Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist | |
---|---|
![]() The cover of the first Japanese manga volume featuring Alphonse and Edward Elric | |
鋼の錬金術師 (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) | |
Genre | Adventure, Science fantasy, Steampunk |
Manga | |
Author | Hiromu Arakawa |
Publisher | Enix (2001-03) Square Enix (2003-present) |
English publisher | Australia, New Zealand: Madman Entertainment Canada, United States: Viz Media Singapore: Chuang Yi |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Magazine | Monthly Shōnen Gangan |
Original run | August 2001 – ongoing |
Volumes | 24 |
Light novel | |
Author | Makoto Inoue |
Illustrator | Hiromu Arakawa |
Publisher | Square Enix |
English publisher | United States: Viz Media |
Volumes | 6 |
TV anime | |
Director | Seiji Mizushima |
Writer | Shō Aikawa |
Studio | Bones |
Licensor | Australia, New Zealand: Madman Entertainment Canada, United States: Funimation Entertainment United Kingdom: Revelation Films |
Network | MBS, TBS, Animax |
English network | Australia, United States: Cartoon Network Canada: YTV (TV channel) United Kingdom: Rapture TV, AnimeCentral |
Original run | October 4, 2003 – October 2, 2004 |
Episodes | 51 |
TV anime | |
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | |
Director | Yasuhiro Irie |
Writer | Hiroshi Ōnogi |
Studio | Bones |
Licensor | Australia, New Zealand: Madman Entertainment Canada, United States: Funimation Entertainment |
Network | MBS, TBS |
English network | United States: Cartoon Network India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand: Animax Asia |
Original run | April 5, 2009 – ongoing |
Episodes | 49 |
Related | |
Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsushi , literally "Alchemist of Steel"), is a ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man, the story follows the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy.
The manga is serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine (starting August 2001) and currently has 24 tankōbon volumes. It was adapted into an animated television series of 51 episodes by Bones from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004, later followed by a film sequel ("Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa") that concluded the story of the anime. Fullmetal Alchemist would later spawn a second series called Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which first premiered in Japan on April 5, 2009. A multitude of spin-off novels, original video animations (OVAs), drama CDs, soundtracks, and video games have been adapted from the series. A collectible card game, multiple supplementary books, and a variety of action figures and other merchandise based on the characters of the series have also been released.
The manga has been licensed by Viz Media for publication in the United States, with twenty-two bound volumes released currently. Although there are no major differences with the Japanese version, some pages have been edited to avoid minor references to western theology. Funimation Entertainment has dubbed the anime episodes in the United States and Canada, and has also released them in all English-speaking DVD regions. The English version of the film premiered in a limited number of U.S. theaters on August 25, 2006 and was later released on DVD. Funimation and Destineer have also been releasing the video games from the series.
In Japan, the Fullmetal Alchemist manga has enjoyed exceptional sales of over 30 million volumes sold as of 2008. The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during the year 2005. In two TV Asahi web polls, the anime was voted #1 most popular anime of all time in Japan. It was nominated in six of the eight categories for which it was eligible at the American Anime Awards in February 2007, winning awards in five of them. Reviewers from several media generally had positive comments on the series.
Plot
「List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters」も参照
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two alchemist brothers searching for the legendary Philosopher's Stone, a powerful object which would allow them to recover their bodies (which were lost in an attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy). Born in the village of Resembool from the country of Amestris (アメストリス Amesutorisu ), the two brothers lived there with their mother. Their father, Hohenheim, left home for unknown reasons and years later, their mother, Trisha Elric, died of a terminal illness leaving the Elric brothers alone. After their mother's death, Edward became determined to bring her back through the use of alchemy, an advanced science in which objects can be created from raw materials. They researched Human Transmutation, a forbidden art in which one attempts to create or modify a human being. However, this attempt failed, ultimately resulting in the loss of Edward's left leg and Alphonse's entire body. In a desperate effort to save his brother, Edward sacrificed his right arm to affix Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor. Some days later, an alchemist named Roy Mustang visited the Elric brothers, and he told Edward to become a member of the State Military of the country to find a way to recover their bodies. After that, Edward's left leg and right arm were replaced with automail, a type of advanced prosthetic limb, created for him by his close family friends Winry Rockbell and her grandmother Pinako.
Edward then became a State Alchemist (国家錬金術師 Kokka Renkinjutsushi ), an alchemist employed by the State Military of Amestris, which infamously annihilated most of the Ishbalan race (Ishbal) in the past decade. Becoming a State Alchemist enables Edward to use the extensive resources available to State Alchemists, but it also turns him into what they call a "dog of the military". His more friendly relationship with Mustang however, whom he reports to and who recruited him, allows the brothers freedom to search for the Philosopher's Stone as part of Edward's research, as each State Alchemist is expected to independently research new things which may be of a use to the State Military of Amestris. The brothers set off in search of the Philosopher's Stone as a means to restore their bodies. Throughout their journey, they meet many antagonists, including those who are willing to do anything to obtain the Philosopher's Stone; Scar, one of the few surviving Ishbalans, who seeks vengeance on the State Alchemists for the destruction of his race; and the homunculi, a group of human-like creatures who carry pieces of the Philosopher's Stone inside themselves, and from it derive the ability to survive almost any harm.
As the story progresses, Edward and Alphonse discover the vast expansion of Amestris was the result of the homunculi, who created and secretly control the State Military. The homunculi and much of the high-ranking military officers are commanded from behind the curtains by the creator of the homunculi, a man simply known as "Father" who gained immortality by creating the Philosopher's Stone by tricking Hohenheim centuries before the series' timeline. He plans to use Amestris as a gigantic transmutation circle in order to transmute the entire country for reasons unknown to the Elrics. When Edward and Alphonse discover Father's plans, they, along with other members of the State Military, set out to defeat him.
Production
After reading about the philosopher's stone, Arakawa said that she became attracted to the idea of using alchemy in the manga. She liked it so much that she started reading books relating to alchemy, which she found very complicated due to the fact that some books contradicted others. Arakawa was attracted more by the philosophical aspects than the practical aspects. For the Equivalent Exchange concept, she was inspired by the work of her parents who had a farm in Hokkaidō and always had to give all their effort in order to earn the money to eat.
Arakawa wanted to integrate social problems into the story. She gathered information watching news programs and talking to people, such as refugees, war veterans and former yakuza. Several plot elements expand on these themes, such as Pinako Rockbell caring for the Elric brothers after the death of their mother, and the brothers helping people all over the country, to gain an understanding of the meaning of family. When creating the fictional world of Fullmetal Alchemist, Arakawa was inspired after reading about Europe during the Industrial Revolution period; she was amazed by how different the people from different countries were, in terms of their culture, architecture and clothes. She was especially interested in England during this period and "added to it her own original flavor to turn it into a fantasy world".
When the manga began serialization, Arakawa had in mind how the story would end. As the plot continued, however, she felt some characters were maturing and decided to change some scenes, resulting in some sketches of the faces of the characters being improvised. In creating the characters' designs, she comments that the manga authors Suihō Tagawa and Hiroyuki Eto are her main inspirations, and describes her artwork is a mix of both of them. The easiest of the series characters for her to draw was Alex Louis Armstrong, as well as little animals. Due to the fact she likes dogs, Arakawa added several of them in the story. Arakawa made comedy central in the manga because she thinks it is intended for entertainment, and tried to minimalize focus on sad scenes.
When the number of manga chapters was around 40, Arakawa commented that the series gets near the end, she will try to make story faster until getting to the conclusion. To avoid making chapters less entertaining than others, unnecessary details from each of them are removed and a climax is developed. The removal of minor information was especially made since the number of pages she has to do in Monthly Shōnen Gangan are not enough to cover all the storyline content Arakawa wants to add in a chapter and thus the appearances from various characters are reduced.[1]
During the development of the first anime, Arakawa allowed the anime staff to work independently from her, and requested having a different ending from the one in the manga. She said that she would not like to repeat the same ending in both media, as well as to make the manga longer to work more in the development of the characters. When watching the ending of the anime, she was amazed about how different the homunculi creatures were from the manga and enjoyed how the staff speculated about the origins of the villains.[2] As Arakawa also helped the Bones staff in the making of the series, she was kept busy from focusing on the manga's cover illustrations and had little time to make them.[1]
Media
Manga
Template:Double image Written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa, the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series is serialized in Square Enix's monthly manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan. It has been serialized since Monthly Shōnen Gangan's August 2001 issue (published on July 12, 2001) and is still ongoing,[3] with a new chapter in every issue. Square Enix is collecting the chapters in tankōbon format. The first volume was released on January 22, 2002, and as of December 22, 2009, 24 volumes have been released.[4][5] A few chapters have been rereleased in Japan in two "Extra number" magazines and Fullmetal Alchemist, The First Attack, which features the first nine chapters of the manga as well as other side stories.[6] Viz Media is releasing the manga in North America. The first volume was released on May 3, 2005, and the latest volume they have released is volume 22 in January 2010.[7][8]
The content of the manga released by Viz in the United States were mostly consistent with the original material. As of August 2007, the only edits that have been made were to a set of twelve panels from volume 8, depicting the homunculus Greed tied to a cross-shaped stone slab in crucifixion style. In the U.S. version the stone was redesigned to become round in each panel,[9] as commented by Viz to avoid references to Christianity. This change in the manga was made with the approval of Arakawa.[10]
In Singapore, the manga is being published by Chuang Yi. Publishing in both English and Simplified Chinese, nineteen volumes have been released in English, while twenty-one volumes have been released in Simplified Chinese. In Poland, Japonica Polonica Fantastica is publishing the manga[11] - as of January 2010, eighteen volumes have been released. In France, the manga is being released by Kurokawa.[12] Volume eight, released in September 2006, was available also in a collector's edition, which consisted of the book packed with the original comedic novel Flame Alchemist, focusing on Roy Mustang's schedule.[13][14] Prior to this, this novel was only available with the limited edition of volume six in Japan.[15] In Brazil, Editora JBC is publishing the manga with forty-four volumes equivalent to the first original twenty-two volumes having been released currently.[16] In Italy the manga is published by Panini Comics using the label "Planet Manga"[17].
Anime series
Fullmetal Alchemist
The animation studio Bones adapted the manga into a 51-episode anime series. It was directed by Seiji Mizushima, written by Shō Aikawa and co-produced by Bones, Mainichi Broadcasting System and Aniplex. Character designs were handled by Yoshiyuki Itō. The anime was broadcast on Mainichi Broadcasting System, TBS, and Animax in Japan from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004,[18][19][20] with a 6.8 percent television viewership rating.[21] The English dubbed version of the anime was produced by Funimation and debuted on the Adult Swim block of the United States cable channel Cartoon Network on November 6, 2004.[22] A year and a half later, Canada's YTV began airing it on March 3, 2006.[23] The anime's later story and conclusion by Bones is different from the manga (which is still ongoing) due to a request by Arakawa.[2] During the making of the anime, Arakawa was present in meetings to give the staff insight in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, though she did not actively take part in any writing for the TV series.[24]
The series has been released in a series of thirteen DVDs from December 17, 2003 to January 26, 2005 in Japan.[25] Funimation Entertainment also released the same series of DVDs from February 8, 2005 to September 12, 2006 in the United States.[26][27] MVM had released the first eight volumes in the United Kingdom; however, Funimation gave the rights over to Revelation Films.[28]
A film sequel, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, was made by the same studio, and premiered in Japanese theaters on July 23, 2005.[29] A series of five original video animations (OVAs) were also released. The majority of these OVAs are side stories and do not expand on the plot. These OVAs also include a live action segment with Alphonse Elric travelling around a city. In March 2006 a DVD featuring these OVAs was released in Japan with the name of Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection.[25] Funimation acquired and dubbed Premium Collection during the end of 2008 for English release.[30] The DVD was released in English on August 4, 2009.[31] During January 2009, Bones released a "DVD box archives" of the anime. It includes the first anime of 51 episodes, the film, the CD soundtracks, and guidebooks from the series.[32]
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
In the 20th volume of the manga, creator Arakawa announced that a second Fullmetal Alchemist anime series was being produced. Bones produces the new series with Yasuhiro Irie as director and Hiroshi Ōnogi as writer. The title of the series is also Fullmetal Alchemist in the Japanese version, although as Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Furumetaru Arukemisuto , abbreviated as 鋼の錬金術師FA) to differentiate it from the 2003 series.[33][34] The series premiered on April 5, 2009 on MBS-TBS's Sunday 5:00 pm JST anime timeblock, replacing Mobile Suit Gundam 00, and voice actors Romi Park and Rie Kugimiya reprised their roles as main characters Edward and Alphonse Elric respectively.[35] Unlike the first anime which had an original story, the second series follows the story of the manga.[36] On March 20, 2009, it was announced that the English title of the series was Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and that it would receive its English language premiere on Animax Asia, with Japanese audio and English subtitles, on April 10, 2009 at 8:30 p.m, five days after its Japanese premiere.[37] Aniplex started releasing the series in Blu-ray and DVD on August 26, 2009, with each of them containing two episodes.[38]
On April 3, 2009, Funimation announced it would stream English subtitled episodes four days after they air in Japan. Madman Entertainment will also stream it "within days" of the episodes airing in Japan.[39] Funimation later suspended the release of new episodes of the series for a few weeks due to an incident involving an episode of One Piece being downloaded before it had aired in Japan.[40] However, the episodes are now back on the Funimation website as well as on the official Funimation channel on Youtube.[41] In September 2009, Funimation announced the cast for an English dub of the series.[42] Starting February 13, 2010, the English dub of the series can now be seen on Adult Swim every Saturday night at midnight, (11pm central time). [43]
Light novels
A series of six Fullmetal Alchemist Japanese light novels, written by Makoto Inoue, have been published by Square Enix.[44] The novels are licensed for an English-language release by Viz Media in North America, with translations by Alexander O. Smith.[45] Although Arakawa did not write the novels, she did illustrations for them, including covers and frontispieces.[46] The novels are spin-offs of the manga series and follow the Elric brothers on their continued quest for the Philosopher's Stone. The first novel, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand, was animated as the episodes eleven and twelve of the anime series.[47] The fourth novel also contains an extra story about the military called "Roy's Holiday".[48] Novelizations of three of the PlayStation 2 games, Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel, Curse of the Crimson Elixir, and The Girl Who Surpasses God—have also been written. The first was authored by Makoto Inoue and the rest by Jun Eishima.[44]
Drama CDs
There have been two series of Fullmetal Alchemist audio dramas. The first volume of the first series, Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1: The Land of Sand (砂礫の大地 Sareki no Daichi ), was released before the anime and tells a story similar to the first novel. The Tringham brothers reprised their roles in the anime.[49] Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 2: False Light, Truth's Shadow (偽りの光 真実の影 Itsuwari no Hikari, Shinjitsu no Kage ) and Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 3: Criminals' Scar (咎人たちの傷跡 Togabitotachi no Kizuato ) are stories based on different manga chapters with the addition of other characters from the State Military from the series.[44]
The second series of audio dramas, available only with purchases of Shōnen Gangan, consists of short stories. There are two stories in this series, each with two parts. The first, Fullmetal Alchemist: Ogutāre of the Fog (霧のオグターレ Kiri no Ogutāre ), was included in Shōnen Gangan's April and May 2004 issues, while the second story, Fullmetal Alchemist: Crown of Heaven (天上の宝冠 Tenjō no Hōkan ), was found in the November and December issues.[44]
CDs
The music for Fullmetal Alchemist was composed and arranged by Michiru Oshima, who won the 5th Tokyo Anime Award in the category "Best Music" for Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa.[50] TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1 was released on March 24, 2004 in Japan and contained thirty-three tracks, including several of the background sounds used during key points in the main series and the first opening and ending theme songs.[51] Although never released officially, a version of the Russian track "Brothers" (Russian: Братья, Bratja; Japanese: Burācha) from this CD has been recorded in English by Vic Mignogna, the voice actor who played Edward Elric in the series. TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 2 was released on December 15, 2004 and contained thirty tracks.[52] TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 3, released on May 18, 2005 contained twenty-seven tracks.[53]
Fullmetal Alchemist - Complete Best and Fullmetal Alchemist Hagaren Song File -Best Compilation- are compilations of the soundtracks that were released in Japan on October 14, 2004 and December 21, 2005, respectively. A bonus DVD, exclusive to the U.S. release, contains a music video for Nana Kitade's "Indelible Sin".[25][54] Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie Conqueror Of Shamballa OST, which contained forty-six tracks, was released on December 21, 2005. All are tracks used in the featured film Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa.[25] During December 2004, a concert titled "Tales of Another Festival" was staged in Tokyo and Osaka. It featured performances by several of the musical artists from the television series as well as narrations by the voice actors and actresses. A DVD of the concert entitled Fullmetal Alchemist Festival - Tales of Another was released in Japan on April 27, 2005.[25]
Fullmetal Alchemist: BrotherhoodTemplate:'s music composer is Akira Senju. The first CD soundtrack from this anime was published on October 14, 2009.[55]
Art and guidebooks
The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise has several artbooks for the manga and the anime; two manga artbooks called The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist (イラスト集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Irasuto Shū Fullmetal Alchemist ) were released by Square Enix and later by Viz Media.[56] The first contains illustrations made between May 2001 to April 2003, spanning the first six manga volumes, while the second has illustrations from September 2003 to October 2005, spanning the next six.[6] For the anime, three artbooks with the name of The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Anime (TVアニメーション鋼の錬金術師 ART BOOK TV Animēshon Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Artbook ) were released in Japan, while only the first was released by Viz Media.[56]
The manga also has three guidebooks; each of them contain timelines, guides to the Elric brothers' journey, and gaiden chapters that were never released in a manga volume.[6] Only the first guidebook has been released by Viz Media, under the name of Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles.[57] An anime character guide book called Fullmetal Alchemist Anime Profiles (TV Animation Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Kyarakore ) was released Japan as well in the United States.[56] A series of five fanbooks have also been released with the name of TV Anime Fullmetal Alchemist Official Fanbooks (TVアニメ 鋼の錬金術師 オフィシャルファンブック TV Anime Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Ofisharu Fan Bukku ) containing each one information of the anime as well as several interviews with the staff of the series.[6] Additionally, on August 12, 2009 it was released a guidebook focused on the second anime series.[58]
Other merchandise
Action figures, busts, and statues from the Fullmetal Alchemist anime and manga have been created by leading toy companies; primarily Medicom and Southern Island. Medicom has created high end deluxe vinyl figures of the characters from the anime. These figures are exclusively distributed in the United States and UK by Southern Island.[59] Southern Island has also released their own action figures in 2007 of the main characters. These figures and a 12" statue were scheduled to release in 2007. Southern Island has since gone bankrupt, putting the figures on permanent hiatus.[60] A trading card game was first published in 2005 in the United States by Joyride Entertainment.[61] Since then, six expansions have been released. The physical game was retired on July 11, 2007.[62] Destineer released a Nintendo DS adaptation of the game on October 15, 2007.[63]
Reception
In March 2007, the manga has sold over 27 million volumes in Japan, while as of March 2008, the number increased to more than 30 million.[21][64] With the release of volume 24 in December 2009, the series will have a total of 40 million units printed.[65] As of January 10, 2010 every volume of the manga has sold over a million copies each in Japan.[66] Along with Yakitate!! Japan, the series won the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen in 2004.[67] During 2008, volumes 19 and 20 sold over a million copies, ranking as the 10th and 11th best seller comics, respectively from Japan.[68] In the first half of 2009, it ranked as the 7th best-seller from Japan, having sold over 3 million copies.[69] Volume 21 ranked 4th, with more than 1 million copies sold and volume 22 ranked 6th with a similar number of sold copies.[70] Producer Kouji Taguchi from Square Enix said that Volume 1's initial sales were of 150,000 copies and changed to 1.5 million copies after the first anime aired. Prior to the second anime's premiere, each volume sold about 1.9 million copies, and then it changed to 2.1 million copies.[71] The series is also one of Viz Media's best sellers, appearing in "BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels" and the "USA Today Booklist".[72][73][74] It has also been featured in the Diamond Comic Distributors's polls of graphic novel and the The New York Times Best Seller Manga list.[75][76] The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during the year 2005.[77] In a survey from Oricon in 2009, Fullmetal Alchemist ranked ninth as the manga that fans wanted to be turned into a live-action film.[78]
Fullmetal Alchemist has generally been well received by critics. Though the initial volumes were felt to be formulaic, critics noted that the series grows in complexity as it progresses. Arakawa was praised for being able to keep all of her character designs unique and distinguishable, despite many of them wearing the same basic uniforms.[79] The characterization of the protagonist Edward balances between being a "typical clever kid" and "a stubborn kid", successfully allowing him to float between the series more comical moments and its underlying drama without seeming false.[80] Reviewers celebrated the development of the characters in the manga, with their beliefs actively changing during the story forcing them to grow in maturity.[81] Mania Entertainment's Jarred Pine found that the manga can be enjoyed by anybody who has watched the first anime despite the similarities in the first chapters. Like other reviewers, he praised the dark mood from the manga and how it balances the humor and action scenes.[82] The development from characters who have little appearances in the first anime was also praised by Pine.[83] In a review from volume 14, Sakura Eries from the same site liked the revelations despite there are still several story arcs that need to be resolved. She also praised the development from the homunculi such as the return of Greed as well as their fights.[84]
The anime premiered in Japan with a 6.8 percent television viewership rating.[21] In 2005, Japanese television network TV Asahi conducted a "Top 100" online web poll and nation-wide survey; the Fullmetal Alchemist anime adaptation placed first in the online poll and twentieth in the survey.[85][86] In 2006, TV Asahi conducted another online poll for the top one hundred anime, and Fullmetal Alchemist placed first again.[87] Fullmetal Alchemist was also a winner in the American Anime Awards in several categories. These include "Long Series", "Best Cast", "Best DVD Package Design", "Best Anime Theme Song" ("Rewrite," by Asian Kung-Fu Generation), and "Best Actor" (Vic Mignogna, Edward Elric's English voice actor). It was also nominated in the category of "Best Anime Feature" for Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa.[88] The series also won most of the Twenty-sixth Annual Animage Readers' Polls. The series was the winner in the "Favorite Anime Series", "Favorite Episode" (episode seven), "Favorite Male Character" (Edward Elric), "Favorite Female Character" (Riza Hawkeye), "Favorite Theme Song" ("Melissa", by Porno Graffitti), and "Favorite Seiyū" (Romi Park, Edward's Japanese voice actor).[89] In the "Tokyo Anime Fair", the series also won in the categories "Animation Of The Year" (Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shambala), "Best original story" (Hiromu Arakawa) and "Best music" (Michiru Oshima).[50] In About.com 2006 American Awards, Fullmetal Alchemist was the winner in the categories "Best New Anime Series" and "Best Animation".[90][91]
The series has become one of the top properties of Square Enix along with Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.[92] It was named the 95th best animated series by IGN. They commented that although it's mostly upbeat with amazing action scenes, it also touches on the human condition. They described it as "more than a mere anime, it was a powerful weekly drama."[93] The staff also featured it in their "10 Cartoon Adaptations We'd Like to See" with comments focused in the characterization the series features.[94] The designs of the characters have been praised remarking they are different from each other. Flashbacks have been criticized to be annoying as they are repeated several times.[95][96] Other reviewers compared the series with an Odyssey as part tragic, part coming of age story. The plot and the music have been celebrated to be very entertaining.[95] The anime has also been praised for having a good balance between action, comedy and deep moments and remarked the emotional core of the development of the two main characters.[97] Criticism towards the anime focused on the large number of sentimental scenes in the series abused to evoke kneejerk emotional responses from the viewers. The ending was also the basis of one negative review noting that Edward's beliefs did not change at all as he tried once again to bring somebody back to life.[98] Soundtracks received praise for its varying styles of music as well as a large number of artists that make every song enjoyable. The music of the backgrounds has been noted to never distract to it from the story and to always be pleasant to hear.[92] DVDvisionjapan considered the first opening theme and the first ending theme as the best tracks of the series remarking that they made a good combination of anime and song.[99]
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has been criticized by the Anime News Network Staff, who say that its first fifteen episodes were not very entertaining due to it repeating events from the first anime. In comparison to the first series, Brotherhood was criticized for its lack of suspense and "energy".[100] Mania Entertainment's Chris Beveridge noted that what makes the second series entertaining is the difference between the characters' actions and how some of the episodes following episode 15 added more emotional content.[101] In another review, Beveridge praised the new fight scenes as well as more drama which made these episodes "solid".[102]
The first Fullmetal Alchemist novel, The Land of the Sand, was well received by Jarred Pine of Mania as a self-contained novelization that remained true to the characterizations from the manga series. He notes that while the lack of backstory makes it geared more towards fans of the franchise than new readers, it was an impressive debut piece for the Viz Fiction line.[103] Ain't it Cool News also found the novel to be true to its roots, and that while it brought nothing new to the series, it was compelling enough for followers of the series to enjoy a retelling. As a whole, the reviewer felt it was a "work for young-ish readers that's pretty clear about some darker sides of politics, economics and human nature."[104] Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times noted that the novel has a different focus than anime series, with The Land of Sand "creating a stronger, sympathetic bond" between the younger brothers than is seen in its two episode anime counterpart.[105]
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fullmetal Alchemist |
- Official Gangan Fullmetal Alchemist manga and novel website (Japanese)
- Official Aniplex Fullmetal Alchemist website (Japanese)
- Official Viz Fullmetal Alchemist manga website
- Official FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist anime website
- Official Adult Swim Fullmetal Alchemist anime website
- Official Anime Central Fullmetal Alchemist anime website
- Official Madman Entertainment Fullmetal Alchemist website
- Fullmetal Alchemist (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). 鋼の錬金術師 パーフェクトガイドブック 2. Square Enix. pp. 168–172. ISBN 978-4757514263.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ Arakawa, Hiromu (2002). Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1. Square Enix. p. 180. ISBN 978-4-7575-0620-6.
- ↑ "鋼の錬金術師 1巻" (in Japanese). Square Enix. October 20, 2009. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757506206.html.
- ↑ "鋼の錬金術師 24巻" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. December 22, 2009. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757527423.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "鋼の錬金術師 BOOKS" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080822181635/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/lineup/. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Vol.1". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5102. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 21". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=8762. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Viz Edits Fullmetal Alchemist". Anime News Network. September 11, 2006. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9473. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ↑ "Viz Responds to 'FMA' Edit". ICv2. September 16, 2006. http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/9339.html. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
- ↑ "Tytuły/Fullmetal Alchemist" (in Polish). Japonica Polonica Fantastica. http://www.jpf.com.pl/szablon_tytuly.php?id=fullmetal_alchemist. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ↑ "FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST - T1" (in French). Kurokawa. http://www.kurokawa.fr/shonen/fiche/16/fullmetal-alchemist-t1. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ↑ "FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST - T8" (in French). Kurokawa. http://www.kurokawa.fr/shonen/fiche/21/fullmetal-alchemist-t8. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ↑ "Amazon.fr: Fullmetal Alchemist, Tome 8 : Avec supplément Flame Alchemist" (in French). Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.fr/dp/2351421116/. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ↑ "鋼の錬金術師 6 特装版 (6): 本: 荒川 弘" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4757510489/. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
- ↑ "Mangás JBC » Fullmetal Alchemist - Editora JBC" (in Portuguese). Editora JBC. http://mangasjbc.uol.com.br/titulos/fullmetal-alchemist. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist" (in Italian). Panini Comics. http://www.paninicomics.it/web/guest/collane_dettaglio?id=1184. Retrieved March 31, 2009.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist". Sony. http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/onair/index.html. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ↑ "鋼の錬金術師". Animax. http://www.bones.co.jp/works/tv06/index.html. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
- ↑ "History of Hagaren" (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. http://www.webcitation.org/5g3Ze6V93. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "2007 profile" (PDF). Square Enix. October 2007. pp. 6. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/common/images/sqex_07profile_e.pdf#page=6. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist on Adult Swim Saturday". Anime News Network. November 5, 2004. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-11-05/fullmetal-alchemist-on-adult-swim-saturday. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist on YTV". Anime News Network. February 10, 2006. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-02-10/fullmetal-alchemist-on-ytv. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 "鋼の錬金術師 DVD and CD" (in Japanese). Sony. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. http://www.webcitation.org/5g3Zl6Hts. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1: The Curse (Episodes 1-4) (2004)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H325C/. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 13: Brotherhood (Episodes 49-51) (2004)". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FS2VXG/. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ↑ "New Funimation Distributor revealed". UK Anime Net. November 14, 2006. http://www.uk-anime.net/news.asp?IntID=331. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Japanese Box Office". Anime News Network. 27 July 2005. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-27/japanese-box-office. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ↑ "Report: Funimation Gets Fullmetal Alchemist Premium". Anime News Network. January 14, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-14/report/funimation-gets-fullmetal-alchemist-premium. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Fullmetal-Alchemist-Premium-OVA-Collection/dp/B002BWD750. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
- ↑ "鋼の錬金術師 Box set archives" (in Japanese). Aniplex. http://www.hagaren.jp/box/boxinfo/index.html. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
- ↑ Animage Editorial Staff (2008 October). “鋼の錬金術師 新シリーズ”. Animage 364 (October 2008): 67. Tokyo, Japan: Tokuma Shoten. November 10, 2008 閲覧。
- ↑ "New Fullmetal Alchemist TV Anime Series Confirmed". Anime News Network. August 20, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
- ↑ "New Fullmetal Alchemist TV Commercial Streamed". Anime News Network. February 10, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-10/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-commercial-streamed. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
- ↑ "Manga UK Adds New Fullmetal Alchemist, Sengoku Basara". Anime News Network. February 9, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-09/manga-uk-adds-new-fullmetal-alchemist-sengoku-basara. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
- ↑ "Animax Asia to Run 2009 Fullmetal Alchemist in Same Week as Japan". Anime News Network. March 20, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-20/animax-asia-to-simulcast-fullmetal-alchemist/brotherhood-on-tv. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ↑ "DVD/BD Information" (in Japanese). Aniplex. http://www.aniplex.co.jp/hagaren/products/dvd.html. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
- ↑ "Funimation to Offer 2009 Fullmetal Alchemist on April 9 (Update 3)". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-03/funimation-to-stream-2009-fullmetal-alchemist-on-april-9. Retrieved April 4, 2009.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Not Streaming from Funimation.com (Update 2)". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-31/fullmetal-alchemist-not-streaming-from-funimation.com. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Funimation Portal Streams New Fullmetal Alchemist Again". Anime News Network. June 25, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-25/funimation-portal-streams-new-fullmetal-alchemist-again. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
- ↑ "Funimation Adds X TV/OAV, 5 Initial D Anime Stages". Anime News Network. September 25, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-25/funimation-adds-x-tv/oav-5-initial-d-anime-stages. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- ↑ Ohanesian, Liz (February 5, 2010). "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to Air on Adult Swim Beginning February 13". LA Weekly. http://blogs.laweekly.com/style_council/television/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhoo. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 "原作/荒川 弘 著者/井上 真" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080305051659/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel series)". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=383. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist, Under the Faraway Sky (Novel)". SimonSays.com. http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=537638. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
- ↑ "小説「鋼の錬金術(1) 砂礫の大地」 原作/荒川弘 著者/井上真" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080416063549/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/novel1.html. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel): Under the Far Away Sky". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6638. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ↑ "コミックCDコレクション「鋼の錬金術師 偽りの光、真実の影」" (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on May 10, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080510101751/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/comiccd1.html. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Tokyo Anime Fair: Award Winners". Anime News Network. March 27, 2006. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-03-27/tokyo-anime-fair-award-winners. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack". CDJapan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-1034. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack 2". CDJapan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7226. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack 3". CDJapan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7251. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist - Complete Best (OST)". CDJapan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7218. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1". CDJapan. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7655. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 "The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist (Books)". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=385. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles (manga)". Viz Media. http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6040. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
- ↑ "TV ANIMATION 鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK" (in Japanese). Square Enix. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757526389.html. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
- ↑ "Mediacom Fullmetal Alchemist Figures Available from Southern Island This Month". Anime News Network. January 6, 2007. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-06/mediacom-fullmetal-alchemist-figures-available-from-southern-island-this-month. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Anime Collectible Maker Southern Island Goes Bankrupt". Anime News Network. November 28, 2007. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-28/anime-collectible-maker-southern-island-goes-bankrupt. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist TCG Announced". Anime News Network. March 15, 2005. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-03-15/fullmetal-alchemist-tcg-announced. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
- ↑ "R.I.P. 'FMA TCG'". ICv2. July 31, 2007. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11000.html. Retrieved April 16, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game product page". Gamestop.com. http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=180428. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Manga: Over 30 Million Served". Anime News Network. March 22, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-22/fullmetal-alchemist-manga-over-30-million-served. Retrieved March 29, 2008.
- ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, November 30-December 6 (Updated)". Anime News Network. December 9, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-12-09/japanese-comic-ranking-november-30-december-6. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, December 28-January 10". Anime News Network. January 13, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-13/japanese-comic-ranking-december-28-january-10. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
- ↑ "小学館漫画賞:歴代受賞者" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- ↑ "2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #1-25". Anime News Network. December 19, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-19/2008-yearly-japanese-comic-ranking-no.1-25. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
- ↑ "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Series: 1st Half of 2009". Anime News Network. June 15, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-15/top-selling-manga-in-japan-by-series/1st-half-of-2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
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- ↑ "Producer: No Square-Enix Anime Lost Money in 8 Years". Anime News Network. October 9, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-09/producer/no-square-enix-anime-lost-money-in-8-years. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
- ↑ "BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for March". ICv2. April 2, 2008. http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12330.html. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
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- ↑ "ICv2 2005 Manga Awards--Part 1". ICv2. March 22, 2008. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8013.html. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
- ↑ "Survey: Slam Dunk Manga is #1 Choice for Live-Action (Updated)". Anime News Network. May 3, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-03/survey/slam-dunk-manga-is-no.1-choice-for-live-action. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ↑ Harper, Melissa (November 11, 2006). "Anime News Network - Fullmetal Alchemist G. Novel 1-3". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist-gn-1-3. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
- ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (March 5, 2005). "Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 Review". IGN. http://comics.ign.com/articles/598/598355p1.html. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ↑ "ActiveAnime.com :: Manga Reviews: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST (VOL. 11)". Active Anime. March 4, 2004. http://www.activeanime.com/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4676. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
- ↑ Pine, Jarred (June 8, 2005). "Mania Entertainment : Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 1)". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-01_article_82075.html. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
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- ↑ Eries, Sakura (March 6, 2008). "Mania Entertainment : Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 14)". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-14_article_83814.html. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
- ↑ "TV Asahi Top 100 Anime". Anime News Network. September 23, 2005. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
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- ↑ "Japan's Favorite TV Anime". Anime News Network. October 13, 2006. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ↑ "American Anime Award Winners". ICv2. February 26, 2007. http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10138.html. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
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- ↑ Luther, Katherine. "Best Animation". About.com. http://anime.about.com/od/toppicks/ig/2006Awards/animation.htm. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
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- ↑ 92.0 92.1 Crocker, Jeremy (May 11, 2004). "Fullmetal Alchemist Episodes 1–30". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
- ↑ "95, Fullmetal Alchemist". IGN. January 23, 2009. http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/95.html. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
- ↑ "10 Cartoon Adaptations We'd Like to See". IGN. August 7, 2009. http://movies.ign.com/articles/101/1011919p2.html. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
- ↑ 95.0 95.1 "AnimeonDVD: Fullmetal Alchemist Set 1 (of 4)". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-set-1_article_79579.html. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ↑ "T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews: FullMetal Alchemist Review". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=719. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ↑ "FullMetal Alchemist Volume 2: Scarred Man Of The East". Anime Boredom. June 30, 2005. http://www.animeboredom.co.uk/anime-reviews/full-metal-alchemist/623/. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
- ↑ Lin, Maria. "Animefringe.com: Anime Debunked: Fullmetal Hype". Animefringe. http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/04/special/04.php. Retrieved April 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1 Review". DVDvisionjapan. http://www.dvdvisionjapan.com/fmasost.htm. Retrieved April 29, 2008.
- ↑ "TV Asahi Top 100 Anime". Anime News Network. August 14, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2009-08-14. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- ↑ Beveridge, Chris (July 30, 2009). "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Episode #17". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-episode-17_article_116758.html. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- ↑ Beveridge, Chris (August 14, 2009). "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Episode #19". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-episode-19_article_117024.html. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
- ↑ Pine, Jarred (September 26, 2005). "Fullmetal Alchemist (novels) Vol.#01". Mania Entertainment. http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-novels-vol01_article_82350.html. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ↑ "Novel Preview:Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand Volume 1 By Makoto Inoue". Ain't It Cool News. August 20, 2005. http://www.aintitcool.com/node/21051. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
- ↑ Solomon, Charles (April 29, 2007). "For manga, a novel approach". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2007/apr/29/entertainment/ca-manga29. Retrieved August 15, 2008.