The Law of Equivalent Exchange: A Fullmetal Alchemist manga podcast

Send us a textShinichi is so desperate to prove that he's not an animal, in comparison to the “ruthless” parasytes; does he end up proving just the opposite?

Send us a textBetween volumes of PARASYTE, we return to FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST and an article entitled “Fullmetal Alchemist is a Brilliant, Piercing Critique of Capitalism.” This kotaku.com article by Sean Aitchison spurs some discussion, including on characters and aspects left unmentioned in the article. What was the point of making Father and Hoenheim look the same? Where does Scar fit in? Listen, and then share your own takes with us!

Send us a textTamiya Ryoko discovers that you can't fool Mom: If your body has been taken over by a parasyte, she'll know something's wrong! Extremely appropriate as we approach Mother's Day, PARASYTE Chapter 9 focuses on a mother's instincts to protect her child, and know when something is wrong. Meanwhile, at Mixx, the need for an experienced letterer becomes brutally clear…

Send us a textThe parasyte Mr. A terrorizes the school! Can Shinichi do what needs to be done to keep his classmates from being eaten? Tim and Kumar discuss chapter 8 of Hitoshi Iwaaki's “PARASYTE”.

Send us a textMigi senses a parasyte is coming to the school to kill him and Shinichi! Can Shinichi do what's needed to fight off the attacker, and protect his classmates? This time we discuss PARASYTE chapter 7, and continue comparing two different English translations of the series.

Send us a textShinichi's teacher is a parasyte! Does that mean he and his classmates are in danger? Or, is Migi correct to admire this parasyte's adaptability? Tim and Patrick discuss the chapter, and continue to compare the 1998 Mixx/Tokyo Pop translation, which tries to adjust the language for Americans' lack of familiarity with Japan and manga at the time, to the 2007 Del Ray translation, which assumes its readers are manga-literate.

Send us a textIn the ‘90s, when Americans were just beginning to read manga, the translator had to either do a lot of handholding, explaining relevant bits of Japanese society, or change them into things that were familiar to Western readers. We see a lot of the latter in the translation published by Mixx (later Tokyo Pop) in those days. Starting in this episode, Tim brings both Mixx and DelRay versions into the conversation with Patrick (still reading the original Japanese) as Shinichi learns that there's a parasyte in his school. Is the entire student body in danger?The site with old issues of Mixxzine has been taken down for major changes; when it's back, it will (hopefully) be here.See the cover here (click the image to enlarge).

Send us a textThis chapter of Hitoshi Iwaaki's PARASYTE gives us a lion preying on humans, and then recoiling in fear of a parasyte, and Shinichi apparently bringing similar fear to a rival for Satomi Murano's affections. Tim and Patrick share horror stories of encounters with creepy crawlies, and ask: How necessary is it to put profanity in the translation that's not there in the original?

Send us a textShin believes he's the only human who understands what the “Mincemeat Murders” really are. Should he tell someone? Should he have Migi examined? Hitoshi Iwaaki begins to build his themes of “sensing danger” and the difference - or lack thereof - between parasytes eating meat and humans eating meat in chapter 3 of “Parasyte”. Tim and Patrick take another bite.

Send us a textParasyte chapter 2 is a bit all over the place - humor, splatter scenes, and sexual references which don't at all represent the direction the rest of the series will go. But we see the parasyte in Shinichi's hand, now called “Migi”, learn about his surroundings and Shinichi starting to become comfortable with the relationship… for now. Tim and Patrick try not to lose their hearts — literally — in this episode.

Send us a textThis time, we go back to 1989 and begin our chapter-by-chapter discussion of Hitoshi Iwaaki's PARASYTE. Alien organisms land on Earth, take over the brains of some inhabitants, and then start eating some! But it's not all horror, as a high school boy ends up with an alien in his hand, leading to some comic moments. Join Tim and Patrick for a look at chapter 1!

Send us a textThe conflicts of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST — foiling Father's plan, Ed and Al getting their bodies back — were resolved last episode ... but chapter 108 isn't over! This time, we discuss the many loose ends that Hiromu Arakawa ties up to conclude the chapter, along with the various back matter of volume 27! And… is that the end of the podcast?? Nope! Listen to find out what's next!

Send us a textEd gets in the final blow on Father! Ed and Al's quest for their real bodies reaches its conclusion! FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST is almost done, as Tim and Patrick split the extra-long 108th and final chapter into two parts. In this episode, we cover volume 27, pages 79-139. Bring your own hankies.

Send us a textFather has reached godlike levels of power! Ed, Al, and their friends do their best to control the threat he poses to humanity. In the penultimate chapter of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, can the Elrics turn the tide? Tim and Patrick note that this chapter reminds us what this manga has always really been about.

Send us a textSo just what was it that Scar's brother noticed about Amestris' alchemy (back in chapter 59!) that was “strange”? At last we find out, as Scar employs is brother's plan to counteract Father! But Father has other tricks up his sleeve... Meanwhile, Ed has his final faceoff with Pride, as a familiar face from the past makes one final appearance. Tim and Patrick dig into FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 106, and an excellent batch of back matter in the series' penultimate volume!

Send us a textFather's plan is coming to fruition! As the eclipse continues, he takes advantage of ALL his countrymen to get ALL the power! Can Ed, Al, Hoenheim and their comrades turn the tables on him? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 105, things you don't know about us (that might be fiction), unwritten rules of sound effects, and more.

Send us a textThe eclipse is here! Father/"Mr. Eyeballs" sets his plan in motion! Can Ed, Al, and company fight back? Tim and Patrick give the play-by-play on FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 104, with ... well, fewer digressions than usual.

Send us a textIt becomes clear in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 103 that causing Mustang to open the portal shouldn't have been possible, and Pride did it at some cost to himself. How will that play out? Will Mei be able to beat Father, a.k.a. “Mr. Eyeballs”, in a fight? And what's up with these Ishvalans - are they setting up to play a party game? Probably not, but these are all questions raised by the chapter, as we wrap up volume 25!

Send us a textWhat happens when Mustang is forced to open the Gate of Truth against his will? Ever seen two nameless men fight to the death? And why on earth would Al turn down a chance to get back in his real body? As we move closer to the climax of the story, Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 102!

Send us a textFULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 101 asks some important questions: Will Hawkeye bleed to death? How will Pride and Father open the portal? And… is it possible to talk while strangling someone with your tongue? Tim and Patrick have (correct?) answers!

Send us a Text Message.Can you believe we've done 100 episodes now? Can you believe we're almost done with the series??FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 100 hits us hard, with two deaths, a serious injury, and … whatever that is that's happened to Hoenheim. The eclipse is almost here, and the human sacrifice candidates are being gathered; can they turn the tables in time??

Send us a Text Message.Stuff gets real as Foo and Bradley fight it out! Ed, Al (finally in Central City), and Izumi disappear from their respective locations! Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 99. Plus: Volume 24 back matter! Does a video game ad reveal something unexpected about Ed???

Send us a Text Message.Battles continue, as Lin/Greed takes on Bradley, and Olivier and Izumi continue to kick butt and take names. Who else is stepping in to take on Bradley? Who has the strongest abs? Will we actually SEE Ed or Al this time? Tim and Patrick discuss.

Send us a Text Message.A transformation by Father, the return of the bad guy we just KNEW would be back, and the terror of facing off against a toilet-slipper-wielding Izumi Curtis feature in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 97! Tim and Patrick are wondering where the %&#@ Ed and Al are!

Send us a Text Message.As the dolls continue their rampage, the tide turns against Sloth, and we finally get a look at the showdown between Hoenheim and Father, our discussion of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 96 stumbles over one very confusing (at least, to us) panel!

Send us a Text Message.Can Mustang avoid being consumed with revenge? Can the Armstrongs and military avoid being consumed by artificial soldiers? Will fighting consume too much energy for Sloth? It's FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 95 - and we talk about the back matter of volume 23 as well!

Send us a Text Message.As the fight continues in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 94, we have questions: Why has broadcast media seemingly advanced more in Reole than other cities? How has the Amestrian military flunked Controlling the Media Narrative 101? And more importantly, what can Mustang stand to learn from, of all people, Scar? As Tim and Patrick look for answers, Hiromu Arakawa pulls a cool fakeout on us!

Send us a Text Message.It's another chapter with several simultaneous fights! Marcoh's life is saved, hilariously, from Pride's spike; the Armstrongs continue to battle Sloth; and Mustang demands to know who killed Hughes. Also, what was the crazy chapter title in the original Japanese? Tim and Patrick discuss the emotional roller coaster of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 93!

Send us a Text Message.If you're up for epic alchemical battle scenes, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 92 is for you! Al, convinced that getting the help of the souls trapped in a philosopher's stone is the right thing to do, battles Pride and Kimblee, while the Armstrong siblings go up against Sloth - who turns out to have more tricks up his sleeve than we might have thought! Tim and Patrick give the play-by-play. Also, Tim runs a stop sign.

Chaos continues at military HQ, as the soul-powered artificial soldiers run rampant in the underground passages — fought off by Ed and co. — while upstairs, Olivier Armstrong kicks butts and takes names. And Heinkel comes up with a certain prop that we haven't seen in many chapters! Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 91, and the back matter of volume 22!

The battle has begun, and Ed and company jump into action! But will the military fight them off by activating the philosopher's stone-powered unkillable artificial soldiers? Is trapped Selim Bradley as helpless as he appears? Tim and Patrick examine FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 90!

Soldiers do return in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 89 - a number of soldier characters that we haven't seen in quite some time! As Mustang's gang and the troops from Briggs begin their attack, we see what good leadership can do - an advantage that the homunculi definitely DON'T have. But will leadership be enough? Tim and Patrick discuss the chapter.

Pride has consumed Gluttony and is now bigger and more powerful. How can he be contained? Ed doesn't like the containment plan that's successfully carried out without his knowledge - but what is it that's *really* bothering him about it? Tim and Patrick are joined by “Fiendish” creator (and Fullmetal fan) Irene Strychalski to dig into FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 88!

As our heroes battle Pride in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 87, a character who's been around almost since the beginning leaves the stage for good! Can Ed and Al survive the experience? Tim and Patrick discuss, and mostly stay on topic!

Al's armor has been taken over by Pride! Can Ed, Lin, and the chimeras defeat him? And how was Pride able to locate them? Some surprise character returns punctuate FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 86! Tim and Patrick break it down, and get into a somewhat contentious discussion about (what else?) sound effects!

The Briggs troops make a surprise move against a dangerous enemy. Will it be successful? Meanwhile, Ed finally meets up with Al again, but….something is different about him. Is Al's armor now a threat? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 85!

In FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 84, Arakawa gives us a taste of Hokkaido (again), a comedic kerfuffle at Winry's house, the return of a homunculus, and Al in danger. We talk about all that plus - Star Wars! Huh?

In FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 83, Ed makes a surprising ally, the Armstrongs battle each other, and other characters play a clandestine game of “telephone.” Tim and Patrick are joined by CBR.com writer Louis Kemner to discuss the chapter, as well as transliteration of foreign names in katakana, Japanese dog breeds, and… what happened to the third “klang”??Louis on our major Fullmetal PTSD moment, chapter 5!

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 82 is one of the funniest in a while! But it has serious moments, as well, as Al catches up with his long-missing dad, and Lin/Greed makes an irreversable decision. Also, Tim and Patrick come across a deja vu scene - didn't the same thing happen earlier in the series?

How does the first conversation between Al and Hoenheim in ten years go? How has Rosé changed since volume 1? What are the names of the “chimera guys”? Can a pocket watch make the same sound as a suit of armor? These questions and more are answered as Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 81!

In chapter 80 of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, Ed is still nowhere to be seen, but finally the other characters are starting to notice that fact, so surely it won't be long till his return! Also, Yoki gets a sense of who his friends really are; a character nearly leaves for home, but then doubles back; and Scar does something genuinely humorous! Also, Tim notices an alternative name for the Purification Arts/Xing Alchemy, and Patrick sees a theme of community service running through the chapter.

Chapter 79 of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST belongs to Dr. Marcoh, as he faces off against a more powerful foe! Tim and Patrick discuss.

Things are going from bad to worse, and more wars break out along the Amestris border. Hoenheim makes a surprising stop in a vaguely remembered town, and issues a warning. And does the Scar/Marcoh party have a turncoat in their midst? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 78!

After the mineshaft cavein, Ed is in danger of bleeding to death without the help of some assumed enemies. Mei Chang makes a startling discovery about Scar's brother's alchemy notes. And Kimblee meets one of his compatriots for the first time. Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 77, including the usual fun with translation errors and sound effects!

As Scar, Mei Chang, and co. try to figure out Scar's brother's notes, the Briggs' troops' plan goes awry. Ed fights more chimeras. And isn't the guy in the armor somehow different from usual? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 76!

At last, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 75 reveals the origin story of Hoenheim and Father! (No, they're not the same person! heh heh) What's the connection? Why do they look the same? Why doesn't Hoenheim age? Plenty is revealed to us, but Ed and Al are still in the dark!

As Olivier Armstrong makes a risky move, in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 74, Hawkeye reveals a stunning fact to Mustang, and we finally begin to get some glimpses of Hoenheim's origin story. Also, a long-forgotten character makes another appearance…

Count on Hiromu Arakawa in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST to make all her characters complex. As we see again in chapter 73, even henchmen have depth! This chapter also reminds us how well plotted the story is, as our heroes face a complex situation with a lot of moving parts, and they deal with complications in ways that seem like exactly what needed to happen to move the story forward.

Amid action-packed pages, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 72 gives us several very moving scenes that remind us of one reasons we love this manga, along with the humor, the action, the careful plotting, is that it's also imbued with so much MEANING. We discuss Winry's act to break the cycle of hate and Scar's eye-opening talk with Miles.

What did Kimblee mean about “carving a crest of blood” at Briggs, and how does Kimblee try to get Ed to do it? Hey, is that a Marvel character popping up in Chapter 71 of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST? Maybe not, but we do get to see what happens when two of our roving bands of characters reunite. 

Ed feels the noose tighten as he's ordered to do horrible things. Winry makes an amazing admission, at least to the reader if not to other characters. And Pride, the “First Homunculus” is finally revealed! Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 70!