Spotlight Anime
~ FULL METAL ALCHEMIST ~
This page was originally supposed to include some socially relevant, cinematically gorgeous, anime masterpiece (as accepted by critics and the masses alike) and my personal review of said masterpiece but as usual sometimes the best laid plans…
I have to say that I have been privileged to have seen a great deal of anime in my time, some that blew my mind and others that were ok and some just down right bad. As I was going over my personal favorites in an effort to write this page I went through many different works; from series to stand alone movies that of course included the great works of Hayao Miyazaki and the standard must sees like Akira, Ghost in the Shell and Neon Genesis Evangelion. (Don’t kill me if I didn’t include your personal favorite) But when everything was said and done I guess it really occurred to me that this was MY website and this article should really be written about my personal favorite of the moment, so that I would be able to share it with you. With that said, here goes:
My personal pick for this Spotlight: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, manga originally created by Hiromu Arakawa.
Why, you may ask? I know this anime is viewed by most as descent art with an original and interesting story line, but if you look a little deeper you may see a little more.
The story of Edward and Alfonse Elric is not just entertaining, it is tragic, heartbreaking, guilt-ridden and full of self sacrifice by two children on a scale most adults couldn’t conceive of giving. It has also found a way to be compelling and funny while all too often ringing a bell of truth some people would just as soon avoid.
In between its other-worldly story of alchemy advancement instead of technology and the laws of equivalent exchange taking precedence over all philosophy, it also manages to ask the tough questions regarding human nature and maybe even provide a few answers along the way. The fact that ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ has managed to do this without sounding preachy and without managing to offend is quite an accomplishment on its own. The movie sequel, which may not provide the rainbows and unicorn happy ending some may want, is still satisfying and provides a much needed closure to the original adventure while setting the stage for new stories to come about. (Of that, this author may only hope.)
The movie sequel, “The Conqueror of Shamballa”, even managed to offer some insights, not excuses, of how and why one of the greatest tragedies in our world came to pass, without generating the anger and revulsion I normally feel towards the subject. When Edward confronts Eckhart at the end of the movie and she tells him that she must destroy his world because she fears it. That hit a very realistic note in the exploration of the essence of human nature.
The first time I heard the opening monologue: “To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.” I never realized just how horrifying that concept could be, and I still wonder if Edward and Alfonse obtained anything to equal what those two brothers really did lose throughout the events of the show and movie. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see this anime series yet I think you should and I very strongly recommend not missing episodes in between when viewing or you will usually miss something relevant to the later story. Also don’t see the movie without viewing the series first, it really is a sequel and you will be somewhat lost. I love pulling anime weekends with my family, where we pick one series and watch until completion over the course of a week-end, talk about sensory over-load!
Fullmetal Alchemist may never be a smooth ride, but you will be exhilarated, heart broken, amused and completely entertained during the trip.
Elle