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Just finished watching the final episode of Full Metal Alchemist. I believe it is probably my favorite anime series, ever. It pretty much has all the intriguing elements that can found in anime, along with some unique takes.
There's a tremendous amount of allegorical and psychological stuff going on. Themes of hubris and redemption are central. It can be bloody, but it's more often creepy and disturbing. None of the antagonists are absolute, they're all complex and even the worst are strangely sympathetic. The storyline is amazingly tight across all 51 episodes. It's all just exceptionally well done.
Occult musing time. The opening always explains the idea of "equivalent exchange", which is, "to obtain, something of equal value must be lost". This forms a focus of the series and is quoted often. It's also the only thing that actually bugged me.
Equivalent exchange, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the first law of thermodynamics, is a theory popularized by modern magick lore ( note the "k"). Often attributed to some Greek named Hermes, the idea can be found cropping up in the middle ages. It's actually most often sited as a limiting factor for the mechanics of the universe, why mystical practices can't get you a fireball.
And yet, the series is rife with magic, ignoring the foundation of the premise. In spite of that, there are a number of arcane reference treats I enjoyed. Also, the series offers some alternate theories for why their world's alchemy works toward the end of the series ( ep. 50? ), which made me feel better.
Here's some random occult trivia that amused. In the opening credits there are some books on a desk next to the family photos, all seem to be real. Of note is the half covered book title, The Golden Dawn, a somewhat infamous British occult club.
The rest of the books are like a Golden Dawn summer reading list. The Mirror of Alchemy by Roger Bacon. Prospero's Island: The Secret Alchemy at the Heart of The Tempest by Noel Cobb. And, to be complete , the open text is from Twelve Gates by Sir George Ripley. ( I couldn't figure out the partial title, "ad of alchemy".)
I looked at some of the fan sites when I was done with the show. None mentioned link to the organization responsible for the likes of Crowley. However, one mentioned than an episode contained text from a Dungeon's and Dragons source book.
Now, at last, I can watch my copy of "Conqueror of Shamballa", the movie that takes place after the series.
There's a tremendous amount of allegorical and psychological stuff going on. Themes of hubris and redemption are central. It can be bloody, but it's more often creepy and disturbing. None of the antagonists are absolute, they're all complex and even the worst are strangely sympathetic. The storyline is amazingly tight across all 51 episodes. It's all just exceptionally well done.
Occult musing time. The opening always explains the idea of "equivalent exchange", which is, "to obtain, something of equal value must be lost". This forms a focus of the series and is quoted often. It's also the only thing that actually bugged me.
Equivalent exchange, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the first law of thermodynamics, is a theory popularized by modern magick lore ( note the "k"). Often attributed to some Greek named Hermes, the idea can be found cropping up in the middle ages. It's actually most often sited as a limiting factor for the mechanics of the universe, why mystical practices can't get you a fireball.
And yet, the series is rife with magic, ignoring the foundation of the premise. In spite of that, there are a number of arcane reference treats I enjoyed. Also, the series offers some alternate theories for why their world's alchemy works toward the end of the series ( ep. 50? ), which made me feel better.
Here's some random occult trivia that amused. In the opening credits there are some books on a desk next to the family photos, all seem to be real. Of note is the half covered book title, The Golden Dawn, a somewhat infamous British occult club.
The rest of the books are like a Golden Dawn summer reading list. The Mirror of Alchemy by Roger Bacon. Prospero's Island: The Secret Alchemy at the Heart of The Tempest by Noel Cobb. And, to be complete , the open text is from Twelve Gates by Sir George Ripley. ( I couldn't figure out the partial title, "ad of alchemy".)
I looked at some of the fan sites when I was done with the show. None mentioned link to the organization responsible for the likes of Crowley. However, one mentioned than an episode contained text from a Dungeon's and Dragons source book.
Now, at last, I can watch my copy of "Conqueror of Shamballa", the movie that takes place after the series.
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Point to ponder: They both have an Edward. coincidence?