The original 2005 anime run of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid has arrived on Crunchyroll, now streaming with both English subtitles and a complete English dub. This 13-episode season, animated by the now-legendary Kyoto Animation, is the second major television adaptation of Shoji Gatoh's acclaimed light novel series.
The Second Raid picks up the story of Sousuke Sagara, a young mercenary tasked with protecting high school student Kaname Chidori, all while navigating the complexities of teenage life and covert military operations. The series is known for its blend of high-octane mecha action, military realism, and surprisingly effective romantic comedy, a signature mix that defined the franchise.
While the first four episodes present anime-original stories, the latter half of the season adapts volumes 4 and 5 of Gatoh's novels, delving deeper into the world of the mysterious Whispered individuals and the shadowy organizations vying for their power. Kyoto Animation's early work here showcases their developing talent for fluid action and expressive character animation, even before their later, more famous fantasy and slice-of-life works.
With a MAL score of 7.91 from over 154,000 voters, The Second Raid is a strong entry in the Full Metal Panic! franchise. It follows the events of the original series and the gag-focused Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu. This release makes the complete narrative arc, leading up to the more recent Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory, fully accessible for binge-watching.
