Full Metal Panic! (フルメタル·パニック! Furumetaru Panikku!?, often abbreviated to FMP!) is a series of light novels written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shiki Douji. The series followsSousuke Sagara, a member of the covert anti-terrorist private military organization known as Mithril , tasked with protecting Kaname Chidori, a spirited Japanese high school girl.
Setting
The series is set in a parallel world, based upon actual world events around the late 20th century to the early 21st century. The story begins in Heisei 10 (1998 AD), where the Cold War has yet to end. China has split into a north and south, with Hong Kong being split much like Berlin. The major differences between real life Earth and the Full Metal Panic! universe are:
- China has split into the People's Liberation Committee (North China) and the Democratic Chinese Alliance (South China) along the Yangtze River. Kowloon is a North Chinese territory, while Hong Kong Island is held by South Chinese forces. Combat in Hong Kong is prohibited by terms of a recent peace treaty.
- A nuclear warhead was used in the 1991 Gulf War. This triggered the Fifth Middle East War.
- Following the beginning of the fifth Middle East war, the Soviet Union successfully reinvaded Afghanistan, which is called Helmajistan in the series.
- Mikhail Gorbachev was assassinated and Perestroika was halted.
- Distinct military technology such as Arm Slaves and Black Technology were developed.
A number of other details differentiates the fictional world. Common changes occur in the Japanese names, as they use homonyms to the names of real life locations. The fictional Jindai (陣代) High School is based on the real life Jindai (神代) High School in Chōfu, Tokyo. The closest station to the real life Jindai High School is the Senkawa station, changed from 仙川 to 泉川. The Japanese calendar of Heisei is altered from 平成 to 平政.
List of Full Metal Panic! light novels
Full length main story novels
No. | Title | Japanese release | English release |
1 | Fighting Boy Meets Girl
うボーイ・ミーツ・ガール |
December 18, 1998 | September 11, 2007 |
2 | One Night Stand
疾(はし)るワン・ナイト・スタンド |
March 18, 1999 | January 8, 2008 |
3 | Into the Blue
揺れるイントゥ・ザ・ブルー |
February 14, 2000 | June 17, 2008 |
4 | Ending Day by Day: Part 1
終わるデイ・バイ・デイ 上 |
November 10, 2000 | February 1, 2011 |
5 | Ending Day by Day: Part 2
終わるデイ・バイ・デイ 下 |
April 20, 2001 | February 1, 2011 |
6 | Dancing Very Merry Christmas
踊るベリー・メリー・クリスマス |
March 20, 2003 | N/A |
7 | Continuing On My Own
つづくオン・マイ・オウン |
October 20, 2004 | N/A |
8 | Burning One Man Force
燃えるワン・マン・フォース |
January 20, 2006 | N/A |
9 | Come Make My Day
つどうメイク・マイ・デイ |
March 20, 2007 | N/A |
10 | Approaching Nick of Time
せまるニック・オブ・タイム |
February 20, 2008 | N/A |
11 | Always, Stand by Me: Part 1
ずっと、スタンド・バイ・ミー 上 |
July 17, 2010 | N/A |
12 | Always, Stand by Me: Part 2
ずっと、スタンド・バイ・ミー 下 |
August 20, 2010 | N/A |
Short story novels
No. | Title | Japanese release | English release |
1 | The Lone Wolf I Can't Leave Alone
放っておけない一匹狼(ローン・ウルフ) |
December 17, 1998 | N/A |
2 | Can't be serious at Two Outs, Bases Loaded?
本気になれない二死満塁? |
May 18, 1999 | N/A |
3 | The Unenviable Triple Crown Winner?
自慢にならない三冠王? |
October 13, 1999 | N/A |
4 | No Sympathy for the Surrounded on All 4 Sides?
同情できない四面楚歌? |
June 14, 2000 | N/A |
5 | Helpless and Lost in 5 Miles of Fog?
どうにもならない五里霧中? |
October 19, 2001 | N/A |
6 | The Undependable 6 Statute Books?
あてにならない六法全書? |
June 20, 2002 | N/A |
7 | The Uneasy Seven Tools?
安心できない七つ道具? |
July 19, 2003 | N/A |
8 | Can't Worry About Being Trapped On 8 Sides?
悩んでられない八方塞がり? |
July 20, 2005 | N/A |
9 | Seriously dangerous narrow escape from death?
マジで危ない九死に一生? |
August 20, 2011 | N/A |