Fullmetal Alchemist is widely considered to be one of the most influential and respected anime series, even years after the original anime series ended in 2010. The series has left a lasting impression on fans and is often considered to be the best anime series ever made.
Recently, an AI-generated artwork of Fullmetal Alchemist shared on social media site X has sparked considerable debate within the fan community due to numerous inaccuracies in its depiction of the main characters.
Fullmetal Alchemist's story revolves around Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse Elric, who suffer severe physical damage while attempting to revive their deceased mother through alchemy. Edward loses his left leg, and Alphonse loses his entire body.
In a desperate act to save his brother, Edward sacrificed his right arm to bind Alphonse's soul into a suit of armor. This left Edward with only his right arm and left leg intact, which were later replaced with metal prosthetics, earning him the nickname “Fullmetal Alchemist”.
However, recent AI-generated artwork incorrectly depicts Edward with both arms being metal prosthetics, a significant departure from the original story.
The error caused much debate among fans, who found it particularly embarrassing since Edward's prosthetics were a key part of his character and a constant reminder of the brothers' failed attempts at human transformation.
Fans responded to the misinformation with a mix of humor and criticism. Some joked that the AI might have taken Edward’s other arm to pay for “transformational art,” while others saw it as a commentary on the potential limitations and costs of relying on AI for creative works.
「The All-round Alchemist」 pic.twitter.com/ttTXVO9cSh
— tarte (@HoDaRaKe) July 19, 2024
One fan humorously commented, “Someone took both of his arms,” while another added, “Instead of taking his legs, they took both of his arms 😭.” Another fan pondered the relevance of the subject, noting, “What could be on par with the price paid for human creativity?”
Additionally, fans pointed out another error in the artwork: the seal on Alphonse's right shoulder. In the original series, the seal is a slender cross with a snake, but the AI artwork depicts it as a regular cross.
This additional error further sparked discussions about the risks of using AI for artwork, with one fan commenting, “The cost of relying on AI is that it takes away part of the actual subject to give you the result. It’s poetic.”
The anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, a faithful adaptation of the manga, held the position of the highest-rated anime for nearly a decade until it was recently surpassed by Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Despite this, Fullmetal Alchemist continues to be praised for its complex plot, deep characters, and lasting legacy.