Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Part 5

I watched and finished the first anime series a few years ago, while Funimation was still putting out the DVDs and the movie was being released in Japan. Fullmetal Alchemist is the show that made me an anime fan. I was the sort that turned my nose-up at the idea of watching something animated, but boy did the first FMA series change my mind. But that story, although good, wasn't enough. I was disappointed with the film, and wanted more. So I began to read the manga. Arakawa's vision was breathtaking, and beyond anything the show had done for me.If you are reading these reviews, then we should assume you've watched the first 4 parts, and certain things won't be spoilers. The fights going on between the main characters and the homunculi have reached an all time high. Several of them are dead, and few remain fighting. Father's plan is progressing fast, and the Promised Day has arrived. Part 4 is packed with action, and Part 5 lacks in none of that. It's a rollercoaster ride from the first episode to the finale. The ending is (as many have noted) much more satisfying, and if I may say so myself, I thought brought in a close even better than the final chapter of the manga. It's the same ending, but like all manga -> anime, the delivery is a little different.The packaging is beautiful, and so is the cover art. If you open the box, be warned... there's a spoiler on the back of the second disc (the picture). If you don't want to look, close your eyes ;).The ONLY disappointment I have is not with the show, but that Funimation did not release the little OVAs that the Japanese releases had. "The Blind Alchemist," and I believe there are 3 others. They should have been little bonuses or Easter eggs on the releases. Hopefully Funimation plans to release a pack of them around then the other movie comes out (which by the way, is a "filler" story and NOT a continuation of this one, so no one is confused. Arakawa has finished her story).

A lot of animes have bad endings. Many more have mediocre endings including the original  anime . Only a few have truly satisfying endings. This one does. It seems like every anime has to end on an epic battle. While this series ends on such a battle it is set up so well that the epicness seems well earned as opposed to tacked on. It also spends about twenty episodes on nothing but fighting. In case anyone has visions of Dragonball Z and the endless repetitive fights rest assured that it's nothing like that. The show has an advantage in that it has a great many secondary characters involved in the fighting. This is important for the end because it allows numerous fight scenes to happen at the same time. The Armstrongs vs. Sloth, Al vs. Pride, Mustang vs. Envy, the Briggs soldiers vs. Wrath, Mustang vs. Wrath, Scar vs. Wrath... Basically a lot of wrath. Each of these fights is important and gripping with the understanding that a defeat in only one of them could doom the entire group. They do very good making it convincing that entire armies and highly powerful men are utterly outmatched by only seven enemies. Maintaining tension and excitement over 20 episodes is no easy task and that they manage to pull it off convincingly is very impressive. There is only one minor misstep and that is in the reveal of the nature of human sacrifices, yet thinking about it I can think of no other way they could have dealt with it. All loose threads are tied up and the series ends on a somewhat hopeful yet uncertain note. The future is not clear and I would love to see more about where this world develops. At any rate the ending is satisfying and feels entirely appropriate for such an involved and intricate series. If I had a quibble it would be that the final episode (which takes place after the action and wraps everything up) doesn't handle itself as well as the manga. A minor detail really.

There are many things I'd love to say about this last box set. Unfortunately I can't because I don't want to spoil anything for people that haven't seen it.This last set was a thrill ride from beginning to end. The last 12 episodes gripped my attention so effectively that I finished this in one night. During this last set, the story's climax starts, there are at least 4 different battles going on at the same time, and still has that staggering effect on your heartstrings.The fight scenes are among the best I've seen in anime for quite some time. They are very fluid, and eye-popping at some points. You'll even find yourself looking for small details when they're fighting because of which hero and villian is fighting. Also, the story telling in this anime, if you've gotten this far, you'll know already that it grips your attention. It's got something for every audience: drama, a subtle love story, action, martial arts, stunning visuals, comedy, and lovable characters that you'll love and hate depending on whom your talking about. Your empathy will kick in for the characters at the end and I'm sure that, for some of you, you will need a box of tissues handy for those tender moments.If you've followed the series up to boxset 4, buy box 5 immediately. Arakawa Hiromu, BONES, and Funimation do not disappoint. Also the extras on the 2nd DVD are so worth it. There are outtakes. I know what you're thinking: "Anime outtakes? How does that happen?" The voice actors are being silly and just add in lines that are situational or they just plain forgot their lines and just addlibbed. My sides hurt after watching this. (Warning for parents though: it's got some pretty strong language in it, just so you're aware.)Have fun with this last part of the series, and keep on the lookout for the final part of the Fullmetal Saga: Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Sacred Star of Milos.

It's FMA. It's awesome. Why haven't you bought it yet?

Best ending to a anime one of the best series in general love it this one is a definite buy

Best. Anime. Ever. 'Nuff said.

何故かこれだけ「Brotherhood Pt ５」というタイトルで商品が登録されていますが「鋼の錬金術師　FULLMETAL　ALCHEMIST　北米版ブルーレイ　第５巻」に間違いありません。Disc１に第５３話から第６０話、Disc２に第６１話から６３話が収録されています。国内盤と比較すると第１４巻の途中から第１６巻（最終巻）までにあたります。画質は悪くないと思いますが色々とコダワリがある人にはオススメできません。北米版のブルーレイに、よくある様にサブタイトルやオープニング・エンディング曲のスタッフ・声優のテロップが北米版のもので英語表記になっていることに加えて１．このソフトには作品中の英語字幕をＯＦＦにする機能がありません。２．Disc２のEXTRA（特典）を選択してオープニング・エンディング曲の「テロップ無し」を観れるようになっているのですが「テロップあり」が再生される。といった不具合があります。それとわかって楽しむことができる方にはオススメです。