A tragic event takes place where Kazuki gets killed while trying to save a mysterious girl from a monster, only to wake up the next morning in his dorm believing it to be a dream. He soon discovers however, that it was all a reality as he is attacked by a huge serpent creature along with his sister. The mysterious girl he had saved prior explains to him that these monsters are known as Homunculus, and that because he had been killed, she replaced his heart with a Kakugane Medallion. She further explains that the medallion is a device created by alchemy and that when activated, it takes form based on the user of the Kakugane called “Busou Renkin”. Kazuki forms his own Busou Renkin called the “Sunlight Heart”, a huge lance that he'll now use in order to prevent the Homunculus from destroying mankind.

Alchemy plays such a major role in both anime, where both main characters use their newly discovered powers in order to put an end to the terror lying ahead. The Homunculus play a role in both as well, since they're the primary antagonists of the series, and can only be stopped by the use of alchemy. When death had stood face to face with both characters, they were brought back to life with the magic force of alchemy in order to survive. Elric and Kazuki are extremely devoted characters, who seek out to retain balance in the world around them and to ensure their powers don't go to waste.

D.Gray Man focuses on the life of Allen Walker, who grew up with a deformed left arm, resulting in his family abandoning him claiming that he's not human. With his dark past behind him, a much darker future awaits him as the evil Millennium Earl plots to destroy the entire existence of humanity with his creation of Akuma. This weapon uses the souls of the dead which are then trapped within it until the use of Innocence, an Anti-Akuma weapon, breaks them free. After spending several years under the teachings of General Cross, Allen enlists in an organization called Black Order in hopes to prevent Earl's evil from spreading, while using his new weapons to bring peace back to the souls that have been tormented.

What is strikingly similar is that the two were initially cursed because they tried to revive someone they loved, and had to come up with solutions on how to cope with their setback. Both Elric and Allen suffered at the cost of losing an arm, but then are blessed with a new one which gives them supreme power. Both must use their newly acquired abilities to put an end to an evil that threatens to inflict pain upon the world, while protecting the ones they care about most. The two enlist in an organization in order to find out more about the threat that draws near, while going through various experiences that help to shape their character along the way. The second season of D.Gray Man is now available to watch, so to know more about Allen and his mission to stop Earl, be sure to check it out.

The story starts off with Rin, who comes to discover that he's the son of Satan, and that his father wishes that he return to Assiah so they can conquer it together. After being attacked by demons Rin declines the offer, and instead trains to become an exorcist to put a stop to the demon terrors that lie beneath. Ao no Exorcist follows Rin along with the help of his brother Yukio, as they work together to put an end to the catastrophic events taking place, and to defend his territory with everything they've got. It's a tale of companionship, devotion, and betrayal as the two must come face to face with their father and to restore peace to Assiah before it's too late.

The plot of the two anime deviate away from one another, but where they connect is in the partnership of two brothers who strive hard to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead of them. Elric is the older of the two much like Rin, and the two share a very low tolerance for patience. They get hot headed fairly quickly, while Yukio and Alphonse are more level headed and help guide their older siblings along the right path using their sound judgment. The pair fight for a greater goal which is to unify the world around them, while strengthening their bond as brothers.

Arslan Senki's second season just begun so we highly encourage you to tune in after reading this, since a lot more is in store for Arslan and his military contingent. Under the rule of the aggressive king Andragoras III, the once harmonious kingdom of Pars find themselves at war with the neighboring empire, Lusitania. Arslan is the total opposite of his father and sets out to prove his valor on the battlefield for the very first time. However, when Andragoras is betrayed by one of his most trusted officials, the Parsian army is wiped out and the capital city of Ecbatana is conquered. With the army in pieces and the Lusitanians out for his head, Arslan is forced to go on the run. With respected general Daryun as his support, Arslan soon sets off on a turbulent journey in search of allies that will help him take back his home.

One interesting similarity that we'd point out is that both shows were created and written by Hiromu Arakawa. The character artwork share a lot in common, and both main characters are out to reshape the world they live in after witnessing corruption and brutality within their respected kingdoms. Many wars and conflicts have tore many people apart, which guides both characters on a path which isn't paved full of uncertainty. Daryun acts a lot like a bigger brother to Arslan and helps him to stop enemies who threaten Arslan's life, but to also provide strategy on how to become more assertive on the battlefield. The two build a strong bond along with the rest of the team, and overcome many obstacles together to form such an unstoppable force.

Coming in at number five is Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic which stars the very curious and adventurous Aladdin who seeks out to discover more about the Djinns that rule over the Labyrinths. Along with his mentor Ugo, a Djinn that Aladdin can summon with his flute, and local merchant Alibaba, they all set out to explore the dungeons that wait for them. This epic adventure follows the trio as they journey throughout many dungeons to seek out more truth behind the work of rare magicians, while coming face to face with their own fates as the world evolves around them.

The wonderful aspects of both anime are that they try to get you involved as much as possible, without disclosing too much information as to the ending. They both lead you in various directions pertaining to government corruption, broken policies, social structure, and history pertaining to their eras. It's always a blast to watch an anime and not only be entertained but be educated all at the same time. Alibaba served as the older brother to Aladdin who always had a thirst for adventure, and Aladdin was there as a provider with the help of Ugo to fend off enemies in desperate times. Both capture the true essence of companionship, where individuals must use their differences in personality in order to reshape the course of their future, and create a wonderful balance that shines brightly all throughout.

The Royal Empire and the Republic of Frost have been in constant war with one another, causing panic within the kingdom and many pleading for their lives. Fortunately a ceasefire had been put in place which allowed a war relief to commence. For both The Royal Empire and Republic to establish a better alliance, the Intelligence Army State Section III, or Pumpkin Scissors was put into place. Many considered the new rule to be a waste of efforts, while others thought it be more of a propaganda for more credibility. What none of these naysayers knew however, was that behind the curtains stood a corrupt corporal with a mysterious past and the intentions of this individual remain unknown. It's now up to Randal to uncover the truth behind this mystery, while fighting to ensure the Pumpkin Scissors remain in tact to restore balance.

Both Full Metal Alchemist and Pumpkin Scissors take place within a military establishment, where corruption hides behind a shadow of deceit and conspiracy. Both main characters must first uncover the truth behind what truly is transpiring, but to also dive deeper into their own pasts in order to seek more definitive answers to solve new problems along their journey. Randal is somewhat careless in his endeavors much like Elric, and so their partners must provide direction using logic to get them out of sticky situations. There's so much action that take place that it's hard to even keep up at times, but the adventures are definitely worth watching.