Volume 5 continues into volume 6 so seemlessly, especially as far as comparisons with the first anime, that I’ll have to review the last chapter of this volume in the next round of comparisons.
EVENTS:
Chapter 17: The Boomtown of the Broken Down/Chapter 18: The Value of Sincerity/Chapter 19: I’ll Do It For You Guys!
Episode 3, “The Town of Heresy”
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: In the town of Lior, the Elric brothers learn of a preist named Cornello who can perform "miracles". Investigating, they discover that the man is a fraud, using what seems to be a Philosopher’s Stone to bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange. Confronting him, they also expose his deception to the townspeople. Edward defeats Cornello, who goes into hiding, only to be killed by two mysterious figures.
Comments:
Well, I didn’t know that the first two chapters of Fullmetal Alchemist could be fit into one single episode so well. Covering most of the major points, without belaboring them with needless expository dialogue (which, because they already explained alchemy, is unnecessary for this episode), and having Ed and Al meet Rose at the church instead of at the little food stand, they did everything in a suitable fashion and at a reasonable pace.
Episode 2, "Activate! Mazinger"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: In the future, a revolutionary new element called Japanium is being researched at Photon Power Labs in order to revolve the world’s energy crisis. Meanwhile, a man named Dr. Hell is looking to use that power for his own and sends Baron Ashura to attack Photon Power Labs. Meanwhile, a young man named Kouji Kabuto’s life is thrown into chaos when in the midst of dealing with some bullies giant robots attack and he’s urged by his scientist grandfather to use his greatest invention, the giant robot Mazinger Z.
Episode 2, "The Day Of The Beginning"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: On a train bound for the town of Lior, Edward reflects on the past that led him and his brother to this point. Years earlier, in the town of Risembool, Ed and Al learned alchemy to impress their mother, but she passed away, making them determined to break alchemy’s greatest taboo, human transmutation. After studying as much as they can, the brothers performed the transmutation, but instead of creating their mother, they create an abomination, and the price they pay at the end is and arm and a leg from Ed and Al’s entire body. Resolving to join the military to do research on how to restore their bodies, Edward is fitted with artificial "auto mail" limbs and passes an examination that results in his certification as a State Alchemist. Years later, Ed and Al near Lior.
Episode 1, "Finale"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: A young man named Kouji Kabuto, piloting the giant robot Mazinger, tries to save the world from the forces of Dr. Hell with the help of the Mazinger Corps. However, things seem very bad for the team, one after another falling in battle. Kouji battles hard, however, and vows to perserve the peace of the world.
Comments:
So… a lot of things happen…. and… hm.
The first episode of Mazinger is in medias res, or more accurately, at (or near) the end of things. Kouji Kabato, the hotblooded young man piloting the giant robot Mazinger and his allies are already at the climax of a pitched battle with the forces of Dr. Hell, Baron Ashura, and Count Brocken. Kouji encounters Zeus, the greek God, and then ends up attacking Count Brocken. At the end, Dr. Hell’s floating islands float in the sky as Kouji vows to protect the peace with Mazinger.
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