The official website of the upcoming anime adaptation of Shoji Gatoh and Shiki Douji’s Full Metal Panic! light novel has revealed that the upcoming 2017 anime will be officially titled Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory. A new key visual was also revealed.
In addition, an audio drama for Full Metal Panic! has been produced that features the main cast from the previous anime reprising their roles, titled Odoru Very Merry Christmas (Dancing Very Merry Christmas) which will launch on January 23. The drama is adapting a piece of the series’ 6th volume. The audio drama’s first episode, “Queen’s Gambit,” is available now on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMT7RVet9T0
The upcoming anime series is scheduled to air in the Fall/Autumn 2017 anime season. In addition to the announcement, the main production staff were announced that includes:
- Director: Katsuichi Nakayama (Nishi no Yoki Majo – Astraea Testament)
- Series Composer: Shoji Gatoh
- Anime Character Designer and Chief Animation Director: Osamu Horiuchi (Full Metal Panic!, Bakuretsu Tenshi)
- Sub-Character Designer: Aya Yamamoto (Oregairu Zoku and Locodol Animation Director)
- Animation Studio: Xebec (To LOVE-Ru, Pandora Hearts)
The main cast of the previous anime appeared at the event, hinting that they may reprise their roles in Full Metal Panic! IV:
Tomokazu Seki (Itaru Hashida from Steins;Gate) who voices Sousuke Sagara
Satsuki Yukino (Shion and Mion Sonozaki from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) who voiced the role of Kaname Chidori
Yukana (C.C. in Code Geass) as Teletha Testarossa
Full Metal Panic! is a series of light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. The series follows Sousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril, tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a hot-headed Japanese high school girl.
Individual chapters are published on Monthly Dragon Magazine, followed by a paperback compilation released by Fujimi Shobo’s Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. The novels are split between stories focusing on Sousuke’s mission as a soldier of Mithril and comedic side stories centered on his life at Jindai High School.
The series has been adapted into different media; including three animated television series: Full Metal Panic! by Gonzo in 2002, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid by Kyoto Animation in 2003 and 2005 respectively. An OVA was also released in 2006; and five different manga series.
Full Metal Panic! synopsis from MAL:
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 student’s life, which is no easy task for someone raised on the battlefield.
Source: Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory Website, Yaraon!
