Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 2) – The First Day

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Title

While travelling to a nearby town to investigate a priest who claims to create things from nothing, Edward recalls the path that has brought him here. They paid the price for what they did, but then they were given a second chance!

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 2) – The First Day

What happened?

Edward and Alphonse are searching for a legendary device known as the Philosopher’s Stone. They believe it will be the key to recovering their bodies. A priest has been apparently creating matter out of nothing, which is against the rules of alchemy. So, he either has the Philosopher’s Stone or it’s an elaborate trick. Either way, they will investigate.

On the way there, Edward recalls their life when their mother was still with them. She encouraged their love of alchemy but was taken from them by an epidemic. It was hard for the two brothers. They had lost their world and were desperate to get it back. Edward suggested that they try to perform human alchemy – a forbidden art.

They trained hard and gathered everything they needed. However, the Transmutation did not go as planned. There was a rebound and Alphonse’s body was torn apart. Edward, however, found himself being confronted by someone that could be considered a god. He poured knowledge of alchemy into Edward’s head, but it cost him his leg. When he returned to the real world, he bonded Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armour, sacrificing his arm.

Once word of a young and promising alchemist reached the army, they sent Roy Mustang to visit the boy, but he wasn’t prepared for what he found. However, he spoke to Edward and Alphonse, offering them the chance to reclaim their bodies. That was enough to convince Edward who received replacement limbs and began to train for his admission exam to become a State Alchemist.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2 Edward pays the price

What did you think?

This was much more along the lines of what I was expecting from this series. It was harrowing, to say the least. I loved that Edward was shown a world of possibilities and that is why he’s able to transmute without a Transmutation Circle. I wonder why Alphonse was not shown the same thing or even why his entire body was taken. There’s much more to this than we were shown.

I will say one thing and that’s I am finding Edward to be fairly annoying. He’s brash and a bit of a loudmouth, but I can’t fault his determination. I think I’ll be happier once he’s fighting and trying to move things forward. It’s obviously early steps for me with this series, but I’m excited to see if this lives up to the hype.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2 Edward and Alphonse getting used to new bodies

What have you learned?

It was interesting that they interspersed the flashbacks with present-day scenes and not just between Edward and Alphonse. I’m not sure what Roy and Maes brought to the episode with their discussion that hinted at something without telling us anything about it. Might have been better to focus on Edward and Alphonse, but that’s a minor criticism.

When I saw those black arms with their tiny hands start to pull Alphonse’s body apart, all I could think about was Plunderer and All Thing… I know this came first, but that’s an annoying connection to make. I’m certain this will be far better in every way and with two episodes down, I can say with confidence that it already is. Both episodes so far have been fairly dark, but this one had less goofy comedy. I always prefer my action dark and with less goofy comedy.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2 Alphonse pays the price

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