Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 23: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 23
- ISBN
- 9781421536309
- Publisher
- VIZ
- English release
- Pages
- 200
Fullmetal Alchemist 23 continues the struggle for Central City with Al and Ed facing different opponents. The split makes this a continuation of the preceding offensive, not a new conflict that can be read independently. Keep the earlier volume beside it if you are buying this section of the run. The important shift is in what the confrontations demand from the characters, with the details of those demands reserved for the spoiler note.
Spoilers — why this volume matters. Tap to reveal.
VIZ sets Al's use of a Philosopher's Stone against Pride and Kimblee beside Mustang learning the truth about Hughes's murder. The two premises put pressure on different kinds of restraint. Al has a resource that changes what he can attempt, while Mustang gains knowledge that changes what he may want to do. The contrast is more useful than treating every escalation as an increase in strength. A character can become more dangerous through information as well as equipment. The publisher leaves Mustang's response as a question, so the reading rests on the pressure created by the revelation rather than assuming its outcome.
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