Chapter 41: Controversy
The last weekend of April, Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 2 was serialized.
This chapter continued the dark tone of the first, though the pace slowed slightly. Edward and Alphonse arrived in Central City to prepare for the State Alchemist exam. On the way, they met their childhood friend Winry, whose cheerful personality brought a touch of brightness to the depressing story.
Reader feedback began to divide.
On the forum, a thread titled "Rational Discussion: Is FMA Too Depressing?" was bumped to the front page. The OP wrote:
"After two chapters, the art and paneling are undeniably top-tier. But it's really too depressing. From the brothers' mutilation in Chapter 1 to the heavy atmosphere in Chapter 2, it's suffocating. I know Alex Walker wants to explore depth, but shouldn't manga be relaxing?"
This post quickly sparked a debate:
"+1, after the warmth of Silver Spoon, the drop is too huge."
"But that's what makes Alex amazing! He can handle completely different styles!"
"I prefer Silver Spoon. FMA is too dark, it hurts to read too much."
"Darkness has depth! What do you hot-blooded manga readers know?"
Supporters and opponents argued fiercely. But everyone admitted one thing—the quality of the work was impeccable; the controversy was only about "whether the style was too dark."
More intense controversy appeared in professional critique circles. A veteran manga critic wrote in his column:
"Fullmetal Alchemist is top-tier in technique and narrative. But the problem is, it sets the threshold too high. Human transmutation, equivalent exchange, political conspiracy—these are too heavy for teenage readers. Alex Walker seems to have forgotten that the primary function of manga is entertainment."
This article was reposted by Manga Weekly's official account with the caption: "How to balance depth and readability? Worth discussing."
Anyone with eyes could see this was Manga Weekly stirring the pot—after being suppressed for half a year, they finally found an attack point.
Sue sent screenshots of these discussions to Alex: "See this? The controversy has started."
Alex replied: "Expected."
"Not worried?"
"The work will speak for itself."
The first week of May, Bluebird Animation suddenly released the teaser for the Silver Spoon anime adaptation.
The news came without warning. At 8:00 PM, Bluebird's official account posted a thirty-second teaser: Sunrise over the ranch, the Ag High campus, Hachiken's clumsy milking, Komaba's laughter, Mikage's seriousness... finally freezing on Hachiken under the sunset saying: "I think I'm starting to like it here."
Caption: "The warmth continues. Silver Spoon Anime, premiering May 15th."
The forum exploded instantly.
"Anime adaptation?!"
"Bluebird Animation! Quality guaranteed!"
"The teaser is amazing! Perfectly restored the manga!"
"Wait, May 15th? Isn't that the release date for FMA Chapter 3?"
Indeed, according to NextGen's schedule, Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 3 would be published in the issue released on May 15th.
"Intentional? Same day?"
"Creating a topic!"
"Silver Spoon anime premiere vs. FMA Chapter 3 serialization, Alex Walker fighting himself?"
"I'm more excited for the anime! FMA is too dark, I need healing..."
Amidst the controversy, popularity continued to climb. "Silver Spoon Anime" hit the top 3 trending searches.
But soon, another voice appeared.
A manga review influencer with a million followers posted: "I'm not optimistic about the Silver Spoon anime. Three reasons: First, limited audience for agricultural themes; second, the warmth of the manga is hard to restore in anime; third, the simultaneous serialization of a dark work like FMA will divert attention. Bluebird Animation might flop this time."
The article was widely reposted. Many industry insiders expressed similar concerns—there was no successful precedent for agricultural anime in the country.
Manga Weekly Editor-in-Chief Zhou privately told colleagues: "Lee is too greedy. Trying to maintain the warm brand of Silver Spoon while using FMA to open the dark market. He'll please neither side. Just wait and see."
Alex saw all these doubts.
He was drawing the finale of Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 3. This chapter was the Shou Tucker arc, one of the most famous dark chapters in manga history.
He had reached the reveal—the chimera speaking in Nina's voice: "Big brother... Ed..."
He drew calmly, with restraint. No exaggerated expressions, no melodramatic lines, just precise visuals and paneling, letting the cruelty speak for itself.
Finishing the last panel, he saved the file and sent it to Sue.
The email body had only one sentence: "Chapter 3 finished. Prepare yourself."
May 8th, Editorial Department Internal Review Meeting.
The finished manuscript of FMA Chapter 3 lay on the conference table, but the atmosphere was so heavy no one dared to touch it first.
"Read it," Lee said.
Sue distributed the copies. Page by page, the only sound in the quiet room was turning paper.
Page 6, Tucker's lab, the light of the transmutation circle—a young editor gasped.
Page 7, the chimera's true form revealed—Kevin Zhang's hands shook.
Page 8, Nina's voice coming from the chimera—Linda Lin covered her mouth, eyes reddening.
Page 10, Edward punching Tucker—suppressed curses rang out in the room.
Finishing the last page, black background with white text: "Equivalent Exchange—but some prices, no one should have to pay." Everyone was silent for a full minute.
"This..." Kevin Zhang spoke first, voice hoarse. "This will cause an earthquake."
"More than an earthquake," another editor said. "This might be reported. Using a daughter to make a chimera... it challenges the bottom line too much."
"But this is reality," Lee said calmly. "In reality, there are people like Tucker. If manga doesn't dare to draw it, who will?"
"But can readers accept it?" Distribution Head worried. "Many people already say FMA is too dark. When this comes out..."
"Let them say it." Lee slammed the table. "True works aren't afraid of controversy. Publish it."
After the meeting, Sue called Alex. "Manuscript approved. But the Chief says be prepared to be cursed."
"Yeah," Alex was calm.
"Also," Sue paused, "I saw the final cut of the Silver Spoon anime. The quality... exceeds expectations. Bluebird really invested heavily. Maybe it can hedge against the darkness of FMA."
"No need to hedge," Alex said. "Light is light, darkness is darkness. Both are parts of reality."
May 15th, morning.
Lines formed outside the Oak Creek Bookstore, but fewer than expected. Mr. Henderson knew—many were here for the Silver Spoon anime, and some were hesitating about FMA Chapter 3.
"Boss, NextGen!" A high school student rushed in.
"How many?"
"One... no, two. One to read, one to collect." The student paid, opened the magazine, and went straight to FMA.
He read quickly. Smiling at the warm scenes in Tucker's home. Thinking Nina was cute.
Then, he turned to the reveal page.
His smile froze. Hand stopped mid-air, eyes wide, staring at the image.
"What... what is this..." he muttered.
He turned another page. And another. Seeing Edward's rage, Tucker's defense, and the final line.
He closed the magazine and stood there, motionless for a long time.
"Kid, you okay?" Henderson asked.
The student looked up, eyes red. "Mr. Henderson... this manga... is too cruel."
"What's wrong?"
The student didn't answer, walking away with the magazine. But Henderson noticed he walked slowly, as if he'd lost his soul.
10:00 AM. The first wave of feedback appeared on the forum.
Not discussion, but shock.
"Just finished FMA Chapter 3... I don't know what to say..."
"Nina... that chimera is Nina?!"
"I f*cking cried..."
"Tucker that beast! How could he do it!"
"Edward's eyes at the end... my heart broke..."
By 10:30, discussion began to ferment. A thread titled "Is FMA Chapter 3 too excessive? Using a little girl as a chimera isn't dark, it's disgusting!"
Arguments exploded below:
"+1, I think it crossed the line. Dark is fine, but there must be a bottom line."
"But isn't that the point? Some people have no bottom line!"
"But this is manga! For teenagers! Does it need to be this cruel?"
"Reality is crueler than this! Why can't manga draw it?"
(To be Continued)
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