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鋼の錬金術師 [Hagane no Renkinjutsushi] #20
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 20
Betrayal and double-crossing are the order of the day. Greed, Pride and Envy prove to be formidable enemies, but one homunculus seems to be having pangs of--could it be?--conscience. Ominous news spreads quickly about a mysterious portal. Will this gateway help the Elric brothers regain their natural bodies? And will the gigantic underground transmutation circle be completed, leading to a major regime change? Plus, a moving reunion between Al and someone from his past!
188 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2008
79 people are currently reading
2592 people want to read
About the author
Hiromu Arakawa
355 books2,869 followersHiromu 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
March 8, 2022
4.5
“You shall not create gold.
You shall not create a human being.
You shall not oppose the military."
Comienza la cuenta atrás para el verdadero final. No me quedan sino siete tomos. Todo está encajando poco a poco como piezas de un gran puzle. Lo que más me gusta es como la autora se toma su tiempo también en esta parte para hilarlo todo. Hasta el final una perfeccionista y meticulosa. Eso me gusta y mucho.
Ethics are a fluid affaire. They’re always changing and at this time, in this country, we have no time for such quaint concepts as « sin ».
Alphonse, querido. Después de todo lo que has pasado te adoro cada vez más. Nadie tiene un corazón tan puro como el tuyo y como no le tienes rencor a casi nadie. Por otro lado, Olivier no me gustaría ser su enemiga y ser como ella. Le tengo mucho cariño y envidia a esa señora, no, esa diosa.
"For decades and centuries to come, they’ll think twice before picking a fight with our country…now that they’ve tasted the bitterness of overwhelming and total defeat !"
Lo único que me está faltando ahora es más interacción de Riza y Roy. Sin embargo, sé que aparecerán más adelante en el momento adecuado.
A por ese final de una vez por todos y que mi salud no se vea perjudicada.
"After the year ends and the next season comes…on the promised day the north and the east will make their move".
“You shall not create gold.
You shall not create a human being.
You shall not oppose the military."
Comienza la cuenta atrás para el verdadero final. No me quedan sino siete tomos. Todo está encajando poco a poco como piezas de un gran puzle. Lo que más me gusta es como la autora se toma su tiempo también en esta parte para hilarlo todo. Hasta el final una perfeccionista y meticulosa. Eso me gusta y mucho.
Ethics are a fluid affaire. They’re always changing and at this time, in this country, we have no time for such quaint concepts as « sin ».
Alphonse, querido. Después de todo lo que has pasado te adoro cada vez más. Nadie tiene un corazón tan puro como el tuyo y como no le tienes rencor a casi nadie. Por otro lado, Olivier no me gustaría ser su enemiga y ser como ella. Le tengo mucho cariño y envidia a esa señora, no, esa diosa.
"For decades and centuries to come, they’ll think twice before picking a fight with our country…now that they’ve tasted the bitterness of overwhelming and total defeat !"
Lo único que me está faltando ahora es más interacción de Riza y Roy. Sin embargo, sé que aparecerán más adelante en el momento adecuado.
A por ese final de una vez por todos y que mi salud no se vea perjudicada.
"After the year ends and the next season comes…on the promised day the north and the east will make their move".
July 21, 2017
Fortunately, Edward is back). Winry meets Rose, and Al knows the truth behind Hohenheim. But still there is a problem with promised day? what is it? Maybe it is the day the gates will be opened.
March 10, 2021
Arakawa has trouble letting go of characters. More than 40 are crammed into this slim little manga by mention, cameo, or full appearance. That's a cast list I would expect from the finale of a DC or Marvel crossover event, not a middle volume of a fantasy adventure series.
Needless to say, there is a lot of work done in this volume to get everyone in place for the endgame, which is going to fill the final seven volumes apparently. It's all pretty exciting for set-up, though I'd be more impressed with the intricacy of Arakawa's plot if it weren't for an over-reliance on coincidence to move things along.
Since Arakawa is merciless in killing people off, I predict the final books will have many fewer characters for me to count and fret over . . . and now that has me worried . . .
Needless to say, there is a lot of work done in this volume to get everyone in place for the endgame, which is going to fill the final seven volumes apparently. It's all pretty exciting for set-up, though I'd be more impressed with the intricacy of Arakawa's plot if it weren't for an over-reliance on coincidence to move things along.
Since Arakawa is merciless in killing people off, I predict the final books will have many fewer characters for me to count and fret over . . . and now that has me worried . . .
October 4, 2016
Envy in a trap, Greed in the team! Al meets father Hohenheim and Winry with Rose. And Edward just being Edward.)
There is cliffhanger; what is the promising day?
There is cliffhanger; what is the promising day?
May 15, 2021
It's not real manga unless the female MC has at least one nude scene in the shower 🛀
June 19, 2021
So Al and his crew initially fight Envy and sort of capture him, final goodbye to Mei and a small reunion with their father and learning things from him particularly the day of reckoning and finally we have the side of Ed and we find out what he has been up to and its something. Great to see him having two mates and their meeting with Greed changes thing. Meanwhile something is going with Roy and all these stories are meeting for a final clash soon. I like how this volume took its time setting up so many things and now that we are in the endgame its gonna be a big payoff for a lot of things!
June 7, 2020
4 of 5 stars
March 31, 2022
Este volumen se siente como el final de un arco y como tal, no pasa nada grandioso. Solo que Greed les ofrece a Edward y los demás hacerlos sus “subordinados” ya que, al recuperar los recuerdos de vidas pasadas, peleó contra Bradley King y decidió alejarse de esos homúnculos.
Por otra parte, el Dr. Marcoh obtiene su venganza, nacida del arrepentimiento, y le quita la piedra filosofal a Envy. Gracias a ello, ahora tienen a una criatura indefensa que no supone peligro alguno.
Poco a poco todo ha ido acomodándose para lo que supongo es el arco final de la serie. Ah, antes de que lo olvide, Hohenheim le cuenta su verdad a Alphonse y él parece aceptarlo sin más (lol, OK.)
Este volumen incluye los capítulos 79 – 83.
REVIEWS ANTERIORES:
Volumen 1 | Volumen 2 | Volumen 3 | Volumen 4 | Volumen 5 | Volumen 6 | Volumen 7 | Volumen 8 | Volumen 9 | Volumen 10 | Volumen 11 | Volumen 12 | Volumen 13 | Volumen 14 | Volumen 15 | Volumen 16 | Volumen 17 | Volumen 18 | Volumen 19
Por otra parte, el Dr. Marcoh obtiene su venganza, nacida del arrepentimiento, y le quita la piedra filosofal a Envy. Gracias a ello, ahora tienen a una criatura indefensa que no supone peligro alguno.
Poco a poco todo ha ido acomodándose para lo que supongo es el arco final de la serie. Ah, antes de que lo olvide, Hohenheim le cuenta su verdad a Alphonse y él parece aceptarlo sin más (lol, OK.)
Este volumen incluye los capítulos 79 – 83.
REVIEWS ANTERIORES:
Volumen 1 | Volumen 2 | Volumen 3 | Volumen 4 | Volumen 5 | Volumen 6 | Volumen 7 | Volumen 8 | Volumen 9 | Volumen 10 | Volumen 11 | Volumen 12 | Volumen 13 | Volumen 14 | Volumen 15 | Volumen 16 | Volumen 17 | Volumen 18 | Volumen 19
March 23, 2021
I read this for my March 2021 challenge of only reading books by women writers for Women's History month! You can read more about my experience here!
LIN. I MISSED YOU 😭😭😭
As always, the fight scenes and the note passing sequences are utter perfection. The art overall here is just beautiful.
LIN. I MISSED YOU 😭😭😭
As always, the fight scenes and the note passing sequences are utter perfection. The art overall here is just beautiful.
November 17, 2018
At this point, FMA readers already know the fact that the bad guys gave gained the upper hand in the battle, while Ed and his what can be loosely called a team moves in secrecy, in the shadows while waiting for the day of reckoning.
Friends, this is what we have all been waiting for. Arakawa has set all the chess pieces, each has their own motivations, own reason for fighting, and own plan. Volume 20 is the greatest final arc setup volume that I have ever read, surpassing even that of Naruto's 4th great ninja war.
Friends, this is what we have all been waiting for. Arakawa has set all the chess pieces, each has their own motivations, own reason for fighting, and own plan. Volume 20 is the greatest final arc setup volume that I have ever read, surpassing even that of Naruto's 4th great ninja war.
November 13, 2021
ooooh I'd forgotten about Lin/Greed. That's fascinating. And this is apparently , so there's that too. Mmmm.
...is it bad if I'm slightly more invested in the military storyline right now?
...is it bad if I'm slightly more invested in the military storyline right now?
August 30, 2023
4.25.
July 25, 2022
Absolutely awesome volume!!
Really enjoyed all the developments in this one and absolutely here for this thrill ride! Probably doesn't help that Kimblee didn't even make an appearance and instead had lots of Greed and Lin, which I LOVED!
The "battle" between them is top-notch and totally appreciated the "mind games" between them as well as seeing how strong Lin is. I honestly never expected him to have lasted long as he has, but he is beyond strong! Also really enjoyed seeing Greed struggling with past memories. SO good as I have always really loved his character!
I thought it moving the conversation between Al and his father. Granted its probably not THAT much of a conversation, but it makes me thankful Edward wasn't there just yet.
Also the Armstrongs! That was interesting and not sure what to make of it. (Also what Major General Armstrong saw was creepy. I felt her facial expression was my own expression with that new information.)
Oh! I LOVED the action at the beginning! Of course because of Scar (LOL), but even more then that seeing a certain doctor really grow in that situation. Also, WHOA! Didn't realize he was THAT powerful.
And sweet May! I totally feel she has been deceived, but I'm hoping not!
Total great turn of events at the end that I really really enjoyed! Also a random thing I liked was finding out the one thing King Bradley had control over in his life. Made him a little more human in that moment and wasn't sure if I should potentially have compassion for him or not. *nervous laughter*
Really enjoyed all the developments in this one and absolutely here for this thrill ride! Probably doesn't help that Kimblee didn't even make an appearance and instead had lots of Greed and Lin, which I LOVED!
The "battle" between them is top-notch and totally appreciated the "mind games" between them as well as seeing how strong Lin is. I honestly never expected him to have lasted long as he has, but he is beyond strong! Also really enjoyed seeing Greed struggling with past memories. SO good as I have always really loved his character!
I thought it moving the conversation between Al and his father. Granted its probably not THAT much of a conversation, but it makes me thankful Edward wasn't there just yet.
Also the Armstrongs! That was interesting and not sure what to make of it. (Also what Major General Armstrong saw was creepy. I felt her facial expression was my own expression with that new information.)
Oh! I LOVED the action at the beginning! Of course because of Scar (LOL), but even more then that seeing a certain doctor really grow in that situation. Also, WHOA! Didn't realize he was THAT powerful.
And sweet May! I totally feel she has been deceived, but I'm hoping not!
Total great turn of events at the end that I really really enjoyed! Also a random thing I liked was finding out the one thing King Bradley had control over in his life. Made him a little more human in that moment and wasn't sure if I should potentially have compassion for him or not. *nervous laughter*
July 13, 2019
Fortissimo il dottor Marcoh! E mi è piaciuto anche che si stiano riavvicinando Al e suo padre, sebbene in un modo un po' strano. Spero davvero che Hohenheim possa rimediare al suo "errore" di aver abbandonato di figli aiutandoli in questa battaglia finale.
Certo che mai 'na gioia! Ora che Envy è riuscito ad ingannare May che cosa succederà? Tutte ste sfighe una dietro l'altra cominciano a diventare improbabili! Va bene che è fantascienza, ma è ora di arrivare al punto. Voglio sapere tutto tuttissimo sul padre degli homunculus, e soprattutto vedere se i fratelli avranno ciò che desiderano da tanto tempo. Magari resuscitano anche la madre *_*
Certo che mai 'na gioia! Ora che Envy è riuscito ad ingannare May che cosa succederà? Tutte ste sfighe una dietro l'altra cominciano a diventare improbabili! Va bene che è fantascienza, ma è ora di arrivare al punto. Voglio sapere tutto tuttissimo sul padre degli homunculus, e soprattutto vedere se i fratelli avranno ciò che desiderano da tanto tempo. Magari resuscitano anche la madre *_*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2016
All the ants started gathering to fight against the giant monster. At first they take out Envy with a deadly bite. Even though Envy is down, he still is not out. On the other hand Greed starts having internal conflict with his split personality. The reckoning promised day is revealed at last. All the chess pieces start to move for the final move. Will it be a checkmate or a stalemate that needs to be found out. Among all the bad news, the only good news for Elric brothers is that they might have a chance to get back their bodies on The Promised Day.
December 2, 2022
Ed saying his whole life has been a lesson on regret 🥺 really hit me. The moment of bonding between Hohenheim and Al was sweet, too; that they could find understanding in their "monstrousness." I'm still wishing we saw more emotion from Hohenheim where the boys are concerned, though.
Not a huge fan of the direction they took for Envy and May Chang. However, I did really enjoy Lin's return, and Greed's breaking point.
The volume wasn't quite as tight as the previous, but still damn good.
Not a huge fan of the direction they took for Envy and May Chang. However, I did really enjoy Lin's return, and Greed's breaking point.
The volume wasn't quite as tight as the previous, but still damn good.
August 26, 2016
Every now and then, in the midst of genocide and tragedy, Ed and Al say, "but what about our original bodies?" and I roll my eyes so hard it hurts.
December 27, 2016
Güzel başladı, güzel bitti. Özellikle Envy'nin başına gelenleri severek okudum. Serinin çarpıcı ve farklı yönlerini seviyorum sonu hem iple çekiyorum hemde gelmesin istiyorum.
January 1, 2020
I can't say anything plot-related at this point without spoilering the series so I'll just say this instead(again): I. Love. This. Series.
October 18, 2022
There we go!
November 3, 2020
I feel like this point is were Al really begins to shine more. He really shows just how sweet he is in this volume with his interactions with his Dad. Very different to Ed's reactions.
We see Ed being his usual, sparky self. I know some people probably hate them but I love the excessive amount of short jokes, I find Ed's reaction funny every time.
Greed/Ling makes a return and a collab with Ed which is the pairing you don't realise you need.
Envy finally brought down... well. Envy is now a lizard?
Olivier acting all tough but really she's protecting people all the time. Absolutely queen behaviour!
The Armstrong family as a whole are great. Everytime they say 'this has been passed down the Armstrong family for generations' makes me laugh because my Grandma always said that about so many things (she was also an Armstrong😂)
What else can I say expect read/watch this series!
We see Ed being his usual, sparky self. I know some people probably hate them but I love the excessive amount of short jokes, I find Ed's reaction funny every time.
Greed/Ling makes a return and a collab with Ed which is the pairing you don't realise you need.
Envy finally brought down... well. Envy is now a lizard?
Olivier acting all tough but really she's protecting people all the time. Absolutely queen behaviour!
The Armstrong family as a whole are great. Everytime they say 'this has been passed down the Armstrong family for generations' makes me laugh because my Grandma always said that about so many things (she was also an Armstrong😂)
What else can I say expect read/watch this series!
August 3, 2017
I'm starting to feel bad for characters that I'm meant to hate. Also I'm getting really concerned for the safety of all the characters I love because I know they can't survive forever and that makes me sad. Oh god. It makes me really anxious when the brother's are separated so I'm just waiting for the to be reunited but also I'm glad that we get some really great information from their different journeys.
January 7, 2023
2nd book of 2023 and as expected of FMA, just perfect😌 read on 6/1/23
March 17, 2017
4.5 Stars
July 19, 2020
This volume contains in itself the closest thing to an idiot-ball the entire story has: the circumstances behind Envy, May Chang, and everyone thinking it a good idea to hand over a manipulative little snot to a small and rather naive child. It's a pretty contrived way to facilitate Envy's eventual return and to set things up a little worse for everyone. But really it's just a small quibble - it hardly bothers me at all unless I insist on obsessing over it - and I think it speaks volumes of the quality of the rest of the story, that such a minor thing has ended up bothering so many people. In a lesser story it would hardly be noticed at all.
Besides, it's not like the good guys are the only ones that can be dumb: maybe Father should have thought a little more about the single part of himself to betray him, why and how that could have happened, and set up failsafes - or simply not bring him back at all. This is where it inevitably and rather predictably comes back to bite him. But it gave us a lot of good drama and tension, wondering about whether Ling's turn to a villain might stick, so it's all good.
I liked the bit at the end, with the heroes so well connected to one another and almost effortlessly getting some secret information across, the bad guys being none the wiser.
Besides, it's not like the good guys are the only ones that can be dumb: maybe Father should have thought a little more about the single part of himself to betray him, why and how that could have happened, and set up failsafes - or simply not bring him back at all. This is where it inevitably and rather predictably comes back to bite him. But it gave us a lot of good drama and tension, wondering about whether Ling's turn to a villain might stick, so it's all good.
I liked the bit at the end, with the heroes so well connected to one another and almost effortlessly getting some secret information across, the bad guys being none the wiser.
August 5, 2019
Le cose cominciano a diventare sempre più interessanti...e siamo quasi alla fine. 😭
October 15, 2021
we're covering all the characters in this one!
September 27, 2023
4.25
Love some Lin action
Love some Lin action
November 23, 2025
That extreme message exchange at the end was genuinely impressive
April 18, 2019
Poco a poco, Arakawa va reuniendo a los personajes del manga para el enfrentamiento final, ya está todo lineandose, y capaz que lo que más me gusta es la forma en la que muchos personajes son ambiguos en cuanto a sus intenciones, o su alineamiento.
Es genial porque el misterio siempre está ahi, ¿cuales son las verdaderas intenciones de todos? Tiene sentido que aún no sepamos lo que se proponen realmente los homúnculos, si vienen manejando todo desde las sombras, es obvio que no van a ser tan descuidados como para decirles sus planes a todo el mundo, solo sabemos partes y deja a la imaginación de cada uno pensar una teoría propia.
Es genial porque el misterio siempre está ahi, ¿cuales son las verdaderas intenciones de todos? Tiene sentido que aún no sepamos lo que se proponen realmente los homúnculos, si vienen manejando todo desde las sombras, es obvio que no van a ser tan descuidados como para decirles sus planes a todo el mundo, solo sabemos partes y deja a la imaginación de cada uno pensar una teoría propia.
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