Full Metal Panic! Sigma

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When I started off watching the anime of Full Metal Panic, I didn’t know what to expect. But through the 3 seasons, I became immersed in the story to the point that I couldn’t stop watching. Heading into the final season, “Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid” I was surprised by 2 things, the character development and the strong emotions. That’s not to say that there wasn’t any comedy, there was! But the entire season felt stronger. This gave me the impression that the series could be not just good, but great! Yet what was the biggest flaw in the anime? It only covered ... the first 12 chapters of the manga. And with that said we can now move on to Full Metal Panic Sigma because it, unlike the anime, continues the story toward a conclusion

Story 9/10

The story picks up after the end of the original series. Basically for those of you who don’t know what is happening, there is a Mercenary organization called Mithril. Basically their goal is to stop war, and especially terrorism from happening by using the highest technology in the world. Higher than either the U.S. or the Soviet Union. Oh, did I forget to mention that the story takes place in an alternate timeline where the cold war is still happening? Well now you know. Back to the point. One of their up and coming members is sergeant Souske Sagara who is sent to protect Kaname Chidori. Chidori has a special ability and she is known as being a whispered. Other than that, we don’t know why she needs to be protected. Meanwhile chaos resumes around the world and Sagara has to work two jobs: protecting Chidori in a school environment, and fighting off enemies in a mech.

What makes this story so interesting and fun is the constant turmoil within Mithril. There are betrayals, there are love triangles, questions are everywhere about what is Mithril’s real purpose. Who are the whispered? Why is the enemy only now entering the picture? During Sigma. All of the questions that come up, or at least most of them are answered. This is what makes the manga great, it presents questions and then delays the answer until many chapters later. It allows the story to unfold slowly which makes the plot twist moments so spectacular. The other reason I loved this manga so much is because it reminded me of a Tom Clancy book but with more comedy and romance. In many of Tom Clancy’s stories, there is sense of mystery. This is because there are many questions that slowly get answered over time. Also Clancy’s books are kind of slow paced but with a sense of urgency to them. In other words, something needs to get accomplished quickly, but things are always accomplished in an orderly fashion that is never rushed. This is exactly how sigma was. Slowly taking its time but wanting to get things done quickly. Plus there is a lot more comedy and romance in Sigma. It adds a more interesting aspect that makes the characters more interesting. Also Sigma has its own version of the Red Octover, the Tuatha de Danaan.

That being said, for all the fun and interesting plotlines in this story, I can’t give it a 10 for two reasons. 1.) There are situations where the characters make it out alive when they shouldn’t. It just seems unrealistic and it takes away from the story. It also makes the manga lose its emotional value because you begin to expect everyone to survive 2.) There is a very unnecessary filler arc. It wasn’t bad by any means. But I felt that the manga was spinning its wheels. Leading up into it there was a lot of character development, a great story and then randomly in the middle of Sigma the plot is forgotten. Still, even with these flaws I was able to forgive the show. The storyline was simply too good, so for the most part I was able to ignore these two aspects of the manga.

Art (7/10)

I’m not going to say much here. It wasn’t bad, actually at times it was quite good! The main issue though was during the fight scenes. I remember during one fight scene there were a lot of twists and turns as the mechs flew down a corridor. I got very lost in terms of visualizing the scene and it made the scene a little less enjoyable. His happened multiple times throughout the manga. Still with that being said, I could just be bad at following those scenes. They were still beautifully illustrated. Up the ranking to 8 if you are better with fight scenes than I am.

Characters (10/10)

This easily is what made Sigma so much fun for me. Every character was interesting. From Souske (our main hero) to Mardukas (second in command of the Tuatha de Danaan.), each character brought their own flare to the story. What was great is that they all were pretty well rounded, even at the beginning. Each character had their own ambitions and goals, their own reason for doing something. It made me sympathize with some characters or understand where an antagonist was coming from. Characters didn’t make decisions randomly which enhanced the realism of the story, even when it clearly wasn’t.
In particular, the character’s development and relationships are what made the characters so enjoyable. For instance

There is Souske: Emotionless, military hero turned passionate friend, lover and protector

There is Chidori: Hot tempered, crazy chick turned calm and collected fighter

There is Tessa: Strong and amazing military commander turned caring and understanding friend

I don’t think I am even explaining how fantastic these changes were. They all felt natural. Through pain, struggle, and conflict each developed in their own way to become a better person. Even secondary characters developed over time, and truly, for a story with this much intensity, these changes came through in such a natural way that I felt like I was growing with them. This naturalism, as a stated earlier is what makes the show believable. Even if giant mechs are shooting beam guns at each other. It makes the reader connect with the characters and therefore connect with the story. This all enhances the ability for Sigma to be that much more enjoyable and I’m glad that everything felt quite natural.

The other thing that made this story great is the character relationships.
I won’t go into too many details here because I would probably spoil the story, but basically there are connections and developments that you would never expect. Some are purely for comical purposes, but most add to the story in a way that allow it to develop. Looking back at what I have already written. I need to say this again. The characters in this show are amazing! I don’t think I did them enough justice in this review by stating that they had strong relationships and development. Whether it was during happy, sad, or intense moments, it just was so much fun to watch them grow. Basically, all I can say is go read the manga and see for yourself how much you will enjoy every single character.

Enjoyment (10/10)
Overall (9/10)

While I am giving Sigma an overall of 9/10 I must emphasize how important enjoyment is and that I easily could have given this a 10/10. I loved this manga. From its story and art, to its characters. Sure it has a few flaws like any manga or anime, but while I was reading this, I forgot where I was. Because in my mind I was growing with the characters. I was fighting alongside them. The best way to tell if you like any work of art, whether it’s a movie, book, or show, is to see if you are transported away from where you are. I am happy to say that I was transported away into their world. A world similar, yet very different to ours. So while I gave this anime a 9/10 I want you to understand that it is basically a 10/10 with a few flaws. So go read it! Or go watch the anime and then read it! Whichever you decide, I love Sigma and the Full Metal Panic Franchise so hopefully you will too.

This is my first review so it's maybe not really a good one. Though i really wanna do it because this series has so much for me. Full Metal Panic Sigma continues from where the first Full metal Panic ended. For the one who wants to start reading this series i recommend reading the anime's first season or Full Metal Panic! by Tateo retsu which is the prequel for this manga.

Now for the review.

Story:10/10
The story developed in a careful and detailed way so that there aren't any aspect left from it previous series. The series progress in a serious manner without leaving behind ... the humor parts of full metal panic have . As many as physics-defying concepts this series have aside, the author wrapped the theories in a way that it won't feel exaggerated to its reader. He cleverly tried to make it so there aren't any loopholes on the theories. As it progress, the manga didn't take the full linear story line but includes short chapter that includes flashbacks.Those flashbacks really helped the character development and make us refreshed between long arcs.

Despite the lack of romance in previous series, romantic parts are really well developed in this manga, Sousuke and Kaname relationship never was a lovey-dovey one however this series proves that put the original story aside, Their love for each other despite the obstacles and drawback was what made this manga really enjoyable.

Art: 9/10

Personally, the art didn't really impressed on me in the beginning because the other one by Tateo Retsu are better in a way that the character expression and gestures are more "lively". In addition, the battle scenes are too confusing , like how the panel are organized and the point of view. However, the art is getting better in towards the conclusion of the series.Even there are some up and downs, the artists really working hard toward this series. The artist really improved the way he draw the character that it really resembles the previous manga and the anime. The only drawback for me is that the last two or three chapters didn't really as good as the others chapters. even though i really disappointed on that note, but this series really proved the artists souls in drawing them.

Character: 10/10

Character development was really done nicely in Full Metal Panic Sigma.The way it depicted, full metal panic sigma really put a conclusion to all the character in the series, No one was left out, even the deceased ones. Every Character personal struggles like, how Sousuke really feels about Chidori or Tessa, and How it was going for Mao and Kurtz also progressed without any rush. As slow the as the character development may be, the pace was perfect way to end it. The death of certain characters really feel saddening however the author made it that their deaths was not in vain and it made the protagonist keep going and move forward.

Enjoyment: 9/10

From the beginning to the end, Full Metal Panic Sigma was a hell of ride. There was a time of fun, sad, dramatic and romantic ones. Putting the story, character and art together, this manga indeed really satisfying.

Overall:10/10
Full Metal Panic Sigma mark the closure of The Full Metal Panic saga in best way possible. I have been following this series since i was a kid and waiting for years to see its continuity. Reading this manga made me feel a huge luggage was put off from my mind after all this years.

The Full Metal Panic manga was actually quite light compared to Sigma... To be honest Sigma is a bit too serious when compared to its initial chapters.

Story:9
Basically revovles around the protection of Chidori, though Sigma focuses on less school and more of actual war. The story is pretty interesting though from time to time it gets pretty confusing and at times even disturbing.

It is confusing for some parts as there were quite a number of unexplained situations and some things are very technical. For the disturbing parts, there were quite a number of plot twists that really stray away from the more light-hearted storyline of ... its previous arc.

Art: 7
Not much to say about this, character designs and actions are pretty consistent but during intense battles the art can be so confusing due to the fighting being blur.

Enjoyment: 9
For a mecha series this is pretty good.

Overall: 8
Storyline and slapstick comedy could be better balanced to give this series a likeable view instead of being so dark.