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Plot Synopsis

"You can't gain something without sacrificing something else of the equal value. This is the principle of the equivalent trade."

The story takes place in an alternate world from ours in the early 1900's. Two young brothers, older Edward Elric and younger Alphonse Elric, live with their mother Trisha in the small village of Resembool. Their father left home when they were still very young, but Ed and Al inherited his passion for alchemy.

1909. On a fine day, Trisha dies of an unknown illness, leaving her two sons orphans. Ed blames his father for Trisha's death and wants to find a way to bring her back to life. At this time, Ed was 10, Al 9. When Edward finds out about flesh forging in an alchemy book that belonged to his father, he engages in an intense training with Al in order to be able to perform a human transmutation.

On February 1910, the Elric brothers cross the forbidden line trying to resurrect their mom. The attempt ends in a complete failure. In the process, Ed loses his left leg and Al his whole body. In a last try full of despair, Ed uses alchemy to restore his brother's spirit putting it in a suit of mail, at the further cost of his right arm. When Al wakes up in the armour, he suddenly realizes what happened and takes his unconscious injured brother to the neighbours, the Rockbells.

After that day, the two decide to embark on a journey to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone, rumoured to create anything from nothing, in hopes of getting back their original bodies.

Story & Characters

Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers. Their father left them when they were young, they lose their mother suddenly one day, they use alchemy to try to bring their mother back and just about lose their lives, and they burn their home and start out on a journey to find a way to restore their bodies. The Elric brothers have faced many hardships together and continue to learn about alchemy.

Their story is a sad one but the series is full of action and angst. I had never heard of alchemy until I saw this series. I have only seen about eight episodes so far and I have read about 10 chapters in the manga. There are also games coming out based on the series. The best place to go to learn about it is http://www.fullmetal-alchemist.com , there is information about the series; anime. manga, games, and there is a large image gallery along with a media section that has music and vidoes...and music vidoes...

Rating

8 (good)

Art

The art is, of course, based on the art of the manga. The art is also better than the manga since there is more that can be done to the anime where as the manga is usually only inked.
The art is beautiful and detailed. There is a good bit of CG work in the animated version of Fullmetal Alchemist, the transmutation circles being one of the most common CGed parts of the anime.

Rating

7 (above average)

Sound

The voices of the dubbed version suit the characters' personalities. I haven't seen the original version only the dubbed. The English voice actors/actresses seem to capture the characters well, which isn't the case for most dubbed animes. There are a few places that lack that feeling. The soundtrack is pretty much the same for both versions, only rearranged. The second opening of the original is now the first opening of the dubbed. I'm not sure if the voices in the game are the same as those in the anime.

Rating

7 (above average)

Presentation

There has never been another series like this one. There is angst, action, comedy, tragedy, and much more involved. The characters are unlike any I've ever seen. Original and entertaining, the series has assumed a mass popularity world-wide. There are two or three games out on the Play Station 2 and anywhere from two to four out on the Gameboy Advance. It is fun to watch and the games are also fun to watch...they aren't out in America yet so I haven't got a chance to play. I've watched about 20 or so videos of gameplay and the graphics are very detailed. The gameplay is incredible as well. The player has the ability to transmute different objects into many weapons, tools, ect. The games look addictively fun though!
Overall, the series is a big hit and a great success. I believe the series is one worthy of a 10 out of 10. I don't feel like I should give it this until I have seen all of it, but the series is definitely deserving of it.

Rating

8 (good)

Final Verdict

7.67 (good)

Reviewed by Takeshi1589, 3y 37wk ago