One of the best animes around, Fullmetal Alchemist may not have the most comprehensible ending, but that hardly matters considering its memorable characters, beautiful look, and emphasis on brotherly love.  Maybe it's sacrilege to say, because I really love this series, but the ending is a little convoluted.  An awful lot of action is crammed into the last eleven episodes, and by the end my head was spinning with the effort of keeping up with who was doing what where, and why.  Even so, Fullmetal Alchemist puts on a heartfelt, satisfying finish that had me sighing happily, easily dismissing the breakneck pace.

After an attempt to use alchemy to bring back their dead mother, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric are left with the disastrous effects of a transmutation gone horribly wrong.  Edward loses his leg, and Alphonse loses his entire body.  Making a deal with the Gate that regulates the flow of alchemic reactions, Edward gives up his arm to seal Alphonse's soul into a suit of armor.  Outfitted with artificial limbs, Edward sets out to become a state alchemist in order to gain access to research materials to learn more about how to regain his brother's body and his missing limbs.  Finding the answer in the form of the fabled Philosopher's Stone, Edward and Alphonse journey to find the Stone and regain their former bodies.

In the series' conclusion, everything has come down to Scar, Lior, and what he plans on doing to the soldiers headed toward the city to suppress the uprising he created.  Meanwhile, a small faction of the military led by Mustang tries to stop a repeat of the Ishbalan war.  Forced to become fugitives, the brothers are separated, and Alphonse becomes involved in a tangle with Scar, leading to an unexpected and frightening transformation.  Edward's search for his missing brother takes him deep beneath Central, where he learns the horrifying truth behind what powers alchemy.  Edward is willing to make a deal with the Gate to save his brother, but will the price be too high?

Loose ends are tied, and all the hints and clues come to a conclusion involving life, death, and wayward parents.  After all the bitterness Edward displays toward his father, it was quite exciting to finally meet the world-weary Hohenheim of Light.  His role in the creation and use of the Philosopher's Stone is interesting, and adds an even more personal stake in Edward's search.  Edward is left with a great deal to consider once he is faced with the truth behind the Philosopher's Stone and where alchemists get the energy to transmute.  Everything, after all, is based on the idea of equivalent exchange, and the energy has to come from somewhere.

The characters in this series are just great.  Richly drawn and unique, after two seasons we really get to know them, suffering and rejoicing with their hardships and triumphs.  One of my favorite aspects of the series is the relationship between Edward and Alphonse.  Their closeness and devotion to one another is so very sweet.  There is nothing one wouldn't do for the other, and even when they fight, it's with the knowledge that they won't stay angry for long. 

Colorful and slick, the artwork is a treat to see.  Pretty backgrounds with lovely color choices create a fitting backdrop to the action.  The animation is smooth, with nice, flowing action sequences.  Transmutations are particularly well done; the energy of the circles glows beautifully without looking odd.  The pleasingly simple character designs are delightful, with blocks of color and just enough detail to clothing to be interesting without being distracting.  Everything works, and the series just looks good. 

Season Two Part Two comes in a shiny silver cardboard artbox that houses the folding jacket holding three dvds containing eleven episodes.  The jacket is decorated with some very nice artwork.  A second sleeve holds three guidebooks that are also full of artwork.

Fullmetal Alchemist is a wonderful series, and any shortcomings are easily overlooked in favor of all that brotherly goodness, characterization, artwork, humor, action, and engaging plot.  This is truly one of my favorite series.  It's the kind of anime one can return to again and again, for the fun bits and the poignant bits, like visiting an old friend.  If you haven't checked this series out, it's worth investing in the whole thing.

Details: Runtime 264 minutes, contains episodes 41-51 on three discs.  Extras include production art, and image gallery, character profiles, an inside look, commentary for episode 51, textless songs, and trailers.