The Son of the Führer

Wow, this episode really boosts some awesome animation. Anyway, Grumman comes to town to meet with Mustang. Mustang learns that Grumman too was scouted for being one of the officers currently in the "evil" military but, when he rejected the idea, he was sent to the Eastern Headquarters. So, Mustang lets him know of some stuff and that he’s planning on overtaking them. With this, is turning on Grumman’s ambitions once again. And for starters Grumman would surely be a better Fuhrer than the current one and Father and stuff.

Ed and Al head north. They are warned about Armstrong, General of Briggs. The Fuhrer also lets the brothers know that his family doesn’t mean a thing if they ever try to use them against him.

The episode was very cool but felt short. It’s probably me, knowing the manga, makes the less action based parts more boring.

Anyway, everyone ends up going North. I’m guessing Scar and the Crimson Alchemist will too.

Funny episode, excellent animation, Briggs’ arc is almost starting!

• Next Episode: The Northern Wall of Briggs

The Promise Made For 520 Cenz

The money Ed was owning Mustang, he promises to give to him as soon as he becomes the Fuhrer. As everyone prepares to go their way, a new plan is put into motion. It’s not over. Meanwhile, Lan Fan and Fuu also leave, promising to get back for Ling, with Lan Fan’s new arm.

Some stuff that was missing in the last episode was shown in this one, like Nox’ part of the Ishbal flashback. His personality wouldn’t make sense to the non-manga readers other way. It was also a very simple yet emotion scene, with his son visiting him.

Kimblee is finally properly introduced. The reason why he’s locked even though he seemed to be on the "badies" side is shown. He was to greedy, wanting the first Amestris created stone for himself. Anyway, Father finally has a use for him again and he’s released. Is conversation with Envy is really cool, they are very much alike. Scar finally has someone dangerous to worry about.

Can’t wait for the plot to head north. It’s finally picking up the pace again, a great arc awaits us.

Cool episode, Ed and Roy’s promise was cool and the new stuff about the different alchemies is slowly becoming interesting. Also redeemed the last episode a bit, in terms of story cuts.

• Next Episode: The Son of the Führer

Ishbal Extermination

We learn that Mustang learn basic and flame alchemy through Hawkeye’s father. That’s also how he met Riza. Well, I don’t remember any of this from the manga, maybe it never happened, maybe I forgot lol. Still, (in that case) an interesting original anime piece (someone correct me if I’m wrong). This shows just how powerful Mustang’s alchemy is.

This whole episode really develops what happened in Ishbal greatly. Love Kimblee and how he actually was right, given the circumstances. Still, a lot was cute, really awesome scenes that fleshed out the war greatly. This is the episode I feel lost more because of the cuts.

So, an interesting episode. Nice to have everything that happened and character’s motivations explained so the story can now move on. Although the next one seems slow too. Cool Marcoh ending by the way.

• Next Episode: The Promise Made For 520 Cenz

The Fool’s Struggle

Ed and Al go up to the military’s headquarters. They meet Mustang and Wrath. It was cool seeing how much of a threat everyone considers Wrath. And the way that serious moment is changed to comedy was really good lol. Now that everything is out in the open they are basically obligated to not interfere with their plans.

Meanwhile, Scar ends up finding Marcoh who gets it as a blessing and asks him to kill him. A new Gluttony is also being born.

We are also let know that Ling and Greed are somehow "cooperating" and that there’s a possibility Ling can take over. Ed realizes Xing’s alchemy is different and that means not only a way to fight "Father" but also, maybe a possibility to get Al’s body back.

Nice episode but, not as exciting as the others, as expected.

The next episode will be about Ishbal once again. All that was left untold will now be known.

• Next Episode: Ishbal Annihilation Campaign

Father

Al and Gluttony arrive just when Ed, Envy, Ling manage to come out of Gluttony, in a really cool and disgusting way lol. After that, Father patches Ed and Al because of them being important sacrifices and quickly disregards Ling. Ed and Al realize he’s the one behind everything and they all attack him in a quick awesome fight.

Father gets tired and takes away their ability to use alchemy. The brothers are shocked and Father, seeing Ling’s strong will, decides to experiment creating another "human" homunculus, using his greed, which is not currently an homunculus.

So, a new Greed is created. For now, he’s fully controlling Ling’s body. Anyway, Scar and May interrupt them. They both can use their alchemy and May quickly saves Ed and Al, unwillingly lol. She’s really strong. Ed decides to ally with Scar and explains what he learned to him. Scar gets pissed and really goes off against the Homunculi. Father sends Greed to take care of them. Greed is as funny as always, really love his characters. It’s like my two favorite characters fused in one right now lol.

Al helps Scar and May escape. He stays behind with his brother since they won’t harm them. Ed fights Greed and manages to reach Ling, he’s still there, all is not lost.

Awesome episode as always, wasn’t expecting it to be this action packed, I really don’t remember much from this part of the manga anymore.

• Next Episode: The Fool’s Struggle

Banquet At The Crevice

The new OP starts, marking the beginning 3rd season. The whole episode is about what it means to be a human, all the while going through Hohenheim’s consciousness as he "talks" with Pinako and his wife and finally decides if he’s going to something about what’s going on or just keep idling by.

So, basically, a re-cap with some new footage. Still interesting and we can now move on with Hohenheim, for now.. lol. Some nice references to Stray Dog, another of the author’s work.

All in all, a nice episode, not great and probably a bad surprise for anyone craving for the plot to go on. But, if you’re patient, it’s a nice deep episode. The new EP is nice too, showing like in Rush Valley.

• Next Episode: Father

Reunion

Ed and Ling’s fight continues, the animation is awesome. Ed ends up thinking of a way to go back and they make a temporary truce with Envy. Ed uses part of Envy’s souls to try and get them all out of there. In the process, he meets Al’s body and promises to get it back.

Meanwhile, Al and Gluttony arrive at "Father’s" while Scar and May are following them.

The action was nice, both in Envy and Scar’s fight, even though it wasn’t the focus of the episode. Lots of plot details were revealed but, most not confirmed. Wrath’s flashback was cool and well done. I’m guessing Hohenheim and Xerxes will probably be explained by another flashback in the next episode.

Awesome episode, Ed finding Al was specially cool. I didn’t remember this part anymore from the manga, being why I probably enjoyed it the most.

I think the two next episodes will be about Xerxes and will answer some more questions but, not sure. Anyway, awesome episode of an ever better series.

• Next Episode: Banquet at the Crevice

The Door of Darkness

Ed is in a bad spot, but he still finds time for some hilarious scenes lol This episode, even though serious, has a mix of really good comedy. Anyway, Ed and Lin are about to give up when they find Envy. He explains how Gluttony is a failed attempt at creating a new gate like the Truth. There’s, supposedly, no escape.

So, they start talking, about the homuculi and father. Envy tells how the Ishbalan was started on purpose by killing that one child. Everything from Scar to Winry’s parents can be traced back to them. Ed can’t hear anymore and gets pretty decided on getting revenge on Envy. So, they fight and Envy, considering his situation, decides to finally use his full potential.

The beginning of the fight is awesome, really well animated. Envy is a delight/disgust to look at lol both in a good way. I think he’s all CG but it’s very well blended with the drawings. Meanwhile, Mustang has been found and his whole plan his shred to pieces, everyone is separated and Riza is kept under the Fuhrer. About Mustang himself, will have to wait to know where they will put him.

Awesome episode, been waiting long to see Envy’s true form animated. One of the best episodes so far, the short fight was perfect, the comedy was one of the best ever and the ending had a nice dark twitch, what will happen now?

Next episode will have Al is going to see "Father" with Gluttony, trying to get some clues on his brother. Gluttony’s scene, feeling guilty, was really funny lol. Scar and May Chang also seem to be going underground in their search for the kung-fu panda, Shao May.

• Next Episode: Reunion