The Essentials
Name: Fullmetal Alchemist, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 51
Released: October 4, 2003 - October 2, 2004
Based On: Fullmetal Alchemist manga by Hiromu Arakawa
Director: Seiji Mizushima
Produced By: Aniplex, Bones, Mainichi Broadcasting
US Distribution By: FUNimation
Major Japanese Cast
Edward Elric: Romi Paku
Alphonse Elric: Rie Kugimiya
Winry Rockbell: Megumi Toyoguchi
Roy Mustang: Toru Ohkawa
Riza Hawkeye: Michiko Neya
Alex Louis Armstrong: Kenji Utsumi
Scar: Ryotaro Okiayu
Lust: Yuuko Satou
Gluttony: Yasuhiro Takato
Envy: Mayumi Yamaguchi
Maes Hughes: Keiji Fujiwara
Sheska: Naomi Wakabayashi
Izumi Curtis: Shoko Tsuda
Fuhrer King Bradrey (Pride): Hidekatsu Shibata
Juliet Douglas (Sloth): Yoshino Takamori
Wrath: Nana Mizuki
Shou Tucker: Makoto Nagai
Lyra: Yumi Kakazu
Hoenheim Elric: Masashi Ebara
Rose Tomas: Houko Kuwashima
Pinako Rockbell: Miyoko Asou
Greed: Junichi Suwabe
Major English Cast
Edward Elric: Vic Mignogna
Alphonse Elric: Aaron Dismuke
Winry Rockbell: Caitlin Glass
Roy Mustang: Travis Willingham
Riza Hawkeye, Rose Tomas: Colleen Clinkenbeard
Alex Louis Armstrong: Christopher R. Sabat
Scar: Dameon Clarke
Lust: Laura Bailey
Gluttony: Chris Cason
Envy: Wendy Powell
Maes Hughes: Sonny Strait
Sheska: Gwendolyn Lau
Izumi Curtis: Christine Auten
Fuhrer King Bradrey (Pride): Ed Blaylock
Juliet Douglas (Sloth): Lydia Mackay
Wrath: Luci Christian
Shou Tucker: Chuck Huber
Lyra: Monica Rial
Hoenheim Elric: Scott McNeil
Pinako Rockbell: Juli Erickson
Greed: Chris Patton
Scores
Animation: 10/10 (x 4 = 40 pts)
Story: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Music: 9/10 (x 4 = 36 pts)
Coherence/Story Arc: 8/10 (x 2 = 16 pts)
English Dubs: 8/10 (x 1 = 8 pts)
Gut Score: 9/10 (x 5 = 45 pts)
Total: 181/200 (90.5%)
Review
Fullmetal Alchemist is a story about the Elric brothers, Edward and Al, who, after their mother died, attempted to bring her back to life using alchemy. However, attempting to resurrect the dead is one of the forbidden taboos of alchemy, and for good reason. The devastation that resulted included the body of their mother returning as a soulless glop of flesh and Edward losing an arm and leg and his brother Alphonse losing his entire body, with Edward having to bind soul to a suit of armour.
As a result of this, the two brothers set out on a quest in an attempt to find the philosopher’s stone - a legendary substance in the alchemich world which is supposed to allow one to transmute anything - even humans - in an attempt to get their bodies back. On the way, the two brothers learn more about alchemy and the philosopher’s stone than they ever wish they knew, and have to ultimately face up to the sins of their past.
The apparent goal of the two brothers - and thus the plot-line - shifts throughout the series, though that is probably to be expected of a 51-episode series. However, it never does so without reason, and there are very few episodes that occur in isolation from other episodes. Also, there appears to be a fair amount of foresight in the planning of the series, with events occurring as early as the first episode dictating events that occur far later in the series.
The story itself is compelling, with several turns and plot twists. It rarely gets boring, and always keeps you wondering what is going to come next and what the brothers are going to discover next. The cast of secondary characters are also compelling in their own right, making one care about the stakes that each of them ultimately face as well.
Overall, I would rate the story excellent and the coherence of the story over 51 episodes as above average. Animation is fantastic and the music is pretty good as well. It’s hard to find a weakness with the series except for two, somewhat minor things: the first is, taken in isolation, the ending of the series is left wide open, with several plot lines left unresolved. However, one must take into consideration that the story is continued in the Fullmetal Alchemist movie. The second item is that the series may have drug on a little too long. They may have been able to cut out 5 to 10 episodes if they really wanted to, but it’s not a really big deal.
Fullmetal Alchemist is definitely a series that a great deal of anime fans, regardless of their preferred genre can enjoy, and I would definitely recommend it to just about anyone.
First Watched: June - December 2006
Do I Own: Yes
Do I Recommend: Yes
