Later this year, Fullmetal Alchemist will be giving fans a long-awaited gift.
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The beloved shonen series is slated to make a comeback thanks to its first live-action adaptation, and the film stands as one of the most anticipated for 2017. Anime fans consider Hiromu Arakawa’s fantasy-action franchise to be a classic thanks to its worldwide popularity. So, naturally, the movie has plenty of expectations.
Fans will know that anime live-action films tend to fall flat, but Warner Bros. Japan has done what they can to do justice to the Elric Brothers.
Here at ComicBook, we are taking a moment to clue in the studio to a few things fans are dying to see in the films. From Colonel Mustang to otherworldly dimensions, here are five things the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist movie definitely needs to include.
Give Us All The Transmutations
First and foremost, Fullmetal Alchemist is a shonen title which thrives off its fast-paced action sequences. The supernatural series deals with alchemy and an array of transmutations. In the anime, fans watched as Edward Elric became a State Alchemist in order to help him and his brother locate the fabled Philosopher’s Stone. To do so, Edward had to face-off with famous soldiers like Colonel Mustang. Fans are interested to see the franchise’s fantastical transmutations brought to life, and the practices ornate circles will surely become a trend when the movie debuts.
Edward Elric’s Height Complex
While Fullmetal Alchemist has its fill of serious moments, the franchise is also intermingled with slapstick humor. In the anime, fans laughed time and again when Edward would have his height dissed either in battle or everyday life. The hero’s absurd reactions to the slights became the fodder for hundreds of memes, and fans are hopeful the live-action adaptation of the anime will highlight Edward’s short temper.
Roy Mustang & Maes Hughes’ Bromance
There are no two people more opposite in the Fullmetal Alchemist universe than Roy Mustang and Maes Hughes. The soldiers can be serious when the moment calls, but their default styles are totally mismatched. While Roy is chic and methodic, Hughes can only be compared to an over-excited puppy dog who loves showing off family photos. Still, their friendship is one of the core elements of Fullmetal Alchemist and sends fans on an intense ride of emotions. When the franchise’s live-action take hits theaters, fans hope the two friends will get enough screentime to solidify their fan-favorite bromance.
Amestris, Ishbal, And Xing Scenery
The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is a rather large one. The franchise went to great pains with its world-building, and fans hope its capital locations will be featured. While Amestris may take up the majority of the film’s setting, anime fans would be ecstatic to see Ishbal through flashbacks to the country’s war. And, if the film covers enough material, fans would be more than happy to see the country of Xion make an appearance alongside its prince Lin Yao.
Bring Us To The Gate Of Truth
At its core, Fullmetal Alchemist is a story of two brothers trying to rectify a mistake they made a children. After being orphaned, the Elric Brothers attempted a taboo form of alchemy known as Human Transmutation to revive their mother. However, the attempt failed, and the ordeal left Alphonse entrapped in a suit or armor while Edward lost limbs. The traumatic ordeal introduced the boys to an otherworldly dimensions which housed their Gate of Truth – and the intimidating place simply has to be done right. The location is a recurring one in the original anime, and the Gate of Truth acts as a heavy reminder of the boys’ past sins. If the live-action take on Fullmetal Alchemist wants to be more than a stunt-filled romp, it will need to delve into its leads’ dark past. And, to do that, the Gate of Truth is a must-have.
