Fullmetal Alchemist Box Set

I really love this set,

I highly enjoy the Fullmetal Alchemist series,
you get the entire Manga series plus an extra Novel, buying each book cost almost $10 each which cost all together 280 bucks but now you can get for a 125 dollars

If you want the entire manga series, well you could not get any cheaper than this set I highly Suggest you buy this set.

Love both anime series, and now I have the source material. So wonderful. The packaging is great, too, coming in an attractive box that can be used to store the manga set. Great gift for any fans of FMA out there!

I've always loved the anime series so i wanted to buy the manga to compliment my collection. This offer is just so great! Its cheaper than buying them seperate and you get the awesome box with extra volume and a poster! What could you want more? Its a very good investment, I absolutely recommend this box set.

The box set got here in two days since i payed for 2 shipping the box set had a couple of dents from the shipping I guess and my boxset did not include the 3 holographic books which sucks now I gotta call the store and ask them why but other then that this was an amazing product

Pros:
Cheap (containing all 27 volumes for this series)
It came in good condition
Delivered before the estimated time.

Cons:
Poster is smaller than expected
only first 3 volumes had metallic covers (i guess im just picky)

overall, great deal and worth it.

I haven't got to open the product as it is a birthday present for a friend, but I've read the manga before, and it is flawless. The package arrived in great condition, and the boxart is lovely. I doubt anyone could possibly be disappointed.

I wont get into the content of the manga, but I will say that it is one of the best I have ever read and you have to at least check it out if your into manga.

The packaging is phenomenal, the outer case is very durable and has a nice glossy finish to it. It has a nice handle on top to carry it around if you'd like. All the original manga are divided into 2 sections with volumes 1-14 on the top and volumes 15-27 and the light novel "The Ties That Bind" on the bottom, as well as the two sided poster. The poster is of decent size, a little smaller than the box's width and height and is of very nice quality. My only complaint with the entire box set is with the poster though. It was folded twice so that it would be the size of the manga volumes. I don't understand why they would decide to package it like this as I will never hang it up because of the god awful creases in it that you can't completely get rid of, at least I don't know how. This really kinda sucks as I would have loved to frame it and hang it up but this is by no means a deal breaker. The volumes were in excellent condition which is too be expected.

So all in all I say if you haven't been collecting the manga and are a huge fan/collector then this is a must buy, heck even if you have like 10 volumes it's worth it as your getting them for half the price individually as well as the light novel and poster. So go buy it and support the industry.

Love this product! I am so happy to have all of my favorite manga in one box! Unfortunately i cannot gice it five stars since I got it the box and it had a few problems on the outside, but the books and poster were fine.

If you're a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and don't own the manga yet, buy this. It's the definition of top quality. It's worth more than what you're paying, to be honest.

If you're a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and already own the manga, buy this. Throw your old set away. The Fullmetal Edition is superior anyway.

Fullmetal Alchemist is arguably one of the most well developed stories since the beginning of time. Everything about the series is perfect. This box set, though nice, is not.

The boxing is perfect. It's colorful, durable, and just looks and feels awesome. It has a handle to let you pick up and carry its heavy self around. It also has a velcro cover that you can open to reveal all the books hidden inside, and seal em back in once you're done. The box is just awesome overall. The only bad side to it, is that the velcrow that holds the flap comes off fairly easy, and you'll probably have to hot glue it to the box to keep it from coming off. Now to the manga.

This is the point where I became slightly disappointed in the package. The mangas are new edition prints for the most part, but Viz did not fix the few translation/other errors from previous issues. By translation issues, I mean translating some of the character names wrong (In one manga it's spelled Dr. Knox, in another other it's Dr. Knocks ect...) The prints decided to use Ishbal as the translation for Ishval too (I was hoping they'd fix this translation in the boxset because Ishval is the correct translation). Besides name inconsistencies, some names are butchered. Xerxes in the manga is a mess of a word that's something like Cselcesse now. There are a decent amount of typos in the manga too, which I can't understand how they still exist in the newest prints. Randomly words will be missing, and blank space will take their place. The words are for the most part easy to predict, so you basically know what should be there, but that's not very professional. Also, there's a time where Edward calls Alphonse Ed. Don't they read the translations before they ship em haha?

Note that the more serious vocal profanities are censored. Those words are replaced with random assortments of symbols like $%&#! "Because I'm #%$&ing Greed!" is an example of when it was used. It kind of ruins the professionalism of the series, but it's in no way a deal-breaker. I must commend Viz on realizing that this boxset is solely for hardcore fans though; They no longer censored the greed on a crucifix scene. Besides an assortment of various typos/translation messups, the actual set is pretty good. The manga itself is so good, that you'll probably ignore Viz's somewhat inconsistent job.

Overall, I think the boxset is worth it. Though, Viz didn't put enough time into fixing previous mistakes (I say they should have contacted Ms. Arakawa for the correct English translations like Mel Bay did with Fairy Tail), new fans won't notice much, but may get confused by some name inconsistencies in the manga. The physical quality of the set is great! Looks awesome in my room, and it's super easy to grab and put away the chapters without dust getting in!
At a much cheaper price then other sites, get it at the store!

The manga that started it all and inspired the 2nd anime series. I've seen both shows and right now I'm reading the manga and enjoyed it thus far. I would highly recommend this to any fan of either of the two shows.

I fell in love with the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime, and then I rewatched The Brotherhood when the episodes were completed. I loved The Brotherhood, and wanted to read the manga. This box set was a gift to myself, and I was very, very pleased with this purchase :) It's perfect!

The translations are quite accurate (read Japanese version as well), books are in great condition, and I was even surprised by the extra novel they packed in (even if not written by Arakawa-san, still quite interesting). This serious is hands-down the best manga I've ever read - and there have been dozens. Don't hesitate to buy - the price is amazing, and the quality even better. Support your local cow today! :)

Full of action, which is cool. But the storyline was broken up into amped up situations with very little connecting them. I lived that the series sets up the notion that alchemy comes at a price right from the start but, because of the main character's mastery of alchemy, that price isn't really seen in practice.

The ordering process was easy and set came timely. The only issue was the set inclued 2 book #15 and no # 16. the store was quick to offer $ refund or exchange set. I was unable to find a book #16 of that year so elected to return set for exchange.

I am only giving this one star because it wont work on the kindle pc software. Every time I tried downloading it I get an error telling me it isn't compatible with this device (kindle pc). I re-downloaded the Kindle PC software thinking maybe it needed updated but the same error kept happening; and since downloadable items aren't returnable I am out $3.

After having such a fun time reading through the entirety of Dragon Ball last year, I decided that I wanted to try out another popular manga series. I cut it down to a few contenders, and was on the fence between starting Fullmetal Alchemist and Naruto, deciding on this in the end because it is the shorter series (though both have a considerable amount of material, Naruto has much more). After this first volume, I'm not sure if I'll continue on with this, or give volume one of Naruto a chance as well and then decide which to move on with. I liked this first volume, but it wasn't incredible.

Fullmetal Alchemist is the story of brothers and alchemists Edward and Alphonse Elric. After a botched attempt at bringing their mother back to life through alchemical means, they are nearly killed and their bodies destroyed. While they are able to survive using metal components as limbs (and something far more drastic in Alphonse's case), they are on a mission to remedy the damages they've wrought.

As I mentioned this is just the beginning of a long series, and it seems that manga like this one can sometimes take a while to get going. I liked it, and I'll give it its fair chance.

Two brothers dabbled in alchemy for selfish purposes and sustained horrible injuries. Alphonse Elric nearly died and his soul was transferred into a suit of armor. His older brother Edward lost an arm and a leg which were replaced by mechanical limbs. You'd think Alphonse would be the Fullmetal Alchemist but that title goes to his brother. Edward is more adept at alchemy (the transmutation of natural objects) and has become a government agent. He uncovers corruption and fraud and sets things right.

Three separate adventures are told in this issue, so there's no grand story arc. The brothers fight bad guys by their wits or by their alchemy. The big dramatic twist (which I haven't mentioned) in their origin story makes them very sympathetic characters. But other than restoring Alphonse's human body, they don't have any big goals. The stakes never feel very big--maybe they will build up to something bigger in future issues. I am curious enough to continue on.

Recommended.

After reading all the reviews and looking around for better prices, the store once again had the best deal with the quickest shipping. I got this in 2 days with Prime and it came in perfect condition. It was in a box with a little bit of bubble packing, if it took longer than 2 days to ship then it would have probably would have been a little banged up or scuffed but luckily for me, mine came in great shape. Other reviewers mentioned the books themselves are a little damaged, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary except for a few itty bitty tears at the edges of the book spines. Not noticeable unless you're looking for damage. Translation errors were also mentioned. I'm only halfway through book 3 but I did notice some errors here and there. Rose's name has an accented E at the end and swears are bleeped out with symbols which is unfortunate because it's very jarring to see in a translated manga. Makes me pause and lose my concentration. It's strange because the Funimation dub had many swears that weren't bleeped out in the Brotherhood anime but any bad word is censored in the manga...

Either way! This is exactly what I wanted. The whole series in a set, and it came with added bonuses like the novel and a double sided poster. I'm sure if you bought the books individually, they'd have extras like higher quality cover art and a couple full color pages but all I wanted was a physical copy of the FMA manga so for it to come in a collector's box is pretty cool. Easy to carry around.

Originally posted at https://mylifemybooksmyescape.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/manga-review-fullmetal-alchemist-vol-1-fullmetal-alchemist-1-by-hiromu-arakawa/
4.5/5 Rating

I used to watch this anime all the time when I was in high school! After Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh as a kid, this was first anime that I got hooked on when I was older. ('Older' meaning around 15. I'm in my twenties now and I watch more anime now that I did when I was twelve XD) Why has it taken me this long to finally jump into the manga though? I have no idea. But, I'm here now, and are excited to finally read these!

This first volume definitely feels like an introduction into the series, having an episodic feel.

Chapters 1 & 2 start off with the brothers at an outdoor food joint. Over a speaker we hear a man, Father Cornello, preaching to the people of the Sun God. We learn that apparently Cornello has the ability to perform 'miracles', and has gathered a following of everyone in the town. A girl, Rose, is one of these devote followers and is looking to him to perform a task that is seemingly impossible. The brother suspect that the only way he would be able to perform an act of that magnitude would be through alchemy, and only with the possession of the Philosopher's Stone...

Chapter 3 has the two brothers walking into a mining town looking for a little R&R. They quickly find out that the mining people are actually under this tyrant and unjust rule of Lieutenant Loki, who has been unfairly taxing the people, cutting into their wages, using money to bribe people in the government for his own rule, and leaving the towns folk to essentially starve.

Chapter 4 takes place on train where a government General, along with the whole train, has been taken hostage by an extremist group known as Blue Squad. It is up to Al and Ed to now save the train, general, and all the hostage on board.

The Fullmetal Alchemists series is about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are both Alchemists. Alphonse Elric is the younger brother, who wears a GIANT full body armor suit, however it is his older brother Edward Elric, who is known as the 'fullmetal alchemist'.

For those of you who don't know what alchemy is, it's essentially being able change to anything into anything - i.e. turning a loaf of bread into chair would be completely possible with alchemy. This is because everything is made up of the same elements, and only differ in the amounts and arrangements of them - think chemistry.

Right away into the story we see what alchemy is capable of, how it is performed, and learn the most important rule of all...

"To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost"

From first few pages Edward appears to have this very confident, slightly cocky personality, and can be quick to lose his temper (especially is you call him short!) Meanwhile, Alphonse - who is tremendously bigger than Edward - instantly gives off the feeling of being a little brother; slightly shy, very kind, and always calling Edward, "Big Brother". You get the sense Al looks up to him greatly.

Hiromu begins to lay down the foundation of the Elric Brother's past, and why it is that they are in search of this Philosopher Stone. As we get into the mining town, we begin to learn more of who it is that Ed works for - The State Alchemists. We see his feelings toward his position, and how some of the common people perceive what it is that these State Alchemists do. We also start to learn some of the laws that the government has put in place for alchemists, and what kind of person Edward is.

The fourth chapter was personally my favorite. Tons of action, fighting, and alchemy! (The chapter is called, 'Battle on the Train'). While the first three were more of a meet-and-greet, setting the foundation - this was all run-and-gun! There is a great scene with a Chimera earlier on, but that was a few pages - this is a whole chapter! It shows the potential of how alchemy can be manipulated and also the type of fast-pace that the story can achieve if wanted.

The overall pacing of the volume was very balanced. In the first couple chapters I would find myself taking time to read the dialog, and see the emotions draw on the faces. Then in the last chapter, felt like I didn't read a single word. There was so much going on! I felt like the drawings could tell the story themselves and I wanted to see what was going to happen.

In the both parts - character dialogs and action scenes - there is so much humor! Hilarious at times! I was a big fan of Hiromu's art style. One of the things I love about manga and anime, is the over-the-top exaggerations the artists do on the faces to emphasize certain emotions that characters are feeling. When Edwards gets 'that face' when someone calls him short, midget, or runt - I can't help but laugh even harder!

The dialogs, drawings of the background settings and characters, it all came together quite well. There was good balance where neither was overpowering or lacking to each other. There was (my college writing prof would hate me for saying this) a good "flow".

We have humor, action, alchemy (aka. magic), like-able main characters, mysterious/unknown background to these characters, and an intriguing plot being built up. No reason not to continue reading on.

Having watched most of the original anime, just from reading volume 1, I already like it more than the show!

4.5/5 Rating

-DJ

Edward Elric is the well renown Fullmetal Alchemist, a genius in alchemy working for the state at a young age. But his true purpose is his own research and trying to repair the damage done when he and his brother Alphonse attempted one of alchemy's most forbidden practices.

FMA is a great fantasy adventure story with a lot of action and suspense. But it's quite a bit more than that too. The worldbuilding is incredible, Ed and Al are strong, multi-dimentional leads, and heavy themes of loss and consequences are interwoven superbly.

Even in this first volume several layered plot threads are introduced and glimpses of the horrible burden the brothers carry underscore the melancholy atmosphere being developed. These opening stories also immediately establish how things work and the general principles and taboos of alchemy without slowing down the pace. I particularly like how events organically lead to explanations, like when Al's helmet is knocked off and Ed has to share some of their history and moves on to comments about messing with powers beyond their control.

I loved the original FMA anime and it was nice to revisit the story and check out the source material here. They are very similar this early in the narrative, and comparing I think the anime surprisingly surpassed the manga a bit here. Still, this version is excellent in its own right and we're only getting started.

Very similar to the anime. I think a bit close to Brotherhood at first. Ed's expressions seem a bit more mature for some reason and he seems snarkier. Al is sweet as always. It quickly gets into the story. The action is easy to follow. Good balance of art and text. I love how these brothers work together. They have quickly learned from a heavily tolled mistake and seem to be doing there best to right what they can of it. Part fantasy with the alchemy and lots of action but there is also good character depth that has me craving more.

This is likely targeted to those who love the series rather than as an introduction to newer readers. That said, this is a lovely presentation and more than suitable for both audiences. Most of the extras were not available in my advance review copy but it was lovely to see the color pages that began several chapters.

Story: Al and Ed are two unique brothers: one gifted with the ability to use alchemy (magic) to convert one object into another. The other only a soul locked in a suit of armor - unable to grow up until he gets his body back. For the Elric brothers, when younger, attempted the taboo: to resurrect their mother who died suddenly. They paid a heavy price for their folly: Al lost his body and Edward lost his leg. Through a further bargain with 'the other side' Al then gave up his arm to get his brother's soul back - which he promptly placed in the armor. Now working for the government, they are searching for the philospher's stone - an all-powerful object that Ed believes can be used to bring back his brother's body.

Those who have seen the Netflix movie will see many familiar scenes here - but in their original story. Shou Tucker, Nina and her dog, the renegade 'priest', Mustang, Hughes, Lust, Envy, and Gluttony. The story is a bit different since it did not need to be condensed like the movie in order to fill the two hour time slot. But at the same time, this volume 1 really showcases well why the Fullmetal Alchemist story is so beloved: its pathos, action, imagination, and even heartbreak.

The scans are very clean and although I only have the digital versions, it is clearly more coherent and nicely updated than the original manga of a few years ago. I look forward to seeing the actual hardcover upon release. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I just started to get into Anime and Manga a year ago, and one of the first series I saw was Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and instantly became one of my all-time favorite series so I decided to check the Manga.

Fullmetal Alchemist is an epic story filled with great plot, characters and excitement, sometimes the comedy can be a bit "childish" and happens at the most inopportune moments but it all depends on your type of humor.

This collection retains the japanese style of reading right to left as it's supposed to be. It took me almost an hour to finish each book so it's really a great value, you'll get hours of enjoyment. The books are of nice quality although they don't contain any color pages, everything is in black and white (some pages look as if they were done in color originally, but I'm not sure). Every book and every page included was in top-notch condition. I have not read the Extra Novel yet.

The box itself is very nice, it holds all the 27 books + extra novel in place and it looks very durable. A small poster is included as an extra too.

Overall this is a great series, and this complete collection is a great value. Highly Recommended.

I used to hate anime and manga as a whole. That was until I decided to watch the Fullmetal Alchemist anime on a whim. Saw all 51 episodes and the movie in two days- yes, it was that addictive. Fresh out of anime and disgusted with the end of the series/movie, I bought the manga. And believe it or not, the manga is even better than the anime.

At first, it dosn't seem that much different from it, but once you get into the series, oh how much more does it offer! The charactrization is deeper, and so is the plot. Every month I'm still left on a great big hanger wondering what's going to happen next. Not only is the story line, characters, and action great, this manga is chock-full of heart and morals. Some of the stuff in here is pretty deep, don't be decieved by it. And for a mythology/symbolism nut like me, it offers a lot of entertainment.

For those of you who haven't seen the anime, the plot goes like this:

Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers from a rural town in the country of Amestris, tried to resurrect thier dead mother with the help of alchemy. However, things take a thing for the worse- the transmutaion goes horribly wrong, and Ed looses an arm and leg. Alphonse looses his entire body. Ed then transmutes Al's soul to an empty suit of armor, and Ed's limbs are replaced with Automail ( steel posthetics). The two brothers then set out on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone(this is nothing like Harry Potter, don't worry)which is the only thing that can return thier bodies to a normal state. In order to do this, Ed ends up working as a State Alchemist. And that's only the begining. Hiromu Arakawa keeps us constantly on our toes with so many plot twists, it's impossible to get bored of this manga.

So if you liked the anime, is a fan of manga, likes fantasy books, or is just looking for a fun read, go buy this series.

Word to younger readers- this manga does contain a lot of violence, but very little else besides that. I wouldn't let most pre-teens read it, but then again, it all depends on the maturitly level. Otherwise, this is an extremly great series.

I bought "Full Metal Alchemist, Vol. 1" while on vacation and found myself sucked in right away. For all the manga I have read over the years, I'd really started to become burned out on how many memes and storytelling conventions repeat themselves across titles. While it's certainly not immune to cliches, Full Metal Alchemist does a very clever job of fusing science fiction and fantasy in a story that is engaging and makes you want to read more. Because this is the first volume in the series, it's hard to say much more about the main characters (Alphonse and Edward Elric) without giving away the entire point of the story, so instead I'll give you an overview of the world in which our story takes place.

The world of Full Metal Alchemist is a place where magic can be practiced, but it is "Alchemy" - the art of transforming one material into another and/or reshaping it to your desires. For example, a talented alchemist could lay hands on a rock and, with some magic and mind-power, cause it to turn to steel and take the shape of a cannon. While their capabilities often rely on their imagination to be able to think up the best way to use their skill, the Alchemists are also bound by some very basic rules. For example, the materials must trade like for like--you cannot use a handful of marbles to build a palace. You cannot create something from nothing. And you most definitely should not try to defy the basic laws of nature, such as by recreating yourself or bringing the dead back to life. Our heroes have learned some very hard lessons about this, but what makes them so endearing is the amount of heart the Elric brothers show. Both are highly motivated to learn from magic the answers to questions no one else would dare to ask. Where some manga titles have the aloof, arrogant young hero, Edward and Alphonse are genuinely "good" heroes.

If you enjoy reading manga and would like to try something different, I highly suggest you introduce yourself to the world of Full Metal Alchemist by trying this first title. With luck you'll see what a breath of fresh air it can be--and like me, you'll be eager to see where the story goes next.

For fans of the anime, this series is a must read. First off, the anime was based on this manga series. The original anime split off in development pretty early on and ended some time ago. For those of you disappointed in that ending you simply must read this manga, and watch the new Brotherhood anime which follows it much more closely. The storyline is so much better and this is one of those cases where the book is ten times better than anything you have seen on screen.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story Fullmetal Alchemist turns out to be an engaging series set in the early 1900's about a paranormal world where alchemy is real and its effects on the world and artifacts that increase its power are at once magical and beautiful, sinister and deadly. Transforming something from a broken to a fixed state is handy, transforming something into a grotesque pantomime of what it should be, not so much.

The opening to this book is a shock that makes you sit up and take notice. They start you right at the moment that Ed discovers that he is missing his leg (no clean cut, either) and that his brother is gone. It very much sets the tone for the rest of the book, and the series! Very dark and frightening with many hard lessons to be learned and sacrifices that need to be made to set things right after this very gruesome beginning. Right at the end of that first page the book snaps to several years later and you have to read on to find out why Ed and Al are the way they are and what exactly made them that way. Definitely a page turner to find out more about these characters and the lives they have been forced to lead since that very disastrous decision they made as children.

The first volume is made up of a series of adventures as Ed and Al try and get their original bodies back. They know that human transmutation is beyond their power alone (just look at what happened last time they tried!) so they seek out the power of the Philosopher's Stone. Ed's power as the youngest State Alchemist (and dog of the military) ever, at age 12, both aids him and gets him in more trouble than he ever would have gotten into on his own.

There were lots of funny moments to lighten up the plot. Ed is a very stubborn and petulant child for all that he is in neck deep in an adult world. He throws huge fits when people call him "little", and refuses to drink milk because it's gross. Also, the constant confusion the public has thinking the suit of armor is the Fullmetal Alchemist and that the short kid is his little brother and not the other way around results in some spectacular displays of temper on Ed's part used to great comedic effect.

This is a great introduction for the series, it gives you just a taste of who these characters are and what they are setting out to do. There is a great balance struck between the horror, violence, comedy, hints of romance, and adventure throughout. I would definitely recommend it for teen and up though because of the gruesome violence and Ed's occasional potty mouth. If you want to know the rest, you have to read it to find out!

I started watching the Fullmetal Alchemist series about two months ago, and it was defiently a good anime.
the story is always keeping you on your toes, wanting more and more until you'll want to finish it in a night! It has heart-wrenching moments and funny, light ones, like whenever Ed is called short. But it can go pretty deep, many in which would twist your mind in a boggling way. Aside from all of the violence, it's a really beautiful show, letting you see the center of their world and it's mysteries.

The fullmetal alchemist series is NOT following the manga, the manga and the anime are comepletely different. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood which came out in 2009, follows it. The Brotherhood, by the way, and the original are not seasons, they're two comepletely different versions. Probably because the creator, Hiromu Arakawa, wanted something else. But they're techinacally the same thing. The story is about two teens
named Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric, both had lived in a town with their mother. Their mother had died from a disease of some sort, and the boys decided to bring her back. Ed had lost his leg while trying to commit human transmutation on his mother and Al had lost his entire body to the "toll". Then, Ed sacrified his arm to bind Al's soul to a suit of armor. Because of that, Ed had artifical limbs called "Automail" and both decided to get back what they lost. I won't say anymore or there won't be a point to the show.

I defiently recommend this show to anyone,except people under 10 or 11. But it depends on how mature they are and how they'll respond to this show. This is for those who want science, fantasy, action, and drama!

One of the most successful comic series in Japan, "Fullmetal Alchemist" follows the story of the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric. The brothers both lost their bodies (partially and entirely) because of their failed attempt to resurrect their dead mother, using the alchemy, or the mystical powers. In their quest to discover the way to restore their bodies, the brothers meet a variety of characters who might help, or confront them.

Creator Hiromu Arakawa has successfully created a unique fictional universe that looks very much like Europe or North America during the Industrial Revolution. The difference is that 15-year-old boy Edward, clad in "Auto-mail," is a state alchemist, and in this world alchemist is scientist. Edward can change objects (clay into gold, for instance) using this "advanced science."

The comic includes some serious issues and violence (not very graphic), but these tense moments are offset by plenty of humor and jokes. I don't say Hiromu Arakawa's illustrations are the best of the kind (she is not very good at drawing the backgrounds), but characters are fun to see with their colorful facial expressions.

The ongoing comic has been serialized in Square Enix's "Monthly Shonen Gangan" since the August issue in 2001. The volume 1 covers the four episodes from the August to November issues, 2001. As the original episodes have been published monthly, each chapter of the book is considerably long, allowing for the room for every character to fully develop.

The English translation itself is nice. Some changes are made, but they are understandable. For example, in p.151, Edward actually cries out "Mijinko (meaning Water-flee)" in the original Japanese, which I am afraid isn't funny spoken in English. The publisher VIZ provides translated FXs, but seems to have removed all the original Japanese ones. Also, in the Japanese original edition different fonts are often used to express the various kinds and degrees of emotions of the characters (especially, Edward), but the English edition uses the same font throughout. Maybe this is a minor thing. Or maybe not. You decide.

Square Enix's biggest hit "FMA" is a unique blend of dramas, actions, adventures, comedy and mythology. The beginning part may be slightly confusing, but please keep reading. Once you get the basic background information about the main characters, you will be drawn into the manga's world.

Two dolls referred to in the extra comic are both famous in Japan; one is "Peko-chan," the mascot of the confectionary store chain Fujiya Co. and the other is "Kuidaore-Taro," the mascot of the (now closed) restaurant in Osaka, "Kuidaore." No wonder Alphonse refused to be in either of them.

FullMetal Alchemist Volume 1 is the introduction to the FMA series. The story follows the life that the two brothers "Edward Elric" and the older "Alphonse Elric" face after their run in with an experimental accident.

FMA's interesting focus, as the name implies, is that of alchemy. In a sense alchemists in this manga, use the power of alchemy (either fire, copper, water, etc) to transmutate items into other items. Some of the cases in which it is used in this volume are definitely over the top but it makes for interesting scenes in the volume. Fans of alchemy will even see a run in with the famed philosopher's stone. One final feature of the manga that may set it apart from other series is that several people have auto-mail, which appears to be, though it is not explained, a metallic piece that can take on several shapes for people. One character uses it as a knife/blade.

Character wise, the brother's horrible mistake in the past make them to be interesting characters. Their past allows readers to see what drives them. The first plot point introduced is that they are trying to revive their mother or to recover the part of their bodies that they lost in the accident. The second plot point is introduced at the end, and that is that there is some organization that is driving horrible events, such as one of the major plot points in the story that I shall not ruin.

The artwork is amazing to be honest. The action scenes look well and at times I can almost visualize them in action much further beyond the scope of the panel. The shading is amazing, the designs are amazing, and the character design is fun. I love the hilarious faces that Edward makes at multiple times throughout the series. Because of this, he seems to have the more developed personality in this volume.

Also, I have not seen the anime, though I could imagine that it would be a great complement to this manga for several of the scenes in this manga must look amazing in action.

I had heard the title of this series mentioned quite a bit in anime circles, and I found a copy of the first volume of the manga at my local library. I decided to check it out and see what it was all about. I was so impressed by the time I finished reading this manga volume, that I went online and found the first episode of the series to stream and watch on my computer.

Fullmetal Alchemist tells the story about a set of brothers who practice alchemy. After their mother died, the boys tried to use alchemy to bring her back to life. In alchemy, there is a law of equal exchange; in the process of trying to bring their mother back, Alphonse Elric lost his body. His brother, Edward, attached Alphone's soul to a suit of armor; but to do this, Edward had to sacrifice one of his arms and one of his legs. Their friend, Winry Rockbell, and her grandmother created prosthetics for Edward. Edward has become known as the "Fullmetal Alchemist," and has become the youngest State Alchemist in history. The series follows Edward and Alphonse as they search for the Philosopher's Stone, which is a legendary artifact that the brothers believe will allow them to recover their bodies.

Fullmetal Alchemist has a very interesting story to tell, and the manga grabs you right from the first volume. I would personally recommend this manga series to older teens and adults.

In order to write this review, I checked out a copy of this manga volume through the King County Library System.

“Do you have the courage to face the truth?”

Too often, artists promote their own inexperienced and narrow-minded agendas in their stories, shamelessly condemning the actions and decisions of those living in circumstances they couldn’t possibly imagine accurately. Hiromu Arakawa, thankfully, is not one of those artists. Where her ignorance would have left holes in her story, she did research and conducted interviews. When opportunities came during the story in which she could pronounce judgment on one type of people or belief, she refrained from making naïve and arrogant assumptions. As her characters experience the sorrows and joys that come with facing the truth, that crouching monster who laughs in derision as it reflects one’s own soul and reveals the stark realities of life, she herself refuses to embellish the facts.

That is not to say that Fullmetal Alchemist is any kind of allegory. This series goes so far as to include characters named after each of the seven deadly sins, and most of these characters, in many ways, come to embody how peculiarly pathetic these sins actually are. But the series remains a fleshed-out story until the end, with no character or event reduced to simply playing out one “message” or another. Fullmetal Alchemist is really entertainment at its finest, though the subtle blade of the truth nevertheless cuts right through the barrier between fantasy and reality.

The series begins with a few somewhat episodic adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two alchemists in search of the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, which is said to amplify the user’s transmutation. (Alchemy itself, a “science” of deconstructing matter and reconstructing it into something else, is a really imaginative and unusual type of “magic,” and there are several different styles in which it is used.) Edward and Alphonse have committed the ultimate taboo in trying to resurrect the dead using alchemy. This mistake literally cost Edward an arm and a leg, and it cost Alphonse his entire body. Edward's lost limbs have been replaced with “automail,” and Alphonse is now a soul bonded to a suit of armor. The two are on a journey to find a way to recover what they lost.

The story unfolds at a relaxed but gripping pace. After a couple of volumes, the series leaves behind its episodic feel and begins to accelerate into one grand story in which everything, including the early episodic sequences, begins to tie together. All of the characters are thoroughly developed and explored over a long period of time. At first glance, Edward seems a smart-aleck who loses his cool easily (especially when remarks are made about his height), and Alphonse seems to be the dull, plodding sidekick who must hold back the hero from getting into a fight with everyone they meet. This first impression of the latter is partly due to the inability to see Alphonse’s facial expression, and over time, as the two brothers are forced to act independently, we begin to see the quieter and more cool-headed Alphonse’s individuality. Edward, too, though somewhat hotheaded, is revealed to be more complex than he seems and undergoes subtle but well-done development throughout the series. One of the most defining moments for the two brothers is at the end of the second chapter, in which a young woman loses everything she clung to for so long. As she collapses, weeping, and demands to know what she should do, they both walk calmly by her with the admonition to get up and move forward. Edward and Alphonse, despite what it might seem at first, do not go around taking it upon themselves to solve everyone else’s problems.

The secondary characters are also slowly and completely developed, showing up and disappearing at natural times, enhancing the story without serving as mere devices to move it forward.

Wound throughout the story is an inexhaustible sense of incredibly wacky humor. Just when things could become melodramatic, the characters morph into chibi characters and jarringly draw the reader’s attention to the humor in the event at hand. These moments rudely break the spell of the story and bring you crashing back down to earth. This element is partly what makes this series so real. You aren’t allowed to morbidly dwell on the seriousness of the events; instead, you are prompted to laugh at yourself. As some might contend that the world isn’t all sunshine, Fullmetal Alchemist will remind you that the world isn’t all shadows, either.

Fullmetal Alchemist explores numerous interesting and thought-provoking ideas that all escalate into one final confrontation with the truth that can resonate with us more deeply than all the calculated tearjerkers in the world. The world in which the story takes place is fascinating but not one you would necessarily want to visit. There are layers of culture and history that include wars and racial discrimination. However, it does not possess the unnatural hellishness that colors dystopian-style fantasy.

The panels flow as naturally as the story, and the artwork itself, especially in the facial expressions, is great, but not pretentious. It is complex when it needs to be, but hardly noticeable the rest of the time, which is an accomplishment in itself. The character designs are diverse and unique.

In short, Fullmetal Alchemist is both honest and optimistic, entertaining and thought provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Fullmetal Alchemist is a series that sure isn't lacking in anything. The characters are well-rounded and interesting, the world is fascinating, and the action and humor in the plotline will keep you begging for more. The family bond between Edward, Alphonse, and their mother that caused the two brothers to go to such great lengths for each other and her is heartwarming. There is plenty of darkness in this manga, from cold enemies who care nothing for human lives to the questions the series brings up about humanity--but in the end, even if killers are still on the loose and the heroes are still bleeding, I always end up with a smile on my face. The way problems are solved is always clever and you can bet on a few good laughs along the way, be it laughing with the heroes or at the enemy (or both!). The world seems real to me and it is easy to lose myself in it. The art is fantastic and what really stuck out in my opinion are the characters' expressions. I find myself feeling along with them a lot of the time. So, while like everything, this series may not be for everyone, it is certainly an amazing series that is worth your time.

In a world that seems equal parts steampunk and early 20th century Earth, Edward and Alphonse Elric are practitioners of the semi-science of alchemy. While Alchemists are powerful beings, even they are limited by the law of equivalent exchange which states that matter can never be created, only change forms. Ed and Al learned this the hard way when they tried to revive their dead mother, with Ed losing an arm and a leg...literally, and Al's bodiless soul being attached to a suit of armor. Now the two brothers seek "The Philosopher's Stone", a gem which can bypass the laws of alchemy and hopefully restore their bodies. It won't be an easy search since there is a war going on and the land is rife with corrupt politicians, priests, and vengeful terrorists. The fact that Ed works for the government which is as often as not seen as an oppressor doesn't bode well either.

I have to say that the manga version is equal or even better than the anime version! The characters and situations just jump out at you and destroy any preconceived notions of comic books being shallow pop art. All of the characters are playing for high stakes, whether it be for the well-being of their family in a town being starved by a greedy governor or a young girl who must learn from Ed and Al that the dead can never truly return. These are serious and very human issues. And let's not forget the bond of love between the two brothers which elevates this manga to a classic. Truly exquisite work which would appeal to even a non-manga reader!

From the creative mind of a woman who's also a big fan of B movies comes "Fullmetal Alchemist," the manga that inspired the hit anime currently airing on the Cartoon Network's late-night block.

There's not much to tell Hiromu Arakawa's manga apart from its TV adaptation; the manga just moves at a faster pace. The Elric Brothers, Edward and Alphonse, still get maimed while using alchemy to resurrect their mother. And as agents of the military, they still search for the fabled Philosopher's Stone that would make them whole again. But the journey isn't any easier in print. To claim the prize for themselves, the Elrics face the same challenges and the same high stakes (and Ed still throws a fit over his height-or lack thereof).

Indeed all the action, comedy, and drama of the anime remains intact in its source material. Despite what the law of "Equivalent Exchange" says, owning this masterpiece won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Fullmetal Alchemist is the best manga, and anime, of all time! I have never read a collection of graphic novels, or textual books, with more re-read value then FMA. The storyline, characters, and everything that Hiromu Arakawa has created never gets old the more you read this amazing series. With every read of the entire series up to where it is, you discover more then the last, due to the complex and captivating storyline it has to offer. It will never leave you thinking that this is a waste of time, and it is almost impossible to put down. The moment you reach the final volume in the series, despite the fact that Hiromu Arakawa is not done yet, will still make you want to start over.

This is my all time favorite franchise, book series, and is just never given enough praise to equal how much it's worth. Hiromu Arakawa is a genius, to think up something as amazing and unique as Fullmetal Alchemist, is just in itself uncanny and so rare. This is truly a masterful creation, and I'm sure that Hiromu Arakawa never imagined that her manga idea would ever become this renowned. Everything about this manga is just amazing, and it will never skip a beat. Every page is good, nothing is boring, and might I add that the artwork is absolutely amazing, very clear, and very easy to follow. Unlike most mangas, the action and fight scenes are done very well, nothing is difficult to follow due to lack of good artwork. In that sense this manga is nothing less then flawless.

For those who are new to the series, then look no further and invest in this, you will not regret it. For those who have seen the anime and want something more in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, then now is the time to try the manga. However, be in mind that the manga and anime differ very, very much! The manga in my opinion is much better, longer, deeper, and much more satisfying. The anime is good as well, but this is where the real story of FMA truly lies. On a side note, the anime is going to be re-done, it will be titled "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood".

All in all, this is my all time favorite. Ever. Fans of manga and anime alike should try this amazing series, you will not regret it. Fullmetal Alchemist is the ultimate, nothing compares to it.

"You can't move forward if you keep regretting the past." - Edward Elric

Well, the least that can be said about this series is that it is by far one of the best written series I've ever read: manga, light novel, novel, movie, or television shows. How ever, in this first volume there isn't much of the over-arching plot introduced. This volume is mostly character introductions, and they're all unique and memorable. Volume one here begins with the Elric brother's adventure in Liore and ends with them taking back a train. It's a very enjoyable volume and this series just gets better as it goes on as it piles on the suspense and action. I would highly recommend it to anyone, even to people who generally dislike manga and say it is silly and for children.

Which using underaged heroes and heroines as the leading character is a very heavily used (and pretty tiresome) cliche, this is actually a very good and well-drawn fantasy adventure (done by a female creator, for a change.)

A young boy and his (younger?) brother wander the world in search for a cure to fix their bodies (the kid had lost a couple of limbs in a freak accident while his kid brother is trapped in a handsome knight's armor suit) and run into some trouble like an overzealous curer and a dashing villain who is holding a humble little village hostage in his evil clutches. Of course, the tow-headed, moon-eyed kid saved the day.

I know Japan produces astonishing loads of comics for young boys (shonen) and girls (shojo), but it's not like adults NEVER read comics or manga at all, correct? Needless to say, I was very relieved to see a well-supporting cast of grown-ups (and their kids, too) carrying along the story, too.

First of all, to set things straight, the manga came first. The anime is based on the manga, and the plotlines are completely different (seeing as how the manga is still being released in Japan while the anime already ended). That being said, we can move on to discuss this manga, which I find to be superior to the anime.

The art is amazing, everything is drawn well and the thick, bold lines make it easy to distinguish characters and backgrounds, unlike some manga where the art is just too crowded and confusing. The character design is excellent, and they all look great, especially Lust, Gluttony and the rest of the sins (to be intorduced in later volumes).

The plot is interesting and engaging. While the first volume is simply 4 side-stories and serves as an introduction to the main characters, the plot remains constant throughout the next volumes, never straying off to subplots.

One of the best aspects about this manga is the perfect combination between comedy, action and drama. It's a hillarious manga (ranging from Ed's height-based jokes to Roy's slacking-off and womanizing jokes), yet it manages to have solid, thrilling action and touching drama. However, the combination between these elements excells in that it's never entirely action, or entirely comedy, or entirely drama, and it works perfectly.

FMA's best quality, though, in my opinion, is that it's unique. It is a Shonen manga, but it's different from other Shonen. It's realistic, it doesn't focus on battles, and it lacks many elements of typical Shonen (such as flashy, long battles, or heroes that are willing to sacrifice themselves for anyone). This uniqueness makes FMA appealing and interesting. And considering this is Arakawa's first big manga (she had done a short stroy before FMA), it is a huge success.

Highly recommended, the best manga I've ever read.

I finished watching the anime series to FMA a couple months ago along with also seeing the movie. I never really got into manga until i was still craving a FMA fix after the series ended so i bought the first 3 volumes of the manga that is out right now in the USA and i was very suprised the manga is BETTER than the anime! If your a fan of the anime then do yourself a favor and buy these books if nothing else they make great collector items because the art is just so beautiful (especially roy ;) ). The story does have alot of difference than the anime which is a good thing if you are like me and seen the anime in its entirely. It still keeps you on your toes because even though the first couple of chapters are similiar to the anime they are still BIG differences! Buy this book!!!! Buy all three of them!

Being a huge fan of the anime series, I had to get a hold of this book. The artwork is very good, being able to see the story flow from one panel to the next. The translation is good, but there were some discrepancies. For example, how the silver pocket that all the state alchemist possess in the anime are in fact gold and how Fuhrer King Bradley in the anime is referred to as the President in the manga. Not really a big deal and doesn't really change the overall quality of the story. The story tends to be slightly more comical than the actual anime and Edward seems more sadistic in this version. Overall, I would still highly recommend this to all FMA fans and anyone who's willing to get into anime for the first time.

Do you like comic books like Naruto? Do you like Science Fiction? Well, read this book and you will laugh, cry, and be astonish by the characters in this Japanese comic book. There are four chapters but, they are long and humorus. The writer was also famous for Stray Dog in 1999; the book was an award winner like Full Metal Alchemist. The fourth chapter is full of humor and misgrief. Read the book and find out what happens. p.s. There are eleven volumes in total, and by the way, they are all $9.99.

I've read alot of the reviews posted for this book, and they're all right: the anime is based off the book! I was new to the world where Otaku can roam unabashed by their love of anime and manga, so Full Metal Alchemist was one of the few series that I read at the time. It changed my outlook on manga. Ed and Al's struggle to get themselves back to normal makes you wonder if their fight is all in vain. Plus, Ed's reaction to being called "little" adds some comic relief as well as Ed and Colonel Roy Mustang's little arguments here and there. For those of you who have only seen the anime on [Adult Swim], get this book and read it!!! You'd be surprised how much of a difference there is between the show and the actual story. When I read "Full Metal", I listen to the music from the anime and then you can hear the voices from the show when each character speaks.

*spoiler alert!!!*

There's some good stuff at the back of the book too. That's all I'm saying. ^_~ Another thing about this book: Roy is drawn very beautifully. *_* Read this book if you haven't yet. It really is worth your time.

I don't know where to start with this awesome box set! I don't personally have it (YET) but a close friend of mine got it and I have to say I was beyond impressed. First of all:

The boxing. The artwork on the box is gorgeous and well-detailed. It sort of opens like a book, and has two shelves that hold volumes 1-27 of the manga, plus a regular worded book. This is a must-have for avid fans of Fullmetal Alchemist, and is certainly worth the price. However, there is something you should know: the volumes are the first edition, which means it contains some mispellings, such as Dolcetto is Dorchet in these first-editions. Though, I don't personally mind the mistakes, as everything else is fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Just recently looked into manga. Heard of F.M.A. on Cartoon Network and some gaming channels. Picked up this issue and really enjoyed it. Used to collect comics many moons ago. This is a big jump from Marvel or DC. More adult, great storyline, great humour. May seem a little pricey, but you do get a pretty thick book and some great art, so you do get what you pay for. Being a parent, I would strictly look into these manga before purchasing for kids. See if it suits your views first and dig deeper than just the rating.

This series gets off to a slow and somewhat confusing start, but stick with it. It's worth the ride. As other commenters have noted, an excellent blend of action, drama and comedy in a strange world where alchemy works.

When I first looked at this manga at the recommendation of my niece, I didn't get beyond volume 2. It just didn't make sense to me and I felt no connection to the main characters.

A year later my niece and I attended an Anime convention and I got to see the beginning episodes of the TV series. Some details were changed but I felt the TV series did a much better job of explaining the character's backgrounds, how they got to be what they are, and their motivations. Now I felt a bond.

So I went back the manga and read the entire series; really enjoying it this time and eagerlly looking forward to the next issue.

Okay to Start things off the anime is based on the Manga that being said I actually disagree with the twenthieth post. The Manga is actually a lot more serious than the Anime. All of which will be known later on about volumes 9-10. The difference is that its slower in the manga than the anime on account of there being a longer period of time for the 30 page chapters in Japan (Once a Month). Also something to remember though characters appear to be a certain way you won't see their true selves until much later on like chapter 40 or so. Also if you liked Rose expected for her to come back she won't she was a one saga type character so she won't be back anytime soon. Also the character development is great and those that were pushed to the side in the Anime aka: Winry, Hawkeye, the two soldiers who were charged with guarding Ed and Al, the iron blooded Alchemist, and the rest Roy's underlings all grow to be very interesting. Also if Ed and Al seem cold about to their mother and the thing they created then(well that'd be a spoiler for the manga). oh and Barry the Chopper will return in the manga just in case you miss him and with that he'll bring important info to the brothers pretaing to how to get back Al's body (without the use of the philosopers stone and the gate). Also Wrath isn't there as well or rather he hasn't been introduced yet. Also if you wonder why Winry also beats up Al so much she'll reveal why when they reach Rush valley. Also in the Manga so to help want to continue to read it is the fact that you'll be able to see the Ishibalan war through the eyes of Scar, Roy, and the other people in the manga that were involved in the war (yes even the iron-blooded alchemist who doesn't seem so bad once you see him in the flashback). Oh and if you're expecting the Homoculii to have a revelation then you'll just have to wait for the other books to come out to see their true personalities as they were precieved by the origianl creator. Also both Ed and Al are a lot for mischievous in the manga than in the anime.

[...]Second, this was the book that got me into manga, and that is why I love it so much. It is easy to relate to the characters, and the story line is excellent. The realtionship between Edward and Alphonse is amazing - real brotherhood. There are moments in the story where you feel like laughing, and others where you feel like crying. The drawings look intricate as well. The whole series is truely amazing.

This is my favorite manga series by far, and I'm really glad to see it released over here, since the anime was grabbed first and I kept wondering when someone would pick up the manga. (Note: the anime IS based on the manga, not the other way around - it's just that the anime was picked up for a North American release before the manga was) The translation seems fairly good, with a couple of minor rough spots that didn't really bug me that much.

I really like the characters in this series, not only because character development is done well but also because each person in the story has a distinct and unique appearance and personality. No one seems blah or uninteresting, and no one can be mistaken for any other character. (I've seen this in too many other manga series)

I also like the blend of angst and comedy - the central tragedy in the series is very sad and there are a number of heart-wrenching scenes, but somehow the series manages to be amusing and light-hearted in other places without seeming awkward in transition. Action scenes are also awesome. It's a good mix, anyway.

Fullmetal Alchemist keeps you entertained and wanting more. The characters are likable and the plot is engaging. Isn't that as much as you can ask for in a good manga series?

Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1 gave me just what I was expecting of it. I've watched the entire anime, as well as read the entire Manga online, hence why I am buying them in English.

The story revolves around a young alchemist named Edward Elric and his brother, Alphonse. The two boys had preformed a taboo, an alchemic reaction forbidden by the natural law of Equivalent Trade. This resulted in the lose of Edward's left leg and Alphonse's body. Soon after, Edward gave up his arm to encase Alphonse's soul in a nearby suit of armour. Now don't be fooled. The manga has many differences from the anime, but let's keep in mind that the Manga came before the show.

The Manga is a very good mixture of comedy, action and drama, making for an enthralling read which will leave you demanding more, while playing with your heart strings the further you read. In conclusion, Fullmetal Alchemist is a must read for Manga fans and others alike.

i started reading these when i was 13. now i'm 14, and i know it doesn't seem like much, but i've been hooked to this series! =DD the characters all have unique personalities, and the plot is completely packed with suspense. i am going on to book 17 when it comes out, and i treat my collection with great care. : ) i let people borrow my other mangas, but this one is special- i never let it leave my home unless it's in my hands. o_o;

i know.. i'm a freak. :9

if you're looking for a good new manga to cherish, you should definately pick this one. :D

by the way!! the books are BY FAR better than the anime. if you've seen it, i regret to inform you that you've been cheated. D: the anime barely stuck to the story whatsoever, and if i had to choose between the anime or the manga, it's an obvious choice.

This book is about two brothers, Edwared and Alphonse Elric, who are searching for the philosphers stone. In a attempt at brining back their dead mother, Alphonse lost his body so his soul is encased in a metal armor suit, and Ed lost his arm so he has a mechanical auto-mail limb. The two have been searcing for the stone because it is needed to do human transmutation,an alchemist skill the is extreamly hard to perfect but with the stone the have a chance of brining her back!

Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 1 (ViZ, 2001)

I'm finally getting around to reading one of the most popular, beloved series in the entire world of Japanese media. I'm not terribly sure what took me so long, but there it is. And perhaps it's all the hype, or maybe it's just because Arakawa had to grow into the storyline, but it didn't blow me away. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine start, but it wasn't all that and a bag of soba.

The story concerns Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse, a pair of alchemists in an alternate-reality Japan where alchemy is common, and regulated by the government. Neither of the brothers is fully human, and the reason for that is revealed as this series of episodes (aside from giving us the beginnings of the brothers' story, there's nothing here that can really be called a story arc) goes on, but I got the feeling that Arakawa's aim through the stories presented in this first volume was to give the audience a feel for these characters, rather than to set up any big themes for later in the series. I could be wrong, of course, as the library's still got me waiting for volume 2, but that's my impression at the point.

Still, these are good characters, amusing and interesting, and the situations they find themselves in are also amusing and interesting. In the current manga wars that seem to be raging in my current reading, I have to say I'm liking Immortal Rain better and YuYu Hakusho easily as much, but this is certainly enough to keep me reading. *** ½

this is the first manga i've ever bought and i love it
it has a great plot, action, drama, comedy, etc
i think it's one of the most complete manga i've red so far
i was a bit depressed when it ended :(

THIS MANGA IS AWESOME!!! I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good story. The artwork is amazing-it is full of impact. Anyone can read this, from seasoned manga readers to first-timers. I love the jokes and action that balance the story out, and the hilarious main character. Please read this-it will become one of your favorites!

~F1Rst REV1EW~

"Fullmetal Alchemist" has already made a huge success on the [Adult_Swim] program. Because of that, fans of the series, or for those who couldn't stay up to watch the anime or pay $30 for the DVDs, can now enjoy the adventures of the odd Elric brothers from the format that started the franchise: manga. If you'd hope for more of the same drama/comedy hybrid with a unique premise that made "Fullmetal Alchemist" such a hit, you'd be both wrong and right. I say that, because some of the changes here can alter the satisfaction of an anime fan.

You would be right, because conceptually, FMA: The Manga remains the same (come on, it's a book...that was made into a show). Ed is still Ed, Al is still the bodiless metal knight wearing an apron, both are still young alchemists in an alchemy-fad world and on the search to find the philosopher's stone, which will enhance their transmutated abilities to recover their original bodies back after their failed and ill-consequential attempt of reviving a dead human: their mom. The manga also looks as amazing as the anime. This first volume covers up episodes 1, 2, 5 and 8 of the anime series (not in order), with the Elric Brothers stopping a false prophet, train hijackers, and saving a mine town. You'd probably know all this if you've seen the anime. Viz Media does an above-average on the translation, and as always, the company does not believe in japanese sound effects, so they translated those as well.

You would also be wrong, because despite being the same FMA by its essence, the situations and character developements have been altered in the manga, possibly drastic enough to make it look like a whole new FMA. First off, the manga took place in the present, and anything that happened during the past after the tried human transmutation from the anime happened in the current; the whole past scenario doesn't even happen until a MUCH later volume. Second, it's the characters in the manga: Ed is more aggravated over his image, Al is more gullible, and while she isn't in the first volume, metalphiliac Winry became the dominatrix of constant abuse that many shonen babes have before her. Oh, and the flame alchemist Roy Mustang worries less about what he can do for having female soldiers wear skirts and worries more of what he can do for himself.

Some of the characters have changed for the better, leaving the angst and brutality of the characters from the anime in exchange for giving them more, dare I say it, "realistic" feelings that make them act more human, even if act ridiculous. Most characters, however, changed themselves to make them spiteful to the reader, and not in a good way. The villians are the real culprit on this subject, like Cornello, who in the anime is very demeaning and prideful over his ambiguous schemes, but here, he's too loose and when he blows some steam, I couldn't take him seriously. Also (again, not in the first volume), Barry the Chopper is the equivalent of the Killer Klown from Outer Space in the manga, while in the anime, he's the equivalent of Hannibal Lechter, expect more heartless and evil (I say that as a bad thing). At worst, the villians are pathetic.

Also in comparision to the anime, characters like the other elric brothers, and the sexy thief Jeanne, don't exist here. And for the other homunculi (Sloth, Wrath, and Pride), they exist, but they'll look different then what you see in the anime, so for those lusting on anime Sloth should be prepared for the shock.

The story also goes through some changes from the anime, and personally, it's a mixed bag. The mood here seems less on drama and more on comedy. There are also moments where scenes in the manga are just not as acceptable as the anime: death scenes, tragic scenarios and such just doesn't hit me hard like it did in the anime. The manga doesn't take itself too seriously, so for certain moments, it's humorous, light-hearted, and easy to get into, but at the same time, it lacks the impact and confliction that made the anime so heartbreakingly enjoyable.

How would I know some of these facts and comparisons if I only read the first volume? I manage to check out some FMA scanlated chapters before buying this volume.

F1Rst REACTION: somewhat positive

In an estimate scale, I would give this first volume 3.5 stars. Heck, the first five volumes I'd give them 3.5 stars. As I said, this manga is not as serious as the anime, so this and later volumes might be too easy and rushed to be completely satisfied. Don't be discouraged of what I just said. This manga DOES get better after volume 7, because THAT is where the manga is truly a worthwhile read. Trust me, I have to go through the first two boring volumes of "Berserk" before I got to the meat of that title afterwards. "Fullmetal Alchemist" will reach its prime, manga readers...just not right now.

FMA is the most interesting and captivating manga/anime I've ever read/watched. Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would buy the manga online, when you can read all 50 released manga chapters online for FREE.

The manga is similar to the anime, but they both branch off into different plots shortly after this volume. You'll meet new characters that will never be in the anime. (IE Ling, Lanfan...)

Worth a read. But read it at the MSN group Fullmetal Alchemist to read all 50 chapters (a ton of which wont be released in book form in the US for a good long while), and to watch as every month, a new chapter is translated and posted.

Fullmetal Alchemist is the compelling story of two young boys who try to bring their mother back from the dead using the science of alchemy. This is a great taboo, and one brother looses an arm and a leg, the other his whole body, his soul is bound to a suit of armor. Despite this they still do not get their mother back.

The manga is the comic book that was the original idea the spawned the anime that many people may have seen on Cartoon Network. The anime was made in Japan after the manga was started, in the US the anime was picked up first.

Please be aware, if you're a fan of the show, the plot line as the manga moves on is vastly differant from that of the anime. Both plots are interesting and compelling, but as the manga was still going on, the anime had to come to a differant resolution.

It's almost like the show fullmetal alchemists but more detailed and descriptive.
this one isn't the beginning just short stories and just the perfect in action and comedy it gives little on their past like the show but it's a great book to read.

I really like this set . All the books are in great condition and fit very nicely in the shelves . The box was a bit bigger/taller than expected but looks great nonetheless .

Pros: very pretty box art . Includes bonus novel which is must have for FMA fan. Includes awesome double sided poster

Con: I was expecting to get the first three volumes with holographic covers but was disappointed to see they were not unlike previous reviews had mentiond they would be

My goal was to not start any new-to-me series that have many, many volumes but I couldn't pass this one up. This is a new edition of the classic manga with a new translation and added colour pages. I read the ebook version so don't get the complete benefit of the updates but I'm sure long time fans will be pleased with this new hardback edition. For me, I loved the story. It is a very well-done first volume which covers a lot of material giving both plot and character plus also including background. An accomplishment not many volume 1s even try to do. Totally hooked from the first volume.

Issues of minor importance, but deserving to be mentioned: the box arrived quite damaged and some words like "Ishval" were translated as "Ishbal".
This box is definitely cheaper than buying all the tomes individually. the storee delivered it on time. If you liked both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood animes, then you'll simply love the manga! It's worth buying! I personnaly recommend it!

I borrowed the first book from my friend and I was hooked! I've now read books one through four so far. This is the best manga series ever! If you read it you will love it! I have no complaints! There also is a show on DVD (which I might buy). So don't delay, read this now, 'cause it's awesome!

Maybe I'm not the auduence for this, but I thought it was simplistic and predictable. Maybe that's the genre, which I'm new to, and certainly it has an interesting premise, but maybe a younger audience would appreciate it more. Or maybe the excellent graphics need to go in search of a more experienced writer.

I have been a FMA (Full Metal Alchemist) fan for year now. But when I saw that VIZ was the ones who translated it, I was pretty disapointed. VIZ, through the years, has translated manga and other graphic novles that were both not close or even close to the original text.

The story is about two brother, Ed and Al, who are alchemists. (Alchemy is a medieval science when they turned lead into gold and change an object into anything as well.) When their fathers leaves and their mother dies, the two are left with only one dream, to get it all back! (This is a rough summary because I don't want to spoil the book/series!)

The only bright side about this novel was that Hiromu Arakawa was the one who wrote/illustrated it (He also was the original creator of the Fullmtal Alchemist anime series! Which I recommend people to watch!)

The cool thing about this book is that if you can't read the traditional right-to-left books, the book comes in a left-to-right style as well! This was a great idea and if you can't read it the traditional way, there is an "American Way". (The book that I'm reveiwing is the right-to-left version!)

In the end with the translating lacking, the art being stunning, the creator illustrating the book; I give Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1: 3 Stars out of 5. My name is Amone. Adios!

As somebody who has already collected the first nine volumes (with the tenth volume on pre-order), I can assure you that this series will not only grab you from the beginning, but consistently maintain it's excellent plot and characterization. This is my absolute favorite series! The characterization is rich, believable, and dynamic, the plot is laden with nuanced, unexpected twists and turns, and the art captures movement and emotions superbly (the character designs are some of the best that can be found in manga). Simply put... check this series out! XD

Very good customer experience with this product. I am currently reading the vol 12, and have absolutely no regret for buying this set. The box is very practical / can be opened closed easily.
If you want to get for a good price the complete collection of Fullmetal Alchemist, really do not hesitate.

FMA I have to say is one of the very best manga series you can get. Hiromu Arakawa is a genius for making this series. The anime and manga are both wonderful and i suggest any new fan to the series get started right away! You won't be disappointed!

Full Metal Alchemist is a good but dark comic. It got darker in the series.But anyway they try to stick in some jokes( They have a humor section at the end). I'm not about to ruin the plot but this was not Pokemon. Theres blood and bad words. But its awesome anyway.

This title felt like it was aimed at a much younger audience than other manga by the same publisher. The story concept was a potentially interesting one, but ultimately the character building fell apart and the reader never really had a chance to form an opinion about the protagonist or antagonists.