(no subject)

[skygiants]

OKAY. As of last night, I have both seen episode 64 of FMA:B and read the final chapter of the manga. And one month behind the rest of the fandom, I HAVE THOUGHTS.


First of all, I just want to say: not that I ever doubted it would, but FMA has absolutely taken its place as one of my favorite complete narratives of all time. I love everything. I love everyone. I LOVE ARAKAWA THE MOST.

. . . I just wanted to make that clear.

There was only one scene that I desperately wanted in the finale and did not get: I wanted a final scene between Scar and Marcoh scene LIKE BURNING. I realize that no one else in the world is as invested in the Team Scarcoh dynamic as I am (look, I assert my right to make terrible portmanteau smush names for things that are not romantic pairings if I want to) but all the same! I mean, okay. Their relationship goes from "killing you would be too easy for you" to "WACKY WORLD-SAVING ROAD TRIP." I feel like this deserves some resolution! In my heart, they are totally taking another road trip to visit Mei sometime postcanon. It will be awesome.

Which is not to say that I did not love the Scar-Miles-Olivier scene, because I did. So very much. I do love that in the end, Scar's continued purpose came from his dynamic with another Ishvalan, and I love Arakawa maybe most for this: that the efforts our guilty and well-meaning white dudes put forth with regard to resurrecting Ishval are going to be useless without the actual Ishvalans.

(BECCA: And I am firmly convinced that, as Olivier stalks off, even Scar has a two-second flash of thinking, "I'd hit that."
GEN: We don't even have any evidence that Scar is straight!
BECCA: Like it even matters! OLIVIER ARMSTRONG TRANSCENDS SEXUAL ORIENTATION. It's the power of The Hair.

Which is to say, I'd ship it.)

Some other things I loved beyond all reason:

- Ed's MOST HILARIOUS PROPOSAL EVER. I will LOL FOREVER, oh my god. (And hugs! So many hugs! I will admit I would not have minded some more shipperbait regarding certain other couples *cough*RizaRoy*cough* but all of Kids from Resembool hugs filled me with joy, especially given that I have spent half the series chanting "JUST HUG" at the screen.)

- Ling is going to learn how to be a big brotheeeeer. (I loved especially that in the manga it was Lan Fan who asked it of him, and that it was triggered by remembering Knox. I loved that so much.) You know that when Al finally gets to Xing, Ling is going to have way too much fun annoying him and Mei by playing Overprotective Big Brother at them and Demanding To Know Al's Intentions. (It will distract him from missing Greed. WHOM I ALSO MISS but I am not thinking about that because his death was perfect and fitting but still fills me with sorrow.)

- speaking of: I love not only that Al is going to Xing, but that he's taking JERSO AND ZAMPANO. They are learning alchemy! They are figuring out how to get their bodies back! And also babysitting Al while they're at it, oh my god, I love them all so much. (Meanwhile, Darius and Heinkel get stuck babysitting Yoki for all time.)

- I would desperately like fic in which the reason that Mei is hanging out in Rush Valley in that final photo from the anime after she and Al come back from Xing is because she is TRAINING WITH IZUMI IN DUBLITH. *___* Seriously, how awesome would that be? I would also like fic in which Paninya and Mei become BFF. Alas, fandom will not provide me with either of these.

- I can't decide which version of the Havoc-and-Breda photo I love better: the one in the manga, with the physical therapy, or the one from the anime with REBECCA AND HER HAREM.

- GRUMMAN AND MRS. BRADLEY. Oh, man. In my heart, she has totally used her popularity and status as the Grieving Widow to become a politician in the aftermath of everything that went down, and Grumman has proposed to her at least three times because a.) she's hot, b.) it would be an excellent PR move, and c.) he wants to keep an eye on Baby Selim. And Mrs. Bradley smiles sweetly, flirts with him, and stomps his dreams every time, because a.) she prefers to lead the opposition, b.) she does not trust him anywhere near Baby Selim, and c.) he's not anywhere near as hot as her previous husband (though she does appreciate a man with a fine moustache.)

And okay. SPEAKING OF FACIAL HAIR. The time has come, the inevitable time, to discuss the all-important topic of the hairstyling decisions of certain cast members in the finale, and I am about to assert an Unpopular Fandom Opinion here.

To put it into context, I have to relate another conversation between myself and genarti, as both of us found it completely impossible to avoid spoilers of THE STACHE.

GEN: But I don't actually think it's that bad! It's small and period-appropriate and kind of reminds me of my grandfather's. It's not, like, an Armstrong-stache.
BECCA: . . . what do you mean? It's TERRIBLE. It's WORSE than an Armstrong-stache!
GEN: Are you crazy? It doesn't even curl!
BECCA: IT SO DOES CURL. And it's RIDICULOUS.
GEN: It does not! It has tiny points!
BECCA: Gen, LOOK AT THIS. THAT IS CURL.
GEN: . . . Becca, I don't know how to tell you this, but that's - not the real moustache. That's a parody.
BECCA: . . .
GEN: The monocle wasn't a clue?
BECCA: I DON'T PUT MONOCLES PAST ARAKAWA OKAY.

From this, we may take two things: a.) I am the most gullible person alive and b.) by the time I saw the real moustache, I was prepared to agree, it was not actually that bad! I mean, it is a hilarious decision on the part of both Roy and the animators. I will never deny this. However, it was far from the worst hair-related decision displayed in the final episode. FAR FROM. Even leaving Falman's tiny scrub-beard aside, observe:



The Roystache.



THE SCAR-MULLET.

WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE HILARIOUS TERROR THAT IS THE SCAR-MULLET.

Fandom, once again, I am disappoint.

Comments

[genarti]

I have no response but CACKLING AND HEARTS FOR EVERYBODY.

EVERYBODY IN THE ENTIRE CAST. I LOVE THEM ALL SO HARD.

(However, as regards Scar's hair, I just have to say: at least he skipped the sideburns.)

[skygiants]

EVERYONE EVER. I'm trying to remember if there's anyone we didn't get follow-up with, by the end.

(FOR NOW. It's only a matter of time. Miles is a pernicious stylistic influence.)

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

(Hey, Miles rocks that hairstyle.)

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

ED. SUCH A DORK. I LOVE HIM SO.
BUT I LOVE AL EVEN MORE. HE IS SO SWEET AND HARDCORE.
And personally, much as I would have liked Roy/Riza resolution, I think I admire Arakawa even more for not including it, since the lack of resolution makes so much more political sense! (I also admire the political implications of the mustache.)

I have to admit, what might have been my favorite thing about the finale was the inclusion of Knox. I have serious love for that man, and I'm especially glad to see him continuing to have an impact. Miles' role comes a close second.

...Or my favorite thing could have been Al insisting on walking all the way home. Or seeing all the kids genuinely growing up. Or EVERYTHING.

Perhaps the mullet is more priestly for Scar?

Also I agree entirely with your theory regarding Grumman and Mrs. Bradley.

[skygiants]

AL CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF ALL TIME. He continues be so earnest and try so hard! He is going to change the wooooorld.

I did not really expect we were going to get much resolution, given the politics, and to be fair we did kind of get an epic ton of hilariously dramatic clinging in the previous chapters. But I would not have objected to a little fanservice. >.> (It is a very srs bsns moustache. *solemn*)

I loved that too. So much. I especially loved that the conversations that he had with Lan Fan and Mei ended up having serious impact on events (and in my heart, every so often Lan Fan just, like, pops up on his windowsill and asks for an automail adjustment. How did she cross the desert? She's Lan Fan, she can do these things!) I had also been kind of sad about the lack of Miles in most of the Promised Day chapters, so I was extra glad to see him reappear and be COMPLETELY AWESOME.

I do not think that is a priestly mullet, Orly. That is perilously close to an Akio mullet. @_@ @_@ @_@

That is because it is obviously true. *serene*

[aamalie]

You have now made me irrevocably sad that there was no Marcoh + Scar resolution scene! But then, they'll both be in Ishval, making things happen there, so maybe no resolution is needed! They'll just continue saving the world and it will be awesome.

And word on Scar/Olivier. It's totally plausible. Because I say so. No other reason is necessary.

(This also applies to Grumman and Mrs. Bradley, because duh.)

I think the fixation on Roy's 'stache comes from the fact that it was such an entirely unexpectedly wonderful addition. I seem to remember that when 108 did come out, there was definitely some discussion about the Scar!mullet, but it wasn't nearly so epic. ALAS.

And uh, there could always be more Roy/Riza and I would not object. Ever.

[skygiants]

They totally will be. Plus the occasional road trip! My heart is set on continuing road trips. (The chimerae will drop by every so often too with Yoki. Scar will stoicface and totally not show in any way that he is at all glad to see them.)

Hey, if there is anyone who's badass enough to keep up with Olivier . . . that's totally a justification!

(I am still dying of laughter that Arakawa actually wrote that flirting in. MRS. BRADLEY ISN'T THAT SCARY.)

This may be true! And it really is unexpectedly hilarious; sometimes I love the animation team. But still: MULLET. The manga panel does not even begin to showcase the terror that the mullet in clear full-sized color displays.

Hopefully that is what fanfic is for! :D

[prix-etoile.livejournal.com]

SCARMULLET. lmao I think I was too horrified by that to even think about it. Roystache killed me enough, wtf Bones.

Oh man, I miss FMA so much now. There is not enough fic to last me forever. You did hear they greenlit a movie, right? AS LONG AS IT'S NOT CONQUERORS OF SHAMBALLACRAPTASM, IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME. :/

[skygiants]

I JUST. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. Okay, I do understand, and what I understand is that Arakawa sat there drawing it and cracking herself up. Likewise re: the animators and the Roystache.

I also miss it alreadyyyyy but I DID HEAR and I am TENTATIVELY EXCITED. Did you hear it's going to be live-action? I am so, so curious how that will work out! (I have never seen Shamballa. MY SOUL REMAINS UNSCARRED. Someday I will venture it, but if so it will involve friends who understand the terror, and also alcohol.)

OKAY NOW I CAN FLAIL AT YOU.

[oneechan19.livejournal.com]

YOU HAVE SEEN AND READ IT ALL. IT IS JUST SO AWESOME, BECCA.

OMG THAT MUSTACHE. I'm sorry, but I prefer the manga picture over the anime picture. I... do like the Scar-mullet though. *hides*

THE HUGS. THE KIDS FROM RESENBOOL HUGS. The welcome home hug between Al, Ed and Winry (http://www.onemanga.com/Full_Metal_Alchemist/108/084-085/)? I quite possibly cried when I read that. Then I immediately made it the background on my desktop. AND THE HUG JUST BETWEEN ED AND WINRY. <3<3<3 (Now that he no longer has a metal arm weighing him down, he finally grows!)

Um, um, there are other things I can be flaily about, LIKE THE WHOLE ED GETTING HIS ARM BACK AND AL SACRIFICING HIMSELF ASELKRJU. I was flailing SO HARD during that chapter and thinking, 'WHY CAN'T BECCA BE CAUGHT UP I NEED TO FLAIL AT(WITH?) HER RIGHT. NOW.'

Aaaaanyway. Yes. :D

YES NOW YOU CAN

[skygiants]

. . . . what. Carrie. WHAT. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THIS TRAVESTY OF A MULLET. *dying*

Oh man, most epic hug of all time, y/y? I totally shrieked with glee at that point. (AL CAN FEEL HUGS AGAIN. IT'S AWESOME.) AND YES THAT HUG TOO OH MAN. Ed finally learned how to initiate hugs with girls! WELL PLAYED, ED. (Although Al will always be taller. *solemn*)

Yessssss. The arm and not the leg was so perfect! I wouldn't have wanted him to get both back, but that worked for me. :D And AL OMG AL WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS MY LOVE FOR HIM. *cough*

[redbeardjim.livejournal.com]

I must object. Clearly, that is not a mullet.


It is a WARRIOR'S WOLFTAIL.

[skygiants]

*chokes*

Valid, and yet . . . okay, on Sokka it would be a warrior's wolftail. On Scar, it is a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SARTORIAL DECISION.

[dramaturgca.livejournal.com]

Wait, how have you seen it already?

[skygiants]

Just this once, for the last episode, I cheated and downloaded the fansub from fm_alchemist. I may still be watching the official version on Thursday!

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

...I want to do more merry making with you but I am at wooooork! (Despite the fact that my boss is amused with the FMA stuff strewn about my office, I do try to not get too deeply involved in fandom whilst he's paying me.)

[skygiants]

I ALSO am at work. >.> Normally I am much better than this . . . and I will probably end up staying a little late today to make up for indulging right now. BUT I AM STILL IN FLAIL MODE. (I will probably still be flailing for quite some time, though, so THAT'S OKAY. :D)

[libitina]

not reading not reading... ahh... but! Does this mean that FMA:B is closed canon, now? Because I've been waiting for that to happen before starting.

[skygiants]

It is officially closed canon! GO FORTH AND INVESTIGATE.

[ojuzu.livejournal.com]

I can't think of anything to say right now but YES THIS and many many little hearts. Especially for Scar and Miles and Olivia/er, and Ling, and Greed, and Roy, and Riza, and Winry and Ed and Al, and Scar is kind of one of my favourite characters now, and the finale made me cry so much, and I just want to grab all the characters and hug them.

And even though I really can't think of anything to say I want to talk and talk and talk about this. ^ ^;; MAKE AN OBSERVATION. TELL ME SOMETHING. REC ME FIC. ANYTHING.

[skygiants]

Scar is TOTALLY one of my favorite characters now. (Although . . . so is everyone? NOT ENOUGH WORDS, TOO MANY FEELINGS.)

skla;jsdfas you can see, I basically cannot be STOPPED from talking about this. (Though I cannot really rec much fic yet as I have been avoiding pretty much EVERYTHING for fear of spoilers for the past month, this is once again the trouble with being a month behind everyone else.) I WILL TELL YOU ALL THE FIC I WANT THOUGH. I want epic-length fics about the rebuilding of Ishval and hijinks-y fic about all the kids being doofy college-aged dorks in Rush Valley and bittersweet fic about Emperor Ling and the bits of Greed that rubbed off on him and the ways he has to change for his new role and political fic about Mrs. Bradley being awesome and ridiculous shippy fic for EVERYONE and and and! (And genarti has promised to write me Scar and Riza awkward mystery-solving team-up in reconstruction Ishval, which mysteriously I want more than anything?)

[rawles.livejournal.com]

IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND I AM STILL NOT REALLY OVER IT. I just sit around basking in a STORY WELL-FINISHED. Well, that and feeling great pangs of longing for kissing, but that's my own fault. It said SHOUNEN on the tin when I bought it.

Oh delightful completed narratives, you are perhaps my favorite of all.

I have way too many feelings to properly express in a comment, BUT I will say I inexplicably ship Scar/Olivier. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE SENSE OKAY. She looked at him! And uh asked his name! And he was like CALL ME WHATEVER YOU WANT BABY...I'm going to stop there before I embarrass myself.

ANYWAY the fic that I want which no one but me will ever write is when May visits Amestris when Ling is on a diplomatic trip to East City working out treaties and trade routes with Roy* and runs into MR. SCAR, WHO IS NOT DEAD, and there is a touching reunion in which May explodes tears all over him and Scar is stoically affectionate.

I have also EVER LONGED for the fic in which Chris Mustang and Grumman fistbump at Roy and Riza's wedding reception over a PLAN WELL-EXECUTED, but if I start getting into all the Roy/Riza fic I wish existed...well.


*MORE FIC NO ONE WILL EVER WRITE...WITHIN THE FIC.

[rawles.livejournal.com]

WAIT WHAT IS THIS, I FORGOT TO COMMENT ON THE ROYSTACHE.

I have come to love the Roystache if for no other reason than FMA fandom's totally disproportionate response to it. (My spite reflex is strong. THOUGH I MEAN IT IS, IN AND OF ITSELF, A CUTE GOOFY LITTLE STACHE.) And also my conviction that he clearly grew it for Riza. As elucidated in this most excellent fic (http://community.livejournal.com/penways/18499.html).

[astridv.livejournal.com]

I was trying to think of a narrative that was similarly well executed and thought out and couldn't come up with anything. I love how the ending ties all the lose ends while their stories go on. So we get closure but it doesn't feel like an ending.

Scar's story arc and how it ties into the overall themes ended up being one of my favorites parts. I'm very much hoping for fic about Scar and Miles working together with Mustang's crew in Ishbal.

(BECCA: And I am firmly convinced that, as Olivier stalks off, even Scar has a two-second flash of thinking, "I'd hit that."

I wouldn't be surprised if Olivier was having a similar thought, actually...

Not commenting on the hair issue... I'm currently working very hard to repress.
Except, okay:
BECCA: Gen, LOOK AT THIS. THAT IS CURL.
GEN: . . . Becca, I don't know how to tell you this, but that's - not the real moustache. That's a parody.

*snickers*

[skygiants]

Yeah, me too. I am such a sucker for tight and continuity-filled plotting, and Arakawa is such a genius at it. When I got to the page where Lan Fan flashes back to Knox talking about kids killing each other, and then that conversation became plot-relevant, I pretty much shrieked aloud. And I really do love how much room there is for more stories - it's not too neat, at all.

YES PLEASE. I am desperately hoping for these fics also!

. . . also, the Olivier/Scar fic that SOMEONE will write. I am convinced of this. Come on, fandom, it's not like you haven't shipped five million less plausible pairings, what are you waiting for.

As both my reaction to the hair issue and that conversation demonstrates, I am full of insightfulness and dignity at all times.

[lacewood]

........

So apparently I managed to COMPLETELY MISS THE ROYSTACHE IN THE MANGA?! What. How did I do this. And did I want to know? D:

(I think a small part of me is still sitting there wishing the series would NEVER END, EVER, but continue into the eternal sunset with epic road trips and country rebuilding and politics and maybe MAKING OUT. ARAKAWA, YOU TEASE, not even ooonnnneeee Roy and Hawkeye ~moment~? ;_____; omg, no more caannoooonnn asdhgsfhdljghfgh noooooooo. And yet it's so beautiful and warm and fuzzy and askhdgsfhdlfhdg)

Also I fully support this Scar/Olivier theory if only because Scar faced down WRATH HIMSELF. If anyone's going to survive Olivier, he's clearly the fellow to do it!

[skygiants]

Hahahaha that is because there WAS no Roystache in the manga! It was an ANIME-ONLY ADDITION because the animators like to play with our heads.

(Yeeeah there is that small part of me as well. I mean I AM GLAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED and yet at the same time aks;jdfdshow is it over. ;_;)

It is so true. It's like the irresistible force and the immovable object. They are the only people hardcore enough for each other! And you know Olivier thinks both scars AND mullets are kind of hot.