Well, so this episode shows the Rush Valley arc. It was mostly the same as in the original series, but there were some notable differences:
1) The comedy was better and funnier as usual
2) Winry stays in Rush Valley to learn more (Yay!)
3) A completely random birth scene.
I mean seriously, what was up with that birth scene? I’m not sure whether or not this was in the manga, but it felt like the creators were like “hmm, this boring, we need some more drama – How about a birth scene? Okay!” If it was in the manga, then this is one thing that the original series did better: if you’re going to show a birth scene, it’s indeed much more meaningful to show the birth of Hughes’ daughter, rather than the birth of the daughter of some urelated side-characters.
Anyway, this episode really showed that the creators have slowed down the pacing significantly. Most of this episode didn’t have that much to do with the plot, though thankfully it lacked the stupidity that made the fillers of the original series so obnoxious. This episode again had lots of comedy, and it was pretty much like the rest of the series: it usually is really funny and there were some hilarious moments, but Ed yells too much. His voice actor simply isn’t funny when he starts yelling. The scene I liked the most though was that scene from Paninya’s childhood. There was a strange kind of irony in the way how lightly the creators treated such a young child who lost her legs, being picked up by Dominic who would end up saving her life, and yet it felt somewhat natural.
The next episode should show the real introduction of Izumi, and I suspect that at that point the show is going to be different from the original series again, since I’m assuming that Wrath is going to be completely different from the original series.
Oh, and on a side-note: I’m glad that this show decided to recreate its own soundtrack, because it really sounds much better and less generic than the soundtrack of the original series (not that that was bad, of course, but it didn’t really stand out either).
Rating: * (Good)
Not the most eventful yet a very entertaining episode.
The birth scene is not random. It’s a major development for Winry which will be reminded later on.
The birth scene is in the manga but while it is random in a sense it is meant to develop Ed, Al, & Winry. Seeing the birth scene is important to Ed & Al and delivering the baby is important to Winry. Although this episode is actually 3 chapters worth of material so a lot of stuff was sadly cut. The chase scene in the beginning is much longer for example and Paninya is much more fleshed out in the manga.
There is also a great scene where Ed & Al’s alchemy fails them when they are trying to help with the birth but this scene was sadly cut.
I think this arc is much weaker, and definitely lower to the standard the rest of the arcs introduced… I have read the manga, and I can safely say that in my opinion it could have done greatly without the birth scene. Looking forward to see some of my favourite parts animated!
The birth scene this time plays a differrent role than the last one. It will also has some role to play in the future.
There’s some scene mentioned by Kim that was cut. Ed and Al try to build a bridge using alchemy but fails bacause their current circumstance wasn’t favourable.
They mention that even thought they’re alchemist who can do many great stuff, when time like this come, their skill are so useless. And it’s up to Winry who has medical knowledge to take charge. Alchemy are not the answer to everything.
And as Ed spoke with Winry later how awesome human is. They can creat life, something alchemy can’t.
I’ll drop this little teaser for you.
**LOOK AWAY IF YOU DREAD THE SMALLEST OF SPOILERS*
You’ve already seen Wrath :P.
I can agree on one thing without seeing this episode; Romi Paku doesn’t really work for Ed. My least favorite of her roles.
And yeah, the birth scene was just there for development of our three mains. If they cut out meaningful dialogue, then it serves no purpose.
I’ve always loved Romi Paku as Ed and think she is perfect in the role. I even think her performance has even improved from the first series. I am going to blame the screaming on the director not on her. While Ed does get angry a bit in the manga I think maybe they are exaggerating it a bit here. But other than that I think Paku Romi’s performance is great. There are certain manga moments I can’t wait to see her deliver.
The birth scene is a plot device. Having Ed randomly deliver Hughes’s daughter majorly messed up the first anime’s timeline. Plus, Winry doing the delivery makes much more sense as SHE is the daughter of two doctors who grew up reading their books, and she’s already experienced with performing surgeries/helping patients in pain.
Let’s examine some of the results of having Winry deliver Dominic’s grandchild:
– Dominic was able to see what kind of person Winry was instead of some random kid who’s keen on automail, seeking a teacher. That earned her a rec to an automail master from Dominic (aka someone he deemed worthy) and permission to visit (aka view his automail techniques)
– By staying at Rush Valley and improving her automail skills, Winry is actually doing something to help the Elrics in their quest this time =P
– We are shown that alchemy is not a cure-all, and it is ESPECIALLY not meant to creating life. In one episode we are reminded why the brothers cannot turn back, and how alchemy cannot be used to deliver or help deliver babies. Both emphasizes the correlation of alchemy =/= new life. Besides, Ed and Al were covering their ears at the screaming. Imagine how useless they’d be INSIDE the room =P
– In the first series, Ed was able to help the delivery by using alchemy. The emphasis this time around is that alchemy is absolutely USELESS in such situations.
– earnest opinions from Ed about Winry, and heart-to-heart convos between Ed and Winry. We all know how rare those are since most of the time Ed shakes at the thought of talking to Winry 😉
I do not agree that the childbirth scene is random or meaningless. However, I do agree that the actual birth is not important, nor will the child be important. It might be more meaningful for you to have Ed deliver Hughes’ daughter, but the result of Winry delivering Dominic’s grandchild will definitely influence the storyline later. This scene may be regarded as another one of those differences that define the two series as separate entities, if you will.
Anyway, I found that in the manga, the importance is not in what happened but in what the results and implications of what happened are. A good example is Hughes’ death. In the first series the emphasis is on the loving family man who left behind a daughter and wife because he was too close to the truth. The funeral was emotional and everyone (viewers, too) missed him. In the current series, we see the loving family man too close to the truth PLUS Mustang investigating the sudden death behind Hughes. Through Hughes’ death, Mustang is developed as a character and another branch of the storyline is revealed. The actual funeral did not receive much time, if I recalled correctly. After Hughes died in the first series, I don’t remember much happening as a result of it in terms of plot or character development. Therefore it seems like the first series viewed the the DEATH (aka funeral) to be important and the second series views the RESULTS of the death as important.
lol you already have meet wrath in the new series. but omg i cant wait for pride and sloth
I thought the birth scene was really touching and this episode was one of the better ones. I also agree with what Fishie said about the way the second series emphasises on different things. I also cannot wait until all the homunculi are introduced ^__^
Fishie, amazing post! You did a good job at pointing out the intention of the Rush Valley arc. I didn’t watch this arc in the first series…Ed delivered the baby using alchemy O_O ?!
Please do not drop hints about Wrath or any other homunculi. Non-manga readers will learn about them when the time comes.
@pgal
I just re-watched episode 6 of the first series, and Ed did NOT deliver the baby using alchemy. However…
*major spoilers for episode 6, The Alchemy Exam, from the first series*
…What happened was, Ed and Al were in Central, staying at Tucker’s place to prepare for the National Alchemy Qualifying Exam. Hughes dropped by and invited the Elrics and Nina over to his place for dinner because it was Ed’s birthday. When the trio met Gracia, she informed them she was due any day and offered to let them touch her tummy. The Elrics said, “EW! NO!” so Nina was the only one to touch it and feel the baby kick. Gracia collapsed during the Birthday dinner due to contractions, and there was a snowstorm raging outside, so Hughes left the kids to take care of Gracia while he went to get a doctor.
Remember, Ed and Al are in central to take the National Alchemist Qualifying Test, so they were 12 and 11. Gracia started telling the kids the things she needed, like towels and hot water, and they complied. Unfortunately Gracia started screaming soon after, and panic ensued. Gracia told the kids to help by NOT screaming, and Nina realized the water was cold. Ed managed to transmute the cold water into hot water, Gracia said she could feel the baby’s head coming out, and more screaming ensued. Insert commercial cut here.
After the commercial, we see that the doctor finally arrived and delivered Elicia. Even though the Elrics said they didn’t do anything, Gracia insisted she couldn’t have done it without the kids as they stayed with her. Later Ed and Al discussed birth and alchemy.
End of summary.
So, the tone for the birth scene in the first series is much lighter. There are even outright LOL moments involved. The scene allowed the viewers more time with the Hughes family and Nina. We know why THAT is important =P. The Miracle-of-Life and Alchemy-can’t-create-LIFE talk was between the Elric brothers, developing them. Ed discovered the transmutation-without-array trick during this event, so that helped him pass the Exam. Because Gracia couldn’t have done it without the kids, they were the hero of the day. Also, due to the birth and shared birthdays, the Hughes came to be a surrogate family for the Elrics.
So in this scene, Ed did NOT deliver the baby using alchemy. However, because of the clapping alchemy developed in the scene, I felt he did help by using alchemy.
Sorry for any confusion caused by my previous comment. Hope this post clears things up!
*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE SOME ASPECTS RUINED, DO NOT CONTINUE*
Yeah, You’ve already seen Wrath.
But you haven’t seen Sloth yet.
Here’s a list of the homunculi
First Anime:
1.Sloth (looks like Trisha)
2.Gluttony (Fat bastard)
3.Lust (Big-Titted-Bitch)
4.Envy (Hohenheim’s homunculus)
5.Pride (Fuhrer Bradley)
6.Wrath (Izumi’s homunculus)
7.Greed (Kool guy)
Manga/FMA:Brotherhood: All Made By “Father”
1.Sloth (Big-digging bastard “Too Much Effort xD)
2.Gluttony (Same)
3.Lust (Same)
4.Envy (Same)
5.Pride (Salim Bradley)
6.Wrath (Fuhrer Bradley)
7.Greed (Same)
*SPOILERS END*
So yeah, lots of stuff is different between the first adapation and the manga. I, myself have only read Vol.1-12 of the manga and I read 2 vol.s a night since 2 nights ago.
I’ve learned a HELL of a lot =]
I think that the whole birth scene was meant 2 really bring out a little more of Winry and Ed’s emotions. Im thinking that they r maybe leading up 2 a little romance in the future? hope so!