Full Metal Alchemist, by Hiromu Arakawa, may just be the greatest manga ever written.
It is a yet to be finished series about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who live in a world where alchemy is the science of life. After a terrible alchemic transmutation gone wrong, however, Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his entire body. To keep his brother's soul in this world, he attached it to a body of armor by sacrificing his right arm. Throughout the series they persue the legendary Philosopher's Stone, an element that allows transmutation without equivalent exchange, so that they can get their bodies back. In order to do so, Ed has to become a State Alchemist, using the advantages of working for the government to help in their search for the Stone.
This manga is smart, clever, suspensful, and exciting. There is not ONE character in the series that I dislike- even the bad guys have personalities I can't resist! The action and adventure is broken up by comedic relief that makes me laugh out loud (so much that my family thinks I'm a lil' crazy! ^_^"). The plot is amazing- a storyline I could never come up with in a million years, and artistic skills to match. The amazing thing about this manga is that is doesn't patronize the characters- it's realistic, and it shows the flaws of characters and the world as they are. It's so clever that the simplest of people (*Ahem*... me....) can understand the politics- and somewhat relate them to our own world. The connection between the two is actually acknowleged at some point in the anime.... but I'm not allowed to tell ;)
I think this may just be my favorite manga of all time- it's definitely #1 on my recomendations list, if not just because it has a little something for everyone!
Come on, Miss Arakawa! I'm ready for more!!!!!!!
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