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Fullmetal Alchemist

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Fullmetal Alchemist is a highly acclaimed Japanese manga series.

It was written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The series was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan between July 2001 and June 2010. It has sold over 80 million copies worldwide. This success makes it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. The story is set in a fictional universe inspired by the European Industrial Revolution. This aesthetic is often referred to as steampunk.

In this world, alchemy is a widely practiced science. It functions like magic but follows strict scientific rules. Alchemists use patterns called Transmutation Circles to change physical substances. By drawing these circles, they can create or form almost anything. However, they must follow the Law of Equivalent Exchange. This natural law states that transmutation cannot succeed without all necessary parts present. You cannot create something from nothing.

There is one major taboo in this science called Human Transmutation. This is the attempt to create a human from substances found in the body. This process always fails because no natural substance equals a human soul. Such attempts result in an incomplete, dying human form. Those who try are confronted by a divine entity named Truth. Truth regulates all alchemy and acts as a gatekeeper. Truth often punishes alchemists by taking parts of their physical bodies. These losses are often symbolic of what the alchemist valued most.

The story follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric. They live in the village of Resembool. After their mother dies, they attempt human transmutation to bring her back. The attempt backfires and causes them great physical loss. Edward loses his left leg and his right arm. Alphonse loses his entire physical body. Edward sacrifices his arm to bind Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor. To find a way to fix themselves, Edward becomes a State Alchemist. He receives the code name "Fullmetal Alchemist."

The brothers search for a legendary object called the Philosopher's Stone. This substance can bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange. However, the stone is created by trapping thousands of human souls. Such stones can create artificial humans known as Homunculi. Most Homunculi possess superhuman abilities like regeneration. They use the trapped souls inside their stones as fuel. They typically do not age and are very difficult to kill. They can only be destroyed by exhausting the power of their stone.

Hiromu Arakawa used many real-world inspirations to build this complex world. She studied books on alchemy to understand its philosophical aspects. She was also inspired by the work of her parents on their farm. To include social issues, she spoke with refugees and war veterans. The setting of Amestris is inspired by turn-of-the-century European society. In contrast, the country of Xing is reminiscent of China. Xing uses a different system called Alkahestry, which is more medical. This system can be used through tools called kunai.

Fullmetal Alchemist has been adapted into many different media formats. The studio Bones produced two anime television series in 2003 and 2009. There are also two films released in 2005 and 2011. The franchise includes light novels, video games, and live-action films. It has won several prestigious honors. These include the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2004. It also won the UK's Eagle Award in 2010 and 2011. Finally, it received the Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2011.

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