Full Metal Panic

The series is set in a parallel world, based upon actual world events around the late 20th century to the early 21st century. The story begins in Heisei 10 (1999AD), where the Cold War has yet to end. China has split into a north and south, with Hong Kong being split much like Berlin. The major differences are: * China has split into the Peoples Liberation Committee (North China) and the Democratic Chinese Alliance (South China) along the Yangtze River. Kowloon is North Chinese territory, while Hong Kong Island is held by South Chinese forces. Combat in Hong Kong is prohibited by terms of a recent peace treaty.[4][5] * A nuclear warhead was used in the 1991 Gulf War. This triggered the Fifth Middle East War.[6] * Following the beginning of the fifth Middle East war, the Soviet UNIОN reinvaded Afghanistan successfully. * Mikhail Gorbachev was assassinated, and the Perestroika was halted. [citation needed] * Significantly different military technology such as Arm Slaves and Black Technology. Other subtle differences differentiate the fictional world. Common changes are in the Japanese names, as they use homonyms to real life locations. The fictional Jindai(陣代) High School is based on the real life Tokyo Jindai (神代) High School. The closest station to the real life Jindai High School is the Senkawa station, changed from (仙川) to (泉川). The Japanese calendar of Heisei era name is altered from (平成) to (平政). Other geography and names of location in the fictional Tokyo remain identical to reality. These overt divergences in history form the backdrop of the plot, while the less obvious divergences and cause of these differences form the many intriguing mysteries within the narrative.