Review of Full Metal Alchemist: Volume 12

Introduction

The penultimate volume of Full Metal Alchemist arrives, and with it we edge closer to the finale of this excellent anime adventure series, with further revelations and plot developments. This close to the end, it would be a ridiculous place for newcomers to jump in, and for committed fans this release sells itself. So basically I`m reviewing this just to share my utter satisfaction with the series, while at the same time avoiding spoilers like the plague. It`ll just boil down to some inarticulate squeals of pleasure instead of a detailed review then.

Alchemy is the art of the transmutation of matter by means of an incantation, a mystical circle, or sheer willpower alone. For centuries charlatans and the deluded pursued the creation of gold by alchemical means but to no avail. But in Full Metal Alchemist, alchemy is a realised science. Set in an alternative world during the early years of the twentieth century, the transmutation of elements is indeed a reality, and the state regards such talent highly indeed. Full Metal Alchemist tells the story of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, two precocious alchemists who are on a quest. The young brothers had attempted the unspeakable, resurrecting their mother. But the Law Of Equivalent Exchange cannot be flouted, only objects of equal mass can be transmuted, and the dead cannot be brought back to life. The attempt failed disastrously. Now, Alphonse is a disembodied spirit bound to a suit of animated armour, while Edward has replaced his leg and arm with metal automail, but it`s his prodigious facility with alchemy that has earned him the name, Full Metal Alchemist. Now they search for a means to restore their bodies.

45. Rotted Heart
The Philosopher`s Stone isn`t a recent achievement, far from it in fact, as we learn when Ed and Al`s father Hohenheim goes to meet his old accomplice. He`s unprepared for what he finds though. In Central, Ed and Al`s crimes are being tried in absentia, with Mustang diverting the military`s attention away from the brothers. When he questions the Fuhrer, he and his men are reassigned. Meanwhile Ed and Al are about to go into hiding again, when Al gets a mysterious phone call.

46. Human Transformation
Allegiances shift, and enemies become allies. Ignoring his brother`s warning, Al decides to learn how to use a Philosopher`s Stone, and to do so gets in touch with the Sewing Machine Alchemist turned Chimera, Shou Tucker. But he finds that there is a price to be paid for such knowledge. Ed wants to have a weapon to use against the Homunculi, and he returns to his teacher Izumi for information. But when he is confronted by Lust and Wrath, the altercation takes an unexpected turn.

47. Sealing The Homunculus
The endgame is beginning, but before Ed can confront the mastermind that has been manipulating events, he has to deal with the minions, the homunculi. Al has already come face to face with one of them, Sloth, and when Ed gets there he`s just in time to rescue his brother. Having the means to defeat Sloth is one thing, but he hasn`t counted on being hampered by Al. Then Wrath turns up.

48. Goodbye
The Fuhrer`s actions have gone too far, and Mustang decides that a change has to take place. He and his men will face the bulk of the loyal military though. Ed and Al barely have enough time to come to terms with the events of the previous episode, as Envy shows up, immobilises Al and abducts him. Izumi rescues Ed though, and as the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place, Ed knows just where to go.

Video

The picture for Full Metal Alchemist comes in a 4:3 transfer and it is clear and sharp throughout, without any hint of artefacts. The anime looks gorgeous, with distinctive characters, detailed retro world design and atmospheric animation. Once again, an anime blends traditional line animation with 3D design and the results are exciting and vibrant.

Audio

You get a choice of DD 5.1 English and DD 2.0 Japanese. I chose the original language track for preference, and the Japanese track is indeed clear and dynamic enough for a stereo track. Full Metal Alchemist also has some stunning music, most noticeably in the opening and closing themes. The English dub is something I just spot-checked, and while the main character voices are pretty good, the same cannot be said for the voices of the incidental characters. The surround is pretty good, with a fair bit of ambience and it reflects the action well. You can watch the show with translated subtitles or signs.

Features

The usual extras for a Full Metal Alchemist disc, including the multi angle credit sequences and the jacket picture.

You can see the textless opening and closing sequences, and in a nice twist, they are subtitled both in English and Romanji Japanese, so you can sing along should you feel the urge.

In a section called production art, you can find two slideshows, showing Models and Illustrations. The total running time is around 2½ minutes.

There are trailers for Spiral and Gunslinger Girl.

Conclusion

I`ve tried to be obscure with the episode descriptions and I`m certainly not going to tell you any more than that here. At this point in the series, spoilers would just be cruel, almost as cruel as the wait that I will have to endure for the final instalment. For this penultimate volume of Full Metal Alchemist is just the calm before the storm. While volume 11 had certain pivotal moments in the series, this volume may be momentous, but is of no less import to the story.

The episodes on this disc will provide many of the hows and the whys behind the story. How the need for the Philosopher`s Stone came about, and why the homunculi were created. With the plot racing to conclusion, there are only a few pieces of the jigsaw left to fit, and at this point the picture is beginning to form. The character developments also intrigue, as the brothers change places in terms of their attitudes and ethics. Before it was Ed who compromised his principles to become a dog of the military, while Al remained forthright and moral. Now, with their goal in sight, Ed has a grasp of the bigger picture, and a greater desire to stop the madness, while it is Al who is ready to compromise for the sake of the ultimate goal.

The emotional content is particularly strong, especially if you have been following the series. Knowing what the homunculi are makes confronting them particularly painful for the brothers, and the conclusion of a story arc here is poignantly done. The homunculi were initially introduced as amoral, venal creatures whose desire to become human at any cost left a wake of chaos. By the end of this disc, it`s impossible not to feel sympathy for them. Similarly, Shou Tucker, whose lust for power drove him to commit horrific crimes in the second volume, has by now driven himself to the edge of insanity in his desire to redeem himself. It`s one of the show`s strengths that there are no simple black or white characters, and the moral gradations in the actions that they take enriches the story no end.

Hopefully that review left you wondering just what the hell happened on this disc, but was gushing enough to entice you into finding out. Full Metal Alchemist deserves a wide audience, as it is not just a stunning anime, but it`s stunning television too. Storytelling this good only comes along once in a blue moon. This is one series to embrace.