I watched the anime before reading the manga and loved it, as of now i've finished volume 10 and i have to say that the manga is much, much better than the anime in many ways, most notably the much better, and more complex plot

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

I've just finished catching up to the current releases of this manga and i have to say that I am truly impressed. This Shonen manga brings a magnificent plot along with great characters. This is one of the few shonen mangas with a deep storyline that can compete with the storyline of seinen mangas. And as a shonen, it is very unique and original in it's theme yet still engraving that essential shonen feel.

Another thing i like about this manga is it's depth and development per chapter. Being a monthly manga, it gives an ample amount of story per chapter that can be equivalent to the plot of four chapters of a weekly manga. Every chapter feels like a good chunk of read and doesn't leave the reader wanting more from the chapter. A lot of other monthly manga that i know of are really Draggy and I'm not liking it.

Anyways, this manga is a must read!!!!!

My favourite series of all time, I'm not kidding this is the best series ever. Better than fruits basket, bleach, naruto, death note and everything by CLAMP. I LOOOVE it.

It's been almost two decades since I first completed FMA series back when I started in JR High and it was an amazing exp to grow up with the Elric brothers from their mistakes and how they managed to resolve to get their bodies back. I feel that most of the main story beats still hold up and avoids some of the traps of long shonen like a meandering quest objective, no real ending, or too many similar cast members that go nowhere.

Also, how the manga-ka handled all the female characters who all had agency in her life and actions was great compared to some modern stories. Also, no creepy scenes b/t them and the male characters which is awesome. I liked how even minor characters were noted and had different designs vs just NPCs. Although FMA's cast is pretty large I managed to keep everyone's face and histories apart which is impressive and I can see how their lives changed for the better or worse due to the events.

I feel like it aged pretty well other than some of the physical gags/jokes which feel out of place now and the omake added some comedy to otherwise dark scenes. The series does have a rough start as we're not exactly sure how a child can enlist in the army and become a soldier but everyone does treat Ed and Al like kids which is much better than say small adults. It's interesting to see how the main characters grow from inexperienced kids to relatively confident teens and happier adults.

I say the main theme is that Hope/Friendship is still relevant esp in nowadays but the manga-ka never hits the readers so heavy-handed that it becomes trite than significant. Overall, I still say read FMA if you want a memorable and iconic experience to shonen genre.

... Last updated on March 10th, 2021, 9:24am

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!

Or did a fan decide to draw a picture book for his favorite novel?

Because this story reads like a book -- with pictures -- and a VERY good book at that. I've read enough manga to say that development is a weak point in this media for storytelling. FMA, however, has both plot progression and character development.

Additionally, this manga is absolutely hilarious -- really well-placed comedy! But there's tragedy as well. FMA has everything I could wish for in a good story.

Arakawa-sensei is a master storyteller. I suggest reading her other works as well.

Even after falling in love with the anime, the manga still managed to surprise me. So much more in-depth, better character development, better story, better [insert your desire here].
edit: I did not know about the new FMA Brotherhood anime that suppose to be identical to the manga.

Category Ratings:

• Plot: 10 - In-depth with no plot holes (that I can remember), complex yet easy to follow and is different from anime.
• Characters: 10 - Every character feels alive. They all have their personalities with realistic attitudes and many have back stories to justify the way they act.
• Ending: 10 - Absolutely perfect, and I hate most endings.
• Target Genres: 10 - The action, adventure, drama are spot on, enough comedy to justify the genre but is not a main focus
• Lasting impression: 10 - I will never forget this series

My rating system:

• < 7 - I must have been bored to keep reading this
• 7.0 - Just good enough to keep my attention
• 7.5 - Lacking in some areas
• 8.0 - Well rounded but nothing special
• 8.5 - Recommended for most
• 9.0 - Highly recommended
• 9.5 - Must read by all
• 10 - Stop reading this comment and start reading the series now

... Last updated on July 12th, 2013, 10:49pm

I feel like this manga was the center of my world while going on its journey and now that is has ended I have nothing to do. It was incredible and never failed to move me to tears. So dark, it literally will haunt you on many levels. Really, how can ANYONE BREATHING rate this below a 9; people need to read it with their eyes open if it's rated lower.
When it was sad it was devastating
When it was funny it was hilarious
When it was deep it was breath taking
When it was painful it was deadly.
Really, that basically sums up FMA
Honestly, now that I have seen this perfection (watched the anime dub 2009) I can say that it is my favourite anime of all time and close up there tied for first for my favourite manga ever.
If these brothers don't move you to tears, you may want to look into getting some help.

... Last updated on May 25th, 2013, 7:59pm

First thing that i would like to say is that FMA is one of my favorite manga's. The anime was also welly made; however, it had a horrible ending that i belive that everyone hated.
The manga is made in an excellent way with amazing artwork. My only downside is that it is only scantalated one chapter at a time and will require some patience to wait for.

... Last updated on June 14th, 2007, 12:22pm