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The fifth volume of Full Metal Alchemist sees the young
Elrics return to their childhood village for the first time
in four years. As the Rockbells reconstruct the boys new limbs,
they start to sift through the ashes they left behind. While
Al comes to the fearful realisation that his memories are
fading, Ed visits his mother's grave, and both must redefine
their view of family and home before returning to Central's
library to research the work of Dr. Marcoh. However, nothing
can prepare Ed for the shock that is to come...
In
House of the Waiting Family, Ed and Al return to their
childhood hometown of Risembool, where Winry and her grandmother
repair the two brothers broken metal limbs. As Ed makes a
visit to their mother's grave, Al comes to a disturbing realisation
about himself.
This
episode once again plays on Ed's short tempered outbursts
when ever anyone points out how short he is. This time it's
Granny Rockbell who is at the receiving end of his anger...
However, it soon becomes apparent that this is a running joke
the two share - with Ed making fun of how old and short Granny
is. Winry and her grandmother know that once they have finished
their repairs that the boys will be off again on their travels,
but the two women don't seem to mind being used.
In
Marcoh's Notes, Ed is glad to get back to Central.
He is eager to start his search for Marcoh's notes in the
Central Library's First Branch. But when they return to central
they soon discover that the First Branch has been burned to
the ground. Witnesses also claim to have seen Scar shortly
before the fire started. The two brothers are quickly dispatched
with a pair of guards in tow as they continue their attempts
to discover the secret of the Philosopher's Stone.
Again,
more humour is injected into this episode. I especially loved
the scene in which Ed attempts to his his powers to rejoin
the dust particles from the burned down library - in a bid
to reconstruct all of the books. The Eldrics also receive
two baby sitters who seem to do everything in their power
to stop the boys from coming to harm. While that's all well
and good, how are they supposed to get on with their work
when these two busy bodies are standing over them all day?
In
The Truth Behind Truths, our two heroes learn of the
terrible secret behind the power of the Philosopher's Stone.
The price to pay is too much for Ed and Al. Knowing the secret,
how can the Elric Brothers continue with their quest to be
whole again?
This
episode is rather dark. The brothers discover that the State
Alchemists were originally experimenting on prisoners. And,
when they meet a few of the failed experiments, they soon
discover a lot more about themselves. There's also a fantastic
homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark in this episode.
In
Soul of the Guardian, our heroes become separated,
each facing a deadly foe alone. While Al faces down his opponent
he learns something about his own past. Why is it that he
has no full memories from his youth? And what does his older
brother know that he is keeping from him?
This
episode brings to a head a question that has been puzzling
Al for some time. Why are his memories starting to fade? And
what does his brother know that he is not telling him? Is
there something much darker going on? And is Ed responsible?
Volume
five in this collection is one of the most impressive yet.
As the story unfolds more questions are being raised than
are answered - which makes for intense viewing. This is one
of the best modern Japanese animated series around.
Nick
Smithson
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