A new website coupled with Fullmetal Alchemist’s 20th anniversary counting down to the latest announcement. What is known is that the project will feature prominently in the Alchemist slayer Scar. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess what will arrive on March 2, 2022.
The site, along with a photo of a disguised scar, includes the chilling words, “If there is a creator, there is also a destroyer.” Those familiar with the manga may have an idea what that might mean, but so far there’s no confirmation.
With an art show, a new manga from Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa, and a mobile game all announced in celebration of its 20th anniversary, there’s no doubt that something big is on the way. But whether it’s a live-action sequel to the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie, an original series, or something completely new remains to be seen.
Runs from March 12, 2022 to June 26, 2022 Hirakata Park Event Hall in Osaka, Fullmetal Alchemist’s art exhibit gives fans the chance to see original pieces by manga artist Hiromu Arakawa up close and personal. Those who can travel to Osaka in spring should do this get their tickets soon because the first two days are already sold out.
There also is a Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile Game coming this summer. The trailer shows CGI versions of iconic scenes from the story, but no gameplay footage so far. Screenshots indicate one-on-one battles, possibly along the lines of My Hero Academia: The Strongest Hero, but more information is yet to come. The game features characters such as Edward and Al Elric, Major Armstrong, the Homunculus and more!
At the end of last year on December 10, 2021, mangaka Hiromu Arakawa released her latest manga Tsugai of the Underworld. serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan – the same magazine as Fullmetal Alchemist – the series has only three chapters in the monthly anthology so far, but it threatens to get full of twists and turns. Currently there is no talk of a worldwide release, but as more monthly chapters are released, that could change.
To give a brief summary of Tsugai’s plot of the Underworld:
Local hunter Yuru and his sister Asa live together in a small isolated village. Yuru never left his hometown, but that pales in comparison to Asa who has lived her life in a cell separated from the other villagers. Though mysterious in his own right, Yuru never questions the status quo – at least not until an attack on the village robs him of safe thoughts. With weapons that Yuru and his friend Danji have never seen before, the enemies seem to come from another world. Will Yuru stop the threat and save his sister from some doom? Read Tsugai of the Underworld to find out.
Given the photo-realistic footage, some have speculated that the announcement will be a Fullmetal Alchemist live-action sequel to the 2017 film. Rumors of a sequel have been circulating on Twitter ever since Anime Expo 2017 where attendees claimed that the crew had already started production. No official confirmation has ever been made, but the ominous new website further hints at the possibility.
While it wasn’t a particularly highly-rated film, director Fumihiko Sori’s Fullmetal Alchemist left the ending open for a sequel. And it’s worth noting that Scar was never featured. If a sequel were made, the Ishvalan Alchemist slayer would certainly make a compelling centerpiece. It’s even possible that the film is a prequel, adapting the events of the Ishval War with Scar as the protagonist. Although, that’s pure speculation.
As a spoiler for anyone unfamiliar with the Fullmetal Alchemist series, the line “If there is a creator, also a destroyer” most likely refers to Scar’s alchemical ability. Though he is vehemently opposed to alchemy – both because of the Ishval faith and the state alchemists who slaughtered his kin – Scar’s tattooed arm allows him to destroy everything he touches.
To summarize, Scar’s brother practiced alchemy despite the taboo. And while their house was destroyed by state alchemists, the older brother saved his sibling’s life by transmuting the arm into Scar’s body. When he awoke and razed his homeland to the ground and his family was gone, Scar vowed to rid the world of the alchemists who had taken everything from him.
Depending on whether the speculated movie will follow the 2003 anime or the manga, Alkahestry – an alternate form of Alchemy focused on purification – may play a prominent role. Scar’s right arm, previously omitted from the first anime adaptation, which saw a unique ending to the manga, was part of an Alkahestry array: one for destruction and one for creation.
Considering the 2017 film only had a running time of 135 minutes, it might be too daring to explain any further backstory about Alkahestry and Xing Province. But if rumors of a live-action film are true, fans can only hope that the film will add more characters to the cast, such as Ling Yao.
With a live countdown counting down to March 2, now is the perfect time to make predictions about what the announcement could be. A live-action movie might be the most likely, but since the project was produced by Square Enix, it can’t be completely ruled out that the big reveal could be an original animation or game starring Scar. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but time will tell.
