This fall, Shoji Gatoh's Full Metal Panic! returns for a fourth anime series, this time produced by XEBEC (Fafner in the Azure, Space Battleship Yamato 2199). In anticipation of Full Metal Panic!: Invisible Victory, an "Odoru Very Merry Christmas" audio drama based on the novel's 6th volume from March 2003 has brought the series' action to a luxury liner. This month's fourth episode four went online today.  

Earlier chapters

Audio drama main visual drawn by the anime character designer Osamu Horiuchi

Novel 6th volume cover

TV anime "Full Metal Panic! IV" main staff

 Director: Katsuichi Nakayama (The Good Witch of the West)

 Character Designer/Chief Animation Director: Osamu Horiuchi (all of the past Full Metal Panic! anime series)

 Sub Character Designer/Animation Director: Aya Yamamoto (Big Order episode animation director)

 Gun Designer/Animation Director: Takeshi Yoshioka

 Mechanic Designer: Kanetake Ebigawa, Toshiaki Ihara

 Set Designer: Takayuki Yanase

 Mechanic Director: Masanori Nishii

 Prop Designer/Mechanic Animation Director: Takuya Matsumura

 Mechanic Animation Director: Masaru Kato

 CG Director: Masanori Kamiji

 Color Designer: Chiaki Kitabayashi (XEBEC)

 Special Effects: Shin Inoie

 Anime Production: Xebec

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Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime