Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the end deculture!

Finally!

And I mean that for more than one reason, the most obvious being the wrap up between Ed and Winry. So, I’m not gonna go into an episodic summary here, given that I haven’t blogged about the series for the past 2 or 3 episodes. Instead, I’ll go ahead with my…

Thoughts

I must say, the final fight between the Homunculus in the Flask (aka Father) and Ed was sort of a let down. A fist fight at the end seemed more appropriate for Metal Gear Solid 4 (although same may argue that) rather than Fullmetal Alchemist. Still, I guess I should be grateful for not having a Bleach or DBZish fight in the end.

What pleased me more than anything was the happy ending of course. Seeing all the bad guys meet their end (finally King Bradley died!!) and Selim (aka Pride) getting another chance at life was also sweet. Mustang did manage to get his eyes back along with the rest of his ragtag group, working once again for the betterment of people, but helping them directly this time (especially Ishbalans) rather than fighting their way to the top. So he too will realise his dream to be the Fuhrer President soon.

Hohenheim goes one last time to Resembool to visit Trisha’s grave, where he finally dies a happy and peaceful man. As Ed and Al walk towards their home (Winry’s place) they recall how Lin promises May to use the power of the Philosopher’s Stone and then take care of all the clans, not just his, thereby becoming the King of Xing.

Now the final scenes concentrate on Ed, Al and Winry. Two years after the incident, we see both he brothers leaving Resembool again in order learn more alchemy and see more of the world. Al goes to the Eastern kingdoms to study their alchemy, while Ed goes West. As Ed leaves for his great journey, he’s left standing alone with Winry at the train station. And finally he proposes to her. Sort of. Although Winry showed her irritation at Ed using the “Equivalent Exchange” terminology to propose to her, she still replies in kind. Positively of course!

And so the ending credits show a montage of everyone and where they are. They all seem to be happy with whatever they’re up to, especially Edward and Winry…holding their own children….and a more grown up Alphonse and May standing in the background.

So there you have it, one of the best anime series comes to a close, again! This time though, we get a complete and satisfying ending. Yes, the events leading up to the end weren’t as “epic” as I had imagined them to be, but the trade-off of everyone living happily ever after was more than enough to make me happy.

Now I wonder what other series as kickass as this will keep me occupied in the coming year…