Just wanted to remind everyone, that Fullmetal Alchemist, without hyperbole the best anime series of all time, will be appearing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block next weekend, November 6th at Midnight E/P. To those who are uninformed, FMA is an anime series produced by Studio Bones and Square Ennix that ran for 51 episodes in Japan over 2 seasons in 2003-2004. A movie will be a direct sequel to the story in the series is in development for a summer 2005 release overseas.
In the world of FMA, the art of alchemy has flourished and become the dominant, modern form of science. The country is controlled by a military government that employs "state" alchemists who are given unlimited funding for specific research, but in return they have to do whatever the military asks of them. The story focuses on 2 young learned alchemists, Ed and Alphonse Elric who try to use a forbidden form of alchemy transmutation to resurrect their late mother. The transmutation goes horribly wrong and it ends with Ed losing his arm and leg which he replaces with mechanical limbs called automail, and Al's soul is now bound to a suit of armor. They go on a journey to become state alchemists and find a way to return themselves to their original forms.
Concept sound strange? Well it is, but don't be fooled because this series is truly great. The first season is kind of light, more action/adventure oriented, while the second half is more painful and tragic. You really feel for the Elric brothers and the journey they go through, much like the beloved Fellowship in The Lord Of The Rings.
So on Nov. 6th, give this show a try, and then watch the awesomely awesome Ghost In Shell: Stand Alone Complex series. You can find more info. on FMA as well as trailers, character info., and DVD clips at this website: http://www.fullmetalalchemist.com/index.htm Unfortunately, volume 1 of the series on DVD was delayed from January to Feb. 8th.
"When a parent loves a child, there is no such thing as 'reward' or 'sacrifice.'". -Hohenheim of Light
(edited by The Vile1 on 31.10.04 1324)
"Don't compare my arm...to your cheap arm!" -Edward Elric
Best anime of all time... I had no idea Cartoon Network was trying to edit down Urotsukidoji to show.
HA!
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Well it's about time they got off their asses and put Starblazers on.
Cerebus: RIP 1977-2004.
"What do you think it's like being created by a manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic, hypochondriac, misogynist with delusions of grandeur and a messiah complex?"
Even though I live in Anime Land and we have two 24 hour Anime channels, I don't watch near as much Anime as I did 8 to 10 years ago. But I do watch one series whenever I can that I will throw into the "best anime series of all time's" hat. That is Samurai Champloo. If you like swords and hip-hop, this was made for you. I have heard some good things about Fullmetal Alchemist, but GITS SAC....I couldn't make it past the first couple of episodes. Ditto for my copy of GITS Innocence. I never make it past the beautiful parade. I remember loving the original a decade ago but I can't even watch that now without getting bored. Blame it on the Matrix. But I can still watch Akira anytime. I guess I need my stories to have more of a human touch. That's why I am a big Miyazaki mark. Anyways check out Samurai Champloo if you can and props to Cartoon Network. Do they have a option to show subs or just straight dubs? If I know my countrymen, half of them would never watch anime if they had to read subtitles (a complaint I heard a lot when I was in the Navy.
R.I.P. My Love for Wrestling 1984-2004 Until the next wrestling boom.
I too enjoy Naruto, and I hope it's dubbed well when whichever company eventually buys the rights to it.
Also, I thought Fullmetal Alchemist was pretty good, even if it was hard to tell exactly what happened at the beginning there. Did they edit something out, or was it originally confusing to begin with?
(edited by Mack Salmon on 7.11.04 1933) Signatures are annoying.
Originally posted by Mack SalmonI too enjoy Naruto, and I hope it's dubbed well when whichever company eventually buys the rights to it.
Also, I thought Fullmetal Alchemist was pretty good, even if it was hard to tell exactly what happened at the beginning there. Did they edit something out, or was it originally confusing to begin with?
(edited by Mack Salmon on 7.11.04 1933)
Nothing was noticeably edited out in the first episode content wise.
I heard somewhere that Manga video got the American license to Naruto, but I'd say its just a rumor. The problem with Naruto is that there is a lot of boring filler and sagas will go on forever...and ever. Its kind of annoying. That's why I like limited anime series like FMA. You feel like you are watching part of a completed story.
"Don't compare my arm...to your cheap arm!" -Edward Elric
My wife was telling me that she and a friend of hers were discussing FMA and apparently there were some pretty far out there translations compared to the fansub crowd. I tend to lean toward the fansubbers in terms of being "accurate", but I didn't see the show.
As for favorites, Orguss II is probably my absolute favorite, even though it's just a 6-episode OAV.