To me, Fullmetal has always been a favorite because of its characters. Every single character is three-dimensional, meaning they have many different facets to their personalities; I really felt for these characters. The characters are all very likeable, and it is wonderful to watch them grow and develop throughout the series. Peoples' motivations, perceptions, etc can change, and that's what keeps the story interesting. I feel the core of this story is centered around the characters, and I think this series is best described firstly as a drama, then as action or adventure. Without me spoiling anything, I can assure readers of this that the plot and character development in Fullmetal is truly top-notch. The concept of Equivalent Exchange is discussed in the series too, and is a reoccurring theme. Taking this and its characters into account, Fullmetal Alchemist is more than just an excellent military-suspense-action show: it's a story about life and what it is worth to people.
I especially liked the art style of this series- it was very very reminiscent of the manga. The show utilizes softer lines and a more muted, but still bright when needed, color palette. Some scenes in the show I swear looked as if the animators took specific panels out of the manga and relayed it on screen. A real treat for a fan of the original work like myself. I appreciated the attention to detail that catered to the already existing fanbase.
The action scenes are in my opinion very well done here. They are choreographed very well, and the suspense that is built up is fantastic.
The music in the series I thought was overall very good. I enjoyed all of the opening themes, especially the second one. The background music was nicely orchestrated and matched the scenes onscreen. Some of the endings were not memorable to me, but that's not uncommon in shows as long as this one.
In conclusion, for me this is an absolute must-see for any anime fan. Heck, I would try to recommend it to people who are not anime fans. The story is that well put together. I found myself rooting and yearning for the brothers' success so much this story- it's hard not to. Please take a look at this series- you'll be glad you did.
P.S. Although I watched the entire series with Japanese audio, I have also seen some episodes with the English dub, and I am extremely impressed with it. I prefer to watch dubs most of the time, and Fullmetal so far has done an excellent job with their English dub.
