Pride Gluttony, Ed does what needs doing, and the oh so very creepy zombie attack of Fullmetal Alchemist. Man this story keeps getting crazier and crazier. It's fascinating to me to see how some loyalties shift from what you believed you knew and some just keep getting better/worse all the while.

Per volume thoughts (potentially spoilery):

Chapter 88: The Understanding



You know, it's totally true. And pretty badass of Ed to do what he did there.

Chapter 89: Soldiers' Return



ICE CREAM! Every once in a while this story is just really surreal.

Chapter 90: Army of Immortals



Youn women... That's kind of gross Van Hohenheim.

Chapter 91: A Reunion of Alchemists



So matter of factly. Ate him. And Kimblee barely even bats an eye.



The Elrics both be crazy, yo.



MAY FIGHT SCENE!

TINY. BUT. FIERCE.



SMOOT. That is all.

Volume 22: Extras



It kind of makes sense. Other than a few words, did anything really change when Pride ate Gluttony? ( )

I think we're supposed to be surprised when Arakawa brings back characters who haven't appeared in several volumes, but since she always brings back characters -- no matter how obscure or trivial to the series -- it loses a lot of the shock. I mean we have over 40 characters popping up in this volume alone. The sheer size of the cast continues to grind me down as all these extras steal screen time from the core characters, but Arakawa excels at character moments, so these little throwaway bits feel worthwhile even as the accumulation becomes excessive.

The final battle has a few false starts but is beginning to gather momentum by the end of the book, though the casualties so far are limited to minor side characters.

Speaking of minor side characters, at this point, Olivier Mira Armstrong has quickly risen from that status to pretty much stealing this book away from the Elric Brothers at this point. Any chance for a reboot starring her? ( )

Another thrilling volume of FMA. You can really see the pieces fall into place for the final battle. Arakawa's worldbuilding and storytelling skills continue to be top-notch. I am very excited for a lot of the sub-plots going on, especially the one concerning Mustang and his gang (and someone who shows up half-way to aid them and will no doubt excite all of his fans with his arrival). ( )

Fun installment, and I really enjoyed the parts with Colonel Mustang and Major General Armstrong. However, I didn't like the bits with the army of dolls... the art on that part (while consistent with the series) was just on the gross side for me. Still, this is definitely a needed book as far as plot progression goes. ( )

In Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 22 by Hiromu Arakawa through the end at Volume 27 will be nothing but woosh bang battles. It's the final show down in Central over the fate of Amestris.

Al has Pride more or less under control but he has to contend with the brat now having absorbed Gluttony's power. That cannibalism has been a running theme throughout the series, but in these final volumes it seems to dominate.

Back in Central, below the compound, Chekhov's gun, in the form of those hanging doll creatures, has been fired. They are somewhere between zombies and golems. They are also quick, hungry, and out for blood. They aren't the easily controlled army their creators had hoped for.

Although I knew this big showdown had to happen, I miss the quieter, more episodic volumes from earlier in the series. These multiple page fighting sequences, while certainly part of the genre, bore me to tears. They are filler to stretch out a series when it's coming to its natural close. ( )