regarding a third series (contains spoilers)

creon · Post by **creon** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 2:16 am

Greetings
This is my initial post so I'd like to thank everyone involved in both the forum and the affiliated websites for providing such great repositories of info and of course community, humor, etc.

I just devoured both series, and like most people the obvious question is potential further material.

I'm overly verbose, and this topic is gargantuan, so I'll try to keep things terse; things I don't mention aren't necessarily things I ignore or don't notice.

So, here's a simple list of items necessitating a third series
1) Novels contain more plot elements, in fact extremely important ones
2) Juxtaposing dramatic/plot tension of series 1 with humorous, carefree attitude of series 2 could imply it is a respite for another content-full segment

And there are some obvious negations
1) Many things have already been abridged; since the political/espionage/fighting plot reached such an intense climax, an obvious interpretation dictates that further material will also be lost.
2) I'm an idiot; the two series are separate and draw from disparate sources, there is no implication of any overarching content structure.

(some further discussion)
Though the plot did seem to reach a huge climax (the last bunch of episodes in series 1 built tension to quite the extreme, I in fact partially needed the release of series 2), it can be argued that what many consider to be the real plot (the love triangle, or, by extension, Sousuke's psychological transformation/problems/etc), is left dangling at peak tension. This may seem to be ample invitation for the additional novel content, however a quick glance would note that the resolution achieved in the books still does not fully relax amorous tensions (so Sousuke fights with Tessa and is allowed to be with Kaname, but he still has to deal with Tessa (still his commander, or is that tie severed?) and hence though problems may decrease, by no means is there an end), meaning that by keeping up the ante and producing more content, a whole can of worms is opened up and in fact they may have already picked a decent closure.

Many will argue that the deliberate ambiguity of the conclusion is exactly what lends the series so much charm.

That series 2 only touched on the more charming elements may indicate an intent for more material, however two important details are if the remaining substance could be satisfactorily packaged into a substantial amount of episodes (otherwise it doesn't properly mirror series 1 as I suggested it may intend to (note substantial doesn't mean 24; 8+ seems fine)), and furthermore the additional content does not conclude with nearly the dramatic apotheosis of the first series; ostensibly the final battle with Gauron and surrounding events will create quite a furor, but the subsequent romantic events may seem limp in comparism.

Please don't take this to mean that I am heartless and such scenes aren't important to me--I'm simply looking at it in the way someone modeling the flow of it may.

In the end (unfortunately?), it seems that there is no glaring reason a third series needs to be made--again, all of the lacking information does lend strength to the first series, and the blissful ignorance of any of that in the second series is charming in its own magnificent way (BTW I enjoyed the episode tessa arrives more than the hot springs episode...). Studios could emply many creative methods to merge remaining novel and manga material (and tweak it for things like Sousuke not being a decoy, upon which some further content depends), though things could be strongly argued as concluded (series 1 leaves with a few important characters having (basically) suffered emotional breakdowns, series 2 ignores has other things to care about) in a rather coyingly cute manner.

HELLFIRE · Post by **HELLFIRE** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 5:05 am

creon wrote:it seems that there is no glaring reason a third series needs to be made

@creon
It's called the bottom line... IF they THINK there is enough interest
and fan-base, they MAY look into it's feasability. IF it LOOKS like it
can be done, then there's the process of finding animation studio(s)
to animate it, (re)hiring the seiyuus, coming up with storylines, etc. etc. etc.

...doesn't stop most of us here from wishing it WOULD happen.
Many more wishlist items to be fulfilled in things we want to see and happen!
BTW, welcome to the boards, hope to see you around more!

Regards

Neko · Post by **Neko** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 5:37 am

erm, the man likes to use big shiny words...

But anyway, what you're basically saying is that another season isn't necessary because they've already peaked with stuff from the first and second seasons right?

Well that's fine and all but people like me like closure and the series just leaves too much to be desired. All those SousukeXChidori and SousukeXTessa shippers are losing sleep over this whole thing. Plus there's this whole whisper business that hasn't been dealth with yet. So maybe another season won't be as good, but at least we can see everything come to a proper conclusion.

creon · Post by **creon** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 5:43 am

Thanks for the welcome; I'm definitely indebted to this place for all the information from the mangas, novels, and other sources I couldn't have accessed (at least in my current condition of Japanese illiteracy...).

True that I didn't at all mention any of the most important budget/popularity issues which surround the undertaking of any project like this. I was pondering the story related issues regarding an extension for the precisely the reason you state: I want there to be more episodes, and assessed it based on the the only information I had.

Of course it's impossible to judge whether studios deem that this project is more lucrative than others, whether they have staff fanatical about it, and a million other hidden factors affecting the impetus to design it. If anyone had an inside scoop I'm sure we would have heard it by now.

Also I guess it's too early in the game for such speculation, as the second series is not long finished... essentially I have just proven that my line of reasoning was pointless. eek.

Rikku · Post by **Rikku** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:23 am

sry can someone enlighten me what he said im too lazy to read ti sincee im in a rush right now

Jae · Post by **Jae** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:27 am

creon wrote:... essentially I have just proven that my line of reasoning was pointless. eek.

Somewhere it always seems everything boils down to this.
Doesn't mean it isn't a fun trip getting there

No, you made points, which is that the first series didn't fully explore the relevant parts in the novels. It would be akward if they tried animating a new series based on what's left, if they played it out exactly true to the original story.

I would guess (but don't know) that one of the biggest factors is willingness among the various creator/producer parties. If they all want to, it's possible. If they don't, I do personally think the first season was sufficently wrapped up (particularly if you view the anime as an introduction into the rest of FMP). That ending has both enough closure, and enough open-endedness to allow for more or not.

Initally I didn't think there would be a season 2, just from seeing how the first was playing out. The Fumo series was a pleasant surprise, one I've yet to see

But I knew there was a good chance for more when there was a little FMP article in NewType last year. It was an anime article, the DVDs were all released, there was only manga and novels to sell then...I figured the only reason they'd pay to have someone draw and write that up was to hype more anime (there was little left to sell, to justify the article).

So, just IMO, that is what I would look for again. But I'm not getting japanese NewType on a regular basis either. I wouldn't run out looking either... I mean, if it's gonna happen we're not gonna miss out

creon · Post by **creon** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 8:22 am

Jae,
thanks by the way for the very informative site. In any case, true I omitted discussion of practical issues surrounding further developments; I touched on them some in my second post in this thread. I avoided things that like that since after some common sense speculation there's not much I can discern; probing the story for what seems to need patching is quite fun, and quixotically the ambiguous points are exactly what lent essence (yeah I'm just repeating myself).

fmp2 was indeed quite a surprise as the content was such a departure from fmp1 (other series I am fond of do not stick the main point as much as fmp1 did, and then fmp2 is a tangent).

The problem of course with fmp2's free structure is of course the fact that then it depends on maintaining a light and creative atmosphere; unfortunately to me it seems to have slightly run out of steam (with exceptions)--characters became simpler later in the series, no new additions arrived, in fact many elements seemed to be driectly derived from those invented in earlier episodes.. Of course I shouldn't complain since a few of the episodes happen to be among the nicest things I've seen.

Neko · Post by **Neko** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 1:50 pm

creon wrote: unfortunately to me it seems to have slightly run out of steam (with exceptions)--characters became simpler later in the series, no new additions arrived, in fact many elements seemed to be driectly derived from those invented in earlier episodes.. Of course I shouldn't complain since a few of the episodes happen to be among the nicest things I've seen.

Geez, I was beginning to think I was the only one who thought this. There were a bunch of stuff in the last episodes that were reminiscent of stuff from the first few. Few exceptions would probably be the Tessa arc and the finale. But I still loved the show

creon · Post by **creon** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:45 pm

Re Neko;
There's lots of things. For instance the reliance upon the fumoffu suit (boy did that get tiresome), and also the reduction of the martial arts club's personality--the three became drones (they were initially slightly more, just slightly), and the main guy became nothing but a testosterone-filled chidori fanboy. He had a lot more potential when they initially presented him. His presence in all later episodes is identical.

I also think they portrayed Sousuke out of character; they made him ridiculously stupid and boorish in many since to evoke a laugh.. but anyway I digress, and some of this may just be opinion.

Jae · Post by **Jae** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 7:15 pm

I'm going to say again, I haven't seen Fumo yet. But from what others have said here, it seems to have been very appropriate to have it as a short series.

It is a 'gag' series, and surely a full length series of the Fumo sort could be quite tiring. It's not intended to be seen as a continuing of the first series, but as a side extra. Pure goofy shit, pardon the language

The hope is that if there is yet more animated, it would be more along the lines of the first series. A more serious tone, real continuing plot, developing what the audience (and charas) know about Mithril, Whispered, Amalgam, ect. The two series are as equally seperate as they are together- extra knowledge helps for series 2 (I hear), but isn't dependant. More anime doesn't have to be dependant on series 2, in fact I'm guessing many here wouldn't want to see Fumo2.

If they get back to the serious story, Sousuke would not be fumo-dork-Sousuke with the Bonta-kun suit, but yet once again the mercenary on a mission with a love interest who is possibly in real danger. Of course, for people who felt the first series ending was sufficent, there isn't a need for more particularly if it's going to bend the story, as already told, out of shape. I think most anime fans in general probably don't give a damn about more- but I'd almost be willing to bet that many FMP fans outside of japan would like an easy chance to see more story earlier, rather than seeing how the manga develops. I expect to see people asking if we know about more for a while into the future, barring a clear answer soon.

What I think you're saying is that to preserve the integrity of FMP as a title, the animating should stop. More Fumo is too much, and the first series wasn't comprehensive enough to allow extension. I don't really disagree, but I personally would only be disappointed by more anime if it's clear from production and story quality that it was done only to milk for profits, or if it was done without input from Gatoh (or over his objections).

BTW, thanks for the thanks. I get the sense you're read pretty much everything both here and on the site. According to my inbox (not terribly trustworthy but still...) few ever read page content anymore, but I really added info for those few? who do

I'm certain you already know most (or all) of what I'm posting here, which makes my post pointless? <g>
I do think most of everything here is opinion, but there's absloutely no harm in sharing it

creon · Post by **creon** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 3:19 am

Jae:
True I looked over the site and forum some, mostly for info regarding novel/manga content. I did miss some topics I later found slightly similar to the one I started here (further animated material), but I think mine has a different slant.

It's not really my opinion that there shouldn't be more; simply the rationalization I went through seemed to imply that may actually be cumulatively better structured.

As for Fumo, true that not only did it not contribute to the plot, but futhermore it didn't provide me with any further insight into any of the characters. I do think you should take the time to watch it for those few memorable moments. I'll spount some opinion now: My favorites are the first and the Tessa segments preceding the hot springs material. The first is extremely fresh and hilarious (lots of minutiae like facial expressions, voice quirks..), and some of the exchanges between Tessa and Kaname in the other I mentioned I'll never forget (the hot springs material wasn't as dense with the humor for me, and the fan service made me slightly uncomfortable).

Teletha Testarosa · Post by **Teletha Testarosa** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 4:30 am

OOO i hope there is a 3rd series!!! or else...

Jae · Post by **Jae** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:08 am

I do plan on watching it when I can get my hands on it.
<- dial-up.

I'll keep those moments in mind

Teletha Testarosa · Post by **Teletha Testarosa** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:23 am

hee hee i'll be getting it soon too
*starts limewire

<--CABLE/T3 sometimes

Teletha Testarosa · Post by **Teletha Testarosa** » Mon Dec 15, 2003 9:41 pm

The Glaring reason will be
"THE FANS!"

FullMetal*Panic!

regarding a third series (contains spoilers)

regarding a third series (contains spoilers)

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