REVIEWS 101

#2- Full Metal Alchemist- The Anime

A/N I recently finished the series and have started on brotherhood! So this is the updated version of FMA.

*The Basics

The show was based off the Manga of the same title by Hiromu Arakma. It aired on television from 2003-2004. There are a total of 51 episodes as well as a movie titled "Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa". There is also a remake called Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I finished watching the series and I will be sure to post a brotherhood review when I am done (Currently on episode 32). The show is originally in Japanese but the series on YouTube with Subs so if you can watch and read I suggest you watch it! The first four are also on there for the Dub. If you want to go to the trouble, you can also find the episodes by googling "Fullmetal Alchemist Episode _ English Dubbed" (The _ just represents a number of your choice).

*Plot Summary

In the early 1900's, the Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse live with their mother. She means a lot to them because their father left and didn't return. They live in the village of Resembool from the country of Amestris nearby their best friend Winry Rockbell and her grandmother. Winry's parents die in a war as they are doctors and went to assist. The father was an acclaimed Alchemist and the brothers soon pick it up too. Their mother abruptly becomes ill and passes away leaving them alone. Not knowing how to live without her, Ed and Al turn to their talent in Alchemy. They begin to study seriously and they attempt to bring their mother back to life. But things go terribly wrong. An un-human creature is brought forth. In payment for the transmutation, Alphonse's whole body and Edward's leg are taken. In desperation, Edward attaches his brother's soul to a nearby suit of Armor. To this he sacrifices his arm. Winry and her grandmother, who create Automail (Advanced prostatic), give Ed a new arm and leg. The brothers set off to become State Alchemists and go on a journey to find the fabled Philosophers stone which ignores the Law of Equivalent exchange.

*Claim to Fame

The Anime is a classic and is greatly recognised as one of the best anime's ever to be released. It has a lot of emotion to it and the script is brilliant. There is also a certain humor to the brother's that makes them loveable. This was one of the media stories that caused me to cry. Edward and Alphonse have such a sweet relationship. The World of Alchemy will hook you right away. No matter the motives of the character, you always can feel empathy for the character. I was upset after the deaths of many of the series villains or conflicted heroes.

I would like to add that it amazing that a whole tonne of Ouran High school Host Club voice actors were in this! Did the whole Host Club decide to become Alchemists or what?

FMA:

Edward Elric- Vic Mignonga

Alphonse Elric- Aaron Dismuke

Winry Rockbell- Caitlin Glass

Colonel Mustang- Travis Willingham

OHSHC:

Tamaki Souh- Vic Mignonga

Yasuchika "Chika" Haninozuka - Aaron Dismuke

Haurhi Fujioka- Caitlin Glass

Takashi "Mori" Morinozuka- Travis Willingham

************************ SPOILER ZONE BELOW! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!********************

*Personal Favourites

My favourite episodes would have to be "Fullmetal VS. Flame", "Mother" and "Laws and Promises".

"Fullmetal VS. Flame" centers around a fight between Edward and Roy Mustang (hence the title. I particularly enjoy this episode because of the antics of the crew around Mustang. He has a team on the military who are great Riza Hawkeye, Jean Havoc, Heymans Breda, Fury, Fallman, Alex Louis Armstrong and Maes Hughes. Those characters have great interactions especially when Hawkeye shoots at Black hayate (I was dying). Plus it includes two famous Mustang quotes "I love dogs!" and "On that day all female officers will be required to wear tiny miniskirts"