Coming together, all is one and one is all in us, in me, this is what you must master to perform alchemy.
This season of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood takes place in two sections. The majority of the season is focused leading up to a huge climatic event known as the promise day. One can imagine this is in reference to D-day when the American forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. The day of reckoning as it is known. And all of our favorite characters are revving at full throttle.
This season might I say has the most kickass opening to the show yet! It displays incredible animation and is a much more delightful show to sit through than the slum that was season 3. However, a major complaint with this season is how it treats one of our favorite characters. Our primary supporting female character Winry Rockbell takes a huge backseat in this season. She’s mainly only used to advance the plot which might not sit well with loyal fans to the show. That said the action we get between her and Edward is rather laughable at best and heartwarming to listen to. It’s clear that the series is hindering on the conclusion of her and Ed being a family someday.
Unlike season 3 we don’t get that much concentration on backstory or filler. There is one episode that deals with the origins of Xerxes and the homunculus but it’s a small departure from what we already know. I would say this season biggest contributor is the sheer action it holds it in. There are two episodes in particular that leave you on the absolute edge of your seat to see what happens next.
From the north of Fort Briggs to the fields of Resembool and then back to Central Command there’s little to hide when the trouble comes looking for you.
Our youngest hero is the one who takes the biggest beating in this season as he proves useless to stop his body from pulling him back to the portal beyond. It’s actually quite ironic that much of this season is spent with Edward and Alphonse being separated. Luckily though we see the defeat of a great foe, and the desperation of allies turning in victories for a change. As we figure out how alchemy can be used for good for a change instead of so much evil, it turns out it might be too late. The enemy has carved the final crest of blood and finished the underground circuit of tunnels. Just as everything seems to spell an end the hero emerges at the last minute to seal the monsters away in a massive cage, only at the cost of his son giving his last.
Now that the enemy no longer tries to hide their face its all fair game to take them out. And it’s interesting when we see a fabled enemy turn into a faithful ally. How humorous it is when the sin it represents is one that may not be half as bad to feel inside. I love it when a plan works perfectly and we have some wicked fight scenes in this season, not to mention the return of some very old characters we once thought would never come back. It’s welcoming to see returning faces and it adds to the stakes that our heroes carry to win the war. The only order they must follow is, “Don’t die!”
As we brace for the impact our heroes race back to Central to stop the nefarious plans of Father but are caught in a massive battle. As it is revealed the identity of the final and most powerful homunculus, Pride, otherwise known as Selim Bradley, the Fuhrer’s own son. Kimblee the crimson alchemist actually takes a backseat too in this season as he is forced to do Pride’s bidding. I’m sure though that we’ll get to see him again in the net season. I find it quite intriguing when Ling, being controlled by Greed, manages not only to take back his body but actually break Greed through a line in the show that is by far my most favorite.
“You gave up on something you wanted, you don’t deserve to call yourself greed!”
As I’m sure you can imagine this is my favorite season of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It’s refreshing to see our character have so many wins after taking such a beating the past 3 seasons from the enemy. I get the feeling though that the fight has only just begun. Trust me when I say you’re gonna want to see how this ends people. There’s no stopping the hype train now! I thoroughly enjoy the high points and its low points of this season right up until the very end as I’m sure you’re aware the final episodes of the season take place in one single day, the Promise Day.