Episode 21

"Fullmetal Alchemist" Vol. 1-9 by Hiromu Arakawa

April 30, 2026 · 01:48:12

Today, Scout pulls her fellow panelists through the gate of truth to discuss volumes 1-9 of Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. In this, the first of three episodes we'll be doing on FMA this year, we share our varied personal histories with the series, become acquainted with the cast and their early adventures, and answer some listener questions.

How is a culture shaped by the technology it cultivates? How much of yourself will you sacrifice for the sake of your aspirations? And what is milk REALLY doing for your growth, anyway?!

(00:00) - Fullmetla Alchemist Vol. 1-9 by Hiromu Arakawa
(02:31) - Front Matter
(05:10) - Spoiler-free plot summary
(06:27) - Histories and impressions
(13:21) - Shonen adventure manga
(20:15) - Additional FMA thoughts
(23:39) - A very specific art thing
(25:52) - Arakawa's consistency
(28:41) - Dipping a toe into translation
(31:04) - SPOILER ZONE
(31:07) - Summaries of the volumes
(34:11) - Wild how much stuff is in these volumes
(40:28) - The thing that's been done
(43:05) - The characterization
(46:00) - Where will the ending go?
(48:05) - Things Matt remembered
(49:13) - That Moment.
(52:01) - Robin's Hater Zone
(53:40) - Dude the drawings
(54:47) - How the story deals with disability
(01:01:22) - Rush Valley
(01:05:47) - Winry Rockbell :) (and emotional (AND literal) labor)
(01:10:47) - The gag panels
(01:11:51) - Letting things chill
(01:13:42) - The death that shaped a generation of weebs
(01:16:09) - Izumi and Sig
(01:18:42) - The month on the island
(01:20:41) - Greed and the chimera
(01:26:08) - The Door of Truth
(01:27:30) - Good panels
(01:30:33) - Roy Mustang stonks
(01:31:39) - Bradley
(01:33:06) - Armstrong too good too nice
(01:33:50) - Listener questions!
(01:34:03) - State alchemist names and powers
(01:36:31) - Philosopher's Stone grift
(01:37:49) - How many times does Ed get called liddol
(01:39:05) - Favorite homunculus
(01:41:20) - Running gag?
(01:43:42) - Thank you for questions!!!!
(01:44:00) - Further reading
(01:46:32) - Back Matter

Further Reading

- A more recent way to read Fullmetal Alchemist is with the 3-in-1 omnibus editions
- You could read Fullmetal Alchemist on Webtoon but maybe don't
- Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, the manga-accurate anime
- The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime
- Silver Spoon by Hiromu Arakawa
- Deamons of the Shadow Realm by Hiromu Arakawa

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This week’s panelists can be found at:
Scout
Matt
Robin

Jillian

Editing this week by AJ Fillari.
Cover art by Scout Wilkinson.
Intro/Outro music by Boqeh.