Geekatana Anime Review: Full Metal Panic Fumoffu

I originally hated Full Metal Panic Fumoffu when I first saw it being aired locally back in 2003. It just feels a lot different than what Full Metal Panic. It did warm up to me eventually as I watched more episodes. This was handled by Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) unlike the first season which was done by Gonzo.

Full Metal Panic Fumoffu is the sequel that followed the original series that was released in 2002. But unlike the original series Full Metal Panic Fumoffu focuses on the comedic aspect of the novel and a lot of the comedic aspect giving it a far different tone. It's meant to be a companion series from the original.

Full Metal Panic Fumoffu takes place between the first season and The Second Raid. Unlike the previous season this focuses on the school romantic comedy side of Full Metal panic with stories taken from the manga and novel. This series introduces some new characters however that that isn't in the first season. Often with crude slapstick humor and often parodies anime stereotypes and itself.

If you love comedy then this is right up your alley although storywise this needs those new to the franchise to know a little bit about the previous season since it does a poor explanation of the relationship between its two main characters. Also if you want more of the deep political, military and mecha aspect of the Full Metal Panic series you will find little to none of that here.

Character development in Full Metal Panic Fumoffu is mostly centered around Chidori and Sousuke for the most part however and the rest of the characters tend to be filler and just fall into anime archetypes like the rival/bully, the best friend, the principal and the obsessive girlfriend among other things.

Each of the episode save for a couple is cut into short 10-15 minutes episodic stories that has little to no connection to each other aside from happening in the same school and characters. From a day in the beach, taking out bullies or some student being kidnapped each story is mostly compressed into short story making the 13 episode long run of Fumoffu to have at the least 20+ short comedic plots.

But the best part about Fumoffu is the introduction of Bonta-kun a teddy bear mascot outfitted with the latest robot technology that Sousuke uses that was introduced in the series that was so iconic that it was parodied in another Kyoto animated series and even made it as a hidden character in a Super Robot Wars game. Just think of a giant cute Bear costume with guns and grenades.

Graphics wise Full Metal Panic Fumoffu is extremely well done as Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) can deliver and the artwork and color still stands up to this day. There are certain drops in quality here and there but those are short and barely noticeable.

If you love the comedic school romance with a hint of action or like shows like Ranma 1/2, Gintama and the likes then you will definitely love Fumoffu. I can't remember when I laughed so much from watching a series than this one. A lot of it comes from the plot execution and excellent dubbing from each of the character. Although the english and the Philippine local dub is also worthy of praise on a good job as well.

If you want more of the comedic side of Full Metal Panic franchise than this is a series you want to watch. The series has its drawbacks in term of characters and plot but is overshadowed on how funny and entertaining the series is from beginning to end. This is a series that I'd easily recommend anyone just on how entertaining it is.