He wasn't Ishbalan. No white hair or Red eyes.

Was Isaac in the manga?

Nope, the manga started just like the first anime, in Lior.

I thought he was mentioned, because he already died when the story of the manga began (forgive me if I'm wrong ^^').

Edit: Nevermind, I confused him with another character ^^'...

Yeah, that's what I thought. (haven't read the early manga in a long time)

So...I thought the anime was going to closely follow the manga - what happened?

Maybe they need new material to get the viewers attention? Don't worry, I bet they'll follow the manga-storyline soon.

From the raws it looks like Lior will be coming soon. Issac is just a quick "This is the FMA world, this is what are main alchemists can do" type deal, hence him being killed off so quickly.

You know, it's funny, in manga we HAVE Isaac But it's probably contingency

I can't wait for the sub! I glanced at the RAW...

So...is it going to be strictly manga based like I originally thought after this? I sure hope so, or I'll be slightly disappointed. I've been so excited for this new anime because it would be strictly manga based compared to the previous anime.

But, I must say...the first episode is exciting so far, even if I can't understand a word they're saying XP.

I just saw the sub and everything made me feel like crying out with joy... it's so perfect that you can't even describe it. The feel, the music, the atmosphere, everything is screaming FMA from top to bottom.

And it makes me so happy.

If you saw the raw you'd know.
The first ep at least is no where near being strict to the manga but there's a chance from ep 2 it'll be nothing but manga.

Most probably strict plot will start with the next ep, as seen in the preview
Yet, in spite of the fact that it was an original one, if you consider all the details everything was in the manga context.

Yea, I noticed in the first one it wasn't. But I still have to finish it o.o;;...I'm waiting for a sub to do so.

Could someone tell me where can i see the Day of the beginning?

Ive been looking for it but i cant find it : (

Pleaase!

There are subs out on the torrent sites. Two groups have made releases.

I'm confused is there a sub out or not?If there is can someone give me the link?

Ah, sorry - my language was a bit vague. I meant the military uniform that the Armestris soldiers wore during combat in Ishbal. It's noticeably different than the current uniform worn by Roy, Hawkeye and Armstrong.

Ishbalan Uniform = brown stockings over boots; ammo strap across chest; cloak.

Current Uniform = black boots with tucked in pants; vest/'skirt' (for lack of a better word) combo

Wow, the first episode was full of excitement, and jam-packed with the introductions!! (May I say, "ambitiously" packed-full?? XD)

I very much agree with His Name is Unknown's previous two posts.
Some of my observations from the quick glance of the episode 1, raw, are:

* Issac dude and his micro arc was a nice vehicle to introduce Five Alchemists, Roy, Ed, Al, Alex, (and Kimbley as a bonus!! ^^) with the Alchemists' specialties nicely introduced to the viewers in the fighting scenes. Those action scenes were nicely done!! And, for the disposable character, this Issac dude really kicked butt. Too bad he got killed off so quickly. Oh and they already gave away Bradley's lightning fast sword move, too!!

* And, the episode was full of introductions of character quirks (that are well known to us XD) and known on-going FMA jokes, like, Hughes with his tendency to show pics of his daughter to everyone, Alex Armstrong's sparkly exhibit of his body and the contrasting.. uh.. overly caring side, "Ed's hight complex" joke, Mustang & Riza's "useless" joke, etc.....

* The episode also contained chuck-full of what to come story-wise... And, it's clearly shown that it will follow the manga story-line. (Sure, it's not strictly & rigidly following FMA manga to the teeth, as we see, but I don't mind few "added flavors" like this Issac character. ^^)
...Viewers are already warned that there is a dark side to the current government. Even Father has already made a brief appearance in this episode!!
...And, we already hear about "human sacrifice," the plot secret that took manga readers a very long time to find out!! (This from the scene with Lust, after Issac's death... In Lust's comment on Issac: "... too bad he might have made a nice sacrifice..." (or something along that line... audio on my computer is not great. ^^)
...And, of course, the episode tells us a bit about the human transmutation done by Ed & Al, which leads up to the second episode, I guess. ^^

* The tone of this series felt definitely different from the series 1, IMO. As His Name is Unknown has mentioned, I thought the episode has a nice balance of darkness and the lighter side.. I don't know how it changes as the series progresses, but so far I liked the balancing act in the first episode.


I'm sure I'm missing a lot. This is just from my first glance of the raw. I'll add more of my thought later. ^^

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@kelen - We already briefly discussed about that manga scene (I'll add the link to the discussion here as soon I find the posts ^^) and our conclusion was that that was just a plot convenience to make up Riza's coded message, and they just needed some name that started with "I" there. ^^

@HannahBlack09 - "Day of the beginning" is the 2nd episode and it will air in Japan next week. We only know the episode title and the brief storyline from the Story page on FMA-2 JP official web site.

EDIT: Removed link to subbed episode.

And wow, that was an awesome episode. A bit rushed, as others said, but it was epic.

Er, I haven't posted on these forums in a reeeally long time, but this new episode is beckoning me out of lurkdom. I'm joining the crowd of everyone who is dying of awesomeness. It doesn't even matter that I don't understand Japanese - I'm still enjoying this immensely =) And it's great to see these characters again. I mean, hi Hughes! Long time no being alive. And Father gazing from the shadows made me really happy, as it reinforces the whole manga-feel. And I love the style in which this new episode is drawn! I dearly hope that they stick to it for the entire series.

I confess - despite craving an anime for FMA that would be manga-based, I've had my share of doubts about this. The first episode, however, makes me think that I might end up liking this a lot - really a lot. I have high hopes now.

PS: And a huge thank you to the wonderful person who'd posted the YouTube link!

*crawls away surreptitiously to lurk once more...*

Alright, the first ep of the new series seems to be a good opportunity to finally post something in here.

I thought that was overall great!
I had a fear that they'd rush things, having seen the list of the characters that appear and some spoilers. Although things really happened fast, I don't think that bothered that much.
Though, why did Kimbley appear? I don't undestand Japanese, so I don't know did he has any purpose in the plot right now. Could someone explain? ^^' (His voice is nice. I don't remember if it was the same in the previous anime, but anyway.)

This Issaac fellow was pretty cool. I liked his alchemy.

And the music was awesome, too. Not only the opening and ending, but also the choir music in the battle between Issaac and Ed & Al and führer and whoever there was. Dramatic.
The OP and ED were very different from the previous series, and I think it as a good thing. Not that the last ones were bad, I really liked them, but it really feels like a new anime and very fresh. The songs were nice and the animation was good, too.
The ending was cute.

Damn, I ended up just praising this... But oh well, I'll just go somewhere else wait for the second ep. And the new chapter of the manga~ I'm excited~~

I don't know Japanese either, but just by the way the episode unfolded, I'm guessing that Isaac knew Kimbley from Ishbal and was aware that he possessed a piece of the philosopher's stone. Isaac visited him in prison to acquire the final piece of his plan to take down the Fuhrer and Kimbley went along with it because he's a 'heretic,' and found amusement in Isaac's futile struggle. XD

This is just one example (Isaac's Ishbalan war attire, the framing of Ed and Al against the moon, the shot of the map directly following the superimposed transmutation circle on Central) of the many directorial details which cater to those with existing knowledge of the story and characters. If you're new to the show, it looks cool. If you've studied your FMA, the images provide insight into the entire plot of the anime. Love it!

I found a fansub, and Kimblee appeared, talking to Isaac, saying he wanted to help him to destroy everything, but Isaac said he wanted to destroy central for the good of the people because he knows what the country is doing.

@Meu and His Name is Unknown - About the Kimbley's appearance, I have to watch the raw again to double check, but I thought it seems Issac went there to ask Kimbley if he would like to join his side to fight against the government, and Kimbley said no.

That would make sense as well - but I wonder where Isaac got his philosopher's stone from? Or perhaps that final shot of the red sphere in the blood was meant to represent Isaac's soul energy being absorbed by the underground machinations of Father. I really don't think that's the case, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I watched the subs (you guys were right about the Kimbley thing btw), and since Isaac did fight in the Isval war, could the stone be from there?

I thought since Funi was releasing the subs that post fan subs here was no longer kosher...

Some speculations on Japanese blogs (though it's just the speculation and may well turned out to be not true) said that the Stone was passed on to Issac by Lust's doing, for whatever the reason... in that case, by the reason we'll probably eventually find out. If so, that sure is intriguing, isn't it? ^^

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@Popo - Yeah, could you find out from uncle Asu since you probably has more chance to talk with him sooner? Whatever the administrative view, I will do accordingly.

Ah, if it isn't, then my apologies. I'll remove the link from my post.

Until we get word from Paladin/Byrtanq it's best we don't don't post direct links to subs but other than that it's fine.
You can talk about which subs are good and such though and I think that's enough for people to be able to find subs on their own.

It could be rightly so, even because she mentions him specifically at the end of the episode after all.

Lol - I was able to view the episode in higher quality and noticed the left-over Armstrong heads in the alley when Ice returns to activate his transmutation circle.

After seeing it with subs, I can safely say this episode did not feel rushed at all. Great character introductions, good development of the dog of the military theme and a nice setup for the military intrigue to come. I loved the banter between Edward, Mustang, and Hughes about respecting your elders. Hughes got a nice owning in there at the end telling Mustang to respect those in authority.

Oh and Ice's "You think this is the time to TALK about crap!" was awesome - subtle dig at the first series, perhaps?

I just realized it, in this episode Ed and Al met Hughes and all but in the manga they are meeting him before Elecia was born, too bad, I liked this thing about Elecia's birth...

Actually, Ed and Al meeting Hughes before Elysia's birth was only present in the first anime. In the manga, Hugh's daughter isn't officially mentioned (by officially, I mean outside of gaiden chapters like 'Dogs of the Military) until two chapters before his death when Hughes brags to Mustang that his daughter will soon be three years old.

So although Ed and Al's meeting with the Hughes family isn't exactly like the manga, it is true to the spirit of Arakawa's work. I liked the first 25 episodes of the original anime very much, but based upon what I've seen so far of Brotherhood, I think I'll be liking the direction of FMA2 even more.

Maybe they just want a different introduction, since otherwise it would be almost exactly the same as the last anime and kind of boring to watch.

I am hoping that they ease into the manga easily...I'm putting my trust in them.

Oh, right, I just read again volumes - I mistook birth of Elysia from first anime with birth of the kid in Rushvalley in 5 volume. My bad ^^"

I think the preview of Ep 2 already shows that
And the details there were in this ep were a proof of all that.

Ok, I watched it with subtitles just a while ago and I must say.... better than I expected. I don't know, but without understanding what is being told by characters the atmosphere of the episode lowered. Now I see that it is coherent and enjoyable.

Great Episode.
The quality really is something else, they went all-out in the first episode. OP and ED have VERY great visuals, the songs are okay and fit the shown animation.
The content of the episode was okay, not boring and they introduced almost all characters already, which is a wise choice. ARMSTRONG LOVE!

A succinct version of what I was trying to get across in previous posts. I loved all the little details about Isaac of Ice being a member of Mustang's unit and his mockery of Roy's flames. Also, the story boarding went out of its way to include as many unique uses for an ice alchemist as possible: boiling, freezing, high pressure and ice. Great, great idea for an alchemist, and a couple of his lines were beyond hardcore. I also like how Isaac really goes crazy at the end and performs human transmutation upon himself. Ed's: "You have just taken your first step toward Hell," was a great foreshadowing of this, as well as a nice contrast with his earlier, "I don't want to kill."

When I saw how many characters were in the episode I was worried about timing, but they pulled it off, and I didn't mind the Isaac filler thing. I think it worked well. The artwork was a hell lot better than I expected - Roy looked fine, totally unlike that first trailed *shudders from memory* The rain line was kind of killed, but I guess I only care about it because I'm a RoyAi fanatic.

I wonder where they'll start after the flash back? Like, Scar and everything...it seems like they might skip over some stuff, IDK, but they'll need to bring in Yoki and Scar somehow. I think they're going to do something so they don't have to go episode by episode for the first few volumes like the old anime to save time and keep old viewers hooked...

If I'm making sense LOL

No, I understand exactly what you're saying, and after Lust's line at the end of episode one, it looks like there may be a possibility that the Liore arc will indeed be omitted. This would make sense in light of the fact that the entire purpose of that story was to do what the Isaac arc has already accomplished; one thing to consider though, is the relative importance of Liore to the future of a manga centric story.

No Liore and no Rose means that Hohenheim would have to showdown with Pride in a different place and would create difficulties for the Olivier Armstrong/Eric/Falman scene in the cave during the Northern segment. Somehow I get the feeling we haven't seen the last of Cornello or Rose. Plus, story-wise, the Elrics never actually verified that Isaac was utilizing a philosopher's stone, so the narrative could be restructured to make that revelation the focus of the Liore scenes in Brotherhood.

What? I got the exact opposite thought. If they're going to omit Lior then why mention it at all?
My bet is next episode will be half flash back to how Ed and Al got messed up and half introduction to Lior.

I hope they don't skip over Lior, like mentioned, it's really important for later parts.

I was excited to see glimpses of Father though!

And to me, it seemed that Lust and Gluttony being in Lior was just a set-up. We already know they're there from the previous anime and manga...and for new viewers, well then there's no surprise to her being there I guess. But that's how I read it.

I really enjoyed the episode! The animation was amazing, I loved the voices and the Isaac filler thing worked. I think the anime will be able to go without fillers. The manga has to be finished soon (only 100 chapters right? Or did that change?) and if the anime can pace itself good, we won't need fillers.

Can't wait until next Sunday!!

I'm confident they'll be going to Lior in episode 3!

Despite me feeling anxious about the new series, I can safely say that today I watched the episode and I enjoyed it a lot!

There were some bits I found hilarious, like with Issac first meeting Ed and Al; and Ed just being...Ed at that part.
I also loved the parts where the boys met Maes ( and then Gracia and Elicia, Maes' little girl truely is a cutie) I was shocked that the Hughes household ( or the complex that it's in) seems to of grown! O.O
And at the end, with the brothers and Armstrong...pure classic, that's all I can say. XD

The plot was thrilling and I love how the characters were re-introduced...the part with Lior at the end was interesting too, I really do wonder if things will still be the same afterall. O.o

The only nit-pick I have about this is the fact that Issac only lasted for one episode...he was an interesting character and one heck of an original character choice to introduce us to the new series.
I feel sorry for him when he got sliced by Bradley though; and for the fact that you can tell that he just completely lost it by the end.

By the way, who noticed that little Ed head, which was on the club that Ed created, had a frown at the beginning and a smirk after hitting Isaac? xd

I didn't mind the first episode but it looks like they are going to be doing the next show with the beginning I wonder how different it will be or will it be close to the same. It seems to be a bit darker than the other one.

I'm missing so many details like that with the tiny screened low quality raw..
One day I wanna watch this on huge screen and catch every details that they put in for this episode! ^^


(... Or, if anyone feels generous, screen caps would be nice, too. )



@mystcwtch - Yeah, I think FMA manga storyline is darker than FMA anime series-1 storyline. But, after watching this first episode, I'm pretty comfortable to think that they will probably find the nice balance between darkness & the lightness for this series. ^^

The only word I can think of to describe how I feel right now is:
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! <3

*ahem*

I was really concerned when I learned that this episode didn't follow the manga, not so much because I didn't like the idea of that happening for a first ep but because I was afraid it would set a bad precedent for the rest of the series. But with all the mention of Lior, I'm quite confident that it'll be included, plus there were a ton of manga references that made me feel better.

My manga obsession aside, I really enjoyed this episode. As you guys have said, his alchemy was really unique. Plus the other alchemists got to show off all kinds of flashy stuff. Best of all, we got to see Al's true colors! I love the moments where he protects Ed.

The art was absolutely stunning. I love the colored lines (forgot the word for that, but I think there is one...), the black and white scene, and the opening and ending animation. Everything felt very stylized. The characters made GREAT facial expressions, too, which I love--humor through facial expressions has always been one of Arakawa's trademarks in FMA. I alos felt like both Ed and Mustang were better-looking than in the first series. =P

It was awesome to have Father making an appearance, even if only for a second (we shouldn't see him doing much until a lot later anyway). The foreshadowing was awesome. And was anyone else really surprised to see (manga spoiler for volume 19) young Hohenheim in the OP?