I have nothing but the highest admiration for this series. It does so much right, has interesting characters, a well-realized and fantastic world, and an intriguing plot to boot. All without wearing out its' welcome like so many other shounen series do. I really love it when it feels like a manga artist sat down before the series and thought out how he plot was going to go, and you can tell that this story was carefully considered before being written. This seems like a small thing to praise but I honestly feel like Fullmetal Alchemist has no useless chapters or subplots, everything feels nessicary to the story and moves the plot along.

There's some minor issues. Like for one, early on the tone is a little inconsistent. There's a bit too much of what I like to call "anime junk" early on (like super-deformed overreactions and jokes beaten to death) though that stuff does slow down significantly as the series progresses. A couple of the characters also got on my nerves but that's bound to happen with a cast of characters this big.

I feel like a jerk even mentioning those minor flaws because this is just a really exciting and compelling manga. The stakes grow higher and higher as the story progresses, our main characters don't suddenly get huge bursts of power after training for a few days and every fight matters. Plus, this has one of the most satisfying conclusions that I've ever read in a manga. There was a couple parts where I wanted to cheer out loud and I was just so happy I couldn't help but smile. The characters are also a highlight, with a cast you'll very easily fall in love and connect with.

I don't think another shounen will ever be this good. Most shounen seem to be more interested in making series run long rather than be well told stories. I get it, having a long running series is better for the business side of things and I don't begrudge anyone for letting a series like One Piece (which I also like quite a lot) run for over 800 chapters. But for my money I still think a series like this with a well-defined story arc will win every time.

... Last updated on May 1st, 2016, 1:26pm

This was the series that first introduced me to manga, and truth to be told, it made myself have such high expectations of manga that I would later read other series and consider them to be trashy and cliche. Arakawa-sensei makes all the characters seem human and imperfect, something I think that all shonen manga should improve on (I'm looking at you, Fairy Tail).

The manga starts off by telling you that 'a lesson without pain has no meaning', which pretty much gives you the idea what the entire thing is going to be about. FMA is the most beautifully constructed manga I've ever read in my life. And never have I managed to find any other series as intriguing as this one. It just naturally draws you in and you feel like you're lost in the world of alchemy. I am not very familiar with how military works or what a military rule is actually like, but reading FMA never made me feel like I cannot understand a particular scene because of the lack of background knowledge. It's also a huge thanks to the translators who did an amazing job translating the series.

The manga maintains a perfect pace all the way to the end. I didn't find it rushed or dragged, which in itself is a very big accomplishment. There are some of the very good series which disappoint you with their endings, but good for us, FMA doesn't. Everything ends well and none of the characters are neglected.

The portrayal of the main characters as well as the side characters deserves all the praise in the world. I couldn't bring myself to hate any character at all, not even the bad guys. Every character had their own importance and it was all brought together with excellence. FMA goes on with a teaching while building up the sci-fi fantasy world. It leaves you thinking about most of the dialogues the characters have said, and even their actions. I absolutely love every single female character in here. They are so very strong and so very independent and so very cool. The main characters, Ed and Al, don't have some sort of inborn super strength that makes them stronger than the rest. They're just kids. And the mangaka actually makes you feel that they're just kids, yet not your normal ones. You can easily tell a strong character if you spot one. Almost every action has a reason behind it and you will easily manage to find that reason if you think carefully.

The very concept of alchemy is superb. It teaches you about give and take, about equivalent exchange. FMA teaches you about the 'truth' that lies within you, it tells you that the world exists because you do and vice versa.


Every single person in the FMA world have a reason to exist and they serve their purpose in the story. There're some laugh out loud funny moments but also incidents that might make you cry. There's the feeling of love and the bonding between family that this manga describes perfectly.

All in all, I love FMA. I absolutely agree that nothing is perfect, but by no means do I wish to point out the flaws in this series when I love it to this extent.

100% recommended!

Wow, this was totally breathtaking. If perfection existed, this would be it. The characters, story, theme, symbolism, just all of it was beautifully done. I never felt like the story dragged on and felt completely content at the end of it. Definitely one of the best shounen manga out there.

FMA started like average shonen: our protagonist are brothers who are well versed in alchemy (FMA's version of 'super power'/'magic') and the story is about their adventure to restore their worn out body. So what makes it good?

First, unlike other shonen, in FMA our MC doesn't get ridiculously powered up. Throughout the series, each and every battle is fought and won by wits and the skills that come from understanding of 'Alchemy'.

Second, it's has stable and well constructed scope. FMA's world evolves in a certain scope, a country. Consequently, it makes you see some key characters time and again, but in return you almost never wonder like 'who in the earth is this character?' or 'why does this story has an awkwardly placed character'.

Third, it has steady pace. While the ultimate mission is to recover their bodies, in the journey, our MC find that their goals align with greater mission to save people. From fights that they have experienced they gained knowledge that will be useful in the next ones. The secrets revealing time is perfect, it will keep you excited to see the continuation of the story.

Four, characters. Aside from MC, FMA has really well defined set of characters: the army, the homonculus, and renegade. The set and design of characters build a really well relationship, it allow us to have lightheartening comedy from time to time, or heartbreaking moment when someone dies.

Overall, FMA is good read. This manga also ended well, which is something because sometimes good story is spoiled by bad ending. This was not the case with FMA. Recommended read for anyone.

This is one of the reason I prefer shonen manga by female artist. Their works have everything the art, the action, the humor, and most important, a perfect plot.

While (in my observation) most of the current top shonen manga focus too much on the action, this manga has the plot that is well polished, perfect from head to toe, everything, everyone, every scene and line and action has meaning, contribute to the story. It has the humor as well as the tragedy, not to mention the human philosophy.

The protagonists are other thing, they may seem to be very good, well aware of everything, of what they want at the beginning. But as the story goes by, they are somehow just normal people, struggle with their own life, goal, ethnic, between lie and truth. They are growing, along with our idea and perception.

Always my top manga.

It's not gonna be the #1 manga for everyone.

Now, before FA-fanatics jump me, allow me to affirm that I hold this series dear to my heart. I adore Al and Ed, and the cast of secondary characters all possess dynamic, interesting tales. Arakawa did a phenomenal job with this manga, and though I never did cry while reading, Fullmetal Alchemist indeed hit my heart during certain chapters. It's truly a work that challenges you to see the darker side of humanity and government corruption, which is all the more impressive given that this series takes place in a highly fictionalized world. Definitely, definitely recommend it.

HOWEVER: if you do not typically read shounen action manga, the hype may seem overdone.

Such was the case in my situation.

It'd be a stretch to say that I was disappointed, but after finishing FA, I was not screaming and fangirling and stamping the manga with every stamp of approval that I own. I felt an emotional satisfaction, and I was very happy that I stepped out of my manga comfort zone to read this. I will concede that the work is very well written and engaging. But as someone who reads predominantly shoujo romance manga, I will ask that new-shounen action readers begin Fullmetal Alchemist with not TOO high an expectation. This manga could change your entire life-- it has for many fanatic readers. But remember that it is only a manga (and an anime... and a video game... but you get the point.) Don't expect it to be the epitome of the best of the best, and I think you'll enjoy these 27 volumes tremendously.

... Last updated on January 25th, 2015, 8:14pm

I can't believe I was busy keeping up on Bleach and Naruto when this gem was there all along. I had watched about 3/4 of the first anime series and never got a chance to finish it, and never got a chance to watch the Brotherhood remake, but I had been wanting to read the manga for a while. Just finished it and it was an amazing ride. Read it, you will not be disappointed.

This series should be read by everyone. I've always loved this series, and it has a special place in my heart, but I feel that this experience should be shared. If you happen to come across this manga for the first time, read it. It will not disappoint. The characters, plot, and other elements have all been carefully thought out and carefully portrayed. If you want a series with fantasy elements, this is it. If you want one with action and adventure, this is it. If you want extremely likable characters, this is it too. If you want reliable and strong female protagonists, look no further. Everyone, even the villans, are well shaped and likable. The plot is unique and highly addictive, not to mention philosophical, spiritual/emotional, and somewhat political. READ IT NOW!

... Last updated on August 29th, 2014, 7:02pm

Possibly the greatest manga you will ever read. Every aspect of it is well balanced to a fault, it has comedic moments, moments of tragedy, bad-assery, drama and an ending that will grab you by the neither regions and make you climax literally.