Full Metal Alchemist

I'm pretty free for the holidays so here I am rating and writing reviews for the recent animes I've watched.

First up we have the highly rated Full Metal Alchemist written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. This is a classic and truly is a must watch. Anyone who reads manga or watches anime should have already finished the series some time back. But for the sake of those who just started here's a short review for this brilliantly crafted anime.


Things to take note:
This one has two animes one called Full Metal Alchemist and the other Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The difference? The latter follows the manga while the former's story plot drifts away from the original half way in the animated series. This is because Full Metal Alchemist caught up to the manga too fast so they had to spin up a new storyline. Full Metal Alchemist and Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood were completed in 2004 and 2010 respectively.


Synopsis:
Two brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric lost their bodies while conducting human transmutation to bring their dead mother back. They travel in search of ways to obtain their bodies back using the powers of alchemy while uncovering a huge conspiracy that is taking place in the government.


Review:
The author did a fine job in laying down the basic principles of alchemy from the beginning of the anime and building on it as the episodes passed. The characterisation, introduction of new characters and convincing explanations are done in small arcs which are linked closely together. All of the arcs are then nicely tied together to form an epic conclusion. After watching the entire series, you will think that alchemy is all about equivalent exchange, drawing transmutation circles or clapping your hands together to transmute objects. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood will leave you clapping your hands and touching walls for weeks. That's as much influence an anime can have on your life.