Fullmetal Alchemist is one of those series that only comes around once in a while. I can’t predict yet just how influential will be in the future, but I suspect that this is the next Escaflowne or Bebop. With the recent license and its air on Cartoon Network, it’s sure to be the next big thing on these shores as well. As soon as you know that this is a Bones series, however, it shouldn’t come off as a surprise.

The story is one of the most original that I have seen in quite a while. Not only does the way things progress throughout the series keep you interested from the first scene to the last scene, but the basic premise itself is a departure from the average shounen series (which this quite obviously is, although it’s leagues above most such series). I am yet to see a series other than this one that has such a large focus on alchemy, or one that uses the Seven Deadly Sins as the main villains. The plot keeps you guessing through and through and is filled with plot twists that you never see coming. The ending has perfect closure and surprisingly effective usage of an epilogue, although there are many things unanswered – there is a movie coming in 2005, however, that will be a direct sequel to the series, so there is still hope for a true ending.

The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is beautiful. The backgrounds are impressive, but the best parts about the world of this series are the rich cultures that develop in each country. From the calm lifestyle led by the residents of the Elric brothers’ home village to the religious-based culture of the desert countries in Ishbal, the people always have their own reasons for living and for the ways they act. Thanks to this, it is not difficult to sympathize with the many different conflicting cultures, and often you find yourself wondering about who is actually in the right.

In the midst of this rich and beautiful world you have a cast of characters so realistic and well-developed that you find yourself wanting to watch the next episode if only to see more of the interactions between them. The two brothers stand at the head of the large cast, and are beyond doubts the two most spectacular protagonists in any shounen series yet. The Seven Deadly Sins are fascinating villains, although the focus of the story does not fall on them until the halfway point. Backing up the brothers and the Sins you have the conflict between the religious Ishbalites and the government-military, which also does not lack in impressive characters with vivid personalities.

The physical aspect of the series, that is, animation and music, sometimes leaves more to be desired. The music matches every scene well, but tends to pale in comparison to what’s happening on the screen at the moment. Given, it’s good listening, but if you haven’t watched the series, you probably wouldn’t think much of the soundtrack. The background music is nothing compared to scores by, say, Kajiura Yuki or Yoko Kanno, and it’s a shame, because Fullmetal Alchemist is a series that could be more effective with a superb score, more so than it already is. The openings and endings, however, are excellent. From openings by Porno Graffitti, L’arc~en~Ciel, Asian Kung-Fu Generation and the promising new Cool Joke, to one of the greatest endings of any series I’ve ever seen, by Nana Kitade, the series is chock-full of great ways of introducing and concluding each episode. The animation starts out strong throughout the first quarter of the series, but from that point on, when compared to the early animation, some scenes leave more to be desired. The important things, however, are beautifully animated in the style I have come to expect from Bones.

When it comes down to a final verdict, I cannot recommend Fullmetal Alchemist more. Watching it week by week as each episode came out in Japan was especially a treat, because now I can honestly say that the plot kept me entertained for an entire year. Although I can’t guarantee that all anime fans will love it, most should, especially if you are looking for a good, refreshing adventure story filled with realistic and memorable characters.