Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Jason Thompson (Editor), Hiromu Arakawa (Illustrator), Akira Watanabe (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2005

There are many types of alchemy in the world. Edward's commanding officer, "Flame Alchemist" Roy Mustang, can control fire. Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," specializes in the most difficult alchemy of all...biological transmutation, the ability to alter the tissue of living things. But no matter what their power, alchemists are still human. And when a mysterious killer begins stalking state alchemists, no one can escape his vengence...

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: 192 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591169232
• ISBN-13: 978-1591169239
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Manga
  • #68 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > By Publisher > Viz
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > Fantasy

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

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SCAR IS COMING TO TOWN, November 29, 2005

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Ed and Al return to the Eastern Front HQ to report to their superior, Colonel Mustang, who hooks them up with Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life" Alchemist who is researching bio-alchemy and who has the ability to create "chimeras", life-forms that are a blend of two genetically different organisms. Hopefully, he will give Ed a clue as to how to restore his and Al's bodies. Ed is going to be a little distracted though, as a vengeful man known as "Scar" is stalking State Alchemists and killing them horribly. It's as though when he touches them, their bodies explode! And he's gunning for Ed while he's in the city.

While not quite as good as the anime, this second volume is almost as enjoyable. The heartbreaking story of Tucker and his little daughter is truly a tragic one and exposes Ed and Al to things no normal kids could deal with. Arakawa does a good job of reminding us that they ARE kids intermitently no matter how deep the storyline. I would say that the manga version has a bit more humor than the anime. There are some differences in the two versions so I would highly recommend both. Great book and anime.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's What's for Dinner, September 1, 2007

By 

J. Sherman "The Critic" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

From the creative mind of a woman whose self-portrait is that of a bespectacled cow comes the continuing adventures of the Elric brothers in the second volume of Hiromu Arakawa's hit manga series. In their quest to restore their bodies, mechanical-limbed Ed and armor-clad Al look up Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," whose achievements in biological transmutation (the altering of living tissue) may the key ingredient to changing the Elrics back to normal--or a recipe for disaster. Then a new player enters the game, a mysterious killer who's got some legitimate beef with state alchemists. And Ed's next on his list (Note: Al merely assists Ed and is not enlisted in the military). If that's not enough, the artificial Homonculi are cooking up a devious plan to beat the Elrics in the race to obtain the fabled Philosopher's Stone.

Volume 2 is the first in the series to feature Ishvarlan extremist Scar, "Strong Arm Alchemist" Alex Louis Armstrong, the Homunculus Envy and other familiar faces from the "Fullmetal Alchemist" anime. It's also the first volume to shed light on the bloody history between the military and the nearly-extinct Ishvarlan people, a major clue to Scar's creation. If there's such a thing as food for thought, Ms. Arakawa still writes up a great meal. Also her illustrations, as always, are a feast for the eyes. And if you read this volume all the way through, you might even find out Ed's total height! So go buy a helping of this delicacy from one of today's hottest manga-ka's. Mine's on the house, or rather, my local library!

This comice is rated T for Teen: Violence, Adult Situations.

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest thnig inthe world to share with my kids., December 5, 2011

By 

Zelos E Polk (Valparaiso,In) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

A beautiful story to share and experience with your kids. I wondered if I was choosing to expose my kids to Manga as well as Japanese Anime because they are girls that are just 8 & 10. Yet takeing the time to show them some of the stories I love has beeb very fun, as well as very special.