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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 11 Review

Episode 11, "The Other Elric Brothers (Part 1)"



Synopsis: The Elric brothers travel to the town of Xenotime, where research is being done on the Philosopher’s Stone to replenish the gold supply. However, they find that two brothers are claiming to be them. They sneak into the mansion where the fake Elrics work and confront them, but are driven out. Later, they confront them again, and the younger brother stands up against the older one, but the guards arrive again.



Comments:

This and the next episode are adaptations of Makoto Inoue’s light novel, Sareki no Daichi (translated by Viz as "The Land of Sand"), from 2003. In it, Edward and Alphonse find themselves in the mining town of Xenotime, where they encounter fake Elric brothers, Russell and Fletcher Tringham. I haven’t read this book. I’ve only read a brief synopsis. I’m not sure whether it was intended to be part of the manga canon or not, because it also features the mysterious "red water" which becomes a big plot element of the first anime series, but the book came out before these episodes. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 10 Review

Episode 10, "The Phantom Thief"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: The Elric brothers stop in the town of Aquroya, a tourist town. The police there have been trying to capture an alchemy-using thief named Psiren. The police inspector wants to use Edward’s talents to help capture the thief. Edward stumbles upon the identity of Psiren, a kind nurse who claims to be stealing to save the hospital. However, when he allows her to escape from the police several times, he realizes she’s been scamming him. Angry, he faces off with Psiren and captures her for the police. She gives the brothers a hint about the Philosopher’s Stone: the town of Xenotime, which has been researching it. When they leave town, Alphonse regrets her capture, but shortly after she escapes again. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episode 24 ENGLISH DUB Review

Episode 24, "Inside the Belly"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Gluttony goes on a rampage, trying to devour Roy into his eye Gate. Roy manages to escape with Riza in a car, taking Ran Fan with her, while Ed, Al, and Ling stay behind to fight. Envy arrives to retrieve Gluttony, but a new fight begins, and Gluttony accidently swallows Ed, Ling, and Envy. Roy attempts to enlist the help of General Raven at Central HQ, but it’s revealed that he and a number of high military officers are in on the homunculi’s plans, and the Fuhrer appears before him. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 09 Review

Episode 9, "Be Thou for the People"


*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Edward is given his first assignment as a certified State Alchemist: inspecting the Youswell coal mine in the east. He and Alphonse take a train to the small mining town, which is controlled by an officer named Yoki. Edward is shunned by the locals for being a dog of the military and flattered by Yoki who wants to buy his trust. However, seeing the bad position the people are in, Edward tricks Yoki into giving up the deed to the mine and sells it cheaply to the people of the town. Because of this, Edward’s reputation as a hero of the people spreads. The episodes long flashback ends to where Ed and Al began the show, just outside Lior. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 08 Review

Episode 8, "The Philosopher’s Stone"


*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Disraught over Nina’s death, Edward turns in his pocket watch when Mustang refuses to let him track down the serial killer and decides to investigate himself. Inspired by notes in Tucker’s house, Alphonse asks around about the Philosopher’s Stone. Winry comes to Central to congratulate Edward, but is kidnapped by the serial killer named Barry, who is disguised as a woman. Edward realizes what has happened and finds his hideout, but is knocked out and tied up. Edward uses alchemy to escape, and barely manages to subdue Barry. When the military arrive, Edward breaks down over his powerlessness. Later, Roy gives Edward back his pocket watch and gives him the title the Fuhrer has passed down to him, the Fullmetal Alchemist. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 07 Review

Episode 7, "Night of the Chimera’s Cry"


*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Edward recieves a pocket watch that all State Alchemists wear that signify their position. On his way back to the Tucker residence, he learns Colonel Mustang has been investigating a serial murderer who kills women. Edward is cynical, believing Roy just wants a promotion. Back at the Tucker place, Ed learns that Tucker’s yearly assessment is coming up, which he is concerned about. Ed learns that Tucker’s wife left before he became a State Alchemist, because they were poor, and he’ll return to that life without the support of the state. Hughes tells Edward that Tucker’s wife died before he moved into town. The brothers go to the library to try to get information on Tucker’s chimera. General Basque Gran ejects the brothers from the Tucker residence. Returning to his house later, the brothers find that Tucker has created a new chimera that talks, but Edward realizes that it was made from Nina and Alexander. Gran and his troops arrive and take Tucker away, but Nina gets away and is killed by a mysterious scarred man. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episode 23 ENGLISH DUB Review

Episode 23, "The Girl on the Battlefield"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Ling, with Ranfan on his back, tries his best to evade Fuhrer King Bradley while Gluttony is sent after Scar. Ed leaves Winry to the MPs and goes off to help Alphonse. Gluttony arrives to eat Scar, beating him up. Bradley sees that Ranfan has cut her own arm off to throw him off. Ling arrives on the scene with Gluttony and Scar and with Ed’s help, binds him. Ling escapes from the scene with the help of Hawkeye, but insists on picking up his aide. Mei helps Scar escape, but loses track of her panda, Xaio Mei, who Alphonse picks up. Ed and Al see Winry off at the train station, Ed promising to make her cry tears of joy next time. Roy picks the brothers up and takes them to a house where Doctor Knox treats Ranfan. As they argue over what to do with Gluttony, the homunculus overhears Roy’s name, and enraged by Lust’s death, transforms and destroys part of the house. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 06 Review

Episode 6, "The Alchemy Exam"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Edward and Alphonse are assigned to study the notes of The Life-Sewing Alchemist, Shou Tucker, and study for the exam to become an official State Alchemist. Tucker lives with his young daughter Nina and dog Alexander in a large house gained with his pristege. Maes Hughes throws a birthday party for Ed at his house, but his wife goes into labor. Trying to help with the delivery, Ed discovers he can use alchemy without a transmutation circle. The baby is delivered successfully and Ed returns to studying for the exam. Alphonse is forced to drop out of the exam for fear the nature of his body might be discovered, but Edward manages to pass with an impressive display before the judges. read more

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Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 05 Review

Episode 5, "The Man with the Mechanical Arm"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: The Elrics get on a train bound for Central, but it is taken by terrorists. The brothers get the help of Maes Hughes, a member of the state military, to help them fight off the terrorists. The leader of the terrorists, Bald, also has an automail arm, but it is weaponized. However, Edward overcomes him and the terrorists are defeated. Once in Central, Roy tells the boys that they can take the test to see if they can become State Alchemists. read more

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