Salutations, traveler of The Internets! Welcome to William's Bloody Hell, so named after our founder, Sir Bloody William.
He is seen in the likeness above in a rare, 19th century woodcut. This
image was rumoured to have been
commissioned after a bout of unpleasantness
in the White Chapel district of London. Do enjoy your stay and peruse our many, varied offerings, much of which cannot be found elsewhere!
:: Fullmetal Alchemist ::
by William the Bloody
In order to obtain anything, something of equal value must be lost. This is the law of equivalent exchange in alchemy. To Edward and Alphonse Elric, this was the one, big truth not only of alchemy, but of the world and life. When their mother dies of an illness when they are but children, they decide it isn't right and try to use their already formidable alchemic skills to bring her back. There is a reason that human alchemic transmutation is forbidden, however. Yes, they may have compiled all of the chemical components of the human body, but how to account for the soul? Indeed, what Ed and Al offer in exchange for their mother's return isn't enough and the process goes horribly wrong. Ed's leg is ripped from him and Al begins to disappear all together. Thinking quickly, Ed offers his right arm in trade and manages to snatch Al's soul from the ether, but without a body, and so Al is attached to best thing available, a suit of armor. Ed passes out from shock and Al, now an animated and hollow suit of armor, carries his brother to their neighbors' and friends, the Rockbelles who are skilled automail mechanics (think primitive-ish prosthetic limbs made out of iron, but fully articulate). Ed and Al both feel responsible for what their brother has suffered (Ed is guilty over Al being trapped in the armor and Al feels horrible that his brother gave up his limbs) and vow to do each other right and return what each has lost. The only way they can think to achieve this, is to bypass the law of equivalent exchange, and the only known means to do this is with the legendary and possibly nonexistent Philosopher's Stone. Edward and Alphonse decide right then and there to give up their former lives and embark on a quest for the mythic stone.
The Good: Where to begin? This series is awesome on so many levels, it will blow your mind! All of the characters, not only the Elric brothers, but every single one of the supporting cast as well, are excellent three dimensional people with their own lives, agendas, and possible dual roles/conspiracies. Along their journey seeking the Philosopher's Stone, Ed and Al are plagued by creatures called Homunculus and even they show themselves to not be run of the mill, straight up villains. A great point of this show is that there isn't necessarily "good versus evil." People you would normally consider to be "good" will turn up to have questionable morals or ethics and those you thought were "bad" will display sympathy and compassion. This series also doesn't have any characters who are off limits to being killed at any moment. Characters you like and think will be around until the end get murdered on the treacherous path to obtain the Philosopher's Stone. Every reveal of motives or exposition will literally leave you gasping in horrified realization. This series isn't all death and full-on drama, no, it makes a great balance between tearful drama and laugh out loud comedy.
The Bad: The first two episodes are not very noteworthy, but it all kicks into full gear in episodes three and four (Ed and Al's origin trying to recreate their dead mother). The finale left some details high and dry, but I'm told the Fullmetal Movie explains everything in a worthy epilogue. Oh and I'm still mad over that one guy they killed.
In the end, this has got to be one of the best Japanese animated series to date. The animation is good (not a reused cell in sight!) and so is the music. The writing and overall story is absolutely outstanding, that I would have enjoyed it even it had been animated stick figures. At 51 episodes, the story is finite (no loner ongoing with a definite end) and worth every second. I would rate this show as a must see, but with the doses of ultraviolence (people's heads explode from time to time and when folks get shot, we SEE it on camera) sprinkled throughout, not for kids!
A+ all the way, baby!
