Fullmetal Alchemist. :)

[pinkylillix]

I don't see a Fullmetal Alchemist thread, so I'm making one (if there is one, then my bad!). I'm mainly thinking Brotherhood here, but if you guys wanna discuss 2003, be my guest.

I'm completely in love with this series; I've read the entire manga series, and seen all of the 2003 anime, minus the movie, and now I'm going through Brotherhood for the first time with my younger brother, and it is GOOOOOOD. Like, I'm surprised something this beautiful is allowed to exist.

What do you guys think? What's your favorite part? Your least favorite? Favorite characters, etc. ?

[FezBaker]

I think FMA is responsible for getting me into drawing in the first place! I watched the original series when it was still coming out weekly, and I've followed it since- unrelated to the TV show, I think the original manga is one of the best-written manga series out there. It's pretty long, but you can tell that before she started it was written out completely- it never deviates, doesn't have rubbish filler arcs and the plot's strong from beginning right until the end.

I was hesitant to watch Brotherhood, because I love the original series so much, but it's actually overtaken the original for my favourite spot now. Although I never know what to recommend when someone wants to watch it- the original had so many beautiful moments that they couldn't do in the same way in Brotherhood (I guess because they didn't want to be seen as 'reusing' bits of script and animation)- which is a shame in a way, because it was done so perfectly in the original and not quite matched in Brotherhood. However, Broho has a much better plot as it follows the manga, and it's a lot more coherent in the end- it's also got a much more satisfying ending. I prefer the art style for the original series, but the Broho art grew on me with time, and I love the way that they age the characters up throughout the series.

I also have a secret love for the Conqueror of Shambala movie (I haven't seen the second one yet, but it sadly doesn't seem quite as good)- the CoS plot from about halfway through is absolute crap, the characters are bastardised to hell and the ending's super unsatisfying, but I absolutely love Alfons and the first half of it- plus that opening animation with the gypsies singing is super pretty!

[pinkylillix]

I think FMA is responsible for getting me into drawing in the first place! I watched the original series when it was still coming out weekly, and I've followed it since- unrelated to the TV show, I think the original manga is one of the best-written manga series out there. It's pretty long, but you can tell that before she started it was written out completely- it never deviates, doesn't have rubbish filler arcs and the plot's strong from beginning right until the end.

I was hesitant to watch Brotherhood, because I love the original series so much, but it's actually overtaken the original for my favourite spot now. Although I never know what to recommend when someone wants to watch it- the original had so many beautiful moments that they couldn't do in the same way in Brotherhood (I guess because they didn't want to be seen as 'reusing' bits of script and animation)- which is a shame in a way, because it was done so perfectly in the original and not quite matched in Brotherhood. However, Broho has a much better plot as it follows the manga, and it's a lot more coherent in the end- it's also got a much more satisfying ending. I prefer the art style for the original series, but the Broho art grew on me with time, and I love the way that they age the characters up throughout the series.

I also have a secret love for the Conqueror of Shambala movie (I haven't seen the second one yet, but it sadly doesn't seem quite as good)- the CoS plot from about halfway through is absolute crap, the characters are bastardised to hell and the ending's super unsatisfying, but I absolutely love Alfons and the first half of it- plus that opening animation with the gypsies singing is super pretty!

Oh lawd. Completely agree about the manga; I used to follow a lot more manga regularly, but I feel like most of them would get to a point where it was just filler. And I was so reluctant to start FMA in the beginning because I was convinced it would just end up stupid and drawn out like most shonen mangas. Boy, was I wrong!

I have trouble loving the original 2003 anime these days, simply because I'm so blown away by Brotherhood, but there are elements to it that I prefer; for instance, the Nina/Shou Tucker thing had a much bigger impact on me in the 2003, mainly because Ed and Al had spent more than just a few afternoons with Nina. They had actually lived with them for a time, so it was even more heartbreaking. And I like how they knew Barry the Chopper before he became a suit of armor. Just because I have this weird love for Barry.

But overall, I do prefer Brotherhood, from everything to the story to the soundtrack to the animation, ugh. The original started to lose me when they started piling on the Dante stuff. And I felt like Sloth was just like Lust, part II. (Okay, they just wore similar outfits, but fo' serious, what was that about?) But it is what got me into FMA in the first place, so it's a'ight.

Ha, I was seriously impressed when I realized Ed was actually growing taller throughout the series (in the manga/brotherhood)! Just the fact that they would pay attention to something like that. I'm so used to series where years go by and everyone looks exactly the same forever and never changes clothes and yeah.

[Lapsang]

Oh god, I still haven't watched Brotherhood! I really should... Especially going by what FezBaker said about the ending being more satisfying.
I love the first anime but the ending always felt unresolved to me. Conqueror Of Shambala didn't really help on that front either (although, I have to admit I do still enjoy that film too, despite it's many problems).

[pinkylillix]

Oh god, I still haven't watched Brotherhood! I really should... Especially going by what FezBaker said about the ending being more satisfying.
I love the first anime but the ending always felt unresolved to me. Conqueror Of Shambala didn't really help on that front either (although, I have to admit I do still enjoy that film too, despite it's many problems).

I can't recommend Brotherhood enough! It includes a lot of reeeally awesome characters that the first one didn't. And the plot is really strong throughout. And it's just beautiful. Very different, though. But wonderful!

[FezBaker]

Oh lawd. Completely agree about the manga; I used to follow a lot more manga regularly, but I feel like most of them would get to a point where it was just filler. And I was so reluctant to start FMA in the beginning because I was convinced it would just end up stupid and drawn out like most shonen mangas. Boy, was I wrong!

I have trouble loving the original 2003 anime these days, simply because I'm so blown away by Brotherhood, but there are elements to it that I prefer; for instance, the Nina/Shou Tucker thing had a much bigger impact on me in the 2003, mainly because Ed and Al had spent more than just a few afternoons with Nina. They had actually lived with them for a time, so it was even more heartbreaking. And I like how they knew Barry the Chopper before he became a suit of armor. Just because I have this weird love for Barry.

But overall, I do prefer Brotherhood, from everything to the story to the soundtrack to the animation, ugh. The original started to lose me when they started piling on the Dante stuff. And I felt like Sloth was just like Lust, part II. (Okay, they just wore similar outfits, but fo' serious, what was that about?) But it is what got me into FMA in the first place, so it's a'ight.

Ha, I was seriously impressed when I realized Ed was actually growing taller throughout the series (in the manga/brotherhood)! Just the fact that they would pay attention to something like that. I'm so used to series where years go by and everyone looks exactly the same forever and never changes clothes and yeah.

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THIS.

I think a lot of the small details were down to the manga- I was always impressed with the amount of detail that Hiromu Arakawa put into it! For example, I love the scene where Ed loses his arm after the battle with Scar, and goes back to Risembool to have it fixed- all the while he's there, his braid gets steadily more crap as he's trying to do it with one hand, and then the moment that he gets his arm replaced, he fixes it back really easily- I dunno, I'm always impressed with the small things!

I think it's a shame that there were so many things that were done perfectly in the first series (the opening scene with them as kids, the arc with Nina and Shou) that they obviously couldn't do exactly the same- I certainly wouldn't have minded if they'd just reused them, haha! I think it's a shame that the first episode of Broho is just a throwaway one, 'cause the original first episode just threw you right in there and it was absolutely perfect.

That said, I adore Broho like crazy- all it needed was Bratja in the soundtrack and I would've been blubbering like a baby.

[Vitotamito]

FUCK Brotherhood. I'm a original series elitest. I didn't read the manga so I don't have any attachment to it. Brotherhood just turned into DBZ with Philosopher's Stones.

Original Series is the most winningest shit I've ever watched.

Favorite Characters?

[FezBaker]

FUCK Brotherhood. I'm a original series elitest. I didn't read the manga so I don't have any attachment to it.

Original Series is the most winningest shit I've ever watched.

I still love the original, but since I read the manga (I started after I saw the original) and realised what the plot could have been, I realised just how confusing and rambling the ending was. I think it's interesting to see what elements of the manga they got in there- the

Spoiler! :

fact that Alphonse first sacrifices himself for Ed, who then does the same again to save Alphonse

the fact that

Spoiler! :

their dad's a philosopher's stone, and that one of the sons becomes one himself at some point

and a whole load of other little bits that I can't bring to mind right now, but I think now that I know what the actual plot was meant to be, my opinion of the first one is just a little more jaded.

[Seven Rain]

We do have an Anime general thread but Aids did have a point early on in it about, and since this is a big enough series I think it should be alright to have his own thread.

I've always facepalmed at people who think being closer to the Manga = AUTOMATICALLY BETTER JUST BECAUSE, but FMA has always one of the most ridiculous instances of this for me.
I think Brotherhood looks cool and all, but the two series are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. When purists blabber on about how being closer to the manga is better or that a new version of the anime meant to mirror the manga is better I expect differences like filler amounts and maybe a character change, name change, something minor, you know?

BUT THEY'RE LIKE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMES. I've never once seen an episode of Brotherhood that was anything close to any episode of the orginal anime. How can people dig their heels in and call it better just because it's closer to the manga? The first anime is practically a retelling as far as I know. Would people bitch about the Escaflowne movie had the anime series been based on a manga...?

I mean don't get me wrong, you're free to like Brotherhood more than the original for any number of reasons, (I haven't had a chance to follow it all since I can't catch it on a restart/episode 1, but I for one like how there's heavier hinting at Ed x Winry, and some of the new characters seem cool,) but being faithful to the manga feels like a pretty moot point here.

*EDIT*
And speaking of canon-breaking movies, I loved the movie follow-up of the original anime.

By the way is Wrath even the same character in Brotherhood? He was one of my favorite homunculi in the original anime but haven't seen him in Brotherhood yet.

Spoiler! :

I also don't really care for that giant monster form thing that Envy's got going on in Brotherhood.

[FezBaker]

I've always facepalmed at people who think being closer to the Manga = AUTOMATICALLY BETTER JUST BECAUSE, but FMA has always one of the most ridiculous instances of this for me.
I think Brotherhood looks cool and all, but the two series are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. When purists blabber on about how being closer to the manga is better or that a new version of the anime meant to mirror the manga is better I expect differences like filler amounts and maybe a character change, name change, something minor, you know?

BUT THEY'RE LIKE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMES. I've never once seen an episode of Brotherhood that was anything close to any episode of the orginal anime. How can people dig their heels in and call it better just because it's closer to the manga? The first anime is practically a retelling as far as I know. Would people bitch about the Escaflowne movie had the anime series been based on a manga...?

I mean don't get me wrong, you're free to like Brotherhood more than the original for any number of reasons, (I haven't had a chance to follow it all since I can't catch it on a restart/episode 1, but I for one like how there's heavier hinting at Ed x Winry, and some of the new characters seem cool,) but being faithful to the manga feels like a pretty moot point here.

By the way is Wrath even the same character in Brotherhood? He was one of my favorite homunculi in the original anime but haven't seen him in Brotherhood yet.

Spoiler! :

I also don't really care for that giant monster form thing that Envy's got going on in Brotherhood.

I don't think it's so much that 'Brotherhood is closer to the manga, therefore it's better'- I think it's that the first series was a studio jumping on something was popular and making up their own story because they didn't yet know how the original one panned out. It was good- I still love it- but because they decided 'let's make it a 52-episode season even though we don't have a plot', they ended up trying to throw in a number of separate arcs and then somehow pull it together into an epic conclusion that was confusing, didn't make much sense and yes, was fun, but very much had a feeling of them making it up as they went along rather than making solid plot decisions before they started the whole thing.

The first season Wrath isn't in it, though.

Spoiler! :

The Fuhrer is Wrath, and Pride is his son, Selim- the original Greed only lasts a couple of episodes before he's replaced by another Homunculus, too.

I do genuinely agree, however, that there's no way to say 'this one's definitely better than the other'- they both have their pros and cons, and as you say, they're two completely different stories that just happen to be based on the same manga. However, personally I think the second one is better planned out, much more coherent and has some characters that the first series totally missed out on c:

[redandblack64]

Watched through the first anime, and read all the way through the manga. Since Brotherhood mirrors the manga, I didn't bother watching it, as there isn't much of a point after reading the manga.

It's really impossible to say one is better than the other, as Brotherhood/the manga is plot driven and the first anime is character driven. The two have different priorities and goals, and both execute them incredibly well. Really, you could say preferring one over the other boils down to personal opinion and taste.

I'm leaning towards the manga/Brotherhood due to it's faster pace and stronger plot.

[gun21]

I watched the two animes, and I liked Brotherhood better.

The original series was a lot more atmospheric, and probably had better pacing, but I really like the animation in brotherhood better. It's a lot more smooth and crisp. I also think Brotherhood has better "character moments," like Mustang going apeshit on Envy.

I also thought the Nazi stuff at the end of the original series was stupid. I think this series's explanation for alchemy works better, even though it's complete bullshit in terms of science. It's simple, and when you have to choose between "the earth's rotation provides an energy which can be used for transmutation" or "all of the violence created by an alternate universe can become energy and transfer over to their side of the universe it becomes this lightning thing that can be used to for alchemy" I'm going to go for the former.

I did miss some plot elements in the first, like Scar using Rose as a holy mother to reconquer Liorre*.

(I don't know how to spell the names of fictional towns.)

[xkrazydog]

LetMeVomitMyLoveForFMA:Brotherhood.

Arakawa is like, my art god. Her art is superb and her storytelling is absolutely fantastic. brotherhood had some DARK story plots but they never steered too far or too long from its goal. I also love the general Positivity of breaking equivalent exchange. A love between friends/family and mentors and the sacrifice your willing to go through to protect the ones you love.

Unlike in the first anime where Equivalent exchange breaking was a bad thing at the end? I was heart broken...

[pinkylillix]

We do have an Anime general thread but Aids did have a point early on in it about, and since this is a big enough series I think it should be alright to have his own thread.

I've always facepalmed at people who think being closer to the Manga = AUTOMATICALLY BETTER JUST BECAUSE, but FMA has always one of the most ridiculous instances of this for me.
I think Brotherhood looks cool and all, but the two series are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. When purists blabber on about how being closer to the manga is better or that a new version of the anime meant to mirror the manga is better I expect differences like filler amounts and maybe a character change, name change, something minor, you know?

BUT THEY'RE LIKE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMES. I've never once seen an episode of Brotherhood that was anything close to any episode of the orginal anime. How can people dig their heels in and call it better just because it's closer to the manga? The first anime is practically a retelling as far as I know. Would people bitch about the Escaflowne movie had the anime series been based on a manga...?

I mean don't get me wrong, you're free to like Brotherhood more than the original for any number of reasons, (I haven't had a chance to follow it all since I can't catch it on a restart/episode 1, but I for one like how there's heavier hinting at Ed x Winry, and some of the new characters seem cool,) but being faithful to the manga feels like a pretty moot point here.

*EDIT*
And speaking of canon-breaking movies, I loved the movie follow-up of the original anime.

By the way is Wrath even the same character in Brotherhood? He was one of my favorite homunculi in the original anime but haven't seen him in Brotherhood yet.

Spoiler! :

I also don't really care for that giant monster form thing that Envy's got going on in Brotherhood.

Eh, in this case I think it's better that Brotherhood is basically the same story as the manga simply because the manga was so solid, where as the original anime, as others have commented, didn't hold together as much in the end (and yes, there was a lot of personal taste involved for me as well). Trust me, I've seen animes that deviated greatly from manga series, and wound up being better; in this case though, the manga was perfect to begin with. And it was really neat seeing my favorite scenes animated! With an awesome, epic soundtrack and all that.

But yeah, they do feel like entirely different series; actually, the 2003 feels like an animated fanfiction to me. And I don't mean that in the bad way, it just does. But during the last season, I felt like Edward Elric wasn't even the same character he is in the manga/brotherhood. Hell, most of them weren't. Winry annoyed me in the old anime, but in Brotherhood she's one of my favorites.

And no, Wrath is a different character entirely. I like both Wraths though.

Spoiler! :

And oh my goodness, I love Envy in all forms. I was kind of upset in the last episode of the 2003 anime when Envy was like, "You want to see my true form?!" and I'm thinking, "YES! GIANT MONSTER TIME!" and my brother (who already saw that episode) was just shaking his head, like, "Oh, Sara, I'm so sorry." And then Envy turned into a pretty boy and my day just became slightly disappointing.

[pinkylillix]

LetMeVomitMyLoveForFMA:Brotherhood.

Arakawa is like, my art god. Her art is superb and her storytelling is absolutely fantastic. brotherhood had some DARK story plots but they never steered too far or too long from its goal. I also love the general Positivity of breaking equivalent exchange. A love between friends/family and mentors and the sacrifice your willing to go through to protect the ones you love.

Unlike in the first anime where Equivalent exchange breaking was a bad thing at the end? I was heart broken...

YES. There were so many points reading the manga where I had to stop just because I was freaking out over what a genius this woman is. And yes, the positivity was great; not just in breaking equivalent exchange, but really, I felt like the characters genuinely cared for one another (well, aside from the antagonists, ya know). Like you could just feel the love pouring through the pages.

And I adore her art style. So much. AUGH.