Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa (劇場版 鋼の錬金術師 シャンバラを征く者) is the 2005 theatrical release that concludes the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist TV series. The movie is an original story that is derived from the TV series and is not based on anything in the manga.
Warning: Spoilers of the original TV series ahead.
Picking up where the TV series left off, we find Ed trapped in our world and Al back in their world, fully restored but 4 years younger and missing all of his memories from that time period. Ed has found Al's counterpart and both are living in Munich. It is the early 1920's and Germany is suffering under the conditions of the end of the first World War. Ed is trying to use scientific technology in place of alchemy to find a way to return home with real world Al, working in the emerging field of rocketry. At a country fair Ed saves a gypsy girl named Noah, who looks an awful lot like Rose. Doing so brings unwanted attention from a group of dangerous nationalists...what will soon become the Nazi party.
Ed stumbles upon this worlds version of King Bradly only to learn he is a kind film director, Fritz Lang, who explains to him about a secret organization the Thule Society. Ed accompanies Fritz on a goose chase to find a legendary white serpent, only to discover it is Envy, who also survived going through the gate. The Thule Society arrives and captures Envy, to use in a magical experiment to bring weapons of unparalleled power in the coming war they want to wage. A war to regain Germany's glory. Ed discovers they are using a version of alchemy and are attempting to open up The Gate and invade his own world.
At the same time Al has been traveling the world, researching a way to bring Ed back, believing he is still alive. In Liore he meets Rose and Armstrong just as an army of automaton armored suits burst from the ground and begin to attack the city. By transmuting part of his soul, Al is able to control them. He learns they came through The Gate and by sending them back through he ends up making contact with Ed for a brief period of time. With the brothers confirming each others existence both work on their own to reconnect. Ed works to stop the Thule Societies mad goals and to try and get back through the gate to his own world.
At the end of the original series you are left with a feeling of loss and regret. The brothers attained their goals but have been separated as a result. The movie picks up with that plight and shows the story of them working to reunite. As always their personal goals run parallel with them fighting against a grave threat to peace and stability. Since it is a movie the artwork is higher quality than the limited animation of the TV show. The art is good but suffers when they try to use rudimentary cell shading CG. The best thing aside from continuing the brothers adventures is seeing what everyone who survived the TV series has been up to since. It's also fun to see a few of the side characters alternate personalities in the real world.
The story wraps up rather nicely by the end of the series and concludes the non-cannon version. It does a really god job of using real events that happened as the backdrop as well. If you watch the original TV series it is crucial that the movie is watched as well. Unlike so many of it's peers, the movie is a continuation of the story instead of some side story that can be forgotten. As well, the movie's license has expires and will soon be difficult to source, so pick it up while its still affordable and enjoy an entertaining historical story with your favorite characters.
Warning: Spoilers of the original TV series ahead.
Picking up where the TV series left off, we find Ed trapped in our world and Al back in their world, fully restored but 4 years younger and missing all of his memories from that time period. Ed has found Al's counterpart and both are living in Munich. It is the early 1920's and Germany is suffering under the conditions of the end of the first World War. Ed is trying to use scientific technology in place of alchemy to find a way to return home with real world Al, working in the emerging field of rocketry. At a country fair Ed saves a gypsy girl named Noah, who looks an awful lot like Rose. Doing so brings unwanted attention from a group of dangerous nationalists...what will soon become the Nazi party.
Ed stumbles upon this worlds version of King Bradly only to learn he is a kind film director, Fritz Lang, who explains to him about a secret organization the Thule Society. Ed accompanies Fritz on a goose chase to find a legendary white serpent, only to discover it is Envy, who also survived going through the gate. The Thule Society arrives and captures Envy, to use in a magical experiment to bring weapons of unparalleled power in the coming war they want to wage. A war to regain Germany's glory. Ed discovers they are using a version of alchemy and are attempting to open up The Gate and invade his own world.
At the same time Al has been traveling the world, researching a way to bring Ed back, believing he is still alive. In Liore he meets Rose and Armstrong just as an army of automaton armored suits burst from the ground and begin to attack the city. By transmuting part of his soul, Al is able to control them. He learns they came through The Gate and by sending them back through he ends up making contact with Ed for a brief period of time. With the brothers confirming each others existence both work on their own to reconnect. Ed works to stop the Thule Societies mad goals and to try and get back through the gate to his own world.
At the end of the original series you are left with a feeling of loss and regret. The brothers attained their goals but have been separated as a result. The movie picks up with that plight and shows the story of them working to reunite. As always their personal goals run parallel with them fighting against a grave threat to peace and stability. Since it is a movie the artwork is higher quality than the limited animation of the TV show. The art is good but suffers when they try to use rudimentary cell shading CG. The best thing aside from continuing the brothers adventures is seeing what everyone who survived the TV series has been up to since. It's also fun to see a few of the side characters alternate personalities in the real world.
The story wraps up rather nicely by the end of the series and concludes the non-cannon version. It does a really god job of using real events that happened as the backdrop as well. If you watch the original TV series it is crucial that the movie is watched as well. Unlike so many of it's peers, the movie is a continuation of the story instead of some side story that can be forgotten. As well, the movie's license has expires and will soon be difficult to source, so pick it up while its still affordable and enjoy an entertaining historical story with your favorite characters.
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