Fullmetal Alchemist vs. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
For those who know me, you know I have nothing but deep love and affection for both versions of this show. FMA is one of the very few anime that will turn me into a raving fangirl set on defending both story lines. And I am sure those same people are probably amused that it took me this long to finally spit something out about
Fullmetal Alchemist--being the hardcore fan that I am and all.
Now, I am going to handsomely review both FMA and FMA: Brotherhood. You will find I will have little negativity to say on either.
So! Without further ado, I give you reviews of the 2 FMA worlds.
Fullmetal Alchemist
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| Fun story: This picture was used on my 18th birthday cake |
Synopsis: Edward and Alphonse Elric commit the ultimate taboo in alchemy. Human transmutation. In an effort to bring back their mother, both Ed and Al sacrifice more than they first bargained for in equivalent exchange for their mother's life back. Edward loses his left leg while his brother loses his entire body. In a desperate attempt to save his brother--not wanting to lose the only family he has left--Edward transmutes Al's soul, binding it to a suit of armor that stood in the room, silently watching. As a result, Edward is now with out both his left leg and right arm. Their transmutation is a failure.
After a year of rehabilitation and being fitted with Automail, Edward and Alphonse leave Risembool to become a State Alchemist for the military. They plan to search for the infamous Philosopher's Stone to return their bodies back to normal. Little do they know of the trials that await them. Homunculi and an immortal soul play their hands at keeping the brothers on a path planned out for them. While the past of one great war catches up with the brothers and all State Alchemists, another threatens the city of Lior. The brothers are sent on an endless chase until finally, their search for the stone leads them back to The Truth and a world, much like our own, parallel to theirs.
Review: When I first saw an advertisement for
Fullmetal Alchemist, I thought, "What is this crazy stuff?" The notion of a brother in a suit of armor had me perplexed and no where near interested in what the actual story. It didn't help that I was also fawning over
Inuyasha at that time either. However, when the show first aired on November 6, 2004, I was instantly hooked, forgetting that I had even seen an advertisement on Adult Swim's website. Immersed in a world so new to me, it felt almost devastating if I missed an episode (and I did due to marching band competitions).
Captivated by this world living with alchemy as its basis of science kept me wanting more. All too soon I found myself loving every character introduced, protagonist and antagonist alike. Each character had his or her own story, mixing together, and forming what has become one of the best stories in my life.
As an aspiring writer, I have difficulty creating characters that are not cliche, as well as having a diverse set of characters so that they do not all appear the same. Granted, my characters will not have a set character design like those of animations, so I have to work hard to portray my character's traits through the written word, but in
Fullmetal Alchemist Arakawa Hiromu does a fantastic job developing characters with their own backgrounds. If given the chance, each character could carry his or her own story.
I soon learned that
Fullmetal Alchemist was a manga, and not complete either. When began reading the manga, I found the similarities to the show, as well as differences, but that did not bother me. It was not until volume 7 or 8 that the plot took a drastic turn of events that I now find the differences between Fullmetal and Brotherhood to be striking, yet similar in many ways. (See below for compare and contrast.)
To add to my love of FMA, I found the character designs (illustrations) and animation to be fresh, new. As I watch anime today, many of the popular shows have the same designs for their characters, often times resulting in look alikes from other shows. However, with Fullmetal, there isn't a character I have seen yet that resembles any other characters in the world of anime. It is the originality of the show that has captivated me from day one. It is also the fluidity of the fight scenes that draws my focus each time I watch them. Animated in the best of the anime world, you can watch as Edward fights with his enemies, forming a believable kick that follows through. (Much unlike Dragonball Z fights.) Or even the simplest of things with the animation, from begin serious with realistic scenes, to the characters freaking out with the infamous weird faces Japanese illustrators love to draw.
For me,
Fullmetal Alchemist is a perfect blend of drama, action/adventure, comedy, orginality (and the theory of a parallel world), and (for me and all my dorkiness) literary devices. As Edward and Alphonse grow, you grow with them. (You mainly see it in Edward.) Not many anime do this. You can see Edward age throughout the show. Both facial features and maturity in the character changes as the show progresses. The growth of Edward is just enough. You hardly notice it unless you're paying close attention. It took me a while to realize he was aging when I first watched FMA.
When
Fullmetal Alchemist ended, people asked all the time, "Is there going to be a second season?" which I always prompted with a swift, "NO!" The series had come to an end with the help of the movie:
Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shambala. Although I was not happy with how the director of the anime Fullmetal decided to end the story, I took it in full stride, glad, at least, that Edward and Alphonse were together again. Besides, I had the manga. I could read them and find the alternate ending a different way. It never once occured to me that they were planning on taking the manga to redo the world I had fallen so madly in love with.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Synopsis: In attempt to resurrect their dead mother, Edward and Alphonse Elric commit the ultimate taboo in alchemy. Human Transmutation. Ed loses his left leg and right arm. Alphonse loses his entire body, only to have his soul bound to armor. After being fitted with Automail, Edward and Alphonse leave their home to become State Alchemists. Once Edward obtains the title, both he and Al begin their journey to find the Philosopher's Stone to return to their normal bodies.
However, they are not the only ones searching for the illusive stone. A prince and princess from two different clans of a neighboring country enter Amestris in search for immortality. Edward meets with the prince and so begins the differences between the two shows. Caught in the middle of a large conspiracy within the military Edward and Alphonse must now tread lightly as they continue their search for the stone. However, no matter where they go they find themselves constantly tangled with the homunculi and the one they call "Father". As Edward and Al find themselves being used as puppets by the homunculi and Father, they begin their counterstrike to uproot the military's conspiracy. However, Edward may have taken on more than he an handle. When Father reveals his true plans, Edward struggles to save everyone he loves within the country of Amestris.
Review: When news Fullmetal was going to be remade following the manga's storyline, I grew instantly excited. However, I did meet opposition from other fans who were too wrapped up in the first world of Fullmetal. They did not want to accept the new version, or should I say, the new version with the original story. I had to train myself to not call Brotherhood "season 2", but rather, "the original story", and Fullmetal, "the first version". (I'm picky like that.) But I'm not going to review my angst between the reluctant and adoring fans!
On April 5, 2009, Japan aired its first episode of
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I was a sophomore at the time, and had been anxiously awaiting the first showing since the fall of 2008. I thought I would have to wait another year or so before I would be able to watch it at all, but once the show began airing in Japan, FUNimation picked it up and graciously showed the subbed version on their website four days after each initial showing. Needless to say, I was ready and waiting each Sunday for a new episode.
I instantly noticed a difference in illustrations and animation style. Dare I say it, but sometimes I believe the animation's fluidity improved from the last. The characters' designs are slightly closer to the manga, but if placed side by side, the only differences you may find are colorations and slight facial structure. At first I was a little taken aback, being use to the first character designs. Specifically their colorations. (Rose still looks washed out to me in comparison to Fullmetal!)
The first 14 episodes of Brotherhood are repeats, sailing through the known storyline pretty quickly with just the right amount of differences to lead viewers down a whole new storyline. Episode 1, however, is the only original piece to both the manga story and pre-existing version (it is used for a flashback in a later episodes). Although the first 14 episodes seemed rushed, leaving many fans turned away from Brother, I encourage you to wait them through. Because the first version of Fullmetal followed the manga up to a certain part, the producers and director of Brotherhood did not want to bore fans of already known episodes. So they made them as quick as possible, giving viewers the right amount of differences to help with the storyline down the road. With my encouragement, I promise that after episode 15 begins, the trials of Edward and Alphonse, and all of the characters, begins to walk its own path, away from the first Fullmetal.
The plot thickens with more depth to both story and characters alike, adding to more drama and twists than can be found in the first series. Like the first version, Arakawa Hiromu's characters can stand on their own, but the difference between the two version is by just how much. In Brotherhood, there are long segments where characters have their own strew of episodes, leaving much of Ed and Al to the side. But that's okay! Ever want to know more about Mustang and Hawkeye's relationship? Or what Scar is really up to on his day's off from chasing Edward? The characters from Arakawa's story are each given a chance to shine with all their stories and endeavors leading back to Ed and Al's journey. I mean, who didn't want to know what really happened in Xerxes in Fullmetal? I did! Well, that past is revealed, adding yet another deep layer to Brotherhood.
To top it off, new characters (from the manga) are added to the ranks. And trust me, these are characters are well received, adding to much of the anxiety, comic relief, and "bad ass-ness" in the Fullmetal Alchemist world.
It may sound like I am pulling for Brotherhood more than Fullmetal (first version), but that is not the case. Both shows will forever been my favorites in the anime world. It's just that it seems Brotherhood needs more encouraging than Fullmetal these days. My only hope is to watch both versions back to back to truly get a feel of how great the differences are between the two.
I hope you enjoyed the review! I had planned to compare and contrast the two, but have decided against it until a later date. I want to watch both back to back so I have a fresh memory on Fullmetal Alchemist. I know I could compare the two now, but it just would not be the same. So thank you for reading and look for more to come! : ) For now, check out the website I found of compiled funny scenes from both FMA and Brotherhood.
http://wn.com/funny_FMA_scenes
I mean, I don't even know where they would begin to rebuild their lives. As I read news articles, the latest in official body count has reached 2,800. It may seem like a lot, but of the 10,000 estimated of dead, it is only a small fraction and I pray it stays down. However, lastest news articles say the body count is still making it difficult in search and rescue, as well as funeral arrangements. They say you learn something new everyday. Well, while reading the article, I learned that most Japanese opt for cremation of their loved ones. The crematoriums are overwhelmed, and the search parties are running out of body bags and coffins. Japan is said to be thinking about turning to foreign countries for help. I do not blame them, and I encourage those countries to aid in any way. I know America is already in Japan doing the best they can in these dark times.
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