Ooooh my. A human traitor, a Homunculus rendered ... cute?, the fated meetings of Rose and Winry and Van Hohenheim and his children, a whole manufactored army (because of course) ... and the Armstrongs. Oh the Armstrongs. Things just keep escalating step by step. We're really getting into the endgame now!

Potential spoilers:

Chapter 79: Bug Bite



Kimblee is ... quite the character. I do not understand his motivations. But man, for the most human of the villains... he's also perhaps the most terrible.

Chapter 80: The Prodigal Father Returns



It's sort of cute! And now ... a perfect host?



Because everyone loves Yoki. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.



So... they have Cinderella in this world? That was midly surprising. And the interpretation of 'reverse Cinderella` is actually quite amusing.



Oh my. That got quickly terrifying.

Chapter 81: A Full Recovery



Rose and Winry meet up! I ... have no idea what Rose's motivations are or if she'll stick around much, but I'm curious to see what's next for this.



And I didn't think it could get even worse.

It got worse.

Chapter 82: Family by Spirit Chapter 83: The Promised Day

One of these is very short.



Subtle, Ed isn't.



THIS CHARACTER HAS CONFLICT. WE HAVE TO MAKE IT OBVIOUS BY YELLING.

More seriously, the Lin/



The Armstrongs are such a weird complicated family. And so very shiny.



... she's so crazy. It's awesome. But crazy.

Volume 20 Extras



I just had to share this. For much the same reason the author had to in the extras. ( )

Arakawa has trouble letting go of characters. More than 40 are crammed into this slim little manga by mention, cameo, or full appearance. That's a cast list I would expect from the finale of a DC or Marvel crossover event, not a middle volume of a fantasy adventure series.

Needless to say, there is a lot of work done in this volume to get everyone in place for the endgame, which is going to fill the final seven volumes apparently. It's all pretty exciting for set-up, though I'd be more impressed with the intricacy of Arakawa's plot if it weren't for an over-reliance on coincidence to move things along.

Since Arakawa is merciless in killing people off, I predict the final books will have many fewer characters for me to count and fret over . . . and now that has me worried . . . ( )

We are now approaching the beginning of the end. The good guys have regained their footing and are starting a counter strike that is going to lead us right through the finale. Ed proves that he is a total bad ass. Again. Al meets up with someone from his past and gets some much needed answers concerning the history of the homunculi. And, speaking of the homunculi, some major things happen within their ranks as well. The humor is back and things start to take a much more positive spin as people realize they can bond together and with hard work can overcome their difficulties no matter how outnumbered or outmatched they are.

The last few pages set a fantastic note for the ending of the series (though I realize that is still several volumes away) and human wit, stubbornness, and sheer nerve prove to be a very powerful combination when coming up against an immortal enemy that has been plotting the human's downfall for centuries. Though the homunculi still have some truly terrifying cards up their sleeve that might prove to be more formidable than the humans are prepared to deal with. We will just have to see.

This novel manages to change the entire tone of the series from one of fear on the run from a foe with supernatural means and horrific ends to a new one of hope against impossible odds. Whether or not they prove to be successful in overcoming the homunculi, and maybe even getting Ed's and Al's bodies back into the bargain, remains to be seen. ( )