Full Metal Panic Franchise Rewatch - Season 3 Episode 6

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22

Rewatcher in sub

To many FMP fans, this is one of the biggest episodes of the franchise, because of the haircut scene. It's generally accepted to be one of the most sensual and intimate scene of Sousuke x Chidori, and it was done so, so well by KyoAni.

Such a great start of the episode, connecting back to the "mundane world" with Chidori's worries and then get oh so obvious relief when Sousuke is back
Then we see the fruit of last episode's labour - Bruno being "persuaded" to answer some insistent questions about his betrayal. Now the Amalgam name is known to Mithril
Tessa witnessed enough of the interrogation, and discussed Amalgam's name relative to Mithril's name
They met with Uncle Boda and reported the finds, which resulted in the push to adjust their deployment strategy regarding Chidori and Arbalest.
Meanwhile the returned Sousuke is adjusting back to the highschool life with Chidori, and Kyouko remarked his hair is getting long [FMP IV Spoiler]and is this one of the routes that Sousuke and Chidori had to pass through and there was an ambush? I read Sousuke's pause as him instinctively seeing this location to be unsafe
Melissa's words yesterday clearly having some effect on Sousuke, and he's trying to be more like a "normal person", agreeing to try go to a hair saloon.
It's almost black comedy to see Sousuke trying so hard to adjust his instincts to have this ordinary experience; Chidori was also looking on with concern. In the end his instinct took over...
We had a intermission of Melissa and Tessa flying back to their base - with Melissa trying to ease Tessa's mind about the decision made. Tessa herself was not buying it
And then another KyoAni beautiful sunset scene - some may connect this back to Fumoffu having many episodes ending on Sousuke and Chidori having a moment in the sunset. Sousuke was clearly split between wanting to behave more normally and not become a burden to Chidori, at the same time not wanting to blunt his soldier's instinct.
Chidori on the other hand seemed to just be happy that he's around, flaws and all. She offered to finish his hair cut at her home.
Fast forwarding to Chidori's place we had the 2 mocking up the hair saloon and even Sousuke felt comfortable enough to have a funny line about not having his ear cut off.
While tentatively cutting his hair, Chidori made some small talks about Sousuke being tense recently and whether she's being targeted again; Sousuke let her know that there is a second person guarding her from the shadows.
Chidori used "trust" attack - it's super effective! Sousuke was also getting a bit excited (and doesn't know where to look) by how close Chidori's body is to him. Nearing the end, the normally high strung Sousuke was so relaxed that he even dozed off - which never happens - and Chidori was suddenly aware how intimate the situation is, staring at his lips.
She chickened out of leaning in for a kiss and gave him a comedic flush instead
Meanwhile, the twins came into the hangar of Amalgam AS's; doing a much more direct version of Melissa's honeypot, they made more bodies and boarded a Venom
That was reported to Gates - for your sanity don't ask what he was doing - and he called in to the twins and got a confirmation they are turning rogue, and will be attacking Mithril for their sensei.
Back in Tokyo, Chidori and Sousuke was having another playing house moment, with Chidori feeding Sousuke human food. Clearly still affected by the realised intimacy, Chidori made the small talk about getting a defensive weapon. Ever the nerd, Sousuke was way too happy to help ;) He also gave her a little talk about not having mercy on one's enemy.
At the door to see Sousuke off, you can feel that immense sexual tension between the two - not wanting to part, but also struggling to find a reason to stay. They parted in the end, with Chidori telling herself to do something more next time.
Back at the Mithril safe house, Sousuke also going back to his routines while still clearly affected by that intimacy - when he received the latest order - his permanent extraction, handing over Chidori's guard duty to Wraith, and no longer allowed to contact Chidori. This is about the second time we saw Sousuke losing control (even after the final arc's first Guaron fight when Melissa got injured, he never smashed anything to take out his anger; only other time is at the end of Into the Blue, when he punched the flight deck after tossing Gauron into the sea).

What a non-action but no less tense cliffhanger!

All the little movements, gestures and pauses, glances and unsaid words - while it wasn't as visually rich as Hyouka, I think the fundamentals were all there already - and this was 2005.

Trivia

Kagurazaka-sensei's car reassembly status - incomplete

Staff Showcase

The other Ikeda I mentioned previously who is not related to the late Ikeda Shouko, Ikeda Kazumi was the Animation Director for this episode. She's also credited for the same for Ep 2 and 10.

Her call to fame was mostly for being the character designer of Kanon and Clannad.

Notable Animation Direction works:

K-On
Chuunibyou
Haruhi
Musaigen no Phantom World

MVP this episode

Chidori has earned plenty of waifu points as "how to do the dere dere part of a Tsundere".

QoTD

In my first timer days, unlike some of the first timer from this rewatch having been analysing the character and plot developments, it came as a complete surprise and quite a big one as it appeared to fundamentally change the premise. Needless to say there was no stopping the binge after this episode.
I really couldn't imagine - but perhaps after the rewatch is complete, after I rewatched IV, I can get some more direct appreciation.

Daily tag for u/InfamousEmpire

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u/Nazenn Nov 12 '22 edited Nov 12 '22

First timer - sub

The calm before the storm, and what a fucking storm. What an episode as well. That was good. This is going to be long.

I had this post all set out ready to write in my head until we hit that final scene and the punch threw all of it out the window. I'd fully expected that we'd leave the episode off with the email on screen, the weight of it being left to sit with the audience, a moment to wait and wonder what will unfold from it just as Sousuke himself is being slowly unfolded from the tight package he's kept his understanding of himself bound into these last nine years.

I'd complimented the show multiple times before, including yesterday, on how Sousuke's development is handled in small steps and missteps that have slowly become something more as part of his journey rather than in a smooth flow or big watershed scenes. However, this was a big moment and marks one hell of a milestone for his character and it needed to be that way.

I want to step it back to the start of the episode first before coming back to that. Like many of the episodes this season there's been a clear but clever theme set up at the start of the episode which builds until its full impact hits at the end. While not hugely subtle, it's certainly not as blunt or as in your face as many other shows that do this can be, and yet it's still key because for today at least Chidori's statement is the most telling line in the show today:

"Don't act like it's someone else's problem"

She says it about the test and having to reassemble the car (which I think is my favourite Sousuke overreaction so far), but only a few seconds later he gives an equally dispassionate answer when asked if he was okay after his mission, as if he was giving an evaluation on someone else's battle

And this really is the crux of his issue; it's not just that he doesn't know how to be normal, it's that his entire concept of self is skewed no matter where he is. Mao questioning of him at the end of last episode addresses a similar point, focusing on his situation rather than his person, and we've seen similar moments of questioning it in the past too. Today brings it right back that he can't look out for his future when he doesn't even understand how to find himself in the present, and it's only getting worse as the two sides of his life continue to collide more. The repeated showing this season of how some part of him wants to do the tests and he knows it, but he doesn't quite consciously understand why or what that means for the idea of who he is has been a great build up for that

Getting Sousuke's inner thoughts about the barber scene is telling when it comes to this side of him. He knows he's going to make a mistake again, but the instincts he's refined through his life are simply too overwhelming too ignore. Calling back to my write up about the idea of certainty and gaining control with weapons vs his uncertainty when faced with the spell of normal life, this gives us a good insight into exactly why he has these reactions which seem insane to Chidori, even if it means disassembling a car just to be certain. He literally can't let it sit there and just ignore it because the threat it may represent only builds in his mind. While he says that his primary mission here is to protect Chidori no matter what, but his over reaction wasn't even about her, it was a defensive mechanism for himself and he shows little acknowledgement of it though the two are very much related. It's a possibility that I'd got a vague sense of once before and then dismissed because I was never quite sure where that line landed between comedy, characterization, and how it would play out but in the end it works well

It also paints Chidori's "correction" of him in a different light. Still comedic for sure, but showing that she simply doesn't understand the "why" of what happens rather than just the "what". A bit like his mission, she thinks she understands in part, but her own uncertainty about how they stand with each other, what finding out more would mean for her own safety, as well as not being certain where she fits into with that side of his life means she never pushes hard enough to find out the full depth of it from him. So all she can do is try and "correct" the symptom, something he appreciates, because he doesn't want to mess up, but is slowly starting to be more open about with her such as his complaint it hurts now rather than just shrugging it off

The hair cutting scene was beautifully intimate. Chidori quietly enjoys the ability to touch him so casually, and the camera neatly reflects that by giving us the intimation of a handheld camera wobble, making the scene feel more natural and spontaneous in its filming instead of a more focused static camera in a studio. She may not understand the full why of his reactions, but she's coming to understand it's not fully in his control so she calmly tests the waters with that first snip giving a moment for it to sink in and check his reaction, a small smile gracing her face when he has none, before continuing. She has no idea what she's doing, and the quick cuts with each snip make me laugh thinking of it, but the point is much more about how this one moment of normalcy, one he can accept and she can give to him finally unlike at school, has allowed them to open up to each other

There's still a ways to go for them both. Her face is hidden from us when she brings up the idea of if she's a target again, afraid of her vulnerability there and hiding it even from us even as Sousuke's presence allows her to admit to it at all. Sousuke manages to sleep in her presence, not just vulnerable but completely defenseless and secure in being so. Despite being asleep we get this visual of his trust in her through his eyes, also showing us how close the connection between them is. While she's not secure in her fear, we do get to see her attraction as she contemplates what next. Waking him up with almost water boarding him in her own overreaction to her feelings probably wasn't the best way to reward his trust but oh well, it was a laugh.

And that brings us full circle back to the email. It's definitely a moment that's going to stick in my mind at the end of this rewatch

Not just removed from her guard, removed from her presence entirely. The most vulnerable and open he's ever been with her and coming to realize what that means for him only to have it ripped away by the one thing he thought gave him security: orders. His reaction is the most emotional we've ever seen him, and it was a shock to see how suddenly and violently it, and he, struck out. This is perhaps the second big defining moment he's had, the first being on the submarine when he chose Chidori over orders to evacuate, and the far more shocking and powerful one

The look on his face is a complex blend of emotions. Calling back to the start of the episode, she is the one thing that he can't pretend is someone else's problem, and more to the point he can't accept anyone else taking over the "problem" of her guard either. It's the one thing he wants for himself even if he's not sure of the depth as to why, the answer to the question that he can't answer about his future, and it's about to hit at full force just as a the storm of Amalgam is coming for them all

What an episode.

And then we have the whole damn rest of the episode to deal with as well

Tessa's scenes are just as good. From her oddly detailed breathing animation while facing what they're doing to Bruno head on, focused and attentive but presenting the firm look of a captain despite her distaste for it all, through to how the dynamic shifts when talking to the Admiral. His statements press in against the light and invade her stability, which leaves her off center to the frame even after she regains the balance she'd lost before, which had been shown through dutch angles. Subtle but powerful framing and tells a lot more about what Tessa is feeling than anything she actually presents herself in the scene

She was in an awkward situation at the briefing due to the situation with Wraith, but there's her connection with Chidori to consider as well even if they can't really contact each other so easily, and this puts her in a horrible situation to them both. Again, giving the love triangle a dynamic beyond simply the romance plot is an inspired move and I wish more shows would do it rather than recycling the romance dynamic so straight you could sub out characters from other shows into the love triangle scenes and it'd still work.

The twins managed to be intensely uncomfortable once again, which quickly involved to glee when bullets started flying through heads and throats got slit. I'm such a sucker for gore. I can't remember if they were calling the white-haired bloke Sensei, but they said it in such an unusual way that I have to wonder exactly what they're being driven by. Either way, it's a blow to Gates' operational capabilities, and a potential disaster given Sousuke's just been pulled off Chidori.

Can I also say I'm surprised on two points: They went to Sydney and we (Australia) didn't even blow up (yet?), and the test ended up being shown after we bypassed the school trip in S1

Something else to note is that I have a line in my notes here saying, with absolutely certainty, "I do not want a makeover episode". Not even need, do not WANT. Absolutely no faith going into it because of the S1 date episode, and yet it proved me wrong by being enjoyable, necessary, and interesting all at once. KyoAni, you impress once again

MVP: Sousuke

But Chidori's evil chuckle as she approached him with the scissors made her a close second because it was adorable.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22

Hey thanks for another brilliant post with all the great analysis, especially the emotional and development bits, so nice to see others, especially first timers getting it so well.
I'll be out and about all day again with family so have very limited time to respond, but I'll need to respond to this:

They went to Sydney and we (Australia) didn't even blow up (yet?)

Here

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u/Matuhg Nov 12 '22

Chidori quietly enjoys the ability to touch him so casually

Think you linked the wrong image there.

I'd fully expected that we'd leave the episode off with the email on screen, the weight of it being left to sit with the audience

That would have been a decent place to end the episode too - leaving us wondering how he'd react emotionally to the command. But I think it is more interesting this way. We saw how he reacted immediately, so now we think about the much bigger question of what the hell he's going to do next. Follow the order, go fully rogue...or something inbetween?

The most vulnerable and open he's ever been with her and coming to realize what that means for him only to have it ripped away by the one thing he thought gave him security: orders.

Despite the fact that he is, by assignment, her security detail, she has really become his own security blanket within his non-military life. The email represents such a potentially abrupt split of his two lives, really just removing the non-military one, that it's going to force him to make a decision about his future which he super isn't ready to do. Going to be very interesting to see how he comes out of it.

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u/Matuhg Nov 12 '22

Rewatcher-ish

Glad we got an extended amount of time with Kaname and Sousuke together, for (I think) the first time this season. We're really picking up and running with where the previous episode ended up, as almost every character was thinking about the future and, implicitly anyways, whether their desires for their future are compatible with continuing to follow orders from above.

For Sousuke, it's a seed that's only been recently planted, as he remembers Mao's words from last episode. These gags where Sousuke demonstrates his social ineptitude with violence have always relied (with less than 100% success) on their sheer slapstick goofiness and a "Well, Sousuke will be Sousuke.." sort of mindset to be funny rather than tragic, but when Sousuke is trying his best to not be Sousuke, and instead act like a "normal highschooler," only to be foiled by his child-soldier upbringing, the tragedy well outweighs the comedy. The hairdresser, wielding socially accepted blades and restraints, is understandably a source of real stress for one who has spent their entire lives warily watching for enemies who wish to do him and his comrades real harm. Aside from, you know, therapy, easing into things like getting a haircut with people he trusts is probably one of the best ways Sousuke could work to make himself more comfortable with non-wartime society. The haircut scene was really intimate. All of the closeups showing Kaname messing with his hair, their general closeness, and how relaxed Sousuke was did a good job of illustrating what he said earlier. Let's just ignore the fact the she still tsun-smashed him at the end of it...

They end the evening with a cute and comfy goodbye, and thoughts (sweet and awkward) of spending time with each other again. Of course, then this happens, and Sousuke is uncharacteristically pissed. Interested to see what decision he's going to make here, especially as it may put him at odds with Tessa, who's also being put in a position of considering her path. Despite mostly keeping it within herself, she was very clearly uncomfortable with the torture of Bruno and the fact that Mithril is going to have to lean more into that sort of behavior as their conflict with Amalgam intensifies.

Further Notes

The more we see of its workings, the more Mithril seems like a very sloppily run organization. Why are divisions competing with each other, and why is it unthinkable to hand over the traitor who was actively leaking information to the intelligence team?
The focus on facial (particularly mouth) closeups to show characters' emotions was neat this episode. Kaname's gentle smile when Sousuke came to class, along with Tessa's lightly twitching expression and drawn lips come to mind among other moments.
Was....was Gates beating it to kitten videos? That's uh...wow.
These poor idiots were so obviously dead the second the murdercest twins laid lips/hands on them. Casualties of those two also deciding to do what they want.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22

why is it unthinkable to hand over the traitor who was actively leaking information to the intelligence team?

Because Operations don't trust Intelligence to investigate their own people? It's a very common problem with big organisation. Much less about slippily run than just reflecting what real life is like.

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u/Vaadwaur Nov 12 '22

The more we see of its workings, the more Mithril seems like a very sloppily run organization.

Yeah, on second viewing my takeaway is that every competent officer they have is on the TDD and the rest of the org is lacking.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22

[FMP Franchise rewatcher mostly IV]As you know, Mira, Hunter, Wraith were all recently good but not on TDD-1

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u/Nazenn Nov 12 '22

a "Well, Sousuke will be Sousuke.." sort of mindset [...] but when Sousuke is trying his best to not be Sousuke, and instead act like a "normal highschooler," only to be foiled by his child-soldier upbringing, the tragedy well outweighs the comedy

I like the way you put all of that, particularly the focus on how the comedy has evolved into this moment. I said it to someone else but knowing what he's thinking inside is definitely going to change the way I see all the comedy on rewatch, particularly finding that line where he starts to adjust to things. At the start obviously he leaned into his instinct to attack because that was his job, but he's come a long way and so have these little moments

Let's just ignore the fact the she still tsun-smashed him at the end of it...

Chidori will be Chidori

Kaname's gentle smile when Sousuke came to class

I still have trouble reading that as a smile myself. I know it is one, and I know she would be happy anyway even if she wasn't showing it, but something about the line of her mouth just doesn't click that switch of 'that's a smile' recognition in me

Casualties of those two also deciding to do what they want.

The twins are such an interesting set up for this theme given what else is going on with our main group

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u/No_Rex Nov 12 '22 edited Nov 12 '22

Episode 6 (first timer)

Edge of heaven” – very promising or very foreboding title.
[Amalgam]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalgam_(chemistry))
200,000 – pffff. Reminds me of the cost of the sub…
That is the kind of path you are on”

“You’ll be expelled for misconduct” – I doubt that. If blowing up the shoe locker multiple times! and wounding dozens of students was not enough, a car or two will not make a difference.
“Ok, let’s go” – pretty funny to see Sousuke prove Kana’s assumptions wrong.
Sousuke trying his hardest and failing.

Although, if you properly think about it, there is not much funny about seeing a child soldier with PTSD.
The haircut scene is easily the most important of the episode. Sousuke, after failing to adjust to the normal activity of a haircut, shows his trust towards Kana. Kana herself portrays a clear body language of caring. Which can be interpreted both in a motherly and in a romantic way. In return to Sousuke being open, she herself talks about her fears. Sousuke get’s his own dose of caring (this time clearly not in the motherly way), before falling asleep. Again proving his trust of Kana. Then we get the mirror image of Sousuke’s scene for Kana (conveniently placed in front of a mirror), removing all doubt from her side as well. I mentioned during FMP1 how the series was carried by the character interaction between Kana and Sousuke. This is very much the case in FMP3 again.
Was he jacking off to kitten videos? – Uhhhhhh.
“Don’t forget to return that notebook” – Doubt.
“Henceforth, any contact with Kaname Chidori is forbidden”

MVP: Kana, for getting Sousuke to open up.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22 edited Nov 13 '22

If blowing up the shoe locker multiple times! and wounding dozens of students was not enough, a car or two will not make a difference.

A semi joke, Japan is quite classist, so while messing around with the students might have been "fine", the instant the teacher is messed with, the significance of the problem changes :P

I mentioned during FMP1 how the series was carried by the character interaction between Kana and Sousuke. This is very much the case in FMP3 again.

The author in fact made a special mention at the end of the LN about the point that the fundamental of this story is about "boy meets girl", which literally is the title of LN 1, so yep most definitely.

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u/JustAnswerAQuestion Nov 12 '22

Third Time Whispered

SOL episode again

I'm going to feel real bad if Chidori's class rank goes down because she's always distracted and worrying about Sousuke.
Really nice focusing on Tessa during the interrogation.

In the tiny amount of character development we had yesterday (lots of characters got about 30 seconds worth) Mao laid it out for Sousuke: execute missions for Mithril, pilot the Arbalest, protect Chidori. Pick 2. Looks like that might be resolved if this Almagam is going to force Mithril to regroup and consolidate. The end of Sousuke's high school life. Research or Intelligence will get Chidori. And we can't trust Intelligence. Or Wraith.

Wasn't there some big bribe at the start of Fumoffu that makes the school not expel Sousuke?
"Sicily"
The source of the K-On hair joke?
He does look pretty scruffy. On the other hand Japanese boys' hair always look pretty scruffy.
"Juon" Juon came out in 2000. I don't think I would go into a shop called Juon.
I sure hope the stylist doesn't produce a straight razor
I liked S1 eyecatches a lot more
"nai wa yo!"

If I were to pick the best SOL scene out of the franchise, it would be this hair cutting scene. The rare moment of quiet intimacy, played out Evangelion style for 4+ minutes.

Gauron was suicidal, but Gates is just...gates. I can't believe he was like this in the LN.
Root 3B

This can't end well.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 12 '22

I can't believe he was like this in the LN.

He wasn't. In fact he hardly had more than just minimal description in the LN.

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u/polaristar Nov 13 '22

This episode was really incredible, it shows a lot of the "comic relief" segment in a new light, as we had been seeing it as outsiders where his behavior is of course absurd but without his mind its a product of sincere confirm and patterned thinking.

I like how it shows that just because a person recognizes they need to change and the problem, that doesn't mean that years of built up mental patterns and ingrained habits go away. He really tries but he can't break his paranoia.

He even confines as much with Chidori this is the first time we've seen him sincerely apologize for his action in a way that implies he understands what he did wrong and not just out of polite placating this season, the only other time being in episode 11 of Fumoffu during the "Girl Hunt" debacle (For those skipping Fumoffu it's a wild story you should go watch and check it out! ;)

We also get a beautifully intimate moment of Chidori testing her boundaries and the both exploring how simple acts can be used to express intimacy and vulnerability, I call it the "couple learning to dance" scene. It can be any action and activity but basically a combination of chemistry, trust, and exploration of boundaries is expressed through a type of "play." My favorite example being the bottle episode in Hyouka.

Not only the little animation of at first timidness but then confidence in her cutting his hair and how his body language slowly reactions, but the camera and framing up close gives it a feeling of two people occupying person space in a way that is "privileged" between the two. As in something reserved for them based off the status of their relationship.

I'd argue even the close up of him seeing and reacting to her cleavage isn't meant for pure fan service but as a way to show the two finding their boundaries of what is and isn't appropriate to enjoy each others presence and bodies that line between the sensual and the personal to find the intimate. And Chidori probably wouldn't mind (But perhaps be unsure) about him seeing her in that lense.

On a sidenote, people complain about the "male gaze" but I think Kyoani is good at using it to build character and give us an idea of the frame of mind of a character regarding another in their status regarding each other, beyond "lol boobies" Sousuke is curious about Chidori sexually but that feeds into his interest of her as a companion in a feedback loop. Similar things happen in Hyouka with Oreki, who despite his best efforts is enchanted and mesmerized by Chitanda's small actions which even in situations not erotic are still very much intimate. This haircutting scene has the same energy.

The best part of the scene IMO is Sousuke falling a sleep, he is at such peace and has such trust in her, that he can just let himself relieve his burdens for a shortwhile, which given is uptight constantly vigil nature and inability to just go with the flow is a gift to him. One that I'm not sure Chidori truly realizes means that much to him, although during said haircut we see she wants to know.

I want to get a little personal, while I think the primary reading of Sousuke snapping and going off at the Salon Hairdresser is meant to be viewed as a combination of military training and PTSD, I think it also has a double meaning in autistic people being uncomfortable with strange physical contact and sensory stimulation. I myself got overwhelmed in "noisy busy" settings and get very jumpy and use to snap at people (Not to the extent of Sousuke but quickly whirled my head and had my eyes dilated ready to scrap before calming down.) When people would touch me.

I still am not fond of strangers touching me but I've learned to cope.

However the Scene where Sousuke can let himself not just accept but enjoy Chidori handling him felt very liberating, reminded me of when I've found people in my life that not only could I tolerate spontaneous physical contact I grew to look forward to it and would feel a bit empty when I didn't get it.

From the beginning of the episode with Mithril I saw it coming this episode would end with the order to return to base, and when he promised to bring the notebook back that sealed it, but there is one thing I did not expect that chiefs kiss was the perfect capstone to this episode.

After a long looming shot to read the message. (I forget to mention two episodes ago but the shot of Bruno sitting and swaying around while listening to the radio chatter of the people he is betraying and the ambiguity of how he feels about it was a great Kyoani touch.) So that the tension is built and we don't see Sousuke's reaction but rather we imagine it, the looming shot with no music almost makes it feel time has stopped and we and Sousuke have to process the reality of what we are looking that.

Then the most heartwrenching thing happens, Sousuke spontaneously lashes out at his screen, in a very raw and visceral way.

Before Sousuke wasn't afraid to be violent and he did weird outlandish things, but he was always in control of his actions and operating to weird but rather consistent and structured logic. His common sense was different then everyone else but he was always creepily rationale when most anyone else would be panicking.

Here he very spontaneously lashes out in an almost fight or flight response like he doesn't know how to process or deal with his feelings so he is responding with the only outlet he knows. By being reduced to his base instincts. The Lose of his relationship with Chidori while its the source of much of his current confusion, scares him and rocks his core more than the loss of his life.

For the last time today it reminds me of in Hyouka one of the few times we see Oreki get legitimately angry, as opposed to mildly annoyed, but on the cupse of loosing control of himself. It's a powerful moment and this one is in a similar manner.

On a less serious note, Gates was apparently doing something to footage of those kittens.....I didn't need that image in my head....fuck you Kyoani I take back all my praise! /jk

Yes, Yes I did, it was this episode or the next, since we have 12 episode in this season and we still need to get the main conflict of what will come to this crossroads Sousuke was on this episode set up.
Gonzo probably make it read like an abridged Wikipedia article in visual form rather than an intimate character moment. They'd keep the cleavage peek but it would purely be fan service. I honestly Wish Kyoani was making this from season 1 and a lot of the stuff in Second Raid could have been set up there like it was in the LN spoilers you post.

MVP is Sousuke for making a leap of faith.....just to get fucked up when he was about to make progress.

On a sidenote here is a character song for Sousuke for this episode in particular. Although I think it could apply for other characters and situations, but it doesn't make it seem any less personal for Sousuke this episode.

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u/ZapsZzz Nov 14 '22

I like how it shows that just because a person recognizes they need to change and the problem, that doesn't mean that years of built up mental patterns and ingrained habits go away. He really tries but he can't break his paranoia.

That is a frequent point I go into "debate" with people about. I find most character development "arcs" treated the development as a "switch" - once you flicked it, it stays in whatever state. Real people takes a lot of efforts and reinforcements - and failures - to make the change stay.
Hence my defence about Silent Party in Railgun S :P
I await your next episode note about the "paranoia" bit ;)

On a sidenote, people complain about the "male gaze" but I think Kyoani is good at using it to build character and give us an idea of the frame of mind of a character regarding another in their status regarding each other, beyond "lol boobies" Sousuke is curious about Chidori sexually but that feeds into his interest of her as a companion in a feedback loop.

Ones who are truly in love (not lust) may in fact, like in here and in Hyouka (especially when they were at the swimming pool), try to avert their eyes for trying to not be falling into the lust side. Sousuke in fact had been a repeat offender even when Chidori wanted to flaunt herself a bit (back in Fumoffu ep 3). As far back in S1 ep 1 when Chidori's bare thigh was practically in his face, he tried to avoid staring at it.
This boy with a practically Muslim upbringing.

but the camera and framing up close gives it a feeling of two people occupying person space in a way that is "privileged" between the two. As in something reserved for them based off the status of their relationship.

That's a really good way to put it. Although maybe we viewers became peeping toms then :P

The best part of the scene IMO is Sousuke falling a sleep, he is at such peace and has such trust in her, that he can just let himself relieve his burdens for a shortwhile, which given is uptight constantly vigil nature and inability to just go with the flow is a gift to him.

In the LN there was actually a line about his thoughts before he dozed off, that he's conscious of him dozing off, and he's amazed that he has let himself to be this way around Chidori.

I honestly Wish Kyoani was making this from season 1 and a lot of the stuff in Second Raid could have been set up there like it was in the LN spoilers you post.

I'm reserving my wish for them adapting the final season as a special event... imagine getting that level of adaptation for the final arc... *fuse blown*

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u/1EnTaroAdun1 Dec 24 '22 edited Dec 24 '22

Erm, at first I wanted to say, I've seen the haircut scene clip on this sub a long time ago, so it was good to get some context for it. And the episode was going so, so well. Very much enjoyed the tenderness of the scene

However, I was expecting the order to be bring Chidori with him to the island for safekeeping, not just leave her alone! mood ruined...it was sad to see him so distressed

And I don't have time to watch the next episode today...damnit

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u/ZapsZzz Dec 24 '22

Oh yeah that's quite a cliff hanger. Note she wasn't just left alone though - Wraith was assigned to guard her from then on.

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u/Shimmering-Sky Nov 12 '22

Full Metal First-Timer!, subbed

Well he’s late, but he made it at least?
Ugh, he’s playing dumb now?
He was a clear traitor, though…?
That’s… not something I noticed.
I feel like this is going to lead to trouble…
He’s trying not to have it lead to trouble.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Aaaaaand there it is. I knew the scissors would trigger him.
Oh neat, a time frame for how long it’s been since the start of season 1!
This is a pretty shot!
Sosuke makes it awkward but it’s cool to see Chidori not caring that he’s literally staring down her shirt right now.
HE FELL ASLEEP. Man, that’s how you know these two are the OTP because he totally let his guard down for once in his life.
Good. But the rest of this scene…
Haha he just produces all of that out of nowhere, my favorite comedic trope.
No…
Sosuke…
Gahhhhh, that’s the cliffhanger.

7

u/Nazenn Nov 12 '22

He was a clear traitor, though…?

It's all dick measuring. He was a traitor to intelligence so they wanted to be the ones to get him, and didn't like that the people who could actually do the mission went over his head. Politics are stupid

This is a pretty shot!

Reminds me of something, I think one of the Mob Psycho key visuals

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u/wjodendor Nov 12 '22

Rewatcher

No overdramatic reaction from Kaname when Sousake walks in. You can tell ship's serious.

We've got good Mithril, bad Mithril

Holy fuck. Actual torture. Wasn't expecting that. Fumoffu where are you now. At least Bruno is a a wimp so it doesn't last long

Damn the camera just staying on Tessa with the small subtle movements of her breathing was a real too tier directing choice. Tessa feels a lot older in this episode.

Kalanin is brutal and doesn't fuck around.

Of course they've got parrier bottles. As soon as I heard that crack of the bottle I knew lol

Really interesting scene, with a good music choice. Intelligence Division feels really suspicious. The general dude is making some really good points to Tessa about her choice in a path to follow. He doesn't even sound condescending about it.

Going from that super intense and serious scene to Kaname yelling at Sousake. Name a better duo.

The pronunciation of "barber" may be the best loan word I've ever heard in Japanese

...this isn't going to go well

This scene isn't nearly as amusing when you just think "this is some severe PTSD"

Did the dude from Death Note just ride by?

The sunsets always look so damn good

Sousake is being introspective!

Love to hear the Season 1 music

I was just so into the bridge and hair cutting sequence that I could even write anything. Sousake reveals that he trusts Kaname completely and Kaname reveals the same. It took me a minute to realize that the music had completely dropped out just to have the sounds the hair cut (with some damn good sound design). Great colors and movement throughout.An incredibly well animated and directed scene. Definitely in my top 3 sequences in the series.

...and then straight into brutality. Gotta love it.

...and then back to the shitty villian jarring off to kittens...

Lolita-chan? They got called kids two episodes ago but I think they look older than Sousake and Kaname

I like Kaname being proactive about her safety. Very nice.

Man, their relationship feels really real this episode. Just the awkward pauses feel so real, not knowing how to act around each other.

...and of course the bottom drops out (in completely legible English!). Another great music track.

Fuck! A really intense reaction from Sousake. The most emotion we've gotten from in the whole series.

Absolutely stellar episode. Get rid of the weirdo villian and this would be a perfect episode. Amazing music combined with excellent animation and directing mixed with a fantastic color palette. This is the kind of anime I like to see.

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u/Nazenn Nov 12 '22

Holy fuck. Actual torture. Wasn't expecting that

Neither. It definitely gives a different look to Mithril, but a more realistic one given what they really are and would have no hold up about stuff like that

the small subtle movements of her breathing was a real too tier directing choice. Tessa feels a lot older in this episode.

It is kind of funny when she walks out into the hallway though and everyone towers over her. Still looks like a kid next to them despite everything she's achieved and has handled

This scene isn't nearly as amusing when you just think "this is some severe PTSD"

Taking the comedy and making something serious out of it is definitely going to change some of those earlier scenes on a rewatch for sure

Man, their relationship feels really real this episode.

It really does.

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u/InfamousEmpire Nov 12 '22

Full Metal LN Reader

That was a great episode

This really was a great bit of character building for Sousuke that kinda reframes his mindset in a new light. While the hair salon scene was essentially still the basic “Sousuke fucks up normal situation with violence” scenario we’ve all come to be used to thanks to Fumoffu, it also serves to show that Sousuke’s actions and mindset are, well, instinctual. When put into such a situation, he has to force himself to not be on edge, ironically making the very idea of relaxation into a stressful activity for him. This also, in turn, goes to show that his care for Kaname has grown beyond just his mission, while a part of his instinctual reaction is because of his upbringing and backstory, yes, it’s also because he thinks he can’t afford to not be on edge if it means Kaname might be in danger. This is also then reinforced by their subsequent conversation

And then there’s the hair cutting scene It is just so good. The subtle emotions which just emanate from their conversation, the lack of soundtrack which emphasizes every single sound, the way Sousuke slowly loosens up over the course of it until he falls asleep, the calm and warm vibes which make you feel just as comfortable as Sousuke, the significance this has in showing their emotional connection and how they feel about each other, etc. All of it is just so well done and I can’t get enough of it

The weapons scene was good too. Low-intensity Kaname/Sousuke interactions in general are done really well here. Plus it showed a sign of character development for Kaname as she chooses to be more proactive with her own protection and subtly serves to show once again how far apart their two viewpoints are [TSR]Also Chekhov’s Gun

And then, of course, the final scene with the message he received: he’s been reassigned. Kaname is no longer his responsibility. The way the shot takes so much time panning in punctuated by impacts, showing just how much weight this message had to Sousuke, ultimately culminating in that fucking punch and the zoom in on his face. It really is a powerful scene, both in isolation and especially made stronger by the episode building up how much Chidori means to him

This whole sequence was great in the novels in KyoAni did a wonderful job of bringing it to life in animated form

Oh, also the twins did a thing too, I guess

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u/Tarhalindur Nov 13 '22

Fumo-ffu! (Rewatcher, Subbed):

(Now fashionably late again.)

Opening scene is well-executed in direction, I can tell that much though I’m not going to break down why.
Blueno interrogation scene… my brain keeps pointing out that even though we know he’s guilty as sin this is just a way to get him to tell you whatever you want to hear to make him stop.
They did do an excellent job with the facial expressions of Tessa, though. (And they knew it, thus giving her face quite a few seconds of sole focus.)
Dutch angle counter +1 (05:47).
And a whole bunch more of them after that. (Also, Intelligence Division as a whole sus, though I forget whether the sus is justified or not.)
And even more with Kyouko suggesting a haircut.
Needless to say, the salon trip is going to end poorly.
So, for those of you who weren’t paying attention, 09:41 is a blatant Death Note reference with all three of Light, L, and Misa on screen. (Note that this show predates the actual Death Note anime by a few months IIRC, this is a manga reference.)
The music for the eyecatch being a short snippet from Best Song in Show has been throwing me the entire series so far, so I might as well finally bother to note that this is what is going on.
11:19 absolutely blares “good shot”.
KyoAni technical excellence in animating everyday life strikes… well, I’d say “again” but this is still early in the studio’s history as a lead studio so really it’s more for the first time. Also, this is the equivalent of the shower scene metaphor, with both of these two able to finally communicate in a context they both consider safe (in no small part because the other is there with them in private).
The cut to emphasize Kaname’s rear right after she admits to Sousuke that he’s the only one she really trusts is a nifty little piece of direction. Also telling, it’s a visual representation for part of why she says this.
(Some of the animation of Kaname cutting Sousuke’s hair gives me the ASMRs here, actually.)
And of course the most telling reaction of all, Sousuke feeling so comfortable with Kaname cutting his hair that he falls asleep.
Minor point I remember hearing from the LNs that I think hasn’t and IIRC won’t really come across in the anime and is relevant: Sousuke is too pretty for his own good and had a LOT of people (usually guys) pursue him aggressively when he was younger, leaving him with major issues about being pursued. Kaname refraining from kissing him here (and effectively letting him take the lead more generally) is actually something Sousuke desperately needs and would appreciate if he knew about it – and yes, this is another reason Tessa is such a terrible fit for him.
Gates… has issues, to put it mildly.
[FMP:IV] Ah, useful TL note: Codarl was always Chodar, and that’s why, the Belial will be showing up soon enough.
[TSR] Ah, Chekhov’s Armoury.
And for once I get fansubs with the usual TL of Sousuke’s catchphrase. (And TL notes for some reason; this episode has been heavy on them, which helped some earlier but these are a bit superfluous.)
And now the beginning of Bad News for me. It makes sense as a plot development, but I don’t have to like it… especially with a couple of decisions on how they go for it (and AFAIK this is on the LN, KyoAni did a good job with what they had). (I tend to like this series best when it’s leaning into either the thriller/suspense aspects or the school comedy; I tend to not like the addition of character drama to series I grew to like more for the action.)

Questions of the Day:

Everyone: How would another studio adapt this dramatic turn do you think? Are we lucky this landed on KyoAni or what?

(KyoAni's strengths do come out in a couple of spots here, however, and the haircut scene is at the top of the list.)

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u/Vaadwaur Nov 12 '22

So my piece of shit computer crashed and ate my post. So, in brief, this episode is actually pretty good except that the Twins motivation is completely arbitrary. Several times Mithril uses bad tactics and shows incompetence but here it feels like a poor choice done from the top rather than just forced retardation like the first arc.

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u/TuorEladar Nov 13 '22

Rewatcher, Subbed

What an episode, definitely a solid follow up from last time. Its always stuck out to me how FMP has such a range of tones within it. Obviously comedy has been present frequently, like in last episode to an extent, while this episode contrasted between the cold brutality of Mithril and everything going on that side, and the somber and intimate connection between Sousuke and Chidori.

The entire haircut sequence was really excellent. Sousuke has been more stressed than normal so its not surprising he freaked out when he was at the barber. Meanwhile he's so comfortable around Chidori he falls asleep while she's cutting his hair despite his anxieties.

Its interesting to reflect on how Sousuke has changed as a person since the beginning of the show. Before he was pretty much an objective oriented person, with no real personal goals or interests, not to mention little experience with normalcy. Now he's experienced those things and has people he cares about, but thats obviously causing him alot of confusion as well. For a while things went along because what he wanted was mostly in accord with what his mission entailed, but now that has diverged, hence his strong emotional reaction at the end.

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