Fullmetal Alchemist has become one of the top-ranked manga and
ultimately Japanese anime around the world. Created by Hiromu Arakawa
and published by Gangan Comics, Japan, it originally started in July
2001 as a monthly serial for Shonen Gangan. Having reached twelve
volumes and more than 50 episodes, it continues to be produced monthly.
The story easily made the transition to anime and full-length movie. It
has been translated to English, reaching North America in 2005, with
considerable success, and has generated a number of spinoff novels,
video games (strictly on the up and up, no games cheat here) and trading
cards. The original name was "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi" or "Alchemist
of Steel," which is abbreviated FMA or Hararen.
The story is set in the land of "Amestris" during an alternate
historical period where alchemy has remained a common science, and is
based on early 20th century Europe and the Middle Ages. The main
protagonists are Edward Elric (the Fullmetal Alchemist) and his brother
Alphonse, a classic pair of "we live together" characters who get in and out
of trouble side by side, and who are consumed with the hunt
for the Legendary Philosopher's
Stone. When the boys were young, their alchemist father left home and
their mother died of an unknown illness. Wanting to revive their
deceased mother, the boys studied alchemy, using their father's notes as
a guide. Their efforts were tragic, causing Edward to lose a leg and
Alphonse his entire body. To prevent his brother from dying, Edward
sacrificed his arm to unite Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor.
Edward Elric, is short and sensitive about his height, the youngest
state alchemist in history, his title, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Younger
brother, Alphonse, is trapped in the suit of armor, but despite his
appearance is the calmer of the two brothers. A childhood girlfriend of
the two, Winry Rockbell, is an expert in mechanics and automail. Her
grandmother, Pinako created Edward's Automail and helps maintain it when
damaged. Roy Mustang, Edward's immediate supervisor, is the Flame
Alchemist who can light the air with his gloves, that have transmutation
circles sewn into them. On the surface, he seems to be a boastful
womanizer, but deep down is steady, reliable, and determined. Loyal
friend to Mustang is Maes Hughes, Investigator and skilled
knife-thrower. He is a family man, committed to his loving wife and
daughter. He is assisted by a loyal member of the state military, Riza
Hawkeye. A subordinate of Roy, she serves as his advisor and aid, and
is skilled in the use of firearms. Cool and calm, she is secretly
feared by her companions, and is the only one who can talk back to
Mustang without reprisal.
Another major character is Scar, a surviving Ishbalan, who places himself
in a position to act as a judge and messenger of his God, Ishbala, by
killing nationally certified Alchemists. Armed by a tattoo on his right
arm which gives him destructive power, he crosses the path of the Elric
brothers frequently. Minor characters include: the Early Homunculi:
Lust (a sultry female who can extend her fingers into lances), Gluttony
(a hungry creature that will eat anybody, living or dead, and who has
the mind of a child), and Envy (a shape-shifter who is cold-hearted and
sarcastic); King Bradley, a military dictator, known as the Fuhrer.
Although he holds the official political title of president, his given
name is "King" and not his title). There is also Alex Louis Armstrong,
who has a large powerful build and was assigned to watch over and protect
the Elric brothers, though he is often distracted by seeking the
opportunity to flex and show off his bodybuilding physique; Jean Havoc a
second lieutenant under Mustang, a tobacco-chewing desk clerk, who is
reliable and trustworthy; Kain Fuery, a master sergeant and radio
operator under Mustang.
In Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is defined as a three-level process: the
first objective is to understand the structure of matter, the second is
the study of the decomposition of matter, and the third is the
reconstruction and manipulation of matter or transmutation. The story
contains a variety of concepts, the first being automail a
concept borrowed from Robocop and Million Dollar Man, which is a
prosthetic melded with the nerves of the body. The artificial body part
can be better and stronger than the original. The second concept is
"Equivalent Exchange", a founding rule of alchemy by which to gain
anything, something of equal value must be lost. The series examines
the concept as a philosophy. The third concept is the "transmutation
circle" or "array" which is a device to power the transmutations. It
can be created at the moment, tattooed onto the alchemist, or
embroidered into clothing. The Philosopher's Stone is much the same as
the original concept, being a legendary treasure that can allow the
possessor to bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange, giving you the
ability to create something out of nothing. The Red Stone, is an
incomplete Philosopher's Stone which can amplify an alchemist's
abilities, but has the danger of being able to backfire on the owner. A
related substance is Red Water, which is poisonous to humans but can be
refined into a Red Stone. The Gate of Alchemy or "Gate of Truth" is the
source of all alchemic power. A Blood Seal is a special array that
binds a person's soul to an object, such as a suit of armor.
A trading card game as been produced, the booster packs called the
premier edition with eleven cards per pack and the usual presence of
rare cards. Common cards have a "C" in the bottom right-hand corner.
Uncommon cards have a "U" in the bottom right-hand corner. Rare cards
have an "R" in the bottom right-hand corner. Foil cards are
holographic, which can be any card, and have an "F" in the bottom
right-hand corner. Transmuted cards are see-through and have a "T" in
the bottom right-hand corner. There are five types of cards, "Leaders"
that stay alive whether they win or lose, "Ally" cards that
allow you to recruit; "Events" that let you play during the phase
written on the card; "Main" cards that allow you to equip or assist, and
"Location" cards, which have clue points on them. You fight for them to
help you win and are the primary cards with which you excel and conquer.
"Factions" consist of four main groups and designate the recruit's
loyalty. The four groups are Elric (crucified snake symbol) [Edward and
Alphonse]; Rebel (rebel symbol) [Scar and Psiren];
Military (military crest in upper-right) [Maes Hughes, Roy Mustang]; and
Homunculi [oroborus in upper-right) [Lust, Envy].
The series is expected to be a major competitor to Yugioh, with the
holographic cards rarer and more appealing.
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