Put Us Back Together - Headlights

Fullmetal Alchemist

Author: Hiromu Arakawa
Volumes: 27
Publisher: Viz Media

For this particular review, I'm going to forgo the summary portion, because I'm pretty sure it wouldn't make much sense. If you want to read one before reading my review, then go to Goodreads.

Fullmetal Alchemist starts off pretty lighthearted and comedic, giving the reader time to familiarize themselves with the characters and the world it's set in before breaking out the serious drama. Part of what makes this series so completely marvelous and one of the best mangas ever is that vein of humor running through even the darkest parts.

Of course, comedy alone does not make a good story. The darkness too makes the tale compelling. Aspects of this story, especially one in particular which comes not too far into the story, will undoubtedly haunt me forever. Actually, this same instance continues to haunt Ed and Alphonse all the way through their lives, as well. When you read it, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Add to the above a completely amazing cast of characters. Seriously. Ed and Alphonse's love and care of one another are completely charming. Their grandmother is hilarious with her tiny little pointy bun. Winry, the stubborn female automail mechanic, will always be my favorite. Then again, I also adore Colonel Mustang with his odd combination of jadedness and hope, and Lieutenant Hawkeye, who is seriously badass but also surprisingly sweet underneath. All of the human characters are just so vibrant and human, complete with foibles and hangups. I love it.

Plus the alchemy in a freaking amazing steampunk setting! Who doesn't like steampunk? Okay, lots of people probably, but they are lame and don't count (just kidding...mostly). Honestly, though, the alchemy in here is astounding. No wonder so many people spent their lives trying to figure out its secrets. I would too if I thought I could have powers like the Alric brothers.

If you have any interest at all in manga, Fullmetal Alchemist is a good one. Although aimed at a male audience, it has universal appeal. Unlike some shounen manga, you will not have lots of baloon boobs thrust at you for fan service, likely because the series was written by a woman. This manga has one of the best stories out there and I just cannot recommend it highly enough.

Note: I have not yet watched the anime version, either one. I do know, though, that you should not just the manga off of the original anime series. After the first few episodes they seriously part ways (or so I've heard), because the anime was made before the series had been completed. A couple years before. What a bad plan.

Rating: 4.5/5

"Take us apart and put us back together right,
So we can leave on our feet in the night."

American Money - The Seatbelts

Black Cat

Author: Kentaro Yabuki
Volumes: 20
Publisher: Viz Media

Brief Summary:
Train Heartnet, the Black Cat, used to be a merciless assassin, one of the numbers working for Chronos, a corporation which pretty much rules the world. When his only friend, Saya, was murdered by his crazy partner, Train left the organization and became a sweeper, preferring life as an independent stray cat to that of a pet. He teamed up with Sven and roams around helping people, and waiting for a chance to revenge Saya's death. This revenge becomes even more important since his former partner has gone even more insane and now has an evil plot to take over the world using the powers of Tao.

Review:
Well, I was hoping to finish my reread of this series before the New Year, but I failed by a half hour. At least I'm ringing the new year in with a good read. On my first read through the series, I was completely enraptured and could barely step away from my computer to do anything else. This time, it wasn't quite that good, knowing all the spoilers, but it is still a great series.

Black Cat balances humor and seriously dark concepts in a way that reminds me heavily of Fullmetal Alchemist. Plus, the bounty hunter aspect adds some Cowboy Bebop flair (that's where today's song came from btws...it's the bounty hunter tv show theme). Seriously, if you like either one of those series, you should probably give the lesser known Black Cat a go. While not, perhaps, as good as those two (which are among the best manga/anime ever), Black Cat is a stellar seinen comic.

I really love Train. He is, for one thing, a total bishy. And, for another, he's a badass. I don't usually find being able to wield a gun especially attractive, but that level of skill is incredibly impressive. Sven, too, is awesome. He has all of those crazy inventions, which are his real talent, even though he does have another.

Perhaps my favorite character, though, is Eve. Her transformation ability is awesome. Even more than that, though, she is a total genius. And she loves to read. She advocates the use of libraries because you can have access to ALL the books without spending money. Clever girl.

Also, the art in this series is soooo pretty. I just love it. This manga should be more popular than it is. For those that have seen the anime, I would still recommend reading the series, as there is much more to it.

Rating: 4/5