Fullmetal Alchemist OI!

I've been dropping in and out of FMA for years now, catching up here, reading a bit there, and over the past month, I've finally read all twenty-seven volumes (OMG IT ENDED).

I'd forgotten just how much I loved this series. It's an amazing read if you read it from start to finish with no pause; you realize just how tight and well-arced the story is and how the characters fit in with each twist and turn. I can't spoil it, but I have to say that I was quite pleased with the ending and though I wouldn't have minded a bit more of an epilogue (it seemed rather rushed to me...), overall, this one of those perfect manga series. Doable length, no-thousand-character-lists, no volume-long battles (well, kind of). It's what I'd label an 'almost perfect manga'. It joins Fruits Basket, One Piece and Monster for me and it's going to stay on my bookshelves, methinks.

And also.

HOW DID I NOT LOVE RIZA AND ROY BEFORE THIS?

The story and characters make me giddy. Very giddy. Am a little late joining the party, alas.

Also. Was it me, or did everyone get rounder as the series progressed? The faces, the muscles, everything...