Chances are, one of the works of the legendary Hiromi Arakawa sits somewhere on your all-time list. Under the pen name Hiromu Arakawa, she’s a two-time Shogakukan Manga Award winner and the creator of series like Fullmetal Alchemist and Silver Spoon.
Oh, and it’s her BIRTHDAY today! So, let’s celebrate by jumping into a few of the anime based on her iconic manga work.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
One of the most popular anime series out there, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the more faithful of two adaptations of Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist manga series. The manga is one of the best-selling series of all time, with over 70 million volumes sold worldwide.
Taking place in a world where alchemy is frequently practiced, the story follows two brothers looking for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone in hopes of restoring their bodies after a transmutation spell they perform as children goes terribly wrong.
No matter what your anime watch history looks like, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is always a solid option when you’re looking for something to watch. Yes, even if you’ve seen it ten times.
Silver Spoon
Taking a major turn from fantasy shounen adventure, Silver Spoon was a series that Arakawa created as a challenge for herself. Arakawa definitely took the challenge head-on, with the Silver Spoon manga earning her both a second Shogakukan Manga Award and a Manga Taisho award!
The story focuses on a teenage boy that enrolls in an agricultural school in an attempt to escape the pressure of his parents’ high expectations. He quickly learns that life in the country isn’t as easy as he originally thought.
From raising piglets to mastering the art of the super-quick bath, Silver Spoon is perfect for anyone looking for a fresh take on the slice of life genre.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan
Arakawa’s adaptation of The Heroic Legend of Arslan — originally a fantasy novel series by Legend of the Galactic Heroes author Yoshiki Tanaka — is the second manga adaptation of the story. However, Arakawa’s adaptation, which is still being published monthly in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shounen Magazine, is what the anime’s style and character designs are based on.
Arslan, the crown prince of the kingdom of Pars, barely manages to escape when his kingdom is taken over by a neighboring nation. After reconnecting with a military commander charged with looking after him, Arslan works to build an army to take back Pars.
Perfect for fans of historical or military dramas, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a great mix of action, drama and comedic character moments that truly make it memorable.
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