For those that were frustrated about the first installation of this series because it didn’t follow the manga, THIS is the series to watch! It follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric and their pursuit of a philosophers stone so they can regain their natural body’s. When the boys were young, they lost their mother, but in their grief they tried bringing her back from the dead with the aid of alchemy. This is a forbidden thing because there is a rule to alchemy, equivalent exchange, and you can’t buy a sole. In their misguided attempt Alphonse body was completely consumed and Edwards left leg was also taken. In his shock Edward used his own blood on a suit of armor and bound his brothers sole to it but at the cost of his right arm. Afterwards Edward got an automail arm and leg to replace those that he had lost. A short time later the government got involved with the brothers and Edward joined the state alchemists and he earned the name FullMetal Alchemist!

This first season is chocked full of ups and downs as the brothers go looking for a philosophers stone for it is said that with it you can bypass the rule of equivalent exchange! This is a big thing for the brothers because that would mean they would be able to re-grow Al’s body and Ed’s arm and leg and just maybe bring back their mother as well! The only issue with all of this is they don’t know exactly what a philosophers stone is or how they are made and that is the key to their power! The brothers quickly realize that the road they have chosen for themselves is both complicated and bloody and there is no easy way to achieve their goal.

This anime has a lot of action and just the right amount of talking for my liking, the action scenes are well done and it is fast enough to keep you watching for all 13 episodes and beyond! It has emotional turmoil and makes you feel sympathetic for the brothers plight during the series as well as for the people they meet along the way! All of this can be seen in the first 3 episodes of the series but be warned! For the younger crowd or for those that aren’t into that much blood this series might not be for you, the story is darker than its original installment but for the older, more mature crowd this is a must watch!