Episode 36 (2003 Anime)

The Sinner Within
Japan airdate	2004 June 19
USA airdate	2005 November 19
Series Information
Series	Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 anime)
◄ Previous	Reunion of the Fallen
Next ►	The Flame alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant, and the Mystery of Warehouse 13

The Sinner Within is the 36th episode of the Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 anime series.

Synopsis

As Winry and the Elrics continue their journey to Ishbal, the homunculi set out to prevent them from reaching their destination.

Full Synopsis

At the Southern Slums, the Ishbalans have been placed on a train bound for the military-run camps. However, the train is delayed due to having problems with the water supply, which was caused by the Elrics. Surprised when Rick and Leo mention what the military did, Ed and Al talk with the Ishbalans about what Scar said about a Philosopher's Stone being created in Ishbal. While Leo denies it due to his newfound hatred for Scar, Scar's master mentions an old man who is an Ishbalan exile in Kishua should know something about the Philosopher's Stone, ordering Rick and Leo to guide the Elrics there. By the Elrics having the hose go out of control when they removed the ice, the state military removes the Ishbalans from the train, allowing the Elrics the chance to escape in the confusion, along with Rick and Leo. However, Sgt. Fuery spots them, forcing Ed to knock him out. Winry arrives with a tractor she fixed and they use it as a getaway vehicle, as Lt. Havoc spots them.

While the group are traveling to the old man's home by train track, Ed personally requests for Winry not to accompany him and Al on their adventures anymore and should return home to Resembool. When Winry objects, pointing out that she maintains Ed's automail, Al agrees with his brother due to Al's temptation to remove his brother's lost limbs from Wrath to return them to Ed. Al feels he couldn't attempt this due to Winry being present despite it being impossible, but Ed swears he could have done it even with Winry being present. Ed then brings up the subjects of what Barry the Chopper said three years ago about easily killing someone, killing Majhal by accident, and almost killing the Central Prison convicts in the fifth laboratory to create the Philosopher's Stone. Knowing he will once again face Scar, who Leo agrees should die, Ed points out that since he and Al will have to face more dangerous battles, it is better to not have anyone with them that would get in the way. After narrowly dodging a train, the group arrives at Kishua, and seeing the battle remains that took place causes Rick to suffer a war memory until Leo snaps him out of it. With it clear that Rick and Leo can't go into the old man's tent due to their religious upbringing, the Elrics head in alone while Winry stays behind with Rick and Leo. The Elrics can only find the marking that is the same as Scar's tattoo as well as inside the basement of the fifth laboratory. Lt. Hawkeye then shoots at them from outside, knowing Ed would dodge it to make up for Fuery's injury.

Watching Lts. Hawkeye and Breda escorting the Elrics to a military tent, Winry tells Rick and Leo that Ed can straighten the mess out. Inside, Breda reveals that Colonel Mustang and Officer Falman have already returned to Central Command, leaving Ed surprised about how quickly Mustang left. As they debate about the way the Ishvalans have been treated, Hawkeye reveals that no Ishvalans were killed, with the only actual casualty being former Lt. Yoki, whom Ed remembers and is surprised he has been killed. Hawkeye confirms at that moment, Mustang used his flame alchemy to force the extremist Ishvalans to stand down to prevent casualties on both sides. Hawkeye reveals while they are transporting the Ishvalans south, they must first determine who killed Yoki and are keeping a few locked up. Realizing the old man is there, the Elrics learn that he was placed in protective custody due to his status as an exile. Back outside, Winry learns from Rick and Leo that an exile is an Ishvalan cast out of Ishval for breaking the alchemy taboo and are forbidden from interacting with the regular Ishvalans with having a mark cast on their face as proof. The boys also reveal that Scar is now an exile as well. Changing the subject, Winry asks about the boys' mother. Rick mentions their mother was kind and worked in the hospital during the war.

As the Elrics talk with the old man inside his tent, he reveals that Scar and his brother asked him about the Philosopher's Stone before and that Scar's brother did not actually create the Philosopher's Stone years ago due to being too kind. The exile then reveals that alchemy was known as the Grand Arcanum which was once followed in Ishval until it was banned. The old man then reveals there is no difference in creating a Philosopher's Stone between their different alchemy styles, just the number of human sacrifices is different when a powerful alchemist brings the sacrifices together to create the Philosopher's Stone, which is the only method. In the desert, Scar begins carving a symbol with a huge rock that is chained to his body, vowing never to sleep again. Flashing back to when Scar was last here, the old man reveals that when Scar saw the military in the area, he realized the Philosopher's Stone was the only thing powerful enough to oppose the military. Asking if he'd become an exile too, Scar instantly confessed to the old man that he was one, since technically the sacrifices of his people were within his tattooed arm. This knowledge offended Rick and Leo who were with Scar, and Leo demanded that Scar never show his face again. Back in the present at the location of Winry, Rick, and Leo, she learns from the boys that they actually knew her parents and hung out with them, until their mother mentioned that Urey and Sara Rockbell were killed by a State Alchemist who controlled fire, which Winry realizes was Mustang. Devastated, Winry runs off without a word, leaving Rick and Leo confused, but concerned, and they follow her to find out if she is okay.

Back with Hawkeye and Breda in their tent, the Elrics look at the photos of the wounds that killed Yoki. The Elrics realize that only Lust's Ultimate Spear could produce those wounds and, realizing she was Yoki's murderer, Ed mentions that Major Armstrong and Colonel Archer can back up their story. The Elrics leave the tent, only to find some soldiers restraining Winry, Rick and Leo. As the five converse, Ed reveals that the Ishvalans will not be punished for any wrongdoing, though they will still be sent to the camps. Ed decides his next objective is to locate Scar before he causes something terrible. When Ed is hesitant on admitting that he wishes to kill Scar, Leo accuses Ed of hating Ishvalans. Seeing if the boys are afraid of his automail arm, Ed admits how scared he was of the Ishvalans' red-colored eyes when he first met Scar in Central three years ago. Ed acknowledges that instead of following their emotional reactions or what they had been taught to believe, they should find their own answers. Ed happily asks Winry what she is going to do, to which she decides that she will go to Central to visit the Hughes family by traveling with Hawkeye. Watching their train leave, Ed and Al take the tractor and head off to Ishval first.

On the train, Winry brings up the subject of her parents, to which Hawkeye responds that soldiers have to kill, even if it means following orders that are irrational. Hawkeye also comments that despite her distaste in soldiers, she chose to remain one to protect someone of her own free will which was her choice to make. Meanwhile, Sloth introduces Wrath to Lust and Gluttony and orders them to head after the Elrics due to them heading to Ishval. Sloth reveals that if they discover the secret of the Ishval Civil War, then the Elrics will no longer wish to create the Philosopher's Stone and it may become necessary to kill them. At the Hughes' house, Winry learns of Maes' death from Gracia and how he wanted to support Mustang's dream. All Winry can do is stream her tears down her face in grief.

Episode Notes

• The events of "Reunion of the Fallen", the previous episode, including the deaths of all from Lujon and Lydia's village are not discussed by Edward and Alphonse while they reminisce about all of the death that has occurred thus far on their journey, despite it having transpired the most recently. It is possible that bringing it up was not warranted due to their and Winry's lack of context as to what exactly killed the villagers and the incident not having a direct link to the Elrics' primary search for the Philosopher's Stone. Regardless, it is somewhat unusual that "Reunion of the Fallen" is never once referenced again by either hero or villain alike for the remainder of the show, not even by the episode's primary focus character Lust even once she allies with the Elrics.