Full Metal Alchemist

Anime and gaming is now a symbiotic organism; it is nigh indivisible from one another in the unique cultural marketplace where products and differing media collide and integrate seamlessly: Japan. However, this also means that while they share many of the same strengths; weaknesses and pitfalls are no exceptions to the rule. There has always been a dearth of strong, engaging, and most importantly, well-balanced female leads and supporting characters to grace either the console or the "boob tube" broadcasting standard anime fare. Sadly, this is true of many series and games currently out or in production. Romantic parings are for the most part, as woefully painful to see or play out since the character development in relationships is especially vapid when you consider the underdeveloped personalities or extreme stereotypes of animated women.

Usually, I don't love the main character in a series. By in large, historically they are not the most intriguing character in my honest opinion. However, in this case, I really enjoy Edward, Izumi, Hughes-lol, of course...the entire cast really... It's really rare for me to find a female in anime that I can stand or do more than go "eh" That's why I feel Winry gets the short end of the stick and is an under appreciated character. Yes the ending is blatant fan-service- no argument there (as a fan since the late 80's, I've seen many OP/ED and trust me when I say that it is standard practice to put the male and the female lead in either the OP or ED sequence-which btw, also serves as a pretty solid cue as to who the intended (habitually Romantic) paring of the series are, at least for the production staff.

She may not use weaponry or actively fight per say, however she does play a very important role and function in the series as well as for Ed and Al. Without her Automail and skills, physically and alchemic-wise; Ed would find himself pretty much impotent or close to it. I myself am disabled, so her services are invaluable.

In the quest to regain their natural forms, it could be argued that they seek also their Humanity- symbolically severed when their limbs were lost to them. Winry has value because she embodies/establishes a link to precisely that. She engenders an environment where the Elric Brothers are not Full Metal nor are they Natl. Alchemists- they are just simply; Human. Throughout the series, she also provides an outlet for the Ed-tachi. More than once, she has functioned as a "sounding board"/ listener to both- especially Ed and helps bring important realization and development to them as well.

Many see her as your typical violent anime female stereotype. I totally disagree with this assessment. Winry is also there to act, in some part, as comic relief in a series where there isn't a lot to laugh about or much chance to. Those particular "moments" are not over used or overdone; in fact they are quite tame when compared to other antics committed by other characters in anime esp. those who deserve the "violent, loud and bossy" tag. She's not meek and effacing like Rose either. She's definitely spirited, but also refreshingly balanced for a female in anime. I think that if fellow fans were to read the manga or re-watch the series they would see the origin of this particular opinion.

Hawkeye may got his (Roy's) back; However, Winry has his (Ed's) arm and leg...

Lindsay is an avid anime fan and gamer.

Links

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