Actually so embarrassing— AI Fullmetal Alchemist artwork has anime fans shocked at how wrong it is

Despite its original run ending in 2010, Fullmetal Alchemist remains a highly regarded and undoubtedly influential anime series that has gained mainstream recognition over the past few decades. Many still consider it to be the greatest anime ever created, even in comparison to more recent releases.

The AI artwork that was posted on the social networking site X has caused quite a stir among the fandom, mainly due to its numerous inaccuracies in portraying the main protagonists. It has become the main topic of discussion in recent times.

Fullmetal Alchemist’s AI Artwork: A Flawed Masterpiece

The main focus of the story is on Edward Elric and Alphonse Elric, who suffered injuries during their attempt to bring their mother back to life using alchemy. As a result, Edward lost his left leg and Alphonse lost his physical body. In order to save his brother, Edward gave up his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor.

Due to this, Edward lost both his left leg and right arm, which were subsequently replaced with metal prosthetics, resulting in his nickname Fullmetal Alchemist.

The release of an AI-generated artwork caused controversy among fans as it portrayed Edward with both arms as metal prosthetics, in direct contrast to the story’s crucial fact that only one of his arms is a metal prosthetic.

Fan Response to the Inaccuracies

Many fans have expressed that this inaccuracy is extremely embarrassing, particularly because Edward’s arms are integral to his character and serve as a reminder of their past actions attempting human transmutation.

Some fans playfully remarked that the AI had likely taken another one of Edward’s arms as compensation for “transmuting art.”Others also suggested that this could be the price for the AI’s acquisition of human creativity from Edward.

“Mot the ai taking both his arms,”another fan mentioned.

“Instead of taking the leg they took bro both arms 😭,”another fan wrote.

“For what could equal the cost of human creativity?,”one fan mentioned.

Edward and Alphonse as shown in Fullmetal Alchemist anime (Image via Bones)

A different fan pointed out that, in addition to removing one of Edward’s arms, the AI had also erred in its portrayal of the seal on Alphonse’s right shoulder. According to the fan, the seal was meant to be a thin cross with a snake, but the AI’s rendition made it look like a typical cross.

Some additional fans also expressed their belief that this situation could be seen as a critique of the consequences of relying on AI for creating art, as the AI may strip away elements of the original subject. This interpretation aligns with the themes of Fullmetal Alchemist, which emphasize the concept of equivalent exchange.

“Edward aside, the seal on Alphonse’s shoulder isn’t supposed to look like a cross,”another fan mentioned.

“The cost of relying on AI, it’ll take away parts of the actual subject to give you a result. Pretty poetic,”one fan wrote.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has recently surpassed The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime as the highest-rated anime, ending its decade-long reign.