Volume 2 In Analysis
As I said before, Volume 2 is what I consider to be the darkest volume in the series, if only for the sheer effect, drama and general atmosphere of both the Tucker and Scar incidents. This really sets a mood for the series in the early parts. While the manga does become much more idealistic (But in a good way), the First Anime goes straight into more of a cynical approach.
The Nina incident is one of the series’ greatest moments, as it’s one of the most memorable, nightmarish and saddest moments in one. We finally get an idea of what kinds of sins that Alchemy can create, and the kind of evil Alchemists are capable of. And this is not an incident that is glossed over. This stays with the Elrics throughout the entire series, even to the very end, haunting them throughout the series, showing us that it was a real turning point in their view of the world.
Shou Tucker is the most despised character in all of FMA because of this. Yet he is done well enough to have a seemingly sympathetic side at one point. We see the kind of stress and turmoil subtlety creeping up, his real fears of what may become of himself. But, really the is no sympathy. He was doing it all for himself, just to keep his position, you don’t get the idea that he was doing it “For Science”, it was just some BS he strung together on the spot just to give himself a justification and to make himself look the same as Ed. If he really was doing it “For Science” then he would have done it sooner. How very convenient that he should do that right before his inspection. Sorry Tucker, you ain’t fooling anybody. Regardless, some of his words to have a bit of an impact on Edward later on.
The First Anime TRIED to make him sympathetic, but it did not take. At all. Also he became like a Canine Version of Dr Smith from the awful, awful Lost In Space movie (Well, he did come off as genuinely creepy the first time he appeared. However, once he put on a trenchcoat, he became silly). It’s a long story which I may get into next time.
Nina Tucker can come off as a bit over done in terms of personality, but she is still a genuinely sweet character that you can’t help but love, a happy, playful girl who has a huge dog for her friend. It makes seeing both of them die truly heartwrenching. It sounds like a cheap shot, killing a girl and a dog for tradgedy, but it is done so well, that you can’t help but tear up.
Scar gave me feelings of hatred on first read. It was not mainly for killing Chimera Nina (I was cheering when he kaspoded Tucker), but going after Edward on a filmsy Revenge by Proxy, killing a FIFTEEN YEAR OLD who was never even involved in Ishbal. It’s most because I have a loathing for characters that make people suffer just for some pointless revenge that will accomplish nothing, and bring them nowhere (Take a guess who my most hated one is). Scar also fills a Shonen trope that is combined with Curb-Stomp Battle, that whenever a Shonen hero fights a major character for the first time, they get their ass handed to them, or at least in the opening stages of the battle. Examples include Naruto vs Kakashi, Ichigo vs Renji and Byakuga (Well, Byakuga mostly), [[{{Berserk Guts vs Griffith]] (I know it’s Seinen, but it fits the trope enough), Jonathan vs Dio (In the Boxing Match), the first round of Ash vs Brock, and so on. This ties into the darker theme of the Volume, seeing the Elrics get completely and effortlessly trashed for the first time, as Ed is inches away from being killed is quite horrifying to watch.
But back to Scar. My initial hatred did not last long, as throughout the story as we learn more about Scar, he manages to become a very grey character in terms of sympathy. I hate his misdeeds, but can see where he is coming from. He also winds up getting an amazing amount of character development, as he goes through a truly amazing personal arc where he learns the true nature of revenge, and what must be done to stop the cycle of hatred (UNLIKE A CERTAIN OTHER SERIES-Okay, okay I will stop talking about it...).
Major Armstrong is PURE AWESOME. Sure, he may have major shades of being comic relief character at first, but he has a true heart and charm to him. He has real respect for others and really does want to help people (Even if his way of helping is something people would want to avoid...). He does not feel like unessisary humor and has some fantastic moments of emotion. And as we find out his backstory, a new level of understanding is made regarding his attitude towards others.
Well that wraps things up for Volume 2. It goes a bit heavy on exposition but really sets the stage.
Body Count: 3 Current: Nina, Alexander (It may seem a bit tasteless, but it does give a bit of Heartwarming charm seeing them go up to heaven smiling), and Tucker (Who is falling straight to hell where he belongs)
NEXT TIME: The Elrics have a reunion with a badass family and their badass dog.
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