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Fullmetal Alchemist

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Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist
Premiere October 4, 2003
Finale October 2, 2004
Creator Seiji Mizushima
Network/Provider TVB
Style 30-minute anime drama
Company BONES
Square Enix,
Aniplex
Seasons 3
Episodes 51
Origin Japan
This entry is for the original Fullmetal Alchemist series and film follow-up. For the sequel, see Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Fullmetal Alchemist is a fantasy anime program based on a manga published in Monthly Shonen Gangan. The production of the anime series quickly outstripped the publication of the manga, and new plotlines were developed for the latter half of the series in order to bring it to a proper conclusion.

The series takes place in an alternate early-twentieth-century version of Europe, where alchemy is real and treated as a serious science. This means it has set rules like a scientific discipline, most importantly the Law of Equivalent Exchange, which dictates that something must be lost for everything gained.

Two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, lose their mother to illness. They attempt to bring her back using the power of alchemy; however, what can you give in exchange for a human soul? The attempt ends in tragedy - Edward losing his right arm and left leg; while Alphonse has lost his entire body, now existing as a soul attached to a giant suit of armor. The two become determined to set things right and get their original bodies back by finding and using the Philosopher's Stone, a mysterious substance that would allow them to ignore the Law of Equivalent Exchange.

Edward eventually joins the military in order to gain access to its vast resources in his quest; however this just complicates things further as he finds himself embroiled in military politics, targeted by an assassin with a grudge against military alchemists, and pursued by a cadre of strange individuals with their own plans for the Philosopher's Stone.

The series was broadcast in Japan on TVB over the course of a year between 2003 and 2004. It quickly proved to be popular and was eventually licensed by Funimation for English audiences. The English dub began broadcasting on Adult Swim in 2004 and concluded in 2006.

Contents

Cast

Japanese Voices English Voices Character Duration
Main Cast
Rie Kugimiya Aaron Dismuke Alphonse Elric 1 2
Romi Paku Vic Mignogna Edward Elric 1 2
Megumi Toyoguchi Caitlin Glass Winry Rockbell 1 2
Miyoko Asou Juli Erickson Pinako Rockbell 1 2

Seasons

Season Premiere Finale #
TVB
Season One October 4, 2003 April 17, 2004 28
Season Two April 24, 2004 October 2, 2004 23
Feature Films
The Conqueror of Shamballa October 2, 2004

In-Depth

DVD Releases

Title Release Date #
Season Sets: Region 1
The Complete First Season January 27, 2009 4

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The Complete Second Season March 10, 2009 4

purchase

Partial Season Sets: Region 1
Season 1, Volume 1 September 18, 2007 4

purchase

Season 1, Volume 2 November 13, 2007 3

purchase

Season 2, Volume 1 February 5, 2008 3

purchase

Season 2, Volume 2 March 11, 2008 3

purchase

Episode Collections : Region 1
Volume 1: The Curse February 8, 2005 1

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Volume 2: Scarred Man of the East April 5, 2005 1

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Volume 3: Equivalent Exchange May 31, 2005 1

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Volume 4: The Fall of Ishbal July 26, 2005 1

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Volume 5: The Cost of Living September 20, 2005 1

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Volume 6: Captured Souls November 15, 2005 1

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Volume 7: Reunion on Yock Island January 10, 2006 1

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Volume 8: The Altar of Stone March 7, 2006 1

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Volume 9: Pain and Lust May 2, 2006 1

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Volume 10: Journey to Ishbal June 27, 2006 1

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Volume 11: Becoming the Stone August 1, 2006 1

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Volume 12: Truth Behind Truths September 5, 2006 1

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Volume 13: Brotherhood September 12, 2006 1

purchase

Feature Film
The Conqueror of Shamballa September 12, 2006 1

purchase

External Sites