“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” has the dual virtues of being both accessible and excellent. It’s not as mature or soul-wrenching as some similarly acclaimed anime like, say, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” or “Cowboy Bebop,” but it’s not a brainless action show either. It’s an exciting series that feels designed to be binged — the series’ final stretch takes place across a single day, so if it’s your first time, watch it all at once! You won’t regret it, trust me.Â
For extra accessibility, “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” has a strong English dub (written and performed by Funimation, which is now known as Crunchyroll). For anime newbies who just can’t step over the one inch-tall barrier of watching with subtitles, this should make “Fullmetal Alchemist” extra appealing.
The anime mixes different tones into a harmonious whole like, well, an alchemist, from incredible action to a fair helping of comedy to even dashes of horror (especially with the show’s monster designs). More than any other anime, I find myself relistening to the soundtrack of “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” both Akira Senju’s instrumental score (“Trisha’s Lullaby” is a beautifully bittersweet harmony that’ll hit you like a steel fist to the stomach) and the J-pop opening/ending themes. Speaking of music, not every anime out there gets a whole unrelated rock song written about it — fan works like Good Kid’s “Alchemist” speak to what an enduring impact the show has had.
That impact isn’t just because it’s a fun show. “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” doesn’t evaporate like a sugar high once you’ve finished it. As you view it from a distance, you’ll only find more to admire in the details that Arakawa adds and how she structures her story, while the lessons she imparts linger with you.Â
The story dares to handle heavy questions, from some simple realities of growing up (accepting that death is permanent, conveyed not only through the Elrics’ backstory but also some heartbreaking, never-undone deaths of supporting characters) to more biting political topics, like the responsibility that citizens living under an evil state have to take action against it.Â
At the end of his journey, Edward concludes that “there’s no such thing as a painless lesson,” for your heart can only grow stronger by being challenged and overcoming. I’ve carried these eight words with me and used them as reassurance more than once, for they so succinctly remind you that there will be a light at the end of your tunnel if you keep moving forward.