(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]

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.

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

(Hey, Miles rocks that hairstyle.)

[genarti]

(If anyone could rock that hairstyle, it is Miles! He has the matter-of-fact chutzpah for it! Nonetheless, I don't think it really needs to catch on as a trend.)

I need a less grumpy Scar icon. Oh well.

[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*

[genarti]

Ummmmmm. Well, in the show we only got that quick snapshot of Darius and Heinkel and Yoki; the manga had the same content, but was clearer about it. And... you know, I have this vague feeling there must be someone, but heck if I can remember anyone we missed. WELL PLAYED, ARAKAWA. Geez.

(It's true; on the other hand, Scar is stubborn. And, uh, has not been seen to ever grow more facial hair than minor stubble, so maybe he's briefly tried sideburns and given up based on inability to grow any credible ones? I would find that kind of hilarious.)

[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.

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

I BELIEVE IN AL. So much.

The badass fanservice, suited them best, in many ways. (See, it makes me think that at this point in his career Roy has to cultivate an image somewhat similar to the one Bradley had. THIS INTRIGUES ME.)

Knox and Miles are kinda at the top of my list of "characters I need more of!" so I was rather ridiculously happy. (Of course Lan Fan does! Mei Chan also drops by for tea in between training sessions with Izumi.)

Becca I am not that far in Utena yet. D:

Indeed.

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

(True, true. Not everyone has the cool accessories for it either.)

...But it's Scar.

[skygiants]

Rose? She is about the only person I can think of who appeared more than once who did not get followed up with. Oh, and Sheska. And Paninya also only got a brief snapshot, but it was a snapshot of awesome team bonding so I'm okay with that.

(HAH. Okay, I would find that hilarious as well. Extra because it means he will forever be kind of bitter about the Roystache.)

[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

[skygiants]

FOR EVERY TEN, HE'LL GIVE BACK ELEVEN. <33333

I think my favorite is still the panel where Greedling makes the mistake of trying to tell Riza to stay behind. Especially because his expression upon WITNESSING the fanservice is glorious to behold. (. . . that is an intriguing thought. Certainly Grumman appears to be following that path . . .)

Me toooo. I mean, everyone is on that list. But them definitely way high up there! And I had sort of given up hope on seeing more Knox, especially, so my heart did fill with joy. (And once they accidentally come at the same time and it's SUPER AWKWARD.)

D: D: D: I keep forgetting this! CATCH UP ALREADY. In . . . all your copious free time . . .

[genarti]

(It's true. Miles is dangeresque! ...Now I totally want vids of that song for like half the cast of FMA.)

...*weakly* Less murderous?

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

AL: HE GOES TO ELEVEN.
...I apologize for that.

I don't know, I still love the thought of their "eye signal." THEY KNOW EACH OTHER'S SOULS. (...I should not be thinking of political fanfic, I should not be thinking of political fanfic, I should not-)

Both of them fall seriously into character types I love, and both of them didn't get all that much outside of arc-specific scenes, so THANK YOU ARAKAWA. (And Knox just facepalms and makes everyone tea.)

I WOULD IF VIDEO SITES WORKED. Instead I spend time discovering shonen manga that quote William Blake.

[genarti]

True for all! And Pinako only got a brief snapshot too, although she did get a fair amount of screen time (DESERVEDLY) compared to some.

I still ship Sheska/Fuery in my secret heart. Imagine the earnest geekiness!

(Ahahaha. And if he were someone else, he would make dry comments about it, but Scar does not lower himself to commenting on other people's fashion choices. So he just grunts sardonically.)

[elspeth-vimes.livejournal.com]

(YES.)

Well, yes, that might be good.

[aamalie]

Road trips! Yes! There should always be those. If only because the FMA cast is so completely not stationary that they would totally plan trips just for the heck of it. In my head, Ed's habit of dropping in unannouced, whenever he feels like it, has rubbed off on EVERYONE. (And hahaha yes, Scar's stoicface, while inside he's got warm fuzzy feelings because, awww, they came to visit him! IT WOULD SO HAPPEN.)

It totally is! Because you know during after that scene she totally left with the impression that HMM, THERE COULD BE SOME POTENTIAL HERE. Because, you know, Olivier doesn't tolerate pansies, and Scar is not a pansy. SO IT WORKS.

...I wonder what she thinks of the mullet, now.

(No, Mrs. Bradley doesn't want you to think she's scary. That's what's scary! She will totally serve you tea and cookies and smiles and awesomeness, but she'd totally be a political mastermind behind that unassuming facade. And don't you touch her boy - she will mess. you. up. And Grumman knows it. And thinks it's sorta hot. BUT ANYWAY.)

And of course that's what fanfic is for. *___* It is a good, good thing. There should be more. Always more.

[skygiants]

*DIES* AS WELL YOU SHOULD.

Oh, I love that ALSO. I love that epically. WORDS ARE FOR THE WEAK. (I should not be thinking of political fanfic -- fixed it for you! :D)

I will never finish being in love with how much and how well she followed up with every single character introduced. (And his wife is like, "it's so nice that you're making friends, dear! ^_^" and Knox is like "WHAT DO YOU MEAN FRIENDS YOU MEAN TROUBLESOME PATIENTS grumble grumble rant.")

. . . well, this is also acceptable, I suppose. :O Which one?

[skygiants]

Here is my secret: I accidentally read a spoiler that turned out to be a lie that Pinako was not going to survive the series. So when she did make it through, I was SO HAPPY I did not even notice she just got a brief screenshot.

You know this is something I can totally support! Earnest adorable geekiness for the win.

(And somehow that makes Mustang feel more ridiculously defensive about it than he does around ANYONE ELSE.)

[genarti]

YOU SHOULD BE THINKING OF POLITICAL FANFIC.

*helpful*

*flees back to other thread*

[skygiants]

As Winry says, people who stay still are boring! ROAD TRIPS FOR EVERYONE. Also, it totally has. Although Ed finds himself much more frustrated with his own road trips now that he can't just alchemize a tent. (And the warm fuzzy feelings would last just until Yoki opened his mouth.)

Well, mullets actually seem to be kind of a Briggs staple, so maybe Olivier has a weakness for the fashion choice? - which could explain Scar's mullet right there. *cough*

(TRUE ON ALL COUNTS. Meanwhile, if Riza ever finds out that Grumman is her grandfather, she will spend the rest of her life dreading the prospect of having Baby Selim as a step-uncle.)

Agreed! :D

[genarti]

:O :O :O That is a HEARTBREAKING AND TRAGIC LIE of a spoiler! Oh lordy. :( Is that the one that ages and ages ago you mentioned having read, and that I wouldn't want to hear and you were kind of sorry you had? If so I am DELIGHTED IT WAS WRONG. (If not, I am still delighted it was wrong.)

I do know! I restate it anyway. They would be so adorable. Though either of them would also be adorable in any other relationship that made them happy, it must be admitted.

(Hahaha. Well, he does have sort of a leg up on feeling defensive here... But yeah, and then he'd be cranky because WHY IS HE FEELING DEFENSIVE ABOUT HIS FASHION CHOICES OF ALL THINGS AROUND SCAR WHO IS GROWING A MILES-MULLET, and Hawkeye just facepalms. Inside her head. Outside her head she just blandfaces and says something sardonic-but-obliquely-reassuring.)

[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. :/

[genarti]

(They are ALL DANGERESQUE. And we have a wide variety of celebrity pharmacists, even! If we, uh, define the term loosely.)

What I really want is that bit at the very end where he's looking at the window and almost-not-quite-smiling. IT'S SCAR, OKAY. IT COUNTS ENORMOUSLY AND MAKES MY HEART HAPPY.