During the live event Fantasia Bunko Housoukyoku Aki no Dai Kanshasai, the publisher Kadokawa announced that Shoji Gatoh, author of the light novel series Full Metal Panic!, is working on a new project under the seal Fantasia Bunko. Full details will be revealed on November 20, coinciding with the publication of the third volume of Full Metal Panic! Family.
The news marks the return of Gatoh with an unprecedented proposal within the publishing label where he debuted more than two decades ago, thus maintaining his collaboration with Kadokawa and reinforcing the legacy of one of the most influential franchises of the mecha genre.
About Shoji Gatoh and Full Metal Panic!
Full Metal Panic! debuted in 1998 and concluded its main series in 2010 with a total of 12 volumes. The work, illustrated by Shikidouji, it has more than 11 million printed copies and multiple anime adaptations. Among them, the original 2002 series produced by GONZO, followed by Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu (2003) and The Second Raid (2005), both animated by Kyoto Animation. The most recent installment, Invisible Victory, premiered in 2018.
In addition to its publishing success, the franchise has inspired spinoffs as Full Metal Panic! Another, short novels and manga adaptations, expanding its narrative universe over the years.
The return of an emblematic author
Gatoh's most recent project within the universe Full Metal Panic! is Full Metal Panic! Family, whose first story was published in the magazine Dragon Magazine in july 2023. The work received a manga adaptation on December 9 from that same year, continuing the tradition of alternating between literary and visual publications.
With the reveal of a new original project on the way, Shoji Gatoh reaffirms his presence within the publishing house Fantasia Bunko, a label that has historically promoted some of the most important franchises in modern anime.
