Fullmetal Alchemist: Season One - Part One (4 Discs)

"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."

Fullmetal Alchemist is nothing short of a phenomenon in Japan, despite entering a crowded market with a veritable tidal wave of anime created in the last half decade. That popularity extends well beyond the original manga to the show itself, and countless other bits of merchandise including console games, music CD's and action figures. So what makes it think it's so great? Well, in common with other popular series anime, it's a nice combination of endearing characterisation, good humour and reasonable intelligent action, making it fun to watch at any age. It also has some likable and thought provoking philosophical hokum making it feel like it might be good for the soul. It's surprisingly thought provoking too. I found myself ruminating about an early episode that sees the group exposing a religious leader as a tyrannical fraud with only his own interests at heart. But rather than thank our heroes the population feel that they are now left in a vacuum without hope. Would things have played out any differently in Iraq if Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair had taken the time to watch the first disc in this set before rashly setting off on their chosen course? I'd like to think so!

Personally I'd managed to avoid seeing this series till now (not intentionally) though I had bought the series 'Full Metal Panic' which I'd thoroughly enjoyed, not realising that the only thing it shared with FMA was the first two words in its title.
So what's it all about? To get a detailed and far more expert overview, check out our own in-house anime-meister's (Jitendar Canth) reviews of the four single discs that make up this set.

It may be worth noting, just before you leave me, that the packaging for the box set looks pretty cool (I just got the discs but I've added an image here of what to expect) and the RRP for the box set means that this is a much more economical way to start collecting the series than buying the individual discs. OK - if you're serious about your anime you have my permission to go directly to Jit's reviews. Run along now.

For those who would prefer to get the opinions of a bit of an outsider to the genre, then stick around and I'll so the best I can.

The series focuses on a bit of a journey for its two main protagonists, brothers named Edward and Alphonse. Adopting their missing father's gift for Alchemy based 'magic', when their Mother passes away they try to use their powers to bring her back from the dead. But the effort costs them dearly. The younger brother loses his physical body and is condemned to spend his life inside robot like armoury. The older brother loses an arm and a leg (quite a cost) though these are replaced with powerful alchemical alternatives.

They are in search of the Philosopher's Stone (not that one!) which they believe may give them the power to resurrect their mother and bring their own bodies back to some form of normality. Throughout the four discs contained here they have a series of exciting and magical adventures which, for the most part, can be viewed in isolation though make more sense as part of the whole.

Throughout the series, past and present combine to give a richer tapestry than average action based anime. This is certainly more than just good versus evil with the lines of right and wrong often blurring.

The picture quality is quite superb, though presented in original 4:3 which is starting to look a bit old hat in the anime stakes.
Worth an honourable mention is the music which often uses highly contemporary songs, almost ambient sound scapes, and full orchestral scores on occasion too creating a memorable mix that would probably play nicely on an OST CD if you felt so inclined.

Extras-wise it's all a bit thin on the ground if truth be told with the usual pointless 'textless titles' , still image galleries for people who want their animation to stop but don't know to hit the pause button etc. However, a music video on the fourth disc is well worth a look. Mixing primitive anime animation with studio footage, it's a fun video from a band who look like they're really enjoying themselves and if a music videos function is to bring the song to life it certainly did that.

The whole series runs for 51 episodes in total and these discs offer up the fist 16. By the end of disc 4 you'll be reaching for Disc 5 and it's somewhat frustrating that it's not there. Revelation certainly know how to hook you in! And if you make it to the end of all 51 episodes there's a movie to stop you suffering withdrawal symptoms. And yes - Jitendar's covered that too. So definitely take a look.

For my money, 'Full Metal Alchemist' is a far more appealing franchise than Naruto for example. This box set is a great way to start collecting the series though I can guarantee that you'll be thirsting for more by the end. Let's hope Revelation don't drag their heels in delivering the next boxed up instalment. Marvellous stuff.

"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. But the world isn't perfect, and the law is incomplete. Equivalent Exchange doesn't encompass everything that goes on here, but I still choose to believe in its principle: that all things do come at a price, that there's an ebb and a flow, a cycle, that the pain we went through did have a reward, and that anyone who's determined and perseveres will get something of value in return, even if it's not what they expected. I don't think of Equivalent Exchange as a law of the world anymore. I think of it as a promise between my brother and me. A promise that someday we'll see each other again."