This series probably tops so many other series with its first arc. It is one of the best things I have seen coming out of Shonen Jump. Even after that, thought you see an apparent dip in quality, it was still good. If we were basing it off for most of the series, I would go for 8.5/10.

However, the ending was mediocre. The final confrontation was actually a great battle, but the consequences were not there. Given how somber and dark the series was, the author suddenly became too nice to his/her characters, making it quite mediocre.

The final chapter was the weakest for me. It had a good direction, but apparently the author decided to reverse it comppletely with the last few final panels. It ended very shounen like. People called this a fullmetal alchemist ending, but it really wasn't. Fullmetal saw two great consequences with two central characters, one forever losing sight, the other forever losing alchemy.

I think people will still enjoy the majority of the story. But I don't think I'll strongly recommend the story as I did previously.