Fullmetal Alchemist may be on my top 50 Anime series of all time (that’s saying a lot), but recently released Premium OVA Collection is almost a crime to buy.
The collection claims to feature four new stories about the Homonculous scourge, in an interactive experience. But, really these stories are nothing but quick featurettes. The interactive experience is a walk through the Alchemist Academy, with snippets from the original series. The featurettes fly by so quickly that if you blink you may miss them, which just about sums up the entire DVD, including bonus features.
Maybe I’m complaining too much, especially since this DVD “collection” has a low retail price of 14.98. However, why make it at all – except to rob loyal fans who want to own all things Alchemist. The Chibi Wrap party is a fun featurette, but just not enough to make this DVD worth purchasing. There is also a live-action featurette included. This could have been done great, but instead it just comes off as a poorly and quickly slapped together segment.
This DVD tarnishes the legacy of Fullmetal Alchemist, and if you can avoid it. This DVD will end up with a low rating, whereas the actual series continues to rate high in my book.
Extras
- Original TV Commercials
- Textless Closing Song
- Trailers
