Equivalent Exchange.

Edward and Alphonse Elric | FullMetal Alchemist | Copyright Hiromu Arakawa

I've yet to find anyone who's given FullMetal Alchemist a real chance that didn't get just as caught up in the wonderful story and personality and heart of the story like I was. It's a story about brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who grow up in a pre-WWI version of Germany/Austria. It's difficult to pinpoint anything remotely historical because they live in a very different reality -- one in which there is a hybrid of science and alchemy, the "art" of transmutation and equivalent exchange. The entire world of Edward and Alphonse is built on this Principle of Equivalent Exchange, which is stated as: "To gain, something of equal value must be lost."

There are some rules, however; lead cannot be changed into gold and the dead cannot be brought back to life. In the hands of a gifted alchemist, little else is limited. The Military, instead of relying on tanks and machine guns, rely on State Alchemists, a cross between scientists and soldiers, the deadliest of all weapons of the State. The position of State Alchemist carries wealth, power and prestige within the governmental chambers, but outside they are loathed by most and called "dogs of the military."

Ed and his brother are rather hodge-podge-y. You'll see Ed has "automail," a metal arm and leg. His brother is inside an enormous suit of armor. As boys, their alchemist father left and they grew up in the countryside with their mother until she grew ill and died. Ed and Al, who are geniuses of sorts, make the worst choice out of the worst desperation of all--they try something called Human Transmutation. It is the worst crime an alchemist can commit. Their attempt to resurrect their mother goes horribly wrong, as nothing can be equal in value to their mother's soul. In the fallout, Ed loses his arm and leg and Al loses his entire body. It's Ed's sheer cussedness that manages to trap Al's soul in a suit of armor, instead of losing his brother completely through Equivalent Exchange.

Ed is 11. Al is 10.

But that's all ancient history--the actual narrative story of FMA starts later, when Ed is 15. He's taken his natural propensity for alchemy and passed the State Alchemy exam. He's immediately shunted into the service of Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, known near and far for his flashy and destructive alchemic attacks. He's also a bit devious and dangerously ambitious--he's also got a nasty habit of stealing his subordinate's girlfriends. It was Mustang who came to Ed and Al's country town to recruit them for the military, (with impeccable timing) after the brothers' catastrophic experiment.

He keeps the secret of Al's body and Ed's automail a secret. Although he "keeps them in line" (i.e. blackmails) by threatening to go to the higher-ups with the information of Ed and Al's Human Transmutation, he looks out for them like no one else and supports their mission: to find the mythical Philosopher's Stone and restore Al's body. Ed's work with the State Military are simply a means to an end; therefore, he makes choices he feels are best for Al and not the highly politicized State. By proxy, his affects his official State missions as well; he has attained unprecedented popularity with the masses as being "for the people."

And of course, the plot always thickens. There are creepy bad guys also after the Philosopher's Stone, the State's corruption goes deeper than anyone could possibly believe, an Eastern prince makes things difficult for our heroes through his search for immortality and a religious zealot/vigilant goes on a killing rampage, etc. And...then there are lot more shenanigans along the way.

Like many of its contemporaries (Bleach, DeathNote, Naruto) FullMetal Alchemist chooses to address many hard-hitting social issues through analogy and symbolism. Most Japanese films and manga I've seen portray war as a horrible, horrible thing which should be avoided at all cost (which I cannot argue with), but the authors/creators do not allow their anti-war sentiment to overpower the opposing, valid argument. I find the unique viewpoint of Japanese-fantasy-allegory rather refreshing.

It's rare I like the main character of a series, anime or otherwise. Very rare. But, I do LOVE Edward Elric. I like his straightforward approach to life--he takes things on and isn't afraid to put himself out here. He's a bit of a wanderer and isn't content staying place in one place for too long. Plus, his maniacal focus is something I can relate with! He's one of those all around good-natured "wild boys" with a strong sense of justice. Plus, it really is nice to have a SHORT hero for once! Really.

And who could forget sweet and wonderful Alphonse? If you watch the anime, you will hear the cutest voice ever coming out of an enormous suit of armor and your heart will fall apart in an effort to keep him happy and pure and wonderful.