Full Metal Alchemist

Japanese Title: Hagane no Renkin Jetsushi
Episodes: 51
Rating: PG
Release Studio: Funimation Productions
Release Year: 2004
Main Voice Actors:

Edward Elric ~ Vic Mignogna
Alphonse Elric ~ Aaron Dismuke
Winry Rockbell ~ Caitlin Glass
Scar ~ Dameon Clarke
Roy Mustang ~ Travis Willingham
Liza Hawkeye ~ Colleen Clinkenbeard
Jean Havoc ~ Mike McFarland
Alex Louis Armstrong ~ Christopher Sabat
Maes Hughes ~ Sonny Strait
Fuhrer King Bradley ~ Ed Blaylock
Lust ~ Laura Bailey
Envy ~ Wenny Powell
Gluttony ~ Chris Cason
Greed ~ Chris Patton

When two young boys lose their mother, they are willing to do anything to bring her back.... even if it is forbidden. Ed and Alphonse Elric attempt at bringing her back with alchemy, through equivilant exchange. But something goes wrong. Alphonse is taken before Ed's eyes and he loses one of his arms. Sacrificing his leg, Ed manages to transmute Al's soul into a suit of armor. Ed gets automail to replace his arm and his leg and the two boys set off on a journey to restore their bodies.

FMA is quite popular. If you'll watch it, then you'll realize why. FMA is funny, suspenseful, and breathtaking all at the same time. There are episodes that focus on humor or action alone so theme can vary per episode. Even if the trailer doesn't look appealing, watch this anyway. I wasn't interested in the trailer and I watched it. Now I'm hooked.

Personally, I like Vic Mignogna as Edward Elric but others comment on that Ed sounds too old and they prefer the Japanese VAs. I haven't heard the Japanese actors so I'm not going to comment on that. The English voices are fine. Even one of my favorites, Greg Ayres, appeared for a few episodes as a chimera so I was happy for that. Chris Patton played Greed perfectly and after hearing Laura Bailey as Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket), I never thought she'd be the one playing Lust. As a note, people complain on Envy's voice. From what I can understand, Envy is supposed to be male. In the English, Envy's voice is clearly female... Sex change, anyone?

FMA can really toss you around emotionally. Some scenes can really funny yet the next moment you are shocked in horror. For some reason, quite a few scenes I found shocking. I thought exactly the opposite of what was going to happen... Not a bad thing, it just everything keeps me guessing.

I love the story and art. This is a soon-to-be classic. Pick FMA up, no questions asked.