(L) Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Discussion

[Vicious108]

Originally Posted by Ziziphus

Spoiler for chap 103:

Uh, no, nobody was supposed to be able to penetrate it the normal way. I don't know how May did it, but Father was surprised when he saw her get there:
http://www.onemanga.com/Full_Metal_Alchemist/102/029/

That page proves nothing. For all we know Father was just surprised she had the guts to break into his abode.

[Ziziphus]

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

That page proves nothing. For all we know Father was just surprised she had the guts to break into his abode.

Spoiler for chap 103:

Hmm, last chapter we saw them jump down at the same time, but only May showed up in his abode, and the others stuck above, so I had the impression that only her could do that (or she did something to break in). But you can be right and I was reading too much into it. Too bad we have to wait for next chapter to find out..again!

[Sannom]

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

Spoiler for 103:

But he isn't really able to transmute everything he wants into anything just by his thoughts, he had his hand on the ground when he transmuted it. Also I really don't think he can go against the law of equivalent exchange either. Still, he seemingly doesn't need to clap his hands so it's still an impressive form of alchemy.

Also, what exactly was the point of showing those Ishvalans? What were they doing? Didn't really get that.

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

Concerning Scar's alchemy, I wouldn't be surprised if he could do it like Father and transmute without moving. When I imagined how Scar's brother's alchemy worked, I thought he had to put his two hands on the object he wanted to transmute, but this chapter proved me wrong : the deconstruction power of his right arm can flow through his body and into his left arm. So I believe that the reconstruction power can flow to his right arm, and why not have the powers flow to any part of his body?
He still won't be able to bypass the law of equivalent exchange though.

The point of showing those Ishbalan is pretty obvious : show us what they're up to. We knew they were there, but they didn't do anything until now. It seems they were tasked with preparing some kind of alchemical array, but to what purpose and on whom orders? I don't know. We will probably understand next chapter when we finally see what's on those pieces of fabric.

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

Spoiler for 103:

Uh, May totally penetrated it in the previous chapter, so I'm pretty sure they can if they have the guts to. Which May apparently did.

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

But May has knowledge of Rentanjutsu and other foreigns concepts that seem key in defeating Father because he doesn't know about them. It isn't too far-fetched to think that she get through using Rentanjutsu, and that the others are now blocked because they don't have any alchemist at hands... well, except for Scar, but he's got his hands full right now. Besides, the only two that are in any shape of fighting, Darius and Zampano, have to take care of Riza and Gelso who are both heavily injured!

[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by Sannom

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

Concerning Scar's alchemy, I wouldn't be surprised if he could do it like Father and transmute without moving. When I imagined how Scar's brother's alchemy worked, I thought he had to put his two hands on the object he wanted to transmute, but this chapter proved me wrong : the deconstruction power of his right arm can flow through his body and into his left arm. So I believe that the reconstruction power can flow to his right arm, and why not have the powers flow to any part of his body?
He still won't be able to bypass the law of equivalent exchange though.

Spoiler for 103:

About Scar's Alchemy, I don't think he would be able to use his entire body to transmute. What I understand about Scar's alchemy, or his brother's at any rate, is that one arm is for deconstruction, and the other is for reconstruction. For the technique he used against Wrath, I don't think he even needed deconstruction. All he did was re-shape the ground to create spikes. If he wanted to create something entirely new and more complex, and separate it from the ground, then he would probably need his other arm as well.

Well, whatever the case, it looks like Scar can transmute virtually anything now. It's the closest thing to opening the gate of truth without actually opening it. We already know he can use the deconstruction phase on human bodies. If his right arm could do it, I don't see how his left can't. But in terms of human transmutation, he is likely limited to the same sort of thing Mai can do, like stop someone's wound from bleeding. It's not as if he can actually grow an arm back. Like you said, he is still bound by the law of equivalent exchange, just like Ed is after all.

Originally Posted by Sannom

Spoiler for 103:

The point of showing those Ishbalan is pretty obvious : show us what they're up to. We knew they were there, but they didn't do anything until now. It seems they were tasked with preparing some kind of alchemical array, but to what purpose and on whom orders? I don't know. We will probably understand next chapter when we finally see what's on those pieces of fabric.

Spoiler for 103:

I have the feeling that the Ishvallans working under Scar's orders at the moment. He is probably having them create the anti-transmutation circle within the city. At the end, they said they would leave it to Scar, so I think they know what Scar is up to. He must have a plan and the other Ishvallans are all in on it. Scar is possibly attempting to neutralize the one point in the nationwide transmutation circle in the city, which would disrupt the flow of alchemy within it.

[Sannom]

Originally Posted by Yoko Takeo

Spoiler for 103:

About Scar's Alchemy, I don't think he would be able to use his entire body to transmute. What I understand about Scar's alchemy, or his brother's at any rate, is that one arm is for deconstruction, and the other is for reconstruction. For the technique he used against Wrath, I don't think he even needed deconstruction.

Well, whatever the case, it looks like Scar can transmute virtually anything now. It's the closest thing to opening the gate of truth without actually opening it. We already know he can use the deconstruction phase on human bodies. If his right arm could do it, I don't see how his left can't. But in terms of human transmutation, he is likely limited to the same sort of thing Mai can do, like stop someone's wound from bleeding. It's not as if he can actually grow an arm back. Like you said, he is still bound by the law of equivalent exchange, just like Ed is after all.

Spoiler for 103:

I have the feeling that the Ishvallans working under Scar's orders at the moment. He is probably having them create the anti-transmutation circle within the city. At the end, they said they would leave it to Scar, so I think they know what Scar is up to. He must have a plan and the other Ishvallans are all in on it. Scar is possibly attempting to neutralize the one point in the nationwide transmutation circle in the city, which would disrupt the flow of alchemy within it.

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

According to the basics of alchemy, Scar needs to decompose before reconstructing, he can't change the shape of an object just by using reconstruction. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if he was able to transmute without moving, with a little more experience. But as you can say from the phrasing of my opinion, this is a theory I'm not "sure" of, unlike some other.

When thinking about it, Scar's alchemy doesn't really have more possibilities than May's alchemy. The little one was already shown to be able to transmute all kinds of materials into all kinds of shape, even flesh destruction wasn't impossible to her. But Scar's alchemy is more practical, because you don't need to use two sets of five daggers to make it work. When designing it, Scar's brothers must have taken the universality of Rentanjutsu (both energy source and array of transmutations) and associated it to the more practical ways of Renkinjutsu (notably, the tatoos).

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

I should have phrased my thoughts better about the Ishbalans : I'm not wondering about whether they're under Scar's command or not, that much seems obvious. Not, what I'm wondering is :

--- are the others "insurgents" aware of what the Ishbalans are doing? Did Scar tell them about it or is it doing like everybody else, going for his own interests when at the same time fighting for the greater goods?

--- if the Ishbalans' moves were planned, what is it that they are doing? Did Hohenheim give them instructions, since he's been working on foiling Father's plans for a long time? Or is it something that Scar and Marcoh figured out on their own while studying the research of Scar's brother?

[zebra]

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

That's the way to go. Too bad you probably looked.

I didn't. And almost got spoiled quoting you lol. .. Now I'm wondering how all of you already read it XD. There's a scanlation out alraedy?

[Haladflire65]

Originally Posted by zebra

I didn't. And almost got spoiled quoting you lol. .. Now I'm wondering how all of you already read it XD. There's a scanlation out alraedy?

Yeah. I read it at Mangareader yesterday.

Spoiler for 103:

Hmm, so the Ishvalans might be forming a counterattack against Father? But how does that make sense? I thought no one knows what the heck Father's ultimate plan might be?

[Sannom]

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

Hohenheim at least knows about it and has prepared a counter. Now, are the Ishbalans implementing Hoho's plans, or are they doing something related to what Scar and Marcoh found in the former's brother's notes? That second circle was a big step forward, and it seems we will get to know more about it right now.

[-Suigetsu-]

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

That's the way to go. Too bad you probably looked.

But I did wait patiently and just got done reading the chapter without being spoiled. And boy it was worth it,

The chapter isn't out on one manga, where are you reading it from?

[Vicious108]

Originally Posted by -Suigetsu-

The chapter isn't out on one manga, where are you reading it from?

Mangastream.

Spoiler for 103:

Forgot to mention this. I hope Pride hasn't completely lost his powers. It would kinda suck if a major antagonist like him couldn't do anything during this final battle.

[-Suigetsu-]

Originally Posted by Endless Twilight

Mangastream.

Spoiler for 103:

Forgot to mention this. I hope Pride hasn't completely lost his powers. It would kinda suck if a major antagonist like him couldn't do anything during this final battle.

Ahh, ok thanks.

Spoiler for 103:

I have to admit I wasn't expecting a critically injured Wrath to even make a scratch on Scar, seeing as though he doesn't have his eye, which granted him super human reflexes, but I guess for the whole series I've been over-estimating that eye, and underestimating Wrath's natural skills, and he proved me wrong!

Also I'm surprised Pride lost his powers, but I guess it makes sense, I doubt anyone besides Hohenihm, and Father could defeat Pride with his shadows.

[Sannom]

Originally Posted by -Suigetsu-

Spoiler for 103:

I have to admit I wasn't expecting a critically injured Wrath to even make a scratch on Scar, seeing as though he doesn't have his eye, which granted him super human reflexes, but I guess for the whole series I've been over-estimating that eye, and underestimating Wrath's natural skills, and he proved me wrong!

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

Wrath is a super-human, his reflexes are above the ones of a normal human even without his Ultimate Eye (something I still believe people are clearly overestimating : most of his fights were fought with the eyepatch on, and yet he was still awesome), and so are his strength and speed. Having both eyes opened presented a nice advantage because he had a wider range of view, but that can be said for every fighter in existence.

[zebra]

ty for telling where to find it!

Spoiler for ch. 103:

Yay, for Scar! I also wondered while reading, how he transmuted with only his left arm. I can see the tattooes replacing the transfiguring specifation thingies, so no need to draw .. but isn't the circle something that is always needed? Since it represents the flow of alchemy and the philosophy "all is one".

Aww I feel sorry for Mrs. Bradley. Likely she's losing her husband and son on the same day. The revelation they weren't humans won't help much either.

I wanna know what is up with Pride know. I don't think he lost all his power - that would be too easy. He's gonna fight somehow.
Same with Roy. I think it would be horrible if he would just kicked out of the way or just sit there the whole time. He had a lot of awesome moments already, but being background decoration at the height of the story would be meh.

It is a shame Riza and the chimeras are locked out, but seeing how injured they are they wouldn't be able to do much either way. Riza is very stubborn and devoted so I can't see her - despite her state - doing nothing, while her colonel was robbed of his eye sight and every one fights.
On the other hand, it'd be stupid if they'd be stuck there until the fight is over.

I also wonder about Hohenheim. He knows about Fathers plans for years know .. so just walking in and getting stuck in him, can't be all can it?

Jeez so many character's stuck in the same place .. I really wanna know what Arakawa planned. Judging from the past .. whatever she plans must be awesome.

[GaimeGuy]

zebra:

Spoiler for Ch 103:

Most likely, the circle for each of scar's arms is, well, the arm :P

[wandering-dreamer]

Spoiler for 103:

Wow, this whole chapter was filled with so many badass moments. Especially Scar, man your brother was AWESOME to pretty much invent their own style of alchemy. Wouldn't be surprised if what ever the other Ishvalans are implementing (I think an anti-transmutation circle is a good bet) comes out of his research notes as well.
As for May, dang she's pretty cool too. I think she managed to get down into the melee by using some sort of alchemy as well and I REALLY hope that she is the main person to take out Father, with help from Hoenhiem as well.
And I hope Roy starts lighting off fireworks again soon, if Riza gets there I can totally see her yelling at him for being useless and then calling out targets for him.

[Haladflire65]

Originally Posted by wandering-dreamer

Spoiler for 103:

And I hope Roy starts lighting off fireworks again soon, if Riza gets there I can totally see her yelling at him for being useless and then calling out targets for him.

That's definately what I'm hoping for. Getting kicked around isn't what I want to see from the Colonel in the final, awesome arc of the manga... He has to recover soon, or else...

^that doesn't need spoiler tags, does it?

[wandering-dreamer]

Eh, I just had everything in there just in case (since the manga isn't out on a few of the sites yet, I was actually wondering how so many people were commenting on a raw here). So I'm just lazy.

[Ziziphus]

Originally Posted by Sannom

Spoiler for Chapter 103:

Wrath is a super-human, his reflexes are above the ones of a normal human even without his Ultimate Eye (something I still believe people are clearly overestimating : most of his fights were fought with the eyepatch on, and yet he was still awesome), and so are his strength and speed. Having both eyes opened presented a nice advantage because he had a wider range of view, but that can be said for every fighter in existence.

But you told me a while ago that the Ultimate Eye was in fact the Ultimate Eyes (like sharingans), that both his eyes got the power, and I thought that made sense! So if it's true, even though he has lost his left eye now he may not have lost his power, right?

Anyway, I hope to see a good conclusion to his battle with Scar next chapter...Also I always wonder if we'll ever get to hear Scar's real name in these final chapters, man I totally want to know! (pretty pls Arakawa-sensei!)

[quigonkenny]

Originally Posted by Ziziphus

Anyway, I hope to see a good conclusion to his battle with Scar next chapter...Also I always wonder if we'll ever get to hear Scar's real name in these final chapters, man I totally want to know! (pretty pls Arakawa-sensei!)

Wouldn't surprise me if we don't. The only Ishbalan we've seen whose name we know is Miles, and he's only one-quarter Ishbalan, so that's an Amestrian name. Arakawa-sensei may not wish to go through the trouble of determing an Ishbal naming style, or more likely who to snag it from in the real world like she did with the Amestrians (generic "Western") and Xingese (Chinese).

About Roy...

Spoiler for vague Roy spoilers and speculation:

I think that the last few chapters, especially since his blindness, might be setting Roy up to go out in a blaze of glory, quite literally. I imagine if he has the opportunity to take someone out without having to know their general location—should he be locked in a confined location with them with no allies around, for example—he's going to pull the trigger, even if it puts himself in danger. But I could be wrong. One of the greatest things about this manga is its ability to be unpredictable without feeling random, something so many other action manga fail miserably at.

[GaimeGuy]

Originally Posted by quigonkenny

Wouldn't surprise me if we don't. The only Ishbalan we've seen whose name we know is Miles, and he's only one-quarter Ishbalan, so that's an Amestrian name. Arakawa-sensei may not wish to go through the trouble of determing an Ishbal naming style, or more likely who to snag it from in the real world like she did with the Amestrians (generic "Western") and Xingese (Chinese).

About Roy...

Spoiler for vague Roy spoilers and speculation:

I think that the last few chapters, especially since his blindness, might be setting Roy up to go out in a blaze of glory, quite literally. I imagine if he has the opportunity to take someone out without having to know their general location—should he be locked in a confined location with them with no allies around, for example—he's going to pull the trigger, even if it puts himself in danger. But I could be wrong. One of the greatest things about this manga is its ability to be unpredictable without feeling random, something so many other action manga fail miserably at.

Spoiler for In response to the spoilers.:

I highly doubt that arakawa will kill off roy. He's a pretty solid #2 in terms of character popularity (may even overtake Ed with all that's happened in the last 5-10 chapters, actually). Actually, I don't really get why ed is still the most popular character. He hasn't done shit in about 30 chapters, sine his fight with kimblee, really.