Fullmetal Alchemist
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{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Fullmetal Alchemist
| image = [[Image:Fullmetal123.jpg|210px]]
| caption = The cover of the first volume of the original Japanese manga release
| ja_name = 鋼の錬金術師
| ja_name_trans = Hagane no Renkinjutsushi
| genre = <!--Discuss in talk page before adding or removing genres, however, keep in mind [[WP:MOS-AM#Content]]. Thank you.-->[[Adventure (genre)|Adventure]], [[Science fantasy]]<!--Discuss in talk page before adding or removing genres, however, keep in mind [[WP:MOS-AM#Content]]. Thank you.-->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Manga
| author = [[Hiromu Arakawa]]
| publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Square Enix]]
| publisher_en = {{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|United States}} [[Viz Media]]<br>
{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Madman Entertainment]]<br>
{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Chuang Yi]]
| publisher_other = <br>
{{flagicon|Taiwan}} Tong Li<br>
{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Jade Dynasty<br>
{{flagicon|France}} Kurokawa<br>
{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Panini Comics]]<br>
{{flagicon|Spain}} Norma Editorial<br>
{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Japonica Polonica Fantastica]]<br>
{{flagicon|Thailand}} Siam Inter Comic<br>
{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Daiwon CI]]<br>
{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Komik Remaja]]<br>
{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Sangatsu Manga (Publisher)|Sangatsu Manga]]<br>
{{flagicon|Sweden}} Bonnier Carlsen<br>
{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Editora JBC]]<br>
{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Elex Media Komputindo]]
| magazine = [[Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]
| first = January 2001
| last = ongoing
| volumes = 19
| chapter_list = List of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters
| demographic = [[Shōnen]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
| director = [[Seiji Mizushima]]
| studio = [[Bones (studio)|Bones]]
| licensor = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Aniplex]]<br>
{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Canada}} [[FUNimation Entertainment]]<br>
{{flagicon|UK}} [[Revelation films]]<br>
{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Madman Entertainment]]
| network = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Mainichi Broadcasting System|MBS]]-[[Tokyo Broadcasting System|TBS]], [[Animax]]
| network_other = {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[TVB Jade]]<br>
{{flagicon|Canada}} [[YTV (Canadian television)|YTV]]<br>
{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|United States}} [[Cartoon Network]] ([[Adult Swim]])<br>
{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Hyper (TV channel)|Hyper]]<br>
{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[TV3 (Malaysia)|TV3]]<br>
{{flagicon|Singapore}} Channel U<br>
{{flagicon|Argentina}} {{flagicon|Peru}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} {{flagicon|Venezuela}} {{flagicon|India}} [[Animax]]<br>
{{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Animax]], [[Rede TV!]]<br>
{{flagicon|Chile}} [[Chilevisión]]<br>
{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Animax Hungary|Animax]]<br>
{{flagicon|France}} [[Canal +]], [[MCM]]<br>
{{flagicon|Italy}} [[MTV Italia]]<br>
{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[GMA Network]], [[Animax]]<br>
{{flagicon|South Korea}} Champ, [[Anione]]<br>
{{flagicon|Spain}} Canal Buzz, [[Cuatro TV|Cuatro]]<br>
{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Subtv]]<br>
{{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[LNK (television station)|LNK]]<br>
{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Rapture TV]], [[AnimeCentral]]<br>
{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[ITV]],[[ASTV]]<br>
{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[ZTV]]<br>
{{flagicon|Greece}} [[ERT Digital|Cine+]]
| first = [[October 4]], [[2003]]
| last = [[October 2]], [[2004]]
| episodes = 51
| episode_list = List of Fullmetal Alchemist episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Novel
| light = Yes
| author = [[Makoto Inoue]]
| illustrator = [[Hiromu Arakawa]]
| publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Square Enix]]
| publisher_en = {{flagicon|United States}} [[Viz Media]]
| publisher_other =
| first = February 2003
| last = [[March 22]], [[2007]]
| volumes = 6
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Movie
| title = [[Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa]]
| director = [[Seiji Mizushima]]
| producer = [[Seiji Takeda]]
| writer = [[Sho Aikawa]]
| music = [[Michiru Oshima]]
| studio = [[Bones (studio)|Bones]]
| licensor = {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Canada}} [[FUNimation Entertainment]]
| released = [[July 23]], [[2005]]
| runtime = 105 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''Fullmetal Alchemist'''''|鋼の錬金術師|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi|lit. "Alchemist of Steel"}}, commonly abbreviated as ''FMA'' or ''Hagaren'', is an ongoing Japanese [[manga]] series written and illustrated by [[Hiromu Arakawa]]. The story centers around a [[fictional universe]] in which [[alchemy]] is one of the most advanced scientific techniques, resulting in different technological developments. The world of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' is based in the countries of Europe during the [[Industrial Revolution]] period as well as several experiences from the author's life. The plot follows the adventures of two brothers, alchemists named [[Edward Elric|Edward]] and [[Alphonse Elric]], who want to recover parts of their bodies they lost in an attempt to bring their mother back to life.
The manga is serialized in [[Square Enix]]'s ''[[Gangan Comics#Monthly Shōnen Gangan|Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]'' magazine and was adapted into an [[Anime|animated]] [[Television program|television series]] and a [[Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa|movie sequel]]. The manga is still running in Japan, and nineteen [[tankōbon|bound volumes]] have been released so far, while sixteen have been released in the [[United States]]. The anime, on the other hand, is finished, and consists of fifty-one episodes and a full-length movie sequel, which have been released in English in all English-speaking DVD regions.<ref name="PiQ" /> In addition, there are several [[spin-off]] novels, [[original video animation]]s (OVAs), and [[video game]]s.<ref name="PiQ">{{cite journal |title=Fullmetal Alchemist Season 2 Part 2, The end of a transformative journey |journal=[[PiQ]] |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |first=Tom |last=Leavitt |volume=1 |issue=1 |month=April |year=2008 |pages=p. 72}}</ref> Merchandising of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', such as [[collectible card game]]s, action figures, soundtracks, and supplementary books, have also been released. Concert performances of the series have also been made in Japan during December 2004.
The franchise has seen high popularity in both Japan and North America.<ref name="rank">{{cite web |url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/common/images/sqex_07profile_e.pdf#page=6 |date=October 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-28 |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |format=[[PDF]] |title=2007 profile |pages=6}}</ref> [[As of March 2008]], the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' manga has sold over 30 million volumes in Japan.<ref name="ANNmillon">{{cite web|title = Fullmetal Alchemist Manga: Over 30 Million Served | date = 2008-03-22 |url = http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-22/fullmetal-alchemist-manga-over-30-million-served |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]| accessdate = 2008-03-29 }}</ref> The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during the year 2005.<ref name="icvone">{{cite web|title = ICv2 2005 Manga Awards--Part 1 | date =2008-03-22 |url = http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8013.html |publisher=ICv2| accessdate = 2006-01-03}}</ref> The series' animated adaptation won the ''[[Animage]]'' Anime Grand Prix prize in 2003.<ref name="animage">{{cite web|title=Animage Awards|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-05-12/animage-awards|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date= 2004-05-12|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref> In two [[TV Asahi]] web polls, the anime was voted #1 most popular anime of all time in Japan.<ref name="asahi">{{cite web| date=[[2005-09-23]]|title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2007-06-29}}</ref><ref name="popular">{{cite web|title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime|date= [[2006-10-13]] |publisher=Anime News Network|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime|accessdate= 2007-06-29}}</ref> It was nominated in six of the eight categories for which it was eligible at the [[American Anime Awards]] in February 2007, winning awards in five of them.<ref name="award">{{cite web|url= http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10138.html |title= American Anime Award Winners|publisher= ICv2|date= 2007-02-26 |accessdate= 2008-02-13}}</ref>
==Plot==
[[Edward Elric|Edward]] and [[Alphonse Elric]] are brothers living in the village of Resembool in the country of {{nihongo|Amestris|アメストリス|Amesutorisu}}. Their father, [[Hohenheim (Fullmetal Alchemist)|Hohenheim]], left home when Edward and Alphonse were still very young. Years later, their mother, [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Trisha Elric|Trisha Elric]], dies of a terminal illness. After their mother's death, Edward becomes determined to bring her back through the use of alchemy, an advanced science in which an object can be reformed into something completely different. They learn of the Human Transmutation, a forbidden art in which one attempts to create a human who had died. However, this attempt failed, ultimately resulting in the loss of Edward's left leg<!-- and right arm in next sentence, not here --> and Alphonse's entire body. In a desperate effort to save his brother, Edward sacrifices his right arm to affix his brother's soul to a suit of armor. After that, Edward's left leg and right arm are fitted with two sets of automail, a type of advanced [[prosthetic limb]], created for him by his close family friends [[Winry Rockbell]] and her grandmother Pinako.
Edward sets out to become a {{nihongo|State Alchemist|国家錬金術師|Kokka Renkinjutsushi}}, which are alchemists employed by the State Military of Amestris. State Alchemists are identified by their Fuhrer-issued silver pocket watches and the unique titles assigned to them upon becoming a State Alchemist. Becoming a state alchemist would enable Edward to use the extensive resources available to them to discover a way to restore what he and Alphonse had lost, but it also turns him into a "weapon" of the military, who are famous for destroying almost all [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Ishval|Ishval]]'s population in a past Civil War. The brothers eventually learn of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary stone that is said to allow the holder to completely bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange, and set off in search of it as a means to restore their bodies. Along the way they discover that the Philosopher's Stone requires human lives to create it, and find others who seek it as well, doing almost whatever they can to get their hands on it. They become attacked by the [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Homunculi|homunculi]], a group of human-like creatures that carry pieces of the Philosopher's Stone inside themselves. They are named after the [[seven deadly sins]] and act as primary villains in the series.
A man known simply as "[[Father (Fullmetal Alchemist)|Father]]" is the creator of all the homunculi and commands them from behind the curtains of the High Command of the country Amestris. He was originally a small ball of shadows inside a round flask with the nickname of "homunculus" created with the blood of Hohenheim. He goads a king into performing Human Transmutation, resulting in the destruction of the country Xerxes. As a gift for helping him, Father made Hohenheim immortal by rebuilding his body with half the souls of the population of Xerxes; he used the other half to create a body for himself in the likeness of Hohenheim. It is suspected that Father plans to use Amestris as a gigantic transmutation circle to create a Philosopher's Stone, but the homunculus [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Envy|Envy]] hints that, although close, this is not the whole truth.
===Differences in adaptations===
The stories of the manga and anime separate soon after the encounter with the homuculus [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Greed|Greed]] during the episodes 32–35, and weave vastly different tales. Father does not exist in the anime. His counterpart is a woman called [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Dante|Dante]], a former lover of Hohenheim. Centuries ago, the two were masterful alchemists and perfected methods for making the Philosopher's Stone and a form of immortality in which they use others' bodies until they age. Hohenheim eventually fell in love with another and left Dante, taking with him the perfected Philosopher's Stone formula. Although Dante is still able to jump from body to body to cheat death over the centuries, she is able to spend less and less time in each body as it decays faster with each jump, and each jump causes the stone she possesses to lose its power over time. She uses the Homunculi to spur Edward and Alphonse, along with other Alchemists as desperate as they are, into creating another complete Philosopher's Stone for her.
Having heard of Scar's creation of the Philosopher's Stone, Edward saves the people from Lior from being sacrificed during the the creation of the stone, which is infuesed into Alphonse's metal body, making him the main focus of Dante's efforts ultimately leading to his being kidnapped. During the fights against the homunculi, Edward is killed by [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Envy|Envy]], Alphonse uses the power of the Philosopher's Stone to heal Edward's body and to reattach his soul. After being revived, Edward risks his own life to bring back his brother in exchange. As a result, Edward ends up on the other side of the gate of alchemy, which turns out to be the Earth, while Alphonse recovers his original body. Determined to return with Alphonse, Edward becomes involved in rocketry research in the country of Transylvania, with the intention to use that technology to try and get back to his home world.
==Main characters==
{{main|List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters}}
<!-- please add extra information on the character pages, not here. -->
*{{Nihongo|'''[[Edward Elric]]'''|エドワード・エルリック|Edowādo Erurikku}}, commonly nicknamed "Ed", is the main [[protagonist]] of the series. Edward is famous for being the youngest State Alchemist of the country winning the title of "Fullmetal Alchemist". Edward is of short stature, and typically reacts in an exaggerated manner to any remarks about his height. After losing his right arm and left leg as a result of a failed human transmutation and the binding of Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor, he received automail prosthetics.<ref name="metal">{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=1 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=The Price of Life | pages=p. 64 | isbn=978-1-59116-920-8 }}</ref> He starts searching for the Philosopher's Stone in order to recover the body of his younger brother as well as his missing limbs.<ref name="recover">{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=1 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=The Price of Life | pages=p. 66 | isbn=978-1-59116-920-8 }}</ref> In the anime, Edward is voiced by [[Romi Paku]] in Japanese and [[Vic Mignogna]] in the English dub. <!-- Any other details belong on his own page-->
*{{Nihongo|'''[[Alphonse Elric]]'''|アルフォンス・エルリック|Arufonsu Erurikku}}, often nicknamed "Al," is Edward's younger brother and ''Fullmetal Alchemist''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s secondary protagonist. For most of the series, his [[soul]] is trapped in a large suit of [[Armour#Plate armour|armor]] as a result of performing Human Transmutation,<ref name="metal" /> causing other characters throughout the series to confuse Al with the "Fullmetal" Alchemist. Alphonse is the calmer of the two, and can be seen as a [[Foil (literature)|foil]] to Edward's character. He starts the search for the Philosopher's Stone with his brother hoping to recover their bodies.<ref name="recover" /> Alphonse is voiced by [[Rie Kugimiya]] in Japanese and [[Aaron Dismuke]] is his English voice actor.
*{{Nihongo|'''[[Roy Mustang]]'''|ロイ・ムスタング|Roi Musutangu}} is a State Alchemist known as the "Flame Alchemist" due to his ability to create fire with his gloves.<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=1 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=Battle on the Train | pages=pp. 178–180 | isbn=978-1-59116-920-8 }}</ref> He is Edward's direct superior officer in the military, but has his own goal, mainly to become the Führer, leader of the military. During the series, his friend [[Maes Hughes]] is killed after discovering the secret of the Ishval Civil War resulting in the start of his search of Hughes's murderer.<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=4 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=Separate Paths | pages=p. 158 | isbn= 978-1-59116-929-1 }}</ref> Roy is voiced by [[Tōru Ōkawa]] in Japanese, while by [[Travis Willingham]] in English.
*{{Nihongo|'''[[Winry Rockbell]]'''|ウィンリィ・ロックベル|Winrī Rokkuberu}} is a [[Machine|mechanical]] expert who is a childhood friend of the Elrics. She, along with her grandmother Pinako, built Edward's automail, and she also helps maintain the automail when it gets broken.<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=3 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=A Home with a Family Waiting | pages=pp. 15–17 | isbn=978-1-59116-925-3 }}</ref> Her parents were called into service as doctors during the Ishvalan Civil War and were killed while treating the injured. In the manga, they are killed by the Ishvalan [[Scar (Fullmetal Alchemist)|Scar]];<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=12 | year=2007 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=The Distant Image of Their Backs | pages=pp. 47–48 | isbn= 978-1-4215-0839-9 }}</ref> in the anime, they are killed by the State Alchemist [[Roy Mustang]].<ref>{{cite episode|title=The Sinner Within|airdate=2005-11-19|number=36|credits=Director: Seiji Mizushima|series=Fullmetal Alchemist|network=Cartoon Network}}</ref> Winry is voiced by [[Megumi Toyoguchi]] in Japanese and [[Caitlin Glass]] in the English dub.
*{{Nihongo|'''[[Scar (Fullmetal Alchemist)|Scar]]'''|スカー|Sukā}} is one of the few surviving [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Ishval|Ishvalans]]. His real name is never revealed, but he is referred to as "Scar" because of the X-shaped scar on his face. Scar's right arm, which is tattooed with a rare transmutation circle, was given to him by his brother shortly before he died.<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=4 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=Separate Paths | pages=pp. 171–172 | isbn= 978-1-59116-929-1 }}</ref> Scar believes himself to be an instrument of God, and kills State Alchemists using his alchemical skills, despite the fact that he believes alchemy is an abomination against the natural world.<ref>{{cite book | last=Arakawa | first=Hiromu | title=Fullmetal Alchemist | volume=2 | year=2005 | publisher=Viz Media | chapter=After the Rain | pages=pp. 117–122 | isbn=978-1-59116-923-9 }}</ref> Scar is voiced by [[Ryotaro Okiayu]] in Japanese and [[Dameon Clarke]] in English.
==Production==
In an interview, [[Hiromu Arakawa]] said that she became attracted by the idea of using alchemy in the manga after reading about the [[Philosopher's stone]]. She liked it so much that she started reading books of alchemy, which she found very complicated due to the fact that some books contradicted others. She was attracted more by the philosophical aspects than the practical aspects.<ref name="new">{{cite journal | title= Equivalent Change | journal=[[Newtype (magazine)|Newtype]] USA | month=January | year=2006 | publisher=[[A.D. Vision]] }}</ref> For the Equivalent Exchange concept, she was inspired by the work of her parents who had a farm in [[Hokkaidō]] and always had to give all their effort in order to earn the money to eat.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://books.yahoo.co.jp/interview/detail/08249604/01.html|language=japanese |title=インタビュー|publisher=Yahoo.co.jp|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref>
Several social problems were integrated into the story by Arakawa after talking to people who had suffered them, such as refugees, war veterans and former [[yakuza]], or simply by watching news about those issues. Several plot elements expand on these themes, such as Pinako Rockbell caring for the Elric brothers after the death of their mother, and the brothers helping people all over the country, to gain an understanding of the meaning of family.<ref name="new" />
When creating the fictional world of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', Arakawa was inspired after reading about Europe during the [[Industrial Revolution]] period; she was amazed by how different the people from different countries were, in terms of their culture, architecture and clothes. As she said, she was especially interested in [[England]] during that period and "added to it her own original flavor to make it into a fantasy world.<ref name="new" />
When the manga started being serialized, Arakawa had in mind how the story would end. However, as the plot continued, she felt some characters were growing up and so she decided to change some scenes. Therefore, some sketches of the faces of the characters were improvised. Arakawa made comedy central in the manga because she thinks the manga is made for entertainment, so she tried not to focus on sad scenes.<ref name="yahoo" />
During the development of the anime, Arakawa let the anime staff work by themselves and also requested that it should have a different ending from the one in the manga. She said that she would not like to repeat the same ending in both media, as well as to make the manga longer to work more in the development of the characters. When watching the ending of the anime, she was amazed about how different the Homunculi were from the manga and enjoyed how the staff speculated about the origins of the villains.<ref name="new" />
==Media==
===Manga===
{{main article|List of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters}}
{{double image|right|FMA Yankee.jpg|150|FMA Japan.jpg|150|This panel from volume 8 shows some of changes in the graphics [[Viz Media]] made in their English release of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' (left) versus the original (right)}}
Written and drawn by [[Hiromu Arakawa]], the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' manga series is serialized in [[Square Enix]]'s monthly manga magazine ''[[Monthly Shōnen Gangan]]''. It began its serialization in January 2001 and is still ongoing, with a new chapter in every issue. The individual chapters are also published in [[tankōbon|bound volumes]] by Square Enix. The first volume was released in January 2002 and as of April 2008, nineteen bound volumes have been released.<ref>{{cite web| title=Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=2565|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=2006-09-13}}</ref> [[Viz Media]] began releasing the manga in North America in May 2005; as of [[March 19]] [[2008]], sixteen English-language volumes have been released.<ref name=manga_release>{{cite web| title=''Fullmetal Alchemist'', Vol. 1|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5102 |publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2006-10-05}}</ref>
So far the content of the manga released by Viz in the United States does not differ much from the original material. As of August 2007, the only edit that has been made is to a set of twelve panels from volume 8, depicting the [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Homunculi|Homunculus]] [[List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters#Greed|Greed]] tied to a cross-shaped stone slab in [[crucifixion]] style. In the U.S. version the stone was redesigned to become round in each panel,<ref>{{cite web| title=Viz Edits ''Fullmetal Alchemist''|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9473 |publisher=Anime News Network|date=2006-09-11|accessdate=2006-09-13}}</ref> as commented by Viz to avoid references to [[Christianity]]. This change in the manga was made with the approval of Hiromu Arakawa.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-09-16 |title=Viz Responds to 'FMA' Edit|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/9339.html|publisher=ICv2|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref>
===Anime===
{{main|List of Fullmetal Alchemist episodes}}
The animation studio [[Bones (studio)|Bones]] adapted the manga into a 51-episode anime series, directed by [[Seiji Mizushima]] and co-produced by Bones, [[Mainichi Broadcasting System]] and [[Aniplex]] with character designs by Yoshiyuki Ito and scripts by [[Sho Aikawa]], which ran on the [[Mainichi Broadcasting System]], [[Tokyo Broadcasting System|TBS]], and [[Animax]] in Japan from [[October 4]], [[2003]] to [[October 2]], [[2004]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Fullmetal Alchemist on YTV|publisher=Anime News Network|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2960|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> with a 6.8 percent television viewership rating.<ref name="rank" /> The English dub of the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime debuted on the ''[[Adult Swim]]'' block of the [[United States]] cable channel [[Cartoon Network]] in [[November 6]], [[2004]].<ref>{{cite web | author=| title=Fullmetal Alchemist on Adult Swim Saturday| publisher=Anime News Network| url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-11-05/fullmetal-alchemist-on-adult-swim-saturday |date=2004-11-05 |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> A year and a half later, [[Canada]]'s [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] began airing it on [[March 3]], [[2006]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Fullmetal Alchemist on YTV| publisher=Anime News Network| url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-02-10/fullmetal-alchemist-on-ytv|date=2006-02-10 |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref>
The anime's later story and conclusion by Bones is different from the manga, which is still ongoing due to a request by [[Hiromu Arakawa]].<ref name="new" /> During the making of the anime, [[Hiromu Arakawa]] was present in meetings to give the staff insight in the world of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', though she did not actively take part in any writing for the TV series.<ref name="yahoo" />
A movie sequel, ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa]]'', was made by the same studio, and premiered in Japanese theaters on [[July 23]] [[2005]].<ref>{{cite web | author=| title=Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa| publisher=Anime News Network| url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4176 | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> A series of five [[Original video animation]]s (OVAs) were also released. Most of them are noted to have little to no plot continuity. These OVAs also include a [[live action]] segment with [[Alphonse Elric]] travelling around a city. In March 2006 a DVD featuring these OVAs was released in Japan with the name of ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection''.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year= 2006| title=CDJapan / Animation / ''Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Premium Collection''| publisher=CDJapan| url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ANSB-2005 | accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref>
====Soundtracks====
[[Image:FMA Shambala OST.jpg|frame|Cover of ''Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa Original Soundtrack'']]
All of the music for the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' soundtrack was composed and arranged by [[Michiru Oshima]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1565 | title=Michiru Oshima| publisher=Anime News Network||accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> who won the 5th Tokyo Anime Award in the category "Best Music" for ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa]]''.<ref name="tokyo_fair" />
''TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1'' was released on [[March 24]], [[2004]] in Japan and contained thirty-three tracks, incluiding several of the background sounds used during key points in the main series and the first opening and ending theme songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-1034|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack|publisher=CDJapan|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> The [[Russian language|Russian]] track "Brothers" (Russian: Братья, ''Bratja''; [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''Burācha'') was also recorded in English by [[Vic Mignogna]], the voice actor who played [[Edward Elric]] in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2960&page=22| title=Fullmetal Alchemist (TV) - Trivia| publisher=Anime News Network||accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref>
''TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 2'' was released on [[December 15]], [[2004]] and contained thirty tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7226|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack 2|publisher=CDJapan|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> ''TV Animation Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 3'', released on [[May 18]], [[2005]] contained twenty-seven tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7251|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkin Jutsushi) Original Soundtrack 3|publisher=CDJapan|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref>
''Fullmetal Alchemist - Complete Best'' and ''Fullmetal Alchemist Hagaren Song File -Best Compilation-'' are compilations of the soundtracks that were released in Japan on [[October 14]], [[2004]] and [[December 21]], [[2005]], respectively. A bonus DVD, included only on the U.S. release, contains a music video for [[Nana Kitade]]'s "Indelible Sin".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=6813|title=Fullmetal Alchemist - Complete Best (OST)|publisher= [[Anime News Network]] |date= 2006-08-29 |accessdate= 2008-04-05}}</ref> ''Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie Conqueror Of Shamballa OST'', which contained forty-six tracks, was released on [[December 21]], [[2005]]. All of them are tracks used in the featured film ''Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SVWC-7270|title=Theatrical Feature Fullmetal Alchemist The Conqueror of Shambala - Original Soundtrack|publisher=CDJapan|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref>
During the month of December 2004, "Tales of Another Festival" was staged in Tokyo and Osaka, featuring performances by several of the musical artists from the television series as well as narrations by the voice actors and actresses.<ref name="concert">{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ANSB-1248|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Festival - Tales of Another|publisher=cdjapan|accessdate=2008-04-12}}</ref> A DVD of the concert entitled ''Fullmetal Alchemist Festival - Tales of Another'' was released in Japan on [[April 27]], [[2005]].<ref name="concert" />
===Novels===
A series of six ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' Japanese [[light novel]]s, written by [[Makoto Inoue]], have been published by [[Square Enix]].<ref name="japnovels">{{cite web |url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/ |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |title=原作/荒川 弘 著者/井上 真|language=Japanese |accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref> The novels are licensed for an [[English (language)|English-language]] release by [[Viz Media]] in [[North America]], with translation by [[Alexander O. Smith]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=383|publisher=Viz Media|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel series)|accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref> Although [[Hiromu Arakawa]] did not write the novels, she did illustrations for them, including covers and frontispieces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=537638|publisher=SimonSays.com|title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Under the Faraway Sky (Novel)|accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref>
The novels are [[spin-off]]s of the manga series and follow the Elric brothers on their continued quest for the Philosopher's Stone. The first novel, ''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand'', would be later animated as the episodes eleven and twelve of the anime series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/novel1.html|publisher=[[Square Enix]] |title=小説「鋼の錬金術(1) 砂礫の大地」 原作/荒川弘 著者/井上真|language=Japanese |accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref> The fourth novel also contains an extra story about the military called "Roy's Holiday".<ref name="militar">{{cite web |url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6638|publisher=Viz Media |title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel): Under the Far Away Sky|accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref>
{{Graphic novel list/header
| Language = Japanese
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 1
| OriginalRelDate = February 2003<ref name="ting">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC%E3%83%BB%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E2%80%95%E7%A0%82%E7%A4%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%A7%E5%9C%B0-Comic-novels-%E8%8D%92%E5%B7%9D-%E5%BC%98/dp/4757508719/|language=Japanese |title=小説・鋼の錬金術師―砂礫の大地 (Comic novels) (新書)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-0871-2
| LicensedRelDate = [[October 4]], [[2005]]<ref name="one">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5336|title=Viz Media - Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel), Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-0155-0
| ChapterList =
* Prologue
# Golden Hair
# Silver Eyes
# Crimson Water
* Epilogue
* The Phantom of Warehouse 13
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand''|砂礫の大地|Sareki no Daichi}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 2
| OriginalRelDate = September 2003<ref name="ja_n2">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC%E3%83%BB%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E3%80%882%E3%80%89%E5%9B%9A%E3%82%8F%E3%82%8C%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-Comic-novels-%E8%8D%92%E5%B7%9D-%E5%BC%98/dp/4757510292/|language=Japanese |title=小説・鋼の錬金術師〈2〉囚われの錬金術師 (Comic novels) (新書)|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1029-6
| LicensedRelDate = [[February 21]], [[2006]]<ref name="two">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5336|title=Viz Media - Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel), Vol. 2|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-0222-9
| ChapterList =
# The Borderlands Train
# The Odd Terrorists
# Lively Lodgings
# The Abduction of Edward
# Separate Battles
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Abducted Alchemist''|囚われの錬金術師|Toraware no Renkinjutsushi}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 3
| OriginalRelDate = [[April 30]], [[2004]]<ref name="tong">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC-%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-3-%E7%99%BD%E3%81%84%E8%8A%B1%E3%81%AE%E8%88%9E%E3%81%86%E8%B0%B7-%E3%82%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%8E%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BA/dp/4757511981/|title=小説 鋼の錬金術師 (3) 白い花の舞う谷 (コミックノベルズ) (新書)|language=Japanese |publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1198-9
| LicensedRelDate = [[May 16]], [[2006]]<ref name="three">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=5617|title=Viz Media - Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel), Vol. 3|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-0402-5
| ChapterList =
# The Colonel's Conspiracy
# Paradise Below
# Unequivalent Exchange
# The Truth
# The Valley of White Petals
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Valley of White Petals''|白い花の舞う谷|Shiroi Hana no Mau Tani}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 4
| OriginalRelDate = [[October 29]], [[2004]]<ref name="fong">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC-%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-%E9%81%A0%E3%81%84%E7%A9%BA%E3%81%AE%E4%B8%8B%E3%81%A7-Comic-novels/dp/4757513151/|language=Japanese |title=小説 鋼の錬金術師(4) 遠い空の下で (Comic novels) (新書)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1315-0
| LicensedRelDate = [[October 16]], [[2007]]<ref name="militar" />
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-1397-3
| ChapterList =
* Under the Faraway Sky
* Roy's Holiday
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Under the Faraway Sky''|遠い空の下で|Tōi Sora no Shita de}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 5
| OriginalRelDate = [[June 30]], [[2005]]<ref name="fing">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC-%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-~%E3%81%9D%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9E%E3%82%8C%E3%81%AE%E7%B5%86~-Comic-novels/dp/4757514719/|language=Japanese |title=小説 鋼の錬金術師 (5) ~それぞれの絆~ (Comic novels) (新書)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1471-3
| LicensedRelDate = [[December 18]], [[2007]]<ref name="five">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6692|title=Viz Media - Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel)|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-1431-4
| ChapterList =
* Prologue
# The Banned Book
# Thicker than Blood
# Meetings and Encounters
# A Mistaken Wish
# Keep Moving On
* Epilogue
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Ties That Bind''|それぞれの絆|Sorezore no Kizuna}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
* Roy Mustang
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| Series = novel
| VolumeNumber = 6
| OriginalRelDate = [[March 22]], [[2007]]<ref name="six">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%B0%8F%E8%AA%AC%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-6-COMIC-NOVELS/dp/4757519842/|title=小説鋼の錬金術師 6 (6) (COMIC NOVELS) (単行本)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1984-8
| LicensedRelDate =
| LicensedISBN =
| ChapterList =
*
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: A New Beginning''|新たなはじまり|Arata na Hajimari}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
* Winry Rockbell
| Summary =
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
Novelizations of three of the [[PlayStation 2]] games—''[[Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel]]'', ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir|Curse of the Crimson Elixir]]'', and ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist 3: Kami o Tsugu Shōjo|The Girl Who Surpasses God]]''—have also been written; the first was authored by Makoto Inoue and the rest by [[Jun Eishima]].<ref name="japnovels" /> None of these have been translated for distribution outside Japan.
{{Graphic novel list/header
| OneLanguage = yes
| Language = Japanese
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| OneLanguage = yes
| Series = gamenovel
| VolumeNumber = 1
| OriginalRelDate = [[July 30]], [[2004]]<ref name="angel">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%8E%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BA-%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB-%E7%BF%94%E3%81%B9%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84%E5%A4%A9%E4%BD%BF-Game-novels/dp/4757512473/|language=Japanese |title=ゲームノベルズ 鋼の錬金術師 翔べない天使 (Game novels) (新書)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1247-4
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel''|翔べない天使|Tobenai Tenshi}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
* Armony Eiselstein
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| OneLanguage = yes
| Series = gamenovel
| VolumeNumber = 2
| OriginalRelDate = [[December 24]], [[2004]]<ref name="light">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB2-%E8%B5%A4%E3%81%8D%E3%82%A8%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E6%82%AA%E9%AD%94-%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%8E%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BA-%E6%98%A0%E5%B3%B6-%E5%B7%A1/dp/4757513453/|language=Japanese |title=鋼の錬金術師2 赤きエリクシルの悪魔 (ゲームノベルズ) (新書)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1345-7
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Curse of the Crimson Elixir''|赤きエリクシルの悪魔|Akaki Erikushiru no Akuma}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| OneLanguage = yes
| Series = gamenovel
| VolumeNumber = 3
| OriginalRelDate = November, 2005<ref name="who">{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E9%8B%BC%E3%81%AE%E9%8C%AC%E9%87%91%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E3%80%883%E3%80%89%E7%A5%9E%E3%82%92%E7%B6%99%E3%81%90%E5%B0%91%E5%A5%B3-%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%8E%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%82%BA-%E6%98%A0%E5%B3%B6-%E5%B7%A1/dp/4757515707/|language=Japanese |title=鋼の錬金術師〈3〉神を継ぐ少女 (ゲームノベルズ) (単行本)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN = 978-4-7575-1570-3
| VolumeExtras = '''Volume title''':<br />
* {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Girl Who Surpasses God''|神を継ぐ少女|Kami o Tsugu Shōjo}}
'''Cover characters''':<br />
* Edward Elric
* Alphonse Elric
* Sophie Belkman
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
===Drama CDs===
There has been two series of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' audio dramas. The first volume of the first series, {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1: The Land of Sand''|砂礫の大地|Sareki no Daichi}}, was released before the anime and tells a story similar to the first novel. The voice actors of the Tringham brothers worked later in the anime with the same characters, while the Elric brothers have different voice actors.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/comiccd1.html | publisher=[[Square Enix]] | title=コミックCDコレクション「鋼の錬金術師 偽りの光、真実の影」| language=Japanese | accessdate=2008-04-11}}</ref> {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 2: False Light, Truth's Shadow''|偽りの光 真実の影|Itsuwari no Hikari, Shinjitsu no Kage}} and {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 3: Criminals' Scar''|咎人たちの傷跡|Togabitotachi no Kizuato}} are stories based on different manga chapters with the addition of other characters, such as [[Roy Mustang]], Riza Hawkeye, Alex Louis Armstrong and [[Maes Hughes]].<ref name="japnovels" />
The second series of audio dramas, available only with purchases of ''[[Shōnen Gangan]]'', consists of short stories.<ref name="japnovels" /> There are two stories in this series, each with two parts. The first, {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Ogutāre of the Fog''|霧のオグターレ|Kiri no Ogutāre}}, was included in ''Shōnen Gangan'''s April and May 2004 issues, while the second story, {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Crown of Heaven''|天上の宝冠|Tenjō no Hōkan}}, was found in the November and December issues.<ref name="japnovels" />
===Trading card game===
{{main|Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game}}
A ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' trading card game was first published in 2005 in the United States by Joyride Entertainment.<ref name="joyride">{{cite web|publisher=Anime News Network| title=Fullmetal Alchemist TCG Announced | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-03-15/fullmetal-alchemist-tcg-announced | date=2005-03-15 | accessdate=2008-04-16 }}</ref> Since then, six expansions have been released. Cards for this game were sold in booster packs and as decks. The physical game was retired on [[July 11]], [[2007]];<ref name="tcg_retired">{{cite web| title=R.I.P. 'FMA TCG' | url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11000.html |publisher=ICv2| date=2007-07-31 | accessdate=2008-04-16 }}</ref> Destineer released a [[Nintendo DS]] adaptation of the game on [[October 15]], [[2007]].<ref name="tcg_ds">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=180428|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game product page|publisher=Gamestop.com|accessdate=2007-10-20}}</ref>
The ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' trading cards have been highly popular in the United States. A "[[Roy Mustang]], Master Manipulator" card was sold for $100 because of its rarity; the previous record for a card was $91 for a "Lust, Femme Fatale" chase card, sold in an auction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-11-03/roy-mustang-most-valuable-fma-card|title=Roy Mustang Most Valuable FMA Card|date=2005-11-03|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>
===Art and guidebooks===
The ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' franchise has several artbooks for the manga and the anime; two manga artbooks called {{nihongo|''The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist''|イラスト集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST|Irasuto Shū Fullmetal Alchemist}} were released by [[Square Enix]] and later by [[Viz Media]].<ref name="art">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=385|title=The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist (Books)|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref> The first contains illustrations made between May 2001 to April 2003, spanning the first six manga volumes, while the second has illustrations from September 2003 to October 2005, spanning the next six.<ref name="franchise">{{cite web|url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/lineup/|title=鋼の錬金術師 BOOKS|publisher=Square Enix|language=japanese|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref> For the anime, three artbooks with the name of {{nihongo|''The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Anime''|TVアニメーション鋼の錬金術師 ART BOOK|TV Animēshon Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Artbook}} were released in Japan, while only the first was released by Viz Media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=385|title=The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist (Books)|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref>
The manga also has three guidebooks; each of them contain timelines, guides to the Elric brothers' journey, and ''[[gaiden]]'' chapters that were never released in a manga volume.<ref name="franchise" /> Only the first guidebook has been released by Viz Media, under the name of ''Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6040|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles (manga)|publisher=Viz Media|accessdate=2008-04-19}}</ref> An anime character guide book called {{nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Anime Profiles''|TV Animation Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Kyarakore}} was released Japan as well in the United States.<ref name="art" /> A series of five fanbooks have also been released with the name of {{nihongo|''TV Anime Fullmetal Alchemist Official Fanbooks''|TVアニメ 鋼の錬金術師 オフィシャルファンブック|TV Anime Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Ofisharu Fan Bukku}} containing each one information of the anime as well as several interviews with the staff of the series.<ref name="franchise" />
===Video games===
[[Video game]]s based on the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' world have also been released. The storylines of the games often diverge from those of the anime and manga and also feature new characters. [[Square Enix]] has released three RPG titles—''[[Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel]]'', ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir|Curse of the Crimson Elixir]]'', and ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist 3: Kami o Tsugu Shōjo|The Girl Who Surpasses God]]''—and one fighting game, ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival|Dream Carnival]]'', for the [[PlayStation 2]]; [[Bandai]] has released two RPG titles, ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Stray Rondo'' and ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Omoide no Sonata'', for the [[Game Boy Advance]] and one, ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy|Dual Sympathy]]'', for the [[Nintendo DS]]; and [[Destineer]] released a game based on the [[Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game|trading card game]] in North America for the Nintendo DS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/fullmetalalchemistds/news.html?sid=6120244|title=''Fullmetal Alchemist'' DS-bound|publisher=[[Game Spot]]|accessdate=2006-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aniplex.co.jp/hagaren/|title=''Fullmetal Alchemist'' Game|language=japanese|publisher=[[Aniplex]]|accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> Of the seven games made in Japan, ''Broken Angel'', ''Dream Carnival'', ''Curse of the Crimson Elixir'', and ''Dual Sympathy'' have seen international release; the others have not been released internationally.
Funimation licensed the franchise to create a new series of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' related video games to be published by [[Destineer]] Publishing Corporation in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-06/funimation-announces-series-of-fullmetal-alchemist-games|title=Funimation Announces Series of Fullmetal Alchemist Games|publisher=Anime News Network|date=2006-06-16|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> Destineer released its first ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' game for the [[Nintendo DS]], a translation of Bandai's ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy]]'', on [[December 15]], [[2006]], and has commented that this will be the first of many titles that they plan to release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/pressrelease.php?id=1764|title=''Fullmetal Alchemist'' Video Games coming from Destineer|publisher=Anime News Network|date=2006-06-06|accessdate=2006-08-05}}</ref> On [[February 19]], [[2007]], Destineer announced the second game in its ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' series, the ''Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game''. This title was released [[October 15]], [[2007]].<ref name="tcg_ds" />
===Other merchandise===
Action figures, busts, and statues from the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime and manga have been created by leading toy companies. The primary of these companies are Medicom and Southern Island. Medicom has created high end deluxe vinyl figures of the characters from the anime. These figures are exclusively distributed in the United States and UK by Southern Island.<ref name="medi_si">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-06/mediacom-fullmetal-alchemist-figures-available-from-southern-island-this-month | title=Mediacom Fullmetal Alchemist Figures Available from Southern Island This Month | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2007-01-06 | accessdate=2008-04-13 }}</ref> Southern Island has also released their own action figures in 2007 of the main characters. These figures and a 12" statue were scheduled to release in 2007. Southern Island has since gone bankrupt, putting the figures on permanent hiatus.<ref name="si_bank">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-28/anime-collectible-maker-southern-island-goes-bankrupt | title=Anime Collectible Maker Southern Island Goes Bankrupt | publisher=Anime News Network | date=2007-11-28 | accessdate=2008-04-13 }}</ref>
== Reception ==
[[As of March 2008]], the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' manga has sold over 30 million volumes in Japan.<ref name="ANNmillon" /> The series is also one of [[Viz Media]]'s best sellers, appearing in several polls.<ref>{{cite web |title = BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for March| publisher =ICv2 | date=2008-04-02 | url = http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12330.html | accessdate = 2008-04-03}}</ref> The manga also appeared several times in the "USA Today Booklist".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-24/manga-back-on-booklist |title= Manga Back on Booklist|publisher= [[Anime News Network]] |date= 2006-11-04 |accessdate= 2008-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-13/september-3rd-booklist |title=September 3rd Booklist|publisher= [[Anime News Network]] |date= 2006-09-13 |accessdate= 2008-04-05}}</ref> The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during the year 2005.<ref name="icvone" /> Along with ''[[Yakitate!! Japan]]'', the series won the 49th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for [[shōnen]] in 2004.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web | url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | title=小学館漫画賞:歴代受賞者 | publisher=Shogakukan | language=Japanese | accessdate=2007-08-19}}</ref>
''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has generally been well received by critics. Though the initial volumes were felt to be formulaic, critics noted that the series grows in complexity as it progresses. Arakawa was praised for being able to keep all of her character designs unique and distinguishable, despite them many wearing the same basic uniforms.<ref name="comedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist-gn-1-3|last=Harper|first=Melissa|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|title=Anime News Network - Fullmetal Alchemist G. Novel 1-3|date=[[2006-11-11]]|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref> The characterization of the protagonist Edward balances between being a "typical clever kid" and "a stubborn kid", successfully allowing him to float between the series more comical moments and its underlying drama without seeming false.<ref name="balance">{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/598/598355p1.html|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 Review|author=Goldstein, Hilary|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=[[2005-03-05]]|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> Reviewers celebrated the development of the characters in the manga, with their beliefs actively changing during the story forcing them to grow in maturity.<ref name="ActiveAnimeReview">{{cite web|url=http://www.activeanime.com/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4676|title=ActiveAnime.com :: Manga Reviews: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST (VOL. 11)|publisher=Active Anime|date=[[2004-03-04]]|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref>
{{Quote|Fullmetal Alchemist has every right to be among the most successful properties to hit the States in recent memory. The narrative power of Edward Elric's story rivals that of any literature currently in print. The journey he takes is action-packed, but is also filled with moments of humor, success, failure, warmth, and despair. All these things come together to make a story filled to its considerable depth with realistic moments and characters. The precision in storytelling here is ridiculously good. Arakawa knows exactly where she is going from the very first page, and what an excellent first page it is.|Melissa Harper|Anime News Network<ref name="comedy" />}}
The anime premiered in Japan with a 6.8 percent television viewership rating.<ref name="rank" /> In 2005, [[TV Asahi]], a [[television network]] in Japan, conducted a "Top 100" [[Open access poll|online web poll]] and nation-wide survey; the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime adaptation placed first in the online poll and twentieth in the survey.<ref name="asahi" /><ref name="asahi05_n">{{cite web| title=TV Asahi Top 100 Anime, Part 2 |publisher=Anime News Network |date=2005-09-23 | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-09-23/tv-asahi-top-100-anime-part-2 | accessdate=2008-04-12 }}</ref> In 2006, TV Asahi conducted another online poll for the top one hundred anime, and ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' placed first again.<ref name="popular" /> ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' was also a winner in the [[American Anime Awards]] in several categories. These include "Long Series", "Best Cast", "Best DVD Package Design", "Best Anime Theme Song" ("Rewrite", by [[Asian Kung-Fu Generation]]), and "Best Actor" ([[Vic Mignogna]], [[Edward Elric]]'s English voice actor). It was also nominated in the category of "Best Anime Feature" for ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa]]''.<ref name="award" /> The series also won most of the Twenty-sixth Annual ''[[Animage]]'' Readers' Polls. The series was the winner in the "Favorite Anime Series", "Favorite Episode" (episode seven), "Favorite Male Character" (Edward Elric), "Favorite Female Character" (Riza Hawkeye), "Favorite Theme Song" ("Melissa", by [[Porno Graffitti]]), and "Favorite Seiyū" ([[Romi Paku]], Edward's Japanese voice actor).<ref name="animage">{{cite web|title=Animage Awards|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-05-12/animage-awards|publisher=Anime News Network|date= 2004-05-12|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref> In the "Tokyo Anime Fair", the series also won in the categories "Animation Of The Year" (''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shambala''), "Best original story" ([[Hiromu Arakawa]], author of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'') and "Best music" ([[Michiru Oshima]]).<ref name="tokyo_fair">{{cite web|title=Tokyo Anime Fair: Award Winners|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-03-27/tokyo-anime-fair-award-winners|publisher=Anime News Network|date= 2006-03-27|accessdate=2008-04-08}}</ref>
{{Quote|I don't know any shows that are any better than Fullmetal Alchemist. I didn't even know anything about the show when I was cast, but unbeknownst to me, I've stumbled into a great show and a great character, so I couldn't be happier.|Vic Mignogna|Anime News Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2005-08-01/vic-mignogna-intro|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|title=Anime News Network - Interview: Vic Mignogna|date=[[2005-08-05]]|accessdate=2008-04-06}}</ref>}}
Reviewers compared the popularity of the series with the ones of popular games like ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' and ''[[Dragon Quest]]''.<ref name="general">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist|last=Crocker|first=Jeremy|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Episodes 1–30|date=[[2004-05-11]]|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> The designs of the characters have been praised remarking they are almost unique. Flashbacks has been criticized to be annoying as they are repeated several times.<ref name="design">{{cite web|url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/6567.php|title=AnimeonDVD: Fullmetal Alchemist Set 1 (of 4)|publisher=AnimeonDVD|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=719|title=T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews: FullMetal Alchemist Review|publisher=T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews|accessdate=2008-03-23}}</ref> Others reviewers compared the series with an Odyssey and part tragic coming of age story. The plot and the music have been celebrated to be almost rich.<ref name="design" /> The anime has also been praised for having a good balance between action, comedy and deep moments and remarked the emotional core of the development of the two main characters.<ref name="AnimeBoredomReview">{{cite web|url=http://www.animeboredom.co.uk/anime-reviews/full-metal-alchemist/623/|title=FullMetal Alchemist Volume 2: Scarred Man Of The East|publisher=Anime Boredom|date=[[2005-06-30]]|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref> However, the anime has also had negative reviews in which the large number of sentimental scenes in the series have been criticized, considering them an abuse to make the people who watch it cry. The ending also had a negative review noting that the beliefs of Edward did not change at all as he tried once again to bring somebody back to life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2005/04/special/04.php|title=Animefringe.com: Anime Debunked: Fullmetal Hype|publisher=Animefringe|author=Lin, Maria|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref>
The soundtracks of the series have also been reviewed. Reviewers praised the fact there are different styles of musics as well as a large number of artists that makes every song enjoyable. The music of the backgrounds has been noted to never distract anybody who listen to it from the story and that are always pleaseant to hear.<ref name="general" /> The first opening theme and ending theme have been considered the best tracks of the series remarking that they make a good combination of anime and song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdvisionjapan.com/fmasost.htm|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Original Soundtrack 1 Review|publisher=dvdvisionjapan|accessdate=2008-04-29}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.aniplex.co.jp/hagaren/ Official Aniplex ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' website] {{ja icon}}
* [http://www.fullmetalalchemist.com Official FUNimation ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime website]
* [http://www.adultswim.com/shows/fullmetal/index.html Official Adult Swim ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime website]
* [http://www.animecentral.com/series/series.aspx?ID=4 Official Anime Central ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime website]
* {{ann manga|id=2565}}
{{Fullmetal Alchemist}}
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