Fullmetal Alchemist, Tome 4

鋼の錬金術師 [Hagane no Renkinjutsushi] #4

by Hiromu Arakawa

Ed s'est introduit dans le laboratoire numéro 5 à la recherche de la vérité sur la Pierre Philosophale. De son côté, Al l'attend à l'extérieur, mais tombe sur une armure vide relié à une âme, tout comme lui.
Ed quant à lui combat une armure du même genre dans le laboratoire. Vaincu, les deux âmes s'apprêtent à tout lui révélé lorsque deux étranges individus apparaissent. Ils disent être des Homonculus et s'appellent Lust et Envy.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Young Adult, Steampunk

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2003

About the author

Hiromu Arakawa (author: 荒川弘) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no renkinjutsushi).
Her real name is Hiromi Arakawa (荒川弘美).

Arakawa was born and raised on a dairy farm in Hokkaidō.
She thought of being a manga artist since she was little. After graduating high school, she took oil painting classes while working on her family's farm. During that time, she also created dōjinshi manga with her friends and drew yonkoma for a magazine. After eight years she moved to Tōkyō and started out as assistant writer for Hiroyuki Etō.
Her debut as manga artist is in 1999 with STRAY DOG. In 2001 she started working on her famous and award winning series Fullmetal Alchemist, that soon gets a successful anime adaptation.
Other works include Silver Spoon (銀の匙 Silver Spoon, Gin no saji Silver Spoon).

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing like some angst, conspiracy and murder to turn a series up! The brothers are at odds with each other to a degree and Winry their childhood friend is also in the mix as they look to get more intel. Meanwhile supporting cast member Hughes has worked out HUGE intel that can shake this reality, but can he get to share it? Jeopardy, jeopardy, jeopardy, the chance of real jeopardy is what makes a series for me, and this volume is full of it; especially as I get more acclimatised to the art. A top series ranking 7 out of 12, high Three Star read.

2024 read

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a terrible day for rain.

[Marquise · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are terrible days for rain. Your school parade day, your camping out day, your date night out at a town with crappy drainage, your wedding day . . .

But none is a worse day for rain than a funeral. And seeing your favourite with the rain running down their cheeks is what makes it such a terrible day for raining.

Drat it, Arakawa, why did you have to hit me so hard where it hurts? I'm a Strong, Independent Woman and have a hard stomach that can withstand spice and third world food poisoning and Stephen King, but I have a weak spot: I don't like to see my favourite characters cry! That's my kryptonite.

I mean, I give the emotional blackmailer kitty at home an extra helping on its plate if it cries...

It's a testament to Arakawa's skill that she could land such a strong punch to the gut with Hughes, given how short the story arc is and what a huge nuisance he was. I was completely caught off guard by his death as I didn't see it coming, and I'm not one to be blindsided this easily. What could he possibly have discovered here? I'm dying to find out, but I suspect I won't be spoon-fed the answer, and I'm still reeling from the finale to this arc and the rain that I can't think straight to start speculating and come up with my own crackpot.

I should also say that now I like Lust less. Freaking woman! Why would you do that? You're supposed to be the doom of men through their little sausages, not through that thing you did here! Freaking woman. Now I gotta look out for another Sin to like, and do you have any idea how hard it is to find a villain worth their salt to enjoy? I'm so furious at you right now that I'd take up Wrath, whenever that bastard shows up, over you.

Speaking of the Deadly Sins, I've not seen anyone comment on this, and maybe it's just me and my hyperactive fancy, but . . . does Envy look like a dark version of Edward? I mean . . . look at her:


Same age, long hair, makes similar facial gestures . . . It's almost like she is Girl Edward, brunette version, and dislikes him for that, which would make sense given what Sin she is. But it also could be merely Arakawa drawing them like that, in manga characters tend to look samey unless deliberately differentiated (the Elrics look alike too, but they're brothers). On the other hand, given how intricately Arakawa seems to be plotting the arcs, I wouldn't be surprised if this resemblance is intentional either.

Anyway, what a terrible day for raining! The only good thing to come out of this rain is Mustang's decision to become Führer President Duce Comrade Party Secretary Pope God-Emperor Mister Universe, or whatever the title of the supreme leader of the military is in this world. That's one promising arc to come, small consolation as it is, and things are starting to become super interesting from this volume onwards.

[Kogiopsis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is at once both my favorite volume and one I can't stand. A testimony to the writing and characterization, I suppose, but that doesn't mean I don't quietly resent it.

That Hughes's death can hurt so much to read/watch after such a short period of time is truly amazing, but much as I respect the skill that went into it, I still wish it hadn't happened. In fact, eventually I'm going to plot out and perhaps write a Doctor Who/FMA crossover to change that and see what happens.


Spoilers for the nature of the evil plot: Re-reading is really nice, because now I know what Hughes figured out and how he did it. That man is a bona fide genius, to be able to put so many things together and see the transmutation circle on such a huge scale, especially after he'd only seen a rough diagram of it and just for a short period of time. And he probably at least guessed that Bradley was in on it, too, since his first reflex was to call the President and then he reconsidered.


The bonus story at the end does make the volume a bit more bearable, since of course it's the Black Hayate one - always good for a smile and very necessary, what with everything else.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

-I'm fine. Oh no... it's raining.
-It isn't raini-....
-No. It's raining.
-...Yes it is. Let's go back. It's...getting cold.

No mentiré al decir que casi se me salen las lágrimas en este tomo. Seguro que si fuese el anime estaría llorando como una magdalena. No quiero ponerle aún las 5 estrellas a pesar de que me está pareciendo sublime. Aún no he llegado al climax pero cada vez está muchísimo mejor.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was very much ready to give this volume 3 or 4 stars, because seriously, Al is being such a huge metal jack*ss for believing what the enemy says, but the emotional buildup that leads to that end was so much for me.

Damn you Arakawa for being a great writer!

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great volume and like focuses on the brothers after their fight and they are recovering and we get to know a little about the enemies, Winry comes in to fix them and the drama that surrounds it, suspicions arise and then we have the death of a Hughes which comes as a major surprise and its gonna have ripple effects for Roy's character for sure. Meanwhile the villain
plots occur and something with Ishbalans is happening and the brothers go to Dublith next to meet their teacher.

This volume was good and like focuses so much on interpersonal drama and relationship and getting some obvious questions out of the way and the emotional beats hit hard and I also love the slow unravelling natures of the villains motive and the art while funny in some areas gets really good when called for. Its one of the best mangas out there for sure and this volume proves why.

[yel ᰔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 of 5 stars

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Increasingly, this seems like an action manga written by someone who'd rather be writing anything other than an action manga. This issue leans hard on humor and character development, which is all good with me since I'd rather be reading anything other than an action manga.

[Oliver Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al's body is, like, a shell. and his soul is in there like some kind of, like, ghost. like a ghost in a body that's like a shell. feel like there might be something there.

[Martin Doychinov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Екшънът е само в началото, а останалото е по-скоро посветено на хумора и придвижването на няколко второстепенни сюжетни нишки. Краят е ознаменуван с относително изненадващо и натъжаващо убийство!

[freddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maes 😭

[Grace, Queen of Crows and Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am literally an emotional wreck right now. This volume has all the feels, so prepare with some tissues!!! A great, heart wrenching volume with this one 😭😭😭

[Ananya · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLONEL HUGHES NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELL this volume made me sad oh wow! There is a lot of stuff that happens in this one and I have to say I was really surprised and upset by some of it :(( the art is absolutely awesome- seriously, the way the panelling is used in certain important moments is clever and helps those scenes to REALLY pack a punch. I'm so invested in this series and the characters now!!

[Artemy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, and here's the volume where the typical Japanese manga weirdness starts to show. There's a creepy guy who's obsessed with mini-skirts and who wants to hire only women in his military to make it his personal harem (and that's almost a direct quote). There's another creepy guy who can't shut up about his daughter and his family, and who basically kidnaps one of the female characters and makes her live at his home. And finally, there's the side-story about another character who adopts a puppy and then shoots the gun in the puppy's direction to potty-train him! And that's supposed to be funny! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT. And these are not the villains, mind you! These are the supporting cast of the book who you are supposed to like and care about!

The worst part is, there wasn't really a lot of story in this volume otherwise. It keeps stalling for two volumes already, and if something doesn't start to happen soon, I'm afraid I might lose interest in this series completely.

[Radwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that whenever the brothers get close to solving something, something happens that sends them to square one. Of course, this should happen, or how else can the manga continue? I absolutely loved the extra omakes at the end of this volume. Also, this manga is making me sympathize with some of the bad guys. good job on the characterization and story building.

2024 review:
- I can't shake the feeling that Ed is hiding something else from Al.
- I'm pretty sure that the military isn't like it seems and they are hiding a lot of ulterior motives, especially their president. some of it stuff the brothers might not like and it might even drive a wedge between them and the military
- the lieutenant didn't have to die, dammit!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know how to start this review.

There was a horrible and tragic event that takes place and I AM SO HEARTBROKEN!!! Like WHYYYYYYY?!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Thinking on it, this whole volume was pretty emotional! Edward and Al have a different kind of fight and was SO glad for Winry voicing her feelings to help in a certain situation. Also glad for that really sweet and happy chapter with Winry and Hughes. <3

I honestly am at a loss of words because this volume really hit me with that chapter and totally in denial.

Nervously onto the next volume I suppose, but I need some tissues before that…

(Also I am going to be that person and knock one start because I wish that one scene never ever ever happened even though his volume was very good as always.)

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. This one won me over. There is this one heartbreaking scene in this manga - I'm sure other readers will know what I'm talking about - that is just so good. Absolutely fantastic panelling. I'm glad we get to see some more brother dynamics in this volume.

[Ashley Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maes <3

and on a brighter note, Black Hayate!

[Conejo Literario · Rating 5 out of 5]

El tomo con la famosa escena de la lluvia que no es lluvia. Tú sabes de que estoy hablando.

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

RIP Hughes. You’ll be missed.

[Emejota · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

[Marzy Nighthunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lieutenant Colonel Hughes... T-T

[Eni Gajanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obožavam ovu mangu🖤

[Hanna W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry nie mam czasu na zbrodnie i karę muszę czytać stalowego alchemika
They killed my pookie in this one 💔

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was so good (Maes Hughes!! And I thought I was prepared after what happened with Nina and Alexander), and the wait for volume 5 from my library was so long that I gave up and watched the anime (Brotherhood, not the first version)....and now I have no way to coherently speak about this series, I love it so much. The family relationship! Ed and his absolute devotion to getting Al his body back! Al and his conviction that he won't let others suffer in his quest to get back to normal! Colonel Mustang and his ambition and his loyalty to his men! Hawkeye and her awesome sniper skills and her loyalty and strength and ability to keep Colonel Mustang from doing too many stupid things! Winry, who is a fantastic automail mechanic and the best kind of friend and not afraid to use force to knock some sense into her reckless childhood friends! The romance, which feels natural because it's centered on such a strong friendship, and which builds naturally over a long series of significant events (that I can't give away without spoilers, although seriously, they're awesome), and which is naturally an understated subplot, because the characters are so focused on the terrible doings happening in the main plot! Not to mention Scar and the truth about the Ishbal Rebellion and Von Hohenheim (!!!) and Greed and Lin and Pride (who is so freaking scary) and the truth of the philosopher's stone...

Umm, basically, if you took every character and every event and every world-building detail and added a few sparkly hearts and exclamation points before and after them, that's how I feel about this story. Give me a few weeks and I might be capable of a more rational analysis.

If anyone in the neighborhood is interested, I have since found the Westerville library has the whole manga series; I've spent about the last week devouring it. (Maybe for me March is just a month meant for light--yet very awesome--book series? I seem to remember devouring the Alex Rider series in a similar fashion during spring break one year. Although Fullmetal Alchemist > Alex Rider by a billion points or so; they're not even on the same level of enjoyment, here.)

One side note: I have so, so, so many good things to say about this series, but it is worth noting one thing that truly baffled and then somewhat offended me when I read through: (minor plot point spoiler) later in the series, Winry becomes an apprentice to Garfiel, an automail mechanic who is gay. Japanese culture tends to portray gay men as cross-dressing, hyper-feminine individuals, and the mangaka keeps with this stereotype. It was confusing when I first encountered Garfiel, because to me and my American cultural assumptions, his appearance and actions weren't coded gay; they were coded as a man who cross-dresses (no sexual orientation implied) or someone who, perhaps, is transgender. Research was helpful in clearing up what the mangaka was actually trying to convey to the reader. For what it's worth, no one in-text shames Garfiel or treats him negatively or thinks he's less of an automail mechanic. (Well, Ed runs away when Garfiel flirts with him, but Ed also freaks out and does pretty much the same anytime anyone implies he has a thing for Winry.) The mangaka tends to use Garfiel for humorous purposes, which is an unfortunate stereotypical way to treat the only identified gay character in the series, but he's a very minor character in the story who only appears in only a handful of scenes, and ultimately, my dislike for his portayal didn't ruin my enjoyment of the series as a whole. Obviously. YMMV, of course.

[Ayesha (Seokjin's Version) ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's raining.

[Димитър Цолов · Rating 4 out of 5]

В този том за първи път виждаме, че изпод наглед безупречните отношения между братята Елрик тлее напрежение, а убийството на сравнително централен персонаж заплита още по-благо историята. Продължавам да махам по една звезда от оценките си заради арта – чат-пат се „губя“ в малките черно-бели панели, мъчейки се да схвана каква, аджеба, става… но това, при всички положения, е изключително субективно усещане.

[Felipe Vieira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cada volume a história melhora e a leitura fica mais gostosa. Muito triste pelo personagem que morre nesse volume. Ele era simplesmente perfeito. Acho que já dá pra gente saber quem do exercício está por trás dessa merda toda. Curtindo demais!