There are two kinds of fans to these 2003 series based on the manga of the same name: The ones that liked it, and others who hated it. While, I’m in the latter. I’m going to give a honest review, for I will be posting a review of FMA: Brotherhood later on.
Fullmetal Alchemist follows the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric in their journey to find a way to get their original bodies back, after trying to bring their mother back from the dead using “human transmutation,” an act that its strictly forbidden by the laws of alchemy.
First, Hiromu Arakawa’s manga was on its 8th volume by the time the series ended its 51 episode run, and some compromises had to be made in order to fill a weekly show. The main problem with FMA, is that there a lot of filler episodes, (including one that even has a Detective Zenigata style character) it also tries too hard to be original and compelling by giving their own unique vision to the concepts established by Arakawa. Unfortunately, some of the stories are not strong enough and even seem to resort to scenes filled with only talking in order to give some “depth” to the characters, and this seems to go on until the series first half and the second half of the series kicks the story into high gear to make up for lost time.
But, in their rush, the writers came up with the main antagonist whose motives are so pedestrian, that is hard to even feel empathy when she’s finally defeated and we are left with one of the most inane endings in recent anime history, only to be followed up by a movie with a ludicrous plot.
Aside from a weak plot and lame villain, the animation and music in FMA are top-notch. But without a cohesive plot, it all falls apart.
Grade: 1/5
