Fullmetal Alchemist...
I've seen most of Fullmetal Alchemist on Cartoon Network...
Fullmetal Alchemist follows the exploits of two brothers, Ed and Alphonse Elric, as they embark on an epic quest for the Philosopher's Stone, an artifact with the power to restore the brothers' physical forms and perhaps even reunite the brothers with their, now deceased, mother.
There is some violence and bloodshed during the course of the series, but, Fullmetal Alchemist is not really gory. Fullmetal Alchemist is a *lot* longer than I would have liked it to be. Some themes and certain portions of the series may be a bit too intense for the youngest anime fans among us. Although, I didn't bother to purchase the series, I did enjoy the series, Overall, I would give Fullmetal Alchemist a 3 out of 5.
Although I've seen much of the series on Cartoon Network and continue to enjoy the series in re-runs, I was never really inspired to collect the series on archival media. At the time of Fullmetal Alchemist's initial release, it was common to release a series in multiple volumes. So, as an anime fan with limited resources, I never really wanted to buy 13 volumes. Of course, if the series had its initial release now, the series would likely have been released as a complete set and, if I had it to do over again, I might be more inclined to purchase the series. That being said, at this late stage, I have since moved on to other things...Volume 1
The Alchemist's Curse
As children, brothers Edward and Alphonse used the clandestine science of Alchemy to try the unthinkable - resurrect their dead mother. They failed, unleashing an alchemic reaction that ripped their bodies apart.
Four years later, Ed and Al are combing the country for a rumored stone that could amplify their alchemy and bring their bodies back to normal. And it appears they may have found it - in a strangely prosperous desert village.
Volume 2
The Scarred Man of the East
A serial killer stalks the streets of Central, searching for his State-sponsored prey. He is a refugee, a loner from a land scarred from the wounds of war, tortured by memories of a happier time. His mandate is from the heavens: exterminate all State Alchemists. This assassin believes it his duty alone to purge the world of the cursed Alchemists defying the natural order of his Master's almighty creation.
His arm is riddled with tattoos of alchemical symbols which allow him to use the ancient art for his murderous purpose. It is his curse, and he accepts this as his fate. If he must draw upon the taboo practice of Alchemy, then let it be to redeem his people and reclaim the land stolen by the State.
Under these pretenses, he haunts the shadows and alleys of Central. He is fearless and faithful to his creator, a willing martyr for the countless many who fell during the war. Perhaps more than fate has brought young Edward Elric to Central as well, newly certified as a State Alchemist.
Volume 3
Equivalent Exchange
The Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric, is given his first assignment. He is to inspect the coal mines of Youswell, a task he believes to be Mustang's attempt to deter his search for the Philosopher's Stone. Ignoring direct orders Ed and Al take a detour to a popular tourist town hoping to uncover the smallest fragment of truth behind the Stone's growing legend.
Volume 4
The Fall of Ishbal
Ed and Al leave for the countryside to search for Doctor Marcoh, a State Alchemist who deserted during the Eastern Rebellion and is now a fugitive of the state. On the run from both Scar and the military, Doctor Marcoh confesses to the Elrics. A decade ago, State Alchemists were called into Ishbal to end a seven-year civil war. What followed was a wave of unspeakable atrocities that neither the Ishbalans, nor the State Alchemists who committed them, can forget.
Volume 5
The Cost of Living
The hobbled Elrics return to their childhood village for the first time in four years. As the Rockbells construct Ed's new limbs, the boys sift through the ashes they left behind. While Al comes to the fearful realization that his memories are fading, Ed visits his mother's grave, and both must redefine their view of family and home before returning to Central's library to research the work of Dr. Marcoh.
Nothing could prepare Ed for the shock that is to come. Having just learned the Stone's secret ingredient, how can they reconcile their strong desires to fix their own bodies with the knowledge of its gruesome costs?
Volume 6
Captured Souls
While Al defends himself against the transmuted Barry the Chopper, Ed discovers more about the dark alchemic experiments deep within Lab Five. But the biggest threat of all may be Ed's own morality, as he's tempted with the ultimate power he's been seeking for years. Hughes issues an order to allow Armstrong, Bloch, and Ross to investigate what's going on inside the 5th laboratory.
Now Ed sees that Tucker was hiding the fact that there were human prisoners involved in the making of the stone... and that Ed would have unkowningly killed them. But Lust has Al held hostage... forcing Ed to attempt the unthinkable. Meanwhile, Al's recurring questions about his existence come to a boil. Was there ever an Alphonse Elric? Or are his memories and soul alchemistically created lies?
Volume 7
Reunion on Yock Island
Ever since Ed and Al attempted human transmutation, they have desperately avoided one person: their childhood teacher, Izumi. Bearing dreadlocks, an iron will, and incredible alchemic skills, she is horrified that Ed and Al used her teachings to violate nature. Now she has caught them, and is shipping them back to her hometown for a frightening interrogation.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes' investigation of Lab Five leads him to a startling discovery of military corruption and conspiracy that could topple the entire national government - and put Hughes in considerable danger.
Volume 8
The Altar of Stone
As the Elric brothers are leaving Yock Island, a strange boy emerges from the foliage, with no memory of how he arrived. Inexplicably, he can perform alchemy without a transmutation circle. Even stranger, he can transmute his own body, merging with his surroundings! Meanwhile, the search for Scar gets a forward leap as a former military officer spots him in the southern slums.
Elsewhere, the amoral Lt. Colonel Archer makes his move for the mysterious wild boy, who he believes is a homunculus conspirator. Infuriated by the arrest, Izumi leaps into action, single-handedly attacking the military with her staggering alchemic power.
Volume 9
Pain and Lust
The boys are separated when kidnappers take Al to their hideout, leaving Ed frantic to find his brother. Izumi steps in to help her proteges as always, and finds they've learned something from life she never could have taught them alone: responsibility. Major Armstrong battles Greed's men in the sewers in an attempt to save Al, while up above Ed escapes the military's clutches for a showdown with Greed.
As Lust suggests the battle is part of some larger plan, Greed morphs his body into an impervious shield, and swears Ed must kill him if he wants to see Al again. Lust and Gluttony meet Wrath for the first time and quickly set out on the Elric Brother's trail. Will Ed and Al reach their destination before they're overtaken? And if they do, are the ready for what they'll find?
Volume 10
Journey to Ishbal
Al prompts a heated brawl with Ed by questioning him about the direction of their mission for the first time. The half-snake, half-woman Marta then leads the two brothers to the ruins of Ishbal and reveals the devastating cause of the Ishbalan war.
Volume 11
Becoming the Stone
Edward faces his destiny and the burdens of his actions as chaos surrounding the quest for the Philosopher's Stone reaches full boil. Alliances shift and factions fracture when horrible secrets and undeniable truths glare in the light of day.
Volume 12
Truth Behind Truths
The quest for the Philosopher's Stone is wrought with madness. Soulless beings, half-man, half-animal, and armies driven by secret devils all mingle in the shadows. As the Elrics dig into the darkest realms of humanity, one thing is clear... everything is about to change.
Volume 13
Brotherhood
At the end of destiny, where will peace be found? The brothers Elric will consider the answers that are left once the Philosopher's Stone has guided their saga to its end. True sacrifice, the deep love of family, the cruel truths of life and death... these are the realities that will bring the Fullmetal Alchemist's tale to a close.
Movie
The Conqueror of Shambala
It is 1923 in Munich. Two years have passed since Edward Elric's sacrifice ripped him out of his world and into ours, separating him from his younger brother, Alphonse. In that time, Ed's continued research into rocketry as allied him with Alphonse Hiederich, a fellow researcher who oddly resembles Ed's brother.
Progress has been slow, however, and Ed has become discouraged. But when he saves a quiet Gypsy girl with the power to read minds, Ed is quickly pulled into a plot by the Thule Society and the burgeoning Nazi Party that could drag both worlds into a terrible war.
Back in his own world, Al has been unlocking new secrets of alchemy and gaining incredible powers, all in the hopes of finding Ed.
Battling the occult, ideological extremists, and monstrous Homunculi lurking in the shadows, can the brothers find a way to reunite without causing chaos and bloodshed? What will happen when the world of alchemy and the world of modern science collide?
Fullmetal Alchemist follows the exploits of two brothers, Ed and Alphonse Elric, as they embark on an epic quest for the Philosopher's Stone, an artifact with the power to restore the brothers' physical forms and perhaps even reunite the brothers with their, now deceased, mother.
There is some violence and bloodshed during the course of the series, but, Fullmetal Alchemist is not really gory. Fullmetal Alchemist is a *lot* longer than I would have liked it to be. Some themes and certain portions of the series may be a bit too intense for the youngest anime fans among us. Although, I didn't bother to purchase the series, I did enjoy the series, Overall, I would give Fullmetal Alchemist a 3 out of 5.
