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Whilst volume 3 of Fullmetal Alchemist focused on Edward Elric's missions as State Alchemist and on events that shaped his character, it is in this volume that the meat of the real storyline begins to form. Still searching for the fabled Philosopher's Stone, Ed and Al attempt to track down a mysterious doctor who has been performing miraculous surgery using a strange red gem. Rumours have indicated that the doctor - who is known as Marcoh - was once a State Alchemist, but the other Alchemists deny ever knowing him. Their reluctance appears to linked to the quelling of an uprising in the country of Ishbal, a conflict into which the State Alchemists were brought to defeat the religiously motivated resistance of the Ishbalians. Something happened in Ishbal that has strongly affected many of the longer serving Alchemists, and Ed wants to get to the bottom of it. However, the mysterious man known only as Scar is continuing his personal war against all Alchemists and has the Elrics in his sight once more, can even the powerful Strongarm Alchemist Alexander Armstrong - assigned to protect them - stand against such a deadly opponent? Fullmetal Alchemist is at its best when it focuses on the dramatic side of things, and I have found the more comedic episodes to feel a bit forced and out of place considering the darker tone the series has taken. It is because of this that I found episode 13, which focused on Ed's attempts to get information from Doctor Marcoh from his commander Roy Mustang, to be a bit weak. Many characters - particularly Mustang - act against type and considering the seriousness of the rest of the story the comedy feels forced. However, the other three episodes on this disc are excellent. After eventually getting information for Mustang we begin to learn more about the Ishbalian uprising and the role the Alchemists played in ending it. Jumping from the story's past to it's present, the next three episodes really expand the plot and answer a lot of questions, whilst simultaneously throwing up many more. It is especially interesting to see the horrific events that shaped Mustang's character, and the background information enriches an already superb story tenfold. Fullmetal Alchemist has always impressed me by the fact that the story is rarely predictable, it frequently goes in directions you don't expect and this volume is no exception. Fullmetal Alchemist vol 4 recovers from an unusually weak start in impressive fashion. The series has a deep and intelligent story which is really fleshed out, but this volume still retains the charm and unpredictability that characterised the previous releases. It's not afraid to do the unexpected and this leaves you desperate to know what will happen next, complex themes are maturely handled in every episode and the animation and acting - in English and Japanese - is superb. If you haven't seen Fullmetal Alchemist yet either check out Rapture TV (Sky channel 288) and catch an episode or start buying it as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed. Extras As well as the usual image gallery and clean opening and closing animations, this volume contains the music video of the song 'Ready, Steady, Go' by Japanese rock band L'Arc En Ciel. The song may be the opening theme of the show, but it is rare to see the original music video by a Japanese band outside of Japan so its inclusion here is a great extra. Ratings Feature:
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