Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Episode 32 ENGLISH DUB Review

Episode 32, "The Führer President's Son"

"Damn Vic Mignogna fans!"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Edward and Alphonse continue looking for Mei and Xaio Mei, but have no luck. Kimbley tracks the movements of Scar and Marcoh, going to the West HQ to investigate. Grumman, in drag, arrives in Central and talks to Mustang at Hughes' grave. He reveals that he was approached once by General Raven about an "immortal army", but dismissed it and was transferred. The brothers go to the library to research Xingese alchemy. Edward is told by Major Armstrong that Mei was seen headed North, and gives him a letter of introduction to go to the Briggs base, where Major General Armstrong is stationed. Alphonse is approached by Selim Bradley, who is excited to meet the brothers. After a misunderstanding, Ed and Al end up talking to Mrs. Bradley at the presidential house, where King Bradley himself arrives for a short time. After their discussion, Ed and Al hurry off to go north.

Comments:

I'd forgotten how much damn time is wasted in this episode, between the "funny" bit with Edward and Alphonse searching for May's panda, Kimbley talking to soldiers, and Scar outmanuvering the military (which at this point is absolutely ridiculous), and the brothers at the Fuhrer's mansion (a completely worthless added scene).

I'd say the best quality of English voice acting came in the scene with Roy Mustang and Lt. General Grumman. Travis Willingham is, of course, excellent, and I'm growing fond of this voice for Grumman. He's not as old sounding as the Japanese voice, so sometimes it seems a little strange, but I enjoy the vigor he brings to the role. I also really like his "old lady" voice. This was a scene I didn't particularly care about and thought could have been cut down when I first saw it, but now I like it a lot more. Maybe I just wanted them to get to Briggs ASAP so I could see Olivier Armstrong.

The difference between Hidekatsu Shibata and Ed Blaylock is that the former's Bradley can sound very friendly and nurturing, and yet sinister and intimidating at the same time, or switch back and forth between emphasizing one or the other, whenever neccessary. Blaylock, however, always sounds vaguely sinister, like a bad guy doing a bad job of sounding casual, and not accomplishing either of his faces that well in the long run. I just don't get any presence from him. But I've said a lot about this already. I'll get back to it when Bradley has a lot more to do.

I'm a little ambivilant about Selim Bradley's voice, actually. Brittney Karbowski gives Selim a cute, spritely voice for the character, but sometimes it sounds like she's trying way too hard to make him extra endearing and cute. The Japanese voice was more low key and seemed very ordinary, but that's what Selim is supposed to be, just an ordinary boy, on the surface. I guess I don't really have a big problem with Karbowski's take, though, it's just not what I prefer.

Overall ENGLISH DUB Score:

3.5 out of 5


 

 


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