Full Metal Panic!

Synopsis

Full Metal Panic! follows Mithril, a clandestine military group utilizing cutting-edge tech to combat terrorism, as they deploy a specialized team for a delicate operation. Led by senior officer Melissa Mao, sergeants Sousuke Sagara and Kurz Weber are assigned to safeguard Kaname Chidori, a high school student who unknowingly possesses vital scientific secrets and is classified as a "Whispered," against factions aiming to exploit her. While Kurz and Melissa offer remote assistance, Sousuke infiltrates Kaname's school as a classmate to maintain surveillance. His rigid military upbringing and lack of social finesse cause him to clash with civilian norms, frequently attracting attention and fueling Kaname's doubts about his intentions. Despite his dedication to the mission, a sudden terrorist assault creates new obstacles. Upon pinpointing the ruthless orchestrator of the attack, Sousuke decides to place Kaname's safety above his direct orders.

Background

Full Metal Panic! adapts the first three volumes of Shoji Gatoh's light novel series of the same title, as well as content from the first three volumes of the spin-off series Full Metal Panic! Tanpenshuu. Among the differences between the light novels and the anime series, the most notable are episodes 14 to 17, which are anime original stories. The series was initially scheduled to air on WOWOW before 2002, but it was postponed on account of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. ADV Films, the licensor for North America, released the anime on the Anime Network on demand between 2003 and 2004. Full Metal Panic! is Gonzo's first anime to receive a dubbed version in Tagalog language. In Japan, the series was made available on 12 DVDs between February 25, 2002 and January 25, 2003. In North America, seven DVDs were released from June 10, 2003 to February 17, 2004. Additionally, two DVD box sets including the complete collection were also published: one on April 19, 2004 and the other on June 3, 2008.