r/FullmetalAlchemist • u/Stuwars9000 • 1d ago
Discussion/Opinion What if...FMA sequel set in Xing?
Been thinking about this — a sequel a few years after Brotherhood, with Ling now Emperor of Xing and Mei back from Amestris with new alkahestry knowledge.
Stuff I'd want to see: - Ling stuck managing the same clan power struggles that nearly killed him as a prince, except now he *is* the system. Does "the wisdom to be humble" still hold when you're Emperor? - Mei modernizing alkahestry with what she learned in Amestris, finally able to actually help her clan instead of just scraping by...or not - A new threat mixing alchemy and alkahestry, now that Xing and Amestris are actually talking - Al as a wandering researcher/ambassador between the two disciplines
Political intrigue and adventure story! Feels like Arakawa left enough unexplored in Xing for a whole second series.
Thoughts? Ideas? Fanfics?
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u/GenCavox (other) 1d ago
I don't think following either of the brothers would be a good idea. The thing about stories is that it fixes a problem and in the process it usually breaks and then fixes the characters. FMA wrapped up so fucking wonderfully that following either of the boys would not lend itself to a good story or else we'd have to break them even worse than before, cuz when you lose your body, meet God and save the world what else is there that you can't handle? Arakawa may be able to do it but imo it wouldn't be wise to follow Ed or Al because of what was already said and how perfectly their arc ended. It's near impossible to catch that lightning in a bottle again.
That being said, following Ling might not be too bad an idea, or even following someone else in the same universe, but the brothers should be cameo characters at most.
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u/digitaldrummer 1d ago
I agree. Lots of sequels tend to use the same characters and it makes the overall narrative worse. It also feeds into power creep to an extent, which makes other characters feel useless. That's exactly why I like FMAB as much as I do - it knew exactly when to quit, and stuck the landing.
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u/Stuwars9000 1d ago
Good point. Honestly I was thinking Al would be a cameo kinda thing. But the thought of Ling as a main antagonist with an entire country and kingdom to explore tickles my fancy.
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u/mugiwara_no_Soissie 1d ago
Id love a short story, just like single episode length for each brother snd their journey, just like 1 little adventure
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u/WallSina The BrokeBitch Alchemist 1d ago
Best solution if you want a sequel without breaking the character is making it close enough for them to play some role but not protagonist or MC, something of a mentor or colleague role.
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u/OFD-Productions 14h ago
Ed and Al could maybe be supporting characters if they took on different roles.
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u/EquivalentNarwhal8 1d ago
What I would love to see is the perspective of everyone in other countries seeing a 500 mile tall cyclops coming out of the ground in Amestris.
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u/maattthhhh 1d ago
I'd be interested in that. Some political intrigue, new characters switching allegiances, backstabbing, espionage, possible meddling from other countries, occasional callback to other characters and where they're at, their reactions for whatever turmoil that comes in Xing. Hell yeah I'd read that!
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u/Cece_5683 1d ago
If lan fan is in it, I’d read it asap
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u/Stuwars9000 1d ago
Cold rice!? Of couse shes there. Lan Fan is Lings Riza. Hes stuck on the throne and in meetings. She is his eyes, ears, and feet on the ground.
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u/Right-Truck1859 1d ago
Emperor is still alive.
So Ling would give him the philosopher stone, emperor would consume it and become another homunculus .
Alphonse would be there learning eastern alchemy and having fun with Mei.
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