Ending of a Journey; Full Metal Alchemist

鋼の錬金術師終わる

After some 9 year, it has ended. I remember following this series by accident. Just a 'read it because i was bored' incident. In fact, i recall hearing about it before, a good series with some funny name, Full Metal-something. The dropbox showed FMA and Full Metal Panic. I honestly think that i started on this because A comes before P. Thankfully, i made the right choice.

Have been following this from the start; FMA is like a diamond. One that took some time before one can see its beauty. The art was an initial turn-off and the starting was somewhat slow, i almost gave up before i got till the end of the first chapter but once i got past the middle point, it easily grew on me. The art never bothered me after, especially since the details got more refined.

The squarish and stoic looks of the characters that DONT look like one another gives them an identity; instead of just being "different in hair" like most manga. There is a solidness in her art that gives it a much needed 'realism' in her tale filled with fantasy.

The unique personalities and their driving forces are points that hooked me onto the series. Arakawa looks at them and their actions carefully, there is a calculated angle seen from the way the story is going. Yet it flows along gracefully, each action and move a pivot to another. It is a tale filled with cause and effect, one that keeps us on our toes as we question and await the answer.

The boys learn from their doings and move on. They fight and they fail. They lose people and they lose things. But they still move on. FMA is a story filled with lessons and beautiful snippets. She weaves a beautiful tale where we are reminded time and again that there is only so little one can achieve, yet at the same time, the worth of what is achievable is so much.

Another thing that i really appreciated was how she tied in the old characters back into the picture. It shows a nice cycle and that these people are not like one-use items that only serve to fulfill an arc. They are there; and everything that was done both to them and for them adds up to a finale due to their actions.

FMA is surprisingly philosophical and raises interesting issues on morality and society. This is something i have not seen in a shounen manga in a long while; usually those that try come across as pretentious. FMA speaks with a truth and a boldness that itself embodies.

I am a jealous fan, a jealous reader. I used to praise and persuade people to read it, but now, i rarely do. Not because i stopped loving the series. But rather because i dont feel like sharing. Many newer readers dont understand the issues raised and instead look at it as an unique action packed series with tears and laughter. It pains me that this story is diluted to such by them.

The ending was wrapped up neatly, but somehow not very satisfying. The magician breaks his staff and drown his books. There was this immense sense of "Shakespeare's been there, done that already" kinda feeling. In fact, Gaiman did the same with Dream of the Endless.

Still, i suppose this is the only way it doesnt have to end in a tragedy with people sacrificing in the trade-off for Al's body. The conclusion was nice, but not enough punch. Good but not epic enough to match up to what she has previously delivered. Still, FMA ranks up as one of the top series in my list for the beautiful themes that were brought up and discussed.