I must admit I’m cheating a little bit with this one—I haven’t read the manga book. I have watched both versions of the anime series, though. In the one released in 2003—while the manga books hadn’t been finished—the series started deviating really quickly and ended up being a totally different story altogether. Because of this, for a deeper and better written story—and one that’s more accurate—I would recommend watching the second version called “The Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”, or to watch both and compare. For those who are not used to subtitles, better get the English dubbed version. The dialogue probably won’t be as accurate in the dubbed version, but you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the show, the depth and uniqueness of the characters, and their inner journey as well as their outer adventures.
“The Fullmetal Alchemist” revolves around the Elric brothers and the world in the beginning of the 20th Century. It’s an alternative timeline in which alchemy is used in the same way as technology and science are used in our timeline. It all starts when Edward and Alphonse Elric, two young alchemists, tried the forbidden in a desperate attempt to bring their mother back from the dead—and failed. As a result, they find themselves in the middle of a long quest to recover the parts of themselves that were lost in the process. Along the way, they gain a lot of wisdom and knowledge.
Along with a very large dose of humor, this story leaves the viewer (or reader, or both), with a series of topics to think about and perhaps even apply the lessons learned to their own lives.
Mistakes
When Ed and Al realize they had made a mistake by trying to bring their mother back, they didn’t beat themselves up about it and drown in their guilt. They started their journey in search for a way to fix the mistake instead. Recovering their bodies and becoming themselves again was important to them—so important, that they never gave up, no matter what. No matter what mistakes you’ve made in your life, guilt won’t solve them. But an effort to improve as a person along with a little bit of hope, will help you grow from those mistakes.
Age and gender
Whether it’s a big bodybuilding man with a very caring and emotional side, a wise grandma, a young female engineer with a lot of character, a manly colonel with great aspirations, a housewife alchemist, a foreign little girl, or a mysterious man who never ages, the story shows them all as real people, rather than stereotypes. Age and gender don’t really matter when it comes to real life, and by keeping age groups isolated from the others, or by keeping the roles strict, we’re actually depriving all individuals from fully experiencing all the levels of life.
What unconditional really means
The Elric brothers share a bond that is impossible to break. This is reflected throughout the series/book in the fact that Ed lost an arm and a leg in order to bring back his younger brother’s soul. They both would do anything to keep each other safe. This is rare in our world, where bonds tend to be fragile and can easily be damaged. People nowadays need a reminder of what a truly honest and strong bond between two people really looks like, and Ed and Al are one of the best examples out there.
Sacrifice
The Law of Equivalent Exchange is to Alchemy what the E=mc2 formula is to science. To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost (or used, like an ingredient). Same as the old saying, “what goes around, comes around”, the idea of Karma, or the law or action-reaction. There is nothing mystical or religious about sacrifice, really. While it’s not always ideal, sometimes equivalent exchange can be used in order to obtain something else in our reality.
The pursuit of knowledge
In their quest for knowledge, certain branches of science tend to go beyond what should be messed with and can actually end up doing a lot of harm. Some discoveries might even be used for war instead of peace. This is what happens in the story. One of the countries involved is using Alchemy for military purposes, while the other one uses it for medical purposes instead. Two different approaches, two different realities, one leads to destruction and danger, while the other leads to peace and harmony. Learning without caring about the consequences, can corrupt us or cause harm to those around us. However, it can also improve our world and the world of those around us, if only we use an ethical form of research (no experimenting on living beings, for example), and we use our knowledge to help others instead of harm them.
The Philosopher’s Stone
The Philosopher’s Stone is an almost magical substance, object or device, that gives its owner divine powers and immortality. When searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, people look in all the wrong places. It turns out we are all philosopher’s stones, we have that infinite energy and ability within ourselves. Look inside before you look outside—chances are, what you were looking for can actually be found inside your own soul. Even the philosopher’s stone! Even immortality! Look within, and discover the Universe.
With special mention to Roy Peak (author of “The Roommate”) for the shared insights about the story 😉
CC license image courtesy of Zoramthara Fanai on Flickr.
[author title=”About the Author”]
