Fullmetal Alchemist

[sukael]

More unique effects, but not necessarily more powerful ones. One of the characters, the Iron Fist alchemist (I can't remember his actual name) just does quick-and-dirty conversions of matter into energy and has about the same, if not higher, power level.

 

[Testament]

I got tired after I think the equivalent of the third season. Really good show, but I think it gained the title of a show that they didn't know when to end it.
Too many other anime shows end way before you want them to.

There's only 3 seasons, Wandering Samurai, Legend of Kyoto (best IMHO) and Tales of the Meiji. I've seen the first two and am slowly working my way through Tales.

 

[GravyFingerz]

It took me a while to realize it (man I am slow sometimes ) but Edward does indeed not use a transmutation circle. I didn't know what the big deal was, because I saw many alchemists not draw a circle to do their alchemy. I know they had some sort of circle on their person (such as Majhal's bracelet or Roy Mustang's glove), but for some reason, I thought Ed had a similar circle etched into his automail. That's what I get for watching some episodes, not in order, and not watching them all in order.

I think for a FMA campaign, it would be best to use the military and have the PCs be normal character, not alchemists.

I know what you're thinking. Talath, wtf? It's called Fullmetal Alchemist. But if you have most or all of the characters be soldiers, alchemists willbe special, since not everyone is one. Also, add in that alchemy is a complex process, this cuts down on the GM legwork. This allows the GM to introduce Alchemist foes and intense moral situations.

I think it could work.

 

[Arc]

It took me a while to realize it (man I am slow sometimes ) but Edward does indeed not use a transmutation circle. I didn't know what the big deal was, because I saw many alchemists not draw a circle to do their alchemy. I know they had some sort of circle on their person (such as Majhal's bracelet or Roy Mustang's glove), but for some reason, I thought Ed had a similar circle etched into his automail. That's what I get for watching some episodes, not in order, and not watching them all in order.

iirc, this was explained in the first season, though it's been a long time since I watched the fansubbed japanese versions. Basically, Ed creates a circle by clapping his hands together, making his own body the transmutation circle. That's why he always puts his hands together before transmuting something.

If you wanted to do a quick and dirty d20 approximation, just make all spells require a move action to draw a circle for them before casting. It'll decrease the power of spellcasters, but still provides flavor. Preparing a spell with Quicken means getting together a small trinket or something with the circle already drawn. I'm sure this can be extended a lot further, but for a basic rules approximation, it does alright.

 

[Temprus]

Ed and a few special others have a "gift" that allows them to not need a normal circle but they can only do limited Alchemy that way (unless an episode's writer forgets and has Ed do uber stuff). Ed normally uses a drawn circle for non-metal transmutations. The Manga is even better than the Anime (which is hard to top but it does).

BESM works well if you think of alchemy as a new attribute and that people like Roy, Louis or Ed buy their gimmick attacks as linked special attacks. Also, Ed's "gift" would be a new attribute.

P.S. the ending was rushed because they got the movie deal midway thru making the series and so they had to rethink how to cash in err set up the movie (or so I heard) otherwise it would probably have go on for a few more episodes or stopped for awhile with a second season later. Personally, I would rather of had more seasons than the movie. Maybe if the movie allows it they will have season two.

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

I agree with the sentiment that the show has incredible characterizations. This is especially shown in certan episodes where the overwhelming force of emotions just hits you like a sledgehammer. Shou Tucker is the first, but not nearly the last, time we get that.

My only real complaint with the show is its ending...it just felt forced, almost rushed. I didn't like the explanation of where the energy to perform alchemy came from, and what happened to the characters at the end didn't feel like a true resolution to me (for some characters more than others).

Maybe, but...

(SPOILER)

Dad now hangs out with the Thule Society in Weimar Munich. You know, those guys that gave the Nazis some of their sillier ideas?

All I'm saying is that I'm looking forward to the movie, which allegedly takes place a couple of years after the end of the series...

 

[Arc]

All I'm saying is that I'm looking forward to the movie, which allegedly takes place a couple of years after the end of the series...

There's a movie coming? Sounds cool. Is it already released in Japan, or is it still in development?

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

There's a movie coming? Sounds cool. Is it already released in Japan, or is it still in development?

I think it's supposed to come out this year, but AFAIK it isn't out yet.

 

[Xath]

It comes out this summer.

My first suggestion is to watch all 52 episodes in Japanese before running a game. Not only does the english version ruin the mood a bit, it also leaves out some of the nitty gritty details.

I've been trying to work out the magic system for FMA, and I had some concepts until the entire system shifted as we found more about it in the last episodes. Really fascinating concept. Let me know if you develop anything.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Sooo....did anyone else find tonight's episode far more upsetting than a television show should be?