Fullmetal Alchemist 29

This last episode was literally a collection of Crowning Moments of Awesomeness by multiple characters, which included Father stopping Ed and Al from using alchemy and defeating them just by stomping his foot, Ling demonstrating how deep his greed goes when he told Greed (the hommonculus) why he sought power and Scar pretty much destroying and blasting to pieces the gigantic room in which they all were with just stomp of his hand on the ground. Shame I couldn't find the time to write a full post.
So, in order to balance out episode 28's awesomeness, it's only correct that we get a less exciting episode next. It was good, and still had a bit of comedy snuck in.
Lan Fan and May getting all pumped up to fight each other because they're of different clans just to get interrupted by the doctor's threats was really funny. Also, Envy opening the door to the showers and entering just when Ed was nude was worthy of a post of its own. xD

Ed, Mustang and Al discover that Wrath has no problems in killing someone they know or threatening them in order to keep them in check. Of course, our heroes are not planning to give up so easily, and knowing how deep Father's plan goes gives them the ability to think of alternate ways to bypass the villains' watch on them.

For the next episode, the remembrance of the Ishbal war. Expect drama, bursting of contained feelings, and character past exploration.

------------------------------------------------------

"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal Alchemist 27

This week's FMA episode has as its main focus Hohenheim. The episode is basically an aglomeration of flashbacks that reveal important parts of the plot and Hohenheim's thoughts shared with us through his dream.
I have to admit, I actually found the episode very interesting, because by interpreting it, we can partially understand Hohenheim's demons, his doubts, and what he's been feeling as he helplessly watched the Hommonculi's plan develop through the years.

The episode's ultimate purpose, in other words, its meaning, was Hohenheim rediscovering his resolve to continue walking towards his objective and him finally realising Humanity's preserverance and struggle is not in vain, through his remembering of all the good times he spent with the people of Resenbool and Trisha.
Fullmetal Achemist 26 ends with him waking up to his newfound resolve as he thanks for everything.

My thoughts: the episode was really symbolic, and very very deep in its meaning and important to the development of Hohenheim's character and I believe it marked a very important step in the story. It somehow felt like I was rewatching all of the hardships the characters went through, and the life lessons contained in every one of their adventures, but I really felt like I understood a bit more of Hohenheim in the end. Summing it up, it was one of my most favorite episodes ever.

-------------------------------------------------------

"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal Alchemist 26

Episode 26 was a bit boresome. Despite the lack of any battle sequences, it did advance the story and situate us on the events that led to the establishment of the hommonculus and Father's hold on Amestris, all told and hinted at by Envy. Also interesting was the truth of Wrath's past and the disclosure of the reason why he does not have the same presence as the other hommunculus and also ages.

Also, we finally have the confirmation of Ed's theory about Al's body, which still lies before the Door of Truth. This is turning out to become quite an interesting predicament for our heroes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal alchemist 25 and 24

Ok, there were mainly two things about episode 24 that made me unsettled. Firstly, how freaky Glutony's true form is, and secondly Envy's freaking manipulative nature which explores people's weaknesses. Oh how I hate him.... Seriously enough, it was a fairly good episode, with some of the highlights being Roy trying to save the day only to realise his flames were useless and start running away, and Roy being shrugged off by everyone, being repetedly told he's useless. Ed, Lin and Envy all got swallowed up by Glutony, unfortunately.

Episode 25 was richer in character development from Mei. It surprised me that this episode had an even freakier bit than the previous one. The revelation of Envy's real form was really well-done. The escalating dark music, and the art then was really top-notch and it fit very well. That said, I'm a bit surprised that the studio producing the anime rendered Envy's true monstruous self as a 3D model resembling 2D, and his scenes included both that model and actual 2D sequences. Not complaining though, it was awesome.
I seriously wasn't expecting that all of the generals in central were already aware of Wrath's plans and the fact that he's already an hommonculus. Not just that, he had already planned ahead, and separated Roy's entire squad, sending them all to different military outposts, and Liza to Central as his assistant.
Both episodes were good, but I much prefered episode 25.

------------------------------------------------------------------

"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal Alchemist 23

The new Fullmetal Alchemist series, subtitled Brotherhood, is now ongoing. This series is a faithfull adaptation of the manga, and I haven't found much, if any, distinction between both works. FMA has been on a roll lately, and I am really liking the episodes until now. Leaving that aside, the episode starts with Lin's escape, and Glutonny and King Bradley follow behind, leaving Lin and Lan Fan in a pinch. They are saved because of a well thought trap by Lan Fan who discards her wounded arm in order to allow them both to escape.

I'll admit I did not like Lin when he was introduced. In fact, I really desliked him for some apparent reason I cannot recall. Lately however, I've been thinking that maybe I was exagerating a bit, and I should reconsider my position about him. This episode definitly made my opinion of him take a 90 degree turn. He gallantly protected Lan Fan in both the past episode and in this one, all while showing his true skills as a fighter. And he captured Glutonny. And to think all he needed was a grenade and a iron wire...

The hurray of this episode goes to Mei for ruining the dramatic atmosphere between Scar, Ed and Al, and leaving everyone disoriented by performing alchemy from distance and running away with Scar.
She forgot her little panda in the mess though... care to guess who found it? Al did. And got lectured by Edward on always picking up lonely animals. Finally, Ed, Roy and company learn of King Bradley's true identity as an homonculus by Lin.
This episode was very good. It had a combination of action-filled to heavy emotional scenes, incluiding when Winry realises her feelings for Ed. Despite that, I'm more looking forward to the next one where the gang finally confronts Glutonny's true form.

Edit: I said it was episode 29, my bad, it was episode 23



"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."