"Философиите, в които не се говори за болка, са безсмислени.
Защото няма как да получиш нещо, без да пожертваш друго"
С развитието на сюжета по нататък тези думи ще кънтят и ще придобият болезнен смисъл. Но всички ние знаем, че те са толкова правилни.
Историята и пътешествието на братята Елрик тепърва започва и ще премине през множество приключения и препятствия, докато открият и прозрат
докрай философията на равностойната размяна.


PS. Не съм си и помисляла, че ще имам възможността да прочета манга на български и то не коя да е, а една от любимите. Страхотно удоволствие беше да я прочета на български. Надявам се да продължат да издават и да я видим в завършен вид.

Really fun manga! It's somewhat similar to Dragon Ball with its playful and humorous tone and loveable characters, and it also has a more serious overarching plot and some very cool mythos and world building. Will definitely keep on reading.

Primera vez que leo manga y debo decir que me gustó, me cuesta un poco el orden de lectura pero disfruté la historia.

Hm. Scratched my brain real nice.

Buddy read with Bhavik
It's my first time reading this series and I'm hyped!

Looking forward to this so much, friend!

I've decided to review each volume by chapter, as each chapter has an underlying theme that can't be ignored. Also, it's mostly me rambling and fangirling so I apologise in advance. Compared to most of my "articulate" reviews, these will be a jumbled mess.

"The Two Alchemists" (二人の錬金術師 Futari no Renkinjutsushi) - containing one of the most memorable anime scenes of my childhood





"If you have enough faith, you'll definitely get bigger."


This is the volume where we are introduced to Alphonse and Edward - the Elric brothers. And boy it's such a fantastic introduction.



A little background of the world if you haven't watched/read FMA: Think if the industrial revolution took place with alchemy (a type of magic where different elements can be manipulated). This chapter is all about corrupted religious institutions and their effect on people.

I can't wait to be introduced to old favourites, but for now just seeing the brothers again is a treat. Still love that everyone assumes Alphonse is older. Edward's height often gets made fun of, which is always so much fun to read and watch.





So there's this asshole called Cornello who belongs to the house of the sun god, Leto. Cornello reportedly has the philosopher's ring, a ring of restoration - a ring that can bring people back from the dead.

Rose is an innocent girl who helps Cornello so that she can get her boyfriend back with the power of the philosopher's stone. After seeing my friend just lose her boyfriend so tragically and at such a young light, (and having a boyfriend of four years) I finally understand Rose's desperation.



What I love love love about this chapter is that it critcises the hubris of both religious people and atheists. It shows that no matter what our beliefs, we can all be asses and holier-than-thou about it.





Hiromu Arakawa is such a great writer! She shows that there is wisdom in the young and naivety in the old.

Minor spoiler: The chapter ends with the reveal of Ed's arm and the whole scene is glorious.



"The Price of Life" (命の代価 Inochi no Daika)

I find out funny how Cornello thinks that Ed has committed the greatest sin the sin of human transmutation what Cornello is doing is so much worse, especially given his age compared to when Ed did what he did. How can you blame two young boys for missing their mother after their father has walked out on them?



Fullmetal Alchemist understands the importance of having the right balance of text and images in a comic. It's busy, but it doesn't bust your brain and give you a comic-induced headache.



Al and Ed are just yin an yang - the fierce and gentle one, the proud and quiet one. I just love them. I love how they support each other on the road they have chosen - it's do or die to get their bodies back.



It's rare in any story where the characters start out with a burden and a sacrifice - many new books have a character who only picks up a burden on the way. But this is why FMA is such a gem. I also love that Ed doesn't stop Cornello with alchemy, but with wits.

Also, how could you not love Ed's facial expressions?



Ooh and do I love a good story that doesn't end in forgiveness but death instead. Forgive me, but I'm petty like that.

And what Ed says to Rose...powerful stuff.





Also a lovely introduction to some of the main villains is in order...

Chapter 3: "The Mining Town" (炭鉱の街 Tankō no Machi)

Since I've only watched the original anime series, a lot of this is uncharted territory from here on out for me. So I'm so excited!

A lot of good humour in this one. It also really highlights the prejudice against the alchemist military. I love how militia corruption is the main theme in this chapter, where previous chapters dealt with religious corruption. It shows the good and bad side of military members. Yoki is such an ass - he treats those below him badly but is a total sycophant to those above him.



"Kid, you don't get it. This is our home and our coffin."

This is such a good chapter that introduces us to the heart that Ed and Al have in helping others. They give so much, despite what they've lost.





Chapter 4: "Battle on the Train" (車上の戦い Shajō no Tatakai)

Crimes are being committed on trains by a bunch called the "blue group".



WE GET INTRODUCED TO HAWKEYE AND MUSTANG AND THE GANG. Peeps, it's getting real.

I'm Roy's number one fan, so everyone else can just move out the way please. IT"S MY ROYBOY



Alright - back to the story. So Ed and Al end up on one of the trains that the Blue Group is going to steal from. What the Blue Group doesn't know is that they picked the wrong hostages.



Ah, Alphonse. Always taking control while Ed kicks ass. <3 My boys. Al gets to shine a little in this one.



After reading the 4th chapter, I can't help but think that each bad guy in every chapter of this volume represents some kind of greed - and we all know that greed (and Greed) plays a huge role in this manga. In this volume, it's pirate guy. (I didn't pick up on his name)




Closing comments: I still believe that FMA is one of the most beautifully stylised manga in history. Also, this first volume shows us that although the philosopher's stone is the ultimate goal of our brothers, they never cease to help others along the way. We also get introduced to the Roy-Ed dynamic, which has always been one of my favourites.

All-in-all, this is a fullmetal start to my buddy read with Bhavik

I don't usually read graphic novels, but can definitely get into this series. Didn't realize that you read these books right-to-left so was pretty confused by the storyline at first! Once I figured all that out and got going found it entertaining, even if the 'plots' are basic. Starting the second book right away so that's got to stand for something.

Love love love love love.


It's actually been quite some time since I first read this volume, and now that my public library has finally started buying the series (just in time for me to leave town - thanks, guys) I checked out the first seven on a whim.

I'd actually forgotten a lot about this volume. Somehow I got the idea that the Cornello/Liore plot was stretched over the entire volume, and that Youswell was in V. 2, and obviously that was wrong - and the train thing I'd forgotten entirely. It was interesting to go back, too, and compare the art and plotting of this volume to that of the very end. Obviously, there is significant improvement, but the seeds of - dare I say it? Yes, I do - greatness to come are definitely here. In much the same way as a webcomic artist develops over time, the art and plotting improve as the series goes on, but this first entry is the furthest thing from shabby.

So anyhow, this volume. Yes. Youswell is my favorite plotline in it, possibly my favorite episodic entry in the series as a whole, because it really shows Ed's integrity as a character. I mean, all three plotlines do that, though the train one is not as good as the others just because its main purpose is to segue into an introduction of Mustang and Co. Youswell is still the best. It establishes so many things for the rest of the series - the idea of corruption in the military, Ed's renegade attitude, his almost instinctual commitment to doing the right thing no matter what, and more. It's really kind of amazing to look back on these first few chapters and wonder what Arakawa was thinking - I'd love to know how it is to work in manga publishing. Surely when she was writing/drawing these, she couldn't have imagined the massive success that would follow. What was she planning? The whole thing? And what a tragedy it would have been if the series had been canceled before it could run its full arc. (I assume this can happen in manga; it's only logical.)

I remember reading this for the first time and being interested but at the same time put off by the episodic style, which I expected to be the norm for the entire series. If anyone else out there has that niggling worry, be not afraid: fairly quickly, a full arc asserts itself and it'll sweep you up entirely.







Original rambling fangirly review under the spoiler tags - no actual spoilers.
EDIT:

So, I have this theory. Your first lengthy manga series is like your first Doctor Who. (Eccleston doesn't count; he's more like a short manga.) There is a certain undying loyalty that goes with it. For me, my first Doctor was Matt Smith. (Except for the aforementioned Eccleston; I did see the second episode of the first series and 'The Empty Child' before I saw 'The Eleventh Hour'.) Ergo, my loyalty as a viewer is to Smith, in defiance of all the rabid Tennant fans out there.
In the same way, FMA was my first long manga. And really, I don't think anything will ever top it for me. What are you looking for in your story today? Would you like some kickass magic? How about an elegant and thorough plot? How about deep questions and powerful themes? And perhaps a side of laughs? And with all that, as a bonus, we'll throw in a gang of strong heroines to make up for the lack in much American YA.
I'm glad I read this when I did, since I think it partly got me through my AP Chemistry homework. But I also envy those who get to read it now that it's completed. Seriously, those last few chapters had me on tenterhooks for weeks.



I'll admit, I was surprised at how dang much I enjoy this series. But the story's really well done- enough drama, horror, humour and just plain AWESOMENESS to keep me intrigued and on my guard.
I've started watching the anime now, and I'm not wild about how they're rearranging the chronology; otherwise, both versions are good.

***

Okay, so at this point I'm about 3/4 of the way through the 2003 anime- I'll get to Brotherhood this summer, I swear!- and I'm really confusing myself. So a note- while it does help to have read the manga when watching the anime, do not do this concurrent. Because things go one way in the manga and another in the anime and it gets so baffling sometimes. I have to quiz someone who's seen/read both to get things straight- who's Bradley in this one, who's dead, what happens where/when, etc.

I don't understand how anyone would prefer the anime to the manga, honestly. The manga's much more complex and interesting to me; the anime's condensed and loses some of the subtler characterization, sub-plots, and world development Arakawa put in.

***

I WILL NOT RANT ABOUT THE SHITTY ENDING OF THE ANIME. I WILL NOT. I WILL NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SHANNARA-ESQUE EPIC COPOUT. I WON'T, I WON'T, I WON'T.

***

In other news:
Gah, I am in so much love with this series. I'm going to get caught up this week. 106 is on OneManga, so it's certainly possible.
Particularly happy with:
Everything in the north, pretty much. Briggs ftw. I imagine myself there. Though I'd totally die. And zOMG, I'd steal Ed's fur-lined coat. FUZZY!
Manga Sloth has so much Slothness on anime Sloth.
Is it bad that I kind of like Gluttony? As a character, not fangirling, but I think he's funny and kind of charming in a really friggin dangerous little kid way.
I love Arakawa's extras. Especially Riza and the Pride-stickers. I lol'd so hard.
I've spent far too much time looking up fanart for this on DeviantArt. Especially Royai. Definitely an OTP.

Soy una lectora simple: si sale Roy chiquito bebé ,es una buena lectura para mi ♥️

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/ZiH7ZpvjCwY

What an entertaining first volume!

I didn't know anything about Fullmetal Alchemist before I read this. I haven't seen manga pages or anime clips, so I went in completely blind and I must say that it is very different than I expected. The only thing I've been told is that the beginning is really sad and think I had this vague idea that the series is going to be on the darker and sadder side? I was quite surprised that it was a lot funnier than I anticipated with some well-drawn action panels that were easy to follow (which is something I always need with shonen manga or I'm loss LOL)!

Edward surprisingly has a temper and can really kick some butt. I was also surprised to see how powerful he is and that he's pretty young? From what I googled, he's between 15 and 16 so not TOO young, but I guess I thought him to be older.

However, even with his temper you can tell he really has a heart for his brother and for helping people see the truth (and just helping people). My heart really went out to Rosé and how adamant(?) the Elric brothers wanted her to understand the price that has to be paid in trying to bring someone back to life. It was hard and you can really see the hardship that these brothers went through. I'm definitely hoping they are successful in getting Al's original body back!

And speaking of, Al is SO sweet! He is the perfect balance to Edward's temper and found him to be a fun character too! I'm looking forward to seeing more of him on page!

This first volume had some great action and especially loved the chapter at the mines because I felt we see more of who Edward is. The last chapter was cool too because we meet someone else that I could imagine is going to play an interesting role later on.

Really, this whole first volume was good. It was different, but I'm looking forward to the second volume!

Quiero empezar diciendo que la moraleja de esta historia es nunca, Nunca, por lo que más quieras NUNCA dejes a niños sin supervisión.

n  Edward y Alphonse Elricn son unos niños prodigios en Alquimia, la ciencia que parece magia, por una razón, bastante comprensible y dramática, ellos van a cometer uno de los pocos tabús que existen en la alquimia, la transmutación humana, tratando de recuperar a su madre, trayendo consigo, catastróficas consecuencias

Alphonse pierde su cuerpo humano y Edward pierde un brazo y una pierna, a partir de este momento ambos se fijaran una meta, conseguir la piedra filosofal para poder recuperar sus cuerpos…

Así Edward se convertirá en un alquimista nacional al servicio de los militares, sacrificando su infancia y la de su hermano, aprendiendo la regla primordial de la alquimia, el intercambio equivalente

n  El hombre no puede obtener nada sin primero dar algo a cambio. Para crear, algo de igual valor debe perderse. Esa es la primera ley de la Alquimia de la Equivalencia de Intercambio.n

La historia es muy elaborada, con matices psicológicos que paran los pelos, trama política, religiosa y militar muy bien desarrollada, puedo decir sin lugar a dudas que este es uno de los mejores mangas que existen, combinando maravillosamente acción y una historia excepcional, como pocos lo hacen.


Por su originalidad, sus protagonistas únicos, su onda steampunk, y su buena dosis de drama, recomiendo este manga a todo el mundo, ya sea si eres fanático de este estilo de comic japonés o eres nuevo en su mundo.

n  Levántate y camina, persigue tus sueños, tienes dos piernas en perfecto estado para hacerlo.n

P.D. también recomiendo sus adaptaciones como animes, el primero del 2002, como el segundo del 2009, siendo este último, Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood la adaptación más fiel y con el mejor final.

Ahora sí, no escribo más ;-)

Fullmetal Alchemist in its anime form is one of my favorite television shows. I watch it religiously, even now that I have seen every episode. I never read manga before and basically, I picked up this edition because of my devotion to the program.

This first installment of the manga is damn near close to (if not completely) identical to the first few episodes of the show. I won't give away the plot twists, just for those of you who haven't seen it yet. The essential storyline, though, is that brothers Ed and Al attempt to use alchemy to bring back their mother from the dead. Instead, Ed loses some limbs and Al loses his whole body. Despite the fact that Al's soul is encased in a suit of armor, Ed is actually the Fullmetal Alchemist (I think "Fullmetal" is a translation of Japanese slang for pigheaded). Ed ends up working for the military and Al comes along with him and the ultimate hope is that, while working as alchemists, they can find the Philosopher's Stone that will hopefully restore their bodies.

The theme of the series is Equivalent Exchange, the idea that in order to gain something, one must give up something of equal value. It's something I believe as truth even in the world of non-alchemists, so perhaps that's why I'm drawn to this series.

No esperaba quedar tan prendada y enamorada de algo. Lo tomé porque anhelaba romper mi bloqueo lector y terminé con ganas de ordenar el segundo tomo a la de ya. La historia y arte de Hiromu se merecen un premio por sí solos. La cantidad correcta de humor, drama y acción. ¡Me encanta!