Fullmetal Alchemist

The great aspect of this manga is its ability to create a unique world, even though it can sometimes be difficult to fully grasp. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, largely thanks to the amazing characters! Truly, all the characters were well-written and contributed to the already fantastic atmosphere of the world.

The artwork, while not extraordinarily stunning or over-the-top, is pleasant. Unlike many other mangas, it has very few errors. (Unlike some mangas, *cough cough* SAO *cough cough*)

I absolutely LOVE the concept as well, especially the idea of having the main seven villains represent the Seven Deadly Sins, which is simply awesome!

Overall, I would recommend this manga to those who enjoy stories with strong plots and well-developed characters. If you're not into complex plots, this might not be for you, as it is EXTREMELY plot-heavy. My only other complaint is that the world can be a bit confusing at times, and there are SO many characters to keep track of.

But as I said, if you appreciate manga with rich, intricate plots, this one is fantastic!

There always seems to be that one generic anime released every season. In the Fantasy genre, it's usually about an overpowered main protagonist who can defeat anything and has an unoriginal tsundere plus dandere harem cast.

The world in which the story unfolds is fascinating but not necessarily one you'd want to visit. It has layers of culture and history, including wars and racial discrimination. However, it doesn't have the unnatural hellishness typical of dystopian-style fantasies. Fullmetal Alchemist explores numerous interesting and thought-provoking ideas that all build up to a final confrontation with truths that resonate more deeply with us than any calculated tearjerkers could.

One of my favorite works, I've read it many times. It's a masterpiece as it stands.

If you don't know where to start, you should definitely begin with this. Just open up and enjoy.

However, I was really disappointed to learn that they really aren't. Throughout the story, you will encounter stale, repetitive comedy, and there is not much character development at all. Most of the main characters and supporting characters don't do much, so you won't feel anything for them because you won't really know them.

There will also be a part where new characters are introduced, but they are equally useless. I wished they had focused on developing the existing characters rather than introducing new ones.

The enemies are ridiculously weak. The story felt rushed, as if the author didn't know what to do with the original plot. It ended up feeling like they could solve their problems without going through all that trouble. There are no real threats in the story since the enemies are just too weak, making the ending anticlimactic. This was really disappointing, especially considering Fullmetal Alchemist (FMA) is regarded as one of the highly ranked mangas. I feel that this manga/anime simply got popular because of its cool-looking characters.

First review for a manga series because I have to do this! I can't believe no one has written one yet!

Story: I won't go into the whole 'this happens and that happens' as you can read the summary up there *points*. About the story itself, all I can say is that it has one of the best-developed plots I've ever encountered. Everything comes closer and closer to the main goal, and even when you think something is irrelevant, you find out it has tremendous value to the whole tale. It definitely deserves to be in the top spots for this. A 10.

Art: The art is a tad bit simplistic, but perhaps this simplicity makes the pages nice and neat and pleasant to read, while also making the characters look absolutely endearing! It's not cluttered up like a lot of manga these days, but it conveys the mood just as effectively. I really think this deserves an 8.

Character: One of the best character casts out there. Personally, I consider Ed, Al, Winry, Mustang, Riza... everyone! to be absolutely perfect. So far, I have no problem understanding what each person went through; there are no confusing twists in character development that could make readers drop the series. Each and every one of these characters will make you cry for them when you see their hardships and laugh with them at cracked skulls (or wrenches XD). A 10 and no less.

Enjoyment: Among all the manga I've ever encountered, I think this one will stay pretty near the top for the next 5 years or so. If you want Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Alchemy, and even Romance, then this is definitely something for you. You get a little thrill every time you sit down to a new chapter. I hope it doesn't end too soon XD

Overall: If you want a manga worth your time and money, FMA is for you. In all, nothing could be said bad about it. It's incredible!

I hope this helps everyone! :] Please take a look at it if you get the chance!

Fullmetal Alchemist is a series that truly has it all. The characters are well-developed and captivating, the world-building is intricate and fascinating, and the blend of action and humor keeps you eagerly turning the pages for more. The deep family bond between Edward, Alphonse, and their mother, which drives the brothers to go to extraordinary lengths for each other, is genuinely touching.

The manga delves into dark themes, featuring ruthless enemies who show no regard for human life and raising profound questions about humanity. Despite these heavy elements, the story manages to leave me with a smile by the end. The solutions to problems are always cleverly crafted, and there's never a shortage of laughter—whether it's with the heroes or at the expense of the enemies (or both!).

The world feels incredibly real, making it easy to immerse myself completely. The artwork is stunning, and what stands out most to me are the characters' expressions. I often find myself empathizing with them deeply. While this series may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is undoubtedly an incredible journey that is well worth your time.

And I finally finished it. What an amazing manga it was; I feel happy and a bit sad at the same time for finishing Fullmetal...

I enjoyed all the characters, but I don't have a particular favorite. Maybe Mustang, for being the manly man with his mini skirts! LOL. The plot developed nicely, starting with two smaller stories where Ed and Al saved a small town from an evil priest and couldn't save a poor little girl who had been turned into a chimera by her deranged alchemist father... (That was dark. Fullmetal could be quite dark for a shounen at times, like with the chimera girl and the Ishbalan genocide.) It then progressed to the larger picture (the schemes of the father of all homunculi) in a straightforward manner. It was a great journey.

Fullmetal had some classic shounen elements, such as never giving up and the importance of relying on good friends who love you and whom you love back. Friendship is magic! In short, you can find these themes in every shounen... Even when I was a kid, I would roll my eyes at them, LOL.

I really liked the concept of alchemy, the principle of equivalent exchange, and how you can create all sorts of things with it (except living beings). The transmutation circle designs were all very cool, and I really enjoyed them. The character designs were simple yet distinctive. Fullmetal Alchemist is a true manga classic, right up there with Dragon Ball, the king of all shounen series, for me. Really well done.

Farewell, Fullmetal...

I usually don't review manga, but I'm making an exception for this one since it is so popular.

When I started reading this manga, I was tired of seeing the same shounen anime tropes, especially the strong female character who also serves as fanservice and unrealistically strong male protagonists. While I can enjoy shounen anime and manga despite these tropes, I really craved something different. Full Metal Alchemist satisfied that craving.

This manga is set in a steampunk world where some people rely on the power of alchemists, individuals who can destroy objects and reconstruct them into something else. Some alchemists are military officials known as state alchemists, while others are everyday citizens. As described by the manga's synopsis, alchemy is at the heart of the story. However, there is more to the manga than this.

While alchemy was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the manga, other amazing elements included the use of automail, the characters, and the themes woven within the story. Automail is a type of metal used as prosthetic body parts. It looks cool and is so functional I wish it were real. My favorite characters that use automail are Edward Elric and Paninya.

Speaking of the characters, they are the most refreshing and relatable characters I've ever seen in the shounen genre. The lead protagonist Edward is a realist when it comes to personal faith but also optimistic, caring, and considerate toward others. A particularly touching scene with Edward occurs when he is yelling at someone (can't spoil who) and talks about how hard it is for a single mother, speaking from his own mother's experience. Another scene I liked was when he used alchemy to fix the damage he caused during his battles. This was the first male manga character I've seen do this, and it was nice to see.

Other characters I liked were Edward's brother Al (he was badass in the armor & has good character development) and Scar (who has the best character arc besides the Elric brothers). All the other characters I liked were female. Almost all the female characters in this manga had major roles and practically zero fanservice. No big boobs or boob gags to be found. The closest thing to fanservice is when one character is sitting in a bathtub, but nothing explicit is shown. This is rare in the shounen genre, but as a female reader, I welcomed it.

The female characters I liked were Izumi Curtis (a tough-as-nails housewife, alchemist, sensei, and mother figure), Winry (automail mechanic who built Ed's arm and leg and fixes the arm), Paninya (she has automail legs that are also weapons), and Mei (a little girl who is brave, strong, and funny).

Another aspect of the characters I liked was their racial diversity. Ed and similar characters were modeled after Europeans, Scar and his fellow Ishvarians reminded me of Muslims, and Mei and similar characters are reminiscent of East Asians.

All together, alchemy and the characters driving the plot are part of interesting social commentary on things like government corruption, personal faith, discrimination, warfare, and more. Depending on how much of it you notice, it may make you think a bit while you read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series and it has become my favorite shounen manga series ever. After reading and watching shounen manga and anime by men, it was truly refreshing to read a popular shounen manga series by a woman. I don't know if there will ever be another manga series or female manga creator that can follow suit, but other creators could take a page or two from this series.

Great story and plot. It was very enjoyable and well-balanced. I secretly love the characters, and there are many that I like. The art isn't my cup of tea, but it's tolerable. While the art isn't spectacular, I managed to finish the entire manga because the story itself is engaging.

It's interesting to see real-world issues such as corruption and discrimination brought into this manga. I can really relate to this manga (excluding the fantasy elements). If you remove the fantasy aspects, it would still be a highly enjoyable read. Honestly, this is a good read and not overly complex either.

ART: 8/10

The artwork is minimalistic when it comes to faces and clothing, but the sceneries are highly detailed, effectively conveying the atmosphere of the locations. The SD slapstick moments might seem exaggerated for such a dark story, but they don't detract much from the overall experience. Additionally, the absence of erotic humor and nudity, which is common in many modern manga, is appreciated here. Characters are generally drawn attractively, with a token loli and mascot critter included for mainstream appeal. However, these elements do not overshadow the main narrative or character development. The series also blends various cultures and nationalities seamlessly, creating a cohesive world where everything feels purposefully designed.

STORY SECTION: 9/10

The pacing of the story is notably fast for Japanese standards, making it complex and unpredictable. The plot is ingenious, filled with profound themes rarely found in average shows. Unlike many manga that introduce intriguing ideas only to use them for shock value or poor attempts at maturity, this series successfully develops its concepts. The main storyline revolves around finding a magic trinket to regain lost body parts and even resurrect the dead, but it evolves into a deeper exploration of life's meaning and individual pursuits of happiness and perfection. While similar themes exist in other series like One Piece, here the objectives remain personal and engaging throughout, unlike those that lose relevance over time. The use of alchemy is explained scientifically, adding depth and believability to the supernatural elements. Unlike Naruto, where special moves often define characters, here there is strategic thinking and variety in combat. Side stories are well-resolved, avoiding open endings or unsatisfactory conclusions.

CHARACTER SECTION: 10/10

Characters undergo significant growth and changes, both superficially and fundamentally. In just ten chapters, you witness more development than most series achieve in their entirety. The cast includes attractive boys and girls with quirky behaviors who mature, grow wiser, and become smarter. Each character is unique, with well-established backstories that justify their roles. Their issues are resolved by the end, leading to emotionally powerful moments. Even minor characters contribute to the story, unlike typical narratives where only the protagonists carry the weight. This inclusivity makes the cast truly interesting and memorable, setting it apart from series like Bleach or Naruto, which often feature one-dimensional characters.

VALUE SECTION: 10/10, ENJOYMENT SECTION: 9/10

While there are some boring parts, the series remains almost entirely captivating, serving as a prime example of how great action/adventure should be crafted. Its completion in less than 600 chapters is commendable, making it a top contender among all-time adventures. High re-read value stems from the numerous events and character motivations that require multiple reads to fully grasp. The meticulous planning evident from the beginning adds to its allure. Unlike typical shounen series filled with fillers and random power-ups, FMA elevates the genre, creating a masterpiece adorned with jewels and decorations, fit for itself and those rare few who can hope to mimic its glory.

I first watched FMA:B when I was fifteen and immediately read the manga afterward. Since then, I have rewatched it at least once a year and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Seven years later, I decided to reread the manga for the second time.

All I can say is that seven years ago, this was the first and best manga I ever came across, and seven years later, it remains the best story with the best character development, life lessons, interesting plot lines, and the most well-written masterpiece I have ever encountered.

Read it, watch it, live it—whatever you do, you won't regret it.