Full Metal Alchemist

Full Metal Alchemist is a Japanese animated tv series set in a world where people with a knowledge of Alchemy are like magicians. The millitary use it as a weapon, independant practicioners use it for healing or for their own gain. The main characters are two brothers who, when their mother died, tried to ressurect her using alchemy. This of course goes horribly wrong, Edward loses an arm and a leg and Alfonze loses his entire body. Its then their quest for the philosophers stone begins, in hopes that they can use it to get their bodies back to their full form.

I think its a great series, the villians are dark and twisted and the heroes are genuinely likeable characters. The line between the good guys and bad guys gets constantly blurred and morality and ethics in science are a constant theme. It also brings religion into the mix with a race of people who taboo alchemy called the Ishbal.

"The law of equivalent exchange is the first and most important rule of Alchemy. In order to gain, something of equal value must be sacrificed."

This idea is constantly played with and challenged and so far the Edward and Alfonze are finding that this may not be as obvious is it first seems. What has real value? What is a fair trade?

Its fucking brilliant if you havnt seen it give it a watch. At 52 episodes though its an undertaking. The last time i was this sucked into something was when I watched all 5 series of the wire...