![]() ![]() If a character has a clear set of morals and intentions, you understand them as more than just a fiction-they become more human. I love characters with integrity, and I think a lot of people are with me in that. At what point do these practices become the act of playing god? At what point does a human gain more agency than he or she has the right to use? And that leads me to my next point … Sure, alchemy seems like a great idea at first-useful, convenient, and, of course, cool-but the series’ characters are constantly aware of the implications of humans who can create by magic. Even the fact that the series’ villains are facets of human identity-literally, manifestations of human sins and vices, and the by-products of human ego-points to the series’ dedication to the existential problems behind its central premise. After all, the series certainly did not have to go there, and yet it does, again and again, sometimes in moments that are truly tragic. In a show where people have the ability to transform elements with the clap of two hands, it should come as no surprise that the question of what constitutes a human life-even more, a human soul-may come up. You hear that, Gandalf? (Just joking you’re the best, Gandalf.) Avatar fans, Imma let you finish … BUT Elric brothers been metal-bending before it was cool…Įxistentialism/Philosophy Basically, you can’t make something from nothing. And whenever a loophole to the rules of alchemy is found, that loophole is explained, and the repercussions are certainly felt. ![]() The Elric brothers don’t consider themselves magicians or miracle workers-though some may see them as such rather, they simply consider themselves scientists who have figured out the formula they need to do what they need to do. Alchemy is a science, and behind that science is a non-negotiable rule-the rule of equivalent exchange. See what I mean? But the thing with the magic in FMA is that it isn’t actually magic-at least within the logic of the series. If you’ve written yourself into a corner, draw wings on a character and have them fly right out of that corner. My main problem with magic-and magical elements-is when it is used as an easy, convenient, patchwork fix to problems that may naturally arise in the plot. So when I say magic is a plus of this series, I’m not saying it lightly. I can be a tough (read: unfair) critic of fantasy as a genre sometimes, which, yes, I know, you genre fans can crucify me for. In general, though there are a good amount of characters in this universe, particularly in Brotherhood, the characters all feel well-rounded-flawed, sympathetic, etc.-even the villains. And I’m pretty sure Izumi Curtis can take down anyone and anything. And there’s no greater-or more endearing-mechanic than Winry Rockbell. Then there’s the consummate badassery of Colonel Mustang and Lieutenant Hawkeye, and the constant humor of Colonel Hughes and Major Armstrong. But they’re also flawed-sometimes immature, sometimes impulsive and, of course, their mistake, one that breaks the greatest taboo in alchemy, is what starts their journey in the first place. ![]() They’re brilliant and talented, with an unmatched brotherly bond (hence the name, Brotherhood). …in which Ed and Izumi humorously describe a tragic, PTSD-inducing situation with the use of squiggly octopus arms. But despite how dark the show might get-and this holds true of both versions-there is always plenty of humor throughout, so nothing ever feels hopeless. It took me years to watch Brotherhood because as much as I love FMA, I couldn’t forget how thoroughly I was wrecked by the tragic deaths of some of the characters. While the original veered away from the manga into some strange but interesting areas, Brotherhood sticks more closely to the manga’s story, which is much broader in scope and has a hell of a lot more at stake. There are surprising twists and turns in both the original and Brotherhood, but I have to say that the latter does come out on top in terms of what it offers. There’s enough action to make it dangerously binge-worthy without making it feel like an overdone action flick. Okay, so this is an obvious place to start, but this series simply has an engaging, entertaining plot. With the release of the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist this year (and, even more, an all Japanese cast - that’s right, in this age in which Scarlett Johansson can be Motoko Kusanagi and white people can fill in for, well, any race imaginable, we’ve got a Japanese cast!), I’ve decided to pay homage to the iconic manga/anime with this spoiler-free list of reasons why you should discover or re-watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, what I consider one of the greatest anime of all time. ![]()
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