If you're into sci-fi and fantasy, with a lot of psychological elements, then this is the right manga for you.

The mixture of reality, fantasy, and science in this manga feels all-too natural. A lot of fantasy novels/manga I've read have flaws (like Harry Potter, where a thousand year-old legend is hidden in a bathroom that couldn't exist a thousand years ago). This, however, has none (as far as I could see). Arakawa-sensei had researched intensively for this, and covered up any holes that a reader might find.

The setting of Fullmetal Alchemist is a fictional world that wouldn't make you feel as though you've left Earth at all. There is a sense of connection between its world and the real world. Once you've started reading it, you will be plunged into a world that is different but a place that you could relate into. This is probably one of the main points of the manga that will hold your interest.

The characters of Fullmetal Alchemist are practically alive. Arakawa-sensei deliberately breathed life into them. As you read, you will find yourself empathizing with the characters. You can practically feel the emotion they have, feel the weight of their problems, and the dilemma of their troubles. Arakawa-sensei had succeeded in giving them their own thoughts and principles in life. Arakawa-sensei gave the sense of being human through them.

Delving into the ideologies, Arakawa-sensei focused on conscience, the sense of what is right and what is wrong, faith and belief in God, and the upholding of one's principles.

What's beautiful in this manga is that it's not all-out stiff-serious. There are a lot of humor, that are like breathing spaces in between dramatic events.

Concerning the art, the paneling is alright, though I find it a bit spacious. I like the fight scenes, since they're a lot understandable than other action mangas I've seen.

All in all, this is one of the finest mangas I have ever read. Describing it in one word, I'd say: AWESOME!