I was really excited to watch Full Metal Alchemist (FMA) Brotherhood Episode 8 since last week. FMA Brotherhood Episode 7 was a cliffhanger and I wanted to see how the new series would treat this segment of the story arc. In this new episode, we see the Elric brothers enter Laboratory 5. Inside, Ed confirms a horrible theory, while outside Al begins to question his humanity. Review after the break.

Full Metal Alchemist (FMA) Brotherhood Episode 8
In the last episode, a demonic armored creature jumped from the roof of Laboratory 5 to attack Alphonse. It’s a good thing though that he’s fast as he’s able to dodge the attack. The creature introduces itself as number 66. Inside the laboratory, Edward meets his opponent, another armored sword-wielding guardian who introduces himself only as 48. The two engage in melee, with 48 with the distinct advantage. After Edward avoids several attacks and finds out that he’s fighting an empty armor, 48 lets Ed know his real name and confirms his original theory about Laboratory 5.

The living armor is actually named Slicer and 48 was his number of Death Row. In the war against Ishbal, the army transmuted criminals on death row to become Philosopher’s Stones.

Back outside, Alphonse knocks off 66’s head, revealing that he’s also another living armor. 66 re-introduces himself as Barry the Chopper, an infamous homicidal murderer who loves to chop live humans up. Barry begins to psyche out Alphonse by telling him that he is no longer human and that his soul has been lost.

By the way, let me just say that my favorite scene in this ep was when they showed Barry’s story. Man that was hilarious and disturbing at the same time. Makes me remember Sweeney Todd, hahaha. Seriously, I loved the mix of humor, drama, and action in this ep.

Inside the laboratory, Ed is obviously outmatched. He’s pushed to the corner but manages to take off the head of Slicer. To Ed’s surprise, the body moves separately and manages to seriously wound him. Apparently Slicer is made up of two brothers – both of which were affixed to the armor suit. Just before Ed is killed, he remembers Scar’s technique and uses it against the armor. He stops his transmutation at deconstruction and manages to literally blow up Slicer’s body.

Ed picks himself up and starts to interrogate the helmet. Before he gets his answers though Envy and Lust make an appearance, destroying Slicer before he could answer Ed. Having lost so much blood, Ed is knocked out by a vicious knee by Envy. Lust then decides that they should blow up the Laboratory so that no one would find out what really happened.

Episode ends with Roy Mustang’s men saving Al from Barry and Envy bringing Edward’s unconscious body outside for treatment.

There’s definitely a difference between this arc and the old FMA series. In the previous anime series, this story gets drawn out and Ed is actually being forced to transmute living criminals to create the Philosopher’s Stone.

Wooo! I’m loving this so much. Can’t wait to watch Full Metal Alchemist (FMA) Brotherhood Episode 9.