I think I might be guilty of something like that. But when I say it I actually mean it as a compliment. Usually the main character is the main focus of the plot so if a mangaka, writers whatever can still write a great chapter without the main character that says a lot.

A good example is in Mushishi there are several episodes where Ginko isn't even prominent but I don't think less of those episodes because he is not there. Of course Mushishi is more about the side characters than Ginko so maybe that is a bad example.


As for FMA, Ed is my favorite character but I still loved this chapter. In fact I didn't even realize he was gone at first LOL. But I also adore every character in FMA. But we know Arakawa has a way with making me love her characters.