Monday, November 5, 2018

Full Metal Panic: Invisible Victory Part 1 Episodes 1-3


At the gravesite of their parents, siblings Tessa and Leonard Testarossa meet.  Leonard offers his sister one simple warning: “Playtime is over.”  In one fell swoop, the peaceful life Sousuke Sagara thought he could have with his class rep, Kaname Chidori, is destroyed as Amalgam takes the gloves off.  Mithril finds itself on the brink of collapse and not even the students and staff of Jin Dai High School are safe from the wrath of an enemy that may have been holding back this whole time.  The game has changed and Sousuke will be forced to use tactics that might even frighten Kaname.  But he is a soldier and Sousuke will protect the woman he loves…no matter the cost.

It’s been 13 years since The Second Raid but MAN IS IT GOOD TO HAVE FULL METAL PANIC BACK!!!  When I started on the journey to reviewing the first three seasons throughout 2017, I was a little nervous.  The first season, while a classic, started out on uneven footing trying to balance action and comedy.  The second season: FMP Fumoffu, and the third season: FMP: The Second Raid, were both major improvements because they decided to focus on one half of the equation each, comedy and drama respectively.  Which brings us to Season IV (haha get it cause it could also be shorthand for Invisible Victory).  Once again, Full Metal Panic is choosing one half of the comedy/drama spectrum and it’s taking things to the next freaking level. I never expected the goodness of The Second Raid could be followed up almost so easily.  It’s not without drawbacks but Invisible Victory is off to one helluva beginning.

The trailers for the new season promised us war and it has so far delivered.  Leonard Testarossa’s threat was real: the gloves are coming off.  And in doing so, the feel of Full Metal Panic changes all together.  The fun times are over, something both Kaname and Sousuke have both been dreading since they’ve met.  Amalgam is done being on the losing end and is doing what most bad guys should do from day one: send in every piece of destruction they have to wipe out their enemies. Mithril started off uneasy at the start of The Second Raid with their foes for that season.  Here, they’re not only caught off guard, they are pretty much in the middle of the “no win scenario” (or as we Star Trek fans know it better, “Kobayashi Maru”).  Sure theyre doing their best to play defense but it’s a desperate one and for the first time, I am truly terrified for everyones safety at Mithril HQ.

With the stakes raised so high, it’s good to see that all of the stellar character development from The Second Raid has not gone to waste.  Holy crap, Tessa is acting like a real Captain in a time of crisis, even threatening to shoot a would be deserter when he threatens to turn everyone in to save his own skin.  Sure Kurtz says she wouldn’t do it but I don’t know.  Were this Season One Tessa I’d believe him but this is a more mature and ready for battle Tessa, I gotta say, I dig it.  But of course, there’s Sousuke and Kaname, both going through their own personal turmoil in the middle of this.  After all their adventures, theyre closer than ever, pretty much dating.  But could their bond be their downfall?  Sousuke is willing to sacrifice everything to protect Kaname and her world that he has come to love (including her friends and Jin Dai High School).  But even Hayashimizu (a face from Full Metal Panic Fumoffu making a welcome return) has to point out that Sousuke should be looking to his own future and also if that means letting Kaname go to keep her safe.  Kaname has to contend with the reality of the harm her hidden powers are causing her world.  Most importantly, for a moment she’s scared when Sousuke has to go all out soldier to keep her safe and he isn’t using dummy rounds.  It plays to the power of the bond Sousuke and Kaname have built over three prior seasons to see them accept these fears and declare they’ll face the future together.  And I gotta say, from a guy who has followed this show since Season One Episode One, it was a big freaking deal to see Sousuke and Kaname hold hands while walking home before everything started going downhill.

The animation studio has changed once again for this season.  I’ll miss Kyoto Animation’s brilliant work but Stuido Xebec (Martian Successor Nadesico) is doing an adequate job so far.  The characters still look the same with a few slight touch ups.  It’s great to see everyone back again in action, especially my girl Melissa Mao, who looks just as good in Tessa’s uniform as she does in her pilots suit (apparently she got promoted, hence the uniform change).  The mecha designs and the CG used to bring them to life this time are solid…but not so solid is the CG Car Chase that takes up the bulk of Episode 2.  While I know that the wacky CG Races of Initial D hold some charm, it doesn’t work as well here in Full Metal Panic.  In fact despite the roll the show was on with its story, I was worried for a moment that this show was faltering in any area so early on.  There’s also the ongoing mystery of Kaladin acting…well unsure and unsettled.  Mardukis and Tessa both caught on that something was up with him and I cant help but wonder…is he going senile or has Sousuke’s mentor helped sell out Mithril?  Only time will tell I suppose.

Despite the fear and intensity it brings with it, Full Metal Panic: Invisible Victory feels like an old friend coming back after a long time away and its one you want to hug tight.  The gangs all here and the long time villains are ready to bring the heavy fight this time.  Im as excited for whats to come as I am scared as hell for every single character on this show.  Will we have to say goodbye to some beloved faces when the final episode of the season airs?  I’m buckling in for the long haul…Full Metal Panic is back and it is about damn time.

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