The remake of Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Full Metal Alchemist, long anticipated, has just aired, and predictably has been greeted with great interest and enthusiasm.

This episode begins in medias res, apparently intended more to introduce the many charismatic characters the series possesses. The next episode is set to begin with the disastrous hubris which doomed the brothers Elric.

Via Nekoko.

The response seems extremely positive, although this summary episode is quite removed from the epic story expected.

Fans still speculate as to the precise timing of the anime versus the manga, though it seems fairly certain the manga and anime will follow into the same conclusion this time.

The big development hinted at some time ago, and revealed in the leaked Bones documents, has finally had a formal announcement, though details are yet scant – there is to be a new Full Metal Alchemist TV anime.

The announcement comes by way of the obi on volume 20 of the manga, and it looks very much like this will be a return to the canonicity of the manga (the earlier leaked title basically gave this away, but was unconfirmed), after the anime wrapped things up prematurely in a manner which left no room for further expansion of the series into new productions; you will of course be reminded of the Hellsing OVA in this.

If the leaked details were all correct, then it would suggest a start in April or so. Bones may or may not be involved, as their leaked info was about third parties.

It’s not clear if we will be treated to a full restart from the first volume, but we can certainly hope (I should disclaim and say here that I have read the whole thing several times). More comment would be mere speculation at this juncture, so let us await further developments with barely contained anticipation, then speculate more later.