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Phiten
Ristorante Paradiso is exceedingly unusual in that, despite its foreign setting, there is absolutely no one of Japanese ethnicity—not the protagonist, not the supporting cast, not even a one-episode guest appearance. Even so, you may be excused for thinking that the purportedly Italian characters behave in a markedly un-Italian—shall we say decidedly anime-typical, Japanese?—sort of way. Thus, it is safe to expect plenty of feminine tittering (and oogling of the multitudes of handsome, middle-aged men), the occasional bow, and liberal doses of “Eeeeeehhhh~?!”…to name just a few anachronisms. Fortunately, these do not distract unduly from the series' Europhile atmosphere.
EVIDENCE FOR:
Even as Fullmetal Alchemist powers through its chaotic final battle, this volume is full of poetic moments that seem almost too beautiful to be allowed in an action series. A key supporting character goes out with a heroic smile on his face, combatants spout out eloquent musings about life and death and justice, a hated villain takes a dramatic dive, and stalwart Roy Mustang meets a terrifying, unimaginable fate. But aside from its unusual capacity for beauty, the series also still has the capacity to shock; all it takes is another fierce twist of Arakawa's imagination.
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