Fullmetal Alchemist is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected anime series, even years after its original anime concluded in 2010. The series has left a lasting impact on fans and is often considered the best anime ever made.
Recently, an AI-generated artwork of Fullmetal Alchemist shared on the social networking site X has stirred significant discussion within the fandom due to its numerous inaccuracies in depicting the main protagonists.
The story of Fullmetal Alchemist centers around Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse Elric, who suffer severe physical losses while attempting to revive their deceased mother through alchemy. Edward loses his left leg, and Alphonse loses his entire body.
In a desperate move to save his brother, Edward sacrifices his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor. This leaves Edward with only his right arm and left leg intact, which are later replaced with metal prosthetics, earning him the nickname “Fullmetal Alchemist.”
The recent AI-generated artwork, however, inaccurately depicted Edward with both of his arms as metal prosthetics, a significant deviation from the original story.
This error sparked discussions among fans, who found it particularly embarrassing given that Edward’s prosthetics are a crucial part of his character and serve as a constant reminder of the brothers’ failed attempt at human transmutation.
Fans reacted to these inaccuracies with a mix of humor and criticism. Some joked that the AI might have taken another one of Edward’s arms as payment for “transmuting art,” while others saw it as a commentary on the limitations and potential costs of relying on AI for creative works.
「Full Metal Alchemist」 pic.twitter.com/ttTXVO9cSh
— tarte (@HoDaRaKe) July 19, 2024
One fan humorously remarked, “Mot the ai taking both his arms,” while another added, “Instead of taking the leg they took bro both arms 😭.” Another fan reflected on the thematic relevance, noting, “For what could equal the cost of human creativity?”
Moreover, fans pointed out another mistake in the artwork: the seal on Alphonse’s right shoulder. In the original series, the seal is a slender-looking cross with a snake, but the AI artwork depicted it as a conventional cross.
This additional error further fueled discussions about the risks of using AI for artwork, with one fan commenting, “The cost of relying on AI, it’ll take away parts of the actual subject to give you a result. Pretty poetic.”
The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime, which faithfully adapts the manga, had maintained its position as 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 celebrated for its intricate storytelling, deep characters, and enduring legacy.
