TVSquad

I'm a raving fan of Full Metal Alchemist. Judging by a TV Japan poll that ranked it as the best  anime ever, this adoration is shared worldwide. And yet, at times, I've found myself growing frustrated at the pace of the show. The last episode on Adult Swim that I felt moved along at a pace pleasing to my Western, ADHD-addled brain was "Theory of Avarice", in which Ed (supposedly) killed Greed. Since then, we've been treated to a series of episodes dwelling on Envy's background, Scar's motivations, the fate of Greed's cohorts after the last major battle, and - most unnecessarily - Winri's realization this week that Sloth is Ed and Al's mother, resurrected as a homunculus. (Welcome to the party, Winri; Al and the rest of us had this figured out WEEKS ago.)

But I'm learning not to be so impatient. First off, this is the Japanese style. It's part and parcel of the culture's Zen Buddhist philosophy to be more meditative and reflective on its subjects than most results-oriented Westerners can tolerate. It's why many anime tend to have stretched-out sequences where the camera pans out and tilts on a single, beautifully rendered animated cel. Second, I've come to regard the entire series as a chess game with a long, drawn-out middle game. What we're witnessing now is the final stages before the end game: all of the pieces have to be moved into their proper place for the final, mind-blowing conclusion. (Of course, if the show doesn't deliver on this promise, I'll be one pissed-off little [as] devotee.)

What do you think? Is FMA moving too slowly, too quickly, or just right? Have any episodes seemed totally superfluous?