Is bigger really better?

Yes. Yes it is. Season one of Fullmetal Alchemist comes in a hefty boxed set of four slim DVD cases and an added boxed insert of goodies. The cover of each box/case is laden with quality illustrations. Most of these illustrations center on Edward, but there are a couple of images of Edward’s commanding officers (mustang, Hawkeye, Hughes, and Armstrong). One DVD volume even sports an illustrative spread of Scar. All of the DVD cases are slim and made of clear plastic to show off the dual jacket side—which are just the same illustrations found on the front covers. The included guidebooks implement all of the illustrations found in the packaging, plus one of Alphonse. The DVD menus are fairly basic and use the illustrations from the DVD cover as fullscreen backgrounds, which easily compliment the menu options on screen. The Japanese voice cast for Fullmetal Alchemist is good, but the English cast is so talented that they seem to give the characters even more personality and vitality.

Spare nuts and bolts.

Fullmetal Alchemist comes with bounty in extra features. Most of the actual DVD extras are found on the fourth disc. First, there are the standard features of textless opening and ending animations and Funimation’s trailers. The trailers are for shows such as Kiddy Grade, Samurai 7, Utawarerumono, and more. But beyond those humdrum offerings are better goodies. There are original commercials for the show and one for L’arc~en~Ciel’s album “Smile.” The music video for the show’s first opening song “Ready, Steady, GO!” (performed by L’arc~en~Ciel) is also found on disc four. There are also actor commentaries available from the English cast. But the best of the extras, by far, are the six guidebooks included in their own slip box. Each book comes heavily packed with commentary from production staff, character profiles, concept art, and more! It’s a wonderful treat, especially for lovers of concept production and illustration.

A grim quest for the truth.

Fullmetal Alchemist has easily become one of the most popular anime TV shows in recent years, and with good reason. Besides interesting action, the story runs the gamut of filial closeness, deep and twisting political plots, humor, a smattering of love interests, and puppies and kittens. (No, really.) It seems to be a show that is universally appealing to all audiences—well, except for its lack of giant robots. And no matter how many times you watch this series through, there’s always some little detail you missed the first time around. This DVD set’s modest price tag of $34.99 is a steal for such a package of twenty-five episodes and hefty extra content, and any fan would be a fool not to leap on this if they don’t already own the series.