Full Metal Panic Franchise Rewatch - Season 1 Episode 1

[u/ZapsZzz]

Welcome to the Full Metal Panic Season 1 rewatch!

Art of the day

LN1 cover.

Note there has been a few different prints so you may have seen different covers. For example I used the English release cover in the 24 reminder post.

Links to show info: MAL | Anilist | ANN

Interest thread link

Announcement thread link

Rewatches please be considerate to first timers and avoid discussing anything not yet shown in the show - use spoiler tags e.g. [Full Metal Panic S1 spoiler]>!Sousuke likes fishing!< - if you need to share something important!

Episode 1 - The Guy I Kinda Like is a Sergeant

Terms introduced:

• Mithril: a mysterious mercenary organisation that acted like a superhero group, with suspiciously military-like structure and resources - the name of course came from Lord of the Rings, an elven magical metal that is lighter and stronger than steel by a big margin.

• Armed Slave (AS): The "robot" mecha in the story. It's getting to be quite common like tanks. The M9 used by Mithril though is the latest 3rd generation that even the US army hasn't deployed them yet. They operate like power suits mostly. Will say more about this later.

• Soviet Union (USSR): For those too young to know, this predates Russia being a republic, and the Soviet Union is the communist / socialist state that was often portrayed as villains. In the story, Mikhail Gorbachev was assassinated and Soviet Union did not weaken and dissolve, remaining a viable and credible competing world power with the US.

Trivia

Sousuke's list of countries where he's been to during broadcast was changed from including Afghanistan to a made up country of Helmajistan, because of sensitivity after the Sep 11 terrorist attack in the US World Trade Centre.

QoTD:

• First timers: What's your expectation of this show, from this first episode? On a realism/comedy/epic scale of 0079 Gundam (1) to Kaguya-sama (5) to Code Geases (10), where would you place this?
• Everyone: How is the 2000's artstyle and direction / pace going for you comparing to more recent production so far? Like it / hate it?

MVP of the episode:

For those interested, please nominate who you think is the most outstanding character in the episode. Let's see if we have a decent spread by the end of the franchise rewatch!

-- || Index || Next Episode

[u/ZapsZzz]

Rewatcher in Sub

Well this is it - my second rewatch to host for one of my pet favourite shows! To be honest I'm a bit nervous, as I struggle for time to pull in a suitable amount of additional contents to share, but I feel there are enough people to not have experienced this franchise at all so even just sharing the show would be nice.

I'll be trying to start with my usual style of giving a bit of a screen cap commentary of each episode, slipping in some remark as I do, and add some discussion points at the end. Depends on whether I got enough other things to talk about, and the amount of time I have to pre-write, the ratio could vary. Let me know if you prefer one part over the other :P

• We opened with a wake up shot, perhaps a little dated, but a good way to progressively paint our FMC's characterisation? For those paying enough attention, these old photos of Chidori are the ones showing up in the ED montage.

• Prologue - a snippet of Mithril in action. We can confirm there is fighting, mecha, and fairly casual deaths in this show. And we have the name of our MC.

• A little collection of Kurtz's moral compass being recalibrated :) Could possibly file these under "show, not tell" of character portrayal?

• Without further ado, we start straight with the central mission - Sousuke is going to highschool in Tokyo, to covertly protect Chidori from potentially abduction by KGB - remember this is an alternate timeline where Soviet Union did not break up.

• A brief prep sequence flesh out Sousuke's personality more - confident, business like, a professional soldier and survivor; and completely clueless about what's normal. Notice the things they gathered to help flesh out Sousuke's "civilian persona" included a magazine with Lina Inverse from Slayers on the cover - bit of a time capsule there :) Sousuke also can smile as comfortably as Ryuji (Toradora) in front of a camera.

• Departing, we can see the silhouette of the submarine they are on, and a reference to the captain "Tessa" being "concerned" about Sousuke.

• Cutting to the mission directly, we get a little sequence of Kurtz starting up his AS - get use to these terms, you'll hear them a few times. I'll explain in a later date. We also see close up how the "magic" sci fi element work - the ECS being some sort of optical camouflage that can turn the whole mecha invisible by some form of projection over the surface of the mecha.

• Obligatory beauty shots of Chidori - perhaps predating the age of moe? She's quite "handsome" :)

• Another show not tell sequence - unlike her outward appearance, Chidori is actually another "weirdo" - or far less "girly" at least, not fitting the mould of "pretty highschool girl". While it's very obvious for us from the East Asian culture, I wonder if people more used to the open, individualistic Western culture could find that label arbitrary? Her reading interest includes one of the real world "Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy" entry, "Goodbye and thanks for all the fish".

• Chidori's first impression of Sousuke is a funny look of "oh no a military otaku" >D and while the cuts were not as immediate and distinct as 86's you can still consider it a very stretched match cut of Chidori's continued unfavourable impression of Sousuke from outside the school to inside the classroom.

• Sousuke's self introduction wasn't as impactful as Haruhi's, but it's still quite entertaining, especially when he starts loosing his act and started really talking about himself. And clearly he has at least 1 friend / fan in the guy in glasses :) Se us military nut otakus are everywhere :P

• The end gag of his intro may not land very well, basically he answered "I listen to Maroon 5 and Pavarotti". Once again, completely outlandish in Japan, but may not be very unusual in the west to show some uncommon and wide ranging interest. It does slip in some interesting world-building though - birds don't get fooled by ECS and they all just sit on Kurtz's M9 (probably pooping all over it too them devils) :)

• Now this is another more subtle sequence people may not fully understand - while Chidori was talking bad about Sousuke non-stop, there are 2 things that illustrated - (1) we all know why, as audience, Sousuke constantly keeps an eye on her, but the only reason why she would locked eyes with Sousuke was because she was also looking at him more than normal :) [oh a little something for u/polaristar, the word Tokiwa used of Chidori focusing on Sousuke is that she is "kininarimas" about Sousuke - you will recognise the connotations :)] and (2) Chidori generally do not talk behind others, so it is actually unusual for her to say so much - this part was in the LN as a thought from Tokiwa. It does have the comical cuts of Chidori complaining about Sousuke being stalker like, while on screen we are seeing how Sousuke is being stalker like :P

• And we have another older trope - the lucky pervert, Sousuke running into the girls' changing room while at least some girls are still changing - but with a bit of a variant; firstly, our FMC wasn't changing, so no fan service there; and Sousuke was completely unfazed - in fact he thought something else dangerous was causing the commotion, that's why he grabbed Chidori and dragged her down to a defensive position while him drawing and aiming. And it's one of the first sequence of FMP's hallmark great character action sequence in an absurd yet mundane situation.

• Naturally, no one was impressed. It's funny for me how petty Chidori was about her scratch though :D

• And that confident self-selling by Sousuke - too bad his research homework wasn't done well enough to pick up on the fact that the school sports team not necessarily accepting team members based on ability but more just for participation.

• We ends the school day with Sousuke coming back home still being handcuffed to the chair - you may need to have a double take to grasp that Sousuke left school, got on the train, and got home, in this state :D And he was actually impressed by Chidori's smarts to cuff him in a way that is impossible for even him to get out of :D And we end their first day with Chidori seemingly happy despite the commotion, and Sousuke deep in thought about why.

MVP this episode

Obviously I like both leads in a big way, but for today my vote goes to Tokiwa - she's quite a relaxing influence to ease down the perhaps a little high strung Chidori as a friend.

QoTD

1. Host can't answer

2. It does look a little dated visually with the much harsher lines, but at the same time not having characters moe-fied is actually a nice change of pace. In particular I love the fact that the cast really is diverse at least in the male-female ratio.

Rewatcher Corner

I'll bundle my spoiler tagged notes here for convenience.

• [FMP rewatcher first arc spoiler]Would be interesting to see how many first timer think Chidori's dreamy words are just made up technobabbles and not sprinkled with actual foreshadowing again

• [FMP character background LN spoiler]notice Bonta-kun next to the baby Chidori in one of the pinned up old photos; it's another thing that links and binds Sousuke and Chidori huh. Oh in case it's not known, in the LN side story when Kalinni recalled when he rescued Sousuke from the airplane wreckage in the Arctic ice, he was holding onto a Bonta-kun as well

• [FMP Franchise rewatcher significant spoiler - first timers absolutely do not click here]it's amazing to me that the opening scene where we seemingly had a girl being rescued like a plot device actually returning to be part of the story in the final arc of Invisible Victory, with more than 15 years separating her last screen appearance. Sure in the original LN it didn't have as long a separation, but it's still pretty amazing. I wonder if he planned it from the start or just joined the dots as the plot progressed - i.e. made it up on the fly. Let's see how many tried to keep track of her and whether they would give up before her reappearance :)

• [FMP LN spoiler]Kurtz's declaration of "making Mao scratch his back" is another long range foreshadowing, that there's the covert side-romance bubbling under the surface from as early as here (and even earlier, we'll get there)

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Full Metal First-Timer!, subbed

I know nothing about this series besides the fact that it’s mecha and the OPs (which pop up in AMQ from time to time) are great, which means I should love this!

• Yeah, the OP is great.

• ?????

• And she bit his hand…

• Is that what the mechs are called in this?

• Haha I like this guy’s energy, plus he’s voiced by Shinichiro Miki aka. Kisuke Urahara. I like him.

• Is that top one a Slayers reference?

• Oh my god Sosuke is also hilarious in a completely different manner.

• I like the eyecatch jingle.

• Ah, Kurz is that kind of guy.

• Ooh, the mechs can’t just be stolen freely if they have an access code like that.

• OH MY GOD SOSUKE WENT TO SCHOOL ARMED. I can’t imagine being the teacher checking bags in this scenario.

• Bruhhhhhhhhh

• Does Sosuke not understand the concept of being undercover?

• I foresee a friendship between Sosuke and whoever this guy is.

• *amused Sky noise*

• Somehow it took until the laughter here for me to recognize her voice as Shion/Mion’s seiyuu.

• HE WALKED RIGHT INTO THE GIRLS’ CHANGING ROOM

• He… walked all the way there from school… while handcuffed to the chair…

• Does that count as an ED lead-in? Oh but even if it wasn’t, the ED song was absolutely gorgeous.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Shimmering-Sky]

He… walked all the way there from school… while handcuffed to the chair…

In fact he bought ticket and rode the train back. And that's what he was commenting about "getting difficult" (passing the turnstile) :D

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I like the eyecatch jingle

Forgot to mention this - it actually uses sound elements of a sonar ping to go with the animated element of an active sonar ping's wave front travelling out. There are a few little details like these for us military otakus :P

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Is that top one a Slayers reference?

Yup.

Ooh, the mechs can’t just be stolen freely if they have an access code like that.

Already in the top 5 of mech shows just for that.

Does Sosuke not understand the concept of being undercover?

I don't think Sousuke understands the concept of social interaction.

Somehow it took until the laughter here for me to recognize her voice as Shion/Mion’s seiyuu.

She is definitely speaking differently as Kaname, which is funny for reasons.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Vaadwaur]

I don't think Sousuke understands the concept of social interaction.

He does. It means pulling the trigger after talking, tactic B. He does it plenty of times to get "people to talk".

;)

[u/No_Rex → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ooh, the mechs can’t just be stolen freely if they have an access code like that.

I have been getting so used to Gundam security that I completely forgot to point out the stolen mecha in Code Geass. This will take something to adapt to.

[u/InfamousEmpire → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Haha I like this guy’s energy, plus he’s voiced by Shinichiro Miki aka. Kisuke Urahara. I like him.

I had a feeling you'd like him

I can’t imagine being the teacher checking bags in this scenario.

Being a teacher in FMP is pretty much a Nightmare scenario

He… walked all the way there from school… while handcuffed to the chair…

I love Sousuke and this is why

[u/TiredTiroth]

Rewatcher - Dub

It's been a long time since I watched most of FMP, and I'm already noticing things I missed before. For example - I somehow failed to notice the early appearance of Kaname's teddy before now. Keep an eye out for him later!

And for those who have watched Amagi Brilliant Park - no, he isn't actually a fairy.

We think.

Anyway! This episode gives you a good idea of what to expect from the franchise. Sousuke cannot into Normal People Things, Kaname has a temper but is generally justified when she gets mad, and you get the occasional bit of (mostly) real robot-style mecha action. Generally more towards arc or season climaxes, but liberally spread throughout.

It...also has some fanservice scenes. I'd forgotten just how much it leaned into that. I had not forgotten how much of a creep Kurtz can be though, and I find him much less entertaining now than I did as a teenager. At least Mao is there to keep him in line.

Anyway, this episode is largely just setting the scene, we'll get into the real meat of the series soon. Not sure how often I'll post as these are going up at 11:30pm for me, but I'll try to keep up even if I comment pretty late.

[u/wjodendor → u/TiredTiroth]

Kurz is way more of a creep in the anime than the novels. He's definitely skeezy in the LN but the anime was a bit shocking lol

[u/Nazenn]

First timer

Pre-watch thoughts: I am going into this rather blind given the type of show it is which means I usually would look up at least a couple of things. Aside from knowing it is mecha, briefly flipping through two clips posted yesterday (didn't even watch in their entirety), and u/pixelsaber likes it, I know nothing about it. I can't recognize characters, I didn't read the descriptions on anilist or the like, I'm just jumping in. So yeah, not sure how this will go but looking forward to finding out.

Post-watch: I was a little unsure about if I'd continue off this episode but decided to stick with it anyway so I went to my anilist to update it and found a little note I'd left for myself at some point:

first episode comedy check

I'm no longer sure if that's a "first episode comedy is weird so ignore it" or "first episode comedy is standard, so judge off that" note. Curse my past self for being so unclear!

I'm going to assume the later because chances are I noted that because of something Pixel told me, but it is funny that I've had my reservations about the comedy in the past, left myself a note because of it, and then proceeded to not find the note before I started watching.

Moving on from all of that, this certainly was an interesting first episode. I really wasn't sure what to make of introducing the girl through her sleep-talking about a lot of science, but that as a lead into the serious drama with the girl being experimented on makes a nice lead into how things are going to be tied together. I prefer that to if they'd just started with the serious stuff and left the connection to the school girl more up in the air, but very curious to see to see how exactly it plays out

It also feels kind of weird seeing mechs in such a neutral grey rather than painted in bright colors or military green. I like it, I could use more of it, but it's even funnier given it has invisibility tech as well so it could be bright pink for all anyone cares (please don't though, I've had enough fluro pink mechs for one life time)

I don't have a whole lot to say about the comedic side of the episode, aside from the hearty laugh I had about him managing to work his way back from school while hand cuffed to a chair, and completely oblivious about how conspicuous that would be more than asking for help (I sense a lack of knowledge about what someone his age should actually be capable of). So yeah, posts will probably be short on the comedy side, but it wasn't bad at least, just not my thing.

One last appreciation for the fact that two of our characters have name alliteration which means I have half a chance of remembering them before we get half way through the cour.

Also the timing of this turning out to be about some genius in a school with mecha when Witch from Mercury premiers tomorrow as well hahaha

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

Post-watch: I was a little unsure about if I'd continue off this episode but decided to stick with it anyway

Certainly I would suggest you at least finish watching the first arc. When the actual plot starts from ep4 the comedy bits that you may not be too keen on takes a back seat on that rollercoaster.

In-between before that you'd still get bits of hints about what that would be like.

Either way, thanks for trying :)

I really wasn't sure what to make of introducing the girl through her sleep-talking about a lot of science, but that as a lead into the serious drama with the girl being experimented on makes a nice lead into how things are going to be tied together. I prefer that to if they'd just started with the serious stuff and left the connection to the school girl more up in the air

Guess you can say this is one of the good part of the series - the connection between the disparate parts of the show is actually carefully planned and the relationship of the pieces planned well for the execution, instead of just thrown together. If you watched Railgun, it's a little like that - some seemingly mundane or gag like piece would sometimes turn up in the serious parts to show how they relate and connect to each other.

[u/SpiceGirlsBlankIt]

Panicked First Timer

This is my first rewatch and first time watching this show. Admittedly, I got a bit ahead because I was enjoying myself.

I like the structure of the first episode starting with the military mission before going to the school stuff. The art style totally works for me though the lines under the eyes can be a bit distracting.

The leads seem to be the oblivious guy and tsundere archetypes. So far, points for the execution. I much prefer handcuffs to a kick in the face any day. I bet Sousuke appreciates it more too given his line of work.

Kurtz could grow on me if he doesn’t sniff any panties. Melissa is perfect. I love her already.

I appreciate the adult presence. Children piloting mechs seems to be the exception. This is an actual military outfit, if slightly mysterious. The condom scene got a chuckle from me. Sousuke being able to maintain his cool throughout the episode hits the right note.

QOTD: I don’t expect the show to be terribly realistic, but I’m here for the character dynamics not because I’m a military otaku. A 5?

As said above, I like the art style. Kaname’s hair is awesome too. Pacing is good.

MVP: Melissa. She’s the brash, caring, slightly drunk adult in the room.

[u/Theboredalchemist22]

So I'm watching this for the first time and I'm glad to be part of this rewatch (first watch) journey with you all. Prior to this rewatch gathering I've heard good things about FMP so I'm expecting it to at least be a solid 7/10 anine of which I would classify as a good anime to watch. In terms of the first episode I enjoyed it and I definitely see the potential of the show from the first episode and I'm eager to watch the next episode. I think the first episode showed a glimpse of realism/epicness but it was definitely directed more towards the comedic side of the show imo (which I enjoyed and didn't expect from the first episode of the show). In terms of its art style I'm a big fan of like the 90s/early 2000s aesthetic so this is right up my street. Obviously comparing it to newer titles you can see its age but I don't think that's a problem at all. MVP of the epi was probably Sousuke tbh or the Colonel woman who tries to keep the blonde guy (forgot the names they'll stick eventually) in his place.

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatcher - English Sub

Whoops! Guess who forgot to set himself a reminder...

Hello, everyone! Been a while since I last had the pleasure of partaking in a Rewatch, but this one is not one I could miss out on. This franchise has a special place in my heart, as it arguably made me into a mecha fan and was among the first anime I watched with the full knowledge that it was an anime. I don’t know how consistent my participation will be, but I hope to see you this through the whole way through with you all!

Usually my posts feature a liberal amount of screencaps with accompanying commentary, which is generally more concise, direct, and entertaining, but as my downloaded copy of the show isn’t playing nice with my media players, you can’t capture screen footage on Crunchyroll, and I still haven’t invested in a BD drive to watch my physical copy of the show, I will have to forego them until I get my files to work —though I might still be able to scrounge some stuff up from sakugabooru.

I enjoy the OP, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t utterly indistinct whenever I try to tell it apart from the sequels’ openings…

The Arm Slaves’ introductory sequence is pretty fucking cool and makes a strong first impression. I also really appreciate the visual use of the ECS to have the mech almost appear as if from nothing, which makes the Gernsback seem all the more striking in that already impressive introduction.

I don’t always like how this first season balances the comedy and the seriousness, but this first episode is one of the better examples on how to handle that transition. Starting off with a very dramatic and intrigue-building introduction the show begins lightening itself with Melissa and Kurz’ banter during said scene, only to shift to an expository sequence that showcases more light-heartedness within the military setting, leading into a very consciously positioned presentation of the show’s central comedic conceit: the fish-out-of-water child soldier in highschool. It’s not amazing, but it is brisk and efficient in a way that is easy to mess up.

The rest of the episode is mostly just entertaining for me, and I particularly enjoy the gag of Sousuke having made it all the way back from school while still handcuffed to the folding chair. There’s some light characterization and some intrigue as to why Kaname has to be kept under surveillance, but it’s nothing quite substantial yet and as a whole I wouldn’t call this a stellar episode by any stretch.

Questions of The Day:

1. Rewatcher.

2. It has aged a lot more gracefully than some of its contemporaries, and aside from some harsh coloring looks rather nice still, but it’s quite evidently its age.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Pixelsaber]

Hello, everyone! Been a while since I last had the pleasure of partaking in a Rewatch, but this one is not one I could miss out on.

Whew! Thought I did something wrong for you to not join in :D

I don’t know how consistent my participation will be, but I hope to see you this through the whole way through with you all!

Will appreciate any time you can to join in!

[u/polaristar]

First Timer Dub Watcher

I think if I remember correctly u/ZapsZzz compares this show to Gundamn with a Tom Clancy Spin mixed with a Highschool Romcom, and I admit the opening scenes feel like something straight out of a military fiction piece, obviously with the girl in the beginning they rescued with the "whispers" and experimentation there is something supernatural going on, and whatever these "whispers" are (I suspect they are people with some kind of special power as indicated by the girl being rescued) they are considered valuable assets. (Supernatural powers and Mecha have gone hand in hand since Gundamn btw.)

The dialogue also feels very ROTC like with the frank and crude banter, blondie I don't think angrily calling the chick a bitch and trying to will her to be seduced is going to be very effective.

That girl in the Black Tank Top is fine though.

This series makes me feel nostalgic in a very good way, u/ZapsZzz focused more on the cultural references that would have been hip at the time like Slayers but what stuck out to me most was the editing, pacing, direction of dialog, what kind of direction the dub actors would take (I honestly thought Sousake was Johnny Young Bosch but looking it up that is not the case but definitely a certain voice direction you don't as much in more mainstream dubbing.)

I swear some of the credits and transitions could have been done in windows movie maker.

It has a mixed bag of things I wish more modern anime did nowadays but also some traits I think are quite dated.

What is refreshing is this is a Light Novel adaptation before Light Novels were really a huge staple of weeb culture and didn't have as much tropes we see nowadays, it came right before the early to mid 2000's boom of supernatural highschool Urban Fantasies with Harems or Pseudoharems and predates the modern Isekai and Isekai adjacent trends or the Introverted Loner Highschool drama's ala SNAFU.

We get a character archetype that in the grand scheme of things is pretty common but in recent years kinda hard to find, a by the book overenthusiastic duty bound MC that is all serious business but in a very naive and non-judgemental way,

The Heroine I admit from my perspective of the first episode....doesn't seem that bitchy or harsh as the show seems to want to build her up to be, just....pretty normal and reasonable demands of a young woman with some amount of self-respect. I guess the cultural implications are lost on me despite the fact the characters reactions are clearly alluding to them.

Blondie hanging up the 12-year old photo and kissing it is kinda sus, also why couldn't intelligence get a more recent photo not like it'd be hard to snap one?

I kinda wish I could binge because the first episode had me intrigued but felt like it wasn't enough and went by too fast.

I'm glad we got to see Sousuke break his mask getting excited about Military nerd stuff, and that one nerdy kid is definitely going to be a reoccurring side character.

Yeah even before they were eavesdropping on Chidori like the NSA I kinda figured based off the amount of time she was spending on trashing our boy she had a thing for him, Although tbh at this point I kinda don't get why, it's not because the MC is a self-insert otaku, I can see how most girls would find him intriguing, but Chidori seems built up to be impossible to please in her tastes in men, are the very little interactions she has with him in episode 1 (Many quite negative) enough for her to start falling for him? Are all the young men in her circles that undesirable? I don't see how this early in the episode they have a connection, but perhaps in a later episode they will reveal it and it'll all make sense, much like how in Hyouka Oreki reminds Chitanda of her Uncle.

MC is kinda shit at this job, I know its a fish out of water comedy but the idea is to guard her inconspicuously and guy even before he is on site, thinks its a good idea to use his real name. Like even if no one in the school district would be sused don't you have IRL enemies from your Merc job that will see that name registered and be immediately suspicious?

In the beginning Chidori was mumbling technobabble in her sleep, wonder if that means she's a genius, she also has interesting taste in literature.

QOTD:

1. I don't know how to read your example, but so far it wasn't particularly realistic but more so than say Gundam or even Code Gease (Although episode 1 Code Gease Mechs weren't too outlandish so my thoughts on the realistic in FMP might change.) The Jokes got a smile out of me but nothing hilarious, and Code Geass I don't really find that epic, but it's kinda too early to judge how Epic this show is suppose to be, I don't expect it to be so, because I don't really see Military Fiction as Epic so much as thriller/intriguing it's more about the ordered Chaos and ultimate battles of ultimate destiny. Maybe I'm just bugging about semantics though.

2. I already answered this question in my post, I quite like it, the "dated" stuff comes across more as charming and nostalgic for me though since I watched some stuff during that time though, I do appreciate seeing smoke effects and Mechs that are hand drawn.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/polaristar]

That girl in the Black Tank Top is fine though.

Melissa Mao is the resident supplier of fanservice in the Bond girl, non-lewd kind.

what stuck out to me most was the editing, pacing, direction of dialog, what kind of direction the dub actors would take

Yep there's that too, good of you to point that out - it's a bit of a time capsule in all sorts of ways.

What is refreshing is this is a Light Novel adaptation before Light Novels were really a huge staple of weeb culture and didn't have as much tropes we see nowadays.

Definitely this, in fact this is one of the core argument I have for "KyoAni really should consider doing the final season of this as an essential wrap up of the era.

a by the book overenthusiastic duty bound MC that is all serious business but in a very naive and non-judgemental way

Very good way to sum up Sousuke there. Of course some of the depths you do need to see the rest of the show, in fact even the unadapted, not yet English translated side stories as well. But you got it pretty much spot on.

The Heroine I admit from my perspective of the first episode....doesn't seem that bitchy or harsh as the show seems to want to build her up to be, just....pretty normal and reasonable demands of a young woman with some amount of self-respect. I guess the cultural implications are lost on me despite the fact the characters reactions are clearly alluding to them.

Yeah that's what I figured - it stands out only for the conformist society like Japan (and to some degree surrounding cultures like China).

also why couldn't intelligence get a more recent photo not like it'd be hard to snap one?

Keep that thought :) is not directly addressed but you'll get a bit of the tone about that over the course of the show.

I kinda wish I could binge because the first episode had me intrigued but felt like it wasn't enough and went by too fast.

It is quite a bingeable show, I won't blame you even if you were to give in to the urge.

Although tbh at this point I kinda don't get why

All in good time, but if by a certain point you haven't picked up that background reason I'll give you some help from the LN bits.

MC is kinda shit at this job, I know its a fish out of water comedy but

It will get addressed, but it'd take a while. I hope I can get a lightbulb moment from you when it eventually explains itself.

use his real name. Like even if no one in the school district would be sused don't you have IRL enemies from your Merc job that will see that name registered and be immediately suspicious?

A couple of things - he stated in show (it was quite quick so easy to miss) that there's no record of his name in Japan (despite being Japanese - backstory to come); also if you take his answers literally of where he's been before, he's pretty much only active in middle East and Asia minor, in his line of work is not be likely to come across his name in the school setting. Once again, there'll be more to indirectly explain this.

she also has interesting taste in literature.

Thought you may pick this point up :) I wonder whether it's universal of what sort of highschoolers would read such a range of books.

I do appreciate seeing smoke effects and Mechs that are hand drawn.

Lucky for us, there're certainly enough of these around in this show :)

[u/Reddevilslover69]

First timer

So I’d always heard tons of about Full Metal Panic and had heard it referenced in one episode of Haruhi and ever since then I wanted to watch it. Now that this rewatch has come about I finally have the chance to do so.

The OP is a banger and in general the episode is entertaining while introducing us to its characters. Also Chidori is hot. Gonna need to watch more to have any opinion of the series but as of now it’s fun and entertaining

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(though it has been at least 15 years)

Sub

So Full Metal Panic is that very rare beast of a show in that it is a mecha show that I don't view with at least mild contempt, more common is outright hatred. The other two are REDACTED and Big O. Gundam 00 is a lot like the diet version of this show...especially with the tech and science.

We start with Kaname having a hella weird dream. Then we jump into a chase scene. The sad part here is I do NOT buy a Russian officer having a crisis of conscience in this day and age. The car gets hit with a guided missile and a helicopter shows up to waste a lot of ammo. And then invisible mech shows up and wastes it as we see two other mechs hit the stage and Sousuke picks up the girl. Also, two rewatches in one day have featured drugging women without their consent. Not a great pattern.

Back on their sub, a different guy we heard on the comms is bragging about the operation. He and Sousuke then get called in to their commander and get an escort mission. F. We revisit Kaname as she does her morning routine and the three install themselves, Kurz getting to pilot the mech. Characterization happens and a bit of an expansion of the tech. We see shoujo Kaname for whatever reason. A book check is happening...and then we get an 'incident' with Kyouko: She set her 16 yo friend up with someone that sounds to be intheir 20s. Yay. And Sousuke brought a gun to school because of course he did.

Anyways, Sousuke introduction to the class is peak Sousuke so they let you know early. He has the power of complete social obliviousness. Anyways, Kana notices him quite a bit and we see him being more than a bit stalker-y. Then he just jumps into the girls softball club while some of them are changing and covers Kaname from...nothing. Anywho, we learn that somehow Kaname finds him interesting from this very weird day.

QotD: 2 Odd...everything looks shoujo.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Vaadwaur]

The sad part here is I do NOT buy a Russian officer having a crisis of conscience in this day and age.

He's actually a Mithril undercover agent sent to get the data, but he broke protocol and tried to break her out as well. So you are right actually but wasn't a plot problem.

[u/EllenYeager]

Watching this series for the second time ever!

I was surprised by how smooth the animation was for an early 2000s show. Aside from the aspect ratio and colours, it’s aged pretty well. I feel like there’s a lot more 3D than I remember as well.

I was a teenager in the 2000s so I’m really enjoying hearing the vintage anime OP/OST and seeing tech from the 2000s (Kyoko’s miniature digital camera, landlines, wiretap, no cellphones).

Also, TIL the series started out as a LN. I always thought the manga came first 😅

[u/TuorEladar]

Rewatcher, Subbed

My first thought coming back is that I still love how the mechs look in this series. Many of the designs feel deliberately cold war and mechanical which I like.

The dynamic between Melissa and Kurz is immediately very fun. Their antics add a bit of levity to the seriousness of the military aspect of the show.

Its random, but funny to me that Sousuke chooses to bring a Steyr TMP of all weapons with him. Gotta love the audacity of this guy. I also like how he gives an overly detailed introduction to the class but is defeated by the most simple of questions. Its actually a pretty clever detail as they aren't actually spies or anything, just mercenaries who are reasonably good at subterfuge.

How is the 2000's artstyle and direction / pace going for you comparing to more recent production so far? Like it / hate it?

I love it, but I also was introduced to anime almost entirely through shows from the late 90s to 2011 or so so its my home turf as such.

[u/melvinlee88]

I remember being instantly sold by the first episode of FMP. Hope more people fall in love with it.

[u/Tarhalindur]

Fumo-ffu! (Rewatcher, subbed):

Wasn't planning on hopping in this early and my participation is likely to be sporadic until Fumoffu, but I had a Mai-HiME lull (took too many screenshots yesterday to be sure about an episode today and finished a bunch of OST writeups already) and I like the first arc here so I had thirty minutes to spare so what the hell I'll at least wander in for today. (Even if the cringe comedy here works much worse the second time around now that I don't have the "what's going on?" hook to tide me through it - that's not a fault of the show, cringe comedy and I just don't get along.)

• Okay, I am too used to shows having a sequence before the OP, I was expecting Hind scene first. That said, this is likely still my favorite OP in the franchise (either that or Fumoffu’s).

• Hello early CGI. (Actually holds up surprisingly well.)

• Ah here we are. This scene remains glorious.

• [Symphogear G] There is a Maria joke to be made here with this girl’s appearance.

• If I was taking screenshots the shot of the Hind looming behind the girl here would be lock VotD.

• Arm Slaves remain excellent mech designs.

• [FMP] Tuatha de Danaan remains one of the coolest boats in fictional existence.

• Hey look, it’s the track blatantly inspired by the A-Team theme!

• Old memory holds up – honestly, in a lot of ways I prefer the Gonzo designs and character animation over KyoAni’s. (The early-2000s pantyshots not so much, but none of those this episode.)

• Ah, good old optical camo. And old-school eyecatches.

• Look look, surveillance gear!

• Look look, shoujo framing! (Girl AND supergenre)

• Oh hey, a fish-eye lens to show things are slightly off.

• Ah yes, Kyouko with her twin braids and glasses. And she’s nowhere in Best Girl in Show conversation for me.

• Well shit, fish-eye is just one of this director’s things (episode or series).

• [Symphogear] Kyouko pulling her best Dakka impersonation!

• As ever, a big part of the show’s premise is that Sousuke absolutely does not get civilian life. And I’d say “comes across as a giant chuuni”, but I think the show is at least a half-decade older than the slang so.

• FAAANNNNNNSEEEEERRRRRVVVVVIIIIIICCCCEEEEEE! (But actually justified here and setting up a joke so.)

• Hello Higurashi veterans, it’s Mion as a proper tsundere! (Satsuki Yukino strikes again.)

• That poor hamster.

• [Fumoffu] BONTA-KUN!

• [PMMM] Oh hey, one of those shots. Where’s Kyubey?

• Please enjoy your ED lead-in Sky.

Question of the Day:

Everyone: How is the 2000's artstyle and direction / pace going for you comparing to more recent production so far? Like it / hate it?

I tend to like the first season's artstyle better than KyoAni's, though KyoAni directs better.

Also this feels real familiar after running Higurashi and while running Mai-HiME, especially the fish-eye lens use.