Acredito que seja o meu primeiro mangá (sim pulei o 1º volume), mas gostei bastante. Achei engraçado, misterioso e com uma história bem interessante. Tô curioso para ver o que vai acontecer nos próximos volumes.

completamente vendida pra essa história

In this my third go at this series, I'm faring much better than in previous reads, when I stopped at Volume 1 the first time, and dropped it at Volume 3 on the second, largely as a result of not being in the most optimal mood for manga, that coincided with a long visual media slump that engulfed all graphic storytelling formats from written/drawn to filmed.

I said before that I like the premise of Fullmetal Alchemist, and I repeat it again now, particularly the rule of equivalent exchange and balance that applies to the science of alchemy (in this world, it's a science and not magic). This very rigid law forces both the protagonist Elric brothers and the rest of characters to take measures that are harsh and loaded with ethical and moral traps. In just this one volume, we've already had two alchemists break the rules to experiment with humans in a forbidden manner, and the resulting dilemmas are interesting to explore. The raised questions could apply to modern science, too. Like, to what point is it willing to break the rules to experiment with humans not for the sake of advancing science or curing something horrible but to account for state grants and investors' profits? The answer can be uncomfortable.

Another aspect I liked was that Edward is bluntly faced with someone who knows his dark secret and yet does the same anyway, although not for the same motives, and he must struggle with seeing it develop in real time. I would've wished it hit him harder than it did, honestly, sometimes I think Arakawa doesn't delve in-depth enough into these important questions when she raises them. But, on the other hand, it may be a product of this being a very early volume and the sequential nature of the storytelling demands this be done drop by drop.

The third aspect I enjoyed was that there was an interesting introduction to religious-driven terrorism. Or at least that's what it looks like. Someone sees alchemy as unnatural and altering divine laws and resorts to terrorist methods to combat it? Sounds familiar, and yet it doesn't quite appear to be what it looks like. I wasn't expecting this, either, but given the power alchemy bestows on practitioners and the uses the state is finding for it, it makes sense that the dark side would be present too.

In sum, 4.5 stars it is. I like how the series is progressing, without circumventing the difficult topics amidst all the lightness and silliness brought about by the Elrics being so young and having a loving cat/dog dynamic. I do hope Arakawa keeps this balance, it's very easy to blow up seriousness and humour combinations if one's not careful.

3.5

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2, had all the right aspects that made me really like the first volume. However, I lost slight track of the events in the middle, things became a little hectic and hard to follow with the narrative jumping around a little with the introduction of new plots and lots of new characters.

Despite being slightly confused, I really enjoyed the storyline. This instalment turned a little darker, and had less of the fun, dry humour that was in the first instalment, which was a shame. Nevertheless, I will be continuing with the next few books at least as I want to see where the Eldric brothers journey goes.

Still lots to be had from this series I am certain off, and I quite easily devoured this in an hour!

A perfect arc and one of the most scarring things I have read (or seen in the anime) is in chapter 5 of this volume. All the major themes of the series are present in this book
Destruction and creation are two sides of the same coin. We must tear down in order to build.

Ambition, morality in serving an institution, on the pressure to perform, the collateral damage that is acceptable and the similarities between monsters and ourselves. A brilliant volume, especially with the introduction of Hughes and Armstrong, such nice characters, and daring how the author puts us at the side of genocidal regime, instead of being the goodies.

Quotes:
We are just pathetic human beings.

Humans are really simple creatures. Bloodshed begets bloodshed, hatred begets hatred.

This volume really starts to kick everything off.

I read the Fullmetal edition of volume one which had the first two chapters in so only chapter 7 and 8 were new to me this time.

Chapter 5 and 6 were my favourites of the last edition I read though. The story of Nina will always he haunting. It's heartbreaking and creepy! It really exhibits how dark this series goes at times.

Chapter 6 and 7 go hand in hand as we're introduced to Scar and the war with Ishbal. It sets up the tense political situation and moral questions that this series asks. It does this while in a battle between the alchemists, demonstrating the powers that are unique to them as well as exploring the dynamics within the military.
I love the relationship between Mustang and Hawkeye, as well as with Maes and Armstrong and how they come to all protect Ed and Al.

Chapter 8 takes us deeper into the search for the philosopher's stone as we are introduced to Marcoh. This chapter is was great for all the interaction between Ed and Armstrong, as well as furthering the mystery of the philosophers stone and Lust.

I can't fault anything in this volume. The plot was consistently interesting and building up more questions. The world and polictial climate was intensified. I adore the characters and all the interactions between them. Theres so many great snippets of humor, which makes he think this author is super funny. I also have that attachment feeling to this when you really really love a series, which just shows that is is a favourite!

Love it and cannot wait for no 3!

So I can see a lot of religious details, such as introducing three of the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, envy) as demons? at this point, I don't know what they really are, but they're there. Scar's whole story and religious view are interesting. Using Alchemy to destroy Alchemists in the name of (religion?).
I'm enjoying the tasks Edward and Al go through, and despite not being able to keep up with all the alchemists introduced in this volume, I love their variety. We also need more female characters!

2024 review:
- the mix of european names random names (what kind of name is Havoc?) is strange after reading so many mangas with japanese names
- the dreaded volumes. I can't believe that the "dog incident" happened in this volume
- the brothers' relationship is gold
- I'm still intrigued to see how the characters of the seven deadly sins will play in this world of alchemy and magic

The Elric brothers' adventures reach new heights of excitement with the introduction of a compelling new antagonist.

This addition significantly enhances the series, making it even more captivating to follow.

Lo que más me gusta de esta Mangaka es su capacidad de contar el dolor sin dejar del lado el humor y los gestos de amor.
En este tomo ya se empieza a plantear la cuestión ética del uso de la alquimia para fines de unos cuantos y nos enfrentamos a las consecuencias de utilizar el poder alquímico para ascender o destruir.
No puedo dejar de pensar en que Ed y Al son unos niños y ya les ha tocado vivir cosas espantosas y, a pesar de ello, no han perdido su capacidad de quererse el uno al otro y preocuparse por los demás.
Sé que todo suena trágico pero está narrado de tal forma que las risas no faltan en medio de las cosas feas.

| Reader Fox Blog |
n  n

Alchemists are scientists. We don't believe in unprovable concepts like "god."

You know the books that you've read so many times and, subsequently, the television shows based on those books that you've spent so much of your life watching to the point that writing a review about how much you love it seems nearly impossible. It's so much to the point that I'm convinced I don't have the right words to express how amazing this series is, and while I'm beginning with an attempted review at a re-released version of volume 1, I have to admit that I am already certain I won't be quite capable of doing it justice.

This particular edition, the Fullmetal hardcover version isn't quite the same as the first volume initially published. Some translations have been cleaned up to be more accurate and, instead of containing only four chapters, it contains six, therefore combining half of the original volume 2 with this new one. A hardcover edition with the wonderful addition of some colored pages and extra sketches, I was over the moon with excitement when I got my hands on my own copy, something I've been meaning to do for quite a long time now.

The story of the Elric brothers and their quest to restore their bodies after a botched alchemic attempt to bring their deceased mother back to life begins as it always has, with Edward and Alphonse following a lead on the philosopher's stone, what is purported as an alchemical amplifier. They are certain that it is the philosopher's stone that will eventually give them the power to return the bodies they lost whilst trying to save their mother. This quest leads them to a priest, fooling an entire town into following him as a prophet for the sun god known as Leto and then to an alchemist who specializes in bio-alchemy. And if you've read the manga or seen the shows, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

I adore everything about this book and the series it is a part of. From the hilarious, occasionally overdramatic, protective, and caring main character Edward, to the sweet and centered character of Alphonse. Their story is one that I connected with quite easily emotionally and continue to do each time I revisit it. I'm not really a huge manga reader or a massive anime fan. In fact, to date, I've only ever read two mangas and this is the only anime I've ever actually watched all the way through. I fully believe that anyone who hasn't immersed themselves in this wonderful world and characters is missing out on one of the best stories that ever existed.

| Reader Fox Links |

Y sigue siendo una entrada maravillosa.

Empezando con el aspecto técnico

Dos cosas a señalar, muy importantes, en este volumen. El primero es la capacidad de la mangaka de realizar distintos personajes, rasgos y etnias, algo que no solo se trata de habilidad sino de las ganas de meter profundidad a una obra. Arakawa lo logra bastante bien a través del diseño de sus personajes, algo a resaltar.

Por otro lado, el uso de los paneles es magistral. La forma en la cual utiliza el espacio para remarcar ciertos eventos y darle un mayor peso emocional es algo muy útil como recurso visual, y al entretejerlo con la narrativa, esto no puede más que causar el efecto esperado en el lector: no solo lo leemos e imaginamos, vemos a través de esta representación la implicación emocional de los eventos de la trama.

Como con el volumen anterior, en este espacio seguimos con una presentación, a medias, dado que aquí vamos profundizando en aspectos importantes y generales para el desarrollo de la historia; es decir, la autora no solo lanza información al azar, sino que toma la que ya nos ha compartido para comenzar a hacerla más significante, algo que definitivamente habla de su maestría al momento de contar historias.

Capítulo 5. La angustia del alquimista
Y este es un claro ejemplo de cuando el autor no intenta meterte su código moral. En el primer volúmen, Arakawa nos habla acerca de lo mal que está convertirte en un fanático religioso utilizando a Ed como un contraste; sin embargo, en este capítulo vemos lo contrario cuando un alquimista, científico como él, termina cometiendo una "monstruosidad" en pos de la ciencia.

Este capítulo es brutal, no solo por la parte emocional en donde como lectores nos vemos involucrados a través de Nina, sino que hace un contraste con la aparición de un nuevo personaje, Scar, quien es una parte "religiosa" pero activa. Also, también nos habla acerca de la presión existente en el estado hacia sus alquimistas, la economía de aquellos que no alcanzan su título y cómo esta obsesión los lleva a cometer actos horripilantes a favor del proceso.

Otra cosa que me gustó mucho aquí fue profundizar más en Edward y el como, a pesar de tener claro su objetivo, no deja de ser empático. Sí, puede que utilice de pretexto que "ya ha leído mucho", pero nosotros como lectores tenemos claro que solo intenta ser amable con Nina y Alexander, a su forma. El quiebre que tiene al final es algo que se siente. No solo es algo que "pasa", sino que se transmite con sus palabras y expresiones, y aunque el tiempo de conocer a Nina no ha sido mucho, no tiene importancia. Con los Elric sabemos que no se trata solo de "amistad", sino de lo que es correcto; por no decir que la charla de Show Tucker sí toca a Edward y le provoca ese malestar: tiene que salvar a una pequeña niña para probar que todo en lo que cree no está equivocado.

Capítulo 6. La mano derecha de la destrucción
Me parece una de las mejores entradas para un personaje antagonista. Si bien, el misterio es importante y jugar con él es una gran herramienta, en este caso Arakawa no se limita a algo parecido sino que también profundiza en aspectos culturales y geográficos. Nuestros personajes y lo que sabemos de ellos no es un "mundo", es un país, y hacer este contraste solo puede dar más riqueza a su obra.

La parte de la religión es importante no porque intente ponernos quienes son buenos, malos o fanáticos, sino porque explica de forma muy simple y sin posibilidad de mala interpretación, que eso también provoca guerras. Nada muy diferente al mundo real, si lo preguntan.

El enfrentamiento de Scar con los hermanos es bastante bueno porque aquí vemos la diferencia de poder. En el volumen anterior, Edward no tenía rival. En este, es destruido, literalmente, rápidamente por Scar. Puntos porque no es un personaje todopoderoso, porque expresa miedo y angustia, lo que solo resalta más su valor al momento de aceptar la muerte con tal de que su hermano esté a salvo.

Capítulo 7. Después de la lluvia
Me encanta que nos den detalles acerca de Ishval y la razón por la cual el ejército son conocidos como perros de los militares, una forma más despectiva, pero también sutil, de disfrazar lo que son en realidad: armas.

Con la explicación de Roy entendemos más a Scar y aprendemos que no todo es negro y blanco (algo que refuerza el Doctor Marcoh), aceptando que esa necesidad de venganza es algo esperado. Por otra parte, da más profundidad a la historia mostrándonos sus dimensiones en cuanto a política, cultura y el mismo arte de la guerra.

Capítulo 8. El camino a la esperanza
A pesar que este capítulo es más tranquilo que los anteriores, no está falto de contenido. En un primer momento aprendemos más de los antagonistas al tener el contacto directo entre el Doctor Marcoh y Lujuria, quien deja al descubierto algunos términos que comienzan a plantearnos preguntas de la trama más allá de la búsqueda de Ed y Al, algo que no puede más que agradecerse: aunque ellos son los protagonistas, la historia no es estática.

Que Marcoh haga el señalamiento de cómo la piedra filosofal, esa que es el objetivo de los protas, es algo creado por el "diablo", también le da una nueva dimensión a su búsqueda y se convierte en un punto de inflexión con la misma trama y la personalidad de los personajes, algo que viene a cerrar bien el tramo de la historia que comenzó, justamente, con las atrocidades que puede cometer la ciencia; además que es a través de este personaje que aprendemos que la Guerra de Ishval no solo causó traumas a la gente de ese país, sino a aquellos que fueron obligados a luchar.

Un excelente seguimiento del primer volúmen que solo hace resaltar más esta obra. Me parece que la mangaka ha puesto cada elemento de forma adecuada y coherente de forma que con cada página podemos irnos envolviendo en la historia, sumergiéndonos de forma paulatina para encontrarnos con incógnitas y sucesos que enriquecen una premisa que, en un inicio, parecía de lo más sencilla. ¡Magistral!