Flower Mound, TX (November 21, 2009) – FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, broadcast, digital and merchandise rights to the 24 episode sci-fi action anime series “Full Metal Panic!” and the 12 episode “Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu” sequel from Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

“Full Metal Panic!” is based on a series of novels by Gatoh Shoji. The first season of the series covers the first 3 novels, while the sequel, “Fumoffu,” covers various of the short stories. FUNimation has previously releases the third season, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid.

ABOUT FULL METAL PANIC!

Sousuke Sagara is a seventeen-year-old military specialist working for the secret organization MITHRIL and has been recently assigned to protect the latest “Whispered” candidate: Kaname Chidori. Sousuke will have to deal with enemies from his past as well some surprising characters. Unfortunately for Sousuke, the toughest part of his mission isn’t only protecting Miss Chidori but also getting used to living as an average high school student.

ABOUT FULL METAL PANIC? FUMOFFU

Kaname Chidori and Sousuke Sagara encounter more misadventures in and out of Jindai High School. But when Kaname gets into some serious trouble, Sousuke takes the guise of Bonta-kun – the gun-wielding, butt-kicking mascot. While he struggles to continue living as a normal teenager, Sousuke also has to deal with protecting his superior officer Teletha Testarossa, who has decided to take a vacation from Mithril and spend a couple of weeks as their classmate.

FUNimation Entertainment will begin streaming the series in December on http://www.funimation.com/video as well as other streaming video partner sites thereafter and will release the series on DVD and Blu-ray in 2010.