Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 3: Equivalent Exchange (Episodes 9-12)
As the popular fantasy-adventureFullmetal Alchemistcontinues, Edward Elrich uses his wits, as well as his professional skills, to give a corrupt military officer a well-deserved comeuppance.  Based on the story "The Mining Town" in thefirst collection of Hiromu Arakawa's original manga, this adventure proves that "Be Thou for the People" isn't just a motto for the Elrich Brothers. The citizens of the played-out gold rush town of Xenotime refuse to accept Edward and Alphonse for who they are because two strangers have assumed their identities. Both pairs of brothers learn and teach valuable lessons as they defeat a murderous land baron who's after the Philosopher's Stone. Every episode of this winning series delivers what the viewers want: adventure, magic, slapstick, and Edward's inevitable rants about his diminutive stature. ButFullmetal Alchemistalso delivers something that's become rare in American and Japanese animation: heart. (Rated TV PG: violence, minor risqué humor, alcohol and tobacco use)--Charles Solomon