List of Full Metal Panic! light novels

Cover of the first Full Metal Panic! light novel written by Shoji Gatoh.

The light novel series Full Metal Panic! is written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Shikidouji. It was serialized by Fujimi Shobo in its monthly magazine Gekkan Dragon Magazine since September 9, 1998 and published under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint. Gatoh often found delays in writing of the novels, which led to delays in the publication of the series' volumes.[1] The series focuses on Sergeant Sousuke Sagara's arrival to the Jindai High School where he was assigned to protect the student Kaname Chidori while also acting as a student.

A total of twelve volumes have also been released from September 18, 1998 to August 20, 2010.[2][3] In parallel to the twelve volumes, eleven standalone light novels of the series have also been published starting on December 17, 1998. In contrast to the regular series, these light novels focus on the comedy elements from the series. In January 2010, Gatoh wrote another of these stories in celebration of Gekkan Dragon Magazine's 300th issue.[4] Another series of spin-off novels known as Full Metal Panic! Another, written by Naoto Ōguro and also illustrated by Shikidouji, was released from August 20, 2011 to February 20, 2016 consisting of thirteen volumes and is set years after the original series' ending.[5] The light novels have also been adapted into various manga,[6] as well as four anime television series for which Gatoh was also part of the staff.[7]

Tokyopop licensed the Full Metal Panic! series for North America release, publishing the first regular light novel on September 11, 2007.[8] The latest released volume is the fourth on February 1, 2011 which is a compilation from the original fourth and fifth volumes from the series.[9][10] The main 12 light novels were re-licensed by J-Novel Club in March 2019.[11] On July 1, 2022, J-Novel announced that they were translating the short stories.[12]

  1. ^ "News: Full Metal Panic's Next Novel Listed for July Release". Anime News Network. March 20, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference last was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference first was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "News: Last Full Metal Panic Light Novel Volume Being Written". Anime News Network. January 5, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  5. ^ "News: Full Metal Panic Spinoff Novel Project Starts This Summer". Anime News Network. May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  6. ^ Hiroshi, Ueda (2005). Full Metal Panic! Sigma, Volume 1. Fujimi Shobo. p. 162. ISBN 4-04-712416-8.
  7. ^ Gatoh, Shoji (2003). Full Metal Panic! The Anime Mission. ADV Manga. ISBN 978-1-4139-0027-9.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference novelvol1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference novelvol4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "News: Full Metal Panic Novels 4 & 5 to Ship in U.S. Next February". Anime News Network. June 6, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  11. ^ "J-novel club to release Full Metal Panic light novel". March 18, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "J-Novel Club Licenses 10 New Light Novels, 1 New Manga".