Alchemy - the mystic science of transmutation. Gifted alchemists can break down and reconstruct matter using the "Law of Equivalent Exchange," creating miraculous things. But one taboo can never be broken - human transmutation. The Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse broke the taboo in an attempt to resurrect their late mother and as a result, lost everything. Al's soul was transferred to a suit of living armor and Ed lost two limbs, confining him to mechanical auto-mail. To recover what they've lost they embarked on a journey to find the fabled Philosopher's Stone...

WARNING - CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (originally called Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Fullmetal Alchemist in Japan) is a 64-episode (and three OVA) anime series directed by Yasuhiro Irie (who served as animation director on the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series) and written by Hiroshi Ōnogi (Heat Guy J, Mobile Suit Gundam).

This is the second Fullmetal Alchemist series to be produced by animation studio Bones, but unlike the 2003-04 series this 2009-10 series follows Hiromu Arakawa's manga series a lot more closely.

The closer the Elric brothers get to the hidden truth of the Philosopher's Stone, the deeper they fall under shadowy schemes and the perils of unnatural creatures. The military nation of Amestris, the grudges and hatreds of a persecuted people, and the countless tragedies caused by alchemy all form a dark vortex that will draw people and countries into its void. The Elric brothers forge ahead in their quest to transmute despair into hope...

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Part Two contains episodes 14-26.

Episode 14, Those Who Lurk Underground, sees Armstrong and King Bradley leading a team in order to raid the Devil's Nest. Meanwhile Martel hides inside Al, but is killed when a sword is thrust inside Al's armour.

Episode 15, Envoy from the East, and Elric brothers return to Rush Valley so that Winry can perform some much needed repairs on Ed's automail. The brothers come across a starving man called Lin Yao, who takes advantage of their kindness. They also discover that he is looking for the philosopher's stone.

Episode 16, Footsteps of a Comrade-in-Arms, sees Ed, Al and Winry returning to Central. They also learn that Hughes is dead.

Episode 17, Cold Flame, and Ross is arrested as the chief suspect in Hughes's murder. It's obviously a set up, but why would someone frame her? Barry the Chopper breaks Ross out of prison, but she is soon confronted by Mustang.

Episode 18, The Arrogant Palm of a Small Human, and Armstrong is ordered to take Ed to Resembool - neither of them know why, until they get there. Ed also discovers that Scar was responsible for killing Winry's parents.

Episode 19, Death of the Undying, sees Lust and Mustang in a fight to the death, and it's revealed that Lust has a philosopher's stone embedded in her chest.

Episode 20, Father Before the Grave, after meeting his father for the first time, Ed realises that it may not have been his mother they originally brought back to life. After digging up the body it is discovered it wasn't the Elric's mother which means that there is a good chance they can find Al's real body and return his soul to it.

There is an extra on disc one in the form of an audio commentary for episode 14.

Disc two opens with episode 21, Advance of the Fool, in which Ed has a plan to lure out the homunculi - which involves them battling Scar.

Episode 22, Backs in the Distance, Winry accidentally finds out that Scar killed her parents. We then flashback to discover how Scar killed them.

Episode 23, Girl on the Battlefield, Ed joins Al (who is battling against Scar) just as they seem to be getting the upper hand, May Chang appears and manages to escape with Scar, but she lives her small panda behind in the confusion. We also discover that Bradley may also be homunculi.

Episode 24, Inside the Belly, Gluttony swallows Ed, Lin, and Envy.

Episode 25, Doorway of Darkness, and we discover that Gluttony was a botched experiment. He was a failed attempt at recreating a door of truth. It is also revealed that Envy was responsible for starting the Ishbalan War.

Episode 26, Reunion, sees Ed escape from Gluttony and we get another flashback, this time to see how King Bradley was "created".

Extras include an audio commentary for episode 23 as well as textless opening and closing titles.

So, another interesting collection of episodes in this entertaining series.

9

Darren Rea