I couldn’t help but notice that Pete Zaitcev made a note about our new post, which he astutely noted could only be the work of alchemical powers:

A blog that was dead since last year suddenly came to life and produced a post on FMA Brotherhood 01, of all things. The power of alchemy!

While it is true that the power of alchemy is wondrous indeed, I want to take this opportunity to remind our readers of the dangers of performing such a forbidden, proscribed ritual. And while it is true that we were successfully able to bring Epic Win back to life, there was a terrible price to be paid.

That’s right. In exchange, Guff was taken away to “the other side”. I would’ve done something to save him, but alas I had no suits of armor conveniently at hand which I could to bind him to. I briefly considered affixing him into the nearby Mikuru hug pillow, but decided that would be a little too awkward.

Fortunately, it appears that he was able to send a telegram through the gate, which apparently was delivered to my gmail account. His message is as follows:

“GREETINGS ORION HOPE THIS TELEGRAM FINDS YOU WELL STOP WEATHER HERE IS UNBEARABLE STOP LOCAL SPEECH INCOMPREHENSIBLE STOP NO CURRY RICE STOP WHY OH WHY DID WE TRY TO PLAY GOD STOP”

As it turns out, “the other side” ended up being some place called Aberdeen in Scotland, which is nevertheless still decidedly backwater and distinctly lacking in two important staples of modern life – namely, internets and curry rice. Hopefully he’ll scrape together enough cash to catch a plane back home one of these days.

Anyway, when I referred to Inoue Kikuko as being typecast into “Onee-sama” parts, I was referring more to some of her more high profile roles such as Belldandy in AMS, Mizuho-sensei from Onegai Sensei, or Kasumi Tendo from Ranma ½. =P

Damn you Zaitcev and your lack of comment support! Damn youuuuuu!

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It has been entirely too long since I’ve seen the Brothers Elric in action. Entirely too long. It’s also been entirely too long since our last post, but that’s an issue for another post entirely.

In any case, I can’t express how thrilled I am to see one of my favorite anime series back in full force, and (presumably) returning to follow the brilliantly written manga storyline.

FMA is back and I must say that it is positively refreshing to see those characters again. It’s been far too long since I last heard talk about transmutation circles, equivalent exchange, and forbidden transmutations. Interestingly enough, the new season opened with a kind of stand-alone introduction separate from both the original series and the manga.

All in all, I think it was a great way to start the series and if nothing else it gave us an excuse to see some Ed and Al tag-team action, along with Hughes amusing quirkiness, as well as the hilarious antics of Armstrong.

Grumpy bat is grumpy.

The animation, though slightly different, is as solid as ever. One of the greatest strengths of the original series was its ability to strike such a keen balance between the serious and the whimsical, and the animation in the new series continues in that manner. There is a continuous interplay between serious business and chibi-goofiness.  I mean just look at that mini-bat, it has a grumpy Ed face on it. And this is after such a fluid and intense introduction sequence.

Honestly, the previous series had such engrossing themes and such grim story elements but the shonen style animation really served to reinforce the narrative’s richness rather than deter from it. Thankfully this aspect of the show seems to have remained unchanged. In other words, if ain’t broke don’t transmute it.

I have to agree; one of the things I’ve always loved about FMA is the way they strike such a great balance between srs bsnss dramatic sequences with impeccably detailed animation, and slapstick chibi comedy. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing Al’s o_o face, or watching Ed rant about being called short.

Speaking of slapstick, nothing makes me happier than seeing Colonel Douchebag Mustang get his parade rained on, quite literally.

Can’t help but love Hughes. =D

And speaking of unchanged elements, most of the vocal cast is the same and this is a very good thing indeed.  Honestly, with a show of FMA’s caliber it would be highly questionable for Bones to frivolously gamble with the tried and true voice cast of the first series. Not that such an egregious miscalculation hasn’t happened before. Artland…I’m looking at you.

Yeah, as an unabashed Kugimiya Rie, I’m definitely glad to see her reprising her role as Al-kun, if for no other reason than I think it’s only other decent voice she can do besides “Urusai urusai urusai!”

Romi Park is as always solid, as well, and her work voicing Ed seems spot on to the original.

The most interesting of the new cast is definitely Inoue Kikuko as Lust, especially considering that she’s usually cast in the mild-mannered Onee-sama role. Even from just the couple lines we heard in this episode I’m impressed and intrigued. Hopefully we’ll be seeing plenty more of her in the near future. =3

The combat sequences from FMA have always been second to none, some of my favorite battle moments from the original animation were the sparring bouts between Ed and Al; so it was nice to see some Elric bros combo action. Finally, I’m not sure if my memory is just fading along with the rest of my shrinking community of brain cells, but I had completely forgotten just how lush the music is for this series.

Basically, FMA was awesome and it continues in the glorious tradition of said awesomeness. Moar please. Onegaishimasu. ^^

P.S. – Al has a quest for you.

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