Latest news with #FullmetalAlchemist
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Fullmetal Alchemist' to launch Webtoon edition in full colour from May 7
Fullmetal Alchemist will officially debut on the English-language Webtoon platform on May 7, bringing Hiromu Arakawa's acclaimed manga to a wider digital audience. The release will feature the series in full colour and restructured for Webtoon's vertical-scroll format. According to Anime News Network, this adaptation is seen as a significant moment for the franchise, which has continued to attract fans more than a decade after its conclusion. The new format is designed to introduce Edward and Alphonse Elric's story to a mobile-first audience, providing a new way to engage with Arakawa's detailed storytelling and artwork. The move to Webtoon includes recolouring the original black-and-white pages and adapting the layout to suit mobile reading habits. While some long-time readers may have concerns about the format change, others may welcome the opportunity to experience the story with new pacing and accessibility. Fullmetal Alchemist originally ran from 2001 to 2010 in Monthly Shōnen Gangan and has been widely praised for its world-building and moral complexity. The series inspired two anime adaptations, including Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, as well as films and spin-offs. The Webtoon release aligns with the rise of digital comic consumption, offering a gateway for new readers while giving existing fans another way to enjoy the series.
Al Bawaba
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Fullmetal Alchemist creator gets a new anime
ALBAWABA - Legendary mangaka Hiromu Arakawa, the mind and soul behind the beloved Fullmetal Alchemist manga, recently made headlines after the 2025 Anime Expo revealed that her 2021 title, 'Daemons of the Shadow Realm', has received an anime adaptation. While Arakawa is best known for writing and illustrating Fullmetal Alchemist, the mangaka has other notable works, including The Heroic Legend of Arslan and Silver Spoon, both of which received an anime adaptation in the past. From the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist: Daemons of the Shadow Realm, an original story from Hiromu Arakawa, is coming soon to Crunchyroll. — Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) July 6, 2025 According to Manga Up, Daemons of the Shadow Realm follows the story of two twins separated from a young age, and unaware of their right to rule over and save a world filled with supernatural entities called Daemons. Read the full synopsis below: "In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of "the children who sunder day and night"—twins Yuru and Asa—to rule over these powerful entities. Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world..." A Crunchyroll press release also revealed that Studio Bones, which animated both Fullmetal Alchemist shows, is returning to produce the Daemons Of The Shadow Realm anime. The upcoming anime will be directed by Masahiro Ando (Sword of the Stranger). Masahiko Minami, the president of Studio Bones, who worked on Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, My Hero Academia, and Eureka Seven, took to Anime Expo's stage and revealed the upcoming project. It's also worth noting that Studio Bones is producing the anime adaptation of Gachiakuta, which premieres on streaming platforms today.
Asahi Shimbun
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Anime study started quest of Russian-born lawyer in Japan
Anna Mironova developed a desire to learn about Japan when she was a young girl, but there were no Japanese language teachers in the western Russian town where she was born and raised. So, she turned to self-study, using 'Neon Genesis Evangelion,' 'Fullmetal Alchemist' and other anime titles that had drawn her attention in elementary school. Anime became both her 'classroom' and her textbook, while a dictionary was her constant companion. This study was the start of what developed into Mironova's fluency in Japanese and her legal profession on the main island of Shikoku. Her curiosity also expanded beyond language to Japan's rich history, fueled by the action-adventure series 'Rurouni Kenshin--Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story),' set in the early Meiji Era (1868-1912). As a high school student, she visited Kyoto and was captivated by the city's traditional streets. The trip solidified her decision to pursue her studies at Kyoto University. Driven by a passion for law, Mironova enrolled in Osaka University's Law School, where her strong language skills and multicultural perspective led her to consider a future in international stages. However, as she progressed, she began to question what type of lawyer she truly aspired to become. The turning point came during an internship at a legal office on the remote island of Ishigakijima in Okinawa Prefecture. The office was operated by an organization tackling Japan's 'judicial deserts,' or regions with minimal or no access to legal professionals. It was there that Mironova learned the stark reality that basic rights in such areas are often left unprotected due to the scarcity of legal support. After registering as a lawyer in 2023, Mironova joined the Sakuragaoka Law Office in Tokyo, a firm with over two decades of experience dispatching legal professionals to underserved regions. Over the past year, she has undergone what she humbly refers to as her legal 'apprenticeship.' In May, she started a new chapter in her career, practicing law at a firm in the city of Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture. 'As a woman and a foreigner, I'm a minority,' she says. 'But it's precisely because of that that I believe there are people who will feel they can rely on me.' Mironova has another passion: running. She completed a 100-kilometer ultramarathon last autumn. And she is now eager to jog along the banks of the Shimantogawa, the longest river on Shikoku, renowned for its crystal-clear waters.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anime vs Manga: Why Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist adaptations shine or stall
Anime adaptations of popular manga are always a hotbed of controversy and argument among rabid fans. Iconic series such as Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist showcase each side of this coin. Some adaptations maintain the pacing and dramatic tension of the manga storytelling and garner praise, while others come off as hurried or bloated with filler. The reasons range from studio decisions to pacing, budgets and even the level of author involvement. As one such Times of India adaptation analysis reminds us, adaptations 'typically trigger discussions about fidelity to the original work, the animation quality and execution'. Anime vs manga debates have become quite the contentious issue – and rightfully so. The adaptation challenge: Pacing, fillers and creative control One of the biggest hurdles is pacing. While long-running manga can afford to be more deliberate and take their time, anime have TV broadcasts to slot episodes into. To prevent themselves from overtaking the manga, studios will often include filler episodes with completely original storylines. For instance, the Naruto anime (2002–2007) broadcast 220 episodes, of which roughly 90 are considered filler, nearly half of the show. These additional arcs moonwalk the main narrative storyline and wear out audience goodwill. As this Crunchyroll-style analysis cautions, adapting sprawling, multi-branching manga storylines into a short runtime 'can result in problematic pacing, where major moments are crammed and lack time to breathe or crucial context is left out'. Budget and deadlines certainly have an impact on quality. Anime TV shows in particular are made under heavy time constraints with weekly episodes churning out, day in and day out. Realistic production schedules Considerations like limited time can push animators to the point where they have to repurpose their frames or cut down on action-packed sequences. In many instances, scenes are edited down to make air for a TV time slot. The original manga creators usually have very few creative controls over the anime. As one source from the industry described, mangaka are rarely deeply consulted and anime directors often create the story from their own conception. Without the author's personal touch, the tone or character nuances of the manga could be lost or altered in interpretation. Fans can be especially sensitive to when beloved inner monologues or nuanced plot developments from the manga fail to translate to the screen. Faithful vs divergent adaptations: What works When studios choose to stay true to the source material, the outcome can be incredibly rewarding. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010) would be the poster child for this success story. Developed by Studio Bones following the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime overtaking the manga, Brotherhood was 'designed in order to produce a true adaptation that directly follows the chronology of the complete original manga'. The gamble worked, as both critics and fans lauded its fidelity. Critics praised Brotherhood for both being faithful to the manga's richness and introducing characters and plot elements absent from the first anime adaptation, and bringing some showstopping episodes to life, bolstered by breathtaking action and drama. In balancing all of these elements, Brotherhood truly succeeded in one thing. By following Arakawa's narrative in as loyal a fashion as possible, with consistently exceptional production values, Brotherhood was undeniably one of the best-animated anime. The original Fullmetal Alchemist anime (2003–2004) went off the rails completely as soon as it caught up with the manga. It produced new narrative threads and a unique couterfactual ending, which polarised audiences. This is a great example of how a change from the manga (due to time constraints) can create an anime that is at once iconic, but tonally very different. Something like this happened with Naruto Shippuden (the sequel series), which required a number of filler arcs as the manga progressed far enough ahead. Despite all of this, the Naruto anime is still one of the most popular anime ever made because, in large part, the studio was able to create suspense and character conflict in their years' long production. Ultimately, adaptations work best when those creating the adaptation respect what's at the heart of manga storytelling, the emotional stakes and character motivations, while adapting the narrative and making smart decisions about what should be left on the cutting room floor or even added. Animation's power: Elevating the story Animation and sound are two elements that can enrich and weaken the overall impact of a manga. Different from black-and-white manga pages, in anime you have the benefit of color, motion, voice acting, music. Whether it's a quiet scene in manga – a heartfelt confession or the agony of loss – it can become even more affecting in anime through a moving score and a powerful voice performance. I think it's similar to how many fans perceive the Naruto anime to be better than the source material, in how it lifts emotional scenes even further due to its use of music and the actors' performance. Thus, with a screen, the manga's impact becomes larger than life. Unfortunately, all of this nuance is predictably lost. Where a comic reader might pause over a single page, taking in art and creator commentary, Anime watchers have a pretty short attention span so subtle ideas or side plots are likely to be trimmed down or ditched completely. At times animation style in and of itself gets in the way – certain filler episodes are obviously constrained by budget, and their less elaborate art seems less alive than the original manga's illustrations. In summary, animation is a sensory game changer but needs to weigh that against losing the richness of the written narrative. Anime fans and streaming: Global reactions Today's anime fans expect complete fidelity and great spectacle and they make their feelings known far and wide online. Though such discussions might have been considered fringe just a few years ago, as a recent Crunchyroll-commissioned study illustrated, anime fandom is officially mainstream across the globe. More than half of teens worldwide (ages 13–17) report that they consider themselves to be anime fans—as many as large–scale pop culture icons. When any beloved manga is adapted to screen, everyone is quick to judge it by the original. Discussions on Twitter or Reddit about Naruto filler arcs or Fullmetal Alchemist differences between the anime and manga are typical. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime provided these shows with unprecedented worldwide accessibility. When a series has the potential to be a global phenomenon and event, any mistake in the adaptation has the potential to set off talk-all-over-the-world level outrage. Streaming lets amazing adaptations find legions of new fans all over the world, increasing the cultural impact of any given show well beyond Japan. Ultimately, anime adaptations succeed or fail based on their ability to straddle both universes. A good adaptation honors manga storytelling, its characters, themes, and pacing, while creatively employing animation's unique strengths to bring it to life. As fans of Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist and countless other series will tell you, all it takes is a little faithfulness, some good pacing, and sound production values. Regardless, most fans come around on creative alterations or additional scenes if they add depth to the narrative. So the most important thing is that the anime stays true to the spirit of the manga. When that occurs, the adaptation turns into a cultural touchstone in its own right, bringing together anime fans across the globe in reverence of the tale and occasionally in discussion of what was executed finest. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anime & Indian mythology: Why they're more similar than you think
Credit-Reddit Anime and Hindu mythology might seem worlds apart, but fans know they share deep common threads. Both traditions tell grand stories filled with gods, heroes, and lessons about life. Whether it's a Japanese shonen epic or an old Sanskrit epic, we find familiar symbols: karma, destiny, the tug-of-war between good and evil, and the warmth of family. From the cosmic dance of Shiva to the starry skies of Fullmetal Alchemist , ancient Indian thought and modern anime often tap the same well of imagination. This article explores how cosmic symbolism, moral choices, spiritual ideas and family bonds in anime echo the lessons of Indian myth and scriptures. Cosmic symbolism and moral duality Both anime and Hindu myths use the cosmos to tell their tales. Just as an image of a starry night sky hints at the universe's mysteries, stories invoke the Milky Way, serpents, and dance-like battles to suggest a grand design. In Hindu myth, Shiva and Parvati's cosmic dance creates and dissolves worlds; anime heroes often face destruction-and-rebirth cycles in their own journeys. Modern fantasies even blend Eastern magic with themes of reincarnation and cosmic law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In fact, some fantasy comics explicitly craft stories 'with destiny and duty reminiscent of the Mahabharata'. In this cosmic web, moral duality is key. Anime frequently uses the yin–yang idea: think of Bleach 's Soul Reapers balancing the Hollow souls of the dead, or Death Note 's Light Yagami wrestling with justice versus evil. This yin–yang of values — light versus dark, creation versus destruction — feels right at home with Indian ideas of dharma and adharma (right and wrong). As Bleach fans note, the Soul Society is like Yama's realm balancing souls, much as Hindu lore balances Devas and Asuras. In both worlds, villains and heroes are two sides of a cosmic coin, and every victory comes from understanding that balance. Fate, karma and inner conflict In both anime and myth, characters often find themselves tangled in fate and karma. Hindu epics teach that past actions echo through lifetimes, and anime plots often mirror this. For example, Fullmetal Alchemist revolves around Equivalent Exchange — no gain without loss — a clear nod to karmic law. Heroes frequently bear a curse or debt from the past. In Vinland Saga , Thorfinn's quest for vengeance only begets more violence, hinting that violent karma binds us to a cycle. Similarly, in Mahabharata, Karna's loyalty to a wrong king and his hidden destiny haunt him. Like Karna, many anime anti-heroes carry tragic pasts that shape their choices. They struggle with inner conflict — duty vs desire, honor vs revenge — echoing Arjuna's crisis on the battlefield. And sometimes, stories even reset time or reincarnate heroes, much as Hindu thought speaks of rebirth. One webtoon reviewer notes how a heroine sacrifices herself and 'resets' the world, 'echoing the idea of karma and reincarnation found in Indian thought'. In essence, both traditions remind us: your choices now shape the destiny you (or your next self) must confront. This loop of fate and free will runs through the Bhagavad Gita's teaching of duty just as it does through anime tales of next-generation heroes inheriting their elders' burdens. Upanishadic echoes in Anime Anime often carries a spiritual undercurrent that can feel strikingly Upanishadic. The Upanishads teach that a single underlying reality (Brahman) animates everything, and true knowledge is realizing our unity with it. We see this in anime when characters tap into a hidden power or oneness. For example, Fullmetal Alchemist has the concept of 'The Truth' behind reality, reminiscent of the Upanishadic search for ultimate knowledge. Anime heroes also grapple with the nature of the self and the universe. When Naruto (notably not our main examples) befriends powerful beings and speaks of inner peace, it echoes the Upanishad message of the soul's unity. More straightforwardly, many anime preach morality in ways that remind us of the Gita's lessons. Characters learn that true strength often means restraint or compassion — in line with 'dharma' (righteous duty). For instance, an anime warrior might hesitate to fight a villain who is also once a friend, recalling Arjuna's struggle until Krishna urges him to uphold dharma. Likewise, the South Asian webtoon Ramayan explicitly 'explores themes of dharma (duty), righteousness, and the triumph of good over evil', and we see similar threads in shows like Bleach and Vinland Saga , where duty to protect often clashes with personal desires. In short, many anime heroes are philosophers in disguise: they question life's purpose and learn that humility, karma, and right action guide them — lessons straight from Upanishads and Puranas. Family bonds and ancestral legacy Finally, both anime and Indian myths put family at the heart of the journey. In Hindu tales, loyalty and love within a family drive the drama: Shiva's bond with Parvati, or Prahlad's devoted faith overcoming the cruelty of his father. In anime too, bonds of blood and promise are sacred. Fullmetal Alchemist is fundamentally about two brothers saving each other; Bleach 's Ichigo fights to protect his friends and family; Vinland Saga shows fathers and sons (or substitutes) grappling over legacy. Even villains in anime often have tragic family stories, much like mythic characters. These emotional threads mirror how Indian epics honor ancestry and sacrifice. For example, the Pandavas fight for a kingdom their forefathers ruled, while an anime warrior might defend his village because of a vow passed down. Ultimately, heroism in both realms often means preserving something precious from the past. As the legend of Prahlad shows — 'the story of faith, devotion, good versus evil, [and] divine intervention' — love and sacrifice for family or ideals triumph over darkness. That universal message of hope and legacy resonates whether the hero wields a sword in a manga panel or bows to an idol in a temple. In the end, the line between anime fantasies and Hindu mythology is thinner than it seems. Both tell stories of light and shadow, duty and choice, that reach into our hearts. By weaving cosmic symbols with personal stakes, anime series and Indian epics both answer timeless questions: Who are we? Why do we fight? What is our destiny? These themes — gods and demons, fate and justice, family and honor — pulse at the core of each tale. For fans of either, recognizing the overlap can deepen the magic: it's comforting to see that even in modern Tokyo or ancient Ayodhya, heroes and legends share the same sky and soul. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
