Full Metal Alchemist: Prototype

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This oneshot is an alternative version of what occurs in the first chapter of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga. But instead of the events of the Elric Brothers going to Liore, this version takes place in the Desert Oasis Town of "Krowatol". Krowatol is a town that had never rained in years, and because of that there is a difficulty in food and water.

When I began reading this oneshot I thought I saw a Rose look-a-like character working in a restaurant in Krowatol with her father. Then I was surprised that it was indeed Rose! That was when I learned that this really is an alternative ... version and I should not take into account all the events that happened in Liore. So, Rose is also present in this alternate version, but this time she is not the same as in the Liore one. Every character in Liore version except Rose is not part of this alternative version. There is also a Father Cornello alternative character but instead of being a priest (or a fake priest, if you like) he is a military major heading the town of Krowatol. He also has a philosopher's stone but it seems that he doesn't know alchemy since he asked Ed's help to make him immortal by using the stone.

Since this is an alternative retelling of the first chapter, there are some scenes that are somewhat alike in the version in Liore and Krowatol, like the broken vase (like the broken radio in Liore version), people thinking that Alphonse is the Fullmetal Alchemist, Alphonse retelling their committing of human transmutation to Rose. I must say, I was a little bored reading the same events happening again, but that just makes it more of an alternative thing.

To be honest I only read this just to kill time, but really, I'm glad that I stumbled to this oneshot while browsing some of Hiromu Arakawa's published works. So yeah, I enjoyed this, and of course I still prefer the original version, but it's still a good read. So, if you're looking for a good oneshot to read, then read this one. And yes, new to FMA can still read this since it is only an alternative to chapter 1.

I’ve never been a big fan of one-Shots as they never resonated with me, weather it was the pacing, characters, art, or even plot. They always seemed too short, and I was always able to read them quickly and never think again about them. But FMA fixed that and made it amazing.

The One-shot is a mix of three arcs in the FMA story, the religious arc, the corrupt mayor, and the philosophers stone arc. The two brothers find themselves in Krowoton where they learn about the struggles of a small desert village as their oaisis is dry, and haven’t seen rain in years. The ... setting is the same as the begining, but The Father is swittched with a corrupt mayor who resembles the corrupt military officer who sheltered scar in Brotherhood.

You can tell the author really liked the short story as there are scenes she kept, like Rose, The fixing of the radio(A piece of pottery in this version), the corrupt military officer, and the short jokes. Its short and engaging as it acts almost as a perfect setup for the FMA series and core concepts. Ed and Al are set up here and have amazing chemistry, being funny but also cool,. And unlike many other One-Shots, it feels like a complete story from start to finish, as it even has a bittersweet and funny ending.

The art is nothing special, and the pacing is fine, the story flowing fine. While you don’t have to read it, it is good for nostalgia, and keeps you entertained the whole way through. Its honestly an amazing way to start a series and does an amazing job with what it had.

Story 9/10
Art 6/10
Character 9/10
Enjoyment 9/10
Overall 9/10

This is an alternate version of the first chapter of Fullmetal Alchemist, taking a completely different turn with the Philosopher's Stone and how it works, as well as showing a slightly different progression, though just a one-shot chapter.


The artstyle is close to FMA but not nearly as clean - at least from the glances I have seen as I have read this before reading Fullmetal Alchemist itself.


Alphonse Elric (Al, Armoured Alchemist, Armour Boy, Fullmetal Alchemist) - Edward's brother, a 14-year-old alchemist who practices Martial Arts, has high intelligence and has a strong armour body. His main goal is restoring his brother's body, as well as ... restoring his own body.

Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist, Fullmetal, Ed (as well as many names making fun of his height)) - Alphonse's brother, a 14-year-old State Alchemist who is the series' titular protagonist.