Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 17 [Paperback]

Hiromu Arakawa (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 2008

The original manga behind the hit anime and video game series: over 25 million copies sold in Japan!

A homunculus manages to breach impenetrable Fort Briggs, and the Elric brothers discover a terrible alchemical secret that penetrates every corner of the world as they know it! Meanwhile, Major Kimblee and a ruthless General Raven make Major General Olivier Mira Armstrong an offer she can't refuse... Whose side is she on, really? And how far is she willing to go?

In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical "auto-mail" limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his brother and himself...the legendary Philosopher's Stone.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Hokkaido (northern Japan), Hiromu Arakawa first attracted national attention in 1999 with her award-winning manga Stray Dog. Her series Fullmetal Alchemist debuted in 2001 in Square Enix's monthly manga anthology Shonen Gangan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142152161X
• ISBN-13: 978-1421521619
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Hokkaido (northern Japan), Hiromu Arakawa first attracted national attention in 1999 with her award-winning manga STRAY DOG. Her series FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST debuted in 2001 in Square Enix's monthly manga anthology Shonen Gangan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More fun beyond the north winds., March 30, 2009

By 

Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 17 (Paperback)

Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 17 (ViZ, 2007)

The Elric brothers are stuck in the deep north, and it seems that all sorts of forces are starting to converge there. Rolf J. Kimblee, the Red Lotus Alchemist, is on his way there with Lieutenant General Raven, each with his own agenda, and another homunculus (if you've been following, it should be obvious which by process of elimination) puts in an appearance as well. Ed, Al, and their allies in the north have almost got everything figured out, but not quite; it's time to put the last pieces of the puzzle in place. As well, we get a quick flashback to Ed and Al's family life when they were kids, and the departure of their father; seems he's getting ready to come back on the stage as well. As usual, an action-packed, and quite fun, volume in the series. Can't wait for the next volume to get translated. ****

5.0 out of 5 stars It's your move, Fullmetal., December 12, 2010

By 

Elizabeth A. Hart (St Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 17 (Paperback)

So many pieces of the puzzle fall into place with volume 17. We finally get some explanation on how the alchemy in Xing works and we even find out some history on how the alchemy in Amestris works. Several groups of people also finally figure out what Maes Hughes died for way back in volume 4. The time when all of the homunculis' scheming finally comes to fruition is close and things are more dire than anyone could have thought.

I'm really liking some of the new characters. Miles, an Ishbalan solider serving in the Amestrian army, is so rough and tough in amongst all of the crap he has to put up with because of his race and the history the Amestrians have with his country. He's not afraid to flash his red eyes at someone to shake them and their preconceptions up a bit. I also really liked the Major General Olivier Armstrong, she is tough as nails and doesn't take any crap from anyone. I also really admire her commitment to her job guarding the border and to the troops defending it. The women in this series are all portrayed in an empowering way, whether they are generals in charge of a fort, mechanics and doctors helping put people back together, or even mothers and wives who are shown with a unique strength and empowering love and devotion all of their own. Don't forget that it was for the love of their mother that Ed and Al started on this crazy adventure in the first place.

With the dastardly plans of the homunculi finally being revealed things are coming to a head for the characters in this book, but the enemy still has as many hands tied as possible and makes sure the heroes know it. It's your move, Fullmetal.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story is just getting more intense!, November 13, 2008

By 

Alexander T. Miller "reader and gamer" (Smithfield, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 17 (Paperback)

Rather than spoil what has gone in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series so far, I'm just going to say it's great. If you have not read the previous volumes before number 17, I suggest you do so, or you will be lost in the story. It seems that the English localization/translation of the manga has caught up with the current printing in Japan, so I cannot wait for May 2009 to read what happens next. Yes, this is an ongoing series. It is still being written and read in Japan today.