FMP: TSR - Looking Back *MASSIVE SPOILERS for anime/novels*

[Pyrite]

Well, it's over, and we had a darned good time while the party lasted. Now comes the hangover of the morning after...

I don't really know what to do with this thread: I was thinking of tracking the changes between the novel and the anime, or simply making a wishlist of things that could have been done better. *shrug* Either way, let the complaints - ahem, I mean "constructive criticism" - begin!

If there's one glaring complaint that actually has merit, it's about pacing. As we all know, the first few episodes were never in the novels, and meant to provide an alternate backstory for the people who missed out on FMP Season 1. Great idea, frankly, for the introduction of the new characters, and setting Blueno up for the Sicily events. But wasting 4 (IIRC) episodes meant that the actual events of ODBD were compressed, making us lose out on some scenes that could have been done a little better. Examples: Kaname and Wraith, Sousuke and the Arbalest, and the fights. (Especially the fight scenes: you can never have too many Lambda driver sparklies in the final fight. ) They should've made it a little longer, or wasted less time on introductions.

It could also have used a little more Kaname. I mean, despite the fact that ODBD was mainly about Sousuke (and angsting), Kaname's role as the one to kick his ass out of that blue funk could have been played up a little more. I've even seen certain undesirable elements in the public who think Sousuke/Tessa would have been a better pairing, simply because Kaname didn't do that much! (Just kidding, not intending to slam supporters of the pairing.)

A minor peeve, but they didn't mention that Grouseaux was a Muslim when he asked for water in the bar. Not that I'm a Muslim, but it would've been a nice touch to have a good Muslim around, plus it would have made the water order make sense. Religion isn't the point: they left in Tessa's benediction, so...

Also, they didn't explain why Arbalest suddenly began talking to Sousuke; I think that Bunny's last words would have done wonders for developing the Sousuke/Arbalest pairing - ahem, I mean, "partnership".

Looking back, TSR wasn't perfect - like Sousuke, the Arbalest, and everyone else. Naturally, it was great, but it still helps to be realistic at times... So, your opinions?

[ricerocket]

agreed, personally i thought the part where AL (Arbalast's AI) transforming from a typical battle AI to one with so much "personality" is a great point of interest as well as a important transaction in the progress of the story... it's really a bit disappointing that TSR has it cut short

on the other hand though, although this part worked well in the novel, in the anime formate it "could" have slowed down the pace of the episode... so if you think on the perspective that the animators want to somewhat avoid a long and possibly dull conversation (even longer than the one between sousuke and gauron at the end) then the editing decision could somehow make sense

all in all, TSR has been a great anime series in that it draws unique characteristics out of each individual character, something you don't see much in most other animes... hopefully we don't have to wait too long for the next chapters to come out~

PS.. some random thought: saw that dragon magazine page where there's an animated picture of leonard's AS... could this mean that the next anime season, unless it will consist of short stories again like fumoffu did, will include both "dancing very christmas" and "continuing on my own"? possibly a 26 episode series? although if you notice how fast paced TSR has been, it's also likely they'll include them both in a 13 episode season ＿|￣|○ however the ending will not feel very satisfying or "righteous" for that matter.... not enough star wars--revenge of the sith or something? anyway, so the main story seems like it'll have another two seasons... with the final one to include "burning one man force" and the last book of the story with a tba title... with like a hundred more short stories also for possible comedy seasons... the future looks bright

[KashimArbalestAS]

For the compressed episodes, what Kyoto Animation needs to do is create a 20 something episode long Full Metal Panic! series, it would be awesome. Yeah, one of the beauties of Mithril, a multi-national mercenary force that doesn't give a d*mn about your culture, religion, etc. Except if you're a Whispered, that would be helpful. I think the fight that they, in my opinion, messed up the most on or compressed was the fight between Sousuke and Clouzot. They left out a lot of stuff like some moves, and Sousuke doing that weird click beetle maneuver. With Kyoto Animation, the graphics and physics of the move would have been something to see. I also wished they included the part with the Falke catching the Arbalest in the air and slamming him into the ground.

[AEmer]

Overall...I liked the execution of this anime a lot, but I also found there were some definate problems.

1: The script. I didn't like it from halfway through the last novel till just before the end, and I didn't like (most) of the same things here either. Some of it felt forced in the novel...same thing here.

2: Lack of introspective monologue. There was very little of this - Tessa got a little, and Sousuke got bits here and there...but I was really hoping to get more. It appears to be something that the animators wish to avoid...but that doesn't mean I'm not for it!
Particularly Kanames and Sousukes thoughts during some of the crucial sequences would've been great. But no.

3: The way they 'cut' the episodes...I understand that they have to be fairly episodic, but even so, since we were dealing with a huge continuous story in this anime, I felt that squeesing the plot into episodic bits drained it of a lot of good stuff...Examining each individual episode, this was a good choice, as odd cliffhangers would've been all over the place otherwise...Looking at the anime as a total product, I think it could've been done better.

But yeah...I really liked how they'd gone about it...much of what I disliked wasn't there because of mistakes...it was entirely intended for it to be this way, at least with regard to the things I mentioned, so it's a subjective thing, and my post is mostly nitpicking...but eh....

[Circle]

I thought the pacing isn't as good as it could be too. Actually, only the Sicily ep felt it could be done in 2 episodes instead of just one. The later episodes are paced well. Though there isn't as much inner thoughts of the characters as the novel, but that's to be expected when media is ported from books to film. The final battle seems too easy or fast but can't blame the animators for that cuz that's the way it was in the novel.

I was hoping we'll see the Tessa-in-bomber-jacket scene... but I guess she's just a tease (like the sunflowers scene in Fumoffu's opening).

[Reaper DXR-7]

You know, I felt like they'd partially killed Kaname's character. The best episodes with her were the haircut and the Leonard episode. Other then that all Kyoto Animation did was pretty much state, "she's a bitch." I feel like they overplayed the "love-triangle" as well because they seem to favor Tessa at Kyoto Animation. Also they screwed up some important moments and way over-did the hitting. Did Kaname hit Sousuke that much in the novel, I don't seem to remember her hitting him that much. Sorry but TSR was a bit of a disappointment to me. It's like they are still in Fumoffu mode. I honestly feel as though Gonzo did a much better job at FMP! then Kyoto Animation. Sure Kyoto looks better but story-wise and keeping to the novels I believe that Gonzo stayed truer to the story.

[AEmer]

Kaname hit him atleast that much in the novel, if not more...it seemed like more, since it took far longer in the novel...it was really silly...

[darkbane]

It's like they are still in Fumoffu mode. I honestly feel as though Gonzo did a much better job at FMP! then Kyoto Animation. Sure Kyoto looks better but story-wise and keeping to the novels I believe that Gonzo stayed truer to the story.

It all comes down to personal preference at the end I guess (and I come down on the Gonzo side as well, I liked their animations more than these). While they may be going overboard on the slapstick visuals, it was kinda like that in the novels to begin with - and it would be pretty angsty to sit trough all that stuff without an ounce of comic relief anyhow.

Chalk up another "ending was rushed, like in the book". One thing that isn't the animators' but the author's fault though is this overpowered-Sousuke-saves-the-day idea. The way it's animated shows all the more what kind of farce it is -_-;;;

[Tessashairisblacktech]

In a way, replacing the Flying *Insert bird name here* guys with the kunoichi clone sisters kind of hurt consistency, IMO... in the early episodes when they were being written freely, they got built up as these unstoppable killing machines, and then they were locked into the novel plot where their skills aren't nearly as exceptional.

[KashimArbalestAS]

Well, both sisters were fighting opponents that they could never have or were not in the position to fight effectively back. I wonder what it would be like if Yu Fan was totally refreshed and she fought against Gates, I'd think she would still lose.

For my opinion on who is better, Gonzo or Kyoto Animation, I need to see Kyoto Animation doing some 20 something episode Full Metal Panic! series. Gonzo was good, and Kyoto Animation's 2 short series were also good.

[Dannan]

I have to choose Gonzo too, but only because I enjoy FMP so much I wish they would drag the animating out in more episodes.

Secondly, I wish they would make FMP into a full TV series like dragon ball or naruto. I just can't get enough! Does anyone know of more to come? will they animate COMO?

[Wild Goose]

I have to choose Gonzo too, but only because I enjoy FMP so much I wish they would drag the animating out in more episodes.

Secondly, I wish they would make FMP into a full TV series like dragon ball or naruto. I just can't get enough! Does anyone know of more to come? will they animate COMO?

Problem with that is the source material; there's very little room for filler, like Naruto. If you dump all the filler, it's a tighter series (Naruto, that is).

FMP is a novel series. Novels take a long time to complete.

[KiLlEr]

It's also worth noting that alot of the background story was dropped in the 1st season, and never mentioned in the 2nd. So they had to spend alot of time doing the old "oh and by the way...." in order to get the story back on track with the greater overall plot.

[KashimArbalestAS]

Looking back now, if Kyoto Animation doesn't do anymore funny integrated Full Metal Panic! episodes into future series, then I'm going to be begging Gonzo to take back the reins. A serious FMP! series like TSR is good, but I just hope there won't be more of it in the future. The quality is excellent, but they tried to keep it so realistic that it kind of restricts the characters and plot in sticking to be as realistic as they can be. Gonzo with its drawing style and way of thinking of the series is what I'm thinking I really need right now for FMP!

[Wild Goose]

Looking back now, if Kyoto Animation doesn't do anymore funny integrated Full Metal Panic! episodes into future series, then I'm going to be begging Gonzo to take back the reins. A serious FMP! series like TSR is good, but I just hope there won't be more of it in the future. The quality is excellent, but they tried to keep it so realistic that it kind of restricts the characters and plot in sticking to be as realistic as they can be. Gonzo with its drawing style and way of thinking of the series is what I'm thinking I really need right now for FMP!

Ah, but the authorman, Mr. Gatoh, is writing serious.