I think that the first season of FMA was quite good, specially the stuffs relating to the homunculus. In my opinion, it was easier to sympathize with the homunculus in the anime than in the manga because they had reasons (very reasonable reasons, in my opinion) to hate humankind. The only stuff I dislike about the anime is the ending. @_@ I really dislike it. I still can't accept that Ed and Al left Winry alone (ah, but that's because I really love their relationship in the manga).

Anyway, I like the manga a lot more than the anime since the relationships of the characters with each other were way deeper here than in the anime (in my opinion), so I'm really excited to see the anime based on the manga. Plus, I like Hohenheim's role in the manga than in the anime. And I think that seeing the Xingese characters animated would be something to look forward too...!

Me too! I am so excited to see the Xingese people animated!

Yay after seeing the trailers like a zillion times I really got my hopes up that the new series will be manga based (and I hope they'll do thier best to really do it!! There's a new character Isaac but that doesn't bother me as long as they get the rest right from the beginng till the end). And that way for me it will be so much better than the first season. It's true that it was the first season which got me into liking FMA but after reading the manga I realised that for me manga is top quality (nothing compares), the first season just had too many holes and inconsistency. Oh and is it just me or is there anybody else who wishes to see the adventures with the minor characters re-animated again like the Fake Elric Brothers and the 13th House or whatwasitagain?

I loved the first season. But I really can't wait for the second one! I had go into FMA by watching the anime first, then reading the manga. The manga seems a bit better to me cuz it's continueing and each chapter gets better. There are many characters and scenes I can't WAIT to see animated!:D

The first series was what got me reading the manga, and considering what they had to work with at the time, and the fact that Hiromu Arakawa herself told BONES she wanted the ending of the anime to be different, they did an alright job.

What bothered me about it was just that as soon as it left the manga-canon material, all the characters seemed to really fall out of character. They made Winry really bitchy (I adore her, but I can see why some anime-only watchers would really dislike her - especially after the Rush Valley episode. Ew.)

Ed was just far too dominating. He makes up 98% of his and Al's relationship, when it should be a balanced 50/50; and where Al is concerned, Ed wasn't protective - he was borderline controlling. D: There's also a small scene later in the anime where he actually shoves Winry against a table. What the hell?

And Al! When he wasn't calling out "Brother" and following Ed around like a puppy, he was acting so unbelievably stupid. Every time Al made a decision to do something on his own, he usually put himself and everyone around him in more danger. Like after Lab 5, when he just ran off to hang with Scar. And after he became the Philosopher's Stone, and went to meet Shou Tucker, of all people - even after Ed told him Tucker was just going to use him to make his Pseudo!Nina. And then he kept trying to stop Ed from killing Sloth even while Sloth was trying to kill them. None of this makes sense for a character that was meant to be smart and rational.

/rant

That being said, I don't hate the first series - hell, I didn't even mind the ending - I just believe that it could have been much, much better.

Which is why I have such high hope for the new series. There was so much in the manga that I really, really wished I could've seen animated. The manga plot is a lot tighter, too (next to no plot holes when the first anime had several), and I find the characters much more appealing as well. So while the new series hasn't even aired yet, what I've seen of it in trailers, promos, and interviews, and the mere fact that it's manga based, has got me thinking that it will be much better than the first. : )

You're so right! I agree with every mistake you mentioned, esp about Al, he was so annoying! (manga Al is waaaaaaaaaay better ) And all that emo atmosphere.. esp in the movie..

I also wonder why I noticed this things only after I've seen the anime and started reading the manga.. ah well I won't go into debating on how my brain works! xD

@ muzuris and Hagane_no_Baka - On the above posts concerning Al's supposed 'Out-of-character' thing in the first anime series...can I just put in my few cents/ opinions about it?

First of all, concerning him following Ed around like a lost puppy and calling him 'Brother' I suppose you don't like it and find it annoying because he was too much like a young child when he was supposed to be a teenager, yes?

Well last time I checked, the Alphonse in the first anime really *was* still a ten year old boy trapped in armour, there's a big difference between the mentality of a 10 year old and the mentality of a fourteen/ fifteen year old.
And I don't really pay attention to the fact that he says that he's fourteen because a soul can't age without a body, not even when it's trapped in armour.
So of course he's going to still follow his big brother around...and that *also* explains why Ed seems so 'dominating' as you put it, Edward is actually trying to protect his little brother, because he still sees him as a kid brother that needs to be protected.

Alphonse in the manga...he acts the way he does because chances are that his soul has 'magically' aged, so his mentality is like that of a teenager's instead of a young boy.

Also, about the thing about whenever he does things for himself and puts people or himself in danger.
Again, ten year old boy mentality...of course he's going to act irrational at times; and in doing so, he makes mistakes...in making those mistakes, it gives him the chance to learn from it.
At least being irrational, making mistakes and growing from them is better than already being wisened up to know just what to do...the latter just gives off the atmosphere of 'too perfect' if you ask me.

Last I saw, he did not hang around with Scar in the sense of 'Oh my brother could be in trouble, Oh to heck with that, I'll just go hang around with my buddy Scar!'
I'm pretty sure that he just ended up being with him temporarily because of the circumstances at the time.

As for wanting to help Shou restore his daughter...erm...and what's so wrong with that?
Alphonse could never turn his back on those who were suffering, even if they were enemies...something that his brother has never exactly been blessed with.
Also ( believe it or not) Shou did have a much closer relationship to the boys than his unfortunate hi-bye manga counterpart.
Shou had known them for more than two days and from what I can see, was nearly like an Uncle as well as mentor to them.

Despite everything that had happened, I think that Al still felt that he could trust Shou a little bit, and he possibly missed Nina as well.
( And in the chimera alchemist's defense, I don't even think Shou *knew* that Al was the Philosophers stone until he put his hands on Al's shoulders) and when Ed starts...being Ed when he sees what 'Shou' did, Alphonse takes responsibility over what's happened to a part of his armour in saying 'we' ( meaning him and Shou) used the Philosopher's stone and that was the result.

So Al is still mature in his own way...the reason it's probably not as noticable as his manga self is because people get too caught up with the manga's version of the characters to really pay any attention to the personality of the anime's version of the characters.

And when they do pay attention and still aren't satisfied...well, it'll just prove to be interesting if the new anime's character personalities still vary a bit from the manga's.

As for my personal opinion of the series, I still prefer the characters personalities and relationships from the first anime; and the same goes for the story that went with it as well.

Concerning the new anime - I will admit that while I'm excited about this new FMA anime that will be starting soon...I'm also nervous because of all the havoc that could start if it doesn't live up to people's expectations.

Myself...I'm not too bothered about what will happen because I've already resigned myself to the fate that it won't be the same anime that got me into the FMA fandom in the first place.

The first anime series will always have a special place in my heart, and that's something that neither the manga nor this new series could ever do.

Man, are you kidding??? I just saw the anime for the first time, and Al is frigging annoying and stupid at the end. Okay, Ed too is particularly stupid with his obsession of doing everything all by himself without any help from his brother or his friends. Al must be the biggest disappointment in the anime in fact... I mean, COME ON, he dared to say that perhaps Scar's vengeance could be considered as an equivalent exchange (the anime's focus on that law in the beginning is also very annoying for me).

Actually, it annoyed me because Al is supposed to be a more independent character, and he never did anything on his own of any merit. : / He's a younger brother, he's supposed to admire his older brother and support him and whatnot, but not to the point of being a puppy. He was completely dependent.

It also bothered me because in the first 20 episodes, they established Al as the more mature/rational thinker of the two. It was even implied that he was a better martial artist. So why is it that in later episodes he keeps acting irrationally by doing really illogical things and putting himself in unnecessary danger? It doesn't make any sense.

It wasn't "He got reckless and made a minor mistake and learned from it," it was more like "He made spontaneous stupid decisions that usually ended up with him in unnecessary danger, and he didn't learn from them."


I disagree. We age mentally by our experiences, not by years. A twenty-year-old man who's never experienced life outside of a room with puzzles and cartoons is going to have the same mentality as a ten-year-old. A twelve-year-old girl who grows up with a single mom, and has to look after her younger siblings because the mom is working all the time will think and act more like a sixteen/seventeen-year-old.

And Al has experienced more in his short lifetime than most 80-year-olds. So yes, logically speaking, he should be more mature and independent. : /


Yeah, but that was before he transmuted his daughter.


I meant after Lab 5, when Ed was in the hospital and Al was tricked into believing that Ed fabricated his memory and ran off. Ed wasn't in any danger.


My comment wasn't really even a comparison to his manga self, though. I was mostly comparing Al's later!self with his anime self earlier in the series, and the kind of character the anime itself made him out to be. It just so happened that the bit in the series where this was set up were the parts that were still following the manga. : <

In fact, all the characters were portrayed fine until the show deviated from the manga, and they began acting OOC. Different interpretations are all fine and dandy, but when they're acting differently than what the anime has already established for no believable reason... it's just disappointing. : (

Again, I'm not saying the first series is bad in any way, shape, or form. I simply didn't like a lot of the character portrayals in the later half of it. I just wish Al could have done something of importance besides bringing Ed back, cuz... Everything else he did on his own was kind of pointless. D:

Which, again, is one of many reasons why I'm looking forward to the new series so much. Al does stuff. Important stuff. : D

I disagree, kinda. In the manga, I have come to closely link physical growth and aging to psychological maturing. Not in Al's case, but in the Homonculus' cases. They're all inexperienced and weak in battle because they were born with an "experience", a mind and a personality already set in stone. The only exception is Wrath, and HE is the only Homonculus that ages physically.

I don't think an entirely rational thinker would have been so easily convinced that all his memories were fabricated despite all of the evidence to the contrary. That happened in both versions of the story. Al may be much more soft spoken, polite, and more calm than Ed, but at heart, he's still a kid.

As for those incident with Scar he didn't really go to the Ishbalan hideout expecting to find him there, and when he did he was pretty much ready to attack him until he found the Ishbalans had accepted Scar. He was hanging around him because they had a common purpose: save Rick, and as for the battle he got himself into, I think he handled that pretty well.

In the case of Sloth, Al was duped into believing she was a reincarnation of his mother, and it's not liek he was the only one either. Ed admitted he had been played too. Also recall that the only offensive gesture she made toward Ed was to grab him and tell him in a rather motherly tone not to run away. That, and the fact that Al was pissed that Ed robbed their mother's grave behind his back are the reasons he ended up tossing his mother's remains out the window.

As far as I'm concerned, those tasks he took upon himself in Liore were pretty noble. If you ask me, risking your life to stop a homicidal maniac from turning every single denizen of a city under sige into a bomb and also a vengeful crusader who plans to wipe out an entire army at once is pretty commendable. Although his pacifist nature ended up screwing that up and turning him into the Philosopher's Stone, it's not like that contradicts any previously established characterzation.

Yes, I'll admit Ed gets the glory of finishing most of the bad guys, but after all, it was Al who ended up preventing them from completing their goal in the end, even if it meant blowing himself up. My point overall is that Al isn't the stupid-sidekick-who-does-nothing you're making him out to be. Yes, he's empathetic to a fault and very gullible, but I think he's a well defined character all the same. Besides, he got to finish off most of the bad guys in the movie.

Barry was pretty convincing in saying that there was no proof that he ever existed, and Al's knowledge about memory didn't help. Neither did Ed's question that he didn't have a chance to say (well, no, he did have a chance in the anime but he let it go) just before that event, nor his comment about Al being lucky for being tall (Al completely snapped with that comment ).

You've read manga countless times reading the same thing again and again and you enjoyed it so I thought you would understand why I asked (i.e. the same thing could happen with the anime).
What are you basing your statement on when writing:"they would lost many watchers who could thought 'I already saw this' "? Did you waste money on ordering an opinion poll? From what I remember FMA was one of the biggest hits ever and people loved it. Even now on many rankings it's still on the top 20 (on MAL 19th, on animenfo 2nd, on ANN 11th). I'm sure that people that are glorifying FMA:B would glorify remastered FMA in full HD because they're FMA fanatics. People that "only" liked it probably wouldn't remember much of anime that was released six years ago anyway (so they could watch better version of anime with ease) and if they've seen it recently at worst case scenario they would skip first episodes (either whole episode or they would use "skip"/"fast forward" button on their players). And seriously, do you think that there would be many people like this (by "like this" I mean people that were bored by first episodes of FMA)? In Japan? Bones' employees wanted to satisfy everyone and I for one am not satisfied with their current work.
To sum up, they could have made anime that was almost 100% true to the manga. It would still have elements (dialogues, characters) that weren't in the manga first version of anime (or the other way round) only with better graphics (I didn't mention Hellsing OVA, NGE and DB:Kai without reason) . Also from what I remember Bones advertised FMA:B quite much, so they could release a trailer that would show some elements that were only in the manga and that way encourage people to wait and watch. Add to this interviews, where they would enounce ending wouldn't suck like it did in previous version of the anime and voila!

Edit:
I've noticed funny thing. I was being ridiculed for bashing first two episodes of FMA:B and writing that first 2 episodes of FMA 2003 were better and what I see? 71 people ALREADY voted and decided which series is better! My 2 eps vs. 2 eps in contrast to some people (and I wouldn't be surprised if Alzea, Kyelinn, AA battery voted here) 2 eps vs. 51 eps, lol.
P.S.
I didn't vote (unless "0 vote" can be considered as voting), it can be easily verified by admins.

No, really, you want to argue with me so much, that you even PM me about your reply? It's amusing, really x]

I'm not cherishing FMA:B, I just gave it a huge credit of trust (I have no idea if ppl in english have got a phrase like this but I hope it's understandable) 'cause I believe they can do this right and all. Of course I'm enjoying it whenever I read it and I would probably watch episodes even if it'd be exactly the same as in the FMA1, but not everyone are like me or people who will watch everything what connects with FMA. Don't forget everything is about money, they want to get as many watchers as possible so they're trying to give us something new. I already said it, I think episode 2 could be better, it was just fine. I missed few thing from the manga which weren't here and probably won't be, but I still like it and I believe that it's going to improve with time. Think about it, we're lucky fans who have their favorite series animated, twice! Of course this doesn't mean we should take every cr@p which they're giving us, but this thing which they gave us is good. As I said earlier I won't make you like FMA:B but maybe you should put some trust in Bones and this new anime.

Anyway, tell me, why so serious? You should loosen up a little. Everyone have got their own opinion about FMA:B so don't force each other to change it. I said what I wanted to, that's all from me. Remember, no one is attacking you here so don't be so serious, it's just fan-fan discussion^^

My thoughts so far:

FMA1 currently eradicates FMA2 in terms of storytelling. (Obviously not in terms of animation). The new series has no heart to it; it's just paying lip service, getting all the old stuff out of the way "because we have to" - which results in a horribly empty show. I mean, come on! Trisha had - what? - half a minute, a minute of screentime? The transitions in the second episode were horrible.

On the other hand, I do think FMA2 will be better - eventually, if only because the source material from the manga is so much better than the material from the first anime. That being said, the storywriters have to stop being lazy and start writing an actual story instead of worrying about ratings. Watching FMA2 right now is painful; it's like watching, say, that adaptation of The Golden Compass that came out a while back . . . Great source material, horrible storytelling. Well, I hope this series doesn't turn out to be a flash in the pan.

I hear what you're saying, Temmy. So much missed opportunity in these first two episodes. It feels like the story-tellers are emphasizing abstract plot movers (dog of the military, philosophers stone, 'witnessing hell') at the expense of character development. When you make a film, the first 15 minutes should be completely concerned with establishing characters and developing them into interesting, plot worthy individuals. The same principle holds true of a television show - just blasting off the launch pad full force with all kinds of abstract ideas can be really off-putting for new viewers. Not many people I know would watch these two episodes and go - SWEET: Alchemy, philosopher's stones, human transmutation!

With the first show, we had some great human drama steeped in religion and resurrection, brotherhood, friendship, bloodshed and sacrifice for the first 9 episodes. It was compelling narrative with an interesting backdrop. And really, that's the entire point of fantasy and science fiction: to present age-old themes in a new environment to make things fresh and create new insight into our own natures. FMA1 did this. FMA2 (so far), is just a bunch of alchemy related weirdness with a thin veneer of humanity.

FMA1 was great.

FMA2 was great fan-service, but that will quickly get old if the series doesn't start finding its own rhythm and narrative.

so Far Imma go with Series 2. cause, I like the animation, and I like how its fitting with manga more.

Yep. I'm glad we're both having fun . You've written sth so utterly stupid that I wanted to see your reply. Yes, "they had to make sth different to interest more people" is utterly stupid. Are you saying that today children are retarded and if they don't see tons of action, fireworks, colorful flashes of light they will drop series immediately? As for the repeatability
I've explained why I think you're wrong in my previous post. That kind of thinking is what makes anime, movie or game creators to release crappy products.
I would shut up long time ago if my opinion wasn't being ridiculed and since I like to argue that's just perfect for me .


Trust !? What does it have to do with judging first two episodes? First two eps were crappy, even worse than most of later FMA 1 episodes and I certainly won't judge them with correction in mind - "it will be better so let's pretend it's awesome".

Good God, do you know this discussion is pointless?
Did you really read what I wrote before?
Yes! This! I'm not saying we should like everything what they're giving us, because it'd be just stupid, but hey, do you know some people like this new, first episodes? Some people like this pace and all...Yes! Some ppl like this thing! Get over it! In everything you will find persons who won't be satisfied, but it's everywhere. Someone always will be complainig.

You've got your point, I've got mine. You won't change your mind about it, neither will I, so it's pointless. I started this because you were bashing this all the time, you couldn't find anything good here. I just wanted to prove you it's not that bad.
I told you before - I liked first episode, as for a filler it was good, I enjoyed it. Second episode - I liked it too, but...No, go read my previous post in this topic and one in the topic about second episode, I already said it. I feel like you read only what you want, when I said I like this but (here goes things which I didn't like), you seem to read only 'I like' part and then you're saying I'm cherishing FMA:B

Trust? Yes, trust. Bones can make good anime, upcoming plot is great and I believe they can do a masterpiece out of it, so I trust them for now. You should try it too, really helps in life. You're bashing new series all the time, I just don't agree with you that it is a worthless cr@p and all. I didn't say it's so great and has no bad things, it has! But, darn, I'm still enjoying this and I simply don't think it's going to be bad and worse than FMA1, I'm happy because of what I have and I think it's going to be ok and improving with time.
I think you're continuing this because you want arguing so badly, I do not, so just end this here.

Summary of this discussion: You think it's terrible I thinks it's not, I think it'll be better when it'll come to events only from manga (for now), you just don't believe it can be good and better than FMA1.
EOT, have a nice day

Edit:
Nah, Dearheart, I knew it! I really don't want to seem unfriendly and all, I hate fighting, especially when fighting is so pointless, like here. I just hate to repeat myself over and over again, it pisses me off so I might sound a little not nice. I'm sorry, I just wanted to end this stupid argument. I came here to meet some FMA fans too and have a good talk, not to make enemy or two. I really hope this discussion between me and Goral ends here, even if not, I'm not going to reply, it's not on my nerves.

...Um, wow. Unfriendly, much?

You know, it's stuff like this that scared me away from posting when I first joined. I came here to have fun, meet fellow FMA fans and find some good discussion...not bashing and insults and spiteful sarcasm.

Please, break it up. Calm down. I don't mind a good, thoughtful disagreement, but I think we can all agree this is getting really out of hand.

As for me, personally, I totally agree with temmy and His Name Is Unknown. The reason I liked the first series so much is because of the superb storytelling and the way they made you laugh and cry along with the characters. Everything felt so smooth and cinematic. (Not to mention the music was great. I still melt whenever I hear "Bratja".) There was a lot of heart and depth in it, and the directing was great. I'm a very critical person when it comes to movies, TV shows, etc. If I like something, I like it for a reason...and as a newcomer to the anime genre, FMA impressed me in so many ways.

I know it's still very early to pass judgment on the new series. We do need to give it a fair chance to shine. But if I had seen this series first instead of the original one, I wouldn't be nearly as impressed. The art is amazing, and it's thrilling to see parts of the manga brought to life, but I'm not feeling the epicness of the story like I did with the first two episodes of FMA1. Whoever's doing the directing for this new FMA needs to shapen up a little bit, IMO. Everything feels so rushed and choppy.

I'm sorry Goral, but what the heck is with you being so cruel to people on here? Your no more newer than I am (though I used to have an account on here ages ago that got lost for some reason), so really there's no excuse for you to be starting such meaningless arguments, even going as far as to PMing people just so you can argue with them. That's just low. You've got a real attitude problem you seriously need to get over.

Just as Dearheart said, I absolutely loved the first series. It was very angst-ridden and had moments that made you laugh and cry along with the characters. It was well written, up until the end. They just ruined the ending with that damn movie. As much as I loved the first series, I love the manga that much more. I just prefer it's story overall. There have only been two episodes released thus far in regards to the new anime. I feel it's still too early to be the judge on which will be the better anime.

Off-topic for a second, but Dearheart, where did you get that image of Ed in your siggy? That is gorgeous. He looks so tranquil.

Ok, I'm declaring this round of "argument" to be officially over.

Any subsequent posts using the quotes (or even just referencing without quotes) from posts in this round of "argument" (post #63 through #71 on this thread, and post #22 through #33 on FMA series-2, episode 2 discussion thread) may be "voided" in some way...a.k.a. asked to edit, etc.

Anyone who would like to discuss this topic have to start fresh, and I ask you to construct your case without attacking other posters or resorting to name calling.

ETA: In response to the poll question confusing, I edited to make them more straight forward.

Thank you, Tombow. You're a wonderful moderator and we appreciate you. I'm a little confused, though. Does this mean we can't talk about season 1 vs. season 2 anymore, or that we just have to leave Goral and Alzea's fight alone now, or what? Sorry, I just want to be sure about what we can and can't talk about now.

Kyelinn (such a pretty name)...



Same here. I love both the anime and the manga for different reasons. I think they both have strengths and weaknesses and they both compliment each other. I love the anime for it's smooth storytelling and the cinematic quality of of it. And I love the manga because the story is stronger and the characters are more developed.



Thanks, I'm glad you like it! Here's a link to the story behind it:

http://www.fullmetal-alchemist.com/forums/...i&img=21422

When you get to the image, just scroll down and read the description.

Okay, back to the topic!

@Dearheart - No, no, I think "series-1 vs series-2" is a very interesting topic, and I hope everyone would feel comfortable to post and discuss this topic, despite the recent round of "argument." And, thank you for your compliment, and thank you for asking for the clarification so that I get the chance to clarify it further. ^^

Everyone, please feel free to go on with "series-1 vs series-2" discussions.
But, please stop continuing the round of discussion/argument that was on post #63 through #71 on this thread and post #22 through #33 on FMA series-2, episode 2 discussion thread.
(You can see the post # at the top right corner of each post. )

If you would like to post some opinion on the topic that happen to be similar to some of the topic discussions that were posted on some of these posts that would be fine, but you have to start a fresh post, not as a continuation of the said round of argument, but a fresh posting of opinion of your own, and without referencing to any of the content on these posts. ..and please stick to the discussion on the topic content & without resorting to name calling or attacking of other posters.

I'm sorry, Tombow ^^; I wasn't meaning to add fuel to the fire. It just upset me that there was so much unkindness, rudeness and name-calling going around when it came to other people's opinions...

Ah, thank you Dearheart! That picture is awesome! I do love how you have it in your siggy. So pretty!

And yes, back on topic. As I said previously, I think it's still too early to judge which series is going to be the best. There is still so much story for them to tell manga-wise, I still feel they're rushing the beginning bits a bit because it's almost identical to the beginning of the first anime, give or take a few things, ergo EdxWinry moments, the difference in the Nina story and the Lab 5 incident as well as Lior. I think once we get past all that, things will start slowing down because the manga begins it's change quite dramatically and I think we can expect to see one hell of an anime!

@Kyelinn - No problem!! Let's start over. ^^
And, like you, I'm also taking "let's wait and watch for a while" attitude. XD
That doesn't mean I don't agree with some of the things posted by others... like, I can see that they had so much bits of the story packed in these first two episode, and I think the first series was much more intense and compare to that these two episodes seem a bit more light hearted, but I still enjoy watching the new series and I'm so looking forward to watching episodes with Xingese characters.

Oh yes, seeing the Xingese characters will be SO COOL! That's another thing I really appreciate about the manga. Arakawa develops her world really well; there's so many different flavors and cultures and countries and terrain to explore. So many awesome things to look forward to! I feel more optimistic just thinking about it, lol.

Ah, me too Dearie, me too! I'm going through and re-reading the manga and I just get so excited to think most of all these amazing scenes we're going to see animated! I was re-reading my manga books today and I got up past Hughes's death and Ed's in the hopsital. I think that's when we're going to start seeing things really slow down and see things from the story more thoroughly, especially Trisha, the boys on the island, Izumi, the Greed arc, etc...

Well I won't go into any kinds of fighting, you can trust me on that. I mean it is pointless to try to convert other people's opinions; some people like and some don't. Period. Besides everyone has the right for his own opinion.


But it is true that I agree that any die-hard FMA fan wouldn't have minded to see all of the stuff again he/she has seen in the 1st series or even read in the manga as well for that matter. People who weren't really thrilled with overjoy at the 1st series already decided not watch it (at least most of them). So I that's why I'll risk saying Bones made a terrible market mistake in my opinion. I have a hunch people will gradually start dropping the series, if it countinues this way.


Besides I ask you this: How can you be so sure that when Bones reaches the part of the manga that differs from the first series, they will actually slow down the pace, show some more emotions etc. Okay, I do believe they will slow down, as for emotions I'm not so sure. I mean has Bones made some official statement, I am unaware of? Like 'We're gonna just a quick summary of what brought the boys on their path, what're they up to, who are they.. and we're going to show some really artistic stuff.'? I think you might want to consider this too. Sure I admit, my expactions are hella hard to reach, esp since I've been burned with crappy anime in the past but I'm just the kind of person who likes to enjoy a book/an anime/movie from the beginning till the end.


Oh and I'll risk saying this one thing too. Of course you're free to prove me worng, I just think too many of you guys are jumping of exciment whenever you see something directly animated like it was in the manga. Like actuall movementor position of the characters. I mean to me this things don't matter so much as the whole atmosphere and the feeling, which this series (esp the 2nd episode, the 1st one was kind of okay when I rewatched it) obviously lacks for now.

Well nobody can be certain if Bones will slow down the pacing of the anime, but think about it; wouldn't it be quite silly to rush through everything (especially when the manga begins to differ from the first anime) to go and rush through it and disappoint the fans? I mean I'm sure Bones is getting feedback and learning of the disappointment that the 2nd episode was as rushed as it was, so I can't forsee him making a mistake like that. Though it could just be me putting too much trust into him? I really don't know, but I do have faith that they're going to make this anime almost as awesome as the manga itself, because honestly I wasn't really disappointed in the 2nd episode like a lot of people were. I think there are plenty of good things to come. Plus, we're still so early into it. It's truly hard to say how it'll all pan out in the end! ^^

Well.... I'm still new in this..
But I think the 1st ep in the FMA2 wasn't really good, and when I'm really exciting about the anime...
The 2nd ep not really bad... it's too rush thought, but wasn't that bad like everyone says...
The animation style is change a lot and I think that 's strange, coz I like the animation style in FMA1... well, most of it..

It's because this anime is following the manga and so they've changed the style to look more similar to their manga counterparts.

Personally, I always preferred the manga storyline more, so needless to say, Season 2 is my favourite at the moment. All the characters that only appeared in the manga are going to be animated, as well! Can't wait to see it.

Though I admit that the music and art style in the first FMA was spectacular, the story just kind of got a bit too carried away when Bones had to make up the rest of the story on their own. I didn't really like the ending of season 1. D8

Season 1,

Season 1, I thought was much better than the manga. The villains had so much more depth to them, with the idea of failed human transmutation was how a homunculus was formed. I felt that Lust died way too early and with the new chapter of having Roy and envy battle. It seems like Roy is the only one that can kill homunculus, making Ed seem much weaker then the anime. Also don't like the idea of Selim being pride kind of lame in my opinion. Also the new minor characters that are introduced I feel have little purpose in the story, like the xingese characters and others; besides ling after becoming greed and Olivia I actually like her character

Still too early to make it a final decision. I've really liked the animation in season 2 so far and I'm excited to see new fights, and a better villain then Dante. Even though I think Father is a better villain I did read the mangas really fast to catch up I really don't understand what his end game is besides using everyone in the country to make a stone, doesn't really do much for himself, unlike Dante whose end game was she desired immortality, Father just wants the stone for what... . I also am looking forward to a better portrayal of Winry. Which I feel the first Anime really butchered after reading the manga.

That's becuse the complete idea of Father's plans has yet to be revealed in the manga.

LOL I almost couldn't see your post!

She didn't want it to be too conspicuous. That opinion is often equated with FMA treason.

Although, I actually enjoy the philosophical/religious/dramatic direction of FMA1 more than the manga as well. If only an ideal world existed where the manga story could be fused with the anime's depth of expression. That's the FMA I want to see.

No, no I suppose she didn't!

I actually agree with you somewhat. The original anime was really amazing with the feeling and emotion put forth. But you have to remember, we've only seen three episodes and as you get further in the manga, Arakawa is brilliant with the dramatic direction of the story. Angst-ridden, emotional, she does a very good job, IMO and I'm sorry if my posts are abit jumbled I've had some to drink tonight. LOL But yeah, I get what you're saying.

Oh, I don't disagree at all! The later manga chapters are great - especially the stuff with the military showdown against the Homunculi and the chapters dealing with Gluttony's stomach/Envy's true form. There are some great things in store for the new series, to be sure. It's just that while I enjoy Arakawa's storytelling aesthetic more, I always thought that the direction of the first show was superior to the more jokey nature of the manga. Seriously, I consider them both to be great in their own right, but I really did enjoy the early parts of FMA1 where it seemed as though the manga were being expanded upon and considered in a whole new light. I honestly feel that FMA1 did some things better with the earlier chapters than Arakawa herself (for instance, Barry the Chopper's early appearance, heightening the emotional ties between the Hughes family and the Elrics, Mustang's manipulative nature, Ed and Al's relationship with their mother). I also thought the secret behind the Homunculi was much stronger in FMA1 (and don't even get me started on how great Lust's character was).

Even though this thread is a discussion of the first season versus the second, what I was really hoping for, and the cause of some of my current disappointment - was a further amalgamation of manga plot and a unique directing style like we witnessed in the first 25 episodes of FMA.

Maybe it's because I was introduced to Fullmetal Alchemist through the anime first, but I have always thought of the series as a more philosophical/metaphysical drama than an action/adventure shonen style piece. I think this is part of the reason why I am finding the different direction of FMA2 to be so shocking. Or maybe it's just the fact that I was 16 when I got into the show and now I'm 22 with different tastes. Regardless of all this, I am looking forward to seeing the later manga chapters animated, and I'm willing to give this new show some time to grow into itself. I really hope Brotherhood starts to find its proper pacing with the Nina episode coming up, because I don't know if I could get over an improperly handled Tucker arc.

His Name Unknown, you make some incredibly valid points regarding both the first anime series and the original manga by Arakawa-sensei. Like you, I adore how the the first series was very deeply intertwined in the metaphysic and philosophical. I always thought that the first series of the anime did a superb job of handling extremely heavy-handed themes of the nature of love and brotherhood, personal sacrifice, the eternal battle between good and evil, and what it means to be a human-being. I will always view the first series as more of a character study as well, and many of the personal goals and stories of the individual characters really help to drive the plot forward. I have to admit that I was thoroughly pleased how the directors of the last series developed the characters of the homunculi, especially Lust who questioned her own humanity is stark comparison to Envy and Gluttony who were driven by raw emotion. I also found the first series to be a great deal darker in tone, and while there were slivers of hope that shone through, you knew that that just like real life, not all the characters would end up with what they worked so hard to obtain.
I do love the differences between the manga of Arakawa sensei and the first anime series. Arakawa still manages to add incredible depth and multiple layers of meaning to her work while maintaining humour and the emotion of "hope". I am beginning to notice that the lattest chapters of the manga are getting rather heavy handed and darker in tone, so it shall be incredibly fasnicating to see where the author takes them. There are also scenes in the manga that I believe are so incredibly wrought with emotion and show us the inner nature of characters, including their personal goals, their thoughts and dreams, etc. In my personal opinion, the manga focuses a great deal on personal growth, be this finding inner strength, overcoming past incidents, etc. The manga also touches a great deal on the theme of movement, which can be interpreted in numerous ways. I view a great deal of the characters in the manga to be a personal journey forward to ultimately obtain a goal. The characters must overcome countless obstacles and setbacks, yet it is those who remain positive and hopeful in the face of such much pain and adversity that will come the closest to achieving their wish.

I could go on and on for hours, but I am going to quite while I am ahead. I really would love to see the directors expand upon the relationship between Hohenheim and Trisha as well as Hohenheims past. There are so many scenes from the manga that I am dying to see come to life, and am curious to see how the directors of this new series are going to go about it. I am looking forward to the Nina arc, and really hope that the next episode captures the incredible emotion of the manga.

So far I'm really loving the second series even though I've seen most of the same parts animated in the first series. I'll probably end up liking the second more than the first, based on the story of the manga (if they follow it completely) and the artwork.

Nevertheless I'll still always have a huge soft spot for the first anime series because that was what made me love FMA in the first place. I know a lot of people weren't happy with the ending and some didn't like it but I just took it for what it was and enjoyed it! =) Something I really don't like, actually, is when some fans bad-mouth you for saying you like the anime better than the manga. It's just a matter of opinion, who cares. :s I've always preferred anime over manga so far as enjoying them goes, because I find it hard to get any emotion from some pictures and a bit of text...to be honest I'd rather just read a book of text in many cases. I prefer animation, especially for fight scenes and putting across emotion.

@ His name is Unknown : you might start considering a change of "name" if Arakawa is going to do what she said she will do Man, was that sentence ugly!



Yeah, those were great (except Barry, since it was yet another way to butcher Winry's character), but in the end I think it's just something they needed to do, because of the direction they wanted to go with the anime. For example, they couldn't make Winry the one closer to the Hughes like Arakawa did because Winry isn't important in their version. And they couldn't go over Trisha's death quickly, again like Arakawa did, because the relationship with their mother was going to be very important later on.

The first anime certainly didn't make a gift to the staff of the anime with their depiction of Maes. His popularity can't come from the manga, because he has never been so present and important. Nah, it comes only from the anime, and the people who were given the new series really must have had a lot of trouble with that character!

I have to admit that the 1st series was the thing that got into loving FMA as well but I won't say that it is better than the manga. Not even in the beginning. I do admit I like dark, angsty driven stories and that's one of the things FMA 1 did best but I'll always prefer Arakawa's manga style, coz she can make things appear heavy emotional. yet still maintain that strong sense of optimisim. Although I really enjoyed the 1st series (more than the 2nd right now, though I'm getting used to it slowly..), I still prefer the manga style Ed & Al coz they're much more solid, strong characters. I'm mean their actually personalities. Sure I totally believe the path to their goal is hard, hell if I were in their shoes, I'd prolly give up long ago ^^; but then again there were times in the 1st anime, where I actually wanted to say to them: ˝Suck it up and move on.˝ In the manga I don't need that. And as far as FMA: B is concerned, I have a feeling it's kind of progressing into that way and if it manages to perform at least a bit of the manga atmosphere, than I'll be really happy.

For me, the first anime did so well on it's own, I mean, the manga was bearly close to completion at that time, so it's a fair effort really. I mean, fair enough it did miss alot of key things that made alot of fans love the manga (as detailed in everyone's else's comments -which are lovely by the way! I just thought you'd all grow tired of hearing about them by now)- but it didn't bomb out, did it?

My main problem with the second anime is that it seems to have this lingering mentality of "yeah you know what happens." Which isn't particulary helpful to the newer viewers - I mean, sure small changes like giving a character a gun give it the "wow" factor... But I just keep thinking there could be more.

I can't help but wonder, what if the first anime was produced when the manga was completed 100%? (Not that it even is now...) Would it result in a better series?

Hmmm, honestly I really don't see how it could result in a better series. I mean you guys are scraping at the bottom of the can here for the goods. We're ONLY three episodes in. Episodes that have already been done previously. Truthfully I think Arakawa will most likely have the manga finished before this new anime catches up to where we currently are in the manga plot. We're still in the early stages and I strongly feel that Bones is just trying to make sure he doesn't make the exact same episodes over again. They last thing they'd want is repetitiveness. That's why I think these earlier episodes are being as "rushed" as some people think that they are. I just honestly feel it's entirely too early to start judging season 2 when we're only 3 episodes in, there's 51 eps of FMA1 and 94 manga chapters. It's kinda not fair to start jumping the gun so early and saying this 2nd season sucks.

@ Kyelinn/Trizo:

I don't think "sucks" is the right way to view the complaints about the first three episodes. If anything, it would be more along the lines of the "genre shock" that I mentioned in my previous post (philosophical drama vs shonen). It's not that the initial episodes are terrible - in fact, portions of them are extremely enjoyable and the art/animation throughout is well done; rather, it's that they are almost forcibly distinguishing themselves from the first anime.

It's almost as if the animators are saying: "See - this is manga based! Look at all the goofy manga humor! Look at all these manga panels we've drawn into the animation! This second season is nothing like the first!" This kind of attitude and self-referential style, tends to put a damper on artistic creativity. I believe it is this tendency to which Trizo is referring when espousing concern over whether the second season could have been better if the first had never been created (thus eliminating that "you know what happens" mentality).

In fact, I think there was a thread on one of the old anime boards to the effect of "Did Bones ruin FMA" by making the first anime the way they did. At the time of the first season's airing, I would have said no; however, after seeing the effect that the existence of a prior series seems to be having on the new show (I say seems, because as Kyelinn said, three episodes is too early to jump the gun on the overall quality of Brotherhood), I might be inclined to reconsider.

What I'm getting at here is the fact that we may be short-changed a bit on the thematic/philosophical depth of FMA2 simply due to the fact that 'it's already been done before." This irks me, because (and this is all purely hypothetical at the moment) if Brotherhood fails to capture the depth of the first show, I know I'll blame the shortcomings, in part, on the existence of the first series. And I really enjoy the first series - so this leaves me in a bit of a conundrum.

@ Sannom:

Yes, Yes - I may indeed have to consider a name change. Although, I have my doubts that "His Name is Bob" would have the same effect as a screen name as my previous choice

Also, on an on-topic note, I strongly agree with your appraisal of the Maes situation. I remember falling in love with Hughes in the anime, only to be surprised by his relative lack of screen-time (page time?) in the manga. In fact, one of the chief barriers to my involvement in the manga was getting over preconceptions of how the story should be told as influenced by the direction of the first series. It took me several read-throughs e to accept Hughes as a secondary character and Winry as the one receiving greater development as a result of his death. As you pointed out, the animators of Brotherhood are really walking a thin tightrope over a chasm of fan backlash with how they treat Hughes; we've already seen the early introduction of Hughes and his family, something that was lacking in the manga, so my guess is a more FMA1 central Hughes who also influences and affects those around him.

As a personal note, I think it would be neat if Brotherhood made a more direct tie between Hughes' self-proclaimed duty to nurture and protect children and the theme of life's flow as ennumerated in the Izumi Curtis flashback arc. I've always tied Izumi's monologue in the first show about equivalent exchange, and the flow of people's souls through the lives of those they loved as a reference to Hughes and his sacrifice. It doesn't take much thought to realize that in both FMA1 and Arakawa's manga that Hughes' sacrifices deeply affect the characters around him and drive the plot forward.

@ Edamame:

I think an appropriate distinction illustrating the difference in tone between the first and second series would be "past" versus "progress." As you pointed out, the themes of movement and personal growth are essential to Arakawa's narrative; not so, I would argue, of the first anime. Although the Elric's journey was a key focus in the first season, the theme behind their struggles was always to take back what they had lost in order to move forward; in other words, an inability to overcome nostalgia before pressing forward. This sentiment was finally reversed in the final discussion between Ed and Mustang, where they both realized that they must put their dreams of 'movement' aside to do something more important. For Ed, it was destroying the Philosopher's Stone and stopping the vicious cycle of war, and for Mustang it was avenging the death of his dear friend and taking action against the corrupt military.

In contrast, the new series/manga are better characterized by this quote from Mustang from episode two: "If the possibility is there, you should move forward, in order to get your bodies back. Even if the way ahead is through a river of mud." Here is the strong message of hope, personal growth, and movement that you referred to in your analysis. It pervades the manga, and I am confident will be dealt with in-depth by the new anime. There is no sign of nostalgia getting the best of the Elrics in this new show - in fact, as the opening song by Yui proclaims in it's final refrain: "I even welcome that pain" as a means to become stronger. Suffering in the FMA manga (and by extension, FMA2) is not just a "painful experience that teaches one a lesson" (as claimed in the final episodes of FMA1), but rather an ultimately beneficial life experience which makes one stronger and more empathetic.

I can't really get into this big argument, but I just wanted to say that even though they're understandably rushing through the story so far in Brotherhood, the writing doesn't seem as sharp at times. :\

Plus, I think the original anime improved on the manga in the early storylines. (by mixing in jokes from the omake and whatnot)

Still got plenty of hope for when it really starts going down the manga route. LOT of stuff I'd love to see animated. (Lust and Roy springs to mind)

That's my two cents.

Warning: long and probably pointless post. Just skip it if you wish, everyone's already said what I put in here.

Since this topic came to life, I've been reluctant to post anything here: first, because it's such a deep discussion, and my knowledge of english doesn't let me write with as much clarity as I wish; second, because it's too complicated to compare two themes that are so different, and have both their merits.

If you ask me, I'll answer anytime that "the manga owns the 1st anime in all aspects", and that FMA:B will be better simply because it follows the manga faithfully. But I feel kinda guilty by doing that, since I wouldn't even know what FMA is without seeing the 1st series. In fact, it was just my disappointment with the end that made me, months later, try out the "alternative" manga storyline. To say the first anime was a failure would simply be treason. I really loved how much parallels it had with real life and how it made me reflect upon certain themes. But I'm still in the manga side. Why?

I won't repeat what most people have already said, about FMA1 being focused on "past" and "angst" as a way to give a life lesson and make us understand that, sometimes, we have to give up on dreams, and the manga giving us a more positive and hopeful message (we're all tired of reading the same stuff over and over again). While in FMA1 characters are always stuck in the past, strugling with their feelings (which is very human-like), in the manga the main theme is overcoming our own limits, psychological growth and, mainly, the concept of "perseverance". One of them gives us a dose of reality, while the other wants to give an optimistic feeling about the future. And, now, I can finally see why the manga attracted me more.

It's kind of obvious: I'm a negative person, who uses fiction to run away from reality, instead of facing it, and to find a place where "justice" isn't just a word. And I found such place on the concept of "equivalent exchange", which was the inspiration behind the whole FMA plot. However, this concept is not the same on FMA1 and manga.
In FMA1, the conclusion is that equivalent exchange, aka justice, does not exist in real life as something flawless. In the manga, Arakawa wants to encourage us to fight for what we want, despite the "river of mud" that may be ahead, and don't give up until we find "justice". That is, precisely, the message I seek for: hope and perseverance WILL be rewarded. This way, I can take from this story the strenght to move forward myself.

Conclusion, at last: while I'll always reverence all the doubts and reflections incited by FMA1, I consider the optimism and the developing of the manga story something much more inspiring for those who are hopeless and cling too much to the past (like myself). I really hope this idea of moving forward, even if it means "turning against the currents of the world", and chase your dreams to wherever they take you will be completely explored in FMA2. Hold strong faith in the director, and, judging by what we've seen so far (even if it's just 4 episodes), there's almost no doubt about that. FMA manga have become my inspiration of life. All I can do is pray that this FMA2 will make such an intense and multi-faced story justice.

wow, that was my longest post so far. Sorry for being so romantic, I just needed to get this out. (also, I should be working, not posting my confusing inner thoughts for the whole world... now I feel embarassed)

The question isn't whether I like the first season (really, "series" is more accurate) more than the second. That's a ridiculous question, since this series only has four episodes thus far. I think it assumes that the second series will be exactly like the manga. Assuredly it will be more like the manga, but I think the real question becomes whether or not I prefer the original manga to the first Bones series. This itself is a very difficult question.

My impression is that, though they share largely the same characters and many of the same themes, for better or worse, they are different beasts.

The manga, Arakawa's original vision, has always been more of a fleshed-out world full of various settings and backgrounds, details carefully chosen to give a depth to the experiences and growth of her characters in a way which makes the manga more environmentally believable. If I had to put it in another way, I'd say it's a world where the reader can "live" in, and breathe in the air its characters breathe. That's what makes it so brilliantly crafted.

The first series, on the other hand, I feel has its strengths in the themes present: brotherly love, redemption of one's mistakes, the definition of a human (and the soul), and the imperfections in what we hold in such high regard, whether it be concepts like Equivalent Exchange, or people, like our parents or heroes. While some call it rendering it "melodramatic" or "emo" (a term I despise), I prefer to think of its approach to these as being very human and natural, allowing its characters to absorb and carry the weight of these events. It's also very experimental, though not all experiments in the anime worked out so well, and even some of the best new material had a nugget of absurdity.

I can't, for any reason, find myself preferring one or the other, because I find there's so much working, and a few things that strike against, the worlds both exhibit. Certainly the conventional wisdom is to give the most credit to Arakawa's manga, since it is, after all "true" Fullmetal Alchemist. I just can't, though, because everytime I watch the original series, even with its parallel world and robo-Archer, I just can't help but to feel moved by the poignancy of it all, as hokey and as melodramatic as it might become at times.

Perhaps I will come to a better decision once the manga has actually ended. Until then, as far as this new series is concerned, I'm enjoying it pretty thoroughly, but so far it hasn't quite captured the magic I felt watching the first one.