Full Metal Panic Invisible Victory Episode 9 Review: The Fallen Witch

Can we not have any more recap episodes, please? The anticipation was enough to kill me. This week’s episode was in California and there were loads going on. Full Metal Panic just seems to know how to deliver every time and my heart was dancing with happiness.

Japanese Original Title: 堕落した魔女

Plot

We are reunited with old faces, finally. Tessa is found walking alone in the middle of the night, barefoot and looking mentally broken. It’s confusing at first but this interesting set-up evolves into something unexpected. Kaname finally gets to make an appearance and still is in the clutches of Leonard. Arbalest, thought to be gone forever, is in the process of getting a makeover. That will be something exciting to witness. Sousuke is made it through from the last episode and bad luck still follows him.

Episode Highlights

Deceiving Mithril: I’m writing this with happiness since we got to see everyone again this episode but hidden plans always surprise me. This time was no different at Tessa’s convincing performance, as someone mentally broken inside who claimed that Mithril had been beaten and having nothing left. It was very believable, to the point of feeling distraught. IS THIS the story’s direction !?! PRAY to the lord above. This was not so but all in attempt to get close to Amalgam. It was a beautifully crafted plot that caught me, and the enemy, off guard.

Frank Tessa: Sometimes to get your point across, you have to be frank. For a shy, quiet girl, Tessa surprising outburst towards the enemy was hilarious. It was hard to stop laughing and the priceless reaction from the comrades said it all. BEST scene in the whole episode. Tessa needs to do that more often.

Badass M9: Uruz 1 did a fine job against the Amalgam AS model. That battle scene was in perfect harmony along side the track ‘Fighting M9’, from the Full Metal Panic Original Soundtrack.

No Break For Sousuke: Sousuke is alive!! He can’t catch a break while the episode leaves itself on a cliff hanger.

Themes And Trivia

Omurice: Wasn’t it adorable Kaname writing Sousuke’s name on her Omurice? This classic Japanese dish can be seen in many anime. The meaning of the name ‘Omu’ is ‘omelette’ and then you have the word ‘rice’. Omurice consists of rice, vegetables, meat and is served with ketchup on top.

Comments

This episode was laid out brilliantly and had me on edge throughout. It just made me so happy to see Tessa, Kurz, Melissa, and the rest. Tessa really had me from her convincing performance that she had lost everything. I was thinking, ‘Is this for real?’. But Damn it, Mithril know how to put on a good show. It couldn’t help but feel suckered into what was going on, first few minutes in. It was so believable and made you feel panicked.

To shock me more at Tessa’s out of character outburst, ‘I absolutely hate smart-ass, wannabe pieces of shit like you guys’. I was about as surprised as her comrades witnessed in disbelief. That was my favourite scene from this episode. If you’ve seen the other Full Metal Panic series, and know Tessa’s character. For her to come out with such a comment like that was not her at all. I’ve loved that Invisible Victory has let us see a different side of Tessa from the one we saw in Fumoffu. Where you got to see Tessa’s vulnerable and shy side. Invisible Victory has made me love Tessa more.

Kaname is still with Leonard but I thought Leonard would keep her in a cell. It was funny seeing her cooking in a kitchen and calm as cucumber. It was a cute scene, her making a Omurice dish and spelling Sousuke’s name with the ketchup. Kaname is still thinking of him so strongly and their reunion is going to be so epic.

Then… comes another cliffhanger. Sousuke bed ridden and the enemy has surrounded him and Lemon’s team. God damn it, this episode pulled out all the stops to get me excited for this grand conclusion. I am highly expecting and we cannot forget for the return of Arbalest, that is going to be a treat.

What can I say really? Majestic episode.

We Don’t Like Smart – Asses

Next week’s episode ‘Onward, Onward’, better move at a fast pace because there is still a lot to cover in how Mithril is going to make their comeback. Sousuke reuniting with beloved Kaname… ugh it’s all too much. But how about you guys, Tell me in the comments below did this episode pull out all the stops? Do you have high expectation for a grand conclusion like me?

Summer anime 2018 season will be starting soon so check out here at MANGA.TOKYO what shows we are covering. I’d like to apologise to you guys for the late review as due to being sick the last few days but I’ll be on time for next round!!

Next Time: Onward, Onward (前方、前方)