Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)/Fridge: Difference between revisions

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* In Brotherhood, why are the Elrics' old family photos in color? Color photography was already been ''invented'' by the start date of the events of the story, but you'd hardly expect ALL the photos, including Ed & Al as babies, to be in color, especially coming from a small town like Resembool...
* In Brotherhood, why are the Elrics' old family photos in color? Color photography was already been ''invented'' by the start date of the events of the story, but you'd hardly expect ALL the photos, including Ed & Al as babies, to be in color, especially coming from a small town like Resembool...
** The series has even huger examples of [[Schizo-Tech]] compared to the real world circa 1914 (such as the lack of aircraft but presence of super-advanced prosthetics); it's entirely probable that color photography was invented somewhat earlier in the FMA universe, or even uses a completely different process that came about much more intuitively because of the presence of the alchemy paradigm in place of the real-world hard science paradigm.
** The series has even huger examples of [[Schizo-Tech]] compared to the real world circa 1914 (such as the lack of aircraft but presence of super-advanced prosthetics); it's entirely probable that color photography was invented somewhat earlier in the FMA universe, or even uses a completely different process that came about much more intuitively because of the presence of the alchemy paradigm in place of the real-world hard science paradigm.
* I had one with the character of Ling in the ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' manga. Being familiar with Vash of [[Trigun]] and Hei's Li persona in ''[[Darker Than Black]]'', the idea of a [[Big Eater]] character with [[Eyes Always Shut]] and [[Obfuscating Stupidity]] is kind of old. Then, I realized that his appetite, coupled with his desire for immortality and power, is clever foreshadowing to him becoming the new Greed. ---[[User:Jordan]]
* I had one with the character of Ling in the ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' manga. Being familiar with Vash of [[Trigun]] and Hei's Li persona in ''[[Darker than Black]]'', the idea of a [[Big Eater]] character with [[Eyes Always Shut]] and [[Obfuscating Stupidity]] is kind of old. Then, I realized that his appetite, coupled with his desire for immortality and power, is clever foreshadowing to him becoming the new Greed. ---[[User:Jordan]]
** Similarly, in one of the first episodes of both series, Ed sits in a church, announcing his disbelief, and explains that humans are made up of common elements which could be purchased "with a child's pocket money." At first thought, this seems to just be a declaration of how inexpensive it is, but the brilliant part was that he wasn't speaking metaphorically, he was speaking from experience. It was a stealth confession. I had thought I had seen someone else mention it on tvtropes but a quick search revealed nothing. -- [[User:Karpad]]
** Similarly, in one of the first episodes of both series, Ed sits in a church, announcing his disbelief, and explains that humans are made up of common elements which could be purchased "with a child's pocket money." At first thought, this seems to just be a declaration of how inexpensive it is, but the brilliant part was that he wasn't speaking metaphorically, he was speaking from experience. It was a stealth confession. I had thought I had seen someone else mention it on tvtropes but a quick search revealed nothing. -- [[User:Karpad]]
*** Seemingly nodded to again in the second ending of the second anime, which shows Ed and Al (who look to be the same age as they are in flashbacks to their human transmutation attempt) happily plunking down a fistul of change on the counter at a store and carrying home big paper bags... This, however falls firmly into [[Fridge Horror]].--Scribling
*** Seemingly nodded to again in the second ending of the second anime, which shows Ed and Al (who look to be the same age as they are in flashbacks to their human transmutation attempt) happily plunking down a fistul of change on the counter at a store and carrying home big paper bags... This, however falls firmly into [[Fridge Horror]].--Scribling
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** He can eat things much larger than his entire body (Gluttony).
** He can eat things much larger than his entire body (Gluttony).
** He can {{spoiler|hide inconspicuously amongst the public}} (Envy, although Pride is much more limited in this regard).
** He can {{spoiler|hide inconspicuously amongst the public}} (Envy, although Pride is much more limited in this regard).
** He can lift heavy objects with no effort, as seen when lifting Al (Sloth)
** He can lift heavy objects with no effort, as seen when lifting Al (Sloth)
** The only homunculus he doesn't share a skill with is Greed, ''who is the only one to abandon Father.'' Pride would not dare to relate to anyone as insolent as that now, would he? -[[Mogotoo]]
** The only homunculus he doesn't share a skill with is Greed, ''who is the only one to abandon Father.'' Pride would not dare to relate to anyone as insolent as that now, would he? -[[Mogotoo]]
*** The above makes sense, but at least visually, Pride's shadows, Lust's spears, and Greed's armor seem to be made out of similar "indestructinium".
*** The above makes sense, but at least visually, Pride's shadows, Lust's spears, and Greed's armor seem to be made out of similar "indestructinium".
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* If Ed supplies Al's body with nutrition, which is why he sleeps so often, it begs the question, "Why does Al still look so weak when he comes back from the other side?" Other than the obvious reasons. Ed still has plenty of physical strength and appears healthy, so maybe he just received most of the benefits. But look at Al once he returns to his body and can barely walk without Ed's help or the use of crutches. Are his muscles unused and thus lacking in strength? Are his bones weak and brittle? ... Maybe Winry was right. Maybe Ed should have drank his milk.
* If Ed supplies Al's body with nutrition, which is why he sleeps so often, it begs the question, "Why does Al still look so weak when he comes back from the other side?" Other than the obvious reasons. Ed still has plenty of physical strength and appears healthy, so maybe he just received most of the benefits. But look at Al once he returns to his body and can barely walk without Ed's help or the use of crutches. Are his muscles unused and thus lacking in strength? Are his bones weak and brittle? ... Maybe Winry was right. Maybe Ed should have drank his milk.
* Come to think of it, since Ed is constantly supplying Al's body with requirements for survival... Do we ever see Ed fight in ''peak condition?''
* Come to think of it, since Ed is constantly supplying Al's body with requirements for survival... Do we ever see Ed fight in ''peak condition?''
* When you first meet Selim for the first time pay attention to the conversation he has with Ed and Al, about how he calls Xing's alchemy the alchemy of a inferior country and how he wants to be useful to his father. This isn't anything out of the ordinary seeing how he is the son of the Furer and would be taught this mindset. However later it makes sense when you think about it when he is revealed to be Pride: of course he would call another country's alchemy inferior as Amestris was founded by Father by using their own alchemy fitting with the pride theme, and being useful to his father, not the country, not Bradley, but Father.
* When you first meet Selim for the first time pay attention to the conversation he has with Ed and Al, about how he calls Xing's alchemy the alchemy of a inferior country and how he wants to be useful to his father. This isn't anything out of the ordinary seeing how he is the son of the Furer and would be taught this mindset. However later it makes sense when you think about it when he is revealed to be Pride: of course he would call another country's alchemy inferior as Amestris was founded by Father by using their own alchemy fitting with the pride theme, and being useful to his father, not the country, not Bradley, but Father.
* During the hilarious scene where Ed and co. walk in on Winry changing and chaos follows, throughout the scene, part of the chaos is provided by Den constantly barking in the background. Note that the whole time, Greed is holding onto Den, which is probably why the dog is barking- [[Evil-Detecting Dog|animals go crazy when in the presence of homunculi]].
* During the hilarious scene where Ed and co. walk in on Winry changing and chaos follows, throughout the scene, part of the chaos is provided by Den constantly barking in the background. Note that the whole time, Greed is holding onto Den, which is probably why the dog is barking- [[Evil-Detecting Dog|animals go crazy when in the presence of homunculi]].
* The Amestrian flag has a chimera on it- talk about hiding in plain sight.
* The Amestrian flag has a chimera on it- talk about hiding in plain sight.
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* Fridge Brilliance from ''Brotherhood'': Remember Selim's essay? The one he read to his mom and Bradley about how much he loved his dad? Cross that with his actions in chapter 106 (especially when {{spoiler|Ed points out that Father doesn't care for his well-being}}) and it's entirely plausible that his essay about his wonderful Dad was actually about {{spoiler|his Father}}.
* Fridge Brilliance from ''Brotherhood'': Remember Selim's essay? The one he read to his mom and Bradley about how much he loved his dad? Cross that with his actions in chapter 106 (especially when {{spoiler|Ed points out that Father doesn't care for his well-being}}) and it's entirely plausible that his essay about his wonderful Dad was actually about {{spoiler|his Father}}.
* Why did {{spoiler|King Bradley}} loose the ability to regenerate when he was turned into a Homunculus, and {{spoiler|Ling}} didn't? Because {{spoiler|Ling}} didn't really "fight back".
* Why did {{spoiler|King Bradley}} loose the ability to regenerate when he was turned into a Homunculus, and {{spoiler|Ling}} didn't? Because {{spoiler|Ling}} didn't really "fight back".
* Ed and Al have a lot in common with Scar and his brother. Ed sacrificed his right arm to bring his brother back. Scar's older brother sacrificed his right arm to save Scar.
* Ed and Al have a lot in common with Scar and his brother. Ed sacrificed his right arm to bring his brother back. Scar's older brother sacrificed his right arm to save Scar.
* [[Fridge Brilliance]]: During a recent binge of FMA’s first series, I noticed that Dante and Edward’s relationship is far deeper than it seems to be, and that Dante is one hell of a [[Shadow Archetype]] to Edward. I noticed this on several levels:
* [[Fridge Brilliance]]: During a recent binge of FMA’s first series, I noticed that Dante and Edward’s relationship is far deeper than it seems to be, and that Dante is one hell of a [[Shadow Archetype]] to Edward. I noticed this on several levels:
** Firstly, both Dante and Edward had an opportunity to restore a loved one using the Philosopher’s Stone. Edward, after learning the true nature of the stone, refused to sacrifice society’s undesireables (convicted criminals) to restore his brother, even though he was clearly tempted. He, like Alphonse, decides that they don’t want to be restored if a single person needs to die. Dante, like Edward, sacrificed undesireables (persecuted “witches” and those dying of the plague, who were more innocent than the criminals), but she didn’t hesitate for a moment. When Hohenheim nearly died as a result of the transmutation, she also didn’t hesitate to sacrifice their butler to restore her loved one to a new body, showing that she came to the opposite conclusion.
** Firstly, both Dante and Edward had an opportunity to restore a loved one using the Philosopher’s Stone. Edward, after learning the true nature of the stone, refused to sacrifice society’s undesireables (convicted criminals) to restore his brother, even though he was clearly tempted. He, like Alphonse, decides that they don’t want to be restored if a single person needs to die. Dante, like Edward, sacrificed undesireables (persecuted “witches” and those dying of the plague, who were more innocent than the criminals), but she didn’t hesitate for a moment. When Hohenheim nearly died as a result of the transmutation, she also didn’t hesitate to sacrifice their butler to restore her loved one to a new body, showing that she came to the opposite conclusion.
** Continuing from the first point, Dante shows what Edward could have become if he had compromised his morals for Alphonse. Both Edward and Dante are exceptionally gifted alchemists, but Dante, unlike Edward, allowed her natural talent to feed her ego. Edward connects with non-alchemists like Winry and develops meaningful relationships with the less gifted. Dante, on the other hand, separates herself from the rest of humanity. As Izumi pointed out, she looks down on the masses from her hilltop, seeing them as nothing more than “petty, egotistical things” who didn’t deserve her help. Dante’s [[Grand Theft Me]] plot is a twisted reflection of Ed and Al’s journey to restore themselves: if tens of millions of lives need to be sacrificed so she can live for another year, so be it. Contrast this with Edward, who frequently uses his alchemy to help others. If Edward didn’t have Winry, Alphonse, and Izumi to keep him in check, he could have easily gone down this route.
** Continuing from the first point, Dante shows what Edward could have become if he had compromised his morals for Alphonse. Both Edward and Dante are exceptionally gifted alchemists, but Dante, unlike Edward, allowed her natural talent to feed her ego. Edward connects with non-alchemists like Winry and develops meaningful relationships with the less gifted. Dante, on the other hand, separates herself from the rest of humanity. As Izumi pointed out, she looks down on the masses from her hilltop, seeing them as nothing more than “petty, egotistical things” who didn’t deserve her help. Dante’s [[Grand Theft Me]] plot is a twisted reflection of Ed and Al’s journey to restore themselves: if tens of millions of lives need to be sacrificed so she can live for another year, so be it. Contrast this with Edward, who frequently uses his alchemy to help others. If Edward didn’t have Winry, Alphonse, and Izumi to keep him in check, he could have easily gone down this route.
** Both Edward and Dante demonstrate atheistic beliefs, but their convictions lead them to different conclusions about reality. Edward is clearly suspicious of gods and religion, but believes in a meaningful world governed by Equivalent Exchange. He has a strong appreciation for human life. Dante, however, believes the world is innately meaningless. She demonstrates a clear disdain for humanity, which is reflected through her belief that her homunculi should be purged of human emotions. Edward’s beliefs make him a humanist, while Dante’s lead her down the path of nihilism.
** Both Edward and Dante demonstrate atheistic beliefs, but their convictions lead them to different conclusions about reality. Edward is clearly suspicious of gods and religion, but believes in a meaningful world governed by Equivalent Exchange. He has a strong appreciation for human life. Dante, however, believes the world is innately meaningless. She demonstrates a clear disdain for humanity, which is reflected through her belief that her homunculi should be purged of human emotions. Edward’s beliefs make him a humanist, while Dante’s lead her down the path of nihilism.
** Dante and Edward are forced to see the valid points in each other’s philosophies at the end of the series, and Dante is defeated because, unlike Edward, she fails to re-evaluate her beliefs. Edward accepts that the principle of Equivalent Exchange is flawed, but sticks to his humanist principles and doesn’t embrace Dante’s doctrine of a “beautifully chaotic world.” Dante’s moment of clarity is much more sutble than Edward’s – when Gluttony comes in and breaks down over Lust’s death, she stares at him for a moment and looks visibly uncomfortable. In this brief moment, she sees the strength of humanity and realizes that people may have dignity after all. Instead of changing her beliefs like Edward, however, she remains closed-minded and purges Gluttony of his humanity. What she doesn’t realize is that his humanity allowed Gluttony to fear and respect her, and without that, Dante becomes just another meal to him.
** Dante and Edward are forced to see the valid points in each other’s philosophies at the end of the series, and Dante is defeated because, unlike Edward, she fails to re-evaluate her beliefs. Edward accepts that the principle of Equivalent Exchange is flawed, but sticks to his humanist principles and doesn’t embrace Dante’s doctrine of a “beautifully chaotic world.” Dante’s moment of clarity is much more sutble than Edward’s – when Gluttony comes in and breaks down over Lust’s death, she stares at him for a moment and looks visibly uncomfortable. In this brief moment, she sees the strength of humanity and realizes that people may have dignity after all. Instead of changing her beliefs like Edward, however, she remains closed-minded and purges Gluttony of his humanity. What she doesn’t realize is that his humanity allowed Gluttony to fear and respect her, and without that, Dante becomes just another meal to him.
** Ultimately, Fullmetal Alchemist focuses on Edward and Alphonse’s coming of age. They’re thrust into an ugly world, but instead of abandoning their principles and becoming like Dante, they find a middle ground. They realize their philosophy on life isn’t perfect and there’s always room for growth. In a story where growing up is the central theme, Dante is the ideal antagonist because she flat-out refuses to grow and learn from the world around her.
** Ultimately, Fullmetal Alchemist focuses on Edward and Alphonse’s coming of age. They’re thrust into an ugly world, but instead of abandoning their principles and becoming like Dante, they find a middle ground. They realize their philosophy on life isn’t perfect and there’s always room for growth. In a story where growing up is the central theme, Dante is the ideal antagonist because she flat-out refuses to grow and learn from the world around her.
* In the first anime, Shou Tucker is a [[Shadow Archetype]] to Ed as well. Like Ed, he is a gifted "scientist" who falls victim to hubris and breaks a grave taboo out of a combination of desperation and - as Ed [[Berserk Button|absolutely flips out]] when this is [[Hannibal Lecture|pointed out to him]] - curiosity. Like Ed, his recklessness ruins his life, robs him of his only family and leaves him horribly deformed. And like Ed, he regrets his choice and becomes utterly obsessed with trying to undo it, seeking the Philosopher's Stone to this end. He's Ed's twisted shadow all along. Like Dante, the ultimate difference between them is Ed's moral inclination that ultimately inspires him to abandon his arrogance and self-centeredness and change his ways.
* In the first anime, Shou Tucker is a [[Shadow Archetype]] to Ed as well. Like Ed, he is a gifted "scientist" who falls victim to hubris and breaks a grave taboo out of a combination of desperation and - as Ed [[Berserk Button|absolutely flips out]] when this is [[Hannibal Lecture|pointed out to him]] - curiosity. Like Ed, his recklessness ruins his life, robs him of his only family and leaves him horribly deformed. And like Ed, he regrets his choice and becomes utterly obsessed with trying to undo it, seeking the Philosopher's Stone to this end. He's Ed's twisted shadow all along. Like Dante, the ultimate difference between them is Ed's moral inclination that ultimately inspires him to abandon his arrogance and self-centeredness and change his ways.
* The first series really does not get enough credit for how drastically - and subtly - Ed matures over the course of the story. Between the snarky, arrogant boy in the first episodes and the composed, selfless young man by the end of [[The Movie]], there is a painstakingly gradual and vast transformation that can be traced down to individual turning points over the course of literally the entire series. It's really one of the most impressive instances of character development in anime, and describing it in detail would take up an entire essay's worth of material (perhaps to be filled in here at a later time).
* The first series really does not get enough credit for how drastically - and subtly - Ed matures over the course of the story. Between the snarky, arrogant boy in the first episodes and the composed, selfless young man by the end of [[The Movie]], there is a painstakingly gradual and vast transformation that can be traced down to individual turning points over the course of literally the entire series. It's really one of the most impressive instances of character development in anime, and describing it in detail would take up an entire essay's worth of material (perhaps to be filled in here at a later time).
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** Episode 48's second commercial card depicts Gluttony looking panicked. At first you might think it references the fact that he has just been getting his chubby butt handed to him by Lan Fan, then about five minutes later {{spoiler|Pride, his older brother, devours him}}. May also double as [[Fridge Brilliance]].
** Episode 48's second commercial card depicts Gluttony looking panicked. At first you might think it references the fact that he has just been getting his chubby butt handed to him by Lan Fan, then about five minutes later {{spoiler|Pride, his older brother, devours him}}. May also double as [[Fridge Brilliance]].
* Why are there so many people in Rush Valley with Mechanical limbs? Are they all accident prone or do they chop off limbs to get automail?
* Why are there so many people in Rush Valley with Mechanical limbs? Are they all accident prone or do they chop off limbs to get automail?
* So Hohenheim has about 536,329 souls in his body (not including his own, obviously), that are all conscious and fairly aware of what's going on around Hohenheim, meaning they probably see and hear most if not all of what he hears, so there's a good chance that 500,000+ people were there in his head, even during intimate moments with Trisha. Of all the things in the universe that I would want 500,000+ people to see, THAT is not one of them.
* So Hohenheim has about 536,329 souls in his body (not including his own, obviously), that are all conscious and fairly aware of what's going on around Hohenheim, meaning they probably see and hear most if not all of what he hears, so there's a good chance that 500,000+ people were there in his head, even during intimate moments with Trisha. Of all the things in the universe that I would want 500,000+ people to see, THAT is not one of them.
** Also bathing and changing clothes with that many people in your head might have been a bit weird... no wonder Hohenheim is such a [[Cloudcuckoolander]].
** Also bathing and changing clothes with that many people in your head might have been a bit weird... no wonder Hohenheim is such a [[Cloudcuckoolander]].
* A small one for shippers. Ling mentions that the Emperor has 50 wives and that they bear all his children. At the end, {{spoiler|when Ling becomes Emperor, he gets 50 wives and none of them are Lan Fan.}}
* A small one for shippers. Ling mentions that the Emperor has 50 wives and that they bear all his children. At the end, {{spoiler|when Ling becomes Emperor, he gets 50 wives and none of them are Lan Fan.}}
* Trisha died of an illness which would appear to be nobody's fault, and it isn't anyone's ''really'', but... Hohenheim's got awesome enough medical alchemy even to cure Izumi Curtis' [[Incurable Cough of Death]]. ''He could totally have saved her.'' That's got to hurt even against the background of massive, massive [[Survivor Guilt]] he already had!
* Trisha died of an illness which would appear to be nobody's fault, and it isn't anyone's ''really'', but... Hohenheim's got awesome enough medical alchemy even to cure Izumi Curtis' [[Incurable Cough of Death]]. ''He could totally have saved her.'' That's got to hurt even against the background of massive, massive [[Survivor Guilt]] he already had!
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