Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Volume 1: Full Metal Pandemonium! - Eclipse Magazine
- Eclipse Magazine
- Sheldon A.Wiebe
- 06/02/05
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Blood & Guts To Sweetly Sexy: The Best Of Recent DVD Releases
Posted by Sheldon A. Wiebe on 2005/6/3 18:20:00
?Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU? is a collection of the continuing adventures of Sesouke and Kaname ? this time, in high school. Sesouke remains the paranoid military geek and Kaname is still the quick-tempered, excitable girl.
The series? first three episodes, collected here, find Sesouke dealing with a perceived threat because of a suspicious, threatening note [actually a love note, but he?s too thick to realize it]; Sesouke and Kaname having to serve lunch at school after Sesouke acts on yet another perceived threat [that isn?t], and dealing with an unhappy teacher; and then members of the class are holidaying on the beach when Sesouke screws up again ? this time leading him to believe that Kaname has been kidnapped.
?FUMOFFU? [and this volume does not include the episode that explains the title ? Auuugh!], is a remarkably witty and engaging series. The humor can be broad [as with Sesouke?s attempts to foil perceived traps and attacks, and subtle ? as when Kaname?s visit with a rich kid goes bizarrely.
The writing throughout is sharp ? Judging by the Japanese and English performances, few of the nuances are missed. The result is an exciting ride and a great hook to persuade viewers to come back for Volume 2. After the extremely adult ?Elfen Lied,? this was the perfect palate cleanser, so to speak.
Bonus features include clean animation of the opening and closing; a Bonta-kun board game; ?The Mysteries of FUMOFFU? ? a text feature that explains why the DVD is different from the original TV broadcast; several Japanese TV spots [most are quite excellent], and a gallery of character art.
Grade: FUMOFFU, Vol. 1 ? A-
Grade: Features ? B-
Final Grade: B+
Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2005 (Archive on Saturday, July 02, 2005)