Fullmetal Alchemist: A Critical Study: Himoru Arakawa: The Manga and the Anime

Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, 2001-2010) is a long-running manga by Himoru Arakawa (b. 1973, Hokkaido), a masterwork of narrative art of recent times which led to the production of two truly magnficent anim?series in 2003-2004 and 2009-2010.

The Fullmetal Alchemist comic and animated series depict a fully realized steam-punk world in which alchemy is a science. The heroes, Ed and Al Elric, are alchemists who commit the ultimate taboo of trying to bring their mother back to life. The story follows their struggle to regain their former, damaged selves, and to save the country of Amestris from the villains, the homunculi.

Fullmetal Alchemist may well be the most accomplished and profound manga and anime of recent years. Everything about it works - as absolutely thrilling storytelling, with compelling characters, truly awesome action scenes, and very contemporary political themes. Himoru Arakawa's artwork is sharp, elegant and witty, and her imagination knows no bounds. The two animated TV series render the world of Fullmetal Alchemist in a spectacular fashion.

The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise includes movies, video games, soundtracks, audio tracks, light novels, guidebooks, artbooks, and toys.

This new study features a complete survey of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, chapter by chapter; a guide to the two animated TV series, episode by episode; chapters on the Fullmetal Alchemist movies and Original Video Animations; and chapters on Arakawa's other comics and anime (such as Arslan, Heroic Tales and Silver Spoon). This is the most comprehensive exploration of Fullmetal Alchemist anywhere.

Fully illustrated with over 170 illustrations.

Bibliography, filmography, resources and notes. 632 pages.

Hardcover with a full colour case laminate cover.

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