Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie - The Conqueror of Shamballa (Limited Edition)
TheFullmetal Alchemisttheatrical 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 Shamballamarks 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 seriousFullmetal  Alchemistfans.--Charles Solomon