If you want to know where to watch Full Metal Panic! online, we can help. If you’re unfamiliar with the anime series, we can help there as well.
Full Metal Panic! is an underrated series which manages to poke fun at both the mecha genre and school comedy at the same time.
Despite the name, it has nothing to do with Fullmetal Alchemist.
Full Metal Panic! Basics
Full Metal Panic! tells of Sergeant Sousuke Sagara, a young mercenary soldier and mecha pilot. He must protect Kaname Chidori, a schoolgirl with some mysterious abilities. In order to keep an eye on her, Sousuke enrolls at her school.
Unfortunately, while Sousuke has excellent combat training, he has few normal social skills. Combine that with Kaname’s tsundere tendencies, and the result is a mixture of mecha action and romantic comedy (with just a touch of fanservice).
History
Shoji Gatoh wrote the first of several Full Metal Panic! light novels in 1998. The novels were adapted into an anime series in 2002. It was followed by Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu in 2003.
However, Fumoffu isn’t a sequel, but rather a sillier, romantic comedy spin-off. Fumoffu was Kyoto Animation’s first full TV anime series. KyoAni replaced anime studio Gonzo.
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid came out in 2005. A third season, Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory, arrived in 2018.
They also produced an OVA, and some “director’s cut” compilation movies of the first anime series.
List of Places to Watch Full Metal Panic Online
- Netflix
- Crunchyroll
- Tubi
- Hulu
- Google Play
Note: All of the places mentioned are legal, licensed options. Our list does not include pirate sites.
Where to Watch Full Metal Panic Online
1. Netflix
U.S. Netflix doesn’t currently have Full Metal Panic! I also tried Netflix Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, UK, France, Italy, South Africa, Mexico, and Taiwan.
However, you can find Full Metal Panic! on Netflix in South Korea — in Japanese with Korean subtitles. Specifically, Korean Netflix has the 2018 Invisible Victory series (i.e. the third season).
Netflix might make Full Metal Panic! available in more places in the future. In the meantime, you can use a VPN to watch Korean Netflix.
How to Watch Full Metal Panic on Netflix via VPN
This method works on both desktop PCs and mobile phones or tablets.
- Purchase (or start a free trial) of a VPN. I can confirm that NordVPN works for this purpose.
- In the settings, choose South Korea as your location.
- Fire up the VPN and wait for it to do its magic
- Once you’re connected, navigate to Netflix (browser or app)
- Search “Full Metal Panic” in the Netflix search bar and you should see the anime pop up.
Enjoy! Please note that if your Netflix library doesn’t update to reflect the country you selected in your VPN, you may have to clear the Netflix cache first and try again.
To do this on mobile, go to settings -> apps -> Netflix -> clear cache. To do this on PC, you have to clear the cache in your web browser.
I’ve had no trouble using this method and I still use NordVPN to watch anime from various Netflix country libraries daily.
Pros
- A large library of titles, both anime and otherwise
Cons
- Limited language options
- Only the third season available
Language options: Japanese with Korean subtitles
Price: $9.99 basic; $15.49 standard; $19.99 premium.
Watch Full Metal Panic! on Netflix.
2. Crunchyroll
For some reason, Crunchyroll divided Full Metal Panic! up into several separate web pages.
- Full Metal Panic! inclues the first 24 episodes of the 2002 season.
- Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid covers the 2005 sequel.
- Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory features the 2018 series.
- The spin-off series Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu also gets its own page.
Pros
- All four series available
- 14-day free trial for new premium users
- English, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitle options
Cons
- This series available to premium users only
Language options: Japanese with English subtitles; or English dubbed for season 1. Japanese with English, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles; or English dubbed for seasons 2 and 3. Japanese with English subtitles for Fumoffu.
Monthly price: Free, limited-viewing account option does not include Full Metal Panic! $7.99 for “fan” level; $9.99 for “mega fan”; and $14.99 for “ultimate fan.”
Watch Full Metal Panic! on Crunchyroll.
3. Tubi
Tubi has the first series, and the spin-off Fumoffu on a separate page.
If you have a Google or Facebook account, you can use those to login to Tubi. Or you can register using your e-mail address. But, you can watch without registering an account or logging in. (You won’t be able to create a watchlist.)
The service is limited to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Ecuador Australia, and New Zealand.
Pros
- Free, with no registration necessary
Cons
- Ad-supported service (but an ad blocker may help)
- Only two seasons
- Limited language options
Language options: Japanese with English subtitles
Price: Free
Watch Full Metal Panic! on Tubi.
4. Hulu
Hulu has the first season of Full Metal Panic! But the streaming service doesn’t have the other seasons. The “48 episodes” available refers to subbed and dubbed versions.
Hulu U.S. is not related to Hulu Japan.
Pros
- A decent anime and non-anime library
- Free trial available
- Can bundle Hulu with Disney services
Cons
- Only one season available
- Ads, unless you pay extra (some ad blockers may help)
- Limited language options
- Only available in U.S.
Language options: Japanese with English subtitles; English dubbed
Price: Multiple plans, including Hulu with ads, $7.99/ month; Hulu without ads, $14.99/ month. Hulu (with ads) Disney+ bundle , $13.99/ month; Hulu (without ads) Disney+ bundle, $19.99/ month. One-month free trial available for new customers.
Watch Full Metal Panic! at Hulu.
5. Google Play
Google Play has the 2018 Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory series. It also has Full Metal Panic! Fumoffu. When you get the series this way, you are paying for individual episodes, rather than subscribing to a streaming service or renting episodes.
Note: Google Play doesn’t make it clear if this is subbed or dubbed. But, it’s offered through Funimation, which has both Japanese and English.
Pros
- You’re buying a permanent digital copy
Cons
- Only the third season, and the spin-off Fumoffu available
- It costs more to buy than to subscribe to a streaming service
- Limited language options
Language options: Japanese, English
Price: SD episodes, $1.99 each; HD episodes $2.99. Full season SD, $16.99; full season HD, $24.99.
Watch Full Metal Panic! at Google Play.
I hope you enjoyed this list of places to watch Full Metal Panic! At least one of these choices should be available in your area.
While you’re here, check out our One-Punch Man streaming guide.
