Is FMA worth a try?

[the_wolfs_howl]

@Atria - Interestingly enough, though, I got the feeling, especially in the final chapter, that as cool and emotional as everything was...I don't think Arakawa-san realizes how powerful her characters are. Sometimes I felt like there should have been a moment where the brothers look at each other meaningfully (for example), but they just carried on with what they were doing. Even the manga has its flaws.

And I'm not sure I'd agree that the first anime disregarded characters' bonds. [spoiler]What about Ed giving up himself to bring Al back in the end?[/spoiler]

Ultimately, though, I find the manga has the least amount of flaws of all the different versions of the story.

[Atria35]

And I'm not sure I'd agree that the first anime disregarded characters' bonds.

I didn't say they were disregarded- just weren't as important to the story. Yeah, [spoiler]Ed gave himself up for Al in the end, but it didn't seem like it was for Al. It seemed like a mix of things, including what was going on concerning the military's penchant for using people to become Philosopher's Stones. And it also seemed a little more selfish than self-sacrifice usually does, since it didn't solve anything with the alchemy being fueled from people from our dinemtion, AND Al didn't want to be there without Ed, without Ed being whole. So that didn't work out.[/spoiler]

I'm actually glad about the manga's end, because [spoiler]while she could have put in something like you said, that would have been cliche and corny. Her characters were two normal boys that ended up in extraordinary circumstaces, and the ending reflects that. It had it's own power.[/spoiler]

[Lynna]

You leave feeling like every plot string was satisfactory, and every character got their moment(s!). All the same, Ed was an empty shell of what they made in the first anime

Okay, first of all, I really loved the first anime, it was awesome and there's no arguing with that. However, I strongly disagree with this comment and here's why
[SPOILER] first off, the manga/brotherhood put more of an emphisis on how the Nina events effected Ed and Al later in life, and how it made Ed realise he was just a human who couldn't save a little girl. That, I think, had a really big impact on Ed's character. Also, it has a much stronger emphesis on Ed's sense of mercy and how much the two brother's value life (although the first anime did a really good job of showing this with Greed's death---which I think was one of the moments in the first anime that was done so well I cried) And also Ed's feelings for Winry, and him wanting to take care of everyone not just Al was a lot more open. And Yet it still shows that he cares immensly for Al so much he doesn't even care if he get's his arm and leg back as long as Al gets his body back. And that is why I disagree you are entitled to your opinion, but this is mine...
In the first anime, the one thing I don't like is that while Ed's character was fairly well done, Al's character wasn't as clear. I mean, there is a stark contrast to the way he reacts to the philosephers stone: in the first anime, he wants to use the stone, which he knows was made by humans, but in the manga/brotherhood, he and Ed acctually promise each other not to use the philoseohers stone(althogh in the first anime the philosephers stone was more made of peaople who were alive but now are dead, while in brotherhood/manga they were acctually people's soels)
But yeahj, I loved both animes, but brotherhood a bit more ^_^ [/spoiler]

[QuirkyIceHeart]

Orly? See, I agree with all of you, but I kinda thought the opposite (that their relationship was stronger in the first anime, etc.)

I think that the manga has more emotional concepts, but the first anime did what it had in a better way. Also, Edward's personality was perhaps more nobel in the manga/Brotherhood, more merciful, and more accepting (He was the ONLY completely unbiased character in the story, in fact, even Alphonse was more biased than he was ^^ ) And I love manga/Brotherhood Ed!! He was done extraordinarily well, and I laughed/cried alongside him for 23+ volumes and episodes.

But I still prefer 1!Anime Ed, for several reasons. Ed's feelings and reactions were more focused on during the story. If something happened, it made SURE to show how it affected him. Not just by keeping it in the plot (like in the manga/anime), but it literally changed his personality. I thought he grew a lot, even if it was largely... negative growth... while he didn't change much in the manga. My view in the 1!Anime was that one of the things he traded for Alphonse was his own innocence and happiness. [spoiler]Every time he said he didn't regret killing Greed, I winced and felt like crying, instantly remembering that single scene where he obviously DID have issues with it. And when he snaps at Al and says that it wasn't the first time he killed someone, and brings up the fourth episode when a guy died by accident, and the viewer suddenly realizes that he'd been blaming himself for that, and holding it all inside all that time. Also, he was almost... mentally breaking down by the end. Not insane at all, but just... beyond the point of 'just being stressed'. Even in the humorous scenes, he started actually getting angry, and not just humorously so. Suddenly the irritation was real. You could see the difference To me, that's good charrie development (And then, as a side note, it made his movie self very interesting. In a non-stressful position, we see him calm down to who he has become, which is different than before. He was nearly happy for just a moment to see Envy, because he was so desperate for home T_T ) [/spoiler]

And in the manga, while Nina continued to be mentioned more often and how not being able to save her haunted Ed, I also thought he wasn't as active in trying to help her in the first place. Everyone just... left her with her father, and then the Scar incident came along. 1!Anime, there was an ACTIVE Nina-rescue.

Admittedly, he was more selfish, but I think he was more realistic and likable anyway. Also... 1!Anime Alphonse was... -_- Not as good as manga Al. In fact, most of the characters (Envy, Kimblee, Hohenheim, Hawkeye, and tons more) were ultimately superior in the manga.


Did anyone miss where I said I was essentially tied between the two for my favorite...? I was listing in which ways 1!Anime was as good/better as the manga/Brotherhood, not flaming either :/ I've spent months trying to decide which was my favorite, and have pretty much given up by now XD They both have their strenghts and weaknesses, and you could probably write a whole book listing the goods/bads of each! I just don't like the almost consistent negative view of 1!Anime But you're each entitled to your own opinion, just sharing mine ^_^

And of course the manga/anime can affect people!! People just seem to bring that up more often around 1!Anime ^_^

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

I'm enjoying Brotherhood, but I thought that the music certainly and some of the moments in the original were simply more powerful than in Brotherhood... Like when Ed gets his arm rebuilt and goes out he and Al have a sparring match to recover from their argument. In the first series that really got to me. In Brotherhood moments like that felt brushed over. They're emphasizing the very concept of brotherhood more thoroughly all over, but some of my favorite moments in the first series seemed lessened.

I'm not sure how far you are, but Brotherhood's biggest problem was that in order to not lose people who dismissed it as the same as the first anime without knowing the whole story, they rushed through the first fifteen or so episodes since the first anime had covered that part of the story.

[AnimeGirl]

It's turned into "Is FMA worth a try?" to "FMA vs. Brotherhood" O.O XD!!!

[Etoh*the*Greato]

I'm not sure how far you are, but Brotherhood's biggest problem was that in order to not lose people who dismissed it as the same as the first anime without knowing the whole story, they rushed through the first fifteen or so episodes since the first anime had covered that part of the story.

That's pretty much where I am... It feels like a whirlwind tour of the first season and a half. All I have right now is a boxed-set with the first twelve eps.

[mechana2015]

The pace slows considerably after that point, since they reach the new materiel, and need to cover it in more depth. A more accurate statement would probably be that they stretched out the first anime to try to make the most of the materiel they had before going off on their own.There are scenes added into the anime that weren't in the manga (even in the very first couple arcs), most likely to try to fill out time so there were more episodes dedicated to the established content at the time.

If you finish the boxed set and can't wait for more, the entire rest of brotherhood is up on Funimation's website.

[AnimeGirl]

My opinion on the series so far....

So I watched the first 3 episodes already on Funi's website! Steena and I watched the first episode together and chatted about it on Gmail. Unfortunately, during the middle of ep.1 the power went out!!!! Thankfully, it was like for only 30 seconds, and Funi remembered my place (or close to it anyway). But I am REALLY enjoying this series! The story is very engaging, lots of action, and evne some comic relief! The perfect blend for a perfect anime. I am excited to see more! And hopefully, next time I go to my fave bookstore, they'll have volume 2 of the manga. Now since I have watched the anime, I can read volume 1 again and hear their voices!

[steenajack]

Woo-hoo! I was happy to watch it with you AnimeGirl!!! XD!

I would like to take this oppurtunity to say my opinion about the show, even though I only saw the first episode.

First off, I wasn't offended by Ed's apparent atheisim. I was completely prepared for what was to come, and have come to the same conclusion that Vic Mignogna has, " I don't think Ed's really an atheist," I personally believe he's reacting to all the pain that happened in his life, y'know. that tends to happen and I'm certain that the author of the manga wanted to portray how people tend to realisticly react to certain things. I don't think she was trying to downgrade Christianity AT ALL. And I loved what Al had said in the first episode, "That maybe there's something bigger than us out there," He has officially become one of my favorite characters. IDK why, but he seems like one of those people that doesn't let a bad situation get him down no matter what. He remains...hopeful, yknow? I love him already! XD!
I also think i have a better understanding of Ed. I thought I knew so much about him cause I did so much research on the anime before I even started. But now, I think I actually UNDERSTAND rather than KNOW, if you get what I mean. Knowing info about someone is not the same as understanding the character. I get him now!
Now, the only negative viewpoint I have is all the spoilers I've read/seen. Because of them, I kinda knew what was going on before i was supposed to. Most of it is my fault really, but it's okay. I've learned my lesson. ! Now, I wanna try the manga as soon as I finish the anime. ! I can honestly say that as soon as I finish another title or two that I'm working on, I'll continue this anime.

[QuirkyIceHeart]

Woot!!! Awesome for both of you! ! I'm really glad you're both enjoying it ^_^ That is just... one epic series to start and experiance. I hope that you both continue to enjoy it and become just as involved... the series is completely worth it, I think.

And about the boxset... oooh yeah, you've pretty much got the worst episodes in the entire series ^^; The first series added, and the Brotherhood rushes, so to those that watched the first series first... It's like... O_e
But anyway, it gets WAAAAAAY better right afterwards. *nodnod *

[Lynna]

Woo-hoo! I was happy to watch it with you AnimeGirl!!! XD!

I would like to take this oppurtunity to say my opinion about the show, even though I only saw the first episode.

First off, I wasn't offended by Ed's apparent atheisim. I was completely prepared for what was to come, and have come to the same conclusion that Vic Mignogna has, " I don't think Ed's really an atheist," I personally believe he's reacting to all the pain that happened in his life, y'know. that tends to happen and I'm certain that the author of the manga wanted to portray how people tend to realisticly react to certain things. I don't think she was trying to downgrade Christianity AT ALL. And I loved what Al had said in the first episode, "That maybe there's something bigger than us out there," He has officially become one of my favorite characters. IDK why, but he seems like one of those people that doesn't let a bad situation get him down no matter what. He remains...hopeful, yknow? I love him already! XD!
I also think i have a better understanding of Ed. I thought I knew so much about him cause I did so much research on the anime before I even started. But now, I think I actually UNDERSTAND rather than KNOW, if you get what I mean. Knowing info about someone is not the same as understanding the character. I get him now!
Now, the only negative viewpoint I have is all the spoilers I've read/seen. Because of them, I kinda knew what was going on before i was supposed to. Most of it is my fault really, but it's okay. I've learned my lesson. ! Now, I wanna try the manga as soon as I finish the anime. ! I can honestly say that as soon as I finish another title or two that I'm working on, I'll continue this anime.

Are you watching the first or seconed anime?

[AnimeGirl]

Are you watching the first or seconed anime?

Steena-chan and I are watching the first ^.^

[steenajack]

What she said. ^^

[the_wolfs_howl]

I've spent months trying to decide which was my favorite, and have pretty much given up by now XD They both have their strenghts and weaknesses, and you could probably write a whole book listing the goods/bads of each!

Ultimately, this is what I've decided too. If forced to choose just one version, I would pick the manga (not Brotherhood, the manga) without hesitation. But I really think that the only way to get the full story, to see all the best nuances and ideas and character growths, you have to check out every version of the story. It's not like some stories, where one version is more full than the others, or lives up to the story's potential more than any other versions. (Which I believe is the case for a story like, say, Death Note.) For FMA, each retelling peels back another layer and reveals a new facet to this amazing story.

And I could respond more to the other things you've said, but we'd end up going around in circles arguing about character growth and depth, so I'll refrain XD

I hope everyone who's watching it for the first time enjoys it!

[AnimeGirl]

So after seeing only 4 episodes (plus Funi only has the first 4 dubbed episodes up XD!!!!), I have just purchased from Amazon all of season 1. Yup, that's right! I think I'll continue to like it, and if I get bored waiting for the package, I can always just watch it in Japanese on Funi's website XD!!! I really wanna watch all of it soon, so then I can purchase the movie!!!

[AnimeGirl]

Sooo....sorry for the double post and bringing this back up, but I have finished the first series +movie and I have officially started on Brotherhood. While the first series was amazing, the movie had a disappointing ending. Great movie, but somewhat bittersweet ending (makes me want to write a fanfiction continuation of it!). That ending only made me want to rush into Brotherhood more quickly!!

If you want, mods can lock this thread now since it was about FMA being worth a try, and now that I have tried I agree it is a masterpeice ^.^