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Funimation Adds Fullmetal Alchemist Premium Collection OVA

The North American anime distributor Funimation has confirmed at the Ohayocon event on Saturday that it has acquired the Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection original video animation (OVA) set. Funimation will release the set on a single DVD in late 2009. According to Funimation's Adam Sheehan, the DVD will include "everything that was on the Japanese DVD release — uncut, subbed, and dubbed."

The Premium Collection's Japanese release features the "Seven Homunculi VS State Alchemists" short and three DVD shorts that shipped after the 2005 Fullmetal Alchemist movie: "Live Action," "Chibi Party," and "Kids." These shorts were the last animated footage created for the Fullmetal Alchemist "dark fantasy" franchise — at least, until this coming April, when the new television adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's original manga premieres. Extras include a picture gallery, bonus clips from the Universal Studios Japan amusement park's Fullmetal Alchemist Premiere Tour, and closing credits that feature a dancing Alphonse Elric character.

"Seven Homunculi VS State Alchemists" is a 10-minute short that was screened at the Fullmetal Alchemist Premium Tour to promote the film. In this "what-if" story, the two main factions of the story face off in one giant battle.

"Live Action" is a three-minute live-action clip of Alphonse walking around Tokyo and visiting the Bones animation studio. It was filmed using one of the two full-scale Alphonse statues that were made for promotions (one of which Funimation used at many North American anime conventions).

"Chibi Party" is a six-minute animation featuring chibi (miniaturized) versions of all the characters from the movie celebrating at a Gokurōsama (Good Work Party).

"Kids" is a short, six-minute animation of three children — who look like Alphonse, Edward, and Winry — running around a modern-day Japanese city.

Image © Hiromu Arakawa/Square-Enix, MBS, ANX, Bones, dentsu 2004