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鋼の錬金術師 [Hagane no Renkinjutsushi] #25
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 25
Edición argentina, tomo 25.
185 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2010
About the author
Hiromu Arakawa
343 books2,951 followersHiromu Arakawa (author: 荒川弘) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no renkinjutsushi).
Her real name is Hiromi Arakawa (荒川弘美).
Arakawa was born and raised on a dairy farm in Hokkaidō.
She thought of being a manga artist since she was little. After graduating high school, she took oil painting classes while working on her family's farm. During that time, she also created dōjinshi manga with her friends and drew yonkoma for a magazine. After eight years she moved to Tōkyō and started out as assistant writer for Hiroyuki Etō.
Her debut as manga artist is in 1999 with STRAY DOG. In 2001 she started working on her famous and award winning series Fullmetal Alchemist, that soon gets a successful anime adaptation.
Other works include Silver Spoon (銀の匙 Silver Spoon, Gin no saji Silver Spoon).
Her real name is Hiromi Arakawa (荒川弘美).
Arakawa was born and raised on a dairy farm in Hokkaidō.
She thought of being a manga artist since she was little. After graduating high school, she took oil painting classes while working on her family's farm. During that time, she also created dōjinshi manga with her friends and drew yonkoma for a magazine. After eight years she moved to Tōkyō and started out as assistant writer for Hiroyuki Etō.
Her debut as manga artist is in 1999 with STRAY DOG. In 2001 she started working on her famous and award winning series Fullmetal Alchemist, that soon gets a successful anime adaptation.
Other works include Silver Spoon (銀の匙 Silver Spoon, Gin no saji Silver Spoon).
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June 29, 2024Another volume I'm going to only review and not rate, and the third time I almost drop the series and throw my Kindle outta the window. The most serious one, in fact, as my Cub had to walk me through it after arguing for me to please not abandon FMA so close to the ending, and trust Arakawa to handle it in a way I'll eventually agree with.
Well, I don't trust Arakawa, but I trust my Cub. So here I am, dejectedly and masochistically finishing this volume with my engines at below half-tank and with less enthusiasm than is usual in me.
What happened here that had me in this state? Of course I can't tell you because it's one BIG spoiler, so if you're dying to find out, you'll have to read this or look for the spoiler elsewhere. All I'm going to say is that it involves my favourite character. Oh, and that I want the remaining Sins to suffer, screw all the thematic exploration of revenge, and suffer badly.
On a non-spoilery tangent, I'm a bit baffled at where May Chang gets her power from exactly. I get that she's a child and doesn't know the meaning of fear, and she has explained how her country's alchemy works, but . . . isn't she a wee bit overpowered for her age? Or is Xing's type of alchemy really this super-duper different and more powerful than conventional alchemy? I can never tell. Scar explains it a bit more, but he's an adult, with a long experience in combat, so in his case it's understandable and more credible. I hope I'll understand May's case a bit more by the end, or maybe in hindsight, putting together the small pieces I might've overlooked.
In any case, the fight sequence with Pride and both Task Force Mustang and Task Force Elric was confusing! I had to ask a few questions, and almost begged my Cub for spoilers because I was lost in the action, good for me that he's a wise one and knows when to tell me to keep reading. At one point, I was tricked into thinking Wrath would rebel like Greed did (wouldn't that have been cheer-worthy?) and had battled Pride. Too bad that didn't happen, it really would've been quite the turned tables, because nothing so far even hinted at the possibility of Wrath rebelling (well, there's a conversation he had with Greed that, to me, was a hint, but that's me and my hyperactive imagination).
And the ending of the volume! Scar's redemption circle is complete: he's gone from using Destruction alchemy to Restoration alchemy, and this clash with Wrath promises to be one of the best (fingers crossed).
Now that I'm only 2 volumes away from the ending, I can confidently say that, whilst I don't dislike him, I'm not much of a fan of Edward myself. I like his brother more. Poor Alphonse, making such difficult decisions in the blink of an eye, and yet he never hesitates even when he's finally attained what he's fought for all this time yet has to give up to help those he loves. To me, he's the better Elric, you can sense in him the gentleness of Trisha that Edward didn't inherit.
Well, I don't trust Arakawa, but I trust my Cub. So here I am, dejectedly and masochistically finishing this volume with my engines at below half-tank and with less enthusiasm than is usual in me.
What happened here that had me in this state? Of course I can't tell you because it's one BIG spoiler, so if you're dying to find out, you'll have to read this or look for the spoiler elsewhere. All I'm going to say is that it involves my favourite character. Oh, and that I want the remaining Sins to suffer, screw all the thematic exploration of revenge, and suffer badly.
On a non-spoilery tangent, I'm a bit baffled at where May Chang gets her power from exactly. I get that she's a child and doesn't know the meaning of fear, and she has explained how her country's alchemy works, but . . . isn't she a wee bit overpowered for her age? Or is Xing's type of alchemy really this super-duper different and more powerful than conventional alchemy? I can never tell. Scar explains it a bit more, but he's an adult, with a long experience in combat, so in his case it's understandable and more credible. I hope I'll understand May's case a bit more by the end, or maybe in hindsight, putting together the small pieces I might've overlooked.
In any case, the fight sequence with Pride and both Task Force Mustang and Task Force Elric was confusing! I had to ask a few questions, and almost begged my Cub for spoilers because I was lost in the action, good for me that he's a wise one and knows when to tell me to keep reading. At one point, I was tricked into thinking Wrath would rebel like Greed did (wouldn't that have been cheer-worthy?) and had battled Pride. Too bad that didn't happen, it really would've been quite the turned tables, because nothing so far even hinted at the possibility of Wrath rebelling (well, there's a conversation he had with Greed that, to me, was a hint, but that's me and my hyperactive imagination).
And the ending of the volume! Scar's redemption circle is complete: he's gone from using Destruction alchemy to Restoration alchemy, and this clash with Wrath promises to be one of the best (fingers crossed).
Now that I'm only 2 volumes away from the ending, I can confidently say that, whilst I don't dislike him, I'm not much of a fan of Edward myself. I like his brother more. Poor Alphonse, making such difficult decisions in the blink of an eye, and yet he never hesitates even when he's finally attained what he's fought for all this time yet has to give up to help those he loves. To me, he's the better Elric, you can sense in him the gentleness of Trisha that Edward didn't inherit.
August 30, 2010
I was going to write a lengthy character-by-character analysis of the entire series, and then I decided there was a better way to put it.
There are stories that change lives. They present us with such vibrant characters, such compelling plots, such memorable concepts that they stay with us forever. They engage us, make us feel as if we live in the world they present. They inspire us- and above all else, they make us ask ourselves questions.
Fullmetal Alchemist is one such story.
The questions it poses are fundamental ones: What is the nature of humanity? Of God? What is unforgivable, and for what sins can one be redeemed? What makes a good leader, and a true hero? Why do we need each and every one of our own flaws?
There is no doubt in my mind that this series is a touchstone I will return to again and again in future, especially when it comes to writing- not to borrow concepts but to remind myself of what a truly well-crafted story looks like. There are a few aspects that bear mentioning here as things Arakawa did exceptionally well: Subtle romance that supported and played into but did not take over the plot, the consequences of hubris, the 'ethics' of war, the idea that just because someone atones for a crime doesn't mean they'll get off free, and the sacrifice that comes with every triumph. The ending of the series, while tidy and a well-done denoument, wasn't perfect for everyone, and didn't assure the reader that they would always get what they wanted. That's fine. It left me, personally, with the feeling that I have seen a brief snapshot of the world, a short section of a long timeline, and that it will continue forwards outside of the story I know. Or rather, if I rephrase- this is not a world that centers around this story. It is a story that takes place in this world, and changes it and is changed in turn.
There are stories that change lives. They present us with such vibrant characters, such compelling plots, such memorable concepts that they stay with us forever. They engage us, make us feel as if we live in the world they present. They inspire us- and above all else, they make us ask ourselves questions.
Fullmetal Alchemist is one such story.
The questions it poses are fundamental ones: What is the nature of humanity? Of God? What is unforgivable, and for what sins can one be redeemed? What makes a good leader, and a true hero? Why do we need each and every one of our own flaws?
There is no doubt in my mind that this series is a touchstone I will return to again and again in future, especially when it comes to writing- not to borrow concepts but to remind myself of what a truly well-crafted story looks like. There are a few aspects that bear mentioning here as things Arakawa did exceptionally well: Subtle romance that supported and played into but did not take over the plot, the consequences of hubris, the 'ethics' of war, the idea that just because someone atones for a crime doesn't mean they'll get off free, and the sacrifice that comes with every triumph. The ending of the series, while tidy and a well-done denoument, wasn't perfect for everyone, and didn't assure the reader that they would always get what they wanted. That's fine. It left me, personally, with the feeling that I have seen a brief snapshot of the world, a short section of a long timeline, and that it will continue forwards outside of the story I know. Or rather, if I rephrase- this is not a world that centers around this story. It is a story that takes place in this world, and changes it and is changed in turn.
February 8, 2012
Just when you think you couldn't love Al more, he does the sort of thing he does in this volume, and you do.
August 7, 2017
OKAY well there was a moment in this one that left me pretty damn devastated because it was absolutely brutal. I'm powering through this manga... it's impossible to stop reading at this point because SO MUCH IS HAPPENING and I'm on edge and I need to know how it's gonna end!
May 7, 2022
4.5
"I'm off to a new place, somewhere even higher than the peak of Briggs. See you all...later".
Yo ya no siento ni padezco. Necesito acabarlo ya. Me queda nada. En el último tomo haré la reseña final. Estoy en ascuas.
"I'm off to a new place, somewhere even higher than the peak of Briggs. See you all...later".
Yo ya no siento ni padezco. Necesito acabarlo ya. Me queda nada. En el último tomo haré la reseña final. Estoy en ascuas.
June 8, 2020
4.5 of 5 stars
June 1, 2026
sério, estou entrando em estado de loucura!!!!!!
que série foda!!! que personagens incríveis!!!! mustang e riza estão me deixando DOENTE com as interações deles!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
que série foda!!! que personagens incríveis!!!! mustang e riza estão me deixando DOENTE com as interações deles!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
June 19, 2021
This was an intense volume and we enter the endgame as people are being transported to the realm of the Homunculi and as he tells them their plans, big things happen to Roy and Al and the moment with Al was so emotional ahh! Plus the fight between Bradley/Wrath and Scar is happening and its just pure action and its just well epic! The eclipse is approaching and I love how sensei is able to create so much tension and drama and accelerate the fights and its all paying off and the art is just spectacular!
September 9, 2024
- the bong between armstrong and her men like the bond between mustang and his team is truly amazing. the "father" with his creations could never aspire to have something like that.
- holy shit, mustang!
- Al has always been one to put other people's needs above his own needs and wants, and my heart breaks for him
- holy shit, mustang!
- Al has always been one to put other people's needs above his own needs and wants, and my heart breaks for him
January 23, 2021
stupid manga keeps making me cry
March 21, 2021
Still giving secondary characters the spotlight for the big battles, but this time they are the ones I don't much care about, like Roy Mustang, Scar, and May Chang. Edward Elric manages to show up for a few panels, but at this point he is less the title character and more one of three dozen characters fighting for screen time in this ensemble show.
My worry now: How will this possibly wrap up in just two volumes in any sort of satisfying way? Maybe finish the battle next time and then give us a whole volume of epilogue?
My worry now: How will this possibly wrap up in just two volumes in any sort of satisfying way? Maybe finish the battle next time and then give us a whole volume of epilogue?
April 15, 2011
This. Was. Bloody. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 26, 2016
NO, MUSTANG, MY BB!!!!
June 30, 2022
Alphonse is too pure for this world.
March 24, 2025
...The way the price for human transmutation reflects each alchemist's desires is so good it's sickening.
And AL. 😭
And AL. 😭
July 27, 2022
I'll be honest and say I did not like this volume (though I LOVED the final few pages).
That is not to say it wasn't well-written or very good, but the angst I felt and the sadness of some special comrades dying and/or getting seriously injured was really really hard. I have never liked reading character deaths in general, but with everything these characters have gone though it was overwhelming. This is one of the few series where I have really loved almost the entire cast and never expected I would feel so attached to even SIDE characters and be deeply upset to see such tragedy.
The hardest scene that made me tear up though was that scene with Al. *sobs* I'm at a loss of words because the sacrifice he made in that moment was one I don't know if I would have been able to. You can see AND hear the longing he has and how he knows exactly what he is doing. He truly shines so incredibly much and just emotional thinking about that scene.
I really enjoyed the final part of this story because I really enjoyed seeing Scar in a specific battle. There is a HUGE surprise and was so taken aback that I had to reread it to make sure I read it right! Ha! It was was an awesome way to end this volume and really uplifted my heart, especially in light of what happens to Roy…
My heart felt SO very heavy what happens and feel like so many of these characters deserve justice for what has happened to them by the hands of the villain.
I don't know what's going to happen next, but man am I scared for these characters! Please don't wreck me mangaka, please please please don't wreck me...
That is not to say it wasn't well-written or very good, but the angst I felt and the sadness of some special comrades dying and/or getting seriously injured was really really hard. I have never liked reading character deaths in general, but with everything these characters have gone though it was overwhelming. This is one of the few series where I have really loved almost the entire cast and never expected I would feel so attached to even SIDE characters and be deeply upset to see such tragedy.
The hardest scene that made me tear up though was that scene with Al. *sobs* I'm at a loss of words because the sacrifice he made in that moment was one I don't know if I would have been able to. You can see AND hear the longing he has and how he knows exactly what he is doing. He truly shines so incredibly much and just emotional thinking about that scene.
I really enjoyed the final part of this story because I really enjoyed seeing Scar in a specific battle. There is a HUGE surprise and was so taken aback that I had to reread it to make sure I read it right! Ha! It was was an awesome way to end this volume and really uplifted my heart, especially in light of what happens to Roy…
My heart felt SO very heavy what happens and feel like so many of these characters deserve justice for what has happened to them by the hands of the villain.
I don't know what's going to happen next, but man am I scared for these characters! Please don't wreck me mangaka, please please please don't wreck me...
November 25, 2018
Volume 25. I have to pause for a bit... I just can't take all of the epic things which are happening in this book: the action, the drama, the moral difference between humans and the homunculi, all these things are executed in a perfect narrative, thanks to Arakawa's undeniably fantastic writing and art.
I was so engrossed reading and savoring every moment in FMA, yet at almost every page, surprises still come in. I was always at the moment, 100 percent in for the ride. That is how affective this manga is.
I was so engrossed reading and savoring every moment in FMA, yet at almost every page, surprises still come in. I was always at the moment, 100 percent in for the ride. That is how affective this manga is.
June 2, 2024
pensando muito que tiveram que literalmente obrigar o mustang... mas tbm penso que ele teria tentado sim trazer a riza de volta rs
October 19, 2026
i'm going crazy.
(4,5/5)
(4,5/5)
October 27, 2020
For so long, I’ve wanted nothing more than to get my real body back!!! But now.. now... It’s not the time.
PEROLARECONCHADESUMADRE QUE BRONCA ESTA ES MI CARA CUANDO QUE BRONCA TIME TO FVCKING CRY
PEROLARECONCHADESUMADRE QUE BRONCA ESTA ES MI CARA CUANDO QUE BRONCA TIME TO FVCKING CRY
October 1, 2021
Some terrifying consequences to unwanted events make this another exciting volume. Everyone is forced to make last-second life-changing decisions if they are to stop Father from achieving his goal.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
December 20, 2010
It's hard to believe this series is ending in the next two volumes. No no no, don't go! And yet it is ending with all the gusto and class that befits such a game changing series such as Full Metal Alchemist. As the focus of the war in Central City literally goes underground, there is a lot of character-driven action including a rather amazing and in character Roy/Riza moment for those who like that sort of thing (i.e. me myself and I). Roy himself gets a lot of scenes as does the Fuhrer, Lin, and even Al, who has to make a hard decision and faces an unlikely person in the process - himself. Also, the Fuhrer is really kicking ass this volume N-not that it's a good thing, but his fighting scenes are fast-paced and are some of the best in the whole series. The cliffhanger for this book has me itching for volume 26, albeit reluctantly since the end is so very very nigh. But one thing's for sure: it's gonna be awesome.
One caveat: something happens to Roy in this volume (won't say what but it's a rather big 'something') that will have major implications on the rest of the series unless Arakawa can handle it with some form of respect. I'm looking forward to how she writes post-25!Roy from this point on, all things considered.
One caveat: something happens to Roy in this volume (won't say what but it's a rather big 'something') that will have major implications on the rest of the series unless Arakawa can handle it with some form of respect. I'm looking forward to how she writes post-25!Roy from this point on, all things considered.
May 22, 2019
A lot of emotional stakes in this one, great catharsis as several of the main characters complete their arcs. Roy is given an offer he cannot refuse and finds a way to refuse anyway, Ling realizes that just because you're immortal doesn't mean you can share it with your loved ones, Scar finally commits in full to the skills and talents his people and faith have decreed heretical - and Alphonse, poor Alphonse finally attains what he's been searching for this entire series, and yet he's found more important matters to take care of by now, and so he gives it up. Great realizations, great growth, and as always with these things, no happiness for anyone.
With their minds purged and their journeys complete, the stage is now set for the bodily climax. It's going to be one hell of an ordeal.
With their minds purged and their journeys complete, the stage is now set for the bodily climax. It's going to be one hell of an ordeal.
December 29, 2016
I almost started crying in like 5 different spots throughout this volume, it was so emotional. That shows how awesome it is, yes? XD 5 freaking stars! I love this thing!
February 16, 2017
It's 5:30 in the morning and I need to sleep but also I need to finish this series.
February 13, 2021
Really amazing artwork in this volume.
October 16, 2020
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 25 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next four chapters (100–103) of the on-going manga series.
In the battle against Briggs resistance, Bradley falls into the moat. In order to honor Buccaneer and Fu for their sacrifice, Lin Yao and Greed decide to join forces with the resistance to stop Father's subordinates.
Meanwhile in Father's base, one of his men cuts Riza Hawkeye's throat to persuade Roy Mustang to transmutate her. However, the chimeras and May Chang intervene and help Mustang heal Hawkeye. Seeing that Mustang will not perform Human Transmutation, Bradley and Pride ambush Mustang to force him to perform one against his will, causing him to lose his eyesight in the process.
Due to the transmutation circle that moves the Elrics and Izumi Curtis to the place where Father and Van Hohenheim are, Alphonse Elric manages to find his real body in the Gate of Truth, but refuses to recover it now as it has become so weak that it would not help him fight the homunculi. Therefore, he reappears in his armor in the bottom of Father's base.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The final battle approaches as the Elric Brothers, Izumi Curtis, and Van Hohenheim are battling against Father before the Gate of Truth. In the chaos, Alphonse Elric decides against reclaiming his body as it has been weakened by disuse and appears ready to fight in his armor. Meanwhile, while fighting Bradley, Roy Mustang loses his eyesight, because he was forced to perform a human transmutation.
All in all, Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 25 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
In the battle against Briggs resistance, Bradley falls into the moat. In order to honor Buccaneer and Fu for their sacrifice, Lin Yao and Greed decide to join forces with the resistance to stop Father's subordinates.
Meanwhile in Father's base, one of his men cuts Riza Hawkeye's throat to persuade Roy Mustang to transmutate her. However, the chimeras and May Chang intervene and help Mustang heal Hawkeye. Seeing that Mustang will not perform Human Transmutation, Bradley and Pride ambush Mustang to force him to perform one against his will, causing him to lose his eyesight in the process.
Due to the transmutation circle that moves the Elrics and Izumi Curtis to the place where Father and Van Hohenheim are, Alphonse Elric manages to find his real body in the Gate of Truth, but refuses to recover it now as it has become so weak that it would not help him fight the homunculi. Therefore, he reappears in his armor in the bottom of Father's base.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The final battle approaches as the Elric Brothers, Izumi Curtis, and Van Hohenheim are battling against Father before the Gate of Truth. In the chaos, Alphonse Elric decides against reclaiming his body as it has been weakened by disuse and appears ready to fight in his armor. Meanwhile, while fighting Bradley, Roy Mustang loses his eyesight, because he was forced to perform a human transmutation.
All in all, Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 25 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.
October 22, 2022
This is better. Don't get me wrong, I am loving these books and I love how intricate the plot and characters are, but I think arakawa overextended and overstepped the number of characters just a bit. Books 15-20 really started dragging and as cool as some of the characters were, it just started being too many moving parts. I hate saying that, because I love lots of moving parts (it's one of the reasons why I love daredevil s1 so much!) but too much in not enough time is just overwhelming. Like Hawkeye and mustang disappeared off the map for a good quarter of the series, and they're supposed to be some of the main characters. Arakawa had to kind of throw away a lot of the main characters to expand her epic, and that was a bit frustrating for me. So to have this volume come back to the central characters was nice.
My other gripe is that while it's great to have the story be about the main characters again, I feel like the final chapter of this epic is being wrapped up too quickly and the character arcs of the main characters are being squished a bit for time reasons. I found mustang's resolution about Hughes to be....okay? But too fast. Same with Al's choice to get his body back (though maybe there's more coming, idk).
But SPOILER I do really really REALLY love that mustang refused to open the portal. When Hawkeye got stabbed I was like "oh boy, here we go," but when he refused to be threatened I was really pleasantly surprised and I think it matched his character well.
My other gripe is that while it's great to have the story be about the main characters again, I feel like the final chapter of this epic is being wrapped up too quickly and the character arcs of the main characters are being squished a bit for time reasons. I found mustang's resolution about Hughes to be....okay? But too fast. Same with Al's choice to get his body back (though maybe there's more coming, idk).
But SPOILER I do really really REALLY love that mustang refused to open the portal. When Hawkeye got stabbed I was like "oh boy, here we go," but when he refused to be threatened I was really pleasantly surprised and I think it matched his character well.
February 2, 2020
FMA me ha enseñado dos cosas: lo que es una buena narración visual de escenas de acción, con viñetas que ilustran perfectamente la velocidad e intensidad de las batallas, y dibujos que dan siempre la información necesaria para que el lector se entere; por otro lado, la obra muestra lo que pasaría más a menudo si el shonnen no se atara tanto a sus convencionalismos ni a sus exigencias productivas. Aunque FMA no es una obra especialmente rompedora como otras que he visto o leído últimamente, no lo necesita para nada. Se aleja de los tópicos de su género lo suficiente como para ser simplemente una muy buena historia de aventuras y fantasía, con los temas y elementos que a la autora le dio la gana, sin la necesidad de resultar atractivo al joven lector, y llevados todos ellos con perfecto pulso. Poco más que talento y libertad se necesitan para que un artista haga bien su trabajo.
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