Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Box Set Paperback – 24 Nov. 2011

Fullmetal Alchemist is a story of two brothers. It is a story about family and adversity. It may be glossed over by awesome magical looking abilities and a fantasy-like world, but in reality the main theme of this story, and the main characters' goal, is very human. To put their family back together, I suppose. Yes, I was drawn in by the hype of alchemy being used in such a way. Yes, the action enticed me - but damn it if I didn't stay for the story. That is the triumph of this manga, to draw you in with cliched "these characters have special abilities" and then soccer-punch you with feels and emotion. I won't lie, you're going to need tissues. ^^;The art work is perfect. Why? Because it is unique. There's a lot of pretty, and beautiful manga out there, and yes I love it. But my problem is it is mostly style over substance. Samey and in the end, not enough to compensate for a lacking story. Himoru Arakawa not only delivers on story, but also has an individual and unique drawing style too. This really helps when making a fantasy world, as you are not thinking of or being reminded of anything else. It makes the experience fresh and new, something I've been looking for in a manga for a while.I suppose I owe Mangaka Himoru Arakawa an apology. Here it is: I'm sorry that over 6 years ago when I started buying manga I got distracted by so many other stories. I'm sorry I didn't just pick up this story first, because by now I should have read it a hundred times over. I'm glad I corrected this error by finally giving your work a chance. It is, simply put, amazing. Thank you!This is a truly quality box of manga. It offers huge value for money so long as you can get it for the originally offered retail price - which was £150 but then realistically bought down to an average of £100. To buy the 27 volumes in this set separately would cost you at least that. The set comes in a box that is decorated on all sides. The "door" into the box latches onto the side and opens at the front. it is held in place by velcro, but the box is hard and sturdy. It then has upper and lower shelving to house the manga and other contents. I think when it comes to Fullmetal Alchemist it's the inside that counts.The contents are:1: Volumes 1-27 of the manga.2: 2 sided poster! Both images are of Al and Ed, in full colour. It is BIG, like at least ten by ten inches.3: A light Novel called "The Ties that Bind" (which I admit I haven't read because I read novels very slowly and still have a pile of Terry Pratchett books to go through first).So if you're looking for a new manga to read and you can still get this at a good price, buy it! If the price has inflated due to availability, then I would definitely just buy the single volumes. A poster and novel, plus the case to house them in is all well and good, but not worth a bundle more than retail price. Also, if you normally store your manga in bookshelves then the carry case here is probably too tall for that anyway. It's also quite heavy. What I really wanted to get across in this review is, box set or not, how fabulous the manga itself is. That's what is most important. Getting this set, if anything, is simply very convenient, rather than having to buy the books separately, and you WILL want them all. ;)

I am a Manga's fan since 1980 and I read a lot of them when I am not watching animes (OAV). Fullmetal alchemist is one which will hook up up in a second. I don't think I would need to make this review for people who either watched the animes or read a bit of this collection of manga.If you want to read a decent manga or/and If you have not seen the animes at all, Fullmetal alchemist is ONE Manga you would love to read.This is my preference but here the order I would suggest you:+ watch the first version of the animes where in the middle is totally different from the manga.+ Then read the manga from 1st to 27th+ And finally watch the animes brotherhood which stick more with the manga. (bear in mind "this setup" has caused many debate.)The story in short is: When two young boys performed the ultimate alchemist taboo where one lost his body and the other his arm and leg. It is then natural for them to get back what they lost, and the only way they know how to get it back, is to look for the philosopher stone.Why fullmetal alchemist is good?- The story is well rewritten- The character designer is very good (needless to say the drawing are great)- The characters are likeable and complex- This is not the typical shonen manga- the cast is vastI love Fullmetal alchemist (1st version) and I never though bortherhood will be better.just FYI:-The manga ended a month (June 2010) before brotherhood finished on TV (4 July 2010).- The UK version of this manga has not been censored/edited as the American version (volume 8)verdict: Instant classic, I would recommend it to any real fan of manga.

Totally worth the money spent. I already knew the story because I'm a huge fan of the two anime series, but I wanted to read it in the way the original creator meant it. I love the neat art style, the expressive faces, and the thrilling yet emotional story...Arakawa truly is one of the greatest mangaka out there. The box itself is tough and beautiful, and definitely makes a great deal since it contains the complete series and a novel. Unfortunately, it came a bit scratched on the edges...it could have been avoided with a better shipping packaging, though.My advice? Buy it: either you already are a great fan of the series, or you just have heard about it, you totally won't regret reading this amazing manga. I love it!

I bought this for my birthday, the box came perfect, and the mangas are great. It comes with a special novel and 2 posters.My only critic is that if you remove too many books at once then it will be nearly impossible to place them all back in. Now I have of them them out of the box because I can't fit it in. But overall it's great

i already was aware that fullmetal alchemist was epic, i'd seen both anime series and i'd read it before but i really wanted the books for myself! ^_^this box set, in my opinion, is definitely worth the money!as well as the case being convenient storage wise, the books are high quality and not just in content!! (the extra book 'The Ties That Bind' is also really awesome) and the poster that came with it is classic Ed and Al :)if you love fullmetal alchemist, just buy this, it is the entire manga series and its well worth the read, i've read it probably over 5 times already and i'll never get bored of it!!

Absolutely awesome.The box opens in the front and has it's own shelf, housing the entire manga + a novel taken place in the middle of the story, if you're into that sorta thing. On top of the box is a strap you can use, to carry the box around, which is perfect if you're binging and you're going away for a few days. If I could have a box like this for all my manga, I would be so happy. And it doubles as a fine piece of ass, if you have a shelf/section/room of nerd stuff.