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Fullmetal Alchemist graphic novels by Hiromu Arakawa
Sunday, December 31, 2006
The Fullmetal Alchemist anime series has been a popular show on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup. It was also widely lauded as one of the best anime shows in recent years. However, not everyone realizes that the show was first created in manga form, a manga that is still being published to this day. It appears in Japan in a monthly magazine, and graphic novel compilations are being released in the U.S.
In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is real, more or less taking the place of scientific advancement in the world in which is exists. Edward and Alphonse Elric were two gifted young alchemists. However, when faced with the death of their mother, they turned their alchemic skill to dark purposes and attempted a human transmutation, or attempting to bring a dead body back to life. Human transmutation is one of the great taboos of alchemy, a practice that is forbidden in no uncertain terms.
Alchemy is based on the theory of equivalent exchange. In order for something to be created, something else must be destroyed. In the process of trying to bring their mother back, the principle of equivalent exchange was in full force. Ed lost his arm and leg, and Al lost his entire body. Ed attached Al's soul to a nearby suit of armor which is now his only connection to the world. Ed and Al set off on a quest to find the legendary philosopher's stone in the hopes of returning their bodies to their original forms.
In order to reach their goals, Ed becomes a State Alchemist. This position holds great prestige, but it's also considered part of the military. Ed has misgivings, especially as he learns more about some of the military's past misdeeds and the things alchemists were called on to do in the name of the state.
I once saw the manga in the bookstore, flipped to the first few pages, and put it down because it seemed almost like a panel-by-panel recreation of the first episode of the television show. However, I've since realized that once the story reaches a certain point around volume five, it becomes a completely different Fullmetal Alchemist. By the second season, the anime series had caught up with the plot of the manga, so the television writers created their own ending, and came up with their own explanations of several key points in the Fullmetal Alchemist world. So perhaps the best suggestion for fans who have memorized every episode of the television show is to borrow the first five volumes from the library or a friend to skim and then turn to the manga in full force after that point. I did enjoy reading every volume, though, even the early ones when I pretty much knew what was going to happen at every turn.
As I read, I did find myself constantly comparing the manga and anime version of events. In many cases, when an event occurred in both manga and anime form, I preferred the anime version. The anime tended to add more depth to several key scenes. However, I wonder if some of my opinions weren't colored by seeing the anime first rather than because that format was inherently better. I came to this conclusion after finding some really amazing sequences and plot points in later volumes that could rival anything the anime threw at us. Or perhaps I should be sad that those events never made it to the anime because maybe they would have been even more amazing in animated form.
I find that one of the biggest advantages of the manga over the anime is the increased focus on the military characters. Colonel Roy Mustang and his loyal subordinates are shown participating in some complex operations where things aren't always as they seem. Al is also given more of a chance to shine as his alchemy skills are allowed to develop a bit more than they ever did in the series. Other characters are essentially the same. Winry is still Ed's automail mechanic and oldest friend. Hughes still torments everyone with pictures of his daughter. Armstrong still sparkles. There are also some interesting manga-only characters from the nearby country of Xing.
Fans of the anime would do well to pick up this manga, and those who are completely unfamiliar with the world of Fullmetal Alchemist are in for a treat.
8:20 PM
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