Synopsis:

The story began in a distant village called “Rizenbul” far beyond the reach of the urbanized world. The Elric Family, an ordinary family of three; Trisha Elric, the mother and only parent of 11 years old Edward and a year younger Alphonse Elric. Their father Hoenheim Elric was a renowned alchemist; during a war he went away and never returned to their lives. The two boys were all devotee to find out the mysteries of alchemy, a science that is beyond any scientific explanation, a science that can be used to manipulate things in such a way that ordinary science cannot explain.

Although the boys didn’t have their father to brought up with, they had very little to worry about and were happy the way they were; because they had a caring mother full of warmth and affection. But their happiness didn’t last long.

An untimely death of their mother threw their lives at uncertainty. Unable to bear the loss of their mother and knowing that it would be impossible to go on living without her; the two brothers decided to use the forbidden science of human alchemy.

“Humankind cannot get, without first giving something in return. To obtain, something equal valued must be lost.” That was alchemy’s first law of equivalent exchange. In those days the two of them believed that to be the world’s one the only truth. Keeping that in mind, accumulating basic human composition and along with clot of their blood they decided to revive their mother using alchemy.

They thought they could lose nothing more. But they were wrong. Trying to revive their mother they could not imagine what might have been the price taken by alchemy. The equivalent exchange of alchemy proved fatal when the transmutation process started to claim Alphonse. Before Ed could do anything, Al’s body was already lost, but Ed managed to attach Al’s soul to a nearby armor but in the process lost his right arm and left leg.

A one night’s incident changed their lives forever. Now that they seemingly lost almost everything, they must pursue for the same forbidden alchemy to get their bodies back to normal. Rumors say that there is a Philosopher’s Stone that can enrich alchemy in thousand folds and can overcome Alchemy’s First Law. Rumors also say that there are other people who are in search of the very stone. Will the faith of the two brothers remain undecided?

Based on a love story! Fullmetal Alchemist is indeed a love story; but certainly not a usual one. It is about love and devotion for one another between two brothers. Because they believe the two of them are all what they have.

Alternative title:
El alquimista de acero (Spanish)
Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Japanese)
Hagaren
Le Alchimiste de Acier (French)


Original Story: Hiromu Arakawa
Production: Bones, Bandai Visual
Age rating: 12+
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Military, Shounen
Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 51
Vintage: 4^th October 2003 to 2^nd October 2004


Opening Theme:
"Melissa" by P.Graffitti
"Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc-en-Ciel
"Undo" by Cool Joke
"Rewrite" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Ending Theme:
"Melissa" by P.Graffiti
"Kesenai Tsumi (The Unerasable Sin)" by Nana Kitad
"Tobira no Mukou e (To the Other Side of the Door)" by YeLLOW Generation
"Motherland" by Crystal Kay
"I Will" by Sowelu

Anime Review:

Character Design: Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the very few anime which actually have noticeable character depth. The main characters, Edward (Fullmetal Alchemist) and Alphonse are just great. The two main characters are simple but full of life. The empty shell of an armor Alphonse is one of the most amazing ideas anyone ever came up with. The story revolves around the two brothers and the other characters evolve around the story. Characters such as Roy Mustang, Maes Hughes, Winry Rockbell, Scar gave the anime a brilliant touch. While other characters such as Envy, Greed, Pride, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Dante, Hoenheim and Trisha Elric, Riza Hawkeye, Gracia and Elysia Hughes, Pinako Rockbell, Jean Havoc, Alex Louis Armstrong, Sheska, Rose Tomas, Izumi and Sig Curtis, Kain Fuery, Heymans Breda, Vato Falman, Nina and Shou Tucker, Kimbley, Frank Archer, Lyra, Fletcher and Russell Tringham, Rick and Leo are just worthy of their existence.

Voice Talents: Surprisingly the English Voice casting is awesome. In fact, one of the very few anime that has remarkable voice-casting in English - reminds me of Inu Yasha, Rurouni Kenshin and Flame of Recca, which simply had horrible casting. While I prefer Japanese voice castings more, I shouldn’t but must state that the English voice actors did a splendid job, surpassing their Japanese opposite numbers. I have heard both the voice-overs and decided to go for the English ones. 5 out of 5 for them. But, certainly the Japanese casts were worthy of praise for playing their parts. (4.5 out of 5 IMHO)

Animations: The animation is not “great” but rather “ordinary”. The anime is really colorful and that made the anime really enjoyable. Hadn’t this anime been colorful, I might have dropped it for sure. The artwork is plain but neatly done. Anyways the animation gets 3.5/5.0.

Background Music: It literally made me cry. Honestly, I never shed tears like I did while watching this anime, and the background tunes are just what can literally torment your heart. My favorite is Ooshima Michiru’s “Brothers”. Just loved every music composition of FMA. I want to make an exception here; I will give it 5.5 out of 5.0 for Background Music.

Storyline: Fullmetal Alchemist has an amazing story that takes it far beyond just to be recognized as an anime series. Seriously. If I am asked to pick between Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Fullmetal Alchemist, I will surely have a hard time. (Although I will eventually go for LOTR) Thinking I have gone crazy? Then just try it out. It is certainly not a regular anime, and will keep you on your toes 51 episodes straight. The story seems slow up till episode 12, after that it’s a roller-coaster ride. I just couldn’t but make another exception, 5.5/5.0 again for storyline.

Enjoyment: The anime is a true masterpiece. I thoroughly enjoyed the anime and not a second went unentertaining. The anime is worthy of collection as it’s worthy of watching time to time, all over again. The anime is really sad and touching, momentarily will give you a laugh-time and smiles to hang onto, at the same time it is action and adventure packed and will take you with to the long journey of Ed and Al as they seek the Philosopher’s Stone as they atone for their sin for using forbidden human alchemy. 5.0/5.0 for enjoyment.

Overall: Based on Hiromu Arakawa’s best selling Manga “Hagane no Renkinjutsushi”, Fullmetal Alchemist is more than an anime. It teaches value of life, relationship and importance of the world we live in. Very few anime do have this quality of educational background but not just a mere piece of entertainment. For obvious reason it claimed top spot in numerous anime websites competing with popular titles like Cowboy Bebop and Rurouni Kenshin. Please do watch it if you can. It’s an anime must see and no anime-fan should miss out. Overall I will give it 9.5/10.

Value: The anime is worth purchasing. Buy Fullmetal Alchemist Original DVD and help more anime get licenced. The animators and mangaka deserve it.

-Shanimebib