Ranked #47

Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

After watching all the FMP seasons I have to say that, without a doubt, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu is the best one. FMP F are just spin-offs, side stories that take place right after the first Full Metal Panic! and before Second Raid season. If you are looking for a good laugh this is definitely one of the best options around.

Does this anime really have a story? Almost every episode is divided in two sub-episodes parts, that equals two stories per episode. Mostly one has nothing to do with the other episodes. Now if Fumoffu doesn't have a story why is so good? Easy: in the first season the anime focuses, almost all the time, in the belic conflicts that "Mythril" has with different terrorist organizations. But the thing is that they've created amazing over the top characters, characters they have to show off in another way, in a theme that accentuates more the master work they've done: a comedy theme, and not in the serious-storyline theme that characterized the first season. This is called fan service my friends.

Now which place is the most popular for an anime to take place and to develop? The answer is simple: school. This ambience is used now in almost all animes simply because is part of the formula, a formula that is successful. This season is made mainly because of the lack of that "school development" that the first season has. If you watch Fumoffu carefully, you'll notice that almost every single thing is school-related. In the end no story at all, only fan service, very well done fan service.

The art and design is not that different from the original Full Metal Panic! The characters keep looking good and smooth. The only thing that changes is the locations that, this time, are more detailed. In Fumoffu the school location is a lot more detailed: new sub-locations inside the school are shown (club rooms, school council room, principal's room, etc.) and new characters are introduced to compliment the roles inside the school. Note that in this anime you ain't seeing Mechas (well if you can count Bonta-kun as one xD!).

Regarding opening-ending and BMG's I have to say that FMP is superior than Fumoffu. However Fumoffu does take the voice acting to new horizons. The voices of Chidori and Sagara are a lot more relaxed and funny. Also love the Fumo!!! Fumoffu! sound that Bonta-kun does, it may seen childish but at the end it's really one of the most hilarious stuff this anime has to offer. Nice sound but as a " sequel" it doesn't outstand it's predecessor.

Full Metal Panic! has always characterized for having one of the best casts of characters around. Well Fumoffu does really make this characters look better, if possible, than the original FMP. The way Sagara and Chidori go to school every day, Sagara's paranoism and Chidori's violent personality do help Fumoffu reach the pinnacle in comedy anime. I mean is obvious if you watched the first FMP that the characters are just unique in many ways.

I definitely enjoyed this anime from the first minute to the last one. FMP F offers 100% guaranteed entertaiment, even if you know nthing about FMP this anime is a must watch. Fumoffu is almost at a masterpiece level the only problem with this show is that it can be VERY random; but that is what makes it funny isn't it? read more

Okay, first things first. One: If you haven't watched the original Full Metal Panic! series, watch it beforehand. Knowing the characters *will* make the humor better. Two, if you didn't like the part of the original series that was about Sosuke and Chidori's everything but normal high school life, turn around, because that's all Fumoffu is about. Okay, let's get to reviewing.

The story in Fumoffu follows, as mentioned, Chidori and Sosuke's wacky high school life, and has none of the mecha aspects that FMP! had. This means that there is room for tons of comedy - given that you liked that part of FMP! You'll see everything from bacteriological weapons to flirt contests in this series, and not to mention, Sosuke's total lack of "street smarts". There is no continuous story from episode to episode, except two episodes which were tied together. Some of the episodes also feature two mini-episodes at around 10 mins. each instead of one full-length episode. While this system wouldn't have worked with, let's say, FMP!, it works perfectly for an all-out comedy show like Fumoffu. I see some people rate the story with a 4 because it's really no story (and I kinda agree with them on that), but I'm giving it a 9, because I consider what happens in each episode as well in my rating.

The artwork is as great as it was in FMP!. The coloring is better than most series out there, and other effects are okay. And while above average overall, it's nothing really spectacular, and so it ends up on a 9.

The soundtrack isn't much to brag about, and the worst aspect of the series, if you ask me. I hardly noticed it was there, and when I did, I can't say I was impressed. The only exception is the OP/ED themes, which were great, but not good enough to raise the music to a score of 8.

The characters are the same old people I learned to love in FMP!, and that love was enough to cover up for the big lack of character development - they were the same old characters throughout the 12 episodes. But then again, I didn't really expect much character development since it's a comedy show. The side characters that were introduced were really hilarious, especially that crazy police woman. I'm stuck on an 8.5 here, too bad MAL doesn't have the ability to put in X.5 scores >_<

All in all, I enjoyed the show a lot, and I laughed almost all the time. To summarize: If you liked FMP! and it's characters, and most importantly, the comedy aspects of the show, you have to watch Fumoffu.

To 'Not Helpful' voters (and you 'Helpful' voters too): Feedback greatly appreciated =) read more