Chapter 42: Reviewing
11:00 AM.
The influencer who questioned the Silver Spoon anime posted again, title sharper this time:
"Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 3: Profound, or Grandstanding?"
The article read:
"I admit the art and narrative are top-tier. But the question is—is it necessary?
Using a girl as a chimera, a father transmuting his daughter, what meaning does this plot have besides creating a gimmick and stimulating readers? Exploring humanity? Does humanity need such extreme plots to explore?
Alex Walker seems to have fallen into a trap: thinking the darker it is, the deeper it is. But true depth doesn't need such bottom-line-challenging plots to prove itself.
In this chapter, I see not depth, but deliberation. Not shock, but nausea.
Disappointed."
This article was widely forwarded. Manga Weekly's official account reposted again with: "Worth thinking about."
Controversy fully erupted. Supporters and opponents fought on every platform. Some even started a topic "Boycott FMA."
12:00 PM.
Silver Spoon Anime official account posted final promotion: "Tonight at 8, see you with warmth."
Dissonant voices appeared in the comments:
"Still warmth? The same author drew that disgusting thing, who can still watch warmth?"
"FMA made me quit, don't want to watch the anime either."
"Alex Walker's persona collapsed, unfollowing."
The situation began to turn unfavorable.
2:00 PM.
An unexpected voice appeared.
The official account of the State Psychological Association posted a long article:
"Psychological Interpretation of FMA Chapter 3: Trauma, Ethics, and Redemption."
The article read:
"As psychology professionals, we usually don't comment on literary works. But the controversy caused by FMA Chapter 3 makes us feel necessary to speak.
This chapter explores a classic issue in psychology: ethical choices under extreme situations. Tucker sacrificing his daughter for research—similar cases exist in reality.
The work did not beautify this behavior but clearly expressed a stance through Edward's anger and Alphonse's breakdown: This is wrong.
More importantly, the work explores the boundary of 'cost' through this plot. Equivalent exchange is a principle, but some costs exceed ethical bottom lines. This discussion is beneficial for teenagers to form correct values.
As for criticism of 'too dark'—we live in a complex world. Not letting teenagers see darkness doesn't mean darkness doesn't exist. On the contrary, contacting and discussing darkness in a safe setting (through works) helps them build stronger psychological defenses.
This chapter is not grandstanding, but a serious ethical discussion. We should discuss not 'should it be drawn,' but 'how to understand it'."
This article was widely forwarded. People from education and academia began joining the discussion.
3:00 PM.
Another heavy voice—a top domestic ethicist posted on social media:
"FMA Chapter 3 raises a profound ethical question: When 'scientific progress' conflicts with 'human bottom lines,' how do we choose?
Tucker's choice was wrong, but the work didn't simply criticize him; it showed his dilemma, defense, and final collapse. This complex handling reflects the author's depth.
Good literary works should provoke thought, not provide standard answers. FMA did it.
As for those saying 'too dark'—I want to ask: If we can't even face fictional darkness, how do we face real darkness?"
These two professional voices completely turned the public opinion wind.
4:00 PM.
Deep analysis threads appeared on the forum:
"Re-interpreting FMA Chapter 3: Not grotesque, but fable."
"Tucker represents not a person, but a phenomenon—unscrupulous means for an end."
"Nina's tragedy reminds us: never forget the bottom line of humanity when pursuing any goal."
By 5:00 PM, public opinion had completely reversed. Voices criticizing "too dark" were now mocked as "shallow" and "afraid to face depth."
Even better, someone dug up the influencer's history—he had praised Manga Weekly's formulaic works before. Now criticizing FMA, he was questioned as a "paid hater."
The influencer deleted posts and ran. Manga Weekly quietly deleted the repost.
6:00 PM.
NextGen Manga Monthly official account posted:
"Tonight at 8, Silver Spoon Anime premiere. A warm story dedicated to everyone striving forward in reality.
At the same time, we thank all readers seriously discussing Fullmetal Alchemist. Manga can be warm, or profound. The important thing is, we are all thinking."
This message was interpreted as "official tone setting"—not avoiding controversy, not denying darkness, but insisting on diversity of works.
8:00 PM. Silver Spoon Anime premiered on time.
Countless people waited in front of screens. Those who argued red-faced about FMA during the day quieted down, watching the warm scenes.
The animation quality indeed exceeded expectations. The reality of the ranch, the vividness of characters, the delicacy of emotions—completely restored the essence of the manga, even better in some scenes.
On the forum, discussion about the anime flooded the screen:
"Made so well!"
"Cried... Hachiken milking successfully, I was more excited than him!"
"Komaba's voice actor chosen perfectly!"
"After FMA's darkness, watching this is truly healing..."
But soon, someone discovered a deeper connection:
"I suddenly understand... Silver Spoon and FMA are actually two sides of a coin."
"One is warm reality, one is cruel reality. But both are reality."
"Alex isn't drawing two styles; he's drawing the complete face of the world."
"Light, darkness, warmth, cruelty—this is the complete world."
This view was quickly accepted. More and more people realized Alex's greatness lay not in mastering one style, but in controlling the complete spectrum—from warmest to darkest.
10:00 PM. Anime premiere ended. When the ending theme played, countless people reddened their eyes.
Not simple emotion, but complex feelings—moved by Silver Spoon's warmth, shocked by FMA's darkness, admiring the same author who could draw these two extremes.
On the forum, the thread that sparked controversy was bumped, but comments changed:
"OP, do you still think FMA is grandstanding?"
"This chapter isn't grotesque, it's a warning bell."
"Thanks Alex, for showing me another possibility of manga."
"From today, I'm Alex's die-hard fan. I'll read whatever he draws."
11:00 PM. Manga Weekly Editor-in-Chief Zhou sat in his office until late.
He finished watching the Silver Spoon anime and reading all online discussions.
Finally, he opened his computer and posted on his personal account:
"Today, I was slapped in the face, and it hurts.
I thought FMA's darkness was a gimmick, and Silver Spoon's anime would flop.
But I was wrong.
FMA's darkness isn't a gimmick, it's depth. Silver Spoon's anime won't flop, it will be a classic.
And the creator of all this is the same person.
I've been in the industry twenty years and never seen such an author. Able to draw the warmest and the darkest. And draw both to the extreme.
From today, I will no longer evaluate Alex Walker's works. Because my level isn't worthy.
I can only learn, and look up.
Congrats, Alex. You won, thoroughly."
This post was crazily forwarded. Everyone knew this represented the industry's final submission.
Alex Walker was not just an author anymore.
He was the benchmark of this era.
Late night, Ranch.
Alex finished watching the first episode of the Silver Spoon anime and all online discussions.
He was calm.
Phone buzzed. Sue texted: "Today, you created history. Controversy, reversal, conquest—all in one day."
Alex replied: "Just the beginning."
Then he turned off his phone, opened his computer, and started drawing Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 4.
(To be Continued)