FMA... Let me count the squees [Manga]
Full Metal Alchemist (the manga) came to an rousing end this month. the last 4 chapters were as epic as could be expected for this FMA fan who has a list of squees to count:
1. Scar and the Fuhrer's battle was my favorite of the last end battles because of the weight of it. Scar and his brother and his people and the Fuhrer being the one who ordered the worst of it. We knew the outcome of it, but the best part was that Arakawa allowed the Fuhrer his 'good death.' So good.
2. That said, I loved Ed taking it to Father with his bare fists. Shonen battles are always about trick moves and power ups. In FMA, it went backwards. The best fights were brute force.
3. None of that mushy stuff! FMA was old fashioned action/adventure which meant it was low on the mush. Even when there was a crack of it, one of the characters would go, "No time for that now!" Then it was back to the grind. The way it should be.
4. Mei being awesome in such a little package. And Al protecting Mei. And Al just being Al. Not an Ed clone. But Al. ♥SQUEE♥
5. Hoho. I wasn't surprised that he didn't make it. I did think there would be a little more between him and his sons at the end, but still, the smile on his face when he sat in front of Trisha's grave was lovely.
6. Roy, Riza and his crew. Loved that they came back together; yet I was even more happy to see that Falman stayed with Briggs. That was so cool.
7. speaking of Briggs... MILES AND SCAR... OTP!!
8. Mrs. Fuhrer and little Selim... I should have seen that coming.
9. Really liked that the aftermath had a political spin to it. Realistic that there was a cover up.
10. And finally, Ed and Winry and babies!!!
11. I lied. That's not the final thought: Ed and Al. Ed. Al. I adored that Arakawa totally rejected the first anime's take on the brothers as symbiotic beings. Arakawa had always written them as individuals who were brothers. I absolutely squeed when she had Al go to the East to study and Ed stayed in the West. They are still brothers, but they have their own life to lead.
God, there is so much more. Ling, RanFan, Grandfather, Izumi, the awesome that was Scar's brother, etc., etc.
And I want to go shipper crazy but I can't because I'll look like I'm gloating but suffice it to say: I GOT ALL MY PAIRINGS! Thank you very much, Arakawa.
But then again, Arakawa never fooled around on pairings. The pairings were integrated into the story and the story was above all.
And boy, did Arakawa deliver a story.
Is it perfect? No, but its pretty darn close. Kind of like Ed who got his arm back but kept his metal leg as a souvenir.
A perfect imperfection. An imperfect perfection.
That was Full Metal Alchemist.
And I am honored to have gotten to read it to its conclusion before all manga scans disappear from the 'net but that's another post altogether and i need to keep it positive.
Congratulations, Ms Arakawa, on a job well done!
1. Scar and the Fuhrer's battle was my favorite of the last end battles because of the weight of it. Scar and his brother and his people and the Fuhrer being the one who ordered the worst of it. We knew the outcome of it, but the best part was that Arakawa allowed the Fuhrer his 'good death.' So good.
2. That said, I loved Ed taking it to Father with his bare fists. Shonen battles are always about trick moves and power ups. In FMA, it went backwards. The best fights were brute force.
3. None of that mushy stuff! FMA was old fashioned action/adventure which meant it was low on the mush. Even when there was a crack of it, one of the characters would go, "No time for that now!" Then it was back to the grind. The way it should be.
4. Mei being awesome in such a little package. And Al protecting Mei. And Al just being Al. Not an Ed clone. But Al. ♥SQUEE♥
5. Hoho. I wasn't surprised that he didn't make it. I did think there would be a little more between him and his sons at the end, but still, the smile on his face when he sat in front of Trisha's grave was lovely.
6. Roy, Riza and his crew. Loved that they came back together; yet I was even more happy to see that Falman stayed with Briggs. That was so cool.
7. speaking of Briggs... MILES AND SCAR... OTP!!
8. Mrs. Fuhrer and little Selim... I should have seen that coming.
9. Really liked that the aftermath had a political spin to it. Realistic that there was a cover up.
10. And finally, Ed and Winry and babies!!!
11. I lied. That's not the final thought: Ed and Al. Ed. Al. I adored that Arakawa totally rejected the first anime's take on the brothers as symbiotic beings. Arakawa had always written them as individuals who were brothers. I absolutely squeed when she had Al go to the East to study and Ed stayed in the West. They are still brothers, but they have their own life to lead.
God, there is so much more. Ling, RanFan, Grandfather, Izumi, the awesome that was Scar's brother, etc., etc.
And I want to go shipper crazy but I can't because I'll look like I'm gloating but suffice it to say: I GOT ALL MY PAIRINGS! Thank you very much, Arakawa.
But then again, Arakawa never fooled around on pairings. The pairings were integrated into the story and the story was above all.
And boy, did Arakawa deliver a story.
Is it perfect? No, but its pretty darn close. Kind of like Ed who got his arm back but kept his metal leg as a souvenir.
A perfect imperfection. An imperfect perfection.
That was Full Metal Alchemist.
And I am honored to have gotten to read it to its conclusion before all manga scans disappear from the 'net but that's another post altogether and i need to keep it positive.
Congratulations, Ms Arakawa, on a job well done!