dayofthetabi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
julesanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mordecai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
exlibrisbitsy's review against another edition
5.0
Confrontation! If volume 11 was going to have a one word title that would be it. This entire volume in the Fullmetal Alchemist series deals with various characters finally confronting some demons whether real, imagined, imminent or distant. Edward confronts his father on abandoning him, his mother and his younger brother ten years ago. His father confronts Edward about the human transmutation he attempted and Ed and Al’s decision to burn down the house. Colonel Mustang and his officers confront the reality of Havoc’s paralysis from the waist down. Al confronts the possible loss of his metal body once it eventually rejects his soul and the brothers both confront the reality of what they really brought back from the other side when they attempted to transmute their mother back to life. Finally the brothers prepare to confront Scar, determined that no one else will be hurt in their quest to get their original bodies back.
I love the art in this one just because so much in these scenes are shown and not said, whether through body language or facial expression. More is hinted at by frame layout and the arrangement of characters within those frames than is said aloud. This is a volume that has a vivid, layered and emotionally complex story to tell, and that needs to presented with both the written word and the art working together as one whole. It is pulled off in this volume wonderfully. There were moments when the posture of a character or the look on their face stopped me cold and I felt like I was really in the story experiencing it with them.
My only two small complaints was in the English translation I was reading they rearranged where the words were for two frames of speech bubbles and that made two people swap what they were saying so I was confused about who said what when it was referenced later as being the other way around. There was also one other typo where a word was omitted (but space was left for it) that was kind of jolting. Not the fault of Arakawa, just the fault of the translators, lettering folks and touch up artists state side. Normally they do such an amazing job (not just translating the work over to English but also reworking it with common slang and cadence that really reaches out to an American audience) that missteps like this stick out all the more when a mistake is finally made.
I love the art in this one just because so much in these scenes are shown and not said, whether through body language or facial expression. More is hinted at by frame layout and the arrangement of characters within those frames than is said aloud. This is a volume that has a vivid, layered and emotionally complex story to tell, and that needs to presented with both the written word and the art working together as one whole. It is pulled off in this volume wonderfully. There were moments when the posture of a character or the look on their face stopped me cold and I felt like I was really in the story experiencing it with them.
My only two small complaints was in the English translation I was reading they rearranged where the words were for two frames of speech bubbles and that made two people swap what they were saying so I was confused about who said what when it was referenced later as being the other way around. There was also one other typo where a word was omitted (but space was left for it) that was kind of jolting. Not the fault of Arakawa, just the fault of the translators, lettering folks and touch up artists state side. Normally they do such an amazing job (not just translating the work over to English but also reworking it with common slang and cadence that really reaches out to an American audience) that missteps like this stick out all the more when a mistake is finally made.
bdesmond's review against another edition
4.0
I am finally back on the train with FMA, and I have this new translation to thank for that. The translation I was reading for the few volumes before this was abysmal, and totally ripped me out of the story. This one is much, much better and has reignited my enthusiasm for the story. Hopefully I've shaken off the stall.
This volume dives more into the background of what happened to Edward and Alphonse's bodies, as the boys make a discovery that leads to the conclusion that they can get Al's body back; that none of this has been for naught. The end of volume 10 ends with a surprising appearance from a character I wanted to see for a bit, and he actually catalyzes Ed's discovery, thus providing the boys this information. Though, his visit does end in a rather foreboding manner..
I'm back in the swing of things and ready to go with volume 12; this one ended right in the middle of some action.
This volume dives more into the background of what happened to Edward and Alphonse's bodies, as the boys make a discovery that leads to the conclusion that they can get Al's body back; that none of this has been for naught. The end of volume 10 ends with a surprising appearance from a character I wanted to see for a bit, and he actually catalyzes Ed's discovery, thus providing the boys this information. Though, his visit does end in a rather foreboding manner..
I'm back in the swing of things and ready to go with volume 12; this one ended right in the middle of some action.
sangloup's review against another edition
5.0
Book #157 of the year 2020.
After his runin with is father, Ed decides to learn the truth about the night they brough their mother back. The knowledge blows his mind. Scar makes a come back and Ed decides to lure him out with the help of the prince.
After his runin with is father, Ed decides to learn the truth about the night they brough their mother back. The knowledge blows his mind. Scar makes a come back and Ed decides to lure him out with the help of the prince.
kverity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The reveals keep coming. I’m enjoying how the plot points are starting to intertwine. Plus, the reveal about the transmutation process was a big twist!