...:::Anime-Dark-Angel:::... :: Info - Vizualizare subiect 21 pe www.anime-dark-angel.myforum.ro

Trimis: 23/06/2007 22:30

Filmul a fost realizat de compania Bones, care mai are la activ cateva titluri interesante: Cowboy Bebop, RahXephon, Wolf's Rain, Scrapped Princess, Eureka Seven. Sa vedem deci, ce au reusit sa faca din legenda FMA :P

Poveste
Lumea fratilor Elric era un paradis idilic din care nu lipsea alchimia - o magie de transmutatie (schimbarea unui lucru in altceva, de cost echivalent) ajunsese sa infloreasca. Cei care o stapaneau îndeajuns de bine puteau da examen certificat, si deveneau Alchimisti, soldati in slujba armatei, care erau folositi atat in razboi, cat si pentru investigatii si cercetare.

Cei doi frati Elric incearca sa faca o transmutatie care era interzisa -> sa-si readuca la viata mama. Ceea ce are consecinte grave asupra lor: Alphonse isi pierde tot trupul pentru transmutatia cadavrului mamei lor (care esueaza, creand un monstru), iar Elric vede "Poarta" dintre lumi, si isi pierde un picior si o mana, care ii sunt luate pentru a transmuta sufletul fratelui sau intr-o armura. Astfel, Alphonse devine un ținută de armura gol pe dinauntru :P, iar Elric apeleaza la specialistii in auto-mails (brate/picioare mecanice), adica la Winry, o fata cu care cei doi Elric au copilarit.

Pentru a-si recapata trupurile, cei doi dau examenul de Alchemist, pe care il ia doar Edward, pentru ca nu dorea ca si fratele sau sa ajunga "cainele armatei", cum erau numiti alchimistii. Si asa, ia nastere un nou alchimist, al carui nume va ajunge legendar -> "Fullmetal" Alchemist (because he had auto-mail body :P). Also, pentru ca vazuse Poarta (si supravietuise...), el era printre putinii care pot face alchimie fara a avea nevoie de cerc de transmutatie. Iar cei doi pornesc in cautarea unor indicii care i-ar duce la descoperirea unui mod de a transmuta corpurile lor la loc la forma normala, avand acum la indemana toate cunostintele si mijloacele armatei.

Povestea din film este continuarea celei din serial, in care cei doi frati Elric -> Edward si Alphonse sunt separati, pentru ca Edward se transmuta pe sine pentru a-l readuce la viata pe Alphonse. Si astfel, Edward trece de Poarta dintre cele doua lumi, si ajunge in... Germania pre-hitlerista. Alphonse, pe de alta parte, se intoarce in omenirea lor, de data asta avand corpul complet, si devine un Alchemist cu puteri impresionante.

Toata lumea este insa marcata de disparitia lui "Fullmetal" Alchemist (Edward), desi prietenii si Alphonse stiu ca el traieste pe undeva, in alta lume... in care Edward se descurca suficient de bine, si construieste rachete impreuna cu un alt Alphonse, sperand ca astfel va putea trece de bariera dintre lumi. In societatea lipsita de alchimie in care se afla, Edward da peste tot felul de oameni care arata la fel cu vechii sai prieteni -> Alphonse ii seamana fratelui sau.

Iar aventurile celor doi Elric sunt departe de a lua sfarsit, pentru ca o societate germana care se ocupa aparent cu ocultismul si il sprijinea pe Hitler, dezvolta un adevarat interes pentru Shambala, o lume utopica, din care se spune ca nu lipsea magia...

Personaje
Desi FMA este unul din acele filme cu "tone" de personaje, fiecare avand un rol important pe parcursul serialului, voi mentiona doar cativa dintre ei, for the sake of length...

Edward Elric
Ed s-a schimbat nespus de mult in calatoria sa, si cand a ajuns sa cunoasca anumite taine ale alchimiei pe care nu ar necesită sa le fi aflat nimeni niciodata, ajunge sa ia decizii si sa faca compromisuri in defavoarea sa, pentru a salva restul oamenilor... Iar cum pentru fratele sau era in situație sa-si dea si viata, se transmutase pe sine insusi, pentru a-l readuce inapoi.

In noua lume pe care o cunoaste, totul functioneaza altfel, si trebuie sa se descurce fara alchimie. Mai mult... nici auto-mailul lui Winry nu mai merge, asa ca trebuie sa gaseasca inlocuitori care nici nu se compara cu tehnologia lor. Pe de alta parte, are ocazia sa duca o viata alaturi de un alt Alphonse, care seamana cu fratele sau, si care e pasionat de rachete. Dar nu inceteaza niciodata sa viseze ca odata se va putea reintoarce in mulțimea sa, la Alphonse, chiar daca va trebui sa se bage intr-o racheta ca sa treaca de Poarta...

Alphonse Elric
Al e mai mic decat Ed ca varsta, dar nu si ca inaltime... iar in serial mereu era confundat cu Ed, din cauza ca Al era un costum de armura :P. In fine, Al a ramas practic un copil, ce inca mai are convingerile utopice de pace si dragoste intre oameni, si de faptul ca alchimia este ceva bun. Dupa ce a ramas singur, el devine Alchimist, ca si fratele sau, si porneste intr-o calatorie cu destinatie la fel de imposibila ca si cea precedenta... De aceasta data insa, stie ca fratele sau e in viata, si ca trebuie sa existe un mod de a-l readuce in lumea lui.

Din nefericire, dupa ce a fost readus la normal, Al nu isi mai aminteste nimic din anii petrecuti cu fratele sau in calatoria lor, si mai descopera si ca are niste puteri interesante bazate pe faptul ca sufletul sau e detasabil foarte usor... (desi episodul cand era o armura nu il stie...)

Winry Rockbell
Pentru cei care nu stiu, Rockbell este una din cele mai renumite familii din toata lumea (cea a lui Ed) pentru... auto-mailurile pe care le fac. Rockbell e cosmarul oricarui mecanic de auto-mails :P (in serial e un episod legat de acest aspect), iar Winry mosteneste exact acest lucru de la bunica ei. Winry e prietena din copilarie a lui Ed si Alphonse, si a fost alaturi de Ed tot timpul dupa accidentul sau.

De fiecare data cand Ed a patit ceva la auto-mail, s-a intors in vizita la Winry, iar ea a avut mereu gata una noua, si mai buna decat precedenta. De aceea, Winry e hotarata sa ajunga cel mai bun mecanic de auto-mails din lume, ca sa poata sa-i faca lui Ed mails cu care el sa se simta bine, si sa uite de accidentul prin care a trecut. Cu toate ca Winry il iubeste si ar fi vrut ca Ed sa nu plece, ea nu-l opreste din calatoria sa spre telul pe care si l-a fixat in viata -> de a gasi un mod sa il aduca pe fratele sau la normal. Asa ca Winry il asteapta mereu pe Ed sa se intoarca acasa, si sa traiasca fericiti, asa cum faceau in copilarie -> Ed, Alphonse si Winry.

Grafica
Spre deosebire de serial, am observat ca in film au crescut numarul de urmări confecționate pe calculator. Ceea ce e bine, daca luam in considerare numarul mare de scene cu fum/ceata/blur , in distinct asediul din Central city, care e o scena ce m-a facut sa ma intreb daca nu cumva ma uit la un mecha anime.
Peisajele au ramas cele obisnuite, cu orasele mohorate, si cu cimitirul... vesel. No really... daca va uitati la acea scena, veti vedea neîntârziat ca este inundata in culori vii, si de altfel asa se intampla de fapt peste tot pe unde apare Winry.

Locatiile sunt, ca de obicei, spatii deschise si deosebit de mari, cladirile luxoase din Germania contand foarte mult la partea de atmosfera din lumea reala. Se vor reintalni vechile locatii din serial: Academia Alchimistilor, cimitirul unde e ingropat... (heh, mai bine vedeti serialul, ca sa nu spoilez bucată asta), casa lui Winry de pe dealurile inverzite, orasul subpamantean si orasul Lior.

In ceea ce priveste personajele, am avut o mica surpriza sa constat ca Alphonse incepe sa arate întocmai cum arata Ed inainte, si poarta aceleasi haine: mantia rosie de alchimist, cu semnul acela al sarpelui (imi aduce aminte de Medicina...), cu parul strans la spate, si cu manusile albe. Iar Ed e imbracat dupa moda epocii din Germania, si incepe sa semene tot mai mult cu tatal sau la imbracaminte. Wonder why >
Mustang si-a "tras" un eyepatch de toata frumusetea, dar in rest si-au pastrat uniformele, iar Major Armstrong (love the guy :P) are aceeasi alchimie bazata pe transmutarea a orice atinge in bustul sau chipul sau manly ).

Detaliile grafice sunt superbe, mai ales in scenele de lupta, si veti avea ocazia sa observati iar frumosul auto-mail al lui Winry in actiune :P In serial, cele mai impresionante scene de acest gen erau cu luptele dintre Ed si altcineva, echipat cu un auto-mail de valoare mai proasta (prin definitie, indiferent ce nu e facut de Winry :P), care ducea la imprastieri de suruburi si placute metalice peste tot. Mai erau, desigur, si scenele in care The Guy aparea si ii exploda lui Ed auto-mailul, pentru a nu mai putea face alchimie batandu-si palmele (scena este in filmuletul intro).

Si da... alchimia apare iarasi, dar inafara de Ed si Alphonse, restul nu mai au magia la fel de impresionanta ca in serial. In serial chiar era alchimie la tot pasul, dar Ed este nevoit sa renunte la asta, din cauza lumii in care se afla, si in care nu exista alchimie. Asa ca nu veti vedea cercuri de transmutatie peste tot (e un concept interesant, si sunt niste desene care imbraca diferite forme, deseori tribale, concentrate intr-un cerc), dar cand apare, e de senzatie Si s-a pastrat aceeasi tenta de umor ca si in serial, cand Ed transmuta chestii dupa asemanarea fetei sale (ma rog, rezultatul e un balon cu ochi, un fir de par, si un robinet pe post de nas, but hey...).

Sunet
OP si ED sunt fabricate de L'Arc-en-Ciel, si se numesc "Link" si "Lost Heaven". Sunt intr-adevar splendide, iar pe Opening sunt scene din serial, desi pentru cei care nu l-au vazut, unele personaje vor ramane un mister...

Ce mi-a placut in serial se regaseste si in film -> aceeasi muzica ce trece de la melodii dramatice, la cele dinamice, din scenele de actiune, si apoi la melodii funny cand eroii fac vreo tampenie, dupa ce se termina toata aventura.

Ce m-a surprins a fost insa... muzica tiganeasca. Ma rog... e ceva gen Gypsy Kings, dar Michiru Oshima a fost inspirat la acest capitol. Pentru ca scena cu tiganii este una din cele mai interesante din film :P Veti vedea de ce, daca cititi la Impresii.

Daca va intereseaza si coloana sonora de la serial, puteti cauta melodii ale artistilor de la Porno Graffitti, Nana Kitade, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Crystal Kay, Asian Kung-Fu Generation si Sowelu, care au facut melodiile de pe intro/outro (cdjapan)

Impresii
Stiti ce m-a surprins? Tiganii. Veti crede ca nu ati citit bine, dar va spun clar ca in acest film apar tiganii ROMANI ca personaje. Noa este o astfel de tiganca (gypsy/nomad/gitana/etc...) care la intrebarea lui Edward "dar voi cum va spuneti?" ea raspunde cu "Romani. Inseamna a fi om"... Speechless? Well I sure WAS!!!.

Lasand la o parte acest lucru, Noa chiar e interesanta ca personaj, dar nu am vrut sa o trec in lista la aceasta categorie, pentru ca ar fi trebuit sa bag mult prea multe personaje din serial, care merita un loc acolo la fel de mult ca si ea. Cel putin The Flame Alchemist - Colonelul Mustang... Revenind la Noa si la compatriotii ei, veti avea parte de o demonstratie de muzica si de dans, desi veti ramane dezamagiti, pentru ca muzica e ceva gen Gypsy Kings, si mai putin ceva autohton noua :P

E uimitor cum poti baga aspecte romanesti prin toate filmele... in Harry Potter 4 erau mentionati dragonii (O_o w00t) din Romania, in FMA apar tiganii made in RO, si sunt sigur ca surprizele se vor tine lant. Bine ca nu au bagat si in Advent Children bucata de copilarie a lui Red XIII din Muntii Carpati, Romania... (e de fapt Cosmo Canion, but hey... se putea adapta...).

Mi-a placut acest film, pentru ca in sfarsit se termina povestea. Or does it? La cum au lasat-o, ar putea sa continue, dar nu ar mai avea acelasi farmec fara alchimie :P.

[SPOILER]

Ce m-a enervat a fost totusi destinul lui Edward de a ramane separat de Winry, care mi-a placut foarte mult ca personaj, si care nu face decat sa astepte ca Edward sa se intoarca odata la ea. Well, it didn't happen, si totul s-a intamplat ca si in serial, cu o decizie finala luata intr-un moment, si care a schimbat totul. Imi aduce aminte si de celelalte protagoniste care nu au avut sanse -> Roze si Noa. Asta e una din laturile pentru care FMA este atat de dramatic, iar alta e cea datorata schimbarilor ce se produc cu personalitatea lui Edward, care evolueaza dintr-un copil ce avea visul sa devina cel mai bun alchimist, intr-un adult care deja are experienta razboiului, pierderilor umane, si a alchimiei ce nu mai tine cont de moralitatea umana.

[/SPOILER]
Nota: 10/10.
Recomandare: e unul din filmele/serialele care nu ar trebui ratate

Trimis: 23/06/2007 22:36

Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi?, lit. "Alchemist of Steel"), commonly abbreviated as FMA or Hagaren by fans, is a manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa and serialized in Enix's (now Square Enix) Monthly Shonen Gangan. It has also been adapted into an anime TV series and a movie sequel, as well as several spin-off novels and video games.

The manga is still running in Japan, and 16 volumes have been released so far. The anime, on the other hand, is finished, and consists of 51 episodes and a full-length movie sequel. Both incarnations (the manga and the anime) have seen massive popularity in both Japan and North America; in September 2005, the anime was voted #1 most popular anime of all time in Japan in a TV Asahi web poll,[1] and was #1 again in 2006.[2] In 2005, Anime Insider named it "Series of The Year."[citation needed]

It was nominated in six of twelve categories at the American Anime Awards in February 2007, winning awards in five of them: Best Long Series, Best Actor (Vic Mignogna), Best Cast, Best DVD Package Design, and Best Anime Theme Song (Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation). It was also nominated in the category of Best Anime Feature for Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, but lost.[3]

[edit] Plot
Fullmetal Alchemist is a fantezie manga set in the early 20th century in a country called Amestris in an alternate-historical Earth with technology dating from early 20th century Europe. In this alternate world, the exaggerated science of alchemy is heavily used in conjunction with acretian soul wanderers, but takes on a further utopic element not seen in real-life alchemy. Real-world alchemists attempted to transmute gold and diamonds from lesser metals. In the fictional world of the series, alchemy becomes the science of transmuting matter into different matter through the use of transmutation circles—based on real-world science, yet also magical, with seemingly infinite uses. Talented alchemists may apply to take a State Alchemist test to join the Amestris military's State Alchemists.

Edward and Alphonse Elric were children living in the rural village of Resembool in the country of Amestris. Their father Hohenheim (Hohenheim of Light in the anime and Van Hohenhiem in the manga), a talented alchemist, had left home when Edward was very young and Alphonse was still an infant. Years later, their mother, Trisha Elric, died of a terminal illness. After their mother's death, they lived with Winry and her grandmother until finding a teacher to teach them alchemy. After completing training, they came home with the intent of reviving their mother with the transmutation circle they found in their father's notes and made the attempt soon after acquiring the circle. However, this attempt failed, resulting in a twisted mass of flesh and bone at the cost of Edward's left leg and Alphonse's entire body. In a desperate effort to save his brother, Edward sacrificed his right arm to affix his brother's soul to a suit of armor. After that, Edward's left leg and right arm are fitted with two sets of Automail, a type of advanced prosthetic limb. In the autentic Japanese, the term "Fullmetal" is used to describe a person who is stubborn. In the series it is often attributed by minor characters to Ed's automail arm and leg, or Al's armor body. In the sixth manga, as well as episode 8 of the anime, it is revealed that when an alchemist becomes a State Alchemist, they are given a rarisim title. Edward's title was Fullmetal, making him Fullmetal Alchemist.

A State Alchemist by the name of Roy Mustang arrives during the failed human transmutation. After seeing their skill at alchemy, Mustang suggested that the way for the two boys to achieve their goals would be to become State Alchemists and work for him. Spurred on by the man's proposal, Edward set out to become a State Alchemist, enabling him to use the resources available to State Alchemists to discover a way to restore what he and Alphonse had lost. The brothers eventually learn of the Philosopher's Stone and set off in search of it as a means to restore their bodies. Along the way they discover secrets about the Philosopher's Stone they never wanted to know, and find others who seek it as well, doing almost whatever they can to get their hands on it.

One unique characteristic of Fullmetal Alchemist is that the stories of the manga and anime separate soon after the beginning, and weave vastly different tales. The most prominent of the differences is the primary antagonist. In the anime, this is a woman known as Dante. A previous lover of Hohenheim, Dante and he were masterful alchemists and perfected methods for making the Philosopher's Stone and a form of immortality in which their souls move to a new host body every time their current vessel began to age. However, Hohenheim soon fell in love with another and left Dante, taking with him the perfected Philosopher's Stone formula. Although Dante is still able to jump from body to body to preserve her youth, she is able to spend less and less time in each body as it decays faster with each jump, so she seeks the stone's formula to sustain her power. Dante is the leader of the homunculi, and though she did not create all of them, she sustains them by feeding them imperfect shards of the Philosopher's Stone. She uses them to spur Edward and Alphonse into finding the complete Philosopher's Stone formula for her.

The main antagonist of the manga series is a man known simply as "Father." Evidence suggests that he, like Dante and Hohenheim, has perfected an immortality formula, and is possibly a citizen from the ancient desert civilization of Cselkcess. Found in the manga series as ruins, this civilization is believed to have great alchemical and technological prowess, but suspiciously, all of its inhabitants disappeared in one night. Unlike Dante, Father is the creator of all the homunculus in the manga series, and commands them from behind the curtains of the High Command of the country Amestris, which, King Bradley (the homunculus Wrath in the manga) later reveals to Roy Mustang, was created by Father. It is suspected that Father plans to use Amestris as a gigantic transmutation circle to produse a Philosopher's Stone, but the homunculus Envy hints that, although close, it is not the whole truth. Regardless, Edward and Alphonse become mixed up in Father's plans, and end up becoming prime "human sacrifices" for whatever Father has in store.

[edit] Major characters

The Elric brothers, Alphonse (left) and Edward (right)Edward Elric: The main protagonist, Edward ("Ed") Elric is the famous Fullmetal Alchemist, though Al is occasionally mistaken for him because of his armored body. He has a prosthetic automail arm and leg, is of short stature, and typically reacts in an exaggerated manner to any remarks about his height. He is known for being the youngest State Alchemist, gaining this title at the age of 12.
Alphonse Elric: Alphonse, often nicknamed "Al," is Fullmetal Alchemist's secondary protagonist; he is Edward's younger brother and the narrator of the series. For most of the series his soul is trapped in a large suit of armor, causing other characters throughout the series to confuse Al with the "Fullmetal" Alchemist. Alphonse is the calmer of the two, and can be seen as a foil to Edward's character.
Colonel Roy Mustang: Roy Mustang is known as the Flame Alchemist. His gloves are made of a special material called "ignition cloth," which allows him to create a spark by snapping his fingers. He then uses alchemy to change the oxygen density in the air with the help of transmutation circles on his gloves, causing a controlled explosion. He is Edward's direct superior officer in the military, but has his own goal, mainly to become the Führer, leader of the military.
Winry Rockbell: Winry is a mechanical expert who is a childhood friend of the Elrics. She, along with her grandmother Pinako, built Edward's automail, and she also helps maintain the automail when it gets broken. Her parents were called into service as doctors for the Ishbalan Civil War and were killed.
Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye: A hard-working member of the state military, and a loyal, capable aide to her superior officer, Roy Mustang. She is especially proficient in the use of firearms. While she may be level-headed, she sometimes uses her shooting skills in situations where they may not be entirely necessary.
Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes: A member of the Investigations Division and a good friend of Colonel Mustang and the Elric brothers. He wishes to push Mustang up to the position of Führer by working closely under him. Hughes loves his wife, Gracia, and is overly enthusiastic regarding his love for his daughter Elysia, and talks about her to everyone he meets.
Scar: One of the few surviving Ishbalans (Ishvalans in the manga). His real name is never revealed, but he is referred to as "Scar" because of the X-shaped scar on his face. Scar's right arm, which is tattooed with a rare transmutation circle, was given to him by his brother shortly before he died. Scar believes himself to be an dispozitiv of God, and kills State Alchemists using his alchemical skills, despite the fact that he believes alchemy is an abomination against the natural world.
King Bradley: Known as the Führer, he is the military dictator of Amestris, holding the official political title of president (King is his first name). Although he seems to be quite easy-going and perhaps a little eccentric, he has a mind like a steel trap, and maintaining Amestris is his chief priority at all times. He hungers for war and is constantly sending troops to locations all over Amestris, "purifying the land." He is also renowned as an exceptional swordsman and is referred to as the "Ultimate Eye".
Lust: Sultry and cool-hearted, she is the first of the Homunculi encountered in the series. She has the power to extend her fingers into a spear in the blink of an eye to use as a weapon, and is thus known in some translations as the "Ultimate Spear" or "Ultimate Lance".
Gluttony: A large figure who eats anything he can get his hands on, including humans and inanimate objects. He latches on to Lust like a child to a parent.
Envy: Sarcastic, sadistic, and cold-hearted, Envy has the ability to change appearance. He hates mankind, viewing them as pitiful and weak. Envy is a male, but his appearance is androgynous.
Characters of Fullmetal Alchemist
Common: Edward Elric | Alphonse Elric | Roy Mustang | Winry Rockbell | Scar | Izumi Curtis | Hohenheim | Minor
Anime-only: Dante | State Military | Homunculi | Minor | Video games
Manga-only: Ling Yao | Father | State Military | Homunculi | Minor

[edit] Terminology
Alchemy: Alchemy within the Fullmetal Alchemist anime, put simply, refers to a three-step process. The steps are analysis (to understand the structure and properties of the substance that is about to be transmuted), destruction/decomposition (to break the substance down to its rudimentary properties), and reconstruction/recomposition (to rebuild the substance into another form or with different properties). In the manga, the source of alchemical power is believed by most alchemists to be the movement of tectonic plates-however, Mei Chan, an alchemist from the neighboring country of Xing has her doubts as to this; to her, the power behind Amestrian alchemy seems to involve the souls of the dead (while the Xing alchemy involves using the Earth's lifestream). However, in the anime, the energy for alchemical reactions comes from the other side of the Gate, supposedly from the deaths that occur in the world on the other side of the Gate. In both versions, rather than being a method of manipulating forms via their accidents (the basis of historical alchemy, derived from Greek philosophy), it is essentially modern chemistry without a reaction medium.
Automail: A kind of prosthetics, made from metal and linked directly to the nerves of the body. Well-made automail can allow a range of movement and strength as good as or better than the original limb it replaces. Some forms of automail include ballistic devices or other enhancements. It appears to be a type of cybernetic technology, well ahead of real world cybernetics research. Edward typically has been seen altering his automail arm with Alchemy, refashioning it into a bladed weapon in the manga and anime. Since it's linked directly to the nerves of the body, attaching automail can be excruciatingly painful.
Equivalent Exchange (also referred to as "Equivalent Trade", "Alchemical Equilibrium", and "The Law of Conservation" among some fans): The rule that alchemists in the series consider to be the foundation of Alchemy, or even the fundamental law of the world: to obtain, something of equal or greater value must be lost. One of the themes of the series is examining the implications of Equivalent Exchange as a philosophy. It also investigates into whether Equivalent Exchange is a natural law, or rather, a false ideology. As an example, the two brothers frequently quote the chemicals present in the human body, in thinking that this simple chemical exchange would be all that was needed to bring back someone from the dead.
One is All, All is One: A cryptic way of explaining the essence of alchemy, this phrase is used by Izumi Curtis to test whether the Elric brothers are worth teaching alchemy to. According to this, if a person were to die, as such there would be no material effect on the world. Since a human body is made up of certain basic elements, when a person dies, his or her body is decomposed and these elements are returned back to nature. These elements, in turn, provide nutrients to plants which, in their turn, become food for herbivores, which are then food to carnivores. This is the cycle of life, and the death of one person is insignificant while considering the whole cycle. However, without these individual deaths, the cycle cannot be maintained and hence the individuals as a whole are significant to the continuation of the cycle. Thus, the cycle of life can never be reversed. Understanding this and working with the cycle of life in order to create new things is what alchemy is about. In other words, as the Elrics put it, "the world is the all, and I am the one."
State Alchemist: An alchemist serving in a deosebit branch of the state military under the direct command of the Führer. State Alchemists are selected by a series of examinations, and are regarded as some of the most powerful and talented alchemists. The position of State Alchemist also holds considerable authority and influence, automatically being promoted to the rank of Major. However, State Alchemists are despised by the general public, often called 'dogs of the military' - meaning that the person sold their soul to the military in exchange for special entitlements.
Taboo: A forbidden act in alchemy, for example, human transmutation, which usually comes with a punishment. Edward and Alphonse attempt to return their mother back to life, and are punished by losing Al's body and Ed's arm and leg.
Transmutation Circle: Transmutation circles act as catalysts in alchemic reactions, and are needed for any transmutation; however, some alchemists, like Edward Elric, can transmute without one. The circle represents the constant flow of energy, the patterns decide what effects the transmutation has. A circle may be drawn on the spot, embroidered into an article of clothing, or even tattooed onto the alchemist itself. Transmutation circles can be drawn with any substance that leaves behind a trail, ranging from chalk to blood (see Blood Seal below).
Philosopher's Stone: A legendary stone said to allow the holder to completely bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange. As with all things, however, to făurite a Philosopher's Stone requires the expenditure of raw materials: in this case, human lives.
Blood Seal: A special type of transmutation circle that acts as a seal to bind a person's soul to an object, such as a suit of armor. It must, as the name suggests, be written in blood; the soul is tied to the blood and an element in the blood must be bound with the object itself. This typically only works on armor as the iron in the blood binds with the armor. Thus the blood acts as an intermediary between the soul and the object. If a blood seal is destroyed, the soul will no longer be tied to the object, and the person will enter the Gate. Some translations refer to it as a "Blood Array."
Chimera: A chimera is the fusion of two or more different species into a single being created using alchemy. These creatures are seen as monsters by the general community, because the alchemist has taken two creatures and fused them to fabricate one. There are also cases where the alchemist has used a human in the creation of a chimera, such cases are: Shou Tucker where he created two chimeras using firstly his wife and then his daughter. These Chimeras died shortly after they where created. However other cases such as the events of that at Lab 5, were done using more experinced alchemists, and the aid of mass amounts of Red Stones. These chimeras were created using humans, however a major difference is that these chimeras took the form of humans and then gained abilities depending on the animal they were fused with.
Gate of Alchemy (also known as the "Gate of Truth" or just "Gate"): The Gate is said to be the source for all alchemical power. In the manga, an alchemist who sees into the Gate can then perform alchemy without the use of a written or tattooed circle because of the knowledge gained during the experience. In the anime it is said that the Gate swings forward each time the energy for alchemy is summoned, that there is a Gate inside everyone, and that all that is necessary to access the Gate is knowledge of how to do so. It is also said that a weak link between the body, mind, and spirit is what called the Gate - in other words, death. A baby, the anime posits, has a weak link between the body, mind, and spirit, and thus it is easy to summon the Gate using a baby. In the anime the Gate resembles Rodin's sculpture "The Gates of Hell", but in the manga it is more akin to an obelisk, featuring the Kabbalahistic Tree of Life.
Truth : The ultimate goal of every alchemist. In the anime, it was just Ed's point of view to describe what he found in the Gate. In the manga, though, it was displayed as an omnipotent god-like being that exists in the Gate, enforcing the law of Equivalent Exchange.
Rentan Jutsu (manga only): A type of Alchemy that is used in the eastern country Xing. Its roots actually lie in medicine and transmutation circles are referred to as "purification circles" by the people of Xing. While similar to Amestris alchemy (called "Renkin Jutsu" by people from Xing), the source of energy is different. Rentan Jutsu uses the power called "Lungmei" which exists everywhere on the earth. The type of alchemy that the character Mei Chan uses is Rentan Jutsu. Scar's tattoo is a mix of Renkin Jutsu and Rentan Jutsu.
Human Sacrifice: In the manga, it is a term that the Homunculi use to refer to alchemists who have opened the Gate and seen the Truth. Human Sacrifices are a crucial part of the Homunculi and "Father"'s plan, but to what end is still unknown.
Human Transmutation: A forbidden art in which one attempts to lucrate a human who had died. It takes something from the person who performs it (for example, an arm, leg or organ) but, instead of creating a human, it takes the alchemist to the Gate, where he or she gains knowledge proportional to what was given up in the transmutation. In the anime, the end product of a human transmutation attempt is a Homunculus.

FMA Vol. 1 manga cover by VIZ
[edit] Manga

[edit] Release
Fullmetal Alchemist has been serialized in Enix's (now Square Enix) monthly anthology manga magazine Monthly Shonen Gangan since July 2001 and is still ongoing with a new chapter in every issue. The series was the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award winner in 2004. As of June 2007, there have been 72 chapters serialized and 16 graphic novel compilations released. Viz Media began releasing the manga in North America in May 2005;[4] since then, thirteen English-language volumes have been released.

Due to the fairly iute rate that Viz Media is introducing the graphic novels (a new release approximately every two months), the English translation is quickly catching up to the Japanese release, having already covered three-fourths of the series to date. According to Nielsen Bookscan, Fullmetal Alchemist's first volume was the top selling manga in the year of 2005,[5] and the following issues of the manga usually appear on the Bookscan's weekly Overall Graphic Novel top 10 list. Beginning with volume eight, Viz Media's releases of the manga featured a new, updated version of the "Viz Action" logo at the top of the spine. However, recent controversy among fans began when the news broke that volume eight contains an edit in two panels.[6]

In Singapore, the manga is being released by Chuang Yi Publishing in both English and Simplified Chinese. 13 volumes have been released in English while 16 volumes have been released in Simplified Chinese. In Poland, JPFantastica is releasing the manga; as of March 2007, 5 volumes have been released. In France, the manga is being released by Kurokawa. As of January 2007, 11 volumes have been released. Volume 8, released in September 2006, was available alone or in a collector's edition, which consisted of the book packed with the original humorous novel Flame Alchemist, focusing on Roy Mustang's schedule. Before that, this novel was only available with the first print run of volume 6 in Japan, making it highly collectible. In Sweden, the manga is published by Carlsen Comics, and has as of April 2007 reached 5 volumes.

[edit] Chapter guide
Main article: List of Fullmetal Alchemist manga

[edit] U.S. edit

Panel from volume 8, showing the differences between the U.S. version and the original materialSo far the content of the manga released by Viz in the United States does not differ much from the original material. The only edit so far is one panel from volume 8 showing the Homunculus Greed tied (in crucifixion style) to a cross-shaped stone slab. In the U.S. version the stone was redesigned to become round, probably to avoid references to Christianity.[6]

[edit] Anime

[edit] Episode guide
Main article: List of Fullmetal Alchemist episodes

[edit] Production broadcast history

A promotional poster of "Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa", a feature film set after the events of the TV series.The animation studio Bones adapted the manga into a 51-episode anime series, directed by Seiji Mizushima and co-produced by Bones, Mainichi Broadcasting System and Aniplex with character designs by Yoshiyuki Ito and scripts by Sho Aikawa, which ran on the Mainichi Broadcasting System, the TBS and Animax in Japan from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004. A one-hour OVA, Fullmetal Alchemist: Reflections, was released in 2005.[7] Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa was made by the same studio, and theatrically released in Japan on July 23, 2005. The film serves as a sequel to the TV series. In March 2006 a DVD featuring 3 brand new OVAs as well as the "State Alchemists vs the seven Homunculi" feature that was previously shown only at Universal Studios Japan (in Tokyo) was released on DVD in Japan.[8]

The series has also been broadcast across many regions:

Japan, MBS-TBS and Animax, from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004 (original first run)
United States, Cartoon Network (Adult Swim), from November 6, 2004 to March 18, 2006 (first run)
Hong Kong, TVB Jade, from February 26, 2005
Singapore, StarHub's SCV, Channel 56, from March 9, 2005
Latin America, Animax, from July 31, 2005 to February 22, 2006 (first run)
Brazil, Animax, from July 31, 2005 to February 22, 2006 (first run) and RedeTV!, from June 05, 2006 to October 02, 2006 (first run).
South Asia, Animax, from July 24, 2006
The Philippines, Animax, from May 2006
United Kingdom, Rapture TV, from November 17, 2005 to November 7, 2006
Italy, MTV, from April 11, 2006
Greece, Cine+, from 2007
Canada, YTV's Bionix block, from March 3, 2006, to March 2, 2007 (first run)
Australia, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, January 3, 2006, Rerunning again from June 2007
New Zealand, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, January 2006
Philippines, GMA Network, around 2nd-3rd quarter 2005
France, Canal +, from 2005, MCM 2007
Spain, Canal Buzz, 2006, Cuatro 2007
Malaysia, Astro Wah Loi Toi, around third quarter 2005; and TV3, early 2007
Thailand, ITV, around second quarter 2006
Finland, Subtv, began February 4, 2007
Poland, Hyper TV, began March 1, 2007
As there was a limited amount of manga material available to adapt at the time of production, the storyline of the anime diverges from that of the manga around the middle of the series (around the end of book 6/start of book 7). The anime's later story and conclusion by Bones is different from the manga, which is still ongoing. This divergence in story from the manga source material, however, was planned from the beginning of production, and was not done "just because" the anime caught up with the manga source material.[citation needed]

[edit] DVD releases

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 DVD cover by FUNimationThe DVDs of the anime have been licensed by various companies for different languages and regions (refer to infobox on right). Some known firms releasing the DVDs are:

Aniplex, the original producers of the anime series, across Japan (Region 2), Taiwan (Region 3), and South Korea (Region 3)
Asia Animation, across Hong Kong (Region 3)
Focus Filmes, across Brazil (Region 4)
TIGA, across Thailand (Region 3) - 17 volumes with 3 episodes each
FUNimation, across North America (Region 1), R4 (MX, SA)
Madman Entertainment, across Australia & New Zealand (Region 4)
MVM (originally), Revelation Films (currently) across the United Kingdom (Region 2)
Odex, across Singapore (Region 3)
Panini Video, across Italy (Region 2)
The 51 episodes in the series are divided into 13 DVD volumes (both for the Japanese and North American releases, at least, and presumably for releases in other regions as well). On the original Japanese DVDs, volume 1 consisted of the first two episodes, volume 13 contained the last five, and all of the volumes in between had four episodes each. FUNimation's English DVDs all have four episodes each, except for the last, which has three. There are excepțional editions of volumes 1, 6, and 10 that contained the DVD box and three soundtracks (one for each in chronological order) inside of a tin case.

Volume 01: The Curse (Ep. 1-4)
Volume 02: Scarred Man of the East (Ep. 5-8)
Volume 03: Equivalent Exchange (Ep. 9-12)
Volume 04: The Fall of Ishbal (Ep. 13-16)
Volume 05: The Cost of Living (Ep. 17-20)
Volume 06: Captured Souls (Ep. 21-24)
Volume 07: Reunion on Yock Island (Ep. 25-28)
Volume 08: The Altar of Stone (Ep. 29-32)
Volume 09: Pain and Lust (Ep. 33-36)
Volume 10: Journey To Ishbal (Ep. 37-40)
Volume 11: Becoming The Stone (Ep. 41-44)
Volume 12: Truth Behind Truths (Ep. 45-48)
Volume 13: Brotherhood (Ep. 49-51)

Each volume presents unique cover art that usually signifies important characters of the volume.

Volume 01: Edward Elric
Volume 02: Alphonse Elric fighting Ed
Volume 03: Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye
Volume 04: Edward facing forward and Roy facing away
Volume 05: Scar
Volume 06: Maes Hughes at a party with Roy and Major Armstrong
Volume 07: Ed and his automail shattering
Volume 08: Winry and Den
Volume 09: Edward stabbing Greed
Volume 10: Riza Hawkeye
Volume 11: Al with the Grand Arcanum runes with Scar
Volume 12: Roy
Volume 13: Edward sitting on a chair
Movie (normal edition): Ed, Al, Eckhart, Roy, Noa, and Karl Haushoffer
Movie (special edition): Edward (Germany) and Alphonse (in Ed's red coat)

The North American front cover art for each box features character images over a background that shows 1/12 of a transmutation circle in rotation. The 13th Volume displays the same spot on the transmutation circle as the 1st volume.

All thirteen DVD volumes, as well as the movie, The Conqueror Of Shamballa, have been released in the United States. A limited distinct edition of the movie was released on November 14, 2006. MVM had released the first eight volumes in the UK; however, Funimation gave the rights over to Revelation Films.[citation needed] They will be re-releasing the first 8 DVDs on February 12 before finishing up to the last DVD in 2007.

[edit] English opening quotes
Episode 2–36, 38–42: Alphonse Elric:
“ Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth. ”

Episode 37: Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye:
“ Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. Here at Central Headquarters there was a group of brave soldiers all willing to make that sacrifice in the name of peace. This is a tale of love and courage, a tale of the Flame Alchemist Colonel Mustang and his loyal team. ”

Episode 43–50: Edward Elric:
“ The Philosophers' Stone: those who possess it, no longer bound by the laws of Equivalent Exchange and Alchemy, may gain without sacrifice, confecționate without equal exchange. We searched for it, and we found it. ”

Note: FUNimation's 11th DVD volume incorrectly uses the first monologue (episodes 2–36) at the beginning of episode 43. Both the Japanese and North American TV airings use the correct monologue.

[edit] Opening and ending themes
Openings
"Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (episodes 2-13)
"Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc~en~Ciel (episodes 14-25)
"Undo" by Cool Joke (episodes 26-41)
"Rewrite" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (episodes 42-51)
Episode 1 does not feature an opening theme song.
"Ready Steady Go" and "Rewrite" are the only openings playing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and YTV's Bionix because of a deal with L'Arc~en~Ciel and Asian Kung-Fu Generation to promote their songs.[citation needed] The DVD releases from FUNimation include all openings in their original places and format.
"Rewrite" won "Best Theme" for Fullmetal Alchemist at the first American Anime Awards on February 24, 2007.
Endings
"Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (episode 1)
"Kesenai Tsumi" ("Indelible Sin") by Nana Kitade (episodes 2-13)
An alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Unerasable Sin". Episode 7's closing animation was altered slightly based on events in the episode's storyline.
"Tobira no Mukō e" ("To the Other Side of the Door") by Yellow Generation (episodes 14-24)
An alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Beyond the Door".
"Motherland" by Crystal Kay (episodes 26-41)
"I Will" by Sowelu (episodes 42-50)
Episodes 25 and 51 do not feature a closing theme song.
Episode 25 - Features the funeral of Maes Hughes, and dialogue from a number of characters.
Episode 51 - Alphonse reads:
“ Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth. But the world isn't perfect, and the law is incomplete. Equivalent Exchange doesn't encompass everything that goes on here, but I still choose to believe in its principle: that all things do come at a price, that there's an ebb and a flow, a cycle, that the pain we went through did have a reward, and that anyone who's determined and perseveres will get something of value in return, even if it's not what they expected. I don't think of Equivalent Exchange as a law of the world anymore. I think of it as a promise between my brother and me. A promise that someday we'll see each other again. ”

Each of the theme songs were performed by artists under Sony Music Entertainment Japan's label, whose anime distribution unit, Aniplex, handled the production and music production for the series. All of the music score was composed and arranged by Michiru Oshima.

All the ending theme songs and animation on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim are edited down for time. The DVD releases from FUNimation include the unedited full endings. The ending of episode 25 consists of a piece of very short music from the series followed by "Tobira no Mukō e". The end credits for the episode on DVD are presented on a black background. The bombing of London by zeppelins in episodes 49 and 50 is accompanied by a music track titled "Unmei", also known as the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

In Japan, some time after the series' end, all four opening and all four ending songs were released together in a single CD titled Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Best, including a special DVD containing the series' creditless openings and endings. An American version of Complete Best was released recently, with the DVD features containing only the textless ending of Kesenai Tsumi.

Episode 51's ending is from the English version. This episode includes two performances of a piano piece called "Wakare no Kyoku", also known as Frédéric Chopin's Etude in E major op.10 no.3. The first performance, a piano solo, begins when Lt. Hawkeye begins to cry over the body of Gen. Mustang (whom she believes to be dead) and continues through Envy's disappearance into the gate. The second performance, piano accompanied by oboe, begins when Winry sees Alphonse and Izumi off on their train through Edward's packing for his journey to where he can study rocketry with Hermann Oberth.