Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 52) – Combined Strength

Alphonse attempts to stop Kimblee and Pride. At least he has a philosopher’s stone. Meanwhile, Olivier and Alex find themselves facing Sloth and Edward and the others face the mannequin army!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Episode 52) – Combined Strength
What happened?
Alphonse uses the stone to stunning effect and manages to contain Pride once more. However, Kimblee reveals that he too has a philosopher’s stone and manages to free Pride again and subdue Alphonse. Alphonse was ready for this and managed to draw their attention away from another attack. In the dust cloud, he gave Dr Marcoh the philosopher’s stone who then used it to heal Heinkel. With the advantage of the surprise attack, he charged in and killed Kimblee. They all escaped when Yoki hits Pride with a car.
Olivier and Alex Armstrong faced Sloth and were unable to do much damage at all. Eventually, Sloth got annoyed and showed his true power – the fastest homunculus! Alex saved Olivier and then punched Sloth through the floor. He hit back, but when he tried to charge Alex was ready for him, impaling him on a stone spike. Too bad, that’s not their only problem as mannequins swarm through Army HQ.
Mei Chang continued to evade Envy’s attacks and even used him to clear away the mannequins, although each one he consumes makes him stronger, so it might not be the best long-term solution.
Edward and the others continue to fight the bulk of the mannequin army and discover that their legs are their weakest spot. It doesn’t kill them, but it does slow them down. If only there weren’t so many of them. Just when it seems like they’ll be overpowered, Mustang arrives!

What did you think?
These episodes have been far too short. There’s so much going on and the action is nonstop, which is amazing, but it makes the episode feel like it’s just five minutes long. The added threat of the mannequins going berserk is a great touch and has raised the stakes even higher. I’m enjoying all of the different groups and just wish we could see more of it.
If this is how the series will go for the remaining episodes, it’s going to be an epic conclusion regardless of whether the end is completely satisfying or not. The fact that I have no idea how it really ends is amazing considering this series came out in 2009. My ability to screen spoilers has become so finely tuned that I can ignore the stuff I don’t know I need to ignore. I’m glad because I am genuinely excited to see how this plays out.

What have you learnt?
I’ve said it before and I think it warrants repeating. The fact that this series was released in one continuous stream of episodes is a massive advantage over the usual twelve or twenty-four episode seasons. Of course, this is epic, it’s had so much more time to develop and now we’re seeing the benefit of that. I have twelve episodes left and I’m guessing they are all going to be fast-paced and action-packed. So far, it’s a great way to finish a series this long, however, I doubt it would work as a final season in a series that has had to work within the confines of a shorter season.
That doesn’t take away from what this series has achieved at all, I just don’t think you can really compare it to many other shows. It’s similar to how they made Lord of the Rings. The first movie is great, but along with the other two that were all made together and released in a consistent manner, they work as a single unit, just like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I’d love to see more shows made this way where a studio picks up a series and makes the entire thing. A full remake of Akira would be incredible, just as an example.

Other posts in the series
- Series Review
- Episode 1 – Fullmetal Alchemist
- Episode 2 – The First Day
- Episode 3 – City of Heresy
- Episode 4 – An Alchemist’s Anguish
- Episode 5 – Rain of Sorrows
- Episode 6 – Road of Hope
- Episode 7 – Hidden Truths
- Episode 8 – The Fifth Laboratory
- Episode 9 – Created Feelings
- Episode 10 – Separate Destinations
- Episode 11 – Miracle at Rush Valley
- Episode 12 – One is All, All is One
- Episode 13 – Beasts of Dublith
- Episode 14 – Those Who Lurk Underground
- Episode 15 – Envoy From the East
- Episode 16 – Footsteps of a Comrade-in-Arms
- Episode 17 – Cold Flame
- Episode 18 – The Arrogant Palm of a Small Human
- Episode 19 – Death of the Undying
- Episode 20 – Father Before the Grave
- Episode 21 – Advance of the Fool
- Episode 22 – Backs in the Distance
- Episode 23 – Girl on the Battlefield
- Episode 24 – Inside the Belly
- Episode 25 – Doorway of Darkness
- Episode 26 – Reunion
- Episode 27 – Interlude Party
- Episode 28 – Father
- Episode 29 – Struggle of the Fool
- Episode 30 – The Ishvalan War of Extermination
- Episode 31 – The 520 Cens Promise
- Episode 32 – The Fuhrer’s Son
- Episode 33 – The Northern Wall of Briggs
- Episode 34 – Ice Queen
- Episode 35 – The Shape of This Country
- Episode 36 – Family Portrait
- Episode 37 – The First Homunculus
- Episode 38 – Conflict at Baschool
- Episode 39 – Daydream
- Episode 40 – The Dwarf in the Flask
- Episode 41 – The Abyss
- Episode 42 – Signs of a Counter-Offensive
- Episode 43 – Bite of the Ant
- Episode 44 – Revving at Full-throttle
- Episode 45 – The Promised Day
- Episode 46 – Looming Shadows
- Episode 47 – Emissary of Darkness
- Episode 48 – The Oath in the Tunnel
- Episode 49 – Filial Affection
- Episode 50 – Upheaval in Central
- Episode 51 – The Immortal Legion
- Episode 52 – Combined Strength
- Episode 53 – Flame of Vengeance
- Episode 54 – Beyond the Inferno
- Episode 55 – The Adults’ Way of Life
- Episode 56 – The Return of the Fuhrer
- Episode 57 – Eternal Leave
- Episode 58 – Sacrifices
- Episode 59 – Lost Light
- Episode 60 – Eye of Heaven, Gateway of Earth
- Episode 61 – He Who Would Swallow God
- Episode 62 – A Fierce Counterattack
- Episode 63 – The Other Side of the Gateway
- Episode 64 – Journey’s End
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