Fullmetal Alchemist has cemented itself as one of the most iconic and best-selling manga series in history, with over 80 million copies sold worldwide. However, despite its phenomenal success, the creator, Hiromu Arakawa, initially had low expectations for the series. In a recently resurfaced interview, Arakawa candidly admitted that she thought Fullmetal Alchemist might not succeed after its first chapter was published.
The revelation came from a feature in Febri magazine, where Arakawa reflected on the early days of the series. She explained that the modest reception to Fullmetal Alchemist‘s debut left her bracing for its possible cancellation.
“The first chapter was published in color, but afterward, there were no color features, and I thought, ‘Oh, it’s not that popular,'” Arakawa said. “Honestly, I felt relieved. I told myself, ‘If this manga doesn’t take off, I’ll just move on to the next one.’ So when I heard how many copies they were printing for the first volume, I thought, ‘This definitely won’t sell.’ I even joked with my editor that if it didn’t, we’d go up north and sell it ourselves.”
Of course, things turned out quite differently. Fullmetal Alchemist quickly gained popularity, becoming one of Square Enix’s standout titles. Running for nine years, the series became a worldwide phenomenon, helped in part by its stellar anime adaptations. The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime, produced by Studio Bones, is now hailed as one of the greatest anime of all time.
For those who have yet to experience the magic of Fullmetal Alchemist, the manga is available in English through Viz Media and Yen Press. It follows the story of Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who dabble in forbidden alchemy to bring their mother back to life, resulting in devastating consequences. Their search for redemption leads them on a perilous journey for the Philosopher’s Stone, a mystical object that holds the key to restoring what they’ve lost.Despite Arakawa’s initial doubts, Fullmetal Alchemist has become a beloved staple in both manga and anime history, and its legacy continues to inspire fans around the world.
