6 Anime Like Full Metal Panic! [Recommendations]

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Probably there's no one, among anime lovers, who hasn't at least heard about the amazing Full Metal Panic!. Born from Shouji Gouto's wise pen in 1997, it was adapted into an anime in 2002. It became a classic in the mecha genre, and its popularity kept on growing year by year. No wonder, we would say. We will always remember the struggles Sousuke Sagara – from the anti-terrorism organization Mithril – went through to adapt to the high school life, and to protect Chidori Kaname, the “Black Technology” keeper.

The very well balanced mixture of humor, action, and suspense, the memorable cast and the unforgettable battles make it a masterpiece you can never get tired of. And that's why we created this list, in order for you to enjoy once again the feelings you got while watching it. Read on to discover six other anime series, similar to Full Metal Panic!.


Similar Anime to Full Metal Panic!

1. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch / Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

  • Episodes: 25
  • Aired: October 2006 – July 2007

The Holy Empire of Britannia managed to subjugate Japan thanks to robots called Knightmare Frames. Become “Area 11”, Japan is soon deprived of its freedom. While its citizens – the “Elevens” – struggle to survive in the new tyrannical oppression started by Britannia, a resistance called “The Order of the Black Knights” led by a boy named “Zero” appears in order to help Japan to regain its identity. The indisputable protagonist of this story, however, is Lelouch vi Britannia. As his name suggests, he has a deep bond with the Holy Empire of Britannia. In fact, he is an exiled prince. Lelouch, in order not to be discovered while searching for a way to bring down the Britannian aristocracy, changes his name in “Lelouch Lamperouge”. The fated meeting with an unintelligible girl called C.C. changes his life and gives him the actual possibility to achieve his purpose: she gives him the “Geass”, a power that allows him to have absolute control over someone's mind.

What makes Full Metal Panic! and Code Geass so similar? Of course, their genre is mecha, and both share a school setting, politic plots, war, suffering, and losses. Also, we can find in Code Geass some funny gags that characterize Full Metal Panic! at the end instead. They both involve a special weapon that protagonist and antagonist can control, and there's a romantic atmosphere between the protagonist and the female protagonist. We must admit, though, that in Code Geass the romantic tone is way lighter, because Lelouch is – at first glance – the cold type; he has a strong willed personality and is totally focused on the target.

If you liked Full Metal Panic!, the next step has to be Code Geass. The marvelous plot will take you through a lot of unexpected happenings, keeping you with bated breath until the end. Be assured: you all will feel the same excitement you felt while watching Full Metal Panic!.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Official Trailer


2. Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 / Mobile Suit Gundam 00

  • Episodes: 50
  • Aired: October 2007 – March 2009

Three are the main powers ruling the world: the Union, the Human Reformist Alliance, and the AEU. After the complete depletion of fossil fuels, mankind has turned to solar energy as the new power source. It's the creation of the three orbital elevators, allowed to be used only by determined countries, which leads to war. In an atmosphere of general resentment against the three superpowers, a new organization appears: the Celestial Being. With the sole purpose of ending conflicts, this non-profit organization uses robots – Gundam – led by pilots called Gundam Meisters. The main protagonist of this story is Setsuna F. Seiei, one of the Gundam Meister. He is taciturn and introverted. Together with him, we find the other three Gundam Meisters: Allelujah Haptism, the gentle and kind guy with a split personality; Tieria Erde, the stoic and arrogant guy; and Lockon Stratos, the most easy going and kind among the Gundam Meisters. Each with their own personal motivations, they gain the courage to join the cause and struggle to put an end to the conflict.

Although Gundam 00 has a more serious orientation, it shares a lot of similarities with Full Metal Panic!. First of it all, Setsuna and Sousuke – the main protagonists – have the same, evil backgrounds. And as a result of their past, they both turned out to seem emotionless. Even the plots are similar, in fact both groups – Celestial Being and Mithril – don't belong to the army, but fight for a better future against warfare. And the Innovators – the humans that have evolved to utilize quantum brainwaves – are similar to the Whispereds in Full Metal Panic!. The epic battles in the space and the powerful emotions brought by them, even the romantic touch and the strong bounds that keep on growing between the four pilots are what will keep you glued to the screen. What else to say? This is a rare pearl in the mecha genre. It's a story about war, but also a story about hope, about love and about the way people try to fight their inner demons. Fans who loved Full Metal Panic! cannot miss the chance to watch this wonderful anime and the explosion of emotions that will carry with it!


3. Suisei no Gargantia / Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: April 2013 – June 2013

This story revolves around Ledo – a young lieutenant of The Human Galactic Alliance – and his robot, called Chamber. During one of the battle against a new race called “Hidiaazu,” a distortion of space and time happens, and that's how Ledo ends up on the Earth. That planet is completely flooded by the seas and mankind lives on giant ships gathered together in giant fleets and manages to survive by fishing and salvaging relics from the ocean. The fleet which our Ledo ends up to is called “Gargantia”. There, our Ledo meets the cute and easy-going Amy who shows him around and helps him since he finds himself at a loss on what to do. The new setting, the completely new life just started, and the peaceful atmosphere to which our Ledo is not used to, keeps on taking him by surprise making him realize that there could be something else in life, beside just fighting.

Even if Suisei no Gargantia has a more adventurous feeling with it, there are similarities with Full Metal Panic! that cannot be ignored. We're talking about two wonderful mecha anime. In both of them we find the protagonists – both soldiers trained since childhood – who have no clue about the world surrounding them, and plunged in a more peaceful one. Once again, we find here the anti-social protagonist's theme: Ledo, exactly like Sousuke, is a person who completely lacks any social skills. What's more, we find in Suisei no Gargantia a very strong trace of romance, since Ledo finds himself involved with Amy and learns from her a lot of things about life and human emotions. Even though we must admit that the story is generally serious, it doesn't lack comedic moments, especially when Ledo tries to get accustomed to his new settings with the help of other main characters. What's left to say? It's not excessive to state that Full Metal Panic! and Suisei no Gargantia are somehow siblings. We are sure enough that if you liked the first, you will enjoy the second!

"Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet" Trailer 1 (English Subbed)



Any Animes Like Full Metal Panic! ?

4. Aldnoah.Zero

  • Episodes: 24
  • Aired: July 2014 – March 2015

This is a story about Mars, and the Earth. Martians are the heirs of the astronauts who discovered the Aldnoah that gave them a supernatural power. The spark which causes the Earth and Mars to fight against each other is the supposed murder of the Martian Princess Asseylum – descended on the Earth only to claim peace – by terrestrials. The protagonist of this story is Inaho Kaizuka. He is just a smart high school boy and one day, without even the time to realize it, he finds himself involved in a ferocious battle against Mars. Along with him, a bunch of interesting other characters are engaged with the cause: Inko Amifumi, who holds feelings toward Inaho; Rayet Areash, the Martian who wants revenge against Mars; and Slaine Troyard, a guy born on the Earth but living on Mars because of some circumstances.

Among mecha anime series, Aldonah.Zero managed soon enough to find its own place thanks to a well-constructed plot and a suspense that keeps on growing episode by episode. Like Full Metal Panic!, we can find here a bit of school setting and, of course, the recurring military theme. In both these anime, the male protagonist is a professional in using a robot, not to mention that Sousuke and Inaho resemble each other a lot, and try to protect girls.
Aldonah.Zero is a story where the bounds between allies and enemies is thin, and where the battles will bring you a lot of emotions. It's a story about friendship, love and hope.
If you fell in love with Full Metal Panic! because of these same thematics, you will fall in love with Aldnoah.Zero too!

Aldnoah Zero Official Trailer


5. Kakumeiki Valvrave / Valvrave the Liberator

  • Episodes: 24
  • Aired: April 2013 – December 2013

Haruto Tokishima, our protagonist, and his friends live peacefully in the space, in a division called “Module 77” and their lives drastically change when, one day, The Dorssian Military Pact Federation – one of the two main powers – suddenly decide to invade the neutral nation of JIOR. Some circumstances lead Haruto – who tried hard to avoid conflicts – to become a Valvrave pilot. That single action starts a domino effect that basically alters everybody's equilibrium. Together with Haruto, his friends will lend him a hand in a ferocious battle against Dorssia: Saki Rukino, the lonely idol who has a crush on Haruto; Kyuuma Inuzuka, the dependable upperclassman; and Shouko Sashinami, loved by Haruto. However, is the fated meeting between Haruto and L-Elf Karlstein – a secret agent of the Dorssian military – that turns the tables and, after daily struggles, losses, and battles, lead to a conclusion that no one would expect.

Just like Full Metal Panic!, this is a story about war, politic plots, and love in a more collective way. Valvrave the Liberator is a little masterpiece in the mecha genre that gives emotions, and suspense, and even laughter. There's a guy who tries hard to accomplish something, and Haruto, exactly like Sousuke, will face bigger events. If you liked the dark side of Full Metal Panic!, or the romantic one, we are sure Valvrave the Liberator will be your cup of tea!

Valvrave: The Liberator - Hanabee Official Trailer


6. Buddy Complex

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: January 2014 – March 2014

Aoba Watase is a common high school boy. One day, back to school after summer break, something happens and that something irreparably changes his life. He's just quietly walking when a giant robot comes down from the sky and starts to chase after him. Aoba runs, in an attempt to stay alive. When everything seems lost, his savior appears. It's Hina Yumihara, his classmate, in her own giant robot. She rescues Aoba and, suddenly, sends him into the future. When our bewildered Aoba wakes up, about seventy years into the future, he discovers that the Free Pact Alliance and the Zogilia Republic are at war with each other. Soon after, he meets Dio Weinberg Junyou, a young Valiancer pilot, and this is how Aoba's new life begins.

We don't have to look so close to see what Full Metal Panic! and Buddy Complex have in common. For starters, both series are mecha genre, and so full of action that it seems impossible to catch a breath. Even in Buddy Complex we find a little bit of the school setting and the start of an entirely new life for our protagonist. What's more? Both series take place in the future and in both we can find our protagonists Aoba and Sousuke – both professionals at using robots –struggling to protect a girl. If we add that there's a romantic theme too, so we are sure you are ready to jump in the future with Aoba and his friends!

Buddy Complex English Trailer


We chose these six anime because they cover, in one way or another, all the aspects you may have found interesting and captivating about Full Metal Panic!. Whether you loved it because mecha genre is your cup of tea, the comedic parts, the epic battles, Sousuke's funny daily struggles, or just because you fell in love with the darker part of it, the politic plots, or Sousuke's background, well, this list is going to fill the void we are sure you all felt after finishing Full Metal Panic!.

All these stories revolve around war, battles and, inevitably, losses. You will sympathize with the characters, find yourself cheering for them and probably, sometimes, you will also shed a tear. But, on the other hand, all the funny moments provided as well, will keep everything on the right balance, that's why we think all the six of them are worth your time!

If you know other anime similar to Full Metal Panic!, or have any remarks, feel free to comment below!

Full-Metal-Panic-dvd-300x387 6 Anime Like Full Metal Panic! [Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Mari Mari

An italian girl currently living the Japanese Dream. I'm an anime and manga enthusiast (I mean... very enthusiast. XD), and my other hobbies are writing, reading, playing volleyball, listening to good music and thinking about pointless things.

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