FMA is my favorite series of all time. I first read it through with the 3 in 1s and I really enjoyed them. I am now slowly rebuying the series with the Fullmetal editions as well!
I was all onboard for those hardcovers but then my friend started picking them up when they were first released. She had the fist 3 vols and when I saw them in person towards the end of 2018 I was not impressed. Like you said, the eyes of these books are not good and they seem to be prone to glue cracking. They do have gutter loss and they are like a mousetrap even after years of handling. Also, if you handle the vols just a bit, the foil embossing has a tendency to flake off. I even saw someone discuss this on TH-cam and he showed the flaking in the store with new vols at B&N. I’m just going by the first 3 vols when I saw them in person, but my friend continued buying them through 2019 and eventually sold them and kept her single vols. Thankfully she did not sell off her singles prior to buying the hardcovers. I love hardcovers, but this is one instance where I had to pass. The singles(I have the box set)are the best choice, to me.
Had mine since release so unless your rubbing friction and creating heat then obv the foil is gonna come off but if youre reading it like a sane person like me youll be fine, spine is ruined but is still going strong, imo this is the best qulaity hardcover for a manga till date.
Oh I’ll definitely go for the Fullmetal editions, they’re beautiful. It makes such a difference to have it printed on the white paper, the art just pops so much better.
Should be noted that if you're in Australia like me; The 18 Fullmetal volumes are gonna cost like $450. Which is absurd when for literally half that you can just buy the box set.
I got the box set really cheap a few years ago before the hardcovers started releasing, but i don't regret it. I love the covers and the spines of the singles. Almost every character is featured and it feels more personal and nostalgic when I watch them on the shelf.
honestly ive been thinking of getting it but ive never really read or bought manga so i feel like itd be kinda overwhelming to buy it all, but also i like the financial benefit of buying it..
Would like to add that the Fullmetal Editions are missing some extra side stories that are included in the singles, but those stories are very minor and aren't needed for the overall plot
Honestly I like the rougher look of the single prints better. Yeah the contrast isn’t that high but that looks more like the nostalgic manga aesthetic to me than the white and harsh black line print of the fullmetal edition
Thank you sooooooo much for doing this video! I desperately needed a comparison since I’ve been thinking about upgrading from the singles to Fullmetal editions
The Fullmetal Edition is great, specially if they have revised the translation and lettering and selected a better quality pages. It also includes full color pages and rough sketches, that's cute. The pity is that we lose the final 4-panels of gags that includes the single edition in its final pages, but fortunately there is published a volume that compile almost all of them (it lost 2 panels per volume, but includes new gags from the DVDs and others). If you are interested, the title is Fullmetal Alchemist The Complete Four-Panel Comics from viz too and it cost 13 dollars without discounts.
I had been wondering about that! I've been reading this manga online and _really_ want to buy an official collection for myself. But are you saying some editions don't include all those little silly sketches and omakes at the end? I'm particularly fond of the little _In Memorium_ sketches of everybody who died per volume; those are hilarious. What edition or editions retain the most artwork?
@@Contraltissimo yeah, it's really a pity, but each edition have its own extras content. I'm Spanish so I didn't see by myself the English volumes, but it's habitual to be identical to the Japanese edition. For to be totally sure, you can check it in some shop if you have the opportunity. English manga editions usually don't wear the book jacket that have the original Japanese and most of the European editions. The deads memorial you mentioned appears originally in the book spine of each simple volumes (only in this edition). So the English (I saw this in the digital version, so I assume the physical it's identical) individual volumes edition includes them in its final pages, with the extra gags from the book covers under the jacket. This extras on the covers and spine of the book weren't added in the Four-panels compilation manga, so you will lost it if you buy the Fullmetal edition (kanzenban edition in Japanese). The Fullmetal edition, on the other hand, contains rough sketches and full colour pages, but lose all extra gags. So about your question, which is the best version for you? If you prefer all the extra gags of the volumes and don't care about colour pages, go for the individual volumes edition (27 volumes in total), and for more gags from the Dvds and the databooks, you can pursache also the Four-panel manga. But if you really want the full color pages and also most of the extra gags, and you could assume to lose only 2 gags panels per volume and the deads memorial from the spines, you should buy the Complete Four-panel manga (which includes a lot of new gags panels that didn't be included in the individual volumes) + the Fullmetal manga edition (18 volumes in total). The author of this video said that it was also revised the translation and lettering, and selected a more quality pages in this edition, so it's a good choice. Also, if you want to have all the colour artworks (covers from the Japanese magazine, promo art and more) viz has too the complete artbook with hardcase. And French publisher Kurokawa have a databook called Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle for 19€, with contains some extra chapters (those animated in the ovas), postcard shikishis, new sketches, a compilation of special extras sold in the first Japanese volumes like rough sketches and game cards, and a lot of collaboration art from other mangakas like Rumiko Takahashi or Araki (all of this printed in the pages, of course). I hope I could resolve your answers ^^
No sé cómo llegué a ver este video, pero TH-cam sabe lo que quiero y definitivamente tu vídeo me ayudó a poder elegir la opción más conveniente a la hora de coleccionar el manga de Fullmetal Alchemist.
Thanks so much for the heads up about binding issues with the hardcover editions I have the first three volumes haven’t started the series but I’ll just have to be careful to no open them all the way . Right now I’m on the third part of JJBA and found it’s the prefect way to just enjoy and laugh and turn off my over active philosophical pessimist brain . For a long time I was and still am an Osamu Tezuka fan but collectively his cannon catches up with me and I find it too bleak and depressing no urge to return .
Every time i look into buying a series I always check to see if you have thoughts on the editions before doing so. Thanks so much for your awesome vid and thorough insight! You always answer all the questions i have
My one wish with the singles is that they kept the cool metallic grey they had for some of the earlier editions, it really made the first few volumes pop!
I never knew that there was a hardcover edition, which is why I originally decided against collecting the series. I cannot tell you just how excited I am to know that the Fullmetal Editions exist! Thank you so much! :)
Had to come back to this video as I’m about to start buying the series and had forgot which was best, think I’ll go with the hardcovers, the spines look so great with the foil lettering.
My favourite. The manga is AMAZING. Collecting the paperback volumes, but if I had all the money in the world I’d definitely get the full metal editions
I own the 3 in 1 editions. My sister had bought it for my birthday and i wanted to save her cash by not getting the boxset. I plan to get the fullmetal editions in the future, but the binding issues are discouraging. I got my nieces into manga this year with fma and they loved it :)
Imagine thinking that the fullmetal edition lettering looks better overall. I mean it's definitely *fine* and if I didn't see them side by side I might not notice the difference, but the original lettering has so much more personality in my opinion! The fullmetal editions are certainly pretty and I guess the new lettering goes into that 'sleek/modern look' or whatever but it definitely strips out some of the character present in the original lettering Everyone is entirely to their own opinion ofc 🤷 but at least for me I couldn't say the lettering is really a 'pro' to the fullmetal editions
I normally prefer the "bigger" / "better" editions, but I find 18 hardcovers at 20 dollars each to be a bit pricey for me. I also do not really enjoy having a high number of volumes, so I would avoid the singles. For this series, I like the 3-in-1 editions.
I'm a huge FMA nerd. I only buy the Fullmetal Editions out of instinct, not because I like em. If you think $20 is enough for a hardcover and better paper quality, that's cool. But the fun author notes and the bonus pages are all gone, probably which added to the flare of the manga.
I ordered a 3-in-1 the other night and I’m gonna try reading that and seeing if I think the upgrades are worth it. If I really don’t like the quality or something I will probably just go for the whole box set, it’s super easy to find them cheap right now. This is my first time collecting manga besides Junji Ito story collections so I’m excited but trying to weigh my options. Good video
I’d definitely recommend the Fullmetal edition. I had a few copies of the omnibus and a few of the singles. Once the Fullmetal editions were released I ended up selling my old copies
My problem with the Full Metal Edition is that they are really hard to keep open and read. Won't lay flat. Makes my hands ache after a while. Actually thinking of giving up collecting them in this edition because it's such an inconvenience. :( Bummer!
I love this channel because it discusses things not many care for. I love being informed on differences in formats as I personally have the 3 in 1s, and thought I messed up seeing how nice the FullMetal editions are. But I’m happy with my purchase now
You stole my idea, cause I literally told myself I was gonna do this exact same thing. I have all the hardcovers and now the box set is more available.
i have the singles because i slowly bought them as they were released in english. i was curious about the fullmetal editions since they are so beautiful covers but i dont like hiw awkward it is to read when a hardcover doesn't lay flat when open
One downside to the Fullmetal editions is that the bonus chapters are missing and are only available in the other releases. There's also the Singapore English edition which has a different translation and keeps the Japanese sound effects with translations underneath.
Fullmetal is in my opinion the definitive one. I collect manga with intention of them being in the shelf most of the time, so the nice looking hardbacks are perfect for me. Also they have the best art quality for the one time reading I do with my manga.
I'm shocked there's no mention of the original hardcover manga anywhere. When I first got into the series, the library had the whole collection with the original cover art but they were hardcover books. I can only find the paperback ones
@dRac_XII apparently they were made specifically for school libraries and select other libraries and weren't sold to the general public. You can't purchase the hardcover originals anywhere, which is disappointing.
Can you do jojo manga collection..yes i am recommending you to read the manga and let me shock you its freaking bizzare and yeah because of you spending infinte money i get to know what manga to buy and which the best for ex.db franchise hehehehe see yaa plus watched fmab last month and i am gonna tell you its peak obviously bruhhh
I read the single versions first (which I borrowed from my school library) and then I bought volume 14 of the Fullmetal edition . I gotta say that I like both versions the same lol
Check out the TH-camr Lowart (I literally have one of his vids in the recommended column next to this comment lol). He did an insane multi-part deep dive comparing FMA 03, Brotherhood, and the Manga. Highly HIGHLY reccomend you check them out.
Fullmetal edition only containing 1.5 volumes is such a disrespect. Why bother being an omnibus, if it doesn’t contain at least 2 full volumes? But dang are they pretty and high quality in hardback
FMA is my favorite series of all time. I first read it through with the 3 in 1s and I really enjoyed them. I am now slowly rebuying the series with the Fullmetal editions as well!
Nice 😊
I was all onboard for those hardcovers but then my friend started picking them up when they were first released. She had the fist 3 vols and when I saw them in person towards the end of 2018 I was not impressed. Like you said, the eyes of these books are not good and they seem to be prone to glue cracking. They do have gutter loss and they are like a mousetrap even after years of handling. Also, if you handle the vols just a bit, the foil embossing has a tendency to flake off. I even saw someone discuss this on TH-cam and he showed the flaking in the store with new vols at B&N. I’m just going by the first 3 vols when I saw them in person, but my friend continued buying them through 2019 and eventually sold them and kept her single vols. Thankfully she did not sell off her singles prior to buying the hardcovers. I love hardcovers, but this is one instance where I had to pass. The singles(I have the box set)are the best choice, to me.
Looks like I'll get the box set if that's the case but I'm wondering what is gutter loss
@@epistarter1136 Gutter Loss is when part of the art is lost and/or obscured in the inner binding of the book.
@@NMan40 thanks for the info now I definitely am going with the boxset though it is sad I'll be missing out of the hardcovers
Had mine since release so unless your rubbing friction and creating heat then obv the foil is gonna come off but if youre reading it like a sane person like me youll be fine, spine is ruined but is still going strong, imo this is the best qulaity hardcover for a manga till date.
@@rehura3891 dark horse hardcovers go *hard*
Oh I’ll definitely go for the Fullmetal editions, they’re beautiful. It makes such a difference to have it printed on the white paper, the art just pops so much better.
Yuuuup😊
Should be noted that if you're in Australia like me; The 18 Fullmetal volumes are gonna cost like $450. Which is absurd when for literally half that you can just buy the box set.
Is true
I got the box set really cheap a few years ago before the hardcovers started releasing, but i don't regret it. I love the covers and the spines of the singles. Almost every character is featured and it feels more personal and nostalgic when I watch them on the shelf.
honestly ive been thinking of getting it but ive never really read or bought manga so i feel like itd be kinda overwhelming to buy it all, but also i like the financial benefit of buying it..
@@yooyeongf if you find a good deal go for it. I got mine for 90/100 euros, but idk how much it goes for. Get the box set or the hardcovers.
Would like to add that the Fullmetal Editions are missing some extra side stories that are included in the singles, but those stories are very minor and aren't needed for the overall plot
if your talking about the 4 panel comics I think you can buy them in a separate book :)
Honestly I like the rougher look of the single prints better. Yeah the contrast isn’t that high but that looks more like the nostalgic manga aesthetic to me than the white and harsh black line print of the fullmetal edition
Love Fullmetal Alchemist ❤️ Just finished getting the Fullmetal editions
Thank you sooooooo much for doing this video! I desperately needed a comparison since I’ve been thinking about upgrading from the singles to Fullmetal editions
The Fullmetal Edition is great, specially if they have revised the translation and lettering and selected a better quality pages. It also includes full color pages and rough sketches, that's cute. The pity is that we lose the final 4-panels of gags that includes the single edition in its final pages, but fortunately there is published a volume that compile almost all of them (it lost 2 panels per volume, but includes new gags from the DVDs and others). If you are interested, the title is Fullmetal Alchemist The Complete Four-Panel Comics from viz too and it cost 13 dollars without discounts.
I had been wondering about that! I've been reading this manga online and _really_ want to buy an official collection for myself. But are you saying some editions don't include all those little silly sketches and omakes at the end? I'm particularly fond of the little _In Memorium_ sketches of everybody who died per volume; those are hilarious.
What edition or editions retain the most artwork?
@@Contraltissimo yeah, it's really a pity, but each edition have its own extras content. I'm Spanish so I didn't see by myself the English volumes, but it's habitual to be identical to the Japanese edition. For to be totally sure, you can check it in some shop if you have the opportunity.
English manga editions usually don't wear the book jacket that have the original Japanese and most of the European editions. The deads memorial you mentioned appears originally in the book spine of each simple volumes (only in this edition). So the English (I saw this in the digital version, so I assume the physical it's identical) individual volumes edition includes them in its final pages, with the extra gags from the book covers under the jacket. This extras on the covers and spine of the book weren't added in the Four-panels compilation manga, so you will lost it if you buy the Fullmetal edition (kanzenban edition in Japanese). The Fullmetal edition, on the other hand, contains rough sketches and full colour pages, but lose all extra gags.
So about your question, which is the best version for you? If you prefer all the extra gags of the volumes and don't care about colour pages, go for the individual volumes edition (27 volumes in total), and for more gags from the Dvds and the databooks, you can pursache also the Four-panel manga.
But if you really want the full color pages and also most of the extra gags, and you could assume to lose only 2 gags panels per volume and the deads memorial from the spines, you should buy the Complete Four-panel manga (which includes a lot of new gags panels that didn't be included in the individual volumes) + the Fullmetal manga edition (18 volumes in total). The author of this video said that it was also revised the translation and lettering, and selected a more quality pages in this edition, so it's a good choice.
Also, if you want to have all the colour artworks (covers from the Japanese magazine, promo art and more) viz has too the complete artbook with hardcase. And French publisher Kurokawa have a databook called Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle for 19€, with contains some extra chapters (those animated in the ovas), postcard shikishis, new sketches, a compilation of special extras sold in the first Japanese volumes like rough sketches and game cards, and a lot of collaboration art from other mangakas like Rumiko Takahashi or Araki (all of this printed in the pages, of course). I hope I could resolve your answers ^^
No sé cómo llegué a ver este video, pero TH-cam sabe lo que quiero y definitivamente tu vídeo me ayudó a poder elegir la opción más conveniente a la hora de coleccionar el manga de Fullmetal Alchemist.
Thanks so much for the heads up about binding issues with the hardcover editions I have the first three volumes haven’t started the series but I’ll just have to be careful to no open them all the way . Right now I’m on the third part of JJBA and found it’s the prefect way to just enjoy and laugh and turn off my over active philosophical pessimist brain . For a long time I was and still am an Osamu Tezuka fan but collectively his cannon catches up with me and I find it too bleak and depressing no urge to return .
Every time i look into buying a series I always check to see if you have thoughts on the editions before doing so. Thanks so much for your awesome vid and thorough insight! You always answer all the questions i have
My one wish with the singles is that they kept the cool metallic grey they had for some of the earlier editions, it really made the first few volumes pop!
yeah I was so disappointed when they stopped using it
Just getting into manga collecting, these videos are super helpful! Thanks so much :D
I love these comparisons. Thank you!
I never knew that there was a hardcover edition, which is why I originally decided against collecting the series. I cannot tell you just how excited I am to know that the Fullmetal Editions exist! Thank you so much! :)
Had to come back to this video as I’m about to start buying the series and had forgot which was best, think I’ll go with the hardcovers, the spines look so great with the foil lettering.
They do😊
My favourite. The manga is AMAZING. Collecting the paperback volumes, but if I had all the money in the world I’d definitely get the full metal editions
Extremely professional presentation! Liked and subbed!
YES! I WAS SO STOKED TO SEE THIS I DIDNT EVEN START THE VIDEO 🙌🏻
What a gem of a video. Started my hardcover collection recently.
Hot dang you make me want to buy it twice.
This is an astoundingly informative video--thanks for putting it together!
Thanks for making unboxing and reviewing videos on manga
I own the 3 in 1 editions. My sister had bought it for my birthday and i wanted to save her cash by not getting the boxset.
I plan to get the fullmetal editions in the future, but the binding issues are discouraging.
I got my nieces into manga this year with fma and they loved it :)
This video makes me want to get all versions possible 😅
Imagine thinking that the fullmetal edition lettering looks better overall. I mean it's definitely *fine* and if I didn't see them side by side I might not notice the difference, but the original lettering has so much more personality in my opinion! The fullmetal editions are certainly pretty and I guess the new lettering goes into that 'sleek/modern look' or whatever but it definitely strips out some of the character present in the original lettering
Everyone is entirely to their own opinion ofc 🤷 but at least for me I couldn't say the lettering is really a 'pro' to the fullmetal editions
I normally prefer the "bigger" / "better" editions, but I find 18 hardcovers at 20 dollars each to be a bit pricey for me. I also do not really enjoy having a high number of volumes, so I would avoid the singles. For this series, I like the 3-in-1 editions.
Ebisu sitting on your shelf is nice!
I was thinking of picking up the box set, since right now it's half the price of buying the Fullmetal editions
Thank you for this! really helpful!
Good video, thoughtful, thorough, and concise, an excellent presentation of information.
I want the box set so bad😩
I'm a huge FMA nerd. I only buy the Fullmetal Editions out of instinct, not because I like em. If you think $20 is enough for a hardcover and better paper quality, that's cool. But the fun author notes and the bonus pages are all gone, probably which added to the flare of the manga.
I ordered a 3-in-1 the other night and I’m gonna try reading that and seeing if I think the upgrades are worth it. If I really don’t like the quality or something I will probably just go for the whole box set, it’s super easy to find them cheap right now. This is my first time collecting manga besides Junji Ito story collections so I’m excited but trying to weigh my options. Good video
Great review. I'm going to ask the family for the fullmetal editions for my birthday in a few months
I’d definitely recommend the Fullmetal edition.
I had a few copies of the omnibus and a few of the singles. Once the Fullmetal editions were released I ended up selling my old copies
does anyone know how big the complete box is from the box set
just bought the 3-in-1s
My problem with the Full Metal Edition is that they are really hard to keep open and read. Won't lay flat. Makes my hands ache after a while. Actually thinking of giving up collecting them in this edition because it's such an inconvenience. :( Bummer!
This is very helpful thank you soo much❤❤
Thank you for this overview!!
I love this channel because it discusses things not many care for. I love being informed on differences in formats as I personally have the 3 in 1s, and thought I messed up seeing how nice the FullMetal editions are. But I’m happy with my purchase now
You stole my idea, cause I literally told myself I was gonna do this exact same thing. I have all the hardcovers and now the box set is more available.
i have the singles because i slowly bought them as they were released in english. i was curious about the fullmetal editions since they are so beautiful covers but i dont like hiw awkward it is to read when a hardcover doesn't lay flat when open
Love your channel, everything is so bingable.
One downside to the Fullmetal editions is that the bonus chapters are missing and are only available in the other releases.
There's also the Singapore English edition which has a different translation and keeps the Japanese sound effects with translations underneath.
Love these videos! Great for new collectors.
the box set is only 126 on the website i use in my country thats just the version of amazon just different
I have some Full Metal Alchemist Singles and they have silver foil on the covers similar to the gold foil one piece volumes.
Fullmetal is in my opinion the definitive one. I collect manga with intention of them being in the shelf most of the time, so the nice looking hardbacks are perfect for me. Also they have the best art quality for the one time reading I do with my manga.
Great video, looking forward to collecting this series next!
Btw is there any difference between the editions in cropping?
for me im torn between the box set and the fullmetal edition its an interesting choice.
Hey really like your channel just curious to know what type of display cases those are
What about the silver foil manga editions? It seems they're so rare no one remembers them.
Are these hardcovers sewn bound?
Somehow I got the box set at £64 reduced from like £120 or £150 something like that.
I have the first two volumes a singles
Have you read Akatsuki no Yona? I liked it a lot. Wikipedia says there are 39 volumes out right now.
Great video!
I'm shocked there's no mention of the original hardcover manga anywhere. When I first got into the series, the library had the whole collection with the original cover art but they were hardcover books. I can only find the paperback ones
doubt
@@dRac_XII sure
@@danielthorpe5539 i mean… where are they
@dRac_XII apparently they were made specifically for school libraries and select other libraries and weren't sold to the general public. You can't purchase the hardcover originals anywhere, which is disappointing.
FMA all-time favourite
I want to start a manga collection! Where shall I start from?
Depend on the taste
Wheres the nes VIZ COLORED?
if you havent could you do a video like this on tokyo ghoul with singles monster and boxsets please :)
I got all of the 3 to 1 volumes.
Back then the spines use to be shiny
Another brilliant comparison video. Thanks Kristen. You know me, hardcover Full Metal Editions all the way.
Will you also do for Naruto/Boruto Novels? Will you also do the guide/in depth for those same as you do with mangas?
Great video Kristin! Now for the real question. Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 or Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood?
Damn thats easier than one expects: The Manga.
@@sebastiantravis9406 based
I like them all. XD
Brotherhood. I watched both and I lean more to brotherhood
If you want the closest adaptation to the source material: Brotherhood. 2003 is good, but it deviates heavily into its own separate thing.
will you also compare the new parasyte editions?
Can you do jojo manga collection..yes i am recommending you to read the manga and let me shock you its freaking bizzare and yeah because of you spending infinte money i get to know what manga to buy and which the best for ex.db franchise hehehehe see yaa plus watched fmab last month and i am gonna tell you its peak obviously bruhhh
Oh ok
do the fullmetal editions fix the entire xerxes translation mishap?
5:35 What is the eye of book ?
Which one has the authors notes at the beginning or end of the volume?
What about the perfect edition?
Can anyone tell me how many volumes does the fullmetal edition covers. I am thinking to start collecting the the series
Is this a reupload? Istg ive seen this before
Kristin, do you like Animal Collective?
could you do this for alita battle angel or one piece
I love ur vids
Fullmetal editions is the best way to collect as of now. Got to love Hardcover man ♥️
Amazing ! ❤
Amazing!
Enlightening vídeo.
I read the single versions first (which I borrowed from my school library) and then I bought volume 14 of the Fullmetal edition . I gotta say that I like both versions the same lol
Could you compare the FMA manga to the anime(s)?
yoo if we r being real anime fmab is so very good. but its your call
Check out the TH-camr Lowart (I literally have one of his vids in the recommended column next to this comment lol). He did an insane multi-part deep dive comparing FMA 03, Brotherhood, and the Manga. Highly HIGHLY reccomend you check them out.
Unreal 😊
Just found some Fullmeta editions for cheap on wob. Figured I’d take the risk.
Fullmetal edition only containing 1.5 volumes is such a disrespect. Why bother being an omnibus, if it doesn’t contain at least 2 full volumes?
But dang are they pretty and high quality in hardback