FMA, Journey's End
I... can't believe it's over. Like officially over over. I'll never get anymore new chapters (though I'm hoping for a gaiden or two... or another character profile book) But this chapter's title "Journey's End" is most aptly titled for it is the end of an epic journey and one that I know I'll cherish always and forever.
Every little thing she added was pure brilliance. Ed and Al have finally made it through their epic journey to get what they want and they suffered, they had losses, they were confused but they persevered to get what they deserved. More than anything though, I thought it was absolutely beautiful that in order for Ed to get Al back, he had to lose alchemy. For me, that really solidified that this journey was over for there was no longer the fullmetal alchemist. When Al came back through the doors and said "it's warm", my heart was torn at how two words could mean so much for a boy who hasn't been in his own body for years.
Roy not being blind definitely has its ups. And I was really impressed how Arakawa just didn't seat Roy as Fuhrer but placed Grumman there instead. It really seemed to be the more likely scenario if you really thought about it. I would like to see Roy as Fuhrer one day but I'm sure that's down the line. Though he's going to really fight for the job against Olivia and she definitely won't go down without a fight. I was a bit peeved at the way Arakawa didn't delve any further into a relationship between Roy and Riza but I do feel as though they have this epic love that doesn't need to be expressed explicitly.
The Xing storyline I felt was wonderfully wrapped up. With greedy Ling Yao seeing past the wars between the clans and really understanding that need for unification. Scar continually being nameless was wonderful as well because he didn't need to have a name because it was as if he never had one (though we all just call him Scar).
As for the ending, Edward and Alphonse Elric have gotten the happy ending that they deserve and I love how they'll never stop looking for more knowledge ♥ Ed's proposal to Winry was done in such an Ed fashion that really lets you know that Arakawa knows who her characters are, how they'd react and what they do down to every little last detail. Oh and Ed is finally tall ♥ No more comments about how he's chibi or tiny as a grain of rice haha Al, back in your body again, your poor atrophied body but you made it through ♥ And Hohopapa has finally reached what he's wanted more than anything and is back at Tricia's side after both of his children called him and acknowledge him as their father.
More than anything though, the way she focuses on both the little details and the big picture is absolutely astounding. I wish there were more manga out there like Fullmetal Alchemist but at the same time then I feel as though Fullmetal Alchemist wouldn't be considered all that special. But it so so is special ♥ So ends 4 years of obsessive spoiler reading, monthly updates, monthly spazz attacks about epic endings. I didn't get to cry as I wanted to because the ending was so amazing but I feel as though the tears will come in due time when least expected.
While this may be the end of the monthly updates, this series will always live on in my fullmetal heart and in a way really defines late teenage, early adulthood years. So thank you Arakawa-sensei for bringing the world of Fullmetal Alchemist into this world and sharing it with us as well ♥