©Shouji Gatou・Shikidouji／KADOKAWA／FMP!4

If you look through the catalogue of titles we have brought to the UK you'll notice a varied mixture. Over the past few years we've been delving into the archives of franchises that have been out-of-print and made them available again for long time fans, but also made them available for the first time to newer fans. Giving them the chance to experience these classic titles and understand we fell in love with them many moons ago. One of these classic franchises is Full Metal Panic.

Full Metal Panic is a wonderful blend of action, adventure, drama, comedy and mecha SF action that's set in a time all rolled into one and being able to release the first three seasons (Full Metal Panic, Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu? and Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid) is something we're very happy about. But to say we have been craving more for a long time - I'm talking about since The Second Raid concluded it's broadcast in Japan - is an understatement.

But the time has nearly arrived for the wait to be over and we (Anime Ltd.) are delighted to announce we have acquired the rights to the upcoming fourth season of the franchise, Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory.

And what's more, fans in UK & Ireland will be able to watch new episodes of the series each week through a simulcast at Crunchyroll. (Please stay tuned to Crunchyroll's for more specific details, but we'll be sure to update this post accordingly..)

Key Visual for Full Metal Panic: Invisible Victory

ABOUT FULL METAL PANIC! INVISIBLE VICTORY

Synopsis: "Full Metal Panic returns with a brand-new, action-packed series, continuing from the events of The Second Raid.

Invisible Victory finds Sagara Sousuke and his colleagues at “Mithril" under fierce attack at their bases around the globe from a rival organisation known as “Amalgam”. While Sousuke and Kaname face new tests thanks to a dangerous threat on their home turf in Japan, Merida Island and Mithril’s flagship submarine, the Tuatha de Danaan, both come under fierce and concerted attack themselves.

The series is written by original Full Metal Panic author Shouji Gatou, with production handled by animation studio Xebec. The series is directed by Katsuichi Nakayama (Planetarian, assistant director Evangelion 2.0 and 3.0), while the series’ character designer Osamu Horiuchi returns to his role for the new series."

You can check out a few previews for the series below -

WHERE CAN I WATCH THIS?

There will be a weekly simulcast for viewers in UK & Ireland via our good friends at Crunchyroll. At time of writing the specifics haven't been announced, so please stay tuned to Crunchyroll's channels for more details. (We'll of course be updating this post accordingly.)

visit crunchyroll here

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT US (Anime Ltd.) ACQUIRING THIS TITLE

• Full Metal Panic: Invisible Victory begins airing in Japan tomorrow (13th April 2018.) As we mentioned earlier in the post, you'll be able to watch new episodes each week via simulcast at Crunchyroll. (Please stay tuned to Crunchyroll's channels for more details, but we'll be sure to update this post accordingly.)
• Anime Ltd have acquired streaming and home video rights for this title. When it comes to home video we have no time frame on when this may be available, but at best we would don't expect to hear anything until midway through 2019 at the earliest.
• We've some fun plans in the works to celebrate the Full Metal Panic franchise this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for info on that as we can share it.

And that's about everything we can tell you at the moment! If you've not watched series before, it's a perfect time for a catchup. We have released all three seasons on Blu-ray so you can be more than ready ahead of the new series!

And be on the lookout, as there might be some more Full Metal Panic related news coming soon.

Signing out~!

Jeremy