Fullmetal Alchemist (by Brogan)

FINAL: 

I love Japanese pop culture. I don’t watch Anime. Well I’m not entirely Anime-celibate. I love Dragon Ball Z and the original Dragon Ball, but until now that as far as it goes. Anime, and all other TV shows, must have something really cool, interesting, and original going for them for me to care in the slightest. Fullmetal Alchemist is one such series.

Fullmetal Alchemist is based off the Manga of the same name (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, in case you wanted the Japanese name.), but the story of the Anime series is completely changes for the majority of it. The original writer, Hiromu Arakawa, gave the Anime team to do with as they pleased with the story of the show. This means I won’t take continuity with the books into consideration, especially since I haven’t read them yet. Now considering I can’t review each individual episode, I will give a brief overview of the entire series, tell you what I thought, and then give a recommendation based on that.

The story is the adventure of two alchemist brothers, Edward and Alfonse Elric, and their perilous journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone (an item that can amplify the users alchemical powers to the point at which the “equivalent exchange” principle is ignored entirely). After trying to transmute their mother back to life through alchemy, Ed loses his left leg and Al loses his entire body. Shortly after, Ed gives his arm by binding Al’s soul to a suit of armor.  Ed vows to become a great alchemist so he may correct the mistake he made by attempting human alchemy.

Fullmetal Alchemist (or FMA as we like to call it) has a lot to say about things like religion, science, military, and the value of human life. It rarely has a pointless moment to it, never any real filler episodes. I was kept personally both very intrigued and excited almost the entire time. It will offer your awesome action, satisfying drama, and some light-hearted humor. Overall, very good series with one major stand-out…

…The ending. I won’t spoil it for you.  After I watched it, though, I felt really odd and somewhat confused. Maybe the word I want is dissatisfied. Well, what I really want is more.  I want all the huge loose ends tied up.

But wait! Don’t be put-off by that. From what I hear, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa wraps everything up. So guess what? My next review will be that movie. For now, I’ll give Fullmetal Alchemist 96/100 points. All 51 episodes are available for Netflix instant streaming right now, watch it!