FMA - Blood and Heartstrings

[You can skip this part, if ya like]
OK, so as I thought of writing up this post, I kept asking myself: What anime/manga would you recommend to anybody? And I've thought of some, but they all have complicated story lines (go figure!), so I wanted to avoid those being the first ones.


But alas, I couldn't! In order for me to get this flowing, I need to be passionate about it, right? And those are the intricate stories. Then again, I don't have to give away much of the story, but gaah!-- whatever, I'm just a indecisive person. Anyway, I have others that are not so intricate and more like light entertainment, but... I can't decide! 


So, remember when I said I'd start with the ones I've completed? I take it BACK. Yes, because I can. Here goes! Oh, and don't complain to me if you know about this one, just like a bazillion others. :3 At least it's not Naruto~ (I can't warm up to it, sorry!)
[/end ramble]

"The world isn't perfect. 

But it's there for us, doing the best it can. 

And that's what makes it so damn beautiful."

- Roy Mustang

Full Metal Alchemist is the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who embark on a journey to restore the body parts that they have lost while playing with life and death, by using alchemy in an attempt to bring back their mother from the dead -- which resulted in failure.

The story sounds pretty straight-foward, but like many journeys, it's a hell of a long ride.

FMA is written and drawn by Hiromu Arakawa. It currently consists of 24 volumes, 22 of them published in the US at the moment.

THE STORY: Just like my title says, FMA is a story of blood and heartstrings.

Blood is staining our canvas, while the heartstrings are constantly being pulled. Full Metal Alchemist has a rich story, and a vast variety of issues being addressed. We see human evolution, as cities grow... and the government becomes corrupt. We see religion being questioned, morals being explored-- ultimately man being put to the test.  

Too metaphorical? FMA has many metaphors. It's a story that may make you question your values, your perspective on things, and the raw emotions we experience. With a very big cast of characters, you get to see the big picture and the narrowed down. Despite the story being mainly revolving around Ed and Al, FMA takes us to many others, and gives us a deep look on their stories as well-- and how they are also part of this intricate tale.

THE CHARACTERS: Characters, for me, are a big deal. The story can be pretty lame, but if the characters really stick with you-- if they really leave an impression on you, it makes it all worth reading. 

The characters of Full Metal Alchemist are so terribly developed. With so many, you get to see a wide batch of personalities, and they go through so much growth and emotion! And not just the "good" ones, but the so called "evil-doers" as well-- they also have their shining and humbling moments. If someone asked me who was my favorite character, I couldn't tell them. I found myself bonding with almost every character, even the crazy ones. There was something so human about them. And anybody who can bring human-like characters on paper and bring them to life, deserves a medal in my book.

THE ARTWORK: Another important factor for me. Alas, if the story is really good, then I can deal with poor artwork. Thankfully for FMA, that is not the case. 

Hiromu Arakawa's art has clean and strong lines. The tones are very intense at times, where the black and white's strong contrast make a statement. Every scene has an atmosphere, especially when there's suspense involved. I personally really enjoy her character designs. They have a more realistic style to them, making it easier for each one to be unique. And the variety of expressions she is able to portray-- the many emotions she expresses in her characters with just their eyes-- for me it's dazzling. I don't know, call me silly, but it ain't easy to do that! Her attention to detail is also great.

DARK ACTION, HUMOR AND EMOTIONS: Full Metal Alchemist is a shounen manga, which means some sort of action is mandatory, and this story definitely doesn't lack that.

You'll see a lot of confrontation, a lot of bloodshed and a lot of tense moments. The story is ultimately quite dark and somber, and overall serious. But despite that, you'll find an endearing humor can be found in FMA. Sometimes even hilarious scenarios. I know I've laughed plenty in it! There are many funny moments to be found-- and just the right amount.

OVERALL: I definitely recommend Full Metal Alchemist to all those who like a rich and well woven story that only gets more and more exciting.

Although for those who don't like action, FMA may not be your cup of tea. But look, I'm a girl who's a total romantic at heart. I read silly shoujo mangas too. Yet I've learned to love series such as Full Metal Alchemist, and have come to like the thrilling action scenes. But hey, that's just me. It's up to you to give it a try.

Full Metal Alchemist is published in the US by Viz Media-- $9.99. But if you don't have the means of spending money, OneManga.com has the most up-to-date chapters. Happy reading! 


(P.S. Click on the images for a larger view)

For all you cat lovers

OMG, this so cheered me up. :D Please, watch them!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_AbfPXTKms&feature=related
- The boxes part is to die for!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzzjgBAaWZw&feature=related
- The stalking cat is kinda creepy, in a sweet way.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdhLQCYQ-nQ&feature=channel
- The mystery of the box. I'm loving this guy.

Check out everything else Maru (the chubby one)!

I can't think of a title

Listening to: "What I Do (feat. Plies)" - Chris Brown

I had the idea, that while at the festival in São Paulo, I'd make a record of each day, but ha ha! How naive of me! I always arrived exhausted at the hotel, only having the energy to take a shower and go to bed. So yeah... It was a nice festival, and I felt like it had ended too soon-- but I was also glad, in a way, knowing I could rest a bit more. Despite all the devotees I didn't know, I was able to see a few familiar faces. I could have sworn there was this one guy who I've seen at Badger before. During the festival, I got diksha.

AAH! Mosquitos are eating me alive! Or they're trying too...

Um, I got to visit a friend in SP after the festival, Cristina. Her boyfriend was there too, but for some reason I didn't mind at all. Don't get me wrong, I like him, but there was a phase of mine where I couldn't stand them being together all the time. I barely had any time with her. But that chapter has passed.

My dad and I are starting to make plans for the move to Recife (yet another city!) that'll happen in a few months. And then we plan to go to Miami in June or July. I've been trying to find an apartment in the Kendall area that's close by the campus I'll be going to, but prices are high. Darn suburbs! >;3

Since I never seem to post any of my designs ( I am so stingy ) and since the day that I shall actually use them like I planned will be way too much in the future (as in never, maybe?), there's no big harm, I guess. I lost my nice ones from my old computer though. (Lesson learned: Always make backups!)

São Paulo 2010 Festival Day 0 (Pilot)

JAN 11 10:15 PM
(sorry for the weird spacing going on here)

Today we arrived in SP Congonhas, around 9:30 am, I think. We had to wake up at 3 am, to get to the flight that would departure around five minutes to 5 am. 

I tried to sleep in the plane, but I couldn't really get myself comfortable, plus my dad for sometime seemed to want to chit chat and... I couldn't exactly ignore him! 

So we arrive at the airport in SP, only get out of there what seems to be 2 hours later, and when we finally get the rented car and start driving, it seems like the city is out to get us, not letting us find our way out easily. Let's just say it was a pain to find our way out of the city to the countryside town in which the festival would happen. I swear, we took so many wrong turns, and when we finally got on the right track, the streets managed to send us somewhere else. Plus U- turns were almost inexistant! (speaking of swearing, my dad swore like crazy while driving, because his patiance was running that thin!)

Suming it up, it took a couple hours until we got to our destination. And even then we couldn't rest because we still needed to see Gurudeva-- which btw I haven't seen in years.

So we go to this relatively big but quaint-ish hotel where the festival will be held, assuming that Gurudeva would be staying there as well, but it turned out that he was residing in one devotee's house. So we eventually find out who it is, and my dad seems to know him and he  says that he can show us the way there, that we would only have  to wait a bit so he could resolve some things. What I thought would be a little bit turned into I think an hour or two-- which was OK since I also was able to get some skirts and tilak we/I needed... And I chanted one round. 

Once we arrive at where Gurudeva's staying, I almost thought we weren't going to be able to see him, since it was late afternoon and some were saying he had gone to rest. To be completely honest, I was glad for the possibility because I was feeling really nervous. But I was rushed in with my dad, up a very small set of stairs, and there he was. He was with some others. He hadn't seen me, so I just followed suit when I saw my father on the floor paying obeisancies(?). After a quick exchange of words with my dad, Gurudeva came to look at me once I came closer and had standed up. (I did not have the courage to touch his feet.) I was so lost for words, overwhelmed by my emotions, on the verge of crying. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed, perphaps for not saying anything and letting my dad talk for me... I only know that all I managed to do was nod my head once or twice and attempt a smile as I was fixed to Gurudeva's intense look.

Anyway, I don't want to analyze it much more than I already have. Today was a tiresome day, full of excitement and anxiety-- and tomorrow is a new one-- the official day when the festival starts. I'll be going to the evening program tomorrow. 

It's late and I'm sorry if I haven't told the rest till the point where we get back to the hotel room in the evening, which btw, is one of those stay-in-for- the-night kind of hotel that can be found in reststops (in my case in a gas station. I'm now under the sheets, typing away on my iPhone while I hear my dad snoring. 

I need a good night's rest, so I better stop now. I hope to be able to write about tomorrow too. Until then-- good night!

[I may edit this later.]

New posts

Since I don't have much to talk about-- or at least anything I find interesting about my life, I'm going to dedicate some future posts about one of my hobbies. That means lots of eye-candy and review attempts at anime and manga series I've come to love. For now I'll start with the ones I've already completed, so I can better recommend, I suppose. But I'm going to try and not give away too many details. ;d

I'll be editing this post later. Until then!