Following the events of Laboratory 5, Edward and Alphonse Elric return to East Headquarters. Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye reveals that the "Philosopher's Stone" they witnessed was not the legendary item but a failed, unstable version. Meanwhile, Major Alex Louis Armstrong arrives with news from Central: the Elrics are to be reassigned. The episode focuses on the aftermath of the brothers’ traumatic discovery—the Stone is made from human lives. A rainstorm symbolizes their sorrow as they confront the moral weight of using such a stone to restore their bodies. The episode ends with Colonel Roy Mustang hinting at a larger conspiracy.
💧 The episode uses "pathetic fallacy," with heavy rain reflecting the brothers' grief over Nina.
To understand the significance of Episode 5, one must understand the pacing of Brotherhood . Unlike its 2003 predecessor, Brotherhood moves at a breakneck speed. By Episode 5, the series has already introduced the Elric brothers, their backstory, the tragedy of their mother, and their current status as State Alchemists.
9/10 Target Audience: Shonen fans, dark fantasy enthusiasts, and those preferring high-quality English dubs. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 5 English Dub
The English dub elevates the material, making the stakes feel personal and the world feel lived-in. If you haven't reached this point in your rewatch yet, grab some tissues and prepare for one of the most intense early-series encounters in anime history.
The setting of Amestris is heavily inspired by Industrial Revolution-era Europe (Germany/England). Hearing the characters speak English fits the aesthetic of military uniforms, brick towns, and Western names. In Episode 5, the rural dialect of Resembool feels more natural in English than in Japanese.
Willingham’s deep, commanding voice as Roy Mustang provides the episode’s resolution. When Mustang finds the boys, his silence speaks volumes. His line, “You’ve seen hell, haven’t you?” is delivered with a paternal gravity that sells Mustang’s later protective instincts over the Elrics. Following the events of Laboratory 5, Edward and
Episode 5 serves as a pivotal turning point for Edward and Alphonse Elric. After the traumatizing events involving Shou Tucker in the previous episode, the brothers are left reeling. However, the world of alchemy doesn't pause for grief.
A mysterious man with a cross-shaped scar on his face begins hunting State Alchemists in East City as "judgment from God".
While Episode 4 ("An Alchemist's Anguish") shows the initial transmutation, Episode 5 is titled The Rain of Sorrows for a reason. It focuses on the aftermath —the realization of failure. The image of Ed screaming on the floor, bleeding out, while Al’s soul clangs inside an empty metal shell is iconic. In the English dub, this scene elevates the material from tragic to devastating. The episode focuses on the aftermath of the
Episode 5, "Rain of Sorrows," is the moment Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood proves it isn't afraid to break its protagonists. It is a somber, high-stakes episode that forces the Elric brothers to return to their hometown, Resembool, to repair their broken bodies and spirits.
, the Elric brothers face one of their most terrifying challenges yet—the vengeful Ishvalan survivor,
The English dub for this episode is widely regarded as excellent, featuring iconic performances from the Funimation/Crunchyroll cast Vic Mignogna (Edward Elric):