Notes from Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the best animes ever created. It is rich in philosophical inquiry, exploring meaty human ethical questions like genocide, family loyalty, and what is the basis of being a good person. It is stuffed with an array of complex characters that go through incredible development arcs — I found myself attached to so many of the side characters and antagonists. Many of them weren't "good" or "bad." They were just on one side of two opposing ideological conflicts. For those who've watched the show, I'm specifically thinking of Scar, Greed, and Colonel Mustang.

You can never gain something from nothing.

The knowledge and lessons gained from pain are in direct relation to what you may have to give. Painful experiences are ripe with opportunity. That said, it takes relentless courage. Obsession. Principles. Audacity. Greed. The willingness to always be moving.

Creation is a sacred act. When the sun and the moon combine to create something new, that thing can be greater than the two individual pieces.

— Jay