Funimation also released the same series of DVDs from February 8, 2005, to September 12, 2006, in the United States. The first series has been released in a series of thirteen DVDs from December 17, 2003, to January 26, 2005, in Japan. Brotherhood is an independent second anime series adaptation that directly follows all the events of the original manga, and is not related to the first anime series. In 2009, a new anime, titled Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood for the English release, started broadcast on MBS and TBS, being directed by Yasuhiro Irie. The majority of these OVAs are side stories and do not expand on the plot. A series of five original video animations (OVAs) were also released. A theatrical release titled Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, a sequel to the television series, premiered in Japanese theaters on Jand it premiered in the U.S. It later aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block in the United States from November 7, 2004, through March 19, 2006. Produced by Bones and directed by Seiji Mizushima, Fullmetal Alchemist was first aired on TBS Television in Japan from October 4, 2003, to October 2, 2004. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques, the story follows two alchemist brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to recover parts of their bodies lost in an attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy. So, if you have a about 20 hours to fritter away and you're new to anime, "Fullmetal Alchemist" is a good place to start.Fullmetal Alchemist volume one DVD cover by Funimationįullmetal Alchemist is an anime series loosely adapted from the manga of the same title by Hiromu Arakawa. Unfortunately, the ending was kind of pat and kind of not what you expected, but I guess they had to wrap it up somehow. While it at times, especially towards the end, got kind of preachy, it generally took a hard look at good and evil and the blurring that occurs. It did get a little overly complicated at times as it veered deeper in to dark territory, but you could pick the story line up pretty quickly. And the animation was well done - not Disney quality - but engaging. Then the characters, led by Ed and Al, were well developed, with only a few sinking in to cartoonish caricatures. The show quickly moves from almost stand alone episodes to a bigger, more complicated and more sinister story of what the Philosopher Stone really means as they run in to ensuing faction, including homunculi - soulless humans, that are all seeking its power.įirst off, it had a really good story line that kept me engaged through out all 51 episodes. They then spend the ensuing four years searching their world for the Philosopher Stone to reverse what they have wrought, having many adventures along the way. "Fullmetal Alchemist" was my first foray in to an anime series, so I have nothing else to compare it to - and I have to say it was pretty good.Ī quick synopsis - two young brothers, Ed and Al, dabble in alchemy in trying to bring their mother back to life with dire consequences. In conclusion, this work is a masterpiece that everyone should admire at least once in their life, for any age. Comedy is always an icing on the cake: never out of place and puts a good mood in us.
We are talking about the characters: their psychological evolutions, their biographical backgrounds, their sufferings, their dark moments, their happy moments, their friends, relationships, the redemptions of bad guys like Greed and Scar they allow the viewer to create real emotional and empathic bonds with the characters.
Many dialogues have been structured to make the atmosphere dark, mysterious, but culminate with moments of hope, relief and that in a way make you feel good for the characters.
, but at the same time strengthen, analyze the main elements with greater strength and depth, thus giving space to one of the characters that I will always carry in my heart Maes Hughes, who in my opinion received a better treatment than the one I had in Brotherhood. I absolutely agree that compared to its 2007 counterpart, this differs considerably from the original manga, however it is in these differences that its strength lies: the desire to neglect, sometimes delete or even simplify characters and subplots. I'll try to be brief, also because to be able to talk in depth about what makes this anime a real masterpiece and my favorite cartoon it would take hours of reading. Wanting to take a look at any dictionary and looking through the various definitions of the word "perfection", we would certainly find the entry "Fullmetal Alchemist".