Common Sense Media Review
Plot-heavy sci-fi anime can get quite violent.
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Fullmetal Alchemist
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 19 parent reviews
Parents say this anime is a compelling series that addresses complex themes of humanity, morality, and the consequences of actions, making it suitable for older kids and teenagers, though younger audiences may find it intense due to violence and mature subject matter. Many reviews recommend it to a more mature audience, emphasizing its deep character development and storytelling, while noting that it is crucial for parents to review it to determine its appropriateness for their children.
- mature themes
- character development
- violence and language
- not for young kids
- complex narrative
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 118 kid reviews
What's the Story?
When their mother succumbs to a terminal illness, young brothers Edward (voiced by Vic Mignogna) and Alphonse (Aaron Dismuke) try to bring her back to life by learning the secrets of alchemy (in their world, alchemy means transmuting any matter from one form into another). But their attempt fails, leaving Edward with a prosthetic left arm and left leg, and Alphonse's soul transferred into a hulking suit of armor. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST follows the brothers as they try to get their natural bodies back. To become the youngest "state alchemist" in history, at the age of 12, Edward proves that he can "transmute" matter without the assistance of ancient symbols, spells, or tools. Now as a state alchemist, he is afforded the ability to locate and retrieve the Philosopher's Stone, which can help him and Al return to their previous normal bodies.
Is It Any Good?
Fullmetal Alchemist is an extremely complicated series that will probably sail over the heads of most kids. Parents of teens should consider the very mature subject matter -- for example, a serial killer who carves up young women, an assassin who believes himself to be the tattooed messenger of God, and a political leader whose first name is "King" but whose title is "Fuhrer." All this goes to explain why the show airs as part of the Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim lineup.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of long-running anime series with complicated mythologies. What draws people into these shows? Do you have to start at the beginning to really understand it, or can you catch up? What do these types of shows have in common? Families can also discuss one of the series' central themes -- the idea of "Equivalent Exchange." Is the idea -- that to obtain anything, something of equal or greater value must be lost -- realistic? How does it apply (if it does) in real life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 4, 2003
- Cast : Aaron Dismuke , Travis Willingham , Vic Mignogna
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Anime
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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