Quite out of the blue, this episode comes and delivers answers to some of the more burning questions that the early episodes have asked. I was prepared for the worst in terms of this show, but damn. It still amazed me to what extend this series is willing to go.
Being epic is of course easy to do: just create some sort of deus ex machina bomb that has the power to destroy the world and voila: you’ve involved the entire world in your story. Making it count is of course an entirely different story. This episode finally revealed what the homunculi were doing in Lior, and why Hughes had to die, among others. I at first thought that they were simply trying to make as many philosopher’s stones as possible, but these people are actually turning the entire COUNTRY into a transmutation circle! Bloody hell.
To think that Father didn’t take over a country in order to create his plans. He instead created a country, in order to carry them out. This explains the country’s round shape, why the capital is right in the middle of it and much more. The next big question is of course going to be: why? What could this guy possibly want even more? He possesses eternal life, is the most powerful man in the entire country, nobody can harm him in any way in the way this is going. What could he possibly want so badly that he’d create a 500-year long plan that involves so much preparation and such a hassle to carry out?
And where does Hohenheim fit into this, really? He must have had something to do with it, but what? My speculation at this point is that Hohenheim is indeed an immortal, and created Father as some sort of clone of his, which then got a mind of its own and then started that incredibly elaborate plan of his.
It’s also interesting how this episode explained the first episode as well. Wasn’t that supposed to be a filler? Interesting choice, especially considering the lack of original material in the rest of this series.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
So answering one question just raised up further more. Tehehehe…Stuff about Hoeinhiem will be revealed in 4-5 episodes from now. Be patient!
As for Father’s plan, heck that is not made clear (entire) in the manga even as of now. Arakawa-san has many aces hidden up her sleeve! 😉
oh btw, since I haven’t seen the episode yet, was any black shadowy thing shown in this episode (or the preview)?
We don’t even know what Father wants in the manga yet xD But we do have speculations…which aren’t really spoilers cause they’re speculations. So if anyone wants to see one, look below. If not, look away!
Some of us think he wants to become a ‘perfect’ being, like the Truth dude that Ed and Al saw at the gate.
egress63: not that does not happen in this episode. probobly next week though
Filler can be very good when it fits in with the rest of the series and the world the author is creating. Ep 1 therefore can actually been seen as major foreshadowment, which looking back was a brilliant idea.
I think part of the fun of the series is discerning Father’s motivations. I’m one of the manga readers and after finding out the details that happen later alot of Father’s actions can be seen in a clearer light.
So yes, even in the latest chapter of the manga Father hasn’t done a complete rant on what his master plan is. But Arakawa drops alot of hints, from what Ed and Al have been able to figure out by themselves, to realizing how the Homunculi’s are created (and how they reflect Father because of that).
while the very first episode was filler to attract fans of the first series unsure of whether the new series comtained any differences, its interesting to note that the design of rogue alchemist isaac from ep 1 was created by Hiromu Arakawa (manga author). as such she would have no doubt worked with the anime writers to make sure his stand alone story merged with the bigger picture of fathers plans. its just a shame we’ll probably never know how isaac found out about fathers schemes.
i love this part of the manga. while the next few episodes prob wont have alot of action. they should be some of the best for suspense, plot development and big reveals. cant wait
This series has gotten seriously epic. SO much better than the first FMA.
That’s where you’re wrong.
Since Arakawa has clearly stated that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with the anime. Since anime and manga are two different media and have two different ways of conveying a message. She clearly did not want to have anything to do with the anime adaption. Though BONES has tried to involve Arakawa with the anime as much as possible.
People, please don’t forget that this is a BONES creation. They know their plottwists and awesome storylines and how to convey messages. Leave that up to the awesome BONES studio. 😉
Well yeah, BONES is the ones making it convey emotion and messages through the feeling they give with the animation, the pacing they give it too (which I think has faltered in some places) but the plot twists and storyline all come from Akawara’s mind. And she even came up with Issac.
Even though being an anime original episode, the first episode had lots of hints about some strange stuff. It basically started the plot right way. Talking about what the “country” is trying to do, having to destroy it. Father also appears there for the first time, getting worried that the Ice Alchemist might succeed.
No big surprise, but still cool that they connected everything.
I guess the “father” guy wants even more knowledge, remember that he tried to make the gate of truth and pretty much failed (The thing inside Gluttony) .. that alone indicates he wants to reign over that realm (or whatever it is .. i’m not a manga reader).
So instead of “Dante” from the first version seeking perfect immortality i think the “father” guy will be seeking perfect knowledge instead.
Another proof that he is seeking knowledge is that he was completely ignorant about Eastern Alchemy and its working (he was surprised when Scar was still able to use alchemy when they encountered each other even though he was sure no one will) .. and i don’t think it’s raw power that he seeks since he already seems to be immortal and way more powerful than most characters in the story.