Product Description

Based on the popular anime series, the full-length animated feature, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shambala, picks up the action in pre-war Germany where Edward Elric, stripped of his alchemical powers, is transported to a parallel world. While his brother Alphonse struggles to find a way to bring Edward back, Edward teams up with a young scientist, also called Alphonse, to research rocketry and also find a way home. But a chance encounter with a troubled gypsy girl sets in motion a series of potentially cataclysmic events that threaten the very fabric of both worlds! Approximate running time: 105 minutes. This limited edition comes with a 64-Page hardback book, ten 5x7 portrait cards, and a bonus DVD with extras and "The Making of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie." Bonus DVD Features: 54 Minute Interview with Japanese Cast and Crew, 3 Audio Commentaries, 2 Japanese Staff Commentaries, US Staff Commentary, Extended Trailer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44507 in DVD
• Brand: Funimation
• Released on: 2006-11-14
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Animated, Color, DVD, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English, Japanese, Portuguese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .80 pounds
• Running time: 104 minutes

Amazon.com
The Fullmetal Alchemist theatrical feature, The Conqueror of Shamballa, takes place two years after the last episode of the popular broadcast series. Edward Elric has been transported to Earth and is living in Weimar-era Munich with Alphonse Heiderich, a young engineer who reminds him of Al. This Alphonse is working for the Thule Society, a group of Aryan fanatics who hope to cross dimensions to the world they call Shambala and acquire weapons that will ensure a German victory in the next war. Back in the world where the broadcast series took place, a restored Alphonse Elric searches for a way to bring Ed back. A combination of science and alchemy finally reunites the brothers--with unexpected consequences. Although the film is an exciting adventure that includes many of the familiar characters, viewers who haven't watched the TV series may have trouble sorting out who's who and what's where. Sadly, The Conqueror of Shamballa marks the end of director Seiji Mizushima's and screenwriter Shou Aikawa's work with the Elric brothers: together, they preserved the essence of Hiromu Arakawa's winning characters while adapting them to a new medium. Arakawa is continuing the manga, so fans may one day see further animated adventures of Ed and Al. (Rated PG: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, alcohol and tobacco use)

The Limited Edition includes a second disc with commentaries by the Japanese cast and crew and the American voice cast. A booklet bound into the DVD case features interviews with Sho Aikawa (screenwriter), Michiru Oshima (original score), Masafumi Mima (sound direction), and Seiji Mizushima (director), drawings and model sheets of many of the characters, definitions of alchemical and technological terms, and a long appreciation by critic Ryusuke Hikawa. There's also an envelope of postcards of Ed, Al, and the other principal characters. This handsome package will delight serious Fullmetal Alchemist fans. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Awesome END to an awesome story
Having just seen the sneak preview screenings of the english language reversioning of Fullmetal Alchemist - Conqueror of Shamballa, I can say without reservation that it is a thrilling and must-see epilogue/ending capping off what is without question one of the greatest masterpieces of anime. However, DO NOT START your exploration of this story with this movie. Some of the things that make this story so great are its character development, story arc, pacing, and unexpected twists of plot. To be properly appreciated, Fullmetal Alchemist MUST be seen in sequence from episode 1 through episode 51, and THEN this movie. If you try to watch this movie before seeing the series, not only will you find it largely incomprehensible, but knowledge of what happens will SPOIL many of the surprises that await in those 51 episodes. Virtually no backstory is provided; viewers are assumed to have seen the series.

All the charm and wonder of the series is here in this film. All the voice actors from the english reversioning of the series were brought back to voice their characters for the movie. The care and attention to detail shown by both the original creators and the reversioners is remarkable to say the least. I only wished it was longer. The epic story of the Fullmetal Alchemist, in its entirety, will stand for decades as a monument to and inspiration for what can be achieved in this medium. This film is the final coda at the end of all its symphonic glory.

The end of the TV-series storyline
Note: this may contain minor spoilers. That said, the FMA movie brings a close to the storyline left open at the end of episode 51 of the TV series. It has stunning visuals and a superb soundtrack, nicely rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. It picks up three years after the end of the television series and wraps up loose ends surrounding the gate, Hoenheim, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Ed, and Al. Despite the fact that it was written by the same staff who created the series, the movie does have a different "feel" to it (especially since alchemy can't be used for a good portion of the film). If you liked the series, you'll definitely enjoy (at least most of) the movie. Fans who are looking for romantic relationships are going to be disappointed as the staff seemed to focus more on the bond between the two brothers.

For the big fans of the series, this special edition will definitely be a highlight to your collection, as it will contain a hard-bound book, several character "portrait cards", and a bonus DVD with multiple commentaries and interviews with the Japanese cast and crew, as well as the American staff. It also has a nice portrait of Ed on the cover of the box (the same that was used for the Japanese ltd. ed. release).

I would highly recommend this film to anyone who likes Fullmetal Alchemist; despite what I saw as the film's few shortcomings, it was still a good movie overall.

Okay, but doesn't compare favorably with the actual show
This is, generally speaking, an enjoyable movie. It does provide some closure to the series (that's as close to a "spoiler" as I'll get). But the series itself was such a cut above most anime that I found myself disappointed with this movie.

Basically this is about as good as most decent anime movies. If you're a fan of the show, you'll probably want to see it; but don't set your expectations too high. If you haven't seen the show, this movie won't make much sense. If you're not already an anime fan, this is NOT the movie to get you hooked.