Fullmetal Alchemist: Season 1 Box Set

Okay, so I bought season 1 (this boxset) a few months ago thinking, 'it's inexpensive right now, it's popular, and I need to watch it someday, but I probably won't get so into it that I feel the need to own the rest of it, right?' and then, I watched an episode 3 days ago. I finished the series in about 2.5 days, and would have done it faster if I hadn't been sick and unable to sit up the whole time. I'm so excited about it that I even wanna show my mom this series! I think she'll like it since her and I are fans of Supernatural, and this is pretty similar in a way.This next part is so parents can know what's in it, or so that kids who have seen a little of the series can know whether they'd need to watch it in secret or out in the open.For those of you who want to know of the general content, it has some cursing in it, but they never say the f-word (can't remember if they ever said the s-word, but they said the d-word and b*****d a lot). There's quite a bit of violence, but I wouldn't call anything in this series scary. There's no romance (a nice change of pace for me), there's no ecchi (which means no panties or naked boobs or softcore sex), but there is one scene where someone accidentally grabbed someone else's boob one time, but he immediately got away from her and apologized profusely (I'd say which character, but I don't wanna spoil anything. Not that that scene is some sort of major series turner or something, which it isn't). Also, there are lots of things like government conspiracies and religious cults (don't worry. If you're a Christian like me, their god is like the sun god or other stuff like that. Just treat it as a good story and ignore it. If you are a kid reading this and thought you wanted to show it to your parents and they're psycho-religious, you may wanna keep this hidden just to be safe). And naturally, as it says in the title, there's Alchemy. So they're drawing circles and using magic type stuff, mixed with tons of scientific knowledge (to the parents, know they're not chanting to Satan--or anyone in that matter--I swear).The voice acting is AWESOME. I had recently finished rewatchign Ouran High School Host Club, and I knew that the same guy who does Tamaki in english also does Edward, so I thought "I wanna hear him talk some more" so I watched the series. I almost NEVER watch a series in English first (I rarely watch them in English at ALL but this was truly special).*****This next part contains some spoilers. If you're not okay with spoilers, it'd be good to skip this part.*****The series starts off showing Ed and Al using Alchemy when they were about five years younger or so. They were trying to bring back their mother by using the forbidden human transmutation, and Al ended up having his body sucked into a vortext. It is later explained that Ed had to literally give an arm and a leg to save Al, and he bound his little brother's soul to the armor in the corner of the room, which is really hard for Alchemists to do.Then, after that, it skips ahead five years for two episodes (and you almost feel like you're being thrown into the middle of the series instead of having more of an explanation first), and then they go back to when they were kids and explain what really happened (which I just spoiled above), and also how Edward got his leg and arm made of metal (which is called auto mail). Over time, things are explained about how Edward became a state alchemist when he was only twelve, and things carry on from there.That's really all I needed to say. As for the opening and ending theme songs, there is one opening them for the first half of season 1 (didn't care too much for it), one ending theme for the first part (can't remember it), the second ending theme song (Ready Steady Go, which I love) and the second ending theme song which whenever I watch it, it always sets the mood for the next episode perfectly. I love the music, but I stayed for the story, basically. I regret nothing.The only thing I regret is not already having the second season in my possession, and not having the money to buy Brotherhood, which is two boxsets after season 2. (I convinced my mom to buy it because it went down to a little over 12 bucks). When I get in season 2, I'll own 51 episodes of it. It'll be the longest anime I have ever owned so far, and as I keep collecting, the most expensive, too.Sorry for this long, rambling review. I hope it did you some good, and helped you decide whether you would be interested in it or not for the content. it's hilarious when it's trying to be funny, when it's sad it's tear jerking, when it's dark, it's SUPER dark. This series did everything right (I just wish that all the episodes of every season, plus the OVAs and movies, were in one boxset).I love Fullmetal Alchemist!

I'll just start off by saying I'm new to Anime and this was suggested to me to start off with and I absolutley love it. I watched the first couple episodes and decided to buy this. It's a great story, you really care about what happens to the character and what goes on with they're quest.So a little background.The story is revolved around Ed and Alphonse Elric and they're quest to find the Philosopher's Stone. They lost their mother and they tried to bring her back with Alchemy but wound up failing and paid the price for they're mistakes. So now they go around searching for The Philosopher's Stone to fix they're mistakes. It's a interesting story, most of the time on they're search they wind up in different situations and wind up helping the people there with they're Alchemy.I would consider this more of a Drama more then Action, but that makes it all the better. You care what actually happens with Ed and Al and other people in the series. All the character are pretty unique and funny in their own way. For example, A Major named Armstrong that's extremely buff but he acts very feminine which makes his character pretty funny. The action is pretty cool as well, especially when Alchemy is involved. The show is pretty smart in the way they talk about science and Alchemy I think.I'm glad I purchased the show, I went through it so fast and had to buy the second season right after. I would suggest this to anyone new to Anime or anyone who likes Anime and has not seen this show. I've talked to a lot of people and this is definitley one of the best Animes out there. I think it's worth the price as well, it comes with 6 pamphlets as well they give you different facts on the characters and different pictures.Buy this if you want a great and unforgettable story check this out I promise you won't be dissapointed.

If you've read the other reviews on this series you probably know what to expect by now, THIS SHOW IS GREAT! But I will try to be objective and point out the successes and flaws. The two leads Ed and Al and both deep, complex, emotional characters that you will come to love as the series goes on. The animation is fantastic, a great dub as well. There is a very well done mix of action, drama, and comedy, a single episode will have you crying, laughing, and on the edge of your seat. The overall plot is well done as well, the final 6 episodes of this season are spectacular.Now for the flaws, Ed and Al are very well developed, but the other side characters are very much left in the dust, and most will barely get developed at all, even into the second season. The middle episodes seem to drag on a bit and don't offer much plot, but this is a very short break. Ultimately though, the biggest issue with Fullmetal Alchemist, is the existence of its younger brother, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It so far surpasses the original in terms of quality that the tiny little flaws of the original seem to come more readily to the surface. So I will say this now: WATCH FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BEFORE BROTHERHOODThis show is a true classic that you have to experience to for yourself. Whether you like anime or not, this should be near the top of everyone's must watch list.

This collection was purchased for my grandson as he likes this sort of series.

It is difficult to overestimate the incredible value of this series. The story and characters are so real, in how they are gripping and develop depth and personality over time, and change. This box set contains 25 episodes, and watch the first 4 or 5 and you will probably be hooked.I first saw a few episodes (of 25), but then stopped watching, with a lack of interest. But then I picked up again and watched a few more, and quickly it became HARD TO WAIT THROUGH THE CREDITS FOR THE NEXT EPISODE TO START! I then finished the first season (25 episodes) AND the second season (26 more episodes) in the matter of a couple weeks, amidst busy school assignments!I recommend this series to EVERYONE! It truly has something interesting for everyone. Smart, thinking, feeling, emotional, action, suspenseful, funny, clever, surprising, creative, fascinating.WATCH (and maybe BUY, as I did) FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST.This is the REAL way to get DEEP into the full story, unlike the OVA release, which I guess is suplementary. It builds and builds and grows into something truly moving and beautiful, and you come away feeling like you know the characters personally, and their situations affect you emotionally.My favourite SERIES of all time, of any genre or style.Don't be prejudiced against "anime" if you have in the past. Personally I love anime generally, but if you want to see anime at its best, see this one.PEACE^___^

First of all this was my first time watching Fullmetal Alchemist so I decided to start with the original, and boy was I glad I did. This has to be one of the greatest anime shows I've ever seen in my life. Action, adventure, comedy, drama, philosophy, politics, etc. You name it, Fullmetal's got it, and you can get all of that and more in just one episode! Never have I seen a show mix so many different elements together so finely and precisely that it doesn't seem forced. This is a great boxset by the way with great artwork on each dvd slip in the box. Do yourself and favour and experience Fullmetal Alchemist already if you haven't, recommended.

Item arrived promptly, very pleased.

Lovely DVD, recieved it 2 days after I placed the order. Definitely something to include in an anime-lover's collection. If you're an FMA fan, this is definitely someting you'd enjoy. I would recommend getting the 2nd season as well, wouldn't want to finish the first and have to wait yearning for more. The DVD has options for English or Japanese, and the option for English subtitles. There are also a few "extras" like the textless openings & endings. This is something I would recommend for any anime fan! Let alone an FMA-fan!