Ready, Steady, Go!

I've yet to find anyone who's given FullMetal Alchemist a real chance that didn't get just as caught up in the wonderful story and personality and heart of the story like I was.

It's a story about brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who grow up in a pre-WWI version of Germany/Austria. It's difficult to pinpoint anything remotely historical because they live in a very different reality -- one in which there is a hybrid of science and alchemy, the "art" of transmutation and equivalent exchange. The entire world of Edward and Alphonse is built on this Principle of Equivalent Exchange: "To gain, something of equal value must be lost."

Edward and Alphonse Elric | FullMetal Alchemist | Copyright Hiromu Arakawa

There are some rules, however; lead cannot be changed into gold and the dead cannot be brought back to life. In the hands of a gifted alchemist, little else is limited. The Military, instead of relying on tanks and machine guns, rely on State Alchemists, a cross between scientists and soldiers, the deadliest of all weapons of the State. The position of State Alchemist carries wealth, power and prestige within the governmental chambers, but outside they are loathed by most and called "dogs of the military."

Edward and Alphonse Elric | FullMetal Alchemist | Copyright Hiromu Arakawa

Ed and his brother are rather hodge-podge-y. You'll see Ed has "automail," a metal arm and leg. His brother is inside an enormous suit of armor. As boys, their alchemist father left and they grew up in the countryside with their mother until she grew ill and died. Ed and Al, who are geniuses of sorts, make the worst choice out of the worst desperation of all--they try something called Human Transmutation. It is the worst crime an alchemist can commit. Their attempt to resurrect their mother goes horribly wrong, as nothing can be equal in value to their mother's soul. In the fallout, Ed loses his arm and leg and Al loses his entire body. It's Ed's sheer cussedness that manages to trap Al's soul in a suit of armor, instead of losing his brother completely through Equivalent Exchange.

Ed is 11. Al is 10.

But that's all ancient history--the actual narrative story of FMA starts later, when Ed is 15. He's taken his natural propensity for alchemy and passed the State Alchemy exam. He's immediately shunted into the service of Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, known near and far for his flashy and destructive alchemic attacks. He's also a bit devious and dangerously ambitious--he's also got a nasty habit of stealing his subordinate's girlfriends. It was Mustang who came to Ed and Al's country town to recruit them for the military, (with impeccable timing) after the brothers' catastrophic experiment.

Col. Roy Mustang | FullMetal Alchemist | Copyright Hiromu Arakawa

He keeps the secret of Al's body and Ed's automail a secret. Although he "keeps them in line" (i.e. blackmails) by threatening to go to the higher-ups with the information of Ed and Al's Human Transmutation, he looks out for them like no one else and supports their mission: to find the mythical Philosopher's Stone and restore Al's body. Ed's work with the State Military are simply a means to an end; therefore, he makes choices he feels are best for Al and not the highly politicized State. By proxy, his affects his official State missions as well; he has attained unprecedented popularity with the masses as being "for the people."

And of course, the plot always thickens. There are creepy bad guys also after the Philosopher's Stone, the State is corrupt and a religious zealot/vigilant goes on a killing rampage, etc. Oh, the drama! And...then there are lot more shenanigans along the way.

(Those of you who know this series and just threw something at the computer screen ad yelled, "Cop Out!" I implore you: YOU THINK OF A WAY TO SUMMARIZE ALL THAT SHIT. BECAUSE I SWEAR TO GOD.)

I re-itterate! It's rare I like the main character of a series, anime or otherwise. Very rare. But, I do LOVE Edward Elric. I like his straightforward approach to life--he takes things on and isn't afraid to put himself out here. He's a bit of a wanderer and isn't content staying place in one place for too long. Plus, his maniacal focus is something I can relate with! He's one of those all around good natured "wild boys" with a strong sense of justice. Plus, he can literally transmute his metal arm and leg into weapons. How cool is that?! And it really is nice to have a SHORT hero for once! Really.

Edward Elric | FullMetal Alchemist | Copyright Hiromu Arakawa

And who could forget sweet and wonderful Alphonse? If you watch the anime, you will hear the cutest voice ever coming out of an enormous suit of armor and your heart will fall apart in an effort to keep him happy and pure and wonderful.