Reviews FullMetal Alchemist (Anime Review)

FullMetal Alchemist-Anime Series Review

Alchemy is the all powerful science that can transfom a certain object into something else. But there are rules. “To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is the first law of equvalent exchange”.

Equivalent exchange is one of the highest points in the series. If you want to use alchemy, and fix a broken radio, you can do it. However, you’d need all the components of the radio, because you can’t make the missing objects out of thin air.

This, and of course many other lessons are taught in the anime series FullMetal Alchemist. The story of Edward Elric, and his younger brother, Alphonse Elirc. They tried to use alchemy to revive their lost mother. However, they were foolish enough no to realise then what they later learned. A life doesn’t equal a life. As an aftermath to attempting “human transmutation”, Edward lost his arm and a leg, and Alphonse lost his entire body, so Ed quickly had to attach his soul to a hollow suit of armor.

They have since made it their quest to gain what they had lost back, using the Philosopher’s Stone. This stone is said to have amplification beyond understanding on alchemy. You apparently could make a building out of a rock. This stone of course has never been seen, and no one knows if it’s even real, but the Elrics have to find it to get their bodies back.

At the beginning of the Anime, Ed and Al are off to a desert town, skipping a couple of years after the incident rather quickly. However, it’s supremly easy to catch on in the timelines, since it’s all clearly explained, and bluntly obvious.

Primarly in the anime, it’s mostly all playing around. The Anime packs in a lot of humour, but is also very serious. It’s actually a very smart anime, since at one time, they could be extremly serious, but a second after they could break the ice with a short joke (that’s funny), and then get back to the serious. It all sounds to confusing on script, but on show, it does a terrific job.

The plot is also a very thorough plot. Not only are the real rules of alchemy applied, but some events that resemble the facts of life, as other things appear. The story has a lot of major turning points in it, which is good, but at some point might feel a bit too rushed for some viewers. Nevertheless, it’s easy to understand. The story doesn’t go in the unrealistic ways of thought, but it stays serious, and if something has to happen, it WILL happen.

This is the anime that most mature audiences should stick with. There’s a lot of blood going around in this anime, but the fact that it’s all drawn makes it extremly easy to take, however well the blood is drawn. Also, good facts in the animation is that even thunder coming from alchemy, or even flames coming out of nowhere are all supeerbly drawn, and wahtever is 3D is perfectly well blended with the drawing style.

Aside from all those themes, the Anime packs an impressive soundtrack. There’s different intro’s for every 13 or so episodes, meaning each is a different season in Japan. It’s good though, because all of the songs are very well performed, and most are mesmerising. Also, throughout the anime, there will be many songs that give the show more life than it already has. Some add drama, others comedy. Altogether, they do a magnificent job blending in. Also, sounds like thunder, or even rain at least are very well shown. Explotions, rumbling, and things like that will really give your sound system a go.

As far as voices go, the Japanese version packs an impressive cast. Rie Kugimiya as Edward Elric, and Romi Paku as Alphonse Elric make a strong impact on the series, as they make the characters sound how they look to the nearest bit. That and also other voice characters that go on later in the episodes. All of this directed of course by Seiji Mizushima.

The english voices also do an impressive job in this anime. Aaron Dismuke as Alphonse Elric, and Vic Mignogna as Edward Elric also do an impressive job. Other great characters are Sonny Strait playing a character that appears as a military Major, Maes Hughes, and Travis Willingham as Colonel Roy Mustang.

Altogether, the FullMetal Alchemist anime does an impressive job from any angle it’s viewed, so it’s definetly an Anime that deserves to be in any Anime fan’s collection.

FINAL SCORING:
Animation: 10.0/10.0
Sound: 10.0/10.0
Japanese Voice Acting: 10.0/10.0
English Voice Acting: 10.0/10.0
Storyline:10.0/10.0
Rewatch Value:9.0/10.0
Soundtrack:10.0/10.0

FINAL SCORE: 10.0/10.0
This isn’t your everyday anime, and such score deserves parise, at least from this reviewer. This Anime has no ultimately killing flaws, but some flaws are minor. Animation and Sound effects in the anime are nothing to fear, for they stand ultimately perfect. The English side, as the Japanese side of Voice Acting does an amazing job. Something particulary small is missing, but nothing to die over. The storyline does perfect, every episode makes you want to watch the next one, until the end of the series hits. And as far as rewatching this anime, only those funny episodes, or episodes with an incredible piece of action, or a big turn in the anime are worth watching over, but not all of them, not in a row at least.

The Good and the Bad:
+Excellent plot
+Amazing animation and sound altogether
+The ending

Personal Opinions:
Nothing other than what the review said. Some might have guessed that I would give this Anime a 10.0, but I’m not one of those fans that says “the anime is awsome and it gets a 10”. I look at all Anime thoroughly, and fairly from the same point of view, no overrating because I like the Anime.

About the Anime-Japanese Companies:
Animation: BONES

Broadcaster:
Animax
Bandai Channel
Mainichi Broadcasting
TBS

Camera: T2 Studio

Music Production: Aniplex

Production:
Aniplex
BONES
Mainichi Broadcasting
Square-Enix

Recording Studio: Studio Aoi

Sound Production: Techno Sound

About the Anime-English Companies:
Broadcaster: Cartoon Network (Adult Swim)

Distributor:
Madman Entertainment Pty. Ltd. (Austrailia)
MVM (UK)

Licensed by:
FUNimation
Viz Communications (artbook)

Post Production: FUNimation

Recording Studio: FUNimation Studios

Out Now for FullMetal Alchemist:
Anime Vol.1-7 (Episodes 1-28)
Manga Volumes 1-3
(Game)FullMetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel (PS2)
(Game)FullMetal Alchemist-Curse of the Crimson Elixir (ps2)
(Novel)FullMetal Alchemist-The land of sand.

Review made by Seishin on 01/11/2006

Review re-edited by Seishin on 03/19/2006

 

I thought Ed lost his arm and leg because he fixed his brothers soul to that armor. You know equal trade and all. Considering the human transmutation did take his brothers body.

It was rather good. But a tad long. But still good. It described alot about the anime and didn't leave to much out which is nice to see in a review.

 

nice job Sheishin! I admit it was a little long, but quite thorough. You got to the main point and even had the voice actors and stuff. Nice review!

 

Well, I didn't want to go much into spoilers about why he lost his arm and leg, but in all truth:

Spoiler: Edward's Limbs and the Gate. Big Spoilers!

Edward lost his leg to the gate when he tried to revive his mother, while Al lost his entire body. Equivalent excange, he had to give up his arm to the gate so he could take his brother's soul back.[/quote]

Sorry for making it long, but I go into all detail necessary to give off the right idea. Be thankful I'm not like GameSpot and make 3 page super reviews!^^

In my opinion, voices are a big part of an anime (if not the biggest in a translation from Manga to Anime), so they all deserve their credit for what they did.

Thanks for the compliments!

-Seishin

 

I give you props on this Seishin and you know props mean a big thing, lol. I thought this review was very well constructed and put together. You knew what you were doing and even hit the minor details. Good job.