The main story arch covers the lifes of Edward and Alphonse after they attempt the most taboo act in their world, human alchemy. There father is absent from their lives and when their mother passes away and leaves them to live on their own, they attempt to do what no alchemist had ever achieved, bring a human beinging back to life. Yet as they plan and set up all the chemical components of the human body and start the process something goes wrong even with their careful calculations. Al's entire body is lost in the process and Ed's leg is torn from his body due to a lack of equivalency in their alchemy. In a split moment decision Ed attempts another alchemic act rarely attempted and even less often achieved, fusing a human soul to an inanimate object. In desperation he offers up his arm for the transmutation(the act of alchemy) and draws a seal to anchor the soul within a suit of armor and looses his arm within the law of equivalent exchange. Al survives but is attached to one of their fathers suits of armor, no physical body, just a empty suit of armor made animate by a soul that gives it substance. Yet as Al comes to and sees Edward, still flesh and blood bleeding, they find what they had created was far from human, the transmutations a seeming failure.
The rest of the story covers the brothers adventurs as they search for a way to return themselves back to normal and deal with the principles of alchemy bring to their world, and the moral ambiguities of chasing the advancment of science through alchemy. The story doubles back on its self several times filling in blanks in the story and constantly keeps adding new characters all of which are interesting and diffrent from the previous. The story will often find itself drifting into questions that are relevent even in the real world if looked at deep enough and really presses the concept that you gain nothing for free and what is really equivalent to a human life. The show grows increasingly darker in tone as the show progresses and as the Elric brothers grow closer to each other and grow more mature realizing the place they find themselves in life. Ultimatly coming to a emtionaly conclusion that is finished up with the film <"Conquerer of Shamballa that should leave most people pretty happy with the conclusion of the series.
The story and characters are one of the strongest parts of the show and either ever really faulters, the world of Fullmetal Alchemist is a strong one with no major problems and remeains relatable and interesting till the very end. The show is story wise a mix of western drama and steampunk mixed with an even amount of science fiction especially in the movie and the later sections of the show. The animation is good but not perfect, the first season of the show comprised of the first 25 or so episodes out of 51 is the most incosistent. At times being excellent then the next being a bit rough around the edges but even so it never gets so bad that the show becomes unenjoyable and thats largerly do the the awesome animators over at Studio Bones. The soundtrack does re-use many of the same tracks but it is usually so well composed and fits the mood of the show that it will never bother you. The show is also filled with a large sum of action to break up the drama and depth that the story can plunge into and all of it is well coregraphed and can be pretty impresive. The abundance of abilities that alchemy can bestow makes sure to keep the action fresh and interesting and gives it a little flair as well. Over all this is a series any one new to anime can pickup and enjoy regardless if their looking for a deep story or a action filled show, either party will be made happy.
The final rundown
Story
A+
Characters
A+
Animation
B
Sountrack
B-
set, the video quality is great even on a HD television using an upscaling DVD player. The case is nice and strong and the surround sound is a nice update. This is one of those shows that when i started buying Anime i felt i had to grab hands down, and im glad i did. I find myself whipping out this site pretty often lol.
