Customer Reviews

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 3

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Volume 3 of Fullmetal Alchemist is absolutely wonderful. This addition finally brings in some characters from the Elric brothers' past, as well as enlightens the reader as to some of the horrors of their past.

The state alchemist serial killer from volume 2 is still on the loose, so the brothers are accompanied at all times by body guards. Those of you who have read 1 and 2, or are at all familiar with the show will understand how much the brothers definately do not appreciate that.

They continue to get into trouble as is always the case for the two of them, and there are some fun battle scenes in the last chapter. The last chapter of this volume, The Definition of Human, is the opening to a terribly sad arc which we will get to read in volume 4. I won't spoil it here, but I will say this chapter has some great battle scenes and some more plot twists are revealed for us to enjoy.

There are some wonderful extras at the end of the manga, like there usually are, and this volume also gives us a preview of the Fullmetal Alchemist book coming out soon entitled, "Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1: The Land of Sand". It looks good! (This is a novel, not a manga, so I imagine there will not be any fun pictures accompanying the text). So check that out as well, and as always enjoy the incredibly entertaining artwork!

Bought this for one of my daughter's Xmas presents. She read it in 2 days so she must have liked it. It was shipped in a timely fashion and arrived undamaged.

Volume 3 has the Elric brothers finally arrive in their hometown to visit their mechanic Winry Rockbell. Their bodyguard Alexander Louis Armstrong learns along with us more details about the brothers' past and how they came to lose their limbs, gain their new metal bodies and decide to join the military and never turn back. It's nice to finally get some more back story on the main characters and also find out just how committed they are to their present course.

After their repairs Ed and Al return to central to look up Dr. Marcoh's old research notes just to find that the Central library has been burnt to the ground. After this loss they have a stroke of luck and end up meeting a bookworm named Sheskah who has a photographic memory and recalls perfectly everything she has ever read. She had read the research notes, but didn't recognize them for what they were as they were disguised and encrypted. Being a bookworm myself I enjoyed the scenes with Sheska and totally related with her when she lamented that sometimes it seemed the only good thing she knew how to do was read.

After deciphering the notes they discover the worst truth of all. Not only the main ingredient in a Philosopher's Stone but also the realization that the military was behind such horrible research to begin with. The truth within the truth led to more chilling discoveries that had the boys facing enemies all too recognizable and facing inner truths about their own accidental destruction of a human being and just what that means for Ed and more importantly for Al.

With this volume the focus is back on the boys and their quest, and also on the Philosopher's Stone and what sacrifices and horrors are required to attain it. Ed and Al also have a lot more problems in store as they are still dealing with the horror and repercussions of their own actions while reeling from the discovery of the military's own sinister acts.

Again, admist all the horrors, the series stays true to the characters who are just young teenage boys. They have a lot they have to come to grips with both personally from their pasts, and presently with the corruption and danger that surrounds them every day. I thought this was very well done and it is interesting to see just how much the boys have grown in some ways due to their unique circumstances, and not in others. Inside that suit of armor, attached to those intimidating automail limbs, are just two frightened boys, no matter how much they try to hide it. Though what they fear most might surprise you.

This is one of the finest, most intriguing graphic novels I have ever come across. This third volume continues to develop the characters. I can't wait to read volume four.

this was an easy purchase and a great read for manga lovers, i love the series.

After barely escaping with their lives from the murderous Scar, Ed and Al return to their hometown to get Ed's automail arm replaced. Al is in pretty bad shape too and has to be carried by their bodyguard, the overly vain and refugee from the Village People, Major Armstrong. The best workers of automail in the world are old friends Granny Rockbell and her granddaughter Winry, who is so happy to see Ed that she hits him in the head with a flying wrench! They're in a bit of a rush to get back to Central to find the notes of Dr. Marcoh, which contains the notes of his secret research of the Philsopher's Stone. But what are the kids gonna do after they find out that the library where the notes were hidden was burned down by the Homonculi?

Volume 3 of FullMetal Alchemist seemed to be missing much of the fluid action and emotional intimacy of the first two volumes. There was a bit too much goofiness and too little grit, with comedy undercutting some serious issues. Major Armstrong and Winry supplied the lion's share of the laughs while Ed and Al were a bit more distant as their quest for the secret of the Stone draws to an end. I think the anime does a much better job of developing the characters. Towards the end of this volume, the manga seems to get back on track.

Compared to volume two and one this is the best Fma yet. It is all I expected and then some! It has action, and all the suspence any manga reader would want. If you like good manga you should definitley buy this manga.(..)read the preveiw i know you'll love it like i do.