The previous episode showed the Drachma army, guided by Kimblee, about to attack Briggs. Here I thought that it would be a huge battle… only for them to get slaughtered in seconds. Seriously, these guys don’t even survived past the opening credits. The big question is of course: why? Why did Kimblee go through the trouble of taking off for ten days, where he was supposed to be chasing after something much more important and dangerous. Perhaps it was part of creating that big tragedy for Briggs: instead of simply destroying the structure, one could of course kill off a bunch of people near the site. Perhaps that would work too.
In any case, this episode… talk about juicy plot twists! The guts and unpredictability of this series is only surpassed by the Armed Librarians. While it of course also would have been interesting if that chimera really was a traitor, it didn’t really make sense of his character: never once was it hinted that he was inclined to do this. As a method of luring in Envy however, it worked out much better than expected. That fight scene against him was nothing short of awesome.
And noooo! May Chang was put on a bus! What a shame that she had so leave, though I can understand why. Also, Hohenheim’s visit to Lior in the previous episode was more important than I imagined. To think that the creators were actually planning to meet him up with Al and Winry at that point; that promises all sorts of potential for the next episode.
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There have been a few characters who have been surprisingly absent during the past months. I mean, what happened to Greed, aka Ling? Also, I’m waiting for Roy to go back in the spotlight again. I know that it’s pretty hard for him to move around with Bradley and all, but still. I really expected him to be one of the main characters of this series. I also find it interesting: Ed has been completely gone for like two episodes now. That’s a first!
Also… the end of the episode. That put a whole new dimension to the core concepts of this show: Father had created an entire army of transmuted humans. This really begs the question: why did Ed manage to see “the truth”? Why did their research fail? And if seeing the truth is common with human transmutation, then why are Ed, Al and Izumi so special? Was it because their attempts failed or something? But then their reason for being necessary for Father’s plans would have to be really far-fetched…
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I don’t think Ed will return until episode 45 or 46.
Roy is one of the main characters of the series and he will be doing plenty before the end. Ed will be back too of course.
And Father’s “army” are not successful transmuted humans. They are mindless puppets basically.
Yeah, the battle with Drachma was over quickly… I guess he needed a certain amount of people to die there in order to complete the transmutation circle… though, of course, that’s obvious… >XD But with the cliffhanger last episode, it’s no wonder people go “wtf” when it’s all over before the OP starts. Lawl. Anyway, ENVY was really cute this episode. I “Aww”‘d.
they just needed to cause blood shed at briggs it did not matter who died pride said ues briggs strangth ageainst it also i really think ed should have fought with envy i see him as his rivals among the humonculi.
also i think that sending May back to Xing with Envy is a bad plan did you not see Episode 40. little thing in flask now Envy is a little thing in a jar. giving the king the secret to immortality now may wants envy to give the emporer the secret to immortality. king backstabed and courtry dies. now think envy knows father’s plan he probley knows what he had to do to get immortal he could copy it and their is a lot of people in xing
I think the reason Ed and theirs human transmutation failed is because they were trying to bring a person (soul included) who had already existed back to life. That’s why when they go back and dig the corpse up they find out it wasn’t even their mothers body they produced. Those humans are probably no better than paperweights at the moment, so it kind of makes sense.
the thing about the army of humans and how that works even though ed has proven that human transmutation is impossible will be explained next episode. its about time they added bido’s scene, he was supposed to show up several episodes ago. that will develop into something important. just wait and see. and you didnt mention the bradly scene! that was one of my favorite scenes, where he says that he is playing at being a family, dictator, everything, but he did choose his wife. that always made his character much more human to me
O_O Chapter 104…you lucky bastards just watching Brotherhood. You’re in for a real animated treat.
Plus your heart doesn’t have to stop for a few more months…
You didn’t even mention how insanely badass Marcoh was in this episode. Out of all the awesome moments in this series, Marcoh getting that kind of attention really surprised me.
The fight scene was great. Yeah Marcoh was bad-ass in this episode. Lol any character can be bad-ass when they get the determination.
@Jack
Chapter 104 is out!?
Well, Ed, Al and Izumi are special, because they are a very talented alchemist. Human transmutation is very difficult and only few manage to do that and come back alive….
So human transmutation cannot be done by random person….
Raw out here: http://mangahelpers.com/downloads/read-online/72266/1
Also, I think the only problem with the anime cutting down on certain scenes (such as Greedling’s scene which should’ve appeared in the previous episode) is that it DOES create a sense of “hey wait… what about so-and-so? They haven’t appeared in forever!”
@TJ
Well, it’s generally translated and posted on Onemanga by the 10th-15th. Seeing as it’s the 7th already, it’s not that surprising that it would be out.
@psgels
Yeah, I’m pretty sure the Briggs battle was just there because they needed to create a bloodbath in the proper spot. Much like the Ishval massacre and the Lior riots.
And the difference between those bodies and true human transmutation will be explained later.
@TJ
Raw is out and someone did a script translation. I’d seriously wait for the scanlation on Onemanga or Mangafox though. It’s worth the wait. As someone else said, “Shit just got real.”
I’m torn whether to consider Bradley’s admission that he was the one to choose his wife as him revealing some humanity, or a little bit of very clever psychological warfare. Either way it was a great scene.
I plan on watching this eventually, but what chapter of the manga is brotherhood at right now?
Happy Orange: We’re up to chapter 80. Out of 104. The end is near ^_^
@TakashiD @Adam
that’s kinda why i like Bradley (besides his general unbeatability in battle): that talk with Hawkeye, PLUS the talk with Pride after he let Mustang/Hawkeye/Havoc live after Mustang had just killed Lust, because he liked the fact that these “inferior” beings were still somehow able to interfere with Father’s plans.
He’s now a homunculus, but he’s still retained some of his humanity, and I think he hates how everything is basically out of his control, that he’s a puppet just following orders, instead of acting with his own free will – LIKE HUMANS lol. In one of the latest manga chapters when he’s (doing what he’s doing LOL no spoilers) his words kinda suggest this.
btw this ep was pretty nice. dare i say it but was Marcoh a little GAR in this ep lol? they even gave him a “Kimblee looking down on Scar in Ishbal” kinda vibe when he was pwning Envy.
PS FMA:B’s ending credits tend to give away a TON of the next episode – which is the point! (LOL) but damn if it doesn’t kill a lot of the suspense going in.
@1 Wasn’t there a shot of him in the car chase during the preview?
Envy’s voice acting in the scene where he practically dissolves was the best. So much so, I’ve had to rewatch that part countless times.
Too bad Envy’s dub voice is so terrible. Ugh, and they got her AGAIN for this new series, where Envy doesn’t actually suck. Another reason to hate the dub.