At their “Fantasia Bunko Big Thanksgiving Event 2015”, Fujimi Shobo announced some very exciting news. A new Full Metal Panic! anime adaptation is on the way. No other details were announced about the project other than the initial reveal. You can check out pictures from the reveal below.
The original Full Metal Panic! light novels were authored by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shikidouji. It was published by Fujimi Shobo under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint in Dragon Magazine. The light novel ran from 1998-2011 and had a total of 23 volumes (including the short and side story collections). The actual main light novels ran for 12 volumes and ended in 2010. The light novel has been adapted into different Medias including a manga, spinoff light novel series, and three anime series.
Prior to this new anime announcement, Full Metal Panic! inspired three other anime adaptations. In 2002 it had a 24 episode TV anime series titled Full Metal Panic! which was produced by Gonzo. A comedy sequel to the first anime titled Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu was released in 2003 and ran for 12 episodes and was produced by Kyoto Animation. The latest anime was a direct sequel to the prior two animes and was titled Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid. This one was produced by Kyoto Animation and ran for 13 episodes. An OVA which takes place after The Second Raid was released in 2006. All three series and the OVA were licensed by Funimation and are available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.
A synopsis of the first Full Metal Panic! anime can be seen below. (Provided by ANN)
Sousuke Sagara, a seventeen year old military specialist working for the secret organization MITHRIL, has been assigned to protect the latest “Whispered” candidate Kaname Chidori. To complete this task Sousuke will have to deal with enemies from his past as well as the occasional panty thief. Unfortunately for Sousuke, the toughest part of his mission isn’t only protecting Miss Chidori but also getting used to living an average High School students life, no easy task for someone raised on the battlefield.
It is not known whether or not the new anime will be a direct sequel to The Second Raid or a completely new anime altogether. It has been almost 10 years since the last Full Metal Panic! anime was released and it is nice to see Fujimi Shobo is giving the series another chance to shine.
