Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Vol. 1: Full Metal Pandemonium (DVD) - Anime Reviews


	Number of Episodes 3 Language Options English/Japanese/English Subtitles Released by ADV Films Extras - Bonta-kun board game - The Mysteries of Fumoffu - Clean Opening/Closing Animation - Original Japanese TV Spots - Character Artwork
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Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Vol. 1: Full Metal Pandemonium (DVD)

And this time, the battleground is the school ground! High-yield explosives and hilarity come together with a bang as the somber soldier and his unwitting target brave everything from lovesick “terrorists” to an unforgiving teacher who is bent on revenge.

But as good as he is with guns, Sousuke is one clueless commando when it comes to girls – especially Kaname! Don’t miss the hilarious antics of everyone’s favorite military maniac – and Jin High’s most fiery female – as the full-throttle action begins!

The ridiculous popularity of the original series spawns a second season minus most of the seriousness of the first season. Focusing more on the “fish-out-of-water” situations with Sousuke not understanding and Chidori trying in vain to keep him contained. Let’s start!

Episode 01: The Man From The South/A Hostage With No Compromises

A pair of half-episodes to start us off. The first is the anime-standard, a young girl gets up the nerve to leave a love letter in the footlocker of her would be lover; except this time it’s Sousuke that is the potential mate. When he arrives at school he notices that the security has been compromised on his footlocker and to stop any potential threats, he detonates the entire locker with plastic explosives. After explaining his measures to the Student Council President, he begins to perform a post-mortem on the note that was placed in his locker and although the note is incomplete (blowing it up will do that) he believes that the proposed meeting may be a trap set by a maniac… and so an appropriate response will be needed. Chidori is going to hide to make sure nothing goes wrong for the would-be girlfriend, but where is Sousuke? Has he run away?

The second episode involves the area thugs who have not taken well to the brand of violence that Sousuke easily dishes out, especially when it is at their expense. Figuring that any sort of direct attack will not work against the man, the leader of the local gang decides to neutralize his tactical advantages by taking Chidori hostage. But they obviously don’t know who they are messing with, and what lengths Sousuke will go to protect Chidori. Nothing like taking a hostage of your own and getting enough information to wipe out the loved ones of everyone in the gang.

Episode 02: Hostility Passing-By/A Fruitless Lunchtime

Woohoo. Another 2-parter. Sousuke gets into some big trouble when he pulls a gun on the lunch line. He wanted to make sure that he got the buns he wanted, but instead, he caused a riot and the bakers that provided the lunch service were injured. To make sure that the lunch

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service continues, Chidori is put in charge of running the service and she makes sure to involve the cause of the problem: Sousuke.

The frequent destruction and injuries that seems to follow Sousuke around doesn’t sit well with all of the staff, and the Coach decides that he’s going to teach Sousuke a lesson – he’s going to sabotage the lunch service. However, Sousuke isn’t one to be surprised, he’s set a trap or two.

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Part 2. It’s not a good stretch for Sousuke, he’s having trouble with Japanese Classics and if he isn’t able to finish the homework he will have to take the remedial class during the break. Chidori takes pity on him, and lends him her notes so that he can finish the homework but after an all-nighter, he accidentally leaves the notes at home. Without her notes, Chidori can’t turn in her assignment either and she’s going to have to take the remedial class. So it’s going to be a mad dash to Sousuke’s apartment and back to the school before the class, but with Sousuke this off his game, how will the trip go?

Episode 03: Summer Illusion of Steel

A group trip to the beach turns ugly – Sousuke turns the traditional breaking of the watermelon into an incident when he shoots it with a shotgun instead of hitting it with a stick. The resulting carnage covers Chidori in food, just when she had gone out of her way to wear a cute bikini. Now upset, she storms off. In a nearby villa, a young man is convalescing and asks his driver to invite Chidori up to the house for a cup of tea. Reluctantly she agrees. When Sousuke eventually comes for Chidori, he is unable to get past the front gate of the house and the young master’s valets prepare to defend the house against Sousuke’s invasion.

This first disc of Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu flows rather quickly, and before you know it, it’s over. Very funny anime, that fans of the original series or just comedy buffs will get a kick out of.

- Tazman

(May 15, 2005)

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