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Reviewed by Michael Aronson “The origin of the Elric brothers! Once, Edward and Alphonse Elric were willing to do anything to become alchemists. But when they tried to use their newfound skills to resurrect their dead mother, they broke a taboo and encountered something more terrifying than death itself. Now, hardened by years of military training, Edward and Alphonse have returned to the woman who first taught them alchemy . . . but can she help them, or even forgive them?” While never having read Fullmetal Alchemist before, I’ve caught a couple episodes of the anime about the two Elric brothers scarred from an alchemy experiment: one missing an arm and a leg, the other’s soul trapped inside a hollow suit of armor. Strangely enough, this sixth volume is actually the origin story of how these brothers entered this status quo. It’s a little difficult to appreciate the context in which this origin is being told (being the sixth volume and all) and while I can only guess at which point the series actually began, this volume is helpful to bring new readers up to speed about the stakes and style of the series. While the beginning jumps right into things with no introduction, it’s a solid buildup that fleshes out the cast. With too many stories featuring young and reluctant protagonists, Edward and Alphonse dive right into the heat of things, leaving age and skill out of consideration for their actions. Of course, this gets them into a load of trouble, but they nevertheless continue to press on. It’s also one of the few stories of brothers that isn’t about competition or envy but real cooperation. Granted, now that Alphonse has literally become a suit of armor, that dynamic is sure to change. Fullmetal Alchemist, one of the most popular entertainment licenses currently, turns out to hold much promise in its premise. While a formula or quest has yet to take shape in this particular chapter, the ultimate goal is clear and compelling. Comment on this review of Fullmetal Alchemist v6 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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