Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 19

[openbook booknumber=”9781421525686″][rating:5/5]
In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical “auto-mail” limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother’s bodies… the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.
Ed’s clever plan to take out an enemy leaves him severely injured… Can he cheat death? One of our friends discovers the ironic secret behind Scar’s brother’s transmutation notes. And Major General Armstrong meets with evil homunculus President Bradley. Whose side is she on again…?
Plus, the disturbing origin of Ed and Al’s immortal father finally revealed!
Wow, holy back story, Batman! We get some serious history on the fall of the city of Cselkcess and some very awesome implications for what that means for the history of alchemy as a whole. I love how all these pieces are falling into place and it shows that Arakawa has been planning a lot of the story from the beginning and it is totally awesome to see it all come into play bit by bit as this story unfolds. I also really like the use of Jewish mythology, and Kabbalah, as symbols and metaphors to help explain the roots of various parts of alchemy. It ends up working out really well and giving real depth and meaning to the “science” behind the world built here.