"OVA" is the abbreviation for "Original Video Animation" or "OAV" for "Original Animation Video." OVA and OAV are considered the same thing. Most fans just called it OVA. OVAs are short episodes/bonuses having some kind of relation to the main show. The time-length of a OVA varies depending on what the producer wants to do. OVAs come out on VHS/DVD and usually don't broadcast on television.
The FMA OVA was released on DVD in Japan March 29, 2006 for 3990yen ($40). There are a total of "4" FMA OVAs. Three of them are brand-new. The 4th one is the special they showed for the FMA Premiere Tour at Universal Studios Japan (March 2005 - May 2005). The known titles of the 4 OVAs are "Chibi Party," "Kids," "Liveaction," and "State Alchemists vs Homunculus." The Japanese DVD contains all 4 OVAs with a few extras like a picture gallery and bonus clips that were shown at the FMA Premiere Tour.
OVA 1: Chibi Party
Time Length: 6:15
One of the "brand-new" OVAs, never before seen footage. All the characters from the FMA movie are gathered together having a party after a job-well done (More like the FMA movie on crack XP). The style of the animation is filled with cute stubby little chibis XDXD. There several hysterical/crackish scenes like when a stampede of Black Hayates run over the Elric Borthers. Basically this is just a funny little bonus. No spoilers unless you haven't seen the movie yet.
OVA 2: Kids
Time Length: 3:20
Second of the brand-new OVAs. This is more like a sepcial OVA, haha. We see three little kids that look alot like young Ed, Al, and Winry...in the modern world, OUR time. There are more familiar faces. Expect spoilers.
OVA 3: Liveaction
Time Length: 2:53
The third and final of the brand-new OVAs. Well, I have to say this one is strange. It's not what you may think. Studio BONES decided to haul a big statue of Al around Japan to make it look like he's really living in OUR world lol. Totally random. No spoilers.
OVA 4: State Alchemists vs Homunculus
Time Length: 10:08
This was shown at the FMA Premiere Tour at Universal Studios Japan. Mustang and the other military staff are on a mission to rescue the Elric Bros, who were kidnapped by Greed. Towards the end, there is a huge battle between the Seven Deadly Sins and the State Alchemists. Possibility some spoilers. Probably best if seen up to episode 34.
Japanese OVA DVD credits
Time Length: 4:00
Someone ripped the ending credits from the Japanese OVA DVD. The credits feature a bunch of dancing armors from the movie while playing "Hagane no Kokoro" (Ed, Al, Winry's image song) in the background. Truely frightening. It also shows some pictures of Universal Studios Japan.
