Mega Manga Challenge (9): Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 4 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist
Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Demographic: Shonen
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 4
Format: Manga
Pages: 200
Genre: Steampunk, Adventure
Publication Date: November 8th, 2005
Publisher: Viz
Rating: A

Summary:
From Goodreads: Trapped and injured in a secret alchemical laboratory, Edward Elric is at the mercy of his enemies, Lust and Envy. But they don't want him dead... they have other plans for him. As the laboratory goes up in flames, the brothers find themselves back at square one, with only an inkling of the massive scale of the Philosopher's Stone conspiracy. But then, Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes uncovers a shocking secret...

Why did I read this book? For the Mega Manga Challenge and I've been following the series.

Source: Bought

My Review
Volume 4 in this series was another great read. There's a real quality to the writing and the depth of the story. We have some pretty significant events happening in this volume that spurs the main story forward (I don't want to spoil). We also get great character development. Alphonse has a crisis when it is suggested that since he has no body that perhaps his personality and memories were all fabricated just like a human can be created from a pile of ingredients using alchemy. This leads to him and Ed having a nice encounter between each other and we also see more of how Ed struggles with his guilt for what happened to his brother.

I like where this volume leaves off: the mystery of who in the military is related to the Philosopher's stone, Ed and Al on their way to visit their teacher, and Scar finding sanctuary in an Ishbalan community.

Rating: A
Definitely a must read due to the shocking event that takes place but also for the great character development between Ed and Al. I can't wait to read more!

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Mega Manga Challenge (6): Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 3 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist

Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Demographic: Shonen
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 3
Format: Manga
Pages: 192
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Adventure
Publication Date: September 21, 2002
Publisher: Viz
Rating: A-

Summary:
From Goodreads: Accompanied by their bodyguard, Alex Louis Armstrong, our heroes seek out their closest childhood friend, mechanic Winry Rockbell, to fix their battered "auto-mail" bodyparts. Soon their quest for the Philosopher's Stone takes them to the great central library, where the Stone's formula may be hidden...if the mysterious figure named Lust doesn't get there first! But the secret of the Philosopher's Stone may be even more frightening than the beings who guard it...

Why did I read this book? I just love this series!

Source: Bought

My Review
Note: May contain spoilers from previous volumes.

I think this was a great installment in the series for a couple reasons. First, it adds a lot of depth and really propels the main plot of the manga. Ed and Al have been searching for the philosopher's stone and have come up with nadda until they found a lead through Dr. Marcoh. Apparently he knows the secret to creating a philosopher's stone and has hidden it away, that is, until Ed and Al find it.

Through their discoveries we find out how to create the stone but also how much the governement has been involved in the making of stones in the past. Of course there's a question of morality to go along with this and this is explored in the last chapter when we meet some criminals who were chosen to be experimented on since they had forfeited their lives by committing crimes. What we find out is surprising and also makes us think about the worth of people or the soul (gosh I love this series).

The other great thing about this volume is we meet some great new characters. When volume 2 ended, Ed automail and Al's body was severely damaged and so they make the trip back to their hometown to get fixed up by Pinako ('Granny') and Winry Rockbell. Pinako is an old lady who took in Winry after her parents were killed in the Ishbal war and who also took in Ed and Al when their mother died. Winry is the same age as Ed, I think, and you can see they might have a little thing for each other. Some other great characters introduced are Sheska the bookworm and soldiers Havoc and Ross.

Rating: A-
Overall I think this is a great volume, especially for those who want more of the meat of the story. What and how are philosopher stones created? How is the government involed? What happened in Ed and Al's past and where is their home? I definitely recommend it to readers of the series and even to those who are not (but start at the beginning of course!). If you don't like this volume then you probably won't like much where the story is going.

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Mega Manga Challenge (5): Arata: The Legend, vol. 1 by Yuu Watase

Title: Arata: The Legend, vol. 1

Author: Yuu Watase
Demographic: Shonen
Series: Arata: The Legend
Format: Manga
Pages: 208
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: January 16th, 2009
Publisher: Viz
Rating: C+



Summary:
From Goodreads: An action-packed shonen fantasy from the acclaimed author of Fushigi Yûgi! In a mythical world where humans and gods co-exist, Arata has the unfortunate honor of being the successor to the matriarchal Hime Clan. This means he has to pretend to be a girl or face death if his true gender is discovered! On the day of his inauguration, an assassination plot forces him to flee—and he somehow winds up in modern-day Japan! Meanwhile, a boy named Arata Hinohara gets sucked into the first Arata’s world and finds himself dealing with people after his life!

Why did I read this book? I saw it in the bookstore and decided to pick it up based on the fact it's by Yuu Watase!

Source: Bought

My Review
I picked this up because I read Fushigi Yuugi a long time ago, but remembered the great art and storytelling. Here Watase writes a story about a boy, two boys in fact, both named Arata. One is from another fantasy/medieval world where he's framed for murdering the princess. Upon fleeing into the woods, he is transported into our world. In exchange, Arata Hinohara, a bullied high school boy is transfered into the fantasy land. They look so alike that each other's families believe them to be the real Arata.

Of course, this idea to the story really opens it up for some laughs and intriguing plotlines. I like the idea of our world mixed with theirs and what each boy can do to effect our worlds together. Out of the two characters I really connected to Hinohara (the Arata from our world) because he is picked on at school so much that he runs through the alley wishing he could be somewhere else and he ends up in a fantasy land where he's mistaken for a suspected murderer. I found him really charming in his belief that people should be loyal and trustworthy. Arata (the one from the fantasy land) seems more mischievious and funny which plays well against Hinohara.

As for this volume, we only were really introduced to the characters and their new situation. I'm interested to see how this all plays out and what the greater consequences for the princess dying and the switch between the two Aratas.

Of course, I really loved the artwork. I think Watase's attention to detail is so thorough and this really comes out in the fantasy setting. I wish all the artwork was in full color because it would just be so vibrant.

Rating: C+
I think this was a good start to what can be a great manga. I like the idea of the two Arata boys being switched and I like the idea of contrasting worlds. Villains were identified and I can definitely see some issues popping up like: how does Hinohara deal with being mistaken for a guy who's framed for murder? What is the deal with the gods? The magic and mystical aspects of the story need to be developed more but I'm sure we discover that in the next volumes. I recommend this for peope interested in this kind of comedy fantasy and two male protagonists. As for where the story goes, we'll have to wait and see.

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Mega Manga Challenge (4): Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 2 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist

Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Demographic: Shonen
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 2
Format: Manga
Pages: 192
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Adventure
Publication Date: May 22nd, 2002
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: B+



Summary:
From Goodreads: There are many types of alchemy in the world. Edward's commanding officer, "Flame Alchemist" Roy Mustang, can control fire. Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," specializes in the most difficult alchemy of all...biological transmutation, the ability to alter the tissue of living things. But no matter what their power, alchemists are still human. And when a mysterious killer begins stalking state alchemists, no one can escape his vengence...

Note: There may be spoilers for the previous volumes. I'll try to keep them light.

Why did I read this book? I'm heading the Mega Manga Challenge, that's why! Also, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is my favorite anime and that series is based on the manga. So of course, I have to collect and read every one of them!

My Review

Ed and Al's adventure continues in this volume. They are still looking for the Philospher's Stone which will give them the power to get their bodies back. After seeing the anime, I was waiting for the chapter on Nina and Alexander, which is by far my most dreaded story of the whole series. I won't say why, but this chapter really gives the series a sense of danger and consequence. There are some crazy people in this world and alchemy isn't all fun and games. I think this really set the tone for the journey that Ed and Al will go through. In this way I think the Nina and Alexander story is really valuable to the manga as a whole, but man, do I hate Shou Tucker!

Another character we're exposed to is Scar, who is hunting down State Alchemists for reasons unknown. This chapter also carries on the message that not everything done with alchemy is good or even wanted.

I loved the action drawings and of course, I think Hiromu is amazing with the comedic timing. Fullmetal Alchemist can be very serious and dark but it's balanced so well with humor.

Rating: B+
We're introduced to many characters in this volume and you really start to get a feel of the personalities of each and every one. Many are shrouded in mystery, such as Scar and Lust, but it really makes you want to read on. While this book is more dark than the first, I feel like it's a good installment and sets the tone for the story ahead. I love the dark mixed in with the steampunk-ness of the world and the lovability of the two brothers. Definitely worth the read.

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Mega Manga Challenge (1): Fullmetal Alchmist vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist

Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Demographic: Shonen
Format: Manga
Pages: 184
Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Adventure
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2005
Publisher: Viz
Rating: B+



Summary: Dabbling in alchemy carries a price. When brothers Edward and Alphonse played with the mystical power to alter the natural world, they both paid dearly. One lost an arm and a leg; the other became a soul locked into a body of living iron. Now these siblings are slaves of the evil military-alchemical complex, using their unique powers for dire purposes. Fullmetal Alchemist combines powerful graphics with a strong original story line.

My Review

Why did I read this book? This is first day of my Mega Manga Challenge and I wanted to pick a book that had some signficance. You see, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (and also it's predecessor, Fullmetal Alchemist) is my favorite anime. I always wanted to read the manga but never got the chance or the right motivation. I thought it would be a good start to the challenge!

What I liked: This volume begins with Ed and Al (pictured on the cover) traveling to a small town to where they find out a prophet of the sun god Leto has some miraculous abilities, such as bringing thigns back to life. They think he might have something their looking for, the Philosopher's stone, which allows the user to bypass the alchemic laws of equivalent exchange (you can only gain something by giving something of equal value. There's a reason they're after this stone, but I won't say because it would spoil it!

Needless to say, the boys go on many adventures, being that Ed (the blond one) is a State Alchemist. That means he's strong enough in alchemy that he can work for the government. Alchemy is the 'magic' in the story, where alchemists draw a transmutation circle on the ground and use it to transform materials inside that circle into others (such as coal into gold, etc). I really love this idea and think it's pretty awesome. It's a great magic system because there are definite limits (such as equivalent exchange) but also lots of room for creativity. Another aspect I really enjoyed is the steampunk nature of the story. It takes place in what seems to be some kind of industrial era, perhaps in a European like country (can't be sure though) and is full with a bunch of steampunk goodness like automail, trains, and fun gagdets.

Finally, I love the humor. Ed is hilarious in his insecurities (such as being called 'puny') and the way Al plays off of this is great.

What I didn't like: There's not much I didn't like in this first volume.

Thoughts on the cover: Not my favorite but at least it shows the main characters.

Overall Thoughts
This is a must read for anyone interested in shonen manga or adventure stories. It's got humor, great artwork and the beginnings of a great story. We aren't revealed too much about the main plot, but we get a good introduction to some of the main characters. I will definitely be reading the second volume.
 

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