The Law of Equivalent Exchange: A Fullmetal Alchemist manga podcast

Tim & Patrick

Veteran comics podcaster Tim and monster theorist Patrick go chapter-by-chapter through one of the best manga series of the 21st century: Hiromu Arakawa's "Fullmetal Alchemist"! read less

Our Editor's Take

The Law of Equivalent Exchange: A Fullmetal Alchemist manga podcast is a recap-style podcast. Fans of the manga Fullmetal Alchemist will enjoy this podcast. Its goal is to discuss the manga by Hiromu Arakawa in great detail. Hosts Tim & Patrick are two Americans who live in Japan. They both are passionate about manga and comics.

In this podcast, they talk listeners through every chapter of the popular manga. The hosts state that the podcast is not about the Fullmetal Alchemist anime. They make sure audiences know the focus is on the original manga. Every episode explores details from a chapter of Fullmetal Alchemist. From character showdowns to spoilers, Tim and Patrick don't leave the listeners wanting. The Law of Equivalent Exchange: A Fullmetal Alchemist manga podcast is informative here.

In episodes like "Signpost of the Soul," the hosts reveal the origin stories of the main characters. In "The Avarice of Two," they discuss what it means when a character accepts the philosopher's stone. What is the truth inside the armor? What happens in the manga when an alchemist is in distress? The Law of Equivalent Exchange: A Fullmetal Alchemist manga podcast explores these.

Most of the podcast is about all the details in each chapter of the manga. But it's also much more detailed than a simple recap podcast. The hosts provide background information on the manga and the author. They'll explain where the author's inspiration came from, how she wrote the manga, and more. Most of the show is a discussion between the two hosts. This podcast's goal is to be casual. Audiences may feel like they're part of a friendly chat, not a scripted podcast.

Whether listeners are fans of the manga or are learning about it, they'll enjoy the insight this podcast gives. This podcast goes through the manga by chapter, so audiences should listen in order. New episodes release twice monthly.

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"A Reunion of Alchemists"

"A Reunion of Alchemists"

Chaos continues at military HQ, as the soul-powered artificial soldiers run rampant in the underground passages — fought off by Ed and co. — while upstairs, Olivier Armstrong kicks butts and takes names. And Heinkel comes up with a certain prop that we haven’t seen in many chapters! Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 91, and the back matter of volume 22!

Episodes

"A Reunion of Alchemists"

"A Reunion of Alchemists"

Chaos continues at military HQ, as the soul-powered artificial soldiers run rampant in the underground passages — fought off by Ed and co. — while upstairs, Olivier Armstrong kicks butts and takes names. And Heinkel comes up with a certain prop that we haven’t seen in many chapters! Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 91, and the back matter of volume 22!

"Army of Immortals"

"Army of Immortals"

The battle has begun, and Ed and company jump into action! But will the military fight them off by activating the philosopher’s stone-powered unkillable artificial soldiers? Is trapped Selim Bradley as helpless as he appears? Tim and Patrick examine FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 90!

"Soldiers' Return"

"Soldiers' Return"

Soldiers do return in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 89 - a number of soldier characters that we haven’t seen in quite some time! As Mustang’s gang and the troops from Briggs begin their attack, we see what good leadership can do - an advantage that the homunculi definitely DON’T have. But will leadership be enough? Tim and Patrick discuss the chapter.

"The Understanding Between Father and Son" w/ Irene Strychalski

"The Understanding Between Father and Son" w/ Irene Strychalski

Pride has consumed Gluttony and is now bigger and more powerful. How can he be contained? Ed doesn’t like the containment plan that’s successfully carried out without his knowledge - but what is it that’s *really* bothering him about it? Tim and Patrick are joined by “Fiendish” creator (and Fullmetal fan) Irene Strychalski to dig into FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 88!

"An Oath Made in the Underground"

"An Oath Made in the Underground"

As our heroes battle Pride in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 87, a character who’s been around almost since the beginning leaves the stage for good! Can Ed and Al survive the experience? Tim and Patrick discuss, and mostly stay on topic!

"Servant of Darkness"

"Servant of Darkness"

Al’s armor has been taken over by Pride! Can Ed, Lin, and the chimeras defeat him? And how was Pride able to locate them? Some surprise character returns punctuate FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 86! Tim and Patrick break it down, and get into a somewhat contentious discussion about (what else?) sound effects!

"The Empty Box"

"The Empty Box"

The Briggs troops make a surprise move against a dangerous enemy. Will it be successful? Meanwhile, Ed finally meets up with Al again, but….something is different about him. Is Al’s armor now a threat? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 85!

"Shadow of the Pursuer"

"Shadow of the Pursuer"

In FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 84, Arakawa gives us a taste of Hokkaido (again), a comedic kerfuffle at Winry’s house, the return of a homunculus, and Al in danger. We talk about all that plus - Star Wars! Huh?

"The Promised Day" w/ Louis Kemner

"The Promised Day" w/ Louis Kemner

In FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 83, Ed makes a surprising ally, the Armstrongs battle each other, and other characters play a clandestine game of “telephone.” Tim and Patrick are joined by CBR.com writer Louis Kemner to discuss the chapter, as well as transliteration of foreign names in katakana, Japanese dog breeds, and… what happened to the third “klang”??Louis on our major Fullmetal PTSD moment, chapter 5!

"Family by Spirit"

"Family by Spirit"

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 82 is one of the funniest in a while! But it has serious moments, as well, as Al catches up with his long-missing dad, and Lin/Greed makes an irreversable decision. Also, Tim and Patrick come across a deja vu scene - didn’t the same thing happen earlier in the series?

"A Full Recovery"

"A Full Recovery"

How does the first conversation between Al and Hoenheim in ten years go? How has Rosé changed since volume 1? What are the names of the “chimera guys”? Can a pocket watch make the same sound as a suit of armor? These questions and more are answered as Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 81!

"The Prodigal Father Returns"

"The Prodigal Father Returns"

In chapter 80 of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, Ed is still nowhere to be seen, but finally the other characters are starting to notice that fact, so surely it won’t be long till his return! Also, Yoki gets a sense of who his friends really are; a character nearly leaves for home, but then doubles back; and Scar does something genuinely humorous! Also, Tim notices an alternative name for the Purification Arts/Xing Alchemy, and Patrick sees a theme of community service running through the chapter.

Chapter 79 of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST belongs to Dr. Marcoh, as he faces off against a more powerful foe! Tim and Patrick discuss.

"The Seven Deadly Sins"

"The Seven Deadly Sins"

Things are going from bad to worse, and more wars break out along the Amestris border. Hoenheim makes a surprising stop in a vaguely remembered town, and issues a warning. And does the Scar/Marcoh party have a turncoat in their midst? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 78!

"The Tables are Turned: A New Transmutation Circle"

"The Tables are Turned: A New Transmutation Circle"

After the mineshaft cavein, Ed is in danger of bleeding to death without the help of some assumed enemies. Mei Chang makes a startling discovery about Scar’s brother’s alchemy notes. And Kimblee meets one of his compatriots for the first time. Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 77, including the usual fun with translation errors and sound effects!

"Shape of a Person, Shape of a Stone"

"Shape of a Person, Shape of a Stone"

As Scar, Mei Chang, and co. try to figure out Scar’s brother’s notes, the Briggs’ troops’ plan goes awry. Ed fights more chimeras. And isn’t the guy in the armor somehow different from usual? Tim and Patrick discuss FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 76!

"The Last Days of Xerxes"

"The Last Days of Xerxes"

At last, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 75 reveals the origin story of Hoenheim and Father! (No, they’re not the same person! heh heh) What’s the connection? Why do they look the same? Why doesn’t Hoenheim age? Plenty is revealed to us, but Ed and Al are still in the dark!

"The Dwarf in the Flask"

"The Dwarf in the Flask"

As Olivier Armstrong makes a risky move, in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 74, Hawkeye reveals a stunning fact to Mustang, and we finally begin to get some glimpses of Hoenheim’s origin story. Also, a long-forgotten character makes another appearance…

Count on Hiromu Arakawa in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST to make all her characters complex. As we see again in chapter 73, even henchmen have depth! This chapter also reminds us how well plotted the story is, as our heroes face a complex situation with a lot of moving parts, and they deal with complications in ways that seem like exactly what needed to happen to move the story forward.

"A Chain of Negativity, a Pebble of Goodness"

"A Chain of Negativity, a Pebble of Goodness"

Amid action-packed pages, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST chapter 72 gives us several very moving scenes that remind us of one reasons we love this manga, along with the humor, the action, the careful plotting, is that it’s also imbued with so much MEANING. We discuss Winry’s act to break the cycle of hate and Scar’s eye-opening talk with Miles.