Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV Series) An Alchemist's Distress (2009) User Reviews

So predictable yet so shocking

[xxmilesmilesxx · 10/10 · 26 May 2020]

This messed with me so much. It was epic, but as soon as I realised what was going to happen (which was pretty early) I felt sick. Always been amazed at how animated television can make you care about a character and give their demise such impact in just 20 minutes. This is a great example of this. I'm about 12 episodes in upon writing this, and though the episodes haven't nearly been as good as this (arguably some exceptions) I've continued to ride the momentum of this episode. Episode 10 also kicked some steam back into my thirst for alchemy and I'm really excited to see where the central plot goes. 9.5/10

The most I have ever hated a villain in a TV show

[cameronhall-60443 · 10/10 · 3 April 2020]

This episode broke me. It took the three new characters who at the beginning of the episode I adored then said hey let's merge the toddler and the child. Have the other person be the one who merged them and have another person come in and murder all three.

Four episodes in and my heart is broken

[emmett_mcgowan · 9/10 · 18 September 2019]

No matter how many times I watch this what happens to Nina and Alexander breaks my heart. Even at this early stage I appreciate how good this is.

Horrifying

[greatalpacaeye · 25 March 2021]

Let it be known: this may be the most horrifying thing I've ever seen.

Perfect

[umlaziking · 10/10 · 3 April 2020]

This episode is amazing, so so emotional and the writing was top class, man i really cant wait to watch more episodes

Meet my Dog-Daughter

[injury-65447 · 10/10 · 14 June 2020]

I saw that this episode was extremely highly rated and at first I didn't understand why. I found The story pleasant but Nina to be a little annoying. Alexander playing with Edward was super cute though.

Then BAM! All of a sudden this story takes a deliciously dark turn as the father merges his young daughter with the family pooch to create a mournful beast. So sick and amazing. What a show! I love how the father's desperation drove him to such twisted extremes.

The episode discusses the idea of "playing with human life" and whether the members of the military are any better than the mad scientist, morally speaking. They both are willing to take or twist the lives of others in pursuit of a higher goal. The Elric brothers are trying to convince themselves that they are morally superior to these other evildoers - but will their journey take them to even darker places than this? Would they be willing to sacrifice others to help their own family? Such a great way to start exploring these questions.

On top of that we also have some kind of religious killer stalking the streets in search of heathen alchemists to punish.

This was a fantastically constructed episode and is opening my eyes to how great this show is. I hope it continues to be confronting viewing.

Damn you Shou Tucker! DAMN YOU!!!!

[reckno · 10/10 · 22 December 2020]

I'll never forget the first time I read this chapter in the manga and the first time I watched this episode on tv. My jaw drops every time. I know exactly how it happens every time and yet I just want to step in and say "NO DON'T YOU DARE DO IT SHOU. Ed please rescue them before it's too late!!!"

Fullmetal Alchemist shows how dark a show it truly is almost immediately, and this episode sold me on the series. You'll be on the edge of your seat every moment of this episode (and most of the show for that matter)!

An unforgettable masterpiece of dark animation. This is EXACTLY how I want a dark and gruesome anime to be. It makes you feel every emotion between fear, anger, sadness, and disgust! Hurry up and watch it already if you haven't!!!

Unflinching, Brutal, and Haunting

[liammc-73274 · 10/10 · 9 February 2022]

What a brilliantly-written episode. Each new character is perfectly realized. Comedy, score, and art style are flawlessly utilized to get us attached to characters and establish tonal shifts. In the end these things culminate in a way that spectacularly concludes some of these characters' journeys while propelling the other's forward.

In this episode we explore the darkness that the limitless scientific possibilities of alchemy can inspire, and the "divine" retribution that will be wrought from acting on this inspiration. The Elric brothers are forced to directly confront their hubris after closing their eyes and ears to Cornello's accusations the episode prior, and it's wholeheartedly devastating. This entry in FMAB is one of the most profound and gritty explorations of religion/hubris and the value of human life you'll see in anime. It cements this thematic material as the cornerstone that this show is built upon. Beautifully, artfully done.

Anguish

[mapet-79672 · 10/10 · 13 November 2020]

Grief Sorrow Pain Affliction Why did he have to do that

Peak and disturbing

[brancogabriel-71904 · 10/10 · 30 June 2022]

First of all I think there's just one flaw in this episode, and is that everything happens very quickly, but is still a punch in the stomach, disturbing and shocking i never see nothing in other series like this.

Overall:9,5/10.

Horrific and disturbing

[amandlarissa · 10/10 · 26 June 2022]

Worst daddy for all series that I ever see, I was not expecting this so suddenly, it's way more dark than I expected.

Poor Nina and Alexander they do not deserve this.

OK I was not expecting this

[lorenastephanie · 10/10 · 25 June 2022]

What was that? Seriously it's been a long time since I watch something so disturbing.

This episode is shocking and now I understand what's fmab is about.

Disturbing

[teloumaicon · 10/10 · 22 June 2022]

This episode shows what is Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, the idea of someone be so obsessed with something that can break the rules and hurt people, I'm shocked.

We're only human...

[jonathanriner · 10/10 · 13 May 2022]

This episode of FMA Brotherhood is when the series really shows exactly how far it's willing to go. The internal conflict that our character's face is more prominent than ever and with the introduction of the mysterious character Scar, we know the physical conflict is right around the corner. Some of the darkest TV of all time and genuinely hard to watch, but brilliant nonetheless.

Can't sleep whole night after watching this. Great thinking behind this salute to creater

[sagargoyal1880 · 10/10 · 18 May 2021]

One of the best thing ever watched in life keep doing work like this.

*Agressive Crying*

[nucleus-24718 · 10/10 · 19 March 2022]

This is part of me reviewing every episode btw.

This episode taps into the evil and good of humanity. It starts off wholesome and entertaining. I like how everything the characters do make complete sense for them to do in this episode. Anyways Nina and Alexander are wholesome af and I'm happy. I was feeling sorry for the Shou cause he wasn't going to be a state alchemist anymore. And then this takes an incredibly dark, twisted wonderfuly written turn.

In superficial elements, I really like the lighting and how it's used this episode. The animation and everything else is great.

Now this twist is predictable, but it still manages to shock. The themes in this episode are so well handled and it's pacing is great. Can't say much cause this is just so good. :(((((((

9.6/10 :(

Disturbing but very interesting

[marcoscastores · 10/10 · 27 June 2022]

This episode shows what is a bad father, what Tucker did to Nina and Alexander is unforgiving.

This anime really surprises me I curious for what will happen next.

Overall:10/10.

Punch in my stomach

[miguelpassador · 10/10 · 4 July 2022]

This is so horrific, I was not expecting this poor Nina and Alexander.

This episode bring the discussion about ethic and was made so well.

Now I really excited with this séries.

Ttaumatising

[talalsuad · 10/10 · 20 November 2023]

This episode was such a surprise because it came by so fast made us get attached to nina and the dog thinking they are nice people but.... things take a wide turn

The father merges HIS OWN DAUGHTER and his dog just to make them a lab experiment so they can become a parasite that talks , he was not telling the truth and said " Lets play " But things took a turn the next day

Here are the overall ratings Plot : 9/10 Plot twist : 10/10 frightening and intense scenes: 10/10 Pacing : 10/10 overall the episode is perfect and is interesting, Would highly recommend any newcomers to start off with fullmetal alchemist because the start is fabulous.

What was THAT????

[raulmuitbrabo · 10/10 · 20 June 2022]

I definitely was not expecting that this show will be so dark, the philosophy of "everything for the science" was so brutal executed.

Poor Nina and Alexander.

It's good, but not perfect.

[babkevich_andrey · 9/10 · 31 March 2021]

I know what I'm saying: we have a 20-minute episode to know Nina and then lose her. The episode is so fast (sometimes even rushed) that new audience can't really like her as much as she deserves. My family watched the episode (which is supposed to be a tearjerker), but no one cried because they didn't get into the characters properly. Let's be honest, it's not their fault. It's the fault of the writers who decided that making the story so short would be a good idea. In the original 2003 show we had 2! Episodes to get involved, and the revelation was devastating indeed. Verdict: watch the original show first if you want to fully realize how tragic and emotional this arc is.

Disturbing

[trampoleonardo · 10/10 · 6 July 2022]

Horrific, disturbing and any other horrific words to describe this episode. The philosophy about this episode is great, showing what could happen to the main character.

I was not expecting this being so disturbing, poor Nina and Alexander.

Worst dad of all

[bilybassoon · 10/10 · 11 July 2022]

The only word for this episode is disturbing, I never feel so bad watching something, the way the tension is build during the episode is amazing.

Poor Nina and Alexander, they didn't deserve this.

This is the strongest moment pf the ebtire show!!

[Kikoun · 10/10 · 1 April 2021]

This part litteraly destroyed me. I wish this show had more episodes like this. This episode hides the darkest moment of entire anime. Sure its little bit obvious but shoking nonetheless. 10/10 for that one moment.

Peak horror

[bobbyhankson · 10/10 · 15 July 2022]

This episode was a punch in my stomach, I definitely didn't expect this anime being so dark, but the philosophy is very interesting.

Worst father of all time.