Fullmetal Alchemist Premium OVA Collection

After the Fullmetal Alchemist animated series ended in 2006, alchemy fans had to hold their breath until the series was relaunched earlier this year as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. As the Elric brother’s journey is retold closer to the manga’s storyline, a set of short (sorry Ed!) clips from the previous series was available only to those in Japan. These brief videos featured a chibi party of the movie cast, the Elric brothers and their friend Winry, an interactive experience with the viewer as a State Alchemist, and finally a live-action clip of Alphonse Elric in armor form making his way to the Bones animation studio. At last, the alchemist inside all of us can catch up with the reunited English voice cast in Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection.

Unfortunately, as these clips are short, there’s not much else on the DVD aside from previews showing what other goodies FUNimation has available. It’s almost a sort of reunion for the voice cast, but most will notice that Al’s voice has changed -  considering that Aaron Dismuke, the voice actor, has aged slightly.

Interactive Experience
You’re treated as a new recruit to the state and given an introduction by Fuhrer Bradley himself before being assigned to Colonel Mustang’s regiment. Your brought along on a mission to hunt down the strange homonculi who’ve kidnapped two other alchemists, who are none other than Ed and Al. Once Envy ruins Greed’s chance at getting the secret of sealing a soul to a suit of armor, an all out battle ensues between the homonculi and the State Alchemists.

Live Action Featurette
Al Elric, still with his soul attached to the suit of armor, is in modern day Japan looking for his brother. Al makes it to Bones’ studios in Tokyo only to find out that he can’t make it through the door because of his size. If only Ed had this problem.

Chibi Wrap Party
After the movie, Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa, the entire cast, in chibi form, take over a restaurant to celebrate. Some surprises are to be had, but not limited to Envy wearing a costume, Scar and Lust disguised as metal-sheathed extras, and Riza Hawkeye insulting Roy Mustang.

Kids – Short
The title of the last clip on the DVD is accurate: it’s short and about kids. A young Ed (minus the automail), Al (sans armor) and Winry wander through modern day Japan (again) on their way to visit their great-great-grandfather, which turns out to be someone very familiar.

There’s nothing new to be gained from the DVD, and it doesn’t answer any questions or add further to the storyline. Personally, instead of releasing these on a seperate disc, these clips could have been packaged in as bonus features on the existing Season 1 and 2 box sets already available. If you do decide to go out and purchase Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection, shop around, but don’t spend more than $10 on it. I’ll go back and continue to watch Brotherhood.