FMA: Brotherhood – Anime Review

Let me start off this review by saying Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an awesome anime series, so awesome that it has made its way unto my list of favourite anime ever! Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way I’ll get into the meat of the matter on why FMA: Brotherhood is so awesome but first lets me explain why it is different from the first Fullmetal Alchemist series many might be familiar with and give a short overview of the story including the main characters.

The Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric

Follow the manga, or else?

The Original Fullmetal Alchemist series diverted from the main story of the manga, resulting in the awesome meter of the series taking a huge nosedive. The series creator Hiromu Arakawa beat back the anime into submission and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was born in the spring 2009 season that rewinds to the point of the diversion and chooses the manga path forward, sticky to the story of the creator and allowing the awesome meter of the show to soar once again. As a follower of the manga this was awesome news although now the manga has ended and the anime series has done the same.

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Kawaii desu ne?

and this brings us back the story

Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers who in an attempt to bring their dead mother back to life using alchemy has paid a dear price. Alphonse has lost his body but has his soul affixed to a suit of armour while Edward has lost an arm and a leg which are replaced by advanced mechanical limbs or automail. The brothers set out on a journey to find the legendary philosopher’s stone – a legendary item used in alchemy which they believe can help them recover what they lost for trying to do human transmutation, an act strictly forbidden. The brothers run into all kinds of characters along their way while discovering a diabolical plot by the series antagonists, a plot they aim to foil.

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X Marks the spot?

Why I like Brotherhood

What makes me a big fan of FMA: Brotherhood is the excellent pacing of the story which is seamlessly broken up into arcs with pulsating plot elements, truly hilarious comedy, interesting characters all around and excellent pacing. I believe the ending could have been a little more creative but overall it was an excellent series with overlapping story elements that keeps things relevant and interesting.

My favourite of the various antagonists - King Bradley

Perfect for newbies and casuals

Even if you have not seen the first half of the anime before it diverted FMA: Brotherhood is the perfect series for anime newbies or casual fans of anime no matter the age group but it still remains a solid show for picky anime veterans. Check it out if you haven’t already done so and if you have I’ll love to hear what you thought of it in the comments below. In an effort not to inadvertently spoil any part of the anime I have used images captured mostly from the first episode of the series in this post, lots more below.

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Lust displaying her mark that identifies her as a humunculi
The Flame Alchemist at work
The Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse

[smile]

9 thoughts on “FMA: Brotherhood – Anime Review

  1. I never watched the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime. I heard too many comments about it sucking so I avoided it. Too often anime diverts from the manga and turns into crap so I wasn’t ready to take the chance of wasting my time. When FMA Brotherhood came out and I heard it was going to be true to the manga, I followed it.

    I was really impressed. This is one of the best anime series I’ve ever watched. The only thing that bugged me about it was during the first few episodes where they went overboard with the humor regarding short jokes. It almost killed it for me.

    I wasn’t aware that this picked up where the first one diverted from the manga though, so I think now I’ll have to go back and watch the first anime or just read the manga so I can see the beginning of the story, though I pretty much know what happened based on the rest of the series.

  2. Hmmm…. This keeps in track with the manga interesting. I just started getting back into the manga (the quality of the scans was declining [sad] )

  3. Well I think Fullmetal Alchemist : Brotherhood is the most Original Anime I’ve ever seen perhaps in the Anime Industry . The fact that the Main Character Edward Elric didn’t grew physically ( like any other anime ) but he grew Mentally through out the anime . Though I watched a few episodes of the first anime , I still think Brotherhood is the best because its straight from the Manga .

    I Like The Theme of the Anime which is set in early 20th Century Europe , very unique for an anime since most is set in a Japanese Background . The Characters are also unique with Elder Brother Edward Elric being the puny , Smart Brother and Alphonse Elric ( My Fave Character in the anime ) being the kind and soft Younger Brother .

    With 64 Episodes , Fullmetal Alchemist has gained the same amount of fandom as Naruto and Bleach fans even though those animes have over 300 Episodes .

    I was a little bit disappointed about the climax of the anime series , The Fight should;ve been more Epic for an Epic Anime but it was a Good Climax Ending . I felt very sad that the anime has ended [sob] seeing Alphonse getting his body back and Edward getting his arm back was very sentimental . I actually think nothing but Fullmetal alchemist for 2 days after watching the last Episode of the anime [smile]

  4. Both FMA shows are quite good. You dont need to watch the first version because you can truly understand the 2nd only watching. For the moment, Im stuck with ep 59, and I like both version so far.

  5. Fullmetal alchemist brotherhood is the best ever by far.It has got such qualities like:1/ The first original manga.2/heart touching story.3/its main cocepect’philochopers stone’is real.4/its opening and ending songs are very nice.5/each charecter has its ownself and strength.6/high qualhty graphics.7/has got a very fine ending.8/its background is real.9/its not boaring to watch like bleach.10/ it has the power to make us think about alchemy.11/edward and alphonse elric are one of the best anime cherecters ever. So this the is the only anime which has 10/10 from me [jamaica]

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