Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist can breathe a sigh of relief. The popular Japanese anime series, which spans 51 episodes, comes to a conclusion with the full-length movie Fullmetal Alchemist - The Conqueror of Shamballa which is now showing.
The television series, which first aired in Japan in 2003 and is still running on TVB Jade, has developed a huge following in Hong Kong. It is fast becoming a pop culture classic alongside Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon.
The anime revolves around the adventures of the Elric brothers, who lost their body parts in a failed attempt to bring their dead mother back to life using alchemy. They must find a mythical substance - the philosopher's stone - to restore their bodies.
Fullmetal Alchemist is an adventure quest story - a reason for its popularity among children and adults alike, said director Seiji Mizushima, who was responsible for the production of both the anime series and movie.
'This is not a story about heroes,' he said. 'The brothers continually face difficulties during their journey and have to get over them, one by one. This situation is quite similar to life and the audiences can therefore connect with the characters, sympathise with their plight and feel glad for their triumphs over adversity.'
The movie picks up where the television series left off. It takes place in 1920s Germany where Edward Elric has been living with a rocket scientist ever since he was transported to the real world from Amestris, the magical world of alchemists.
A secret society with strong ties to the Nazi movement is scheming to plunder Amestris' resources so that it can conquer the world. Edward (below) and his younger brother Alphonse, who remains in Amestris, are determined to thwart the evil plan.