Postby ich1990 » Mon May 31, 2010 5:19 pm
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episodes 8-31
This has turned out to be an excellent way to run through the series again, one last time before its conclusion. In fact, it has been so good and loyal to the source material that I have almost considered ranking it a 10/10 and putting it right up next to the manga as one of my favorite pieces of Japanese art ever. I considered doing so, that is, before episode 30 changed my mind. Previous to that episode, they had cut things and moved them around, but it was mostly little stuff, and forgivable given the time constraints.
The Ishvalan war, however, is an extremely important piece of the story, and provides the history and motivations of virtually the entire cast of military characters. It pains me, then, to see the entire Ishvalan flashback (which took a full volume in the manga) condensed into one episode. Don't get me wrong, what was adapted was done almost perfectly, but I can't help but be surprised that so much critical character development was left out. If they were worried about time constraints, then they should have just axed episode 27. Very disappointing.
A note, then, to all of you "anime only" people out there. Please, please, pick up volume 15 (thank you for the correction!) of FMA, chapters 58-61, and read them in place of, or concurrent with episode 30. You won't regret it.
Where an
Eidolon, named night, on a black throne reigns upright.