Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 22

I think we're supposed to be surprised when Arakawa brings back characters who haven't appeared in several volumes, but since she always brings back characters -- no matter how obscure or trivial to the series -- it loses a lot of the shock. I mean we have over 40 characters popping up in this volume alone. The sheer size of the cast continues to grind me down as all these extras steal screen time from the core characters, but Arakawa excels at character moments, so these little throwaway bits feel worthwhile even as the accumulation becomes excessive.

The final battle has a few false starts but is beginning to gather momentum by the end of the book, though the casualties so far are limited to minor side characters.

Speaking of minor side show more characters, at this point, Olivier Mira Armstrong has quickly risen from that status to pretty much stealing this book away from the Elric Brothers at this point. Any chance for a reboot starring her? show less

Fun installment, and I really enjoyed the parts with Colonel Mustang and Major General Armstrong. However, I didn't like the bits with the army of dolls... the art on that part (while consistent with the series) was just on the gross side for me. Still, this is definitely a needed book as far as plot progression goes.

In Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 22 by Hiromu Arakawa through the end at Volume 27 will be nothing but woosh bang battles. It's the final show down in Central over the fate of Amestris.

Al has Pride more or less under control but he has to contend with the brat now having absorbed Gluttony's power. That cannibalism has been a running theme throughout the series, but in these final volumes it seems to dominate.

Back in Central, below the compound, Chekhov's gun, in the form of those hanging doll creatures, has been fired. They are somewhere between zombies and golems. They are also quick, hungry, and out for blood. They aren't the easily controlled army their creators had hoped for.

Although I knew this big showdown had to happen, I miss the show more quieter, more episodic volumes from earlier in the series. These multiple page fighting sequences, while certainly part of the genre, bore me to tears. They are filler to stretch out a series when it's coming to its natural close. show less

The final battle has begun! Ed and Al are now both reunited with their father and with King Bradley out of the picture the rest of the band has begun to make their move in Central. I loved these scenes in particular because they show how far these soldiers have come in this series and it was great to see familiar faces reunited once more. Perhaps more familiar faces than I was originally counting on even! It’s also nice to see that the lessons from Ishbala have not been forgotten and while yes they are waging war they are doing so by using all of their considerable skill and training to only injure and not kill their enemies as they initiate the take over. Well almost all of them aren’t killing their enemies.

The one thing that show more totally freaked me out (like there wasn't plenty what with the end of the world being imminent and all) was the dolls. Did I say dolls? That's what they call them but really they are freaky alchemical flesh eating zombies. Yeah. Those get unleashed in this volume too, and if you thought they were freaky when we first saw them a few volumes back, you have not seen anything yet.

Even with everything happening at once it seems there is still plenty of time for suspense. There are still battles yet to come and Ed and Al's father is proving to be a total BAMF in this volume. Being a human philosopher's stone has its perks apparently and the things he can do blows all of the lessons we have learned about alchemy so far out of the water. But will it be enough to defeat the dwarf in the glass? That remains to be seen. show less

Pride Gluttony, Ed does what needs doing, and the oh so very creepy zombie attack of Fullmetal Alchemist. Man this story keeps getting crazier and crazier. It's fascinating to me to see how some loyalties shift from what you believed you knew and some just keep getting better/worse all the while.

Per volume thoughts (potentially spoilery):

Chapter 88: The Understanding



You know, it's totally true. And pretty badass of Ed to do what he did there.

Chapter 89: Soldiers' Return



ICE CREAM! Every once in a while this story is just really surreal.

Chapter 90: Army of Immortals



Youn women... That's kind of gross Van Hohenheim.

Chapter 91: A Reunion of Alchemists



So matter of factly. Ate him. And Kimblee barely even bats an eye.



The Elrics both be show more crazy, yo.



MAY FIGHT SCENE!

TINY. BUT. FIERCE.



SMOOT. That is all.

Volume 22: Extras



It kind of makes sense. Other than a few words, did anything really change when Pride ate Gluttony? show less

The last few volumes have been very exciting. Volume 22 continues the same way. It really draws you in.