Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 8: The Altar of Stone (Episodes 29-32)
The eighth volume ofFullmetal Alchemistcontains some of the most powerful and emotionally wrenching material in the series. The filmmakers reveal more of what happened when Edward and Alphonse Elric attempted to bring their mother back from the dead--and disturbed the order of the universe more deeply than they could imagine. Ed remembers losing his leg and sacrificing his right arm to save his brother's soul, and confronting a mysterious gate that seemed to guard the way to all knowledge. The artists based their designs on Rodin'sGates of Hell, and its swirling human forms lend an appropriate power and dread to the sequence. While Ed wrestles with his guilt and grief, other parts of the story continue to unfold. Col. Roy Mustang pursues Scar and the Ishbalan refugees, while a new officer, Lt. Col. Frank Archer, spies on the Elric brothers. The Elrics'sensei(teacher) Izumi reveals the terrible secret of the origins of the Homunculi, who continue their own evil plots. Anyone who wonders whyFullmetal Alchemistenjoys such a devoted following can find out by watchingThe Altar of Stone. (Rated TV PG: violence, grotesque imagery, tobacco and alcohol use, nudity)--Charles Solomon