better 'one series' villains in Gates at his swaggering demented best. It just seemed to do everything in the right doses, even leaving room for more adventures, though certainly not being annoyingly open-ended.

I can't think of any glaring negative points about this series, other than the fact it seemed far too short. Bring more FMP goodness, I say!

[loner]

Ep. 13

Pure awesomeness. Best ending in a quite a while.

Sousuke and Chidori's development in this series is much more than anything Gonzo came up with. Chidori's simply pwned in this episode. It's unfortunate that her role isn't that big in this series, as there are 5 or 6 episodes in which she didn't appear much or at all. But she pwned in every episode she's in. And yay for development in Tessa and Sousuke's relationship as well. This is the first and only time she's been adorable in the whole series. <3.

Yar great fight. Too bad Yu Fang was taken out that fast. And Gates went out in style. /me salutes

I expect there to be another series. There's no reason why there shouldn't be one. There's enough material from the novels, and from the looks of the production values of this series, there's certainly no shortage of money. Of course, I won't mind Fumoffu! 2 as well!

[Natsuke Takeda]

An anime that was worth it. Period.

It was worth waiting every week. It was worth waiting for the US Open to finish, it was worth dowloading every second. I watched this series episode by episode, and I'm proud to say that it has left me with no regrets.

It's kinda funny though... Seeing Sousuke able to talk like normal (kinda). He always has to say "Excuse me for saying this but... *Takes deep breath*" before he says anything of normality. And yeah.. Sosuke has grown a lot, and it seems to me that he's one of the few anime characters that I wished I could live a life watching as he develops.

This is worth buying the DVD, buying special edition stuff, and everything. Maybe not action figures, but everything else is... great.

I just finished watching the last episode. I'm smiling right now.

It's official now, Sosuke Sagara is my favorite main character of the year.

Now that I look at it, this IS a sequel right? This is one of the best sequels I've seen. Normally sequels would pale in comparison to the first, but it's.. vice versa???

SOMEBODY'S getting a huge-ass pay raise right about now.

But regardless, THIS is what anime should keep having.

It's worth it! ^_^

:twodrunks: <---- Sosuke and Kurtz in a few years

[HunterD]

This series was great. Sosuke and Chidori get some nice character development and they tied up the main plot nicely. Even though Chidori and Sosuke are now closer Tessa still has a slight chance of winning Sosuke.

[Linuts]

Truth be told, we didn't really get to know much about the twins and Gates in the end. And the ending is probably open-ended to leave room for another season. Which I certainly don't mind! Despite these flaws, they just seemed minor in comparison to everything else in TSR. THe show has been solid from start to finish.

And speaking of finish, the last ep delivered everything that I loved about the franchise. Chidori and Souske's comedic and romantic interaction couldn't have been played out better. The mecha battles was an adrenaline rush. Gates was still the lovable psycho to the end. And Souske has become a much more dynamic character than he ever was before this incarnation of FMP.

I can't wait till they continue the story with Amalgan (sp?) and see how well they will play it out. If Kyoto Animation will be behind it again, I will watch it no matter what!

[HunterD]

Truth be told, we didn't really get to know much about the twins and Gates in the end. And the ending is probably open-ended to leave room for another season. Which I certainly don't mind! Despite these flaws, they just seemed minor in comparison to everything else in TSR. THe show has been solid from start to finish.


You are right that we didn't learn much about gates but the last 2 or 3 episodes did have info about the twins. There were plot points that are unresolved but they weren't major points for this season. We all know the open ended ending and the unresolved plot points were put out there to set up the next season which will be started soon, hopefully.:madhopA:

[Tyrdium]

ZOMG. *The* best episode of TSR. Gates is even more of a crazy bastard, the fight scenes rocked, wow. And Sosuke's so cute when he's in awkward social situations!

Yeah, it definitely feels like there'll be a sequel. I can't wait for it.

[soundchazer]

Hmmmm...

I dunno... that scene with Tessa seemed a bit out of character, the discarding of Venom was way too easy and the whole "Arbalest power up" a bit too unreal.

* soundchazer thinks of 10 ways this episode could have been made better, without the need of aditional episodes.

[Itachi Uchiha]

Hmmmm...

I dunno... that scene with Tessa seemed a bit out of character, the discarding of Venom was way too easy and the whole "Arbalest power up" a bit too unreal.

* soundchazer thinks of 10 ways this episode could have been made better, without the need of aditional episodes.
I COMPLETELY AGREE!

I thought this last episode destroyed the near perfect image that the previous episodes had developed. If only this last episode would have been up to par with the rest of this series, it would have been perfect… Anyways, the last episode did its job but it was soooo predictable and out of character with the rest of the anime.

[etane]

*spoiler and can't find the tags*

Sigh the twins are hawt... they didn't have to die...

Leaving off from ep 12 I thought everything was gloom and doom...

I thought the Second Raid was following the footsteps of the Kenshin OVAs... characters have more of a "past", more violence and gore and sadness.... then wut happens...

Ep 13 Chidori shows up and gives Sagura a wake up call. The mood totally shifted... good curve ball.

If I am Sagara, I'd go for Tessa instead of Chidori. I think Chidori gained weight and is starting to look like that captain in Nadeisco.

[soundchazer]

If I am Sagara, I'd go for Tessa instead of Chidori. I think Chidori gained weight and is starting to look like that captain in Nadeisco.

Well... they DO say the quiet ones are freaks in bed.

* soundchazer pictures Tessa in an S&M outfit.

[loner]

Hmmmm...

I dunno... that scene with Tessa seemed a bit out of character, the discarding of Venom was way too easy and the whole "Arbalest power up" a bit too unreal.

* soundchazer thinks of 10 ways this episode could have been made better, without the need of aditional episodes.

Out of character? Oh c'mon, where have you been in the original and Fumoffu? That's pretty typical of Tessa, being her lovable self. <3 She's just that clumsy and ditzy when she's in normal cute mode.

[soundchazer]

Out of character? Oh c'mon, where have you been in the original and Fumoffu? That's pretty typical of Tessa, being her lovable self. <3 She's just that clumsy and ditzy when she's in normal cute mode.

Not her... Sousuke. Calling her Tessa? No way... Saying she was an important person to him? He can't even confess to Kaname, how does having a heart to heart with Tessa, HIS CAPTAIN, is in character for him?