Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Vintage:
October 4, 2003
Status:
Completed
Summary:
After losing their mother, Alphonse and Edward Elric attempt to bring her back using the forbidden science of human alchemy. However, alchemy operates on the theory of equivalent trade, and breaking the human alchemy taboo carries a heavy price. Ed loses his leg, and Al loses his body. Ed is able to seal Al's soul inside of a huge suit of armor, at the cost of his arm. Years later, Ed (now with two mechanical limbs) and Al (still trapped in the armor) leave their childhood home, each brother concerned with the other's happiness. Ed, who has a natural talent and skill for alchemy, becomes nationally certified and is soon known everywhere as the "Fullmetal Alchemist." Their true objective is to search for any information on the fabled Philosopher's Stone, hoping it will allow them to regain their old bodies. All of their hopes rest with this mythical stone, which may not even exist at all. However, the brothers soon learn that they are not the only ones after the powerful stone.
Hearing a lot opinions that 'Fullmetal Alchemist' and 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood' are similar but first is not following the manga and that funs were dissapointed I had a hard time thinking- which one first? I couldn't find the answer in reviews so I'm writing a one to help others hestating. :)
FMA is a good story, you can feel the bond between brothers, but since I watched FMAB first, I've felt the lack. It is really different story than FMAB.. Although it starts with an introduction to the presented world and brothers' circumstances and it really makes the meaning of their journey deeper. I'd say that 'the golden middle' would be FMA till ~17ep and then Brotherhood... I guess it's the moment stories start to differ. if you start with FMAB I think it's not necessary to watch the first serie, though it is worth your time (!), but if you strat with FMA - you have to see the second serie! And keep in mind that main characters are the same but everything else not.
I had started with FMAB, then immediately after I watched FMA - and both of them was interesting, full of action and emotion.
As for animation - very good, music wasn't anything special, entertaiment very good. I'd recommend both series to anyone, it's such a great story!
Personally, I like FMA - but I LOVE FMAB; anime are usually better off following the original story. I just can't help feeling that FMA is a bit dissapointing, even though it's also great anime. :)
