Manga Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1
Joshua Habel
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Opinion
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When the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, lost their mother to an illness, they were determined to get her back. Using the power of alchemy, the ability to transmute matter into other forms, they tried to raise her from the dead. Their failed attempt left Edward with only two limbs and his brother's soul bound to a suit of armor. Now, they are determined to find the philosopher's stone, the only way they can get their bodies back. But others are searching for the stone, and will do anything to get its power.
Fullmetal Alchemist, or FMA, is one of the hottest properties in both manga and anime of the last few years, and rightly so. If you are at all into anime, you have probably seen at least some, if not all of the anime series. If you enjoyed that, stop right now and go pick up the manga. The story departs massively from the anime after the introduction of a certain selfish character. For the rest of you, read on.
Graphically, FMA is not exactly stunning. But it is original, expressive and alive. The artist, Himoru Arakawa, has a gift for showing movement, with very subtle motions coming across just as easily as massive fight scenes. His characters' facial expressions are not to be missed either, with Edward having some of the funniest reactions whenever somebody mentions his short height. But what really earns FMA its place on the pedestal is the story.
FMA's story is, to put it bluntly, one of the most engaging and well thought out that you can read. The reader can easily connect and sympathize with the Elric brothers. The first volume may seem a little formulaic, but do not let that fool you. The story quickly goes through a series of twists and turns that will leave you aching for the next volume to see what happens. Arakawa's story telling is equaled only be his characters. There are no two dimensional characters in these pages. Everyone has a range of complex emotions, hidden feelings and ulterior motives. You may think Colonel Mustang is just an army man bucking for promotion, but you will think again when things really get serious.
If that was not enough, there are some fun extras at the end of every volume. A few short comics, notes from the author and a sometimes tasteless, but still funny "In Memoriam" for any characters that died in that volume. All this wrapped together in a wonderful package that any fan of great stories, manga or not, should have on their shelf.
Fullmetal Alchemist, or FMA, is one of the hottest properties in both manga and anime of the last few years, and rightly so. If you are at all into anime, you have probably seen at least some, if not all of the anime series. If you enjoyed that, stop right now and go pick up the manga. The story departs massively from the anime after the introduction of a certain selfish character. For the rest of you, read on.
Graphically, FMA is not exactly stunning. But it is original, expressive and alive. The artist, Himoru Arakawa, has a gift for showing movement, with very subtle motions coming across just as easily as massive fight scenes. His characters' facial expressions are not to be missed either, with Edward having some of the funniest reactions whenever somebody mentions his short height. But what really earns FMA its place on the pedestal is the story.
FMA's story is, to put it bluntly, one of the most engaging and well thought out that you can read. The reader can easily connect and sympathize with the Elric brothers. The first volume may seem a little formulaic, but do not let that fool you. The story quickly goes through a series of twists and turns that will leave you aching for the next volume to see what happens. Arakawa's story telling is equaled only be his characters. There are no two dimensional characters in these pages. Everyone has a range of complex emotions, hidden feelings and ulterior motives. You may think Colonel Mustang is just an army man bucking for promotion, but you will think again when things really get serious.
If that was not enough, there are some fun extras at the end of every volume. A few short comics, notes from the author and a sometimes tasteless, but still funny "In Memoriam" for any characters that died in that volume. All this wrapped together in a wonderful package that any fan of great stories, manga or not, should have on their shelf.