Anime Review: Full Metal Alchemist The Conqueror of Shambala

Full Metal Alchemist The Conqueror of ShambalaWritten by WarpshadowRating fair

Anime movies that are a result of a successful franchise rather than story demand are very common although the Full Metal Alchemist movie is a bit worse than most as it fails to capture the basic spirit of the franchise.

It has been three years since the fateful battle in the underground city which resulted in the brothers Elric being separated between two parallel dimensions. On Edward’s side of the dimensional wall the world resembles 1920’s Germany, complete with Nazis. A splinter group of the Nazis, the Thule society, has interest in gaining resources for their war from Shambala, their name for the world that Edward hails from. Being that one of the basic rules in movies is that no self respecting protagonist can Let Nazis have their way the brothers Elric will simply have to foil their plan.

It is a fairly common practice to make a movie of any remotely successful anime show and Full Metal Alchemist is no exception. While the formula may work on other shows the conqueror of Shambala simply fails to capture the spirit of Full Metal Alchemist. Perhaps this is most evident in the actions of some of the secondary characters (particularly Wrath and Mustang) who act out of plot decree rather than what their previously established personalities would dictate although heavy handed writing strikes more than them. What is left is a fairly mediocre action movie rather than the conclusion of an animated classic. I wouldn’t recommend this because even fans of Full Metal Alchemist might be disappointed with this movie.