This episode was all about the “Promised Day”: the day at which Father is planning to put that huge transmutation circle he’s been preparing to use. We now see the rest of the cast head to Central City, but the doesn’t forget to get developed either. Plus, the start of this episode was just priceless. It was a great way for Ed and Winry to see each other again without the usual melodramatic hugging and stuff.
Oh, and poor Al. In the past few episodes hes been doing fairly well, but in this episode he got captured when father sent Pride after him. Interestingly enough, Pride’s words seem to hint at how Al isn’t needed for the Promised day, but instead they require him for something after that. Could collecting Ed, All, Izumi and that other mysterious person actually be the next step in his plan? After all, their part is the only ones that weren’t hinted at in the Hohenheim flashback.
The end of this episode was also very stylishly done, but that again brings us to the Golden rule of anime: a character isn’t dead unless this is confirmed. I doubt whether a homunculus would die that easily anyway. Considering their regenerative power and all. It also showed what a large amount of people is on Ed and Roy’s side at this point: the amount of soldiers behind the Bradley assassination plan was just huge. On top of that, this episode revealed even more allies: the Ishbal survivors. While the overall story of this series has turned out to be very impressive, I believe that the thing that truly sets this story apart from all other stories is this quest for allies.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Knowing Bradley, he probably survived the assasination attempt, as I can’t see him dying this quickly.
You didn’t mention one big development in this episode.
ED IS TALLER THAN WINRY NOW!
That’s how much he’s grown!
Not going to spoil anything, but I’m pretty sure the intention of the scene is for the viewer to be pretty sure Bradley ISN’T dead. It’s so obvious to the viewer, but not so to the characters.
Keep in mind that King Bradley doesn’t have any regenative powers as he fought the Philosopher’s stone and used up all of the souls when he became a homunculi.
Then again King Bradley doesn’t need regenative powers as his the most badass character in this series.
@ntd
Second that! Awww! xD
I believe that the thing that truly sets this story apart from all other stories is this quest for allies.
^
THIS
One thing that turned me off on the first serise so much was their attemped at revolution was ridiculously unorganized and felt like a last minute dicision. It turned out to be some kind of a suicidal mission than a long considered plan. What’ s the point making Roy acted so cunning and babbling how he wanted to become the fuhrer if that was all he could do?
Is it me or does ed look a lot taller? a point he and winry were standing and he was taller
Maybe Winry just shrank. After all, look at Pinako now compared to how she used to be!
Ed hit puberty! WOO HOO!
(I noticed he looked less kiddish without his dread.Better that way actually.)
Did anyone get Roy’s inside joke about ‘Feminine Beauty’?
psgels, did you watch a RAW-version that didn’t include the warning-map? It sort of made me unfocused, but I do understand why they’d put it on.
Nevertheless, I also enjoyed this episode, although it is all building up only. Next week looks awesome, though. Loved the music in the preview! Also, when do I get to see Lan Fan again?! I’m dying to see her, haha.
@Pi, yeah Mustang’s in-joke was brilliant, and my favorite part of the episode. 😀
I also noticed just how much Ed and Winry have grown and changed, which was a great, but it’s too bad they are still keeping him all tsuntsun.
@Pi, @Temperus
didn’t get the joke at all, please explain it
So umm Winry doesn’t wear a bra…
Also
I know she naturally a stern woman, but is the reason Major general amrstrong always seems so pissed with Roy Mustang because of something that happened in the past?:
Roy: ” I may be able to take you out for dinner soon”
Her reply: ” So you finally intend to fulfill your promise from forever ago”
@loz
That was exactly my thought about Winry. Lol. Her boobs are definitly big enough to warrant a bra (otherwise they jiggle and sag. Not cool). Ed is much more mature looking (and taller). “its sad to see them all grown up” haha
Anyways, seems like there might be a few more episodes of build-up before the big “day”. How many episodes are there going to be? And is the manga even concluded yet? Hmmmm…
I didnt get the joke either :/
Episode was wonerful though, cant believe how much Ed has grown!
Yeah, didn’t even notice Ed got more mature until I saw how tall he was in this episode. Keep the episodes coming!
nice tease from Winry lol. nice build up episode the last few mins were amazing
@ Bobby,
if you’re referring to ‘not getting Roy’s joke, well… I didn’t get it either. I guess Roy was just trying to say that Major General Armstrong is anything BUT a ‘Feminine Beauty’. or…something like that…
And “Ed hitting puberty! WOO HOO!”: Ed grew.
@Loz, I think that was to imply Roy’s desire/wish to become the new Fuhrer. I think we know since the beginning that Roy’s ambition was to become the new King and I guess he swore to dethrone King Bradley. I’ll have to look up the previous episodes/chapters about Roy’s past to confirm that (that war from Ishbal war). And by promising his friends (Major General Armstrong) that one day when he will become the new king, he will treat her for dinner.
This is just a theory, but maybe when Ed healed himself what he was really doing was accelerating the body’s natural processes, thus instantly clotting the wounds. A side effect might be him growing but also losing a few years off of his lifespan. Or he just finally hit puberty.
@Pi, I don’t think he outright says it but he heavily implies that he wants to become Fuhrer during the Ishbal war, in his conversation with Hughes. He says something like “It must feel nice up there” when he sees Bradley staring down at him.
@Loz, a few episodes back Mustang offered to treat Armstrong to dinner, and she replied that she would eat so much as to bankrupt him. Armstrong sees him as a rival, as she also wants to become Fuhrer (She says something like “this is my chance” when Bradley is ‘killed’).
Ah ha! Thanks Bruce, you just saved me from going through the manga pages/episodes. =D
@Bruce
From the first episode to now has to cover a fair chunk of time. I can’t remember if the time has ever been officially stated, but considering the age Ed is at it’s to be expected that he might do a fair bit of growing.
In regards to Mustang, I seem to also recall him making a speech about being able to protect subordinates, and then going on about how that meant the only way to look out for everyone was to make it to the top. I don’t recall for sure whether this was in the manga as well. But since the anime hasn’t added all that much new material, I suspect that this scene probably originated there as well.
I think Mustang’s joke was also a reason to make her logically burn the flowers with the note about Selim as she is too serious and being feminine would trigger her anger.
what manga chapter are we on now anyway? I’d love to know how far in we are.