September 2006's Bishounen:



Name: Sousuke Sagara
Series: Full Metal Panic
Guerilla Alias: Kashim
Code Name: URZ-7
Age: 16-17 (exact unknown)
Birth Date: unknown
Blood Type: A
Association: Mithril
Quote: "I am not an otaku! I am a specialist!"

Sousuke epitomizes the term military brat. He has been around war all his life. He learned to shoot and pilot mechs when he was very young as a guerilla fighter against the Soviets in Afghanistan and as a mercenary in war zones around the globe. He is stoic and takes all his missions very seriously. Well versed in strategy, all kinds of AS units, weapons, and martial arts, Sousuke is the ideal soldier. However, Sousuke's newest mission is going to be his toughest yet.

Sousuke is to go undercover as a regular high school student and protect a student named Kaname Chidori from being kidnaped by a secret organization without her knowing. However, having been a soldier since he was a child, Sousuke’s social development has been extremely stunted. So blending in among his peers may be a bit harder than it looks.

Lucky for him, most of his fellow students are pretty accepting and pass him off as just some kind of war nut. They call him a "Military Otaku" which, in Japan, Otaku means someone who is obsessed with something to the point where it isn't healthy. It doesn't have to be only anime, with anything. And it is not a compliment there. But Sousuke always angrily responds that he's not an otaku, he's a specialist.

Full Metal Panic is one part high school comedy and one part serious war mecha. Mix these both together and you get pure gold with this series. It has something for everyone in it. And, if one season wasn't enough, if you really enjoyed the high school part, also check out FMP: Fumouffu which is purely the comedic part of Full Metal Panic. Still not enough? FMP: Second Raid was recently finished in Japan which is more of the nitty, gritty mecha battle scenes. So whatever is your pleasure, Full Metal Panic can deliver.

I chose Sousuke as this month's bishounen because his personality stands apart from a lot of the other high school hunks and action heros out there. Sousuke is nowhere near innocent with all the wars and killing he has seen. However, his inability to understand normal civilians and all the every day things we take for granted slides him into the naive category. Sousuke may not understand everything about the world he has been thrust into, but he always tries his hardest no matter what task he's been given. He always does it with the eagerness and enthusiasm to get the job done right. No matter what Sousuke does, even when he screws up, his intentions are always good and sincere. He never does anything half hearted from organizing trash to taking out a mech. I find Sousuke's approach to the world refreshing despite the fact that "he can save your life, but he doesn't know what to do with you after dinner." (As said by Chris Patton, Sousuke's English voice actor.) Maybe we could all enjoy life a bit better if we took a page from Sousuke's book.

Don't be messing with Chidori or I'll hunt down you and all your relatives! Trying to fit in with his fellow students



No-chan: Hmm.. what to say about Sousuke? Besides him almost having Sanosuke from Kenshin's name? Well, yes.. he's very good looking.. and so so serious! That's probably the best part. He does everything he "NEEDS" to do so seriously and it always ends up either badly or with everyone laughing at him. That rocks. Good pick, Ty-chou!

Nie-chan: Sousuke is the ideal. He's strong, very loyal, and has a nice bod. I know this is anime so every guy has a nice bod, but Sousuke's bod is different. Camo on a hot soldier is right up there with a holster (just a little below the holster sexiness level). DUDE! It's hot! So, not every anime guy can pull off the hot soldier in camo look, but Sousuke can. He's just that awesome. And he radiates sexiness. Sure he's socially inept, but that just adds to his charm. Sousuke Love!!!!!!

Pan-Pan: Sousuke, a little gung-ho, but who doesn't like their men passionate? He may not be the brightest boy when it comes to city livin', but he knows how to get the job done and will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Personally, I'd prefer a little Kurz Weber, but Sousuke's not a bad deal either. Just make sure to keep him in line ^.^

Kime: Wahoo! Sousuke is freakin' awesome and definitely fine looking!! This military hottie is quite clueless about how the real world works, but at least that doesn't get him down. I love his Fumofuu costume!! So adorable!! Sousuke, you can protect me anyday!!!

Next Month's pic: No-Chan
What do YOU think of this month's Bishounen?
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