By Hiromu Arakawa
Published by Viz
Rating: Teen (13+)

As, oddly enough, this is PCS’s first review of Fullmetal Alchemist, this review will discuss the recent volumes 17 and 18 but focus more on a larger retrospective look at the series as a whole. Because I will be talking about recent volumes along with the initial ones, this review will likely have some spoilers. You’ve been warned!

Unlike many series which get established first in the States by their manga versions and subsequently by their respective anime, Fullmetal Alchemist had a strong following in the form of its first anime before the manga ever made it to U.S. soil. Unlike their Japanese counterparts, many Fullmetal Alchemist fans had already seen much of the manga’s first arc in the anime. Whether or not this has seriously swayed the series’ readership significantly one way or another is up for debate, but one thing is certain: this series is popular. Consistently charting just below its Shonen Jump siblings Bleach and Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist is likewise a key cornerstone in the U.S. shonen manga market. Like Bleach and Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist has many of the typical shonen characteristics that make it easily accessible. The art is kinetic and the characters expressive, which allows the comic to convey humor, seriousness and action all with equal clout. Second, the fighting is extremely cool and the alchemy the characters use is both inventive and badass. Third, the ever-growing ensemble of characters manages to remain both interesting and memorable, and all of the characters have their own mannerisms and sense of humor which keeps the series lighthearted even during serious times. The last big parallel with other shonen mainstays is a thoughtfully constructed world which keeps you immersed and ever-curious about its history and inhabitants.

While like most shonen series Fullmetal Alchemist follows a series of story arcs, it is singularly unified by the Elric brothers’ quest to restore their bodies. After attempting to use the forbidden art of human transmutation to bring their mother back to life, Ed (the older brother) loses an arm and leg and Al his entire body. Fortunately, with the help of alchemy Al’s soul is imbued in a suit of armor and with the help of their childhood friend Winry, Ed gets strong mechanical prosthetics (“automail”). As their quest drives them to become state alchemists, or “dogs of the military”, Ed and Al get a cold dose of political reality as their missions force them to do morally questionable deeds and they meet countless unsavory “allies”. Indeed one of Fullmetal Alchemist’s most impressive strengths is that the line between good and evil is constantly in flux. There are both undeniably good and evil characters to be sure, but the vast majority land in a more realistic moral grey area. Some of the nominally villainous characters are in many ways less evil than Ed and Al’s military allies, creating a fascinating moral dynamic throughout the series.

Over the course of the series, it becomes apparent that Fullmetal Alchemist stands apart and in many ways above its more popular brethren. Even as the plot thickens and many of the important friends of the protagonists are put in mortal danger, the protagonists never descend into the usual shonen machismo and posturing. Rather than fall back on the standard shonen storytelling crutches like inexplicable exposition, long training sequences with subsequent power-ups, or two-dimensional characters driven by a desire to get stronger and protect their friends, Hiromu Arakawa holds Fullmetal Alchemist to a higher standard. The fact that the quality of storytelling and character depth are so well maintained eighteen volumes in stands as a testament to the manga’s strength. Even as the protagonists continue to fight Scar and the homunculi in volumes 17 and 18, as they have been for many volumes, for example, the conflict remains exciting and fresh and the toll the conflict is taking on the Elric brothers is quite apparent.

As my glowing review would imply, I highly recommend this series. It’s not without a few shortcomings: the romance storyline in the series is often flat and uninteresting, and the background and environmental art leaves a lot to be desired. Despite this though, I heartily recommend this excellent series. It easily joins the likes of Dororo and Kekkaishi in the upper echelon of shonen series. I wait with bated breath for volume 19!

The first 18 volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist are available now, as are two artbooks, an anime series, and an animated movie.