While Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Aniplex's reboot of Bones' 2003 anime - was initially criticized for its perceived lack of suspense and energy, fans and critics changed their opinions when they realized Brotherhood was a more faithful adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's original manga. Animage even went so far as to call FmA:B the 6th best anime released between April 2009 and March of 2010.
Distributed in North America by FUNimation, Part 5 of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has now been released on Blu-Ray and DVD. FmA fans will be more than satisfied at how their favourite series wraps up.
Aniplex, FUNimation Release Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 5 on Blu-Ray
Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric - still bearing the scars of their forbidden research into alchemy - find themselves battling the minions of the homunculus known as 'Father.' With the realization that their own King Bradley is one of Father's lackeys, they risk being labeled traitors by the very people they're trying to save. Colonel Roy Mustang finds himself closing in on the one who murdered his best friend Hughes, but discovers the price of vengeance may be his own soul.
Meanwhile, Ed and Al's father Hohenheim confronts Father, hoping to discover the master homunculus' scheme. But Hohenheim finds himself helpless before the sheer power before him, and may become Father's first victim in a plot to claim the power of God himself.
While viewers will need a freakin' guidebook to tell who everyone is, kudos to Aniplex for keeping the character designs distinctive especially since nearly all of them are in military uniform. There's no shortage of drama amid the action sequences, from Ed and Al's quest to get their old bodies back to Lin's internal struggle with Greed. Some of these sequences, especially when Al confronts his own body, are surprisingly affecting.
The action sequences are mostly well-handled but more sensitive souls should know that this series features the obligatory fountains of blood whenever anyone gets perforated. Once again, there are some nice dramatic bits and FmA is never shy about killing off various characters . . . or at least putting them in extreme jeopardy.
Quibbles? A few. The plot jumps around like a cat on a hot rock, and there are so many stories it's hard to remember what's going on where, or who the good and bad guys are. In addition, there are plenty of scenes where characters wait around to get KO'ed (a problem I've had with other anime, such as the otherwise very good Claymore). Finally, the way Hohenheim trips up Father in his hour of triumph feels like a deus ex machina. But these are minor complaints about an otherwise fun ride.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 5 Blu-Ray Extras
In addition to the traditional textless opening and closing songs, FUNimation offers a great audio commentary for Episode 64 'Journey's End.' Unlike many of FUNimation's audio commentaries - which are more fun for the participants than the audience - line producer Mike McFarland keeps the cast members focused on discussing the anime and what's happening on-screen. Nicely done.
However, the prize in the Extras section is "Outtakes," a hilarious collection of gaffes and silliness perpetrated by the FUNimation voice cast. More sensitive viewers should skip this on account of some pretty raunchy language, but it's one of the funniest things I've seen so far this year.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 5 a Great Way to End a Great Series
Whether you're an anime fan or newbie, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one series you should check out. It gets a 4.5/5.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
