For those of you who have actually read my D. Gray-Man review, it’s pretty obvious that anime is kind of my thing and I’m quite knowledgeable on the subject. Even though that was a manga review and not an anime review, I did give the D. Gray-Man anime an honorable mention. So here it is, my very first actual anime review. For this review, Fullmetal Alchemist: the Sacred Star of Milos!
If you are not familiar with the plot of the series, let me fill you in real quick. Fullmetal Alchemist follows the journey of Edward and Alphosne Elric, two alchemist brothers who try to use alchemy (a practice that is forbidden) to bring back their dead mother. Their attempt fails, and as a result, both of their bodies are destroyed. Ed loses his left leg and Al loses his entire body. In order to save him, Ed places Al’s soul into a suit of armor. Losing his right arm in the process. Now, fitted with prosthetic limbs, Ed, now known famously as “Fullmetal”, becomes a state alchemist for the military of Amestris in order to search for the “Philosopher’s Stone”, a powerful object that they will one day find and use to restore their bodies.
In this movie, which most likely follows the “Brotherhood” series, Ed and Al are called out to track down and recapture an escaped convict by the name of Melvin Voyager. Upon learning of Voyager’s mysterious connection to a young woman named Julia Crichton, who was arrested for illegally entering Table City, which lies in the border valley between Amestris and Creta, the Elric set out for Table City for further investigation. It is then revealed that Julia and Voyager are part of a resistance plotting to take back Table City, which was originally known as the Hill of Milos before Amestris and Creta tore it apart in search of a mysterious object. Their plan is to reclaim Milos using an ancient artifact known as the Sanguine Stone, which the Elric brothers recognize as being a philosopher’s stone. Now, only one question remains: “Who exactly can they trust?”
The animation is okay, but compared to series it follows, it’s kind of inferior. I mentioned something earlier about a “Brotherhood” series. Well, there are actually two anime series. The one I’m referring to is the second series entitled “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”. The animation is better than the first series, the plot flows better, and it introduces characters from the manga that the first series left out. I prefer the “Brotherhood” series and it’s clearly the superior adaption. The Sacred Star of Milos aired in Japan after the last episode of “Brotherhood”, so it’s kind of a shock to find the animation inferior. It’s not bad, it’s just not as good.
As for the voice acting, I’m just going to say that I hardly ever listen to the original Japanese dub of any anime. So I’ve never really heard the original track. Vic Mignogna, as usual, is amazing as the voice of Edward and the rest of the cast is exepctional. Actually, another great voice besides Mignogna is Alexis Tipton as Julia.
The film’s musical score is an amazing, and powerful, symphonic track. It’s very dramatic when it needs to be, eerie and mysterious when it needs to be, and soothing when it needs to be. It’s greatly made up of great violin pieces and even a few piano pieces. Not to mention this film has the best ending theme. “Good Luck My Way” is the film’s ending theme and it’s performed by L’arc-en-Ciel. The song is very cheerful, uplifting, energetic, and it perfectly accompanies the way things wrap up in the end.
Fullmetal Alchemist: the Sacred Star of Milos is available from Funimation Entertainment. It’s a great movie and I give it a huge recommendation.
