Fullmetal Alchemist is widely regarded as one of the greatest anime of all time. With its captivating story, intricate power system, and unforgettable characters, this show stands out as truly unique. By the time you finish it, you’ll feel a bittersweet sense of closure, as the remarkable journey comes to an end.
The story begins with two brothers, Edward and Alphonse, attempting a forbidden alchemical transmutation to bring back their deceased mother. In Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is a fictional science that allows individuals to transform matter using a special technique known as the “Law of Equivalent Exchange.” This law states that to create something, you must sacrifice something of equal value. Alchemists use transmutation circles, symbols that help them perform these transformations, whether changing one material into another or creating objects from scratch. However, there are limits to what alchemy can accomplish, especially when it comes to the most sacred of things—life. When the brothers try to revive their mother, things go wrong. Instead of her, a disfigured version of their mother appears, and Alphonse’s body is destroyed. In a desperate attempt to save his brother, Edward notices an armor nearby and uses a transmutation circle to bind Alphonse’s soul to it. However, to perform this act, Edward sacrifices his arm and leg. He replaces them with prosthetics and vows to restore his brother’s body. The two brothers then train together and eventually join the military. Their journey truly begins when they learn about the Philosopher’s Stone, an ancient object that could restore Alphonse’s body and Edward’s limbs. This marks the beginning of their long and emotional journey.
The characters in Fullmetal Alchemist are some of the most beloved in anime, and a big reason for that is how the women are portrayed. This is especially important because of how women are usually treated in shonen manga and anime. A lot of times, female characters are either highly sexualized or are always in need of being saved by the male lead, even when they’re written to be strong. But in Fullmetal Alchemist, the women are written as complex, independent characters who have their own goals and strengths. They’re not just there to support the male characters; they play essential roles in the story and add a lot to the series’ depth and emotional impact. They have fun-hearted moments and at times with characters like Roy Mustang or Hughes, we connect with other characters on a deep emotional level. This is a very heavy emotional anime covering regret, obsession with work, betrayal, and more.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is driven by several crucial story arcs that explore the themes of sacrifice, the consequences of power, and the search for redemption. Early in the series, the brothers’ quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone becomes central. This search is motivated by their desire to restore their bodies after a failed attempt at human transmutation, which sets the stage for the story’s exploration of the limits of alchemy and the cost of seeking forbidden knowledge.
The Homunculi Arc is another key moment in the series, revealing the true nature of the Homunculi, the artificial humans working under the mysterious Father. As the Elric brothers uncover the secrets behind these beings, they are forced to confront the dark side of alchemy and the twisted agendas of those in power. This arc is crucial not only for its action and intrigue but also for its philosophical weight, as the characters grapple with their own personal motives and larger moral dilemmas.
As the story progresses, the Amestris and Central City Arc delves deeper into the political and military corruption within the nation, with Roy Mustang’s role in the military and his pursuit of justice providing a powerful counterpoint to the Elric brothers’ journey. This arc also reveals the deep historical ties between the country’s government and the origins of the Homunculi, laying the groundwork for the ultimate conflict that will unfold.
In the series’ final stages, the Final Confrontation with Father brings the story to a head. The battle against Father and his ultimate plan for the Philosopher’s Stone and the nation of Amestris serves as both a literal and symbolic confrontation between the brothers’ desire for redemption and the corrupt forces that threaten to destroy everything. This arc is not just about physical conflict but also about the brothers’ growth, as they learn the importance of self-sacrifice, understanding, and the true meaning of family and humanity.
These arcs are the foundation of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, building on one another to create a complex narrative that addresses themes of ethics, the nature of power, and the pursuit of personal and collective redemption.
Fullmetal Alchemist isn’t just an anime, it’s one of the greatest shows ever covering vengeance, love, loss and so much more.
