FullMetal Alchemist: Vol. 01 - The Curse
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Four years later, an expanding evil hurts behind the false face of freedom. With rebellion crushed, the State turns its eye to increasing its grip on the people by seizing a legendary artifact that would ensure complete domination and plunge the land into State controlled darkness.
Now a lone State Alchemist combs the country for a single stone that could amplify his Alchemy. If successful, he would control a power permitting him to restore the precious things that were lost. But it would also allow the State Military to senselessly obliterate countless more. The Alchemist is soon faced with harsh truth that the power to create but a breath away from the power to destroy and that will each birth, death must follow.
Episode #01 - Those Who Challenged the Sun
As children, brothers Ed and Al used the clandestine science of Alchemy to try the unthinkable - resurrect their dead mother. They failed, unleashing an alchemic reaction that ripped their bodies apart. Four years later, Ed and Al are combing the country for a rumor stone that could amplify their alchemy and bring their bodies back to normal. And it appears they may have found it-in a strangely prosperous desert village.
Episode #02 - Body of the Sanction
What is the meaning of a miracle, or compassion? Is it right to leave a girl and her village in blissful ignorance or take away all their comforts for the sake of telling the truth? These are acquisitions Ed and Al must face as they battle against the false prophet Cornello, who is using the science of alchemy and parading it as acts of God.
Episode #03 - Mother
An old book takes Ed and Al down a painful spiral of memories. Childhood-- a time of war for their nations, when every week, news from the frontlines could devastate the family next door. But Ed and Al had their mothers, a pillar of strength that always made life okay. When she died, they would try anything to bring her back.
Episode #04 - A Forger's Love
On their way to Central City, Ed and Al heard of a man named Majhai living nearby--an alchemist who not only knew their father, but wrote to him about creating human life. Ed wants to learn from him, but Majhai has other problems: Rumors of a young woman ghost wandering the outskirts of his town, taking the souls of young girls.
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Plot 4.5/5
The plot hooked me in after the first minute or so, which is quite fast. The end of the episodes made you wanting to watch the next episode, an example being when Ed is about to take on Cornello in the church. Although it was kind of confusing that they started off with a flashback and went into the show, I still really enjoyed it.
Animation 4/5
The animation was fluent, clean and had good colors. My only complaint is that at times some of the drawings seemed dark which made it hard to see what was going on. Other than that it was very well done, especially the intro scene, which flowed really well. There were no errors that caught me eye, it was all done very nicely.
Audio 4/5
I enjoyed the intro and outro music; it definitely fit in with what was going on, and sounded great! Especially when it transitions into the credits even while still playing the show itself. The music can somehow fit both happy and sad emotions. I have no complaints for the sound effects, they fit in fine with what they were doing (Alchemy, Metal clashing, etc..) The dubbing was done well, I thought the voices for the characters that were shown fit with them very well, especially Ed and Al.
Extras 4/5
I'm usually not one to enjoy DVD extras, but this DVD surprised me. It actually had detailed information on stuff that wasn't horribly obvious. Infact, it consisted more of things you don't ever get to see or know on the show. Even the booklet that came with the DVD was handy.
Overall 5/5
This is definitely a must own DVD. I saw these episodes when they premiered on Cartoon Network, seeing them for a second time was even better. You wouldn't beleive the little things they throw in their that aren't even referenced until later episodes. The story is just great, and even manages to get better with each episode. The characters personalities are good, and it's fun to see the characters mature as the episodes go on, especially Ed.
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Continued Info - Legend tells of a mystical artifact that when used will increase it's possessor's power a thousand fold. Anyone possessing this artifact could in theory produce an elixir of extraordinary power that would heal all injuries, and give them everlasting life. It is rumored to be red; a brilliant, sparkling crimson rivaling the most precious jewel in any museum. The stone's power is equal to the greatest of Nature’s fury and beauty alike.Even in the hands of the most ordinary person the stone's potential is amazing. But in the hands of an Alchemist, its power becomes godlike. Only an Alchemist knows the deeper secrets of the stone. By tapping in to the stone’s most elemental levels the Alchemist is able to transmute human life, the most forbidden of all Alchemical practices.
Many have sought out the stone's power; all have failed. But a new adventurer has taken up the quest. A young State Alchemist seeks to right a most horrific wrong. His quest will determine the ultimate fate of an entire nation...and for himself. To seize the stone would allow him to restore life to those he loves, but it will also make it possible for the State Military to obliterate countless more. It is this burden that the young Alchemist bears. The power to create is but a breath away from the power to destroy. His name is Edward Elric. And he seeks the Philosopher's Stone.
