Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood - Preview

With a subtitle that would fit a Noel Clarke movie, Fullmetal Alchemist bursts back onto DVD with its second series.

For those who don't know of the plot, the series is focussed on alchemy, the science of constructing and de-constructing matter. The Elric brothers, only kids, look into their father's books and begin teaching themselves the art of alchemy. After their mother passes away due to a fatal illness, the brothers perform the taboo of alchemy: human transmutation. Their alchemic reaction goes wrong and Ed loses an arm and a leg while Al loses his entire body. In a last moment of desperation, Ed bonds his younger bother's soul to the infamous suit of armour. They vow to repair the damage done and get their bodies back. To do so they need a powerful object that intensifies alchemic reactions: the philosopher's stone.

I first saw the original series back when the now defunct TV channel AnimeCentral aired it, so I am familiar with the characters and the main cast of voice actors. Almost all of the voice actors take up their old roles, with the only replacement being Maxey Whitehead for Aaron Dismuke as Al. To be honest you can't really tell the difference between the two. The dub itself is OK, although I've always thought it as slightly fuzzy, if you get my meaning, even in the first series. The voices just don't sound as clear as some other anime series I have seen. The sub seems to be fine, with the subtitles easy enough to read and they make sense with what is going on on-screen.

The original series diverted from the manga at a certain point, but this series stays close to Fullmetal Alchemist's original form.

The first episode basically acts as an introduction to all the main characters; Al, Ed, Mustang and the Fuhrer himself. It's pleasing to watch, and introduces the viewer to the main concept of alchemy if they haven't seen it before. The final scene also shows a shot of the mysterious hommunculi, who will no doubt be a key part of the series. The second episode is told through an episode-long flashback, with the present Ed and Al on a train. It covers the death of their mother and the acting out of the taboo which lost them a body and a bit. So we have the intro and the back story, setting everything up for what is to come.

From what I have seen of these two episodes and the original series, this series seems to mix in more humour, with Edward going into a rage over the jokes that point out the height difference between him and his younger, armoured brother. It certainly does lighten things up a touch.

I'm really liking the first opening for Brotherhood, featuring the song again by YUI. The song really fits with the animation and I think the song is pretty decent, quite rocky. The ending is good as well, with it being animated in more of a sketch style. The ending song isn't shabby either.

After seeing the first two episodes, this is a series I'm really looking forward to after never purchasing the original. By the look of it, this is going to be a great series that will do it's original material justice, just like the original anime did even though it diverted from the manga.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood - Part 01 is released on DVD and Blu-Ray 23rd August.