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Fullmetal Alchemist

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|} , commonly abbreviated "FMA" or "Hagaren" by fans, is a manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa and serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan. It has also been adapted into an anime series and , as well as several spin-off novels and videogames.

The manga is still running in Japan, and 13 volumes have been released so far. The anime, on the other hand, is finished, and consists of 51 episodes and a full-length movie. Both incarnations have seen massive popularity in both Japan and the United States; the anime was recently voted #1 best anime of all time in a September 2005 TV Asahi web poll:[link]. The Japanese name "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi" is translated literally into Alchemist of Forged Steel.

Plot

Fullmetal Alchemist is 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 pseudoscience of alchemy is heavily used, but takes on a further fantasy element. Real-world alchemists tried to transmute gold from lesser metals. In the series, alchemy becomes the science of transmuting matter into different matter through the use of transmutation circles -- a scientific, yet equally magical, practice with seemingly infinite uses. Talented alchemists can become the military's State Alchemists. Against this backdrop, the series portrays the quest of the young Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and his younger brother Alphonse, for the legendary Philosopher's Stone. Their adventures lead them to discover the truth about their past and the very world they live in.

Edward and Alphonse Elric were children living in the rural village of Resembool in the country of Amestris. Their father, an alchemist, had left home when Edward was very young and Alphonse was a baby. Years later, their mother, Trisha Elric, died of an illness.

In February 1910, the boys decided to attempt to revive their deceased mother. They studied alchemy with a teacher and then used their father's notes to recreate a human transmutation circle. However, this attempt fails, costing Edward his left leg and Alphonse his entire body. In a desperate effort to save his brother, Edward sacrifices 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.

A State Alchemist by the name of Roy Mustang arrives during the failed transmutation in response to letters the boys had sent out seeking information about their father. After seeing their skill at alchemy, Mustang suggests that the way to achieve their goals is to become a State Alchemist and work for him. Spurred on by the man's proposal, Edward sets 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 have 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 Stones and find other people who seek it as well.

Major characters


Characters of Fullmetal Alchemist
Main | State Military | Chimeras | Homunculi | Video games | Other
The Elric brothers, Alphonse (left) and Edward (right)
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The Elric brothers, Alphonse (left) and Edward (right)

The Elric brothers learning alchemy before the incident
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The Elric brothers learning alchemy before the incident

The Elric brothers in the manga chapter "The Two Alchemists"
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The Elric brothers in the manga chapter "The Two Alchemists"

Edward Elric - Fullmetal Alchemist's main protagonist: Edward Elric is the Fullmetal Alchemist. He is nicknamed 'Ed'. He has a prosthetic automail arm and leg, is short (a very touchy subject for him), and is known for being the youngest State Alchemist.

Alphonse Elric - Alphonse, often nicknamed Al, is Fullmetal Alchemist's secondary protagonist; he is Edward's younger brother. For most of the series his soul is trapped in a large suit of armor, causing other characters throughout the series to confuse Al for the "Fullmetal" Alchemist. Alphonse is the calmer of the two, and can be seen as a foil to Edward's character.

Winry Rockbell — Winry, also translated as Winly and 'Wendy'(both pronounced wɪnɹi), is a mechanical expert who was 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 killed during the Ishbal war.

Colonel Roy Mustang - Roy Mustang is 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 goals and intentions in mind. His main goal is to become the Fuhrer.

Lt. Colonel Mäes Hughes - Member of the Investigations Division, and a good friend of Colonel Mustang and the Elric brothers. He wishes to push Mustang up to Fuhrer by working closely under him. Hughes loves his wife, Gracia, and is overly enthusiastic regarding his daughter Elicia.

Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye - A hard-working member of the state military, and a loyal, capable aide to her superior officer, Mustang. She is especially proficient in the use of firearms.

Scar - One of the surviving Ishbalans. His real name is never known, but he is referred to as "Scar" because of the X-shaped scar on his forehead. Scar's arm, which is covered in an elaborate alchemical tattoo, was given to him by his brother shortly before he died. He believes himself to be an instrument of God, and kills State Alchemists by using alchemy to destroy their bodies from the inside.

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 the mind of a steel trap, and maintaining Amestris is his chief priority at all times. He is also renowned as an exceptional swordsman.

Lust - Sultry and cool-headed, she is the first of the Homunculi encountered in the series. She has the power to extend her fingers into lances to use as a weapon.

Gluttony - Having the mentality of a child and lacking a will of his own, he is always eager to eat anything, or anyone—dead or alive.

Envy - Sarcastic and cold-hearted, Envy has the ability to change appearance. He hates mankind, viewing them as pitiful and weak.

Terminology

FMA Vol. 1 manga cover by VIZ
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FMA Vol. 1 manga cover by VIZ

Manga

Release

Fullmetal Alchemist was serialized in Square Enix's monthly anthology manga magazine Monthly Shonen Gangan in July 2001, and the series is still ongoing with a new chapter in every issue. As of May 2006, there have been 61 chapters serialized and 13 graphic novel compilations released. Since Viz Media began releasing the manga in North America in May 2005[link], seven English-language volumes have been released. Volume eight is scheduled for release on July 18[link], volume nine on September 19[link], and volume ten on November 21#redirect . Due to the fairly rapid 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 nearly half of the series in a single year. According to Nielsen Bookscan, Fullmetal Alchemist volume one was the top selling manga in the year of 2005[link], 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 will feature a new, updated version of the "Viz Action" logo at the top of the spine. In Singapore the manga is being realeased by Chuang Yi Publishing in both English and Simplified Chinese. In Poland, JPFantastica is releasing the manga; as of June 2006, 2 volumes have been released.

Chapter guide

Note: English titles through Chapter 33, unofficial Japanese translations thereafter.
01. The Two Alchemists
02. The Price of Life
03. The Mining Town
04. Battle on the Train
05. The Alchemist's Anguish
06. Right Hand of Destruction
07. After the Rain
08. Hopeful Road
09. House of the Waiting Family
10. The Philosopher's Stone
11. The Two Guardians
12. The Definition of Human
13. Fullmetal Body
14. An Only Child's Feelings
15. Fullmetal Heart
16. Separate Paths
17. The Boomtown of the Broken Down
18. The Value of Sincerity
19. I'll Do It for You Guys!
20. The Terror of the Teacher
21. The Brothers' Secret
22. Masked Man
23. Knock on Heaven's Door
24. Fullmetal Alchemist
25. Resolution Between Master and Apprentice
26. To Meet the Master
27. The Beasts of Dublith
28. A Fool's Courage
29. The Eye of the King
30. The Truth Inside the Armor
31. The Snake That Eats Its Own Tail
32. Emissary From the East
33. Showdown in Rush Valley
34. Footsteps of a Comrade
35. Scapegoat
36. Bitter Alchemist
37. The Criminal's Body
38. Counterattack, Signal, Fire
39. Intricacies of Central
40. Western Sage
41. Arrogant Palm of a Child
42. Father in Front of the Grave
43. River of Mud
44. Nameless Grave
45. Return of the Man with the Scar
46. Distant Backs
47. Girl on the Battlefield
48. Promise of the One Who Waits
49. Monster Within
50. Inside the Stomach
51. Doors of Darkness
52. King of the Den of Thieves
53. The Soul's Guidepost
54. The Fool's Struggle
55. A Sin is Born Anew...
56. Lions of the Round Table
57. Scars of Ishbal
58. Footsteps of Ruin
59. The Corrupted Alchemists
60. The Absence of God
61. The Hero of Ishbal

Anime

Episode guide

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.
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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, which ran on Japanese television from October 4 2003 to October 2 2004. A one-hour OVA, Fullmetal Alchemist: Reflections, was released in 2005. was made by the same studio, and theatrically released in Japan on July 23 2005. In March 2006 a DVD featuring 3 brand new OVAs plus the "State Alchemists vs the seven Homunculi" feature that was shown only at Universal Studios in Tokyo was released in Japan.

The series has also been broadcast across several regions:

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 (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.

DVD releases

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 DVD cover by FUNimation
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Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 DVD cover by FUNimation

The 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:

The 51 episodes in the series are divided into 13 DVD volumes. In 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. Only the first ten volumes have been released in the USA. Volume eleven, Becoming the Stone, is due for release on August 1, 2006, and volume twelve, Truth Behind Truths, on September 5th. The final volume, as well as the director's cut of the movie, The Conqueror Of Shamballa, are currently set for release on September 12, 2006. A limited special edition of the movie is set for release on November 14, 2006. MVM has released the first seven volumes in the UK; volume eight is set for release in September, and the The Conqueror of Shamballa in 2007.

Opening Quotes

  • Episode 37: Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye: "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. Here at Central Headquarters there was a band 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."
  • Opening and end themes

    Openings
    1. "Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (Episodes 2-13, also used as ending for episode 1)
    2. "Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc~en~Ciel (Episodes 14-25)
    3. "Undo" by Cool Joke (Episodes 26-41)
    4. "Rewrite" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (Episodes 42-51)
    Endings
    1. "Kesenai Tsumi" (Indelible Sin) by Nana Kitade (Episodes 2-13)
      The alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Unerasable Sin", which is also the title given to it on the American release of the first soundtrack but not on the American DVD releases.
    2. "Tobira no Mukou e" ("To the Other Side of the Door") by YeLLOW Generation (Episodes 14-24)
      The alternate title used by some fansubbers is "Beyond the Door"
    3. "Motherland" by Crystal Kay (Episodes 26-41)
    4. "I Will" by Sowelu (Episodes 42-50)
    All the ending theme songs and animation on Adult Swim are edited down for time. The DVD releases from FUNimation include the unedited full endings.

    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 music-only version of "Complete Best" was released recently.

    The ending of episode 25 consists of a piece of very short music from the series followed by "Tobira no Mukou e" ("To the Other Side of the Door"). The end credits for the episode are presented while Ed and Al are on the train to Rush Valley.

    The bombing of London by zeppelins in episodes 49 & 50 is accompanied by a music track titled "Unmei," also known as the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

    Episode 51 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 clarinet, 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.

    The composer of Fullmetal Alchemist is Michiru Oshima.

    Original soundtracks

    Cover of Fullmetal Alchemist OST 1
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    Cover of Fullmetal Alchemist OST 1

    1. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1 (Released 24 March, 2004)
    2. Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Best (CD+DVD) (Released 14 October, 2004)
    3. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 2 (Released 15 December, 2004)
    4. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 3 (Released 18 May, 2005)

    Other releases in music

    1. Romi Paku (Edward Elric's Seiyū)
    2. #明日への場所 / Asu e no Basho ("The Place Toward Tomorrow")
    3. #RETURNABLE MEMORIES
    4. Toru Ohkawa (Roy Mustang's Seiyū)
    5. #月の裏側 / Tsuki no Uragawa ("Far Side of the Moon")
    6. Rie Kugimiya (Alphonse Elric's Seiyū)
    7. #あの夢の向こうへ / Ano Yume no Mukou e ("To Beyond That Dream")
    8. #ボクハココニイル / Boku wa Koko ni Iru ("I Am Here")
    9. Megumi Toyoguchi (Winry Rockbell's Seiyū)
    10. #BOY FRIENDS!
    11. #銀時計 / Gindokei ("Silver Watch")
    12. Keiji Fujiwara (Maes Hughes' Seiyū)
    13. #そして今日も世界は / Soshite Kyou mo Sekai wa (Literally, "And Today World")
    14. #ANGEL HEART
    15. Multiple
    16. #鋼のこころ / Hagane no Kokoro ("Heart of Steel" or "Fullmetal Heart"), by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi
    17. #雨の日はノー・サンキュー / Ame no Hi wa No Thank You ("A Rainy Day is a No Thank You"), by Toru Ohkawa, Michiko Neya (Riza Hawkeye's Seiyū)
    18. #少年よ、信じるなかまよ / Shounen yo, Shinjiru Nakama yo ("Oh Boy, Oh Trustworthy Companions"), by Toru Ohkawa, Mitsuki Saiga (Maria Ross' Seiyū), Keiji Fujiwara, Tomoyuki Shimura (Heymans Breda's Seiyū), Yasunori Matsumoto (Jean Havoc's Seiyū), Tetsu Shiratori (Kain Fuery's Seiyū), Takehiro Murozono (Vato Falman's Seiyū), Hidekatsu Shibata (Fuhrer King Bradley's Seiyū)
    19. #TRANCE to Homunculus, by Mayumi Yamaguchi (Envy), Yuuko Sato (Lust), Junichi Suwabe (Greed). Yoshino Takamori (Sloth), Hidekatsu Shibata (Pride), Yasuhiro Takato (Gluttony), and Nana Mizuki (Wrath)
    20. #恋愛参考書~Love reference book~ / Renai Sankoushou ~ Love Reference Book ~, by Megumi Toyoguchi, Naomi Wakabayashi (Sheska's Seiyū)
    21. #パパと遊ぼう / Papa to Asobou ("Play with Papa"), by Keiji Fujiwara and Mayumi Yoshida (Elysia Hughes' Seiyū)
    22. #LAST MEETINGS, by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi, Toru Ohkawa, and Keiji Fujiwara
    23. #Good!, by Romi Paku, Rie Kugimiya, Megumi Toyoguchi, Toru Ohkawa, Keiji Fujiwara

    Other merchandise

    Video games

    Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir (PS2)
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    Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir (PS2)

    Video games based on the Fullmetal Alchemist world have also been released. Sony-Square Enix have released a few titles in the Japanese RPG (3 titles), and Fighting (1 title) genre for the PlayStation 2. Bandai has released other titles in the Japanese RPG vein for the Game Boy Advance (2 titles) and the Nintendo DS [link](1 title).

    The storylines of the games often diverges from both that of the anime and of the manga.

    A fan-based video game for the PC called Fullmetal Alchemist: Bluebird's Illusion was also created, and was only sold in Hong Kong. It is said that there were only around 100 copies of the game made, and that they were auctioned off on Yahoo!Auctions Hong Kong. Bluebird's Illusion is based off the manga.

    The Square-Enix games of Full Metal Alchemist has been released to Japan and the U.S. Territories, and there are three titles released on the Playstation 2, all three have been released to Japan, and only 2 have been released to the U.S.

    Recently, Funimation licensed the franchise to create a new series of Fullmetal Alchemist related games being distributed by Destineer Publishing Corp in United States. No further details about the games or its developers were revealed yet [link].

    Novels

    Several novels have also been written as sidestories or spinoffs to the original manga. In October 2005, Viz Media released an English translation of the first of these novels, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand.[link] The second novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist, has also currently been released by Viz.[link] The third novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Valley of White Petals was released on May 16, 2006[link]. All three novels are written by Makoto Inoue and translated into English by Alexander O. Smith.

    Trading card game

    A Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game was published in 2005. There are currently four releases, namely Premier Edition, Blood & Water Expansion, Artificial Human, and A Hero's Passing.

    Alchemist's Gate and Seven Deadly Sins are the upcoming releases as stated in the [Official Website]

    Concert Performances

    During the month of December 2004, "Tales of Another Festival" was staged in Tokyo and Osaka, featuring performances by several of the musical artists from the television series as well as narrations by the voice actors/actresses. Excerpts of the events have appeared on several fansites, but a DVD release of the concert is rumored to occur in 2006.

    Trivia

    See also

    External links

    Official

    Non-Exclusive Sites

    Fan Sites

    Japanese

    'Fullmetal Alchemist''
    Characters: Main Characters | State Military | Homunculi | Chimeras | Video games | Other
    Media: Anime | Manga | | Video games | Trading cards
    Misc.: Episode list | Transmutation circle | Equivalent Exchange | Philosopher's Stone | Automail | Gate of Alchemy
    Locations: Amestris | Lior | Ishbal | Lab 5

     


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