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Title:
  Fullmetal Alchemist vol 8 - The Alter of Stone

UK Distributor:  MVM (DVD Only)

BBFC Certificate:  TBC

Suggested Retail Price (SRP):  £19.99

Episodes:  29-32 (of 51)

Audio Options:  English 5.1, Japanese 2.0

Subtitles:  English

Reviewer:  Rich (Webmaster)

 

I just don't know what to say about Fullmetal Alchemist anymore.  It seems that every volume I say is amazing is topped by the next, each time I honestly think it can't get any better it proves me wrong.

After the tumultuous events of the last volume I was left wondering what the series was going to throw at us next.  A terrible event in Central has left Roy Mustang with much to think on as he is reposted back to regional headquarters, but Ed and Al are still completely oblivious to all of the drama and tragedy unfolding there.  They have enough on their hands as their teacher Izumi forces them to look back at their alchemist training with her, but the sudden appearance of a strange young boy on the uninhabited island she uses for training is set to unlock some dark secrets.  The boy's right arm carries a strange scar that is identical to that on the arm Ed lost in his disastrous attempt at human transmutation, and his leg appears to be Ed's too.  How is it possible for that which was lost in equivalent exchange to be returned to the real world, and if Ed's limbs have come back can Al's body return too?  The strange boy is a mystery in himself, especially as he has no memory of where he came from of who he is, and he also demonstrates impossible and involuntary alchemical powers.  But Ed and Al aren't the only ones interested in him, the homunculi are on the move, as are agents from military, but Izumi is suspiciously protective of the boy, what are her reasons?

The drama goes up another notch as the story thunders into unknown areas, and some of the mysteries of the Fullmetal Alchemist world begin to unravel.  We finally learn more about the Homunculi, including how they are created and where they come from, but this knowledge raises a horrific thought for Ed and Al.  Izumi is harbouring a dark secret too, and her past mistakes could prove to be deadly - in more ways than one.  Meanwhile we get to see more of the homunculi as they try to engineer a new war between the military and the Ishbalian refugees, and we are also introduced to two new characters - Greed and Wrath.  The plot has really thickened in recent volumes, and this one solves some mysteries whilst throwing up a host of new ones.

Why are the homunculi trying to cause a new war between the military and the people of Ishbal?  Who is this mysterious child and what is Izumi's connection to it?  Once again you will find yourself on the edge of your seat throughout as the plot twists and shocking revelations come thick and fast, and the tension is built perfectly during some emotionally charged action scenes.  Once again the action is superb, especially as Ed and Al face down the Homunculi, and Izumi goes on a rampage at a military headquarters, but this time there is also a hefty dose of horror too.  There are some pretty nasty things in Izumi's past, and there are flashes back to the results of Ed and Al's human transmutation attempt too.  It's pretty disturbing in places, and this is part of what makes it such gripping viewing.  Over the course of the series Fullmetal Alchemist has proved that it is not afraid to shock or go against convention, and in no place is this more apparent than in this volume.

The return of Major Alexander Armstrong does reintroduce a touch of comedy back into the series, but drama is king.  It goes without saying that if you've bought the previous volumes then you'll buy this one too, but for those who have yet to see it I really can't overstate how good this series is.  There have been some really high quality anime dramas hitting the shelves this year with the likes of Elfen Lied, Gilgamesh and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG, but even in that high company Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most essential series of the year.  Volume 8 takes a story at the peak of its powers and somehow makes it even better, the only downside is that we have to wait until November for the next volume - NOOOOOO!!!

Extras

Clean opening and closing sequences and a rolling production and character art videos once again.  Disappointing, but could be worse.

Ratings

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