Full Metal Alchemist

Publisher
Geneon/MVM
Director
Seiji Mizushima
Production
BONES, Dentsu, MBS
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
52 episodes
Year
2003

Full Metal Alchemist Volume 1: The Curse

By otaku_kei
15th May 05

If you have been living under a rock for the last couple of years then perhaps you will not have heard about the phenomenon that is Full Metal Alchemist. This effort from Studio Bones has taken the anime world by storm and gone on to be a merchandising success story with Playstation 2 games, toys, models the list goes on. But for the rest of you anime fans then this release is probably one of your most highly anticipated titles for 2005 and beyond.

Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining chemistry, physics, astrology, metallurgy, medicine, mysticism and religion. Alchemists used there skills in an endeavour to turn lead into gold (in fact any element into another element), to discover the secret to eternal life, and to break the knowledge of how to create human life. This practice that survived till almost the modern era of our time is the basis for this show. Alchemy is real and has power in the world of Full Metal Alchemist.

Edward and Alphonse Elric, two boys who dabble in the power of alchemy to try to revive their dead mother, an attempt that met with disaster and ended in tragedy. The Elric boys transfigured by this experience - Edward lost his arm and a leg, Al had his body destroyed and the only way to save him was to bond his soul to a suit of armour. Now they make their way around the world seeking for the legendary Philosophers Stone their only hope to put right their horrible disfigurement. This quest puts them on the path to becoming State Alchemists, with all the power and responsibility that it entails. But the brothers are not the only people looking for the Philosophers Stone, a race to the prize is on, and there are some decidedly unsavoury characters that are after this Holy Grail of alchemy.

This volume kicks us off as the brothers arrive in a town that has recently become famous for a series of fantastical events. The local populace put down these events to miracles by their holy man, but that the Elric's strike up to the influence of alchemy and the existence of the Philosophers Stone. Yet as they scratch the surface of this seemingly idyllic town there are murky goings on. This two parter is then followed up by episodes that take the viewer back to the Elric brothers early years, before the accident, and then before they become State Alchemists. The early action packed episodes quickly hook in the viewer t the potential of alchemy, and then the later episodes show just why the two Elric's are so driven in their quest, and help to expand some character development.

In fact by way of action it is quite clear that the production team took full advantage of the potential of Alchemy. When there is the power to create anything out of anything lying to hand then the opportunity for crazy action packed scenes where literally anything can happen allows for the creative talents behind this show to run wild. In fact the creative talents behind this show really have excelled to deliver one of the most flawless titles that you have the opportunity to pick up at the moment. Everything in this show screams quality and I can honestly say that this title has been one of almost pure joy to watch. I hope that this show manages to go from strength to strength and truly does deserve a place on any anime fans DVD shelf.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 5.1; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; Textless Opening & Closing; Art Galleries; Japanese TV Spots; MVM Trailers

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: Another quality release from MVM (and of course kudos going to Madman for the DVD authoring). Picture and sound quality is great, and really makes me long for a set-up that could handle 5.1. We even get a few more extras for this release, a title I am sure MVM realise has the potential to be very profitable. Three seperate art galleries give us quite a spread of production work as well as then the standard image gallery.

-- otaku_kei 15th May 05

Full Metal Alchemist Images