Will I like Fullmetal Alchemist?

[BurtKenobi]

So after Xmas I plan to start on a new series or two, and FMA is currently getting a UK release and I'm not too far behind, but will I like it? Can afficionados tell me what it compares to in terms of style, quality, etc? Is it worth hunting down the R1 metal box or is it just okay? To give you a clue on my tastes. I'm a fan of Satoshi Kon, Last Exile, Mahoromatic, Eva, Escaflowne, Macross, Patlabor...

J

[Shiroi Hane]

If you have Sky you can take a look at it on Rapture.

[Exelion]

You probably would get more of a response if this was in the recommendations section. Well anywho, I have at least enjoyed every series you listed there, however I found what I saw of FMA to be rather dull and repetative. I gave up after about 7 or 8 episodes, and I've only ever given up one other series prior to FMA. To me it wasn't a good show, although it certainly has its fans and it is on UK TV so you can at least try before you buy on this one. Go buy Wolfs Rain instead.

[itsuka]

I think Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the best series of 2005 so far. Most series that you list all contain a fair amount of drama and tension, and you'll find plenty of that as well in FMA. It's one of those series that really transcends it's target genre, and is of interest to anyone interested in high quality anime. Given your list it should be a fair bet to try it out. Of course, like a previous poster here indicated, no series works for everyone, so I'll try to be more specific about what I like about it.

Story: FMA has a larger story arc running in the background. Even smaller arcs in the beginning that look completely standalone suddenly surprise you by tying in with a bigger plot later on. It makes the plot and story intricate and intelligent, with mystery and intrigue, which creates plenty of momentum and desire to see what is going on. Very well done.

Characters: Ed and Al, the main characters, are younger boys when tragedy strikes and they set out on their quest to repair the damage. You really see them grow during their journey. The anime jumps a bit in the timelines in the first part, so that you'll sometimes get storylines from when they first start out and hook up with the powers that will come to dominate their life, and also a number of years down the line, when they are further in their search. The supporting cast is well developed. Most supporting characters are adult, and through some of them and their memories, you get a richer flavour of what the world is really like.

Drama: this is one of those anime that doesn't pull punches. If you somehow got the impression somewhere along the way that this anime was made for small children, I'll set you straight. This is a really grim setting, with plenty of spotlight on the nastier side of humanity. Some characters will die (or worse - don't ask). Some thoughts involved are really philosophical, like what it really means to be alive. This gives the anime an amazing depth at times.

Action: Though personally not something I use as a selection criterium for anime, there is plenty of conflict that is resolved with great pacing and style. Fighting sequences can be really thrilling.

All in all, I think it's a high quality, amazingly good series, that will almost certainly make my future top 10 of all time (to give an indication what that means, I own nearly 1000 anime DVDs).

[BurtKenobi]

Thanks for your excellent consideration of FMA. A friend passed me a fansub of the first episode and I was suitably impressed and want more. Combining that with your mini-review suggests I won't be disappointed. Now my problem is that the collectors edition of the first disc is out of print.....

J

[DanielJr]

I think it's an awesome show. Worth a buy, definitely.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Jonathan Laidlow said:
Thanks for your excellent consideration of FMA. A friend passed me a fansub of the first episode and I was suitably impressed and want more. Combining that with your mini-review suggests I won't be disappointed. Now my problem is that the collectors edition of the first disc is out of print.....

J

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow. If you enjoyed episode 1, you'll REALLY like the show then...
I hated episode 1 and 2. It would be thanks to episode 3 that I would be hooked on this show.

[Jadawin]

Its a BONES show which means that animation and charadesign for EVERY episode is good.

[Leon_Belmont]

Best anime to come out in the last two years. I'd liken the show's drama and humor balance to Trigun, though I think FMA tells a much more interesting story.

[AmericanBeauty]

[ QUOTE ]
Itsuka said:
I think Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the best series of 2005 so far. Most series that you list all contain a fair amount of drama and tension, and you'll find plenty of that as well in FMA. It's one of those series that really transcends it's target genre, and is of interest to anyone interested in high quality anime. Given your list it should be a fair bet to try it out. Of course, like a previous poster here indicated, no series works for everyone, so I'll try to be more specific about what I like about it.

Story: FMA has a larger story arc running in the background. Even smaller arcs in the beginning that look completely standalone suddenly surprise you by tying in with a bigger plot later on. It makes the plot and story intricate and intelligent, with mystery and intrigue, which creates plenty of momentum and desire to see what is going on. Very well done.

Characters: Ed and Al, the main characters, are younger boys when tragedy strikes and they set out on their quest to repair the damage. You really see them grow during their journey. The anime jumps a bit in the timelines in the first part, so that you'll sometimes get storylines from when they first start out and hook up with the powers that will come to dominate their life, and also a number of years down the line, when they are further in their search. The supporting cast is well developed. Most supporting characters are adult, and through some of them and their memories, you get a richer flavour of what the world is really like.

Drama: this is one of those anime that doesn't pull punches. If you somehow got the impression somewhere along the way that this anime was made for small children, I'll set you straight. This is a really grim setting, with plenty of spotlight on the nastier side of humanity. Some characters will die (or worse - don't ask). Some thoughts involved are really philosophical, like what it really means to be alive. This gives the anime an amazing depth at times.

Action: Though personally not something I use as a selection criterium for anime, there is plenty of conflict that is resolved with great pacing and style. Fighting sequences can be really thrilling.

All in all, I think it's a high quality, amazingly good series, that will almost certainly make my future top 10 of all time (to give an indication what that means, I own nearly 1000 anime DVDs).

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree totally. I liked this a lot and I'm not even done with it yet. The show also has some very interesting characters, like Alphonse and the Homunculi.