AnimeSuki Forums

zebra · 2010-06-19, 15:54

Not all. Only Pride and Envy where seen to be able to devour others to replenish their soul stock. Pride kind of has all abilities of the Homunculi (his shadow can see way beyond his shota container = Wrath, he defends = Greed and attacks = Lust with them etc.). Sorta at least.

So I guess, it was just not possible with Wrath. When Gluttony is out of souls he gets reborn after all instead of just getting fed a philosopher's stone or two.

Also having Wrath being able to age had it's advantages, too. That way he could be the Fuhrer without raising suspicion.

GaimeGuy · 2010-06-19, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by quigonkenny

Bradley's hair went white as an additional indicator that he was dying. He wouldn't disintegrate, since he had a primarily human body, but they still needed to show some kind of change once his powers left him. It's never really stated just how old he is, but even if he is of an age where dark hair is normal, his body has been through much more than even someone 100 years old could endure.

He's 60/61. He's mentioned it multiple times himself (ie: When he fought Greed and his chimeras in Devil's Nest. He says something along the lines of this to greed:

"I'm turning sixty this year. When you get to be as old as I am, the body doesn't move quite as well as it used to, so I'd like to get this over with quick"

Then Greed says something like "retire already, gramps" and gets his arm cut off. Cue epic beatdown :P

Jarmel · 2010-06-20, 02:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebra

Not all. Only Pride and Envy where seen to be able to devour others to replenish their soul stock. Pride kind of has all abilities of the Homunculi (his shadow can see way beyond his shota container = Wrath, he defends = Greed and attacks = Lust with them etc.). Sorta at least.

So I guess, it was just not possible with Wrath. When Gluttony is out of souls he gets reborn after all instead of just getting fed a philosopher's stone or two.

Also having Wrath being able to age had it's advantages, too. That way he could be the Fuhrer without raising suspicion.

Don't forget the most important and obvious reason of all, he would be invincible if he could regenerate.

zebra · 2010-06-20, 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmel

Don't forget the most important and obvious reason of all, he would be invincible if he could regenerate.

True, but that's more wise from Arakawa's POV not from Father's.

mechalord · 2010-06-21, 05:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebra

Keep on dreaming ...

James Cameron is planning on making a movie based on Battle Angel Alita. The classic manga series which is about 20 years old now. He remembers it from the 1990s and has been wanting to make it for a while.

Hollywood even turned to the belgian Tintin comics for a movie franchise. Steven Spielberg is making a gazillion dollar trilogy based on an old european comic which is kind of obscure in the US and pretty controversial around the world.

FMA is probably the most critically acclaimed mainstream manga of the decade. It's fantasy like LOTR, Narnia, and Harry Potter. It's kind of unique in that the fantasy aspects don't rely on magic, but the esoteric quasi-science of Alchemy.

zebra · 2010-06-21, 06:33

You know, IF they would do it right it could be pretty awesome, but my optimism in that regard is very low.

That it takes James Cameron so long to start his project shows that it isn't easy to make a hollywood movie that stays true to it's source and isn't just a rip off of the franchise.

I'll be glad if I'll stand corrected, but I just don't see anyone choosing FMA for an adaptation. It's well written and great, but it's not a save bet money wise. Specially, because it would need mutiple films to be told properly. We'll see more things along the lines of Dragonball, Bleach or Naruto movies as I see it.

Also Tintin, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are all things that are wildly known in the western realm and thus get checked out by default. FMA should be known to anyone, but it's more of a niche interest.

Kirarakim · 2010-06-21, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechalord

FMA is probably the most critically acclaimed mainstream manga of the decade. It's fantasy like LOTR, Narnia, and Harry Potter. It's kind of unique in that the fantasy aspects don't rely on magic, but the esoteric quasi-science of Alchemy.

FMA is not that well known among non-anime fans. All my friends know LOTR, Narnia and Harry Potter quite well but the only thing they know about FMA is it's that weird anime thing their friend likes.

OMchan · 2010-06-21, 19:21

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it looks like Chapter 108 is going to get reprinted in the August issue of Gangan because the July issue is selling out/sold out. Wow.

http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/

Kirarakim · 2010-06-21, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMchan

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it looks like Chapter 108 is going to get reprinted in the August issue of Gangan because the July issue is selling out/sold out. Wow.

http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/

Wow that's awesome, go FMA

And I am really glad I pre-ordered my copy ahead of time.

Shiroth · 2010-06-22, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMchan

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it looks like Chapter 108 is going to get reprinted in the August issue of Gangan because the July issue is selling out/sold out. Wow.

http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/

I actually wonder if this is the first time it's every happened.

karice67 · 2010-06-22, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMchan

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it looks like Chapter 108 is going to get reprinted in the August issue of Gangan because the July issue is selling out/sold out. Wow.

The September issue actually, which goes on sale August 12.

And yeah, it's apparently very rare. Some Japanese people are complaining that they should just do a another print run of the July issue, but manga magazines, as a general rule, don't get repeat print runs (the one example I've read about was when a Kannagi Drama CD came with a 2008 copy of "REX")...

OMchan · 2010-06-22, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Wow that's awesome, go FMA

And I am really glad I pre-ordered my copy ahead of time.

Yup, same and it's good to know that we deprived a Japanese citizen or two of Chapter 108 by doing that, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by karice67

The September issue actually, which goes on sale August 12.

And yeah, it's apparently very rare. Some Japanese people are complaining that they should just do a another print run of the July issue, but manga magazines, as a general rule, generally don't get repeat print runs (the one example I've read about was when a Kannagi Drama CD was came with a 2008 copy of "REX")...

Ahhh that's right, thanks for the correction. Got the dates mixed up there.

mechalord · 2010-06-23, 03:46

Do you guys think there was any political message with Greed actually siding with humans? With Greed being the most independent homunculus? The only one to stand up to "fathers" plan? The only one to bond with humans? The one with redeemable human qualities?

fizzmaister · 2010-06-23, 12:25

The only political message I can think of that is related to greed is "Capitalism changes greed from a destructive force to a constructive force" but I really don't think that's what Arakawa was going for.

quigonkenny · 2010-06-24, 02:20

I think FMA was always blissfully apolitical. One of its strongest points, if you ask me.

The only real messages I got from it are: "take responsibility for your own actions, but don't be afraid to ask for help from/rely on your friends and family"; and "sometimes bad things happen to good people, but you can still work through it". I don't think either message is very political, or is going to draw any detractors...

karice67 · 2010-06-27, 03:35

The message I got through Greed's story was rather apolitical too: "All you need are friends"...

Also, based on the penultimate episode...

Spoiler for for those who haven't seen 63:

mechalord · 2010-06-28, 06:55

The author is Japanese. I thought it could be an allegorical take on the politics of asia.

Father could be a representation of modern China. Xerxes would be ancient China. Modern power built on the remant of a former Empire. The souls of the philosopher's stone, the chinese people and chinese culture? The are suppressed by the guy in charge.

Father would be marxist government leaders. He publicly portrays himself as virtuous and without moral equal, a living model of marxist virtues, subduing human nature, working for a greater ideal. But in reality he's the greediest and most selfish person in society. He would be Mao or Lenin? Gets an elite to follow along w/ promises of glory.

Like a totalitarian government, Father injects himself under the entire country, controlling the flow of "energy" the alchemists draw their power from. He also runs the entire government from the chair he uses to control the power of alchemy.

In the end the governments own greed helps bring down its downfall? Human nature wins. Human nature isn't all bad. Even from Greed can come good. Freedom wins out. Capitalism is like the homunculus Greed? In the end, Capitalism will make it all work out because humans not only desire material wealth, they desire human companionship. Greed has a limit and will seek out balance.

BetoJR · 2010-06-28, 07:21

I don't know if all these political allegories are all that spot on. Nonetheless, I really do not want to open that particular can of worms...

tzia_n · 2010-06-28, 18:21

Feels like a stretch. In any case, my stand on that is if it isn't obvious to most, it probably isn't true

quigonkenny · 2010-06-29, 01:29

The only IRL country I can see allegorically represented here is Nazi Germany, represented by the totalitarian military leadership of Amestris, complete with the attempted racial genocide. But there are plenty of holes in that comparison. She may have taken some of the trappings of Nazi Germany to represent Amestris (certainly the official translation of "daisoutou" to "Fuhrer", when there are other legitimate alternatives), but I don't think any full-on allegory was intended.

And of course Xing = China. It's very obviously an Eastern counterpart to Amestris' Western culture, and certainly appears more Chinese than Japanese (or Korean, etc.) to me... Plus, what little Xingese writing we see over the course of the series is all kanji (hanzi), with no kana.

2010-06-19, 15:54	Link #2061
zebra ❙❙❙❙❙❙❙❥ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in the wild	Not all. Only Pride and Envy where seen to be able to devour others to replenish their soul stock. Pride kind of has all abilities of the Homunculi (his shadow can see way beyond his shota container = Wrath, he defends = Greed and attacks = Lust with them etc.). Sorta at least. So I guess, it was just not possible with Wrath. When Gluttony is out of souls he gets reborn after all instead of just getting fed a philosopher's stone or two. Also having Wrath being able to age had it's advantages, too. That way he could be the Fuhrer without raising suspicion. Last edited by zebra; 2010-06-19 at 18:03.

2010-06-23, 12:25	Link #2074
fizzmaister The Tall One Join Date: Jan 2006	The only political message I can think of that is related to greed is "Capitalism changes greed from a destructive force to a constructive force" but I really don't think that's what Arakawa was going for. __________________

2010-06-27, 03:35	Link #2076
karice67 さっく♥ゆうきゃん♥ほそやん Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: in the land down under ^^	The message I got through Greed's story was rather apolitical too: "All you need are friends"... Also, based on the penultimate episode... Spoiler for for those who haven't seen 63: the break was Pinako finding Hohenheim at Trisha's grave (with a few aftermath scenes in Central probably moved later - they covered about 60/112 pages), so maybe, just maybe, we might just get an slightly expanded epilogue? __________________ You must free yourself from that illusion, from the illusion that a story must have a beginning and an end. "No, you are not entitled to your opinion... You are only entitled to what you can argue for.” - Patrick Stokes Last edited by karice67; 2010-06-27 at 03:58.

2010-06-28, 18:21	Link #2079
tzia_n Lurker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philippines, but also in my imaginary world Age: 26	Feels like a stretch. In any case, my stand on that is if it isn't obvious to most, it probably isn't true __________________ http://www.otakuako.com/

2010-06-21, 06:33	Link #2066
zebra ❙❙❙❙❙❙❙❥ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in the wild	You know, IF they would do it right it could be pretty awesome, but my optimism in that regard is very low. That it takes James Cameron so long to start his project shows that it isn't easy to make a hollywood movie that stays true to it's source and isn't just a rip off of the franchise. I'll be glad if I'll stand corrected, but I just don't see anyone choosing FMA for an adaptation. It's well written and great, but it's not a save bet money wise. Specially, because it would need mutiple films to be told properly. We'll see more things along the lines of Dragonball, Bleach or Naruto movies as I see it. Also Tintin, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are all things that are wildly known in the western realm and thus get checked out by default. FMA should be known to anyone, but it's more of a niche interest.

2010-06-21, 19:21	Link #2068
OMchan オムちゃん Join Date: May 2003 Location: Canada	Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it looks like Chapter 108 is going to get reprinted in the August issue of Gangan because the July issue is selling out/sold out. Wow. http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/

2010-06-23, 03:46	Link #2073
mechalord Deploying Funnel Cakes Join Date: Jan 2008	Do you guys think there was any political message with Greed actually siding with humans? With Greed being the most independent homunculus? The only one to stand up to "fathers" plan? The only one to bond with humans? The one with redeemable human qualities?

2010-06-24, 02:20	Link #2075
quigonkenny Daa da daa da daaaaa... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Daten City Age: 40	I think FMA was always blissfully apolitical. One of its strongest points, if you ask me. The only real messages I got from it are: "take responsibility for your own actions, but don't be afraid to ask for help from/rely on your friends and family"; and "sometimes bad things happen to good people, but you can still work through it". I don't think either message is very political, or is going to draw any detractors...

2010-06-28, 06:55	Link #2077
mechalord Deploying Funnel Cakes Join Date: Jan 2008	The author is Japanese. I thought it could be an allegorical take on the politics of asia. Father could be a representation of modern China. Xerxes would be ancient China. Modern power built on the remant of a former Empire. The souls of the philosopher's stone, the chinese people and chinese culture? The are suppressed by the guy in charge. Father would be marxist government leaders. He publicly portrays himself as virtuous and without moral equal, a living model of marxist virtues, subduing human nature, working for a greater ideal. But in reality he's the greediest and most selfish person in society. He would be Mao or Lenin? Gets an elite to follow along w/ promises of glory. Like a totalitarian government, Father injects himself under the entire country, controlling the flow of "energy" the alchemists draw their power from. He also runs the entire government from the chair he uses to control the power of alchemy. In the end the governments own greed helps bring down its downfall? Human nature wins. Human nature isn't all bad. Even from Greed can come good. Freedom wins out. Capitalism is like the homunculus Greed? In the end, Capitalism will make it all work out because humans not only desire material wealth, they desire human companionship. Greed has a limit and will seek out balance.

2010-06-29, 01:29	Link #2080
quigonkenny Daa da daa da daaaaa... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Daten City Age: 40	The only IRL country I can see allegorically represented here is Nazi Germany, represented by the totalitarian military leadership of Amestris, complete with the attempted racial genocide. But there are plenty of holes in that comparison. She may have taken some of the trappings of Nazi Germany to represent Amestris (certainly the official translation of "daisoutou" to "Fuhrer", when there are other legitimate alternatives), but I don't think any full-on allegory was intended. And of course Xing = China. It's very obviously an Eastern counterpart to Amestris' Western culture, and certainly appears more Chinese than Japanese (or Korean, etc.) to me... Plus, what little Xingese writing we see over the course of the series is all kanji (hanzi), with no kana.