The Man with the Mechanical Arm

Season 1, Episode 5, Aired

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9.2
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Mustang orders Ed and Al to take an earlier train to Central City. Once on board, they learn that General Haruko and his family are traveling on the same train. Although the train is heavily guarded, terrorists quickly hijack the train and take everyone on board hostage. Using their skills, Ed and Al must find a way to save everyone before the terrorists start taking lives.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • Freaking awesome!!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By DarkNinja1994, Mar 18, 2008
    Dude, this one was off the hook! I'm sorry, sometimes I like to pretend I'm a gangster. :P OK, so Ed and Al are supposed to report to Colonel Roy Mustang to meet him for the first time. (If you remember the last time he saw the Elrics, Al was gone and Ed was unconcious) Anyway, Mustang, being the psycho he is, orders them to catch the train that is leaving at the very moment Ed is on the phone with him. So the boys run, and with a bit of luck, catch the train. Meanwhile, on the same train, we are introduced to Major Maes Hughes, my favorite character until his death. (It's Mustang after that) Hughes is being a gaytard and tying up the phone lines talking to Mustang about his pregnant wife. He is also being very hormonal and worrying about the baby being born while he was on the train. So after a bit, Mustang's girlfriend, Riza Hawkeye, grabs the phone, and tells him babies aren't born after 5 months. Then she hangs up. However, Hughes isn't as stupid as he looks. He thought they were being tapped and decided to give whoever was listening in a bit of mindless chatter. Back with the Elrics, some guys have just hurt Volman, one of Mustang's men, and taken the car hostage. Ed and Al quickly take them out, and proceed to other cars. I can't remember the middle, but I know the hijackers were being commanded by some guy with a mechanical arm similar to Ed's. Hence the name. Anyway, Ed ends up taking them out with a jet stream of water, and meets Mustang for the first time. Then he realizes why Mustang put him and Al on the train in the first place. To save it. Though Mustang denies this, he is obviously lying. Oh, and General Haruko, who was on the train, was so immpressed with Ed and Al's skills, invites them to take the State Alchemist Exam. Good thing they listened to Mustang, huh?moreless

  • A great episode!

    9.1
    "Superb"
    By teenage_fanatic, Jan 13, 2008
    This episode was cleverly plotted, with the right amount of humor and action involved!

    On the train to central to take the alchemy exam, the train is hijacked by terrorists. Ed and Al take on the responsibility of keeping the passengers safe after knocking out two men and putting everyone else in potentially more danger. Using teamwork and help from others from the military, they capture the men, only to find out when they dock at Central that the hijacking was all arranged by Roy Mustang himself so Ed could in fact take the exam.

    Along with an excellent plot, this episode had action and good humor, one of my favorite moments was:

    Al: Brother, am I scary.
    Ed: Please... your kindness in a can.

    Overall, fantastic episode!moreless

  • The brothers board a train going to Central but a gang of thugs kidnap General Hakuro. Ed, Al, Major Hughes and Warrant Officer Falman team up to save him. "Episode 5: Man Wit the Mechanical Arm - Not an adult Ed"moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By evilgidgit, Dec 20, 2007
    One of my favourite episodes - not only for a great plot and bucketloads of humour, but it also introduces Maes Hughes, Lt. Hawkeye, Falman and General Hakuro. Edward and Alphonse are prompted by Mustang to board a departing train to Central, but they soon become involved in a plot to kidnap General Hakuro by a group of thugs led by eyepatch wearing Bald, who has a real bad attitude and an Automail arm like Ed. Ed and Al team up with Warrant Officer Falman and Major Hughes to save Hakuro, with comical results.

    I love this episode for its great story and events. It is overflowing with great comedy. The best moments include Hawkeye screaming down the phone at Hughes, Edward yelling at Falman and then kneeing one of the thugs in the head, Alphonse being shot at stupidly, Ed's megaphone and Al beating up the thugs. I was surprised by the hidden violence in among the comedy like Hakuro having his ear blown apart, and Hughes knifing one of the guys. The train drivers were excellent, punching the thugs. Never underestimate a train driver!moreless

  • Definitely one of my favorites in the whole series.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By PS1SpyroMaster, Nov 17, 2006
    I've seen the whole series, but I haven't quite pinpointed all of my favorites. Somehow, this one seems to stand out above a lot of the others because I actually remember liking this one. The beginning's kinda cute with the little girl looking at Ed and Al because he's in a suit of armor and Ed has an automail arm. Then the scene with Hughes was just hilarious. There's a lot of action in this one and plenty of comedy. One of the scenes is where Al meets up with one of the crooks and he shoots and dies cuz of the ricochet and the next guy does the exact same thing. Then where Ed transmutes that microphone and gets the bad guy. Mustang's introduction to Ed is also totally classic. It's a sweet show from beginning to end.moreless

  • Ed is at a train station egar and ready to start his job when he is told to catch the early train...A review from an Artist.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By 7pets, Sep 06, 2006
    Ed and Al board the train and Ed and Al stand out like sore thumbs." No one told us we had tickets to the normal-ese express" Ed mumbled to Al. major Hughes is constantly talking to lutenit cornal Mustang about his pregnant wife while terrorists have just ocuppied the train. The terrorists are beingpicked off one by one as Al tries to warns that the bullets ricochet off the armor but they all shot him anyway, and get shot (but at least he warned them). In the mean time Ed and Hughes walk up top and attach other terrorists. Ed is faced with the leader terrorist that also has automail. Ed brakes his automail and the terrorist falls then Al finishes him. At central city Lutenient Cornal Mustang burns him with fire alchemy. This is my masterpeice.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (3)

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    • Characters Introduced: (Names as shown on screen) General Haruko, Warrant Officer Vato Falman, Major Maes Hughes and Lieutenant Liza Hawkeye

    • Manga vs. Anime: In the Manga, Ed is fifteen years old and already a State Alchemist when the events of The Man with the Mechanical Arm happen. Other differences: the story takes place after the events of Lior, and Major Maes Hughes isn't involved in this event.

    • Goof: Spelling of Lt. Hawkeye's Name: Lt. Hawkeye is introduced as Liza but she is called Riza throughout the series.

  • QUOTES (9)

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    • Hawkeye: I'm sorry to interrupt you, Major, but let me offer you a bit of feminine advice... BABIES AREN'T BORN AFTER JUST FIVE MONTHS! Hughes: Uh, sorry, I lost you... (to himself) Jeez, she actually believes we're talking seriously here?

    • Ed: Attention gun-totting extremists! You hear me all right? Or did you blow out your ears playing target practice?

    • (After the Ed sprays water at Bald) Hughes: Just look at the bright side Bald, you probably needed a shower!

    • (Ed makes a cannon out of the side of the train) Hughes: Ah, man, that was smooth!

    • Roy Mustang: You can call me Roy Mustang. Or just Lieutenant Colonel. Hell, you can call me the Flame Alchemist. Whatever you do, remember the pain.

    • (Vato Falman looks into train car, sees Al, then sees Ed sleeping beside him) Vato Falman: Hey, there is a kid with him ... and he Is small. (Ed wakes up) Ed: WHO ARE YOU CALLING A RUNT SO TINY THAT HE CAN ONLY BE SEEN BY A MAGNIFYING GLASS YOU JERK!?

    • (Ed looks at the other passengers in their train car) Ed: No one told me we had tickets for the Normalcy Express.

    • Al: Brother...am I scary? Ed: Please...you're kindness in a can.

    • Bald: You understand, kid. You've got an arm just like mine. You've wanted to be stronger, too. And the military...they'll just get rid of you as soon as you're not convenient. Ed: No, I don't understand...And don't you ever lump in my reasons for this arm...with yours!

  • NOTES (1)

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  • ALLUSIONS (0)

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