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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

A story of the brotherly love between younger brother Alphonese Elric and older brother Edward Elric. Deprived of their mother at an early age, the two budding Alchemists attempt to ressurect their beloved mother using Alchemy. Human transmutation was a taboo and Alphonese lost his body, while Edward lost his leg and arm. They were 10 and 11 respectively. Alphonese was trapped in a suit of armor, and automail replaced Edward's missing limbs. Wanting to regain what they've lost, they embark on a journey to find the Philosopher's Stone, a mystical artifact believed to be able to perform alchemy without following the rule of equivalent trade.

The story is well balanced, with well mixed doses of happiness and sadness. The two brothers' journey let them see many things and they matured. There were many conflicts, but they were satisfactorily solved and served to improve their brotherly ties. Edward's determination to get back Alphonese's body is especially touching. Along the way they are tested in various issues, such as the decision to become a State Alchemist, which meant that Edward would become a "dog of the military", in exchange for the benefits he recieved.

Rating

8 (good)

Art

The character design was pretty good, with the characters acting like what they looked like. One particularly funny aspect was Edward's sensitivity towards his (little)height. He overreacts and ends up insulting himself even more with his anger. "Who did you call a pea that you can't even see to hit?!" For example, when a person says he's short.

The animation for the transmutation circles were also impresive. Roy Mustang's flames were also well done. The Homonculus were meant to represent the Seven Sins - Lust, Envy, Pride, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Sloth - and were also well drawn, with their individual characters fitting very nicely with the scheme of things.

One bad thing though : there weren't any really "bishonen" shonen. All the males in this anime looked good, but not wonderful. A minor point, because everything else was really nice.

Rating

7 (above average)

Sound

The audio was wonderful. A remarkable song would be Bratja (Brothers). The song is in russian, and when it is played, one could hear the pain and sorrow the two brothers went through, and also of the agony they endured when their mother departed. The lyrics of the song were also touching, and tears formed in my eyes as I listened to the song.

The opening and ending songs - I think there are about 5 total? - were also pretty good. There was a kind of "adventure feeling" when I listened to them.

Background music wise, I would say that this anime excelled in it. There was no conciousness of the music being reused, as was sometimes the case in other anime, such as DNAngel. The songs complemented the scenes and helped to enhance the emotions the characters felt.

I liked the voice actors too. Despite what some may say, I feel that Alphonese Elric had a good voice. It was very childish and innocent, and the "nii-san" he always says will always melt me ^_^. Edward was also quite good ; it brought out the determination he had.

Rating

8 (good)

Presentation

The pace of this anime was good. Most anime tend to drag at the beginning, and rush the ending. This was not the case in Full Metal Alchemist, where everything was wonderfully paced and the ending wrapped up perfectly. There was a good mix of humor and also of the seriousness of this anime, which embodied primarily brotherly love, and secondarily the love the brothers had for their mother, and the love their mother had for them. This was tested in various instances, which served to further reinforce their strong feelings.

Character development was also done well. Side characters like Hughes were pivotal towards the plot. He was well developed, and I felt intense emotion (i'm trying not to spoiler anyone!!) when something happened to him. Armstrong is also another admirable character. His various actions, accompanied by "this is the legendary art of the Armstrong family! " and the pink sparkles that decorated him were hilarious.

A most amusing anime. Serious without being overly so, it brought across the meaning very well.

Rating

8 (good)

Final Verdict

7.83 (good)

Reviewed by Periphery, 3y 17wk ago