Fullmetal Alchemist by Drake

Also Known As: FMA
Genre: Action/Drama
Format: 51 Episodes
Allegiance: Studio Bones/Square-ENIX
Director: Mizushima Seiji
Vintage: 2003
Intelligence Agency Report by: Ritalin
The Law of Equivalent Trade dominates the actions of Edward Elric, age 15, and Alphonse Elric, age 14. In order to gain something, one must present something of equal value, so says the Law. Ignoring these laws after their mother passed away from an illness, Ed and Alphonse researched their runaway father’s studies on the forbidden techniques of human transmutation to try and bring their mother back to life. The result: Al lost his body and Ed lost an arm and a leg. During their recovery, Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, contacted them to tell the brothers to take a test that allows them to become Nationally Certified Alchemists. Ed does so, and learns of a Philosopher’s Stone that breaks the laws of alchemy. By obtaining this stone they can return to their normal bodies and a normal life. However, getting their hands on this legendary stone is no simple task.

Field Agent Report by: Drake 
Plot
Characters
Impact
Visual
Audio
9.50
9.50
9.75
9.00
8.50
Overall 9.75

 

After nearly a year of having numerous people badger me to watch Fullmetal Alchemist, I finally gave in. The moment I finished watching the first episode, I was unable to stop until I finished the series. Yes folks, you can say it, Drake is an addict.

It starts off in full motion and does not lose momentum, steadily revealing the plot detail to the viewer. In the whole running of the series, there is not one filler episode to be found. Each episode plays a vital part to the series, which is a very rare event considering most anime usually have a few filler episodes thrown around.

The character development in the series is truly amazing. Regardless of how long any character was in the series, the impact of their presence is truly felt throughout the story. Some characters lived for three episodes or less before being killed off or disposed of; despite the short time, I truly felt for the characters and wanted to cry alongside them. That aspect of FMA truly touched and amazed me.

The series doesn’t end with the phenomenal plot and characters either. It keeps on pushing with beautiful animation, crisp action scenes, and much more. Each setting in the series, from the battles to the birthday parties and even just journeying in a desert, was beautifully done and ceased to amaze me. The series delivers some great hits from Porno Graffiti,L’Arc~en~Ciel, and many more. I’m personally fond of Melissa by Porno Graffiti; it really was a great opening song. The rest of the soundtrack was also very well done, with some beautiful music that flowed nicely with the series.

In the end, FMA stole a place in my heart as one of the best anime I’ve ever seen. Everything, from the characters to the plot to all the technical aspects, was done extremely well, making for a very enjoyable series with a great rewatching value. Enough of that for now, though. The bottom line is, if you haven’t already seen FMA, I suggest you get out from under your rock and watch it.