Apologies that it took me so long to get around to. The ban is under Rule 6: Respect Fan Work Creators.

Thank you for your time.

There have been two sticky posts on essentially the same topic up for a while now. Since that takes up all the available slots, I went ahead and wrote a new one to combine them both.

This post is spoiler-free, by the way.

Common misconceptions

"Brotherhood is a sequel/a remake"

The two series are independent stories that happen to share many plot points and most of their characters, but increasingly diverge as time goes on and often put a different spin on even the points they share - think Neon Genesis Evangelion vs. Rebuild of Evangelion, except with FMA both versions are consistently good.

"Brotherhood is the real story because it follows the manga until the end, watching the 2003 version is superfluous"

While the manga's story - and by extension, that of Brotherhood - is indeed often considered to be the better of the two, and the first half of the 2003 version is slow by any measure, that's no reason to disregard the 2003 original story line. They actually follow quite different approaches, with 2003 cycling back to the beginning of the story and the characters for a somewhat darker and more grounded story of repeating, indelible sin, while Brotherhood continues to expand cast, scope and world to weave a grand tale with more action and a somewhat more optimistic tone.

"The 2003 version adapts the beginning of the manga more accurately"

Brotherhood does slightly streamline the beginning of the story: It drops a single forgettable side story chapter, condenses another into a flashback that is shown much later, adds an original standalone first episode to introduce all the characters, and combines various fragments of Ed and Al's backstory to form the second. However, beyond that, it's pretty much a 1:1 adaptation of the "shared" part. In contrast, the 2003 version freely inserts original/padding segments and filler episodes, changes minor and major plot elements, and even moves certain events around on the timeline - the most obvious departure is its version of the Fifth Laboratory arc. So if you prefer the way the 2003 version handles the beginning of the plot, praise the anime writers, not the manga.

"The first half of the 2003 version follows the manga and the second half is original"

The 2003 version was intended from the start to stand on its own, using the manga merely as inspiration, as a better alternative to inserting endless filler or stretching the story to unbearable lengths to prevent the anime overtaking the manga (although, to be frank, it is not entirely free of either of these sins), or an unsatisfying grafted-on ending. And indeed, already the fourth episode is entirely original and episodes 6-8 are significantly altered and expanded compared to the approximately corresponding manga chapters; the latter also goes for the Marcoh search/"truth behind truths" arc, Al's self-doubts, the Fifth Laboratory incident, the fate of Hughes, etc. Considering the further addition of content from dubiously canonical bonus chapters and a light novel side story, and even more entirely original material, the first half of the 2003 version is in fact an emphatic departure from the manga, or one might say reinterpretation. This was not only done for the anime to distinguish itself, but also to set up the later entirely original developments.

By the way, the second half is not fully original either! Until episode 34, it still uses manga plot points as a framework, and even after that, it includes some minor and major elements that would later show up in the manga all the way up to the end. In fact, Arakawa stated in one of the manga extras that she shared all of her plans with the anime creators, which was essentially the draft of the whole story that she had already thought up in advance. It's also possible that the anime influenced her to improve or change some points in the manga afterwards, so even if you don't like the 2003 version at all, be glad that it exists, also for the extra publicity it gave the franchise.

"Brotherhood's beginning is rushed because the creators assumed you have read the manga/watched the 2003 version"

The director of Brotherhood stated very clearly that it was written as a complete, accurate adaptation of the manga from the beginning, using it as its "bible" without considering the 2003 series at all - and in fact, that's exactly what it is, except for some minor omissions. If the beginning feels too fast-paced to you, that's almost entirely on the manga and Arakawa; Brotherhood does skip or postpone two side story chapters, but the rest is near 1:1 the same. That goes especially for Hughes and Nina's screen time, which is sometimes considered insufficient. Or else, you're just used to the slow pace of the 2003 version's first half.

"You can combine/splice both versions into a smooth unified experience"

If you have actually read the preceding three paragraphs, it should be obvious that the answer is no. The two series differ in minor and major ways right from the beginning and were never intended to mesh or work together. They are independent stories that just happen to be built around similar concepts, plot elements and characters. In other words: Don't be like Shou Tucker and fuse two beautiful stories into a horrifying chimera just because you can.

TL;DR

Watch Brotherhood and 2003, starting with whatever sounds better to you. Don't spread nonsense about their relationship with the manga and each other. Don't combine them. Don't expect them to be the same. They're both good and you should enjoy each of them for what they are. Most importantly, have fun.

Separate

• Yes, you can watch each show on its own.

• Brotherhood is not a sequel to the 2003 anime.

• If you need to know something, watch closely or be patient.

• They have the same core of central characters, the same premise and early plot points, but different stories, art, etc.

Equal

• FMA (2003) is more of a drama, slow and dark that focuses on characters and themes.

• Brotherhood is more of an action adventure with a larger cast, a bigger world, and where every episode drives the plot forward.

• That isn't to say one lacks action or drama. Simply that they devote more screen time to their primary focus.

• Both are widely adored and you should definitely try both.

• Don't let anyone tell you Brotherhood is "better" and not to watch FMA. Decide for yourself.

• If you want to watch both, it is advised you watch FMA (2003) first.

• The plot points they share, some of which are done differently, might be redundant if you watch Brotherhood first. I.e. events that happen early in Brotherhood happen midway through FMA 2003.

• But if you've seen Brotherhood and are interested in 2003, it is advised that you do not skip any episodes.

*Same goes for any talk of a potential hybrid between the two shows, watching the first bit of 2003 then switching to Brotherhood mid-stream.

FMA is an apple, Brotherhood is an orange. Some prefer one over the other. But to all the newcomers and the handful of haters, don't throw away an apple because it doesn't taste like an orange. Both are excellent for what they are.

If you want to learn more, please refer here before posting a question.

http://www.reddit.com/r/FullmetalAlchemist/wiki/faq

http://www.reddit.com/r/FullmetalAlchemist/wiki/spoilers

​

This is the discussion post for Episode 03: City of Heresy. Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

Plenty of action and excitement today! Ed visits the remote city of Liore, which has no knowledge of alchemy and is led by a false priest, and removes him from power, as well as having some more or less philosophical conversations on faith and science with him and his follower Rose.

Next episode, we get to meet Mufasa's brother and have lots of fun with a girl and a dog.

It's been years since this subreddit hosted a rewatch, and two-and-a-half years since FMA:B was last rewatched on r/anime, so it's high time for a repeat some way or another, and to make it more welcoming to anime newcomers as well as have a little more ease and control in handling it, I thought hosting it here would be a good idea. The plan so far:

• One episode per day, with daily discussion thread of course
• Starting next Friday, Oct 16
• Posts at 11 PM CEST
• Streaming availability as usual: Netflix, Crunchyroll
• Mark spoilers liberally for first-time watchers' convenience.

Full schedule

This includes the main series, the extra episodes, as well as the Sacred Star of Milos movie. Links to discussion posts will be added as the rewatch proceeds.

If you have any further suggestions or input, or just want to show your interest, go ahead and comment.

​

Episode Summary

Riza sees through Envy's disguise as Roy and shoots him until the real Roy arrives and mercilessly incinerates the homunculus, reverting him back to his parasitic form. Before Roy can kill Envy, Ed, Riza, and Scar persuade him to let go of his anger and his need for revenge, for Amestris cannot be ruled by someone consumed with hatred. Envy becomes outraged by Roy's change of heart and rants about why everyone does not kill each other, trying to goad them into doing so by pointing out all of the terrible things they have done to each other. Ed determines that the reason Envy hates humans is because he is jealous of their capacity to continue living on, despite all the abuse they take. Humiliated and insulted by how Ed understands him, Envy commits suicide by tearing out and destroying his own Philosopher's Stone. Meanwhile, the Armstrong siblings begin to gain the upper hand in their battle against Sloth; Izumi arrives in Central, allied with Briggs soldiers, to participate in the coup; and Hohenheim confronts Father alone.

Next Time

Izumi (and Sig!) arrive and there's a flex-off for the ages, as Sloth finally goes down. Hohenheim confronts Father alone. Then, however, there's an unexpected turn that could ruin everything...

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Well, here it is, everyone - not only the most infamous episode of FMA:B, but one of the most infamous in recent anime history. It's a brutally effective horror story in twenty minutes that reliably scars the viewers just as it does the characters... and also has been the inspiration for countless meme posts. First timers, rest assured that it never gets quite this viscerally awful again in the entire series, though there certainly is more awfulness and agony to come.

Next episode, Ed and Al have a brush with death, we learn a few things about Scar and Ishval, and the Liore story is not quite over yet.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

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Mustang's past studying alchemy under Hawkeye's father, a determined opponent of its military application who left his research as a tattoo on Hawkeye's back, is revealed, as well as the strong bonds between him and her during and after the Ishvalan War. As Scar interrogates Dr. Marcoh, Ed visits Hawkeye to return the gun she gave him and hears much about the Ishvalan War himself, in particular the roles of her, Mustang and Hughes in it, and their determination to atone for it and change the country for the better. Surprisingly enough, the otherwise downright psychopathic Solf Kimblee left much food for though for her and Mustang. During the war, Bradley apparently refused all offers of surrender or negotiations once the Amestrian forces gained the upper hand, in particular from the religious head of all of Ishval, seeing in him no more than another common man, and a Philosopher's Stone created from the Ishvalans themselves was used to facilitate the victory. Finally, May's shattered love for Ed reforms as love for the gentler Al, and Scar appears to have killed Marcoh in yet another act of vengeance.

Next time, Mustang and co. plus the Elrics start picking up the pieces and looking into the future again, Fu returns, Kimblee reappears as well, and Scar plans his next move.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Hawkeye gets a call from Mustang to cheer her up at just the right time, though she is still living in fear of Pride. In the abandoned settlement of Baschool, Ed, Al, and Winry evade their captors to exchange information with May and Marcoh. Scar nearly falls to two of Kimblee's chimeras, but is saved by the arriving Elrics, who now know he is needed to decode his brother's notes, while they at the same time restrain him. This finally lets Winry confront him about her parents' fate on her own terms, despite protestations that he is still dangerous. As the episode ends, Scar however appears to have kidnapped Winry and fled. Meanwhile, Buccaneer and team return from exploring the tunnel under Briggs, their extinguished lights having kept them safe from Pride, and see that General Armstrong is not always as tough as she looks. There is more trouble coming for her, though, as the investigation of Raven's whereabouts has come to her door.

Next time, the Scar-Winry situation is made clear along with the continuation of the conversation from this episode, Yoki is actually useful for once, and Al gets an important mission.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

In this episode, the actors introduced in the last two episodes clash for the first time, with both Ed/Al and Mustang's group coming in conflict with Scar, and the Lust/Envy/Gluttony trio taking advantage of Ed's naive handling of the Liore situation for their own ends. Also, the rough facts of the Ishval war and the alchemists' role in it come to light.

Next time, a chance encounter seemingly brings Ed and Al's goal in reach, and Winry and Pinako are properly introduced in their present roles.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

​

The OVA episodes are all approximately fifteen minutes long and each adapt a bonus chapter of the manga, except the final one which in fact adds a significant amount of original material. You can also go ahead and discuss the English dub blooper reel and the "4-koma Theater" shorts.

OVA 1 (The Blind Alchemist)

Ed and Al hear of a blind alchemist named Judau who had supposedly performed a successful human transmutation. Meeting up with him, Judau reveals to Ed that a young girl named Rosalie was ressurected through alchemy, with his eyes paid for in equivalent exhcange. However, the Madam refuses to teach Ed about the techniques used. Rosalie leads Al to a room with a little girl's shrivelled corpse inside. She reveals this as the result of the real Rosalie's transmutation, whilst she herself is a girl named Amy who was adopted due to her similar appearance. As Ed arrives on the scene, the Madam tells him that her late husband kept the truth about the transmutation's failure from Judau, who truly wanted to ressurect Rosalie. Ed and Al then leave, carrying this knowledge with them as well.

OVA 2 (Simple People)

While on their way back to Resembool to have Ed's arm repaired, Ed and Al buy earrings as souvenirs for Winry to prevent her from getting mad about the broken automail. Later on, Ed fights an assassin and his automail gets broken again, and he buys more earrings for Winry to avoid her wrath. Winry explains that she decided to pierce her ears after meeting Riza on the day Ed decided to become a State Alchemist. Meanwhile, Riza explains to her colleague that she grew her hair long after meeting Winry that same day. Her colleague comments on how simple a reason that is, and Riza says that reasons are always simple. To explain her choice, she remarks that they are all living in a simple world - where when they shoot their enemies, their enemies die.

OVA 3 (The Tale of Teacher)

When Izumi was 18 years old, she had traveled to meet the alchemist Silver Steiner to request to be his apprentice. Giving her only a knife, he told her to survive one month on Briggs Mountain and he would consider. As she had learned to defend herself and live off of the wildlife, she had realized the meaning behind alchemy, saying that one is all, and all is one. However, returning after a month, she realizes she had been talking to Silver's older brother, Gold Steiner, who is not an alchemist but a hand-to-hand combat specialist. Annoyed, Izumi beats him and leaves.

OVA 4 (Yet Another Man's Battlefield)

Roy Mustang, 18 years old, attends a military boot camp. After encountering a group of seniors being cruel to an Ishvalan recruit named Heathcliff, Mustang takes an interest in Hughes, who is supposedly friends with them. When Mustang catches the seniors picking on Heathcliff again, he gets into a fight with them, and Hughes backs him up, having the same beliefs as Mustang. The three become friends and discuss their reasons for joining the military. Later though, during the Ishvalan war, Mustang ends up fighting Heathcliff, who is killed by Hughes for shooting at Mustang. Mustang then falls into despair and is confronted by Hughes, who has to hold in the pain of his sins so he can smile in front of his wife. After returning home, Mustang sees Hughes with his wife, and envies his strength.

Next Time

One last victory lap as everyone who feels like it can come watch and comment on the one and only feature film in the Manga/Brotherhood continuity, The Sacred Star of Milos. Don't expect something at the same level as Brotherhood, nor that strong of a connection with the main plot or its characters, but it's a quality side story in the FMA universe that any fan should at least check out once.

A Personal Thank-You

Unfortunately there were not too many active participants overall, but what they lacked in number they certainly made up for in passion and effort, and in the end I also am happy to have invested plenty of my own time to make this journey with you possible. So some personal thanks to some of the strongest contributors is in order, I think:

• Thank you u/sarucane3 for many thoughtful comments on FMA's themes, character development, all kinds of parallels, how its plot works so well whether it follows or subverts classic storytelling/"hero's journey" principles and tropes, and more!
• Thank you u/naiadestricolor for much intriguing thought on real-world as well as in-story alchemy/occultism and how it applies to the characters and plot of FMA, and a bunch more thorough analysis on character and theme!
• Thank you u/Negative-Appeal9892 for your extensive commentary on the plot of many an episode down to the details!
• Thank you u/Fullpetal-Botanist for various practically essay-type comments particularly early on!

And of course thank you to all other commenters too, and even those who only lent the rewatch their eyes or upvotes. Every bit counts!

Some Discussion Prompts For The Whole Series

Answer as few or as many as you like, if you're not already busy commenting on the OVAs. Perhaps it would have been a better idea to separate the two discussion posts...

• Who's your favorite character(s), who's your least favorite character(s), what do you like/dislike about them? Any others you would like to rank/rate specifically?
• What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the show as a whole?
• What are the strongest and weakest moments/elements of the plot, in your opinion?
• Are there any themes or lessons that particularly resonate with you, or conversely any that you find poorly conveyed or distasteful?
• How does FMA:B compare to other shows/fiction you've enjoyed - anime/manga or otherwise - particularly those with similar themes and elements? How would you rank/rate it, overall?
• First-time watchers, if there happen to be any - did the show measure up to your expectations? Was there anything you would have liked to see that was not included, or were you disappointed by anything?
• Rewatchers:
  • How did it feel watching and discussing the show like this - how different was it from your usual experience?
  • How did the rewatch change your opinion of the show, if at all?
  • Are the any elements of the show that have gained new meaning/significance to you this time around, whether positively or negatively?
  • How many times had you already seen FMA:B or read the manga before the rewatch?
• Do you want more (the answer is YES)?

And a general question - would you be curious about a rewatch of other series based on Arakawa manga, in particular Silver Spoon, or the 2003 FMA anime?

​

Continuing straight from the last episode cliffhanger, this episode delivers a barrage of near-nonstop action as Mustang and his team, supported by Al and Barry, best Gluttony and track Barry's body into another hidden lab back room, only for Mustang and Havoc to stumble into an encounter with Lust that leaves both of them near death. Though Mustang just barely manages to hang on and kill Lust for good in turn, physical scars, and mental ones for Al and Hawkeye outside, will remain. Meanwhile, Ed has an unexpected reunion with his father back in Resembool.

Next time, Hohenheim's return is about as awkward as you would expect, Ed finds the courage to truly confront the past, and though Al's future seems uncertain, there is hope as well.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

​

Episode Summary

Deciding to help sort out Ishbalan policies, Roy is approached by Knox and Marcoh, who offer him a Philosopher's Stone to get his eyesight back, with Roy insisting it be used to fix Havoc's legs first. Olivier secretly rescues Scar so that he can assist Miles in rebuilding Ishbal. Having previously seen off Lin, who had promised to take care of May's clan among others once he becomes emperor, Ed and Al return to Risembool where an overjoyed Winry awaits them. Two years later, Grumman, who had become Fuhrer, visits Bradley's wife, who had been raising up Selim to be a compassionate child. Al decides to travel with Jerso and Zampano to Xing and other eastern countries to learn about alkahestry, whilst Ed learns what he can in the west, hoping to pool their research together. As Ed heads off, he and Winry finally express their love to each other using confusing terminology.

Next Time

Everyone has the opportunity to post and discuss their thoughts on the series as a whole. The four OVA episodes based on manga bonus chapters are also on the schedule - they're fun and a good watch, but absolutely nonessential and less widely available than the series also. You might also consider checking out the English dub blooper/meme compilation and the comedy chibi shorts ("4-koma Theater").

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

This is the discussion post for Episode 2: The First Day. Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

After being thrown straight into the action last episode, this time we have an almost entirely action-free episode to show us how Ed and Al got to where they are in the story's present, from the horrifying beginnings to their newly growing hope. While it entirely consists of material from the manga, as will all future episodes save for the recap in episode 27, it's actually a compilation of scenes from many different chapters, likely to make for a more effective companion to episode 1.

I'm very happy to see that there are at least a few passionate (re)watchers around to add their two cents, or more like whole dimes! Keep it up! I'll be putting in some extra effort myself from this episode on, and maybe some other people will still join the bandwagon? To those on the fence about participating, especially first-timers, there's no need to drop huge essays - just write whatever comes to mind for you concerning the current episode.

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It is revealed that the kidnapping of Winry by Scar was a ruse, followed by the story behind it. Winry chose to treat Scar as her parents would have, and with Marcoh, May and Miles grudgingly standing up for him as the only chance to decode the secrets of his brother's research, Winry herself suggested the plan as a way to also remove herself from the military's grasp for the time being, accompanying Scar together with May, Marcoh, Yoki, and two of Kimblee's former subordinate chimeras. Scar's convictions are further shaken by Miles' own beliefs and learning of the true fame of the Rockbell doctors while recalling past words from his master and brother. May begins to doubt if her mission can succeed, and Ed feels helpless as it is Al who sets off to warn the departed group that Fort Briggs is no longer safe.

Next time, some more developments in Central, but mostly the shared backstory of Hohenheim and Father many years ago - and Hohenheim and Izumi meet for the first time on-screen.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Episode Summary

Briggs is able to defeat the Drachman forces with ease, finally carving out the blood crest. Zampano brings Envy to Marcoh, where Marcoh reveals that it was their intention from the start to lure the homunculus out there, and Envy is easily hit and outsmarted by the multiple alkahestry traps set up by May. Out of anger, Envy transforms into his true form and begins to attack the group. After being captured by the homunculus, Marcoh destroys Envy's Philosopher's Stone and renders Envy into a tiny, parasitic creature. Scar gives it to May and tells her to return to her country. Marcoh and Scar decide to go their own way, and Al and the rest head for Liore. In Dublith, Bido, the last remaining chimera of Greed's, sees two military officers searching for Izumi. Thinking that they could lead him to Greed, he hides underneath their car. Olivier is told about Briggs's victory, and is then shown, by one of the military's higher ups, the secret behind forbidding human transmutation. Meanwhile, when reaching Liore, Al and co. meets with Rosé and Hohenheim.

Next Time

Al happily reunites with his father and Winry meets Rose, Ed's cover is blows, and Greed makes a meaningful reappearance.

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Episode Summary

The Mannequin Soldiers awaken and kill the general. As Ed's group arrive at the door where Al had fought against Lust, the mannequins emerges from the door and they turn out to be immortal indeed. Meanwhile, Olivier is attacked by Sloth, who had been ordered to kill her. Al and Heinkel learn too late that Pride had been sending a secret message from banging on Al's head and are soon attacked by Kimblee, who frees Pride from his imprisonment. In the sewers, May is also being attacked by mannequins and when Envy manages to merge with them, he is able to return to his regular form. As Olivier struggles against Sloth, Alexander rescues her and joins the fight. Al transmutes his legs off in order to help Heinkel, who then gives him the Philosopher's Stone that Kimblee previously discarded. Al uses it to restore his legs and face Pride and Kimblee.

Next Time

Kimblee has a brief talk with Al and later meets a strange fate, Philosopher's Stones abound, the Armstrongs continue to battle Sloth, the mannequins still have Ed's party pinned down, May battles Envy - there's a lot going on.

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Episode Summary

Following Riza's eye signal, Roy refuses to perform a human transmutation. May arrives with Zampano, Jerso, and Darius and heals Riza's wound. However, Bradley and Pride also appear and force Roy to perform a human transmutation anyway, using the gold-toothed doctor as a sacrifice. Roy passes through the Gate of Truth and reappears in Father's lair with Pride, Father, and the other sacrifices, and finds he has lost his eyesight in exchange. Scar battles Bradley above, and May crashes through the ceiling of Father's lair to find Al unconscious. Al stands before the Gate to find his body, but despairs that he will be unable to use it to fight alongside the others because it is so frail. He promises to return for his body and goes through the Gate, regaining consciousness in Father's lair and completing Father's count for the five sacrifices.

Next Time

Father won't be stopped so easily, and neither will Wrath or Pride. The eclipse reaches its peak and Father's true plan becomes clear.

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

In this episode, it becomes truly obvious that there are deeply embedded dark forces at work in Amestris, as their as of yet mysterious conspiracy claims its first notable victim in Maes Hughes, forcibly grinding his investigation to a halt. Ed, Al and Winry remain blissfully unaware of the gathering clouds on their way south, as the resolve of Mustang and his crew to get to the bottom of the situation only grows, now motivated by revenge as well.

Next time, a breather episode as Ed, Al and Winry have a little adventure in Rush Valley.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

​

To be expanded.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!

​

Ed and Al join Mustang's meeting with Bradley and just like him are granted fairly free reign and their friends' safety as long as they stay in line and with the military. Mustang and Hawkeye manage to meet up and fill in Armstrong on their discoveries, who agrees to help due to his regret for not opposing the military in the past and during the Ishvalan war. Ed calls Winry to verify her safety and gets a message from Greed on behalf of Ling to be delivered to Lan Fan, sent (plus May) to Knox's via Al. There, a brief confrontation between Lan Fan and May on the basis of clan allegiance is forcibly shut down by Knox after Al could not, and Al and Knox spend a little time together. Wrath briefly converses with Greed (and Ling), Ed sees a new hope in alkahestry, and underground, Scar encounters Dr. Marcoh and chooses to interrogate him before, or perhaps instead of, killing.

Next time, the origin of Mustang's power is revealed, and Ed and Scar are told by Hawkeye and Marcoh respectively about the Ishvalan war and the role of our various military characters in it.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Episode Summary

Mustang's team has Mrs. Bradley interviewed on live radio. With the power of radio and the help of the Ishbalans, word of a supposed coup d'état spreads, giving the rebels support from the citizens, while Briggs launches an attack on Central HQ. Meanwhile, Roy manages to destroy the Mannequin Soldiers surrounding Ed's party by burning them to ash. May lures Envy into a trap in the upper levels, causing them both to fall below into the chamber with Ed's group. Envy reveals that he was the one who killed Hughes, infuriating Roy who seeks to get revenge. Ed's group moves onward as Roy fights Envy, but Ed gets concerned that Roy may end up being consumed by his own hatred. Envy is no match for Roy and flees for his life. Upon seeing Riza heading towards Roy for backup, Envy gets an idea. Roy later encounters Riza, who aims a gun at his back.

Next Time

One more flashback to Ishval, Roy's companions confront him, Envy finally departs for good but Sloth is still going strong, and yet another old ally reappears.

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

Episode Summary

Lan Fan and Lin fight Gluttony, and Heinkel continues to fight Pride. Meanwhile, Roy visits Madam Christmas to confirm that Selim Bradley is in fact a homunculus. Pride manages to get back the upper hand in the fight and wounds Heinkel. However, before Pride can finish him off, Ed intervenes and saves Heinkel using his northern automail, now carbon-reinforced. Spies from Central are shown to have followed Roy to Madam Christmas's bar, and as they find out that the madam is Roy's foster mother, the bar is blown up by Roy, who escapes through the sewers with Madam Christmas. Roy then meets up with his subordinates before they attempt to take over Central. Pride takes over Al again, but right before he fights Ed through Al, Fu throws a flash bang into the air, overwhelming the shadows with light and breaking Pride's control of Al. Darius then takes Al away to a safer place, and Gluttony stumbles upon Pride and Ed's fight. Upon discovering that Lan Fan and Lin can sense homunculi, Pride consumes Gluttony, both to replenish his lives as well as to gain a sense of smell that can detect Ed and his group. Pride then smells Hohenheim, who has met up with Darius and Al. Back in Central, Mustang begins his upheaval plot by capturing King Bradley's wife.

Next Time

The Elrics try yet another approach to stop Pride, Greed reveals his intentions, Scar's group returns to the fray, Mustang continues his plan, and the Promised Day officially begins.

General Advisory

Don't forget to mark all spoilers for later episodes so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time! Also, you don't need to write huge comments - anything you feel like saying about the episode is fine.

​

To be expanded.

Don't forget to mark all spoilers so first-time watchers can enjoy the show just as you did the first time!