Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 16

In volume 16 it is back to the action after the volume long flashback last time, but first there is going to be a change of scenery. The brothers want to pursue May and Scar to ask them about how the perform their type of alchemy, referred to as the purification arts. Things still start with a slow disengage from the heavy, raw and emotional revealings of the previous volume, but once the boys skip town things begin to take on a sense of urgency.

I really enjoyed how the characters that took part in the Ishbalan campaign claimed responsibility for their actions and had some very stunning and heart breaking insights and advice for the next generation. I also liked how despite everything there still seemed to be some hope at the end or at show more least some sign of reckoning and yet resolution for these characters. Life can hand you crappy circumstances, and you can make bad decisions while dealing with them, but as long as you own your past you have a chance to move on to try and make things right.

I also loved that we got to see the north. All we have learned about the area before was from the brothers' rough, tough, no nonsense Teacher who trained up there as a student. Now we get to see an entire new landscape and learn about an entire new part of Amestris, not to mention a new cast of characters! Ed and Al are in way over their head, again, but being up north could reveal more clues than even Ed and Al originally suspected. show less

If this were a TV show, it totally feels like the first episode of Season Two. The characters are shuffled around, given new assignments in new settings and set up against new opponents while still trying to work toward their main goals from the first season. We are given a chance to explore the northern reaches of Amestris as the Elric brothers try to track down the fugitives May Chang and Scar.

As always, it's all about the characters. So many characters . . . (Running character count: 35)

Enjoyable installment. I miss getting stories with all of Mustang's crew in them, so it was nice to at least see everyone for a moment in this one. I remember this part of the anime, but not very well, so it's like coming to the story with fresh eyes.

Oh man. A bit of fallout from the war, going north (it's COLD!), and (re-)meeting another Armstrong. Exciting things and it doesn't have to even been brainbreakingly weird!

Chapter 62: Beyond the Dream



That's an interesting thought. One would imagine that it be best not to have war at all, but failing that, how do you treat war heroes when it's all over?



It's funny because it's small.



Reminds me of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie (actually released five years before this book, I always thought these were older than that).



Oh Anime faces.

Chapter 63: The Promise Made for 520 Cenz



It isn't always the ones you're born with, but family is important. Perhaps the most important thing.



Strongarm Alchemist Armstrong is one of my favorite show more characters. He sees a problem and just solves it in the most direct way forward--so long as it's not in his own head. I'm curious where that will go.

Chapter 64: The Northern Wall of Briggs



Poor Ed. Can't go hot, can't go cold. It's an interesting problem.



Heh. Using your/his head.

Chapter 65: The Ironclad Rule



See! And they have interesting solutions. I wonder what Winry will say about that.



You know, they really are quite the same. Perhaps not in physical stature... but in sheer pretense.



Race and ethnicity is not a good way to judge someone. But perhaps it's a good start to understanding them. show less

No me gusta la gente del norte.

Sloth finally. I story itself has become really good , so will stop individual volume reviews till then.