Full Metal Panic! is a series where giant robots, high school drama, and military ops somehow all fit together like pieces in a chaotic, action-packed puzzle.
Between Sousuke Sagara’s hilariously misguided attempts at being a normal high school student and the intense, high-stakes battles against shadowy organizations, this series has a little something for everyone.
Whether you’re here for the explosions or the laughs—or both—getting the watch order right is the key to fully enjoying this rollercoaster of a mecha anime.
1. Full Metal Panic! (2002)
| Episodes | 24 |
| Aired | Winter 2002 |
| Studio | Gonzo |
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.
2. Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu (2003)
| Episodes | 12 |
| Aired | Summer 2003 |
| Studio | Kyoto Animation |
It’s back-to-school mayhem with Kaname Chidori and her war-freak classmate Sousuke Sagara as they encounter more misadventures in and out of Jindai High School. But when Kaname gets into some serious trouble, Sousuke takes the guise of Bonta-kun – the gun-wielding, butt-kicking mascot.
And while he struggles to continue living as a normal teenager, Sousuke also has to deal with protecting his superior officer Teletha Testarossa, who has decided to take a vacation from Mithril and spend a couple of weeks as his and Kaname’s classmate.
3. Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (2005)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Summer 2005 |
| Studio | Kyoto Animation |
This series is set about two months after the events ocurred in the Tuatha de Danaan at the end of the original series.
Mithril becomes aware of a secret organization that has technology able to counter the ECS (Electronic Cloaking System) mode. This organization, known as Amalgam, also has “Black Technology”, obtained from “Whispered” like Kaname Chidori, and like the other intelligency agencies, they intend to obtain more.
However, when Sousuke’s mission to protect Chidori is terminated by Mithril, all seems to be in place for Amalgam’s plans… Like many of its fans know, it is based of the FMP novel “The End of Day by Day.”
4. Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory (2018)
| Episodes | 12 |
| Aired | Spring 2018 |
| Studio | Xebec |
Nine months have passed since teen soldier Sousuke Sagara first became Kaname Chidori’s covert protector. In that time, Mithril has been remarkably successful at thwarting Amalgam’s efforts, but this has only made Amalgam more determined.
Leonard Testarossa’s visits with Tessa and Kaname are just preludes to all-out attacks that begin with global communications disruptions. Kaname’s status as a Whispered makes her one of Amalgam’s main targets, which means that any semblance of a peaceful life at Jindai Municipal High School is now over for her.
And there you have it—your guide to the Full Metal Panic!
If you’ve made it through the series in the right order, you’ve laughed at Sousuke’s high school blunders, held your breath during epic battles, and gotten hooked on this one-of-a-kind mix of mecha action and comedy.
But as any fan knows, the story isn’t over yet. We’re all still waiting (somewhat impatiently) for that final season adaptation to wrap things up. Until then, keep your Arm Slave ready—because in the world of Full Metal Panic!, the adventure is far from over!
