Full Metal Alchemist
Publisher
Geneon/MVM
Director
Seiji Mizushima
Production
BONES, Dentsu, MBS
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
52 episodes
Year
2003
Full Metal Alchemist Volume 4: The Fall Of Ishbal
By otaku_kei
13th Jan 06  Full Metal Alchemist continues to deliver its top class entertainment, but as with all long running anime shows we get the intermittent recap episodes. So this volume representing the transition from the introductory phase of the show to the main plot, we get the obligatory recap on the adventures so far. But getting the recap out of the way allows for this show to move forward and develop the main plot for the show as the Elric's continue their quest for a way to heal the damage that they foolishly inflicted upon themselves. Ed and Al have accomplished much since the beginning of this show, from their less than auspicious dabbling in alchemy that resulted in the horrific damage done to the boys, through to their journey to take the State Alchemist exam, their missions done in service to the State all the way up to the investigation into the false Elric brothers. But after this brief recap of events so far, this show plows onwards with the new direction it wishes to take. With 4 episodes on this disc we get a one on one battle between Full Metal and Flame, a return of the alchemist serial killer Scar, and some rather nasty and disturbing revelations of what actions the State Alchemists stooped to during the last war! The battle between Ed and Roy Mustang kicks off this quartet of episodes with the flair and vitality that has marked the action scenes of this show. As always this battle bears all the marks of warriors blessed with the inventiveness of alchemy as their weapons, yet it remains as much a contest of wills as of skills. Ed's independence and anti-authoritarian streak comes right up against Mustang's desire to bring his reckless hot-tempered officer under more direct control. This battle of wills brings a greater depth to the relationship between Ed and Roy. An undercurrent of dislike forms the basis of their relationship and this fight is yet another step in the forging of a better understanding between the two as they come to terms with each others motivations. The remaining episodes are taken up with the Elric's search for Dr. Marcoh - a disgraced former State Alchemist who disappeared mysteriously after the war with Ishbal. But not everything is as clear cut, as it seems and some murky secrets about the Ishbal conflict are exposed, revelations that prove unpleasant to Ed and Al. Dr. Marcoh is instrumental to the Elric brothers investigations into the Philosopher's Stone as he has come furthest in attempts to fabricate artificial stones. Whilst such success may be of great interest to the Elric's, when the truth comes out as to how Marcoh's research was used by the State it becomes clear as to why the State Alchemists are generally distrusted and referred to as the Dogs Of The State! During the war in Ishbal Marcoh's research was used by the state to arm each State Alchemist with his own Philosopher's Stone - creating an almost unstoppable army that brutally wiped out the nation of Ishbal and covered up the whole affair. This revelation also then goes on to explain the motives of the alchemist serial killer: Scar! Scar's vendetta is fuelled by his thirst for vengeance for his people, a vengeance that has been directed towards the State Alchemists and he has put both Dr. Marcoh and Ed on his hitlist! Scar's reappearance is in many ways the catalyst for the shocking truth about the Ishbal campaign to be revealed. The truth about the actions of the State Alchemists actually makes Scar more human less of a villain, as his motivations are clearly comprehensible. How Scar's reappearance has an impact on the Alchemists who took part in the massacre also differs from those who revel in the power that the Philosopher's Stone provided, to those that lament that they ever used the power the Stone bestowed in such a brutal way. A quick litmus test of this characterisation would be the Iron Alchemist as compared to the StrongArm Alchemist. But Scar's reappearance also allows for one almighty running battle that sees the homicidal killer take apart the Elric's - quite literally. This show succeeds on so many levels that it is no wonder why it has become so successful globally. Obviously the action sequences are entertaining, edge of the seat excitement that will catch peoples eye but the hooks of the show rest upon the characterisation and engaging plotline. Each time that one little secret is let out of the bag it has repercussions that ripple out across almost every character. And each character is continually being fleshed out and expanded upon, only the most superficial of characters being left as 2-dimensional stereotypes. This perfect balance between action and characterisation is assuring a solid basing for this fantastic show as it now moves onto the main plotline of the show over the coming series.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English Language 5.1; Japanese Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles;
Release information: OUT NOW
Notes: Another release from MVM that is fantastic when it comes to the audio and visual aspects, but is let down by some run of the mill extras.
This is of course nothing to do with MVM, who try to acquire any extras that are available for a release.
-- otaku_kei 13th Jan 06
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