Customer Reviews

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 20

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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We are now approaching the beginning of the end. The good guys have regained their footing and are starting a counter strike that is going to lead us right through the finale. Ed proves that he is a total bad ass. Again. Al meets up with someone from his past and gets some much needed answers concerning the history of the homunculi. And, speaking of the homunculi, some major things happen within their ranks as well. The humor is back and things start to take a much more positive spin as people realize they can bond together and with hard work can overcome their difficulties no matter how outnumbered or outmatched they are.

The last few pages set a fantastic note for the ending of the series (though I realize that is still several volumes away) and human wit, stubbornness, and sheer nerve prove to be a very powerful combination when coming up against an immortal enemy that has been plotting the human's downfall for centuries. Though the homunculi still have some truly terrifying cards up their sleeve that might prove to be more formidable than the humans are prepared to deal with. We will just have to see.

This novel manages to change the entire tone of the series from one of fear on the run from a foe with supernatural means and horrific ends to a new one of hope against impossible odds. Whether or not they prove to be successful in overcoming the homunculi, and maybe even getting Ed's and Al's bodies back into the bargain, remains to be seen.

Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 20 (ViZ, 2008)

Arakawa tells us in the opening to this volume that we're entering the home stretch of FMA, and it sure feels like it. The transmutation circle with Amestris at the center of it is complete, and it seems the powers that be are engineering skirmishes at the proper points to kill the entire populace in the service of creating a philosopher's stone. Meanwhile, Ed is missing, and Al goes searching for him, only to be captured himself. But when one Elric brother disappears, another always turns up... this is a series that's never been anything lees than fun (in manga form, anyway, I've never been a fan of the anime), and this volume is no exception. I'll be sad to see this one end. *** ½

This is the latest in the series Fullmetal alchemist. I really liked this story because I feel like we are getting very close to the end of this story. There are more secrets revealed and paths are becoming more clear.