FMA:The Manga

I have officially began reading the manga version of Fullmetal Alchemist,or also originally known as "Hagane no Renkinjutsushi" (which translates literally as "Alchemist of Steel") and I have to say it's not too much different from the anime.

This is officially the first manga Ive read,and since I'm not the biggest comic book fan i prejudged manga as well, deeming them articles of literature I would always often oppose. However upon becoming a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, honestly, i want to know everything about it. Inside, outside, left, and right. Which is something that can not be done by watching its animes alone.

I'm tracing back where the series started, and honestly i am proud to say I've been enjoying it. The anime has captured the personalities of the characters well, something that's difficult to do when voices are not provided which is often to case to literature. The team apart of making the anime must have truly studied the manga version, because The Brotherhood stays very true to it. The original didnt stay true to everything, however it was nice to view a new adventure for those new to the series, as just opposed to the reviewing what's already been written with no surprises.

What are the opinions of the viewers? Do you enjoy the anime as much as the manga version?

Hail The Jean!

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All hail the subordinate "Jean Havoc"!

This week's episode had quite a few subjects going on,but mostly I was impressed with the performance of Roy Mustang's Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc.

Often seen with a cigarette,with the smell people compare to an ashtray, Havoc after the series of events involving Homunculus  "Lust", it would appear Havoc did not bleed to death as Lust intended. Havoc did in fact survive(which was beyond belief to me after seeing what Lust was capable of)however as of now he appeared to be temporarily paralyzed.

Havoc is a character I happened to like instantly. It didn't take much,as he is often cracking jokes and very loyal to his Major, Mustang .

It put a frown on my face to hear he was considering retiring. Believing to be paralyzed, he quoted that what Mustang needed in him required "Leg Work" ,and that he is no good to him in this useless state.

Another reason why I've grown to love Roy Mustang! He hasn't given up on any member of his team,as he stated to Havoc,and let him know that he'll leave him behind so he can catch up,and that there is no need to be at the top without all who got him there.

Another episode well done that helped me understand why this is referred to The Brotherhood., as it is not just the relationship between the Elric Brothers that share this feeling, but the entire character line up.

Anticipation for next episode is high!

With the week rearing to an end,I as a faithful fan cant wait to end the week with a recent episode of Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood.

Recently I was lucky enough to obtain the original American version of the 2003 anime series. Watching The Brotherhood I am seeing the similarities between the two. Honestly I'm not sure which one is better.

The original is a 13 disk set,that contains 51 episodes,28 of which I have finished. I believe I am at the point where the situations are the same but certain characters are different(e,i. Homunculi changes). The Brotherhood seems more series at some points,but I haven't had the opportunity of catching it from the very beginning. Only time will tell what I gain from tonight's ep,so stay tuned!

In your opinion,which is better? The original 2003 version or The Brotherhood?

Why I relate to Edward Elric...

I know this seems like a joke, especially considering that as a fan of Twilight, while I more a Team Jacob kinda girl, I did in fact fall for the lack of charm Edward Cullen had. I honestly thought he'd be my favorite fictional character named Edward! Thank God I educated myself on Full Metal Alchemist!

Granted, Ed Elric does have an uncontrollable kiddy temper that is more cute than annoying,and he's also a bit on the shorter side.,but who wouldn't love the infamous older half of "The Elric Brothers"?

Edward Elric may not be romantic like some unnamed Cullen kid(lol) and while they both seem to be willing to do whatever they must for the ones they love,Elric happens to have something Cullen does not. Unconditional Love!!!!!!! That's right! A love that most would lead to believe only people extremely close or actually be biological relatives to have the honour of feeling. Sure Cullen has siblings. In fact he has four. However it seems as though they're mostly family to make up appearances. In any of those books have I ever gotten the impression that their love was one that transcended bloodlines enough to love each other even through awkward times.

Example: Say Bella all of a sudden decided, "I will no longer be known as Bella,call me Ben" and assumed the identity as a man. Would Edward roll with that? Ha ha. I think not! However Edward Elric,as the most important person in his life being his brother,this issue,if ever brought out, would probably be an issue. But due to that annoying unconditional love beaming in out of nowhere,I'm sure he'd look past that if Alphonse happened to make the same choice.

I'm not saying love between a man and a woman isn't as beautiful as a mother and daughter,or two siblings. Without a man and woman falling in love,these other combinations would not even exist. But don't you agree that there are often things you can tell a family member, that you may be to ashamed to tell a significant other?

This is why i relate to Ed Elric. Because I know what it's like to have unconditional love for people. And this is why I love Elric over Cullen. Plus technically Elric came first,for however wants to argue with that logic. So he wins! End of story!

Van Hohenheim

Father Before The Grave was this week's episode. I just watched it and I'm here to give my critique. 


This week's episode featured the Elric's estranged father Van Hohenheim. As a daughter of a deadbeat father,I understand the misunderstanding feeling the Elrics may have about having a man just walk out of your life like nothing ever happened. However Hohenheim is a mysterious character I've yet to decipher as of yet.


Before watching the series as a regular the way I do now,I did research the characters and the plot,curious to see if it were as deep and well written as I'd always heard it was. Understand that no more than 2 years ago I was not an anime fan. Sailormoon was the most anime I would go,as I've always found anime to be a highly male dominated form of animated entertainment.


However I do know Hohenheim is an immortal,or close long living as an individual can be. Though his purpose to why he even left in the first place has me curious to where his character is headed. 


I am up for a wild ride I suppose, which I am all for! What do you think about the infamous Van Hohenheim?

Let's talk Mustang.....

Now I will be the first to admit,out a manifold of brilliantly designed characters,at first Roy Mustang was the character I enjoyed the least. I came into this series late so even though I don't dislike any specific character,I wasn't at all impressed by Mustang. A general who's nickname to the military is referred to as "The Flame Alchemist" due to his ability to cast fire based alchemy really shone on last week's episode of Full Metal Alchemist:The Brotherhood. I became so impressed by the loyalty and respect his team seems to show towards him but also I was surprised to realize he's not as stoic as I once thought. He showed compassion towards Maria Ross,a person sent to protect Edward Elric in their world's military,who was framed for the murder of Roy's personal friend Maes Hughes. Now if I didn't think Roy was capable of more than just flames,I would not be writing this post. I enjoyed how Roy not only handled himself as he carved a healing symbol into his body as he began bleeding to death after an attack from homunculi Lust(how is apart of a race created when people attempt human transmutation,an unnatural next to indestructible human),but the way he went about finally destroying Lust was nothing short of amazing. He used his last bit of strength to burn Lust over and over,showing just how dedicated to the job he was,as he was finally able to do what many alchemist haven't. Destroy an immortal homunculi. I will never question full metal alchemist characters again until I know their story. What did you guys think of last week's episode?

The start and the author

First of all,everything starts with an idea. As an aspiring writer(hence not getting paid)I know how coming up with a unique idea can be as simple as the imagination you have. I also know that when coming up with something people haven't been already been exposed to can be quite a process,as coming up with a well written plot AND memorable characters is often why some of the best stories can be overlooked. Hiromu Arakawa does this easily with her well renowned manga series "FullMetal Alchemist". While most writers take the easy route and create stories about eternal love,forbidden love, and anything having to do with capturing the audience of both men and women, Hiromu Arakawa takes the risk of creating a story surrounding two brothers. In their alternative universe, a science known as "Alchemy" is the most advanced form of scientific technique known to man. In the guidelines of this science, objects can be created from raw materials as long as something equal of value stands in it's place. One of it's most taboo practices is attempting to bring back people from the dead,an art no one has ever been able to accomplish due to the fact that a human body is made up of materials that are not hard to find,but a human soul is the only material alchemy can not just materialize, thus Human transmutation can ever be possible. Edward Elric and his younger brother Alphonse Elric attempt this forbidden art are the mere young ages after discovering their mother dead on the floor of their house. Being too young to know the risks,the Human Transmutation goes very wrong ripping both Alphonse's entire body and partially Edward's body apart. Once Edward realizes it's gone wrong he sacrifices his right arm to regain he soul of his brother so that he can attach his soul to a suit of ancient armour in the room,thus their journey to regain their full body's back begins. Hiromu,who often portrays herself as a bespectacled cow is said to be similar to Edward,something she often denies. As a person who has a very close sibling, I respect the risk of making a plot revolve around the love and devotion between two siblings. It's too often that people assume love can only be experienced deeply between two lovers,but not enough is focused on the devotion and importance of family. What do you think?