English Dub Review: Full Metal Panic Invisible Victory “Damage Control”

#NotMyKalinin!

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Mithril deduces the cause of the communication interference; a solar storm, specifically the largest in a century. Usually, something like this would put both sides on an even playing field, but the fact that the enemy is striking now must mean that Leonard planned for this. Oddly quiet is Lt. Commander Kalinin, who seems to know something others don’t, and more importantly, has been replaced by another voice actor! Yeah, I know Mike Kleinheinz tragically passed away in 2008, but dammit it’s not the same! #NotMyKalinin! Not that this matters much as missiles come hurtling towards the base! No reason to panic though, since if they’re nukes, they’ll be killed instantly (GEE THANKS FOR THE COMFORTING WORDS TESSA)!

Back in Japan, Amalgam soldiers close in on Sosuke and Kaname. The only solution is a fast pace car chase that jostles between 2D and 3D! Windshields are shattered, bullets sprayed, robot arms mutilated, all while Sosuke tries desperately to keep Kaname safe and Kurama tracks their every move. Their chase takes them in front of civilians, and their only helicopter out is shot down. Kaname is traumatized and Sosuke’s out of options, but luckily the helicopter also contains the Arbalest, finally giving him a 27-foot tall edge on the enemy.

Mithril continues licking their wounds after the missile strike, having already suffered a few casualties, and not even Tessa’s signature sniffing-her-ponytail move can save them. Their main ship, the Tuatha de Danaan, is still undergoing maintenance and won’t be ready to embark for at least half a day, so she orders all of their available AS units to protect the base. This won’t be easy, however, as the enemy launches three Behemoths, gargantuan mechs last seen in the first season, where even one caused nearly catastrophic destruction. They’re equipped with Lambda Drivers like Sosuke’s Arbalest and are nigh-indestructible, so the pilots aren’t super optimistic about their chances, with one going so far as to seriously suggest mutiny against Tessa. Almost in response, the captain arrives and whips him back in line.

Sosuke and Kaname manage to find a safe place to breathe, but don’t get long before receiving a text from Amalgam. Kyoko and the rest of Jindai High School have been taken hostage.

OUR TAKE

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about. If last week was about reintroducing the characters and conflict, this was most definitely about bringing back the action and tactics in full force. Not only do we get the glorious return of the ARX-7 Arbalest (which I’m sure will be around for a very long time in this show) as it kicks ass ten ways to Sunday, we also receive a welcome reminder of why Tessa is captain in the first place, as she is clearly the MVP of the episode. I don’t think the story really requires us to know any of the pilots other than Kurtz, Melissa, or Ben, so this mutiny guy seems mainly invented for this situation but does it ever sell the captain’s ability to command. With her brother as the main antagonist and the Whispered powers coming more into play going forward, she’s likely going to have a lot of chances to show us why she’s in charge.

Kaname, meanwhile, is not faring nearly as well, and for good reason. This is the first time in the series that she’s been dragged into what is basically a war zone, and it’s in her own backyard. She’s no stranger to tough scrapes, having dealt with a couple of hostage situations before this and an assassination attempt last season, but this is by far the worst of it, especially now that her friends and classmates could be directly impacted by what she chooses to do next. Sosuke’s not holding up much better, being almost single-mindedly focused on keeping her alive, but glaringly unqualified in keeping her sane as he drags her through explosions, bullets, and death. These are things he’s grown up around, but not something he can realistically expect the girl he loves to suddenly adapt to. It’s clear now that when Leonard left that last warning, he meant it. Things are desperate now, and getting the Arbalest back may not be enough to save them.

We also finally get a look at the new Opening and Ending for this season! First off, this is probably the most dynamically animated opening Full Metal Panic has ever gotten, or at least since Fumoffu (which was ironically the comedy season). Season 1 was little more than a clip show, and while Second Raid’s opening at least had original animation, it was pretty minimalistic in how much it showed off. But it’s 2018 now, baby! And we got all cool CGI mecha flips and particle effects and metaphorical red blood hands reaching up and turning white that you could possibly want! Although it’s also sadly the first opening of the series to NOT be sung by Mikuni Shimokawa, which is not necessarily bad, just unfortunate. The visuals also seem to fall into just a bit of cliché, what with Kaname clothed and floating in the shallow reflective water and having her and Sosuke shown parallel but in opposite directions to reflect how their fates are intertwined and whatnot. The ending is also pretty to look at, taking place in what might be a chapel or cathedral, but LORD knows why (eh? eh?).

But yeah, the new season’s still going strong. I imagine there’s a BIG ONE PERCENT chance I won’t enjoy the next episode!