Yeah, so I've watched up to around 12 episodes of the first season now. After the fourth one (which I thought to be a bit rushed, though the plot had promise), my expectations dropped a bit and I thought maybe the manga would be better as it could flesh out the story.

BUT I WAS SO WRONG!

Great characters (though they really seem older than their ages in the anime... Well, that's Anime for you, I guess), great stories and really cool use of alchemy.

I'm laughing, I'm crying (seriously, with Mina I was on the verge of tears. For whatever reason, nothing in fantasy has ever made me shed a tear. =/) and I'm loving this series so far. ^^ Glad I gave it a shot.