Fullmetal Alchemist
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Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series produced by Studio BONES (Wolf's Rain, Eureka Seven) based on the manga by Hiromu Arakawa.
The series is licensed by FUNimation Entertainment. It premiered on [adult swim] in November 2004.
Contents |
Story
Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.
In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth.
Two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, have practiced the science of alchemy since they were very young. When their beloved mother falls ill and dies, the brothers use the forbidden alchemy of human transmutation to try and bring her back to life. However, in alchemy, when one wishes to receive something, they must also give something of equal value; such is the principle of Equivalent Exchange. In the aftermath, Edward loses an arm and a leg, while Alphonse loses his body.
Now the brothers (Alphonse merely a soul bound to a suit of armor, and Edward sporting a new arm and leg made of automail) are searching for the fabled Philosopher's Stone, an item which would allow its user to bypass Equivalent Exchange, to fix their mistake and restore their bodies. But they soon learn they're not the only ones...
History
Both the manga (first published in Japan in 2002) and the anime (first aired in Japan in 2003) have been phenomenally successful. The anime series has even gone into reruns in Japanese television, which is a very rare occurence.
The anime has been one of [adult swim]'s most popular acquisitions since its premiere in November 2004, and is still broadcast to this day.
Characters
Edward Elric
He is the older of the two brothers. But following the principles of equvalent trade, what he loses in height, he gains in his abilities as an alchemist. He has the alchemist code name "Full Metal Alchemist", a name which comes from his artificial his arm and leg.
Alphonse Elric
Alphonse Elric is the younger Elric brother. He is not a state alchemist, which allows him to do certain things that his brother cannot. He is nicer, and more understanding, but also gets him and his brother in more trouble
Winry Rockbell
She is an auto-mail specialist and childhood friend of the Elric brothers. She is the creator of Edward's auto-mail and its mechanic. She is an orphan and stays with Pinako.
Pinako Rockbell
Pinako Rockbell is a master of auto-mail design and construction and is the grandmother of Winry.
Roy Mustang
Roy Mustang is a state alchemist, specializing in flame alchemy. He has achieved his rank from his prior achievements during the eastern Ishbal war.
Riza Hawkeye
Riza Hawkeye is Roy Mustang's subordinate, acting as his advisor and his aid. Hawkeye is very skilled in the use of firearms.
Maes Hughes
Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes is a solder belonging to the internal affairs branch of the military. He is close friends with Roy Mustang.
Credits
| Original Story | Hiromu Arakawa | U.S. Licensor | FUNimation Entertainment |
| Director | Seiji Mizushima | ||
| Planning | Hideo Katsumata Koushi Taguchi Seiji Takeda |
ADR Director | Colleen Clinkenbeard Mike McFarland |
| Character Design | Yoshiyuki Ito | English Voice Cast | |
| Color Setting | Yukari Goto | Vic Mignogna | Edward Elric |
| Art Direction | Kazuyuki Hashimoto | Aaron Dismuke | Alphonse Elric |
| Director of Photography | Susumu Fukushi Toru Fukushi |
Caitlin Glass | Winry Rockbell |
| Travis Willingham | Roy Mustang | ||
| Music | Michiru Oshima | Colleen Clinkenbeard | Riza Hawkeye |
| Music Producer | Aniplex | Christopher R. Sabat | Alex Louis Armstrong |
| Animation Production | BONES | Sonny Strait | Maes Hughes |
| Production | Aniplex BONES Mainichi Broadcasting Square-Enix |
Laura Bailey | Lust |
| Chris Cason | Gluttony | ||
| Wendy Powell | Envy | ||
| Dameon Clarke | Scar |
Episodes
See under Fullmetal Alchemist: list of episodes.
Media
Opening Themes
- Episodes 2-13: by "Melissa" by Porno Graffiti
- Episodes 14-25: "Ready Steady Go" by L'arc-en-Ciel
- Episodes 27-41: "Undo" by Cool Joke
- Episodes 42-51: "Rewrite" by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
Ending Themes
- Episode 1: "Melissa" by Porno Graffiti
- Episodes 2-13: "Kesenai Tsumi (The Unerasable Sin)" by Nana Kitade
- Episodes 14-24: "Tobira no Mukou e (To the Other Side of the Door)" by YeLLOW Generation
- Episodes 26-41: "Motherland" by Crystal Kay
- Episodes 42-50: "I Will" by Sowelu
