It’s a little crazy to think it’s already the 20th Anniversary of Fullmetal Alchemist. Even though I didn’t grow up watching the anime or reading the manga, I was always curious about Ed and Al and their quests. Now, twenty years later, I’ve grown to love the show, the manga, and the world that Hiromu Arakawa created. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary, VIZ Media has published a collectible book featuring incredible content. If you’re a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, this book shouldn’t be missed.
Synopsis:
Celebrate 20 years of Fullmetal Alchemist with this stunning tribute to the genre-defining classic!
This memorial hardcover collection celebrates the legacy of one of the most beloved manga series of all time. Contains a complete collection of all the short manga from the series’ run, from game tie-ins to never-before-seen tales in rare Japanese guides, plus a bonus new prose story. Also includes extensive commemorative messages from novel, film, video game, and anime staff, including the full voice cast of the Fullmetal Brotherhood anime. And of course, don’t miss the thoughtful and goofy commentary on the reach and impact of Fullmetal Alchemist from artist Hiromu Arakawa!
What’s in the Collection?
A better question would be what’s not included. This book has everything you could hope for Fullmetal anniversary collection and more. There are vignettes and small comic pieces which feature some of Fullmetal Alchemist’s cult-favorite characters. But what was most impressive to me, were the prequel mangas for the PS2 and Wii video games. I had not not seen those before, and found them really interesting. The collection also included other short stand-alone manga stories. Additionally, there is also a detailed timeline, notes from Hiromu Arakawa, and letters from those involved with the manga and anime. Finally, the book concludes with a new, exclusive prose story. This book is filled with Fullmetal bits and pieces you won’t find collected anywhere else.
Review:
This collection is filled with manga, notes, and colorful art. The details in this collection are just exceptional. If you’re a hard-core fan of Fullmetal Alchemist, this is a must-have book. There are rare bits included that would be difficult, if not impossible, to track down another way. On top of that, there’s an excellent exclusive prose story. You would win the Holidays if you gave a hardcover copy of this collection to the anime or manga fan in your life, and this would be an excellent gift for any birthday.
Thanks to VIZ Media for a review copy of this book! All thoughts are my own.
Leave a Reply