Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Volume 2

We have three more helpings of the FMP! comedy spin-off as undercover military operative Sousuke and his reluctant charge Kaname find themselves in more scrapes and madcap adventures. An art trip goes awry when Sousuke’s habit of turning everyday events into a military-style operation causes his classmates to rise up against him; Kaname goes to a theme park with an old friend, only to be tailed by a strangely familiar figure in a Bonta-kun outfit; an evening in an abandoned haunted hospital turns up a few surprises and irate school caretakers and creepy stalkers cause our heroes more problems.

In all of this we finally find out why this series is called “FUMOFFU’: it is the nonsensical catchphrase of the show’s mascot, a life-size version of the cuddly toy that Kaname had at home in the original series. The sight of Sousuke disguised as a giant cuddly toy running to Kaname’s rescue screaming “FUMOFFU!” with all guns blazing is the highlight of many laugh-out-loud moments during the course of this disc. As with the first FUMOFFU outing the episodes are all of half length so while the running time is equivalent to three full-length ones there are still six instalments of madcap comedy to enjoy.

Those who enjoyed the first disc will be pleased to know that here there is more of the same: in addition to Bonta-kun going postal on Yakuza henchmen and horse-headed stalkers there is a re-appearance of the over-enthusiastic police officer from an earlier episode and number of bizarre supporting characters. Sousuke, Kaname and the other FMP! regulars offer plenty of laughs on their own but there a fair few new faces appear who give a new and fresh feel to the show.

My personal favourites include the over-the-top art teacher and the school caretaker. The latter is the unfortunate soul at the recieiving end of acts of kindness from Sousuke and a young martial artist who put him to no small inconvience: his patience for the two of them inevitably wears thin, to spectacular and comic effect.

It’s something of a surprise to see a bit of progress in the Kaname/Sousuke relationship amidst the mayhem, even if it’s a modest amount. The emphasis of FUMOFFU is of course delivering rapid-fire explosive comedy but it’s great to have a little reminder of the original series’ romantic subplot occasionally. The regular cast are all really funny and engaging but sadly there’s still no sign of any of the Mithril bunch: their absence is the only major criticism I can aim at the show at this stage.

In Summary

Once again FUMOFFU hits the mark in terms of delivering the laughs despite working (mostly) within the constraints of the “high school comedy’ genre. Frantic, imaginative and undeniably silly, the second instalment of FUMOFFU makes good use of the zany characters and outrageous situations to make it at least as funny as the first offering.