FullMetal Water Cooler (FMA chapter discussion)

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]Wow, Fish and Chips, that's one Hohenheim theory I'd never considered before. Still, that'd mean he's immortal, right? And how did that come about? *muses endlessly*[/spoiler]

Who knows, but if it's true, you can probably guess who the other Sage is.

[KBMaster]

Can someone explain the whole sages thing? I forget that part.

[R. Zion]

The Sages were supposed to be the ones who introduced Alchemy to Amestris and Xing.

Was it the Western Sage for Xing and the Eastern for Amestris?

[Fish and Chips]

The Sages were supposed to be the ones who introduced Alchemy to Amestris and Xing.

Was it the Western Sage for Xing and the Eastern for Amestris?

Xing is to the far East of Amestris, and Xerxes (or however Viz is translating it) lies between them. So Amestris would have the Sage from the East, and Xing the Sage of the West.

[MasterDias]

I hadn't actually remembered the information about the Sages until you said something. That is an interesting theory though, and might explain some things.

[the_wolfs_howl]

And it's obvious the Sages have some central importance, because they were kinda stressed in one or two chapters, weren't they? I mean, there's all these people musing about them and wondering about the differences between Xing's and Amestris's alchemy.
[spoiler]The theory that Father is one of the Sages would definitely explain why he can stop alchemy in Amestris.[/spoiler]

EDIT:
[spoiler]And if Ed and Al are Hohenheim's sons...ooh, just thinking about it makes me jittery! [/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

[spoiler]Admittedly, my memory of the Sages bit isn't that clear, so keep that in mind. But would Father being a Sage necessarily mean he can stop his type of alchemy? If he just has an ability to shut it down due to his knowledge that would make sense, but I got the sense that he actually took away the power of alchemy for a while. I find the latter more interesting, because it would imply he somehow governs this in a greater sense.

You know, I'd always assumed that Hohenheim had normal children, but it would be interesting if Ed and Al end up having some strange other abilities. I would approve.[/spoiler]

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]Admittedly, my memory of the Sages bit isn't that clear, so keep that in mind. But would Father being a Sage necessarily mean he can stop his type of alchemy? If he just has an ability to shut it down due to his knowledge that would make sense, but I got the sense that he actually took away the power of alchemy for a while. I find the latter more interesting, because it would imply he somehow governs this in a greater sense.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]The general consensus is that Father and Hohenheim control Alchemy and Renkenjitsu, respectively. Hence, Father may nullify alchemical abilities at will, and Hohenheim can heal instantaneously.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]You know, I'd always assumed that Hohenheim had normal children, but it would be interesting if Ed and Al end up having some strange other abilities. I would approve.[/spoiler]

Bare in mind that Ed did managed to anchor his brother's soul to an object, and that seal has lasted a very long time. That's no lean feat.

[the_wolfs_howl]

Bare in mind that Ed did managed to anchor his brother's soul to an object, and that seal has lasted a very long time. That's no lean feat.

At the age of eleven or whatever, no less. Did Ed and Al do the transmutation at an earlier age in the manga than in the anime? I've got a feeling that they did, but I can't remember.

[Fish and Chips]

At the age of eleven or whatever, no less. Did Ed and Al do the transmutation at an earlier age in the manga than in the anime? I've got a feeling that they did, but I can't remember.

Edward became instated as a state alchemist at age 12, but that was after the automail surgery, which he took about a year to recover from. So yes, he was 11 when he tried to transmute Trisha and bound Al's soul, and Al younger still.

[uc pseudonym]

[spoiler]The general consensus is that Father and Hohenheim control Alchemy and Renkenjitsu, respectively. Hence, Father may nullify alchemical abilities at will, and Hohenheim can heal instantaneously.[/spoiler]

Interesting. That's not the impression I've gotten, but I'm out of touch with the FMA fan community.

Bare in mind that Ed did managed to anchor his brother's soul to an object, and that seal has lasted a very long time. That's no lean feat.

True, but I was hoping for something a bit more unique.

[Fish and Chips]

Interesting. That's not the impression I've gotten, but I'm out of touch with the FMA fan community.

That may be for the best. Quite a few of them are thoroughly annoying people.

True, but I was hoping for something a bit more unique.

It may not be unique, but that's rather high on the bar for alchemical prowess, and at the age of 11 no less.

[R. Zion]

Wow, can you believe we're only about two weeks away from the next chapter of FMA. Anyway want to take a guess as to what Arakawa might have in store for us this month (not that this is the easiest venture)?

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]Hopefully, Riza is smarter than to try and take on Pride all by herself. We've seen what Pride does to people he deems inferior.[/spoiler]

[KBMaster]

I just remembered.... I got my ten volumes back... but I forgot to look at his previous dialogues... and packed them!!!! NOOOOO......*sigh* Ah well. I probably wouldn't get it anyways.

[the_wolfs_howl]

Oh, yeah. Now I remember - Trisha died when Ed and Al were like four and five, whereas in the anime it happened when they were ten and eleven. Or was it nine and ten? Bah, I don't know!

[spoiler]Yeah, I think Hawkeye's smart enough. Besides, Hawkeye and Mustang both know that if they do anything out of line, they'll bring trouble to the other. Hawkeye might reach for her gun, but then Pride will say something along the lines of, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your precious colonel, would you?" Yep, that's my prediction.
As for what happens to the others...beats me. I bet we find out what this "crest of blood" thing is, though. Unless Arakawa does what I'm dreading she'll do, and sorta give a tiny hint and end the chapter before really telling you what's up.[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

It may not be unique, but that's rather high on the bar for alchemical prowess, and at the age of 11 no less.

This as evidence of Ed and Al's heritage is rather solid, I am simply hoping we'll see some other powers manifest eventually.

[spoiler]I'm fairly certain Riza wouldn't try to take on Pride. She's already essentially a prisoner, and she wouldn't be stupid enough to take on someone so potentially dangerous.

As for the "crest of blood" I had actually just assumed it would be the next mark in the giant alchemal marking being created around the entire country. Didn't they already establish that Briggs was one of the main convergence points that hadn't yet had a bloody conflict?

One would presume (if "one" means "me") that they intend to finish this massive crest and then use the various alchemists repeatedly referred to as "sacrifice material" to produce their ultimate goal. That could be a Philosopher's Stone Mark II or a lot of things, really. At least this is the general direction sense I'd gotten from the plot.[/spoiler]

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]Not to mention they'd need Riza alive and healthy to keep Roy Mustang in line, or at least in some semblance of a line.[/spoiler]

[Mave]

Today, I finally realize that this thread is really about FMA manga ongoings. Could we add some type of notification that it's about the most recent chapters because there is quite a number of spoiler quotes, which makes this thread a bit difficult to read? If not, that's fine too....I'll just do my best to avoid using quotes. ^^

What I've read so far includes a few chapters in the beginning and some of the more recent stuff (beginning with the 'Snow Queen'). So, there's this huge void in the middle of FMA, which I'm clueless of, with the exceptions of random manga pages that includes Roy/Riza (yeah I'm a Royai fan).

I hope Riza will be ok. I did have my suspicions with the individual she's facing right now but then again, I'm seriously missing a lot of information, which did not allow me to make a firm speculation.

[Fish and Chips]

Today, I finally realize that this thread is really about FMA manga ongoings. Could we add some type of notification that it's about the most recent chapters because there is quite a number of spoiler quotes, which makes this thread a bit difficult to read? If not, that's fine too....I'll just do my best to avoid using quotes. ^^

The thread opener should make everything clear.

[the_wolfs_howl]

[spoiler]Okay, is this canon, or is this just my speculation over what Father's trying to accomplish? By making a country-size transmutation circle, he's going to make a massive Philosopher's Stone using all the people in the country, and then use it to open the Gate and get "true knowledge" or whatever. Would true knowledge be the key to immortality? That was always the ultimate goal of alchemists in our world, and Raven was obsessing over a "perfect immortal army." But isn't Father already kinda immortal? I mean, if he's been around to found Amestris to his own design, he's gotta be pretty old.... [/spoiler]

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]Okay, is this canon, or is this just my speculation over what Father's trying to accomplish? By making a country-size transmutation circle, he's going to make a massive Philosopher's Stone using all the people in the country, and then use it to open the Gate and get "true knowledge" or whatever. Would true knowledge be the key to immortality? That was always the ultimate goal of alchemists in our world, and Raven was obsessing over a "perfect immortal army." But isn't Father already kinda immortal? I mean, if he's been around to found Amestris to his own design, he's gotta be pretty old.... [/spoiler]

[Spoiler]Raven was just a pawn, I doubt he truly knew what he was talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if all the military higher-ups were just tools to be used and then discarded.

As for immortality, I think Father's already got that base covered. Personally, I think his aim is to try and surpass God. Certainly plenty of imagery and such to suggest he has a divine opinion of himself.[/spoiler]

[the_wolfs_howl]

[Spoiler]Raven was just a pawn, I doubt he truly knew what he was talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if all the military higher-ups were just tools to be used and then discarded.

As for immortality, I think Father's already got that base covered. Personally, I think his aim is to try and surpass God. Certainly plenty of imagery and such to suggest he has a divine opinion of himself.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Ah.... Yes, that does make sense. I need to read the chapters where Ed and Al confront Father again....[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

[spoiler]One thing I'm not sure about: the identity of the being that exists at the Gate. Doesn't it seem similar to Pride in some respects? Or am I misremembering? This is one of the big mysteries of the series for me (the cosmology of the Gate and alchemy itself, I mean).

I'd agree that Raven was probably a pawn. As for Father's goal, I personally hope it isn't just to create an Uber Philosopher's Stone. We've been dealing with those for almost the entire series and with the discovery of how they're made as well as their use in the humonculus, they aren't really a theme anymore. I think it would be much more interesting if Father actually wanted to transmute the entire country. I have no idea why or into what, but that's what I'd be eager for Arakawa to reveal.[/spoiler]

[the_wolfs_howl]

[spoiler]Yeah, that guy in the Gate.... In the anime it was made simpler by simply having it be the Homunculus Wrath, but in the manga it's obviously quite different. When the guy said, "And...I am you" I got somewhat freaked out. I wonder if it will ever be explained beyond, "That's the creature guarding the Gate."
Another thing that's bugged me is this: It seems...well, not exactly easy, but possibly doable, to reunite Al's soul with his body in the Gate if they can find a way to send Al through without him having to pay a price himself. But what about Ed? The thing in the Gate took his arm and leg, right? Will he be able to get those back? I'd personally be pretty satisfied with him keeping his automail (I side with Winry there), but Al at least would want to get back those missing limbs.[/spoiler]

[Fish and Chips]

[spoiler]One thing I'm not sure about: the identity of the being that exists at the Gate. Doesn't it seem similar to Pride in some respects? Or am I misremembering? This is one of the big mysteries of the series for me (the cosmology of the Gate and alchemy itself, I mean).

I'd agree that Raven was probably a pawn. As for Father's goal, I personally hope it isn't just to create an Uber Philosopher's Stone. We've been dealing with those for almost the entire series and with the discovery of how they're made as well as their use in the humonculus, they aren't really a theme anymore. I think it would be much more interesting if Father actually wanted to transmute the entire country. I have no idea why or into what, but that's what I'd be eager for Arakawa to reveal.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Well, in order to do that, he'd need to transmute the entire country anyway. The Philosopher's Stone isn't so much interesting in and of itself as what it is used for, and that is where the plot thickens.[/spoiler]

[MasterDias]

[spoiler]I had forgotton about that person behind the gate. I am intrigued by him/it as well.

Depending on how things go, I would imagine Riza would at least attempt to get a message to Mustang somehow...since fighting Pride is certainly out of the question
[/spoiler]

[Mave]

[spoiler]I had forgotton about that person behind the gate. I am intrigued by him/it as well.

Depending on how things go, I would imagine Riza would at least attempt to get a message to Mustang somehow...since fighting Pride is certainly out of the question
[/spoiler]

[spoiler=alright fine, I'll use the spoiler box]Assuming she survives this conversation. I wonder if he'll kill her or incapitate her somehow (he certainly is capable of that, I'm sure but I doubt that he wants to create any unnecessary commotion --> "Fuhrer's secretary gone missing/mauled to death")

Don't you just hate it when the most vilest creatures come in the most innocent/ sweetest looking form?[/spoiler]

[the_wolfs_howl]

[spoiler=alright fine, I'll use the spoiler box]Assuming she survives this conversation. I wonder if he'll kill her or incapitate her somehow (he certainly is capable of that, I'm sure but I doubt that he wants to create any unnecessary commotion --> "Fuhrer's secretary gone missing/mauled to death")

Don't you just hate it when the most vilest creatures come in the most innocent/ sweetest looking form?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Somehow, I doubt he'd kill her. If he did, Mustang would probably resist, and they seem to need/want him as a "human sacrifice". Also, Hawkeye is their hostage, and of what use is a dead hostage? (I feel like I've read or heard that phrase somewhere before.) Without Hawkeye, Mustang wouldn't have as much reason to keep quiet and do what they want. If Hawkeye stays alive, however, they can still threaten him.

Note: I'm basically just saying this to reassure myself that Hawkeye's gonna live through the next chapter. I can never tell if Arakawa's going to kill someone or not. In Chapter 39 (I think that's the right one) I was petrified that Mustang was dead. I really believed he was. So, hopefully Arakawa will keep Hawkeye alive. [/spoiler]

[Fish and Chips]

Well now, it looks like today would be Hiromu Arakawa's birthday. She'll be 34 by the afterparty.

LaChaim.