Anime Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Part One
- Thread starter JoshV
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I found the ending of Brotherhood derivative and dull, while the original series rose to a roaring crescendo with a bittersweet epilogue (if you could call a whole move an epilogue) Brotherhood just kept on going and going and going and going. Completely unlikable, and irredeemable, characters got their 10 minute long violin solo death scenes (Spoiler: Feel sorry for Envy! He's an asshole!) and the Endboss proved to be the usual "i am teh ultimate gawd" bullshit and, as always, fell to the overwhelming power of love and friendship. Disappointing indeed.
Also, nothing will match the sheer awesome of King Bradley vs Mustang in the original series. Brotherhood had nary a single fight that cathartic.
Also, nothing will match the sheer awesome of King Bradley vs Mustang in the original series. Brotherhood had nary a single fight that cathartic.
I like Hellsing TV more the OVAs have no character/story development it focuses to much on over the top gore/violence and action.The other TV I liked more was Violinist of Hameln the darker setting worked well and it was pretty well paced a shame it had no animation budgetGeneric Gamer said:
Sometimes it dose work sometimes it dose not,LOTR is not to bad but look at most comic/game adaptations they don't get it they try to hard to replace the fiction with real world wankery,or just do a horrible job of screenwriting for setting and characters.
IMO most US film adaptations(non literature based) are just bad most Anime is pretty good because it tries to keep to the stuff its based on and already has fans for, why US film has to go out of its way to look for millions of "new" fans(when the stuff they are adapting already has millions of fans) I will never know.
So, to clarify a few points:
Firstly, my portion of this review (which was written under the explicit guidelines of "compare it to the other anime") was written over three months ago. The copy I used for my review was actually a pre-release review copy of the first American DVD set, so that should give you an idea of how long it's been since I wrote it (for instance, the manga wasn't finished at the time).
Secondly, in response to everyone who is complaining that I'm comparing Brotherhood's first thirteen episodes in a harsh light versus the entirety of FMA, I think I made it clear enough that I wasn't passing judgement on the whole series. Hell, I agree with your complaints - it's not really a fair comparison. And I would love to do a full review of the entirety of Brotherhood compared to the entirety of the original series, but this review couldn't be that, because I didn't have those materials at the time I wrote it. To reiterate: this review is only for the first DVD release.
In any case, I do appreciate the discussion this is generating. I think this is the most commented-on anime review we've ever posted, which is pretty cool regardless.
Firstly, my portion of this review (which was written under the explicit guidelines of "compare it to the other anime") was written over three months ago. The copy I used for my review was actually a pre-release review copy of the first American DVD set, so that should give you an idea of how long it's been since I wrote it (for instance, the manga wasn't finished at the time).
Secondly, in response to everyone who is complaining that I'm comparing Brotherhood's first thirteen episodes in a harsh light versus the entirety of FMA, I think I made it clear enough that I wasn't passing judgement on the whole series. Hell, I agree with your complaints - it's not really a fair comparison. And I would love to do a full review of the entirety of Brotherhood compared to the entirety of the original series, but this review couldn't be that, because I didn't have those materials at the time I wrote it. To reiterate: this review is only for the first DVD release.
In any case, I do appreciate the discussion this is generating. I think this is the most commented-on anime review we've ever posted, which is pretty cool regardless.
I really liked the original and I really liked the new series as well. They were slightly different in style but both thoughrally enjoyable. I would say plus's for the first FMA is that there is more actual alchemy and the fights are great, plus you feel a lot more connected to the characters. Pro's for brotherhood are that you get to see all your fav characters again and the story is much tighter with less filler. Also it has a much better ended than the horrible!! ending of the original series.
Oh and it gets much better after the first 13 episodes, the action really starts picking up now that all the set up is out the way.
The original FMA is actually how I got my gf into anime (ie much improved gf now
)
In summary, go watch both series's!! NOW!!
Oh and it gets much better after the first 13 episodes, the action really starts picking up now that all the set up is out the way.
The original FMA is actually how I got my gf into anime (ie much improved gf now
)In summary, go watch both series's!! NOW!!
I checked out the original FMA 51 episodes (have them on my comp) and I just a few months ago read the manga 108 episodes (ending comes there) and the manga was 100 times better than the original anime and I liked the anime A LOT!!!!!!!! That already says something and if brotherhood is following the manga to the point with only minor changes then the ones watching it will be in for one hell of a ride, that you'll probably never forget!!!
The original series' ending was the result of the creation of an anime-only storyline that outpaced the source material and therefore had no real clue where to go. It tried its best, and there are people that like it quite a lot, but after the point where it diverged from the comic the pacing, energy, and character development all ground to a halt. Also shoehorned an implied rape (see: Rose and her baby) to artificially inflate "Drama."Random Argument Man said:
The manga's plot resolves itself much more satisfactorily, both in terms of closure as well as themes. Brotherhood is an adaptation of the original manga and makes for a dramatic improvement.
I'm snipping this because the rest of the comment is downright painful to read, but even a quick Googling or a trip to a bookstore would tell you that the vast majority of Japanese comics are black-and-white. Yes, Japanese comic publishers really are that cheap. But the end result tends to look more aesthetically pleasing than most colored comics so it all works out in the end.Dhatz said:
But you're absolutely right. The original Ghost in the Shell comic was pants, no bones about it.
tl;dr version: Funimation is streaming FMA: Brotherhood on YouTube as well!
Nearing completion of the direct-from-manga subbed anime adaptation myself (3 episodes), I did feel this review was left severely wanting, but it's fair in that it's an official DVD dubbed review. There are some questions I have left of the presentation of the ability to acquire and judge the anime's merits though.
For one, does the anime reviewer, or is it this site's preference that only the dubbed episodes be watched/reviewed? Are all anime's reviewed required to be those only in their most direct to sale form? Is it insisted thus that only individual seasons/specific packages be reviewed at one time/near point of release? Is the propagation/promotion of streaming content/even legally so (as Funimation allows) discouraged in the reviews? Should all viewers be required to take the investment plunge of even a rental to inquire the source's worth? Okay I'm suggesting a bit much here, but I do agree with many commenters assertion that the comparisons of the two anime even somewhat is unfair, as the bulk of anime has been available for viewing even as the review was written and 13 rehashed episodes is sparse to say the least.
SPOILER Warnings.
Just to address a few things I personally found in comparison of the two anime:
1. The drama may have been a bit overbearing in the first partial adaptation, the moments with Winry and the librarian seem to be somewhat self-satirizing in particular, but they really helped the emotional impact of the story and it gave the story some great cliffhangers, enticing moments. The light humor aspect of the manga adaptation finds too much space in the later episodes and the particular morbid/sobering moments are really crushed by this.
2. I was shocked by the level of violence (praticularly blood) when I first watched FMA, but Brotherhood actually is far more intense and dense in its violent moments. FMA pulls off the gravity of it all much better somehow though (music, tastefully drawn-out scenes helped a lot), particularly in the Edward vs. Greed fight, which also happens to be that series' apex (IMO of course) especially in the vomiting of the soul crystal fragments, the rigor mortis that Greed curls into, and Ed's overwhelming guilt. If you like your anime violent, Brotherhood surely won't let you down though.
3. Both anime contain filler, more obviously in FMA's case, and it causes FMA to reach a few lows that Brotherhood manages to avoid fortunately. FMA also manages to come up a little empty-handed though in the end due to this, as the usurping of the throne seemed somewhat under-covered, Dante was a dissapointing villain in the end, and Rose's role seemed quite convuluted and overpronounced. The Pride (or the Fuhrer as is more accurate when relating source) vs. Mustang fight was great though.
4. Fan-service. Yeah I don't appreciate this aspect of most anime as others do, so I'll understand if this didn't come up as an issue for you. Both had fan-service of the underage Winry which I didn't appreciate much the first time and was repelled by more-so in Brotherhood. True, neither series is filled with it in actual story telling too much, but Brotherhood pushes it a bit too much for my taste in the final opening.
5. Plot-holes. Both had their fair share, Brotherhood's more damaging in lore-logic, FMA's leaving you wanting more, or left a little empty-handed in certain moments. The homunculi are confusing in both version to some extent, but more-so in Brotherhood. In FMA you're left with questions like, "What if the homunculi were never fed the souls?", "Is there really a limit to number of homunculi as the seven sins suggest?", "Are the homunculi redeemable even after consumption of souls?", "Is there something to the connection of the humunculi and their original souls?" and to keep this short, "Why is the Elric's mother named sloth?". You also have to wonder about Dante's motivation with the homunculi... nobler than meets the eye perhaps? Anyways onto Brotherhood's.
Okay, since it's bugging me right now, I'll start with, "Why isn't Wrath (almost) immortal?". When Greed assumes Ling's body he can still recover, so why not Wrath? Also, why didn't he consume the Philosopher's Stone when he was fighting Scar? If he was Pride it would make some sense, but he's not in the true adaptation. Next, why would Pride consume Kimblee for no real benefit, and how would Kimblee interfere somehow afterwards? It can be explained away as "soul strength" perhaps, but why target it then? Another one is how can Kimblee hide the Philosopher's Stone within him without becoming a homunculus? Why the different Stone crystal shapes too (other than liquid)? Why would Pride's benefit be scent from Gluttony rather than the far more powerful and relevant ability to send others into the void with the blast attack? That's what Gluttony's creation was the result of afterall... which leads to the question of how Pride can contain it... ahhhh. Hohenheim is an over-curious character as well... it's said that he communicated and asked for forgiveness of all the souls within him, which somehow allows them to co-operate with him outside of his body. But then shouldn't it be presumed that all the souls could rebel on any user and thus the homunculi would be rendered pretty much totally in-effective (I know, no story then, but to me the better option is the souls lose their character once formed into stones). Okay a quick run-down of a few others here:
Why would 'Father' recreate Greed? With previous memories 'unlockable'?
Why is Mustang so powerful without use of Philosopher's Stones?
Why do the 'god' thing at the end? A twist with no end in solutions or impossible to understand solutions? It also poses questions on main characters atheism...
Zombie mutants possessed by unsouls?
The Shadow power of Pride... doesn't work in direct light, doesn't work in no light...?
Pride-like power in tunnel?
Okay I'm done for now... hopefully I didn't ruin the ending of the series for me by swamping it in criticism.
Now onto the original reason I wanted to use for commenting... >.> . I've noticed some have pointed out that you can watch the series on Hulu. Well along with that (I feel that this was the most sorely missed opportunity in article btw) you can watch it right on YouTube through Funimation's own channel. Here's episode 14 to get you started [http://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation?feature=chclk#p/c/13/Ajb1TQ40244]
Apologies to anyone who read this comment for sources other than the freebie link.
Nearing completion of the direct-from-manga subbed anime adaptation myself (3 episodes), I did feel this review was left severely wanting, but it's fair in that it's an official DVD dubbed review. There are some questions I have left of the presentation of the ability to acquire and judge the anime's merits though.
For one, does the anime reviewer, or is it this site's preference that only the dubbed episodes be watched/reviewed? Are all anime's reviewed required to be those only in their most direct to sale form? Is it insisted thus that only individual seasons/specific packages be reviewed at one time/near point of release? Is the propagation/promotion of streaming content/even legally so (as Funimation allows) discouraged in the reviews? Should all viewers be required to take the investment plunge of even a rental to inquire the source's worth? Okay I'm suggesting a bit much here, but I do agree with many commenters assertion that the comparisons of the two anime even somewhat is unfair, as the bulk of anime has been available for viewing even as the review was written and 13 rehashed episodes is sparse to say the least.
SPOILER Warnings.
Just to address a few things I personally found in comparison of the two anime:
1. The drama may have been a bit overbearing in the first partial adaptation, the moments with Winry and the librarian seem to be somewhat self-satirizing in particular, but they really helped the emotional impact of the story and it gave the story some great cliffhangers, enticing moments. The light humor aspect of the manga adaptation finds too much space in the later episodes and the particular morbid/sobering moments are really crushed by this.
2. I was shocked by the level of violence (praticularly blood) when I first watched FMA, but Brotherhood actually is far more intense and dense in its violent moments. FMA pulls off the gravity of it all much better somehow though (music, tastefully drawn-out scenes helped a lot), particularly in the Edward vs. Greed fight, which also happens to be that series' apex (IMO of course) especially in the vomiting of the soul crystal fragments, the rigor mortis that Greed curls into, and Ed's overwhelming guilt. If you like your anime violent, Brotherhood surely won't let you down though.
3. Both anime contain filler, more obviously in FMA's case, and it causes FMA to reach a few lows that Brotherhood manages to avoid fortunately. FMA also manages to come up a little empty-handed though in the end due to this, as the usurping of the throne seemed somewhat under-covered, Dante was a dissapointing villain in the end, and Rose's role seemed quite convuluted and overpronounced. The Pride (or the Fuhrer as is more accurate when relating source) vs. Mustang fight was great though.
4. Fan-service. Yeah I don't appreciate this aspect of most anime as others do, so I'll understand if this didn't come up as an issue for you. Both had fan-service of the underage Winry which I didn't appreciate much the first time and was repelled by more-so in Brotherhood. True, neither series is filled with it in actual story telling too much, but Brotherhood pushes it a bit too much for my taste in the final opening.
5. Plot-holes. Both had their fair share, Brotherhood's more damaging in lore-logic, FMA's leaving you wanting more, or left a little empty-handed in certain moments. The homunculi are confusing in both version to some extent, but more-so in Brotherhood. In FMA you're left with questions like, "What if the homunculi were never fed the souls?", "Is there really a limit to number of homunculi as the seven sins suggest?", "Are the homunculi redeemable even after consumption of souls?", "Is there something to the connection of the humunculi and their original souls?" and to keep this short, "Why is the Elric's mother named sloth?". You also have to wonder about Dante's motivation with the homunculi... nobler than meets the eye perhaps? Anyways onto Brotherhood's.
Okay, since it's bugging me right now, I'll start with, "Why isn't Wrath (almost) immortal?". When Greed assumes Ling's body he can still recover, so why not Wrath? Also, why didn't he consume the Philosopher's Stone when he was fighting Scar? If he was Pride it would make some sense, but he's not in the true adaptation. Next, why would Pride consume Kimblee for no real benefit, and how would Kimblee interfere somehow afterwards? It can be explained away as "soul strength" perhaps, but why target it then? Another one is how can Kimblee hide the Philosopher's Stone within him without becoming a homunculus? Why the different Stone crystal shapes too (other than liquid)? Why would Pride's benefit be scent from Gluttony rather than the far more powerful and relevant ability to send others into the void with the blast attack? That's what Gluttony's creation was the result of afterall... which leads to the question of how Pride can contain it... ahhhh. Hohenheim is an over-curious character as well... it's said that he communicated and asked for forgiveness of all the souls within him, which somehow allows them to co-operate with him outside of his body. But then shouldn't it be presumed that all the souls could rebel on any user and thus the homunculi would be rendered pretty much totally in-effective (I know, no story then, but to me the better option is the souls lose their character once formed into stones). Okay a quick run-down of a few others here:
Why would 'Father' recreate Greed? With previous memories 'unlockable'?
Why is Mustang so powerful without use of Philosopher's Stones?
Why do the 'god' thing at the end? A twist with no end in solutions or impossible to understand solutions? It also poses questions on main characters atheism...
Zombie mutants possessed by unsouls?
The Shadow power of Pride... doesn't work in direct light, doesn't work in no light...?
Pride-like power in tunnel?
Okay I'm done for now... hopefully I didn't ruin the ending of the series for me by swamping it in criticism.
Now onto the original reason I wanted to use for commenting... >.> . I've noticed some have pointed out that you can watch the series on Hulu. Well along with that (I feel that this was the most sorely missed opportunity in article btw) you can watch it right on YouTube through Funimation's own channel. Here's episode 14 to get you started [http://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation?feature=chclk#p/c/13/Ajb1TQ40244]
Apologies to anyone who read this comment for sources other than the freebie link.
See, this is why I read manga and don't watch anime adaptations. It never has fillers, I never get bugged because of story or character deviation and I'm always a step ahead of the anime if the anime is trying to stay true to the manga. The only time I ever watch adaptations is to see some of the more impressive fights animated.
I know that they had reasons for doing what they did, I'm not saying that they didn't, I'm just saying I prefer manga over any anime adaptation, regardless of how true it tries to be, since there will always be some differences and those tend to bug me.Lizmichi said:
The first FMA didn't really make sense to me...when I started watching FMA:B It actually made sense.
I agree with Josh, the original is probably my favourite anime ever, and the new one has pacing all wrong, as far as the first few episodes go at any rate. I heard that's just the way the manga is in general. I'll check it out once the dub finishes at any rate, more FMA is still good to me!
What an odd point in the series to start a review from. Ah well, i'd agree throughout the series there was some major issues in pace, the episodes the first iteration covered were rushed together while there was a lengthy space between the climax and previous set of events where nothing much occured. Infact the climax was so long and drawn out that by the end i didnt really care. Overall FMA:B was a disappointment for me, thought i cant help but think that a good deal of that was down to my enjoyment of the original.
Manga's story >>>>>>>>> Original FMA anime's story
therefore
FMA:B's story >>>>>>>>> Original FMA anime's story
Couple this with smoother, more colorful, and just all around BETTER animation, better pacing, no filler, not to mention the first opening song sung by a GIRL (OMGWTF) and much less annoying closing themes, FMA:B beats the ever-loving snot out of FMA.
therefore
FMA:B's story >>>>>>>>> Original FMA anime's story
Couple this with smoother, more colorful, and just all around BETTER animation, better pacing, no filler, not to mention the first opening song sung by a GIRL (OMGWTF) and much less annoying closing themes, FMA:B beats the ever-loving snot out of FMA.