Darknives Anime & Manga Blog

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

Within the Stomach

Some plot details are revealed, like the homunculi plan being somehow related to using Amestris and it’s whole population for some kind of alchemy. Although I think this was let on differently in the manga, in a more shocking way. Pride also "appears" for the first time, although only in voice. Anyway, the pressing matter right now is Gluttony

Gluttony is eating everything around him. The first scenes are really funny. Mustang ends up leaving with some of the others. Only Ed, Al and Lin stay to fight Gluttony. Meanwhile, Envy joins the battle. It wasn’t one of the best fights till now but, it was entertaining and cool enough.

Ed, Lin and Envy end up swallowed by Gluttony, thanks to some confusion. Meanwhile, Mustang is going to take a risk and try to expose his situation to one the uppers. He’s allowed to the higher-up’s meeting and he realizes every single one in there is an enemy, not just the Fuhrer.

I’m not sure if they will just play it as a joke or if Mustang is really in trouble. About Ed, he’s somewhere within Gluttony, or some dimension where what he eats goes. Envy and Ling should be around to.

This episode seemed more poorly done than the others, production wise. Still really cool episode.

• Next Episode: The Door of Darkness

The Girl Of The Battlefield

I didn’t remember much from this scene, just Lan Fan’s arm. Anyway, it was awesome. Lan Fan gives up her arm in order to trick Wrath. Meanwhile, Ling follows Gluttony and manages to trap him along with Ed and Al. Scar is also about to be taken down for the first time, when May appears and saves him. She shows her physical and alchemical abilities, something they never witnessed before, and saves them. She doesn’t look like just a little girl anymore.

Meanwhile, Shao Mae has fallen to Al lol How will May react when she learns who Ed is? Anyway, Winry finally leaves to Rush Valley again. She confesses to herself her love for Ed. I had no idea this had happened lol

Anyway, Ed, Al, and Dr. Knox are all picked up and everyone gathers at an hideout so they can discuss everything. Lin informs them about the Fuhrer being an homunculus too. They discuss Gluttony’s future, should Mustang use it to heal Havoc? Should he be given to Lin? Anyway, Gluttony has just broke free after hearing that Mustang was there. He wants to avenge Lust. He shows his true form.

This was an awesome episode. The action, although short, was really good and the awesomeness levels were running wild. Lin nad Lan Fan showed they badassness. But, now, they have an even bigger problem.

Next episode will have them dealing with the "new" Gluttony, while Envy is preparing something with Doctor Marcoh.

• Next Episode: Within the Stomach