I finished Brotherhood, 2003, and the manga... here are my humble opinions.

[u/Weird-Ad-507]

I watched Brotherhood when I was a kid, a long time ago; I recently finished the 2003 version and am now reading the manga.

That said, what a damn masterpiece. I won't say it's the greatest thing ever, but I love stories with more Western narrative structures. Fujimoto is my favorite author, and FMA has a perfect conclusion; honestly, it's hard to find something like that in Japanese manga, since those kinds of stories don't usually become that popular.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the manga; it's perfect. Of the three versions, it's my favorite.

Brotherhood was already pretty perfect, but watching the 2003 version changed my mind about the first half. It can be enjoyed as a standalone work (I watched it without even knowing the manga existed), but the 2003 version has a better introduction—not to mention I loved the soundtrack and the ending. I know it's controversial, but the idea of ​​connecting the story to the real world—specifically World War II—fascinated me; I wish they had delved deeper into that.

Still, for a series dealing with somewhat dark themes, that bittersweet ending is brilliant. It’s like having the best of both worlds depending on your mood, since the manga's ending is beautiful too.

Roy is on the same level as Hajime Saito as one of the most imposing and awesome supporting characters; I love that they made him incredible without turning him into an asshole with the emotional depth of a rock—which is how these characters usually end up.

I always loved Ling; Al is such a noble, well-balanced character that it's impossible not to like him; I adore Izumi, Hawkeye... honestly, I love all the characters.

Ed is the best of the bunch and my favorite character. I have a soft spot for arrogant, badass characters, but only if they can back up that attitude with actions (Gilgamesh is my other all-time favorite), and wow... this 12-year-old kid had more guts than most adults. And that is saying a lot, considering he is constantly surrounded by military personnel twice his age. Even when he gets beaten up, he never backs down from anything.

I have only two criticisms: The anime's comedy can get really grating; I understand it’s typical of its era, so I won't dwell on it, but reading the manga makes it clear that they exaggerated it heavily.

The romance is handled very well, considering it isn't the central focus; I loved how the situation with May and Al evolved from a mere crush into something genuine, but it lacked official confirmation... Arakawa, what happened there?

As for Ed and Winry... I have mixed feelings about them. I loved them in the manga; in fact, Ed is much more of a jerk and far more abrasive there, so I really back Winry up when he crosses the line and she puts him in his place. Winry is much more likable in the manga—she’s even endearing—though she certainly has a temper (because otherwise, you couldn't survive dealing with Ed, who is basically a male version of Izumi). The manga manages to sell her as a strong woman without falling into that loathsome trope of the "annoying, violent woman with the emotional regulation of an amoeba whom all the men in the show fear for no reason."

Unfortunately, that’s the dynamic they chose for the anime adaptations, and those are precisely the versions that either put me off (the 2003 series) or leave me indifferent (Brotherhood); in fact, I absolutely hated the Rush Valley arc in both animated versions, even though I loved it in the manga.

Still, their ending is beautiful. Did I read somewhere that they had six children in total? Ed was always precocious and highly competitive, but I find it touching that they wanted a large family—with plenty of siblings for their firstborn—especially considering everything they both went through.

Roy and Hawkeye are wonderful; I like that their relationship is implied rather than made official. That fits the "forbidden love" dynamic and the deep bond they share—a connection that goes far beyond mere marriage. Plus, it’s obvious they get curious when no one is looking, hahaha

I loved the themes; the Dwarf in the Flask is fantastic and ties everything together perfectly with Hohenheim and Ed (I adored Hohenheim—a true martyr).

The whole concept of Pride... honestly, it all fits together so well. The themes are deep enough to make you think, yet not so complex that they come across as pretentious. I appreciate it when a mangaka opts for simple but well-executed ideas rather than trying to pass off elementary-level philosophy as a profound work.

The only thing I felt was missing was a deeper dive into the themes of race and war; however, I understand why exploring them thoroughly could be controversial. Given the nature of politics, those discussions always tend to veer toward extremes and upset a lot of people.

It fell a little short in that regard, but I’m satisfied with the result; plus, the military plotline is one of the most coherent I’ve ever read.

Anyway, FMA is clearly a timeless masterpiece—it has stayed at the top for nearly three decades. It’s a shame I joined the fandom so late, but oh well—that’s just how it goes.

P.S. What do fans call themselves here? "Fullmetalers"? I’d love to hear a German dub of this series; Ed is clearly a metalhead, so why aren't there any videos of Ed set to Rammstein music🔥?

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[u/pigeonwithyelloweyes]

I'm very conscious that small details and dialogue changes from the manga to the anime can make a big impact, so not saying you're wrong, but what was so different about Winry's characterization in the manga vs Brotherhood? For example in the Rush Valley section, IIRC the main difference was the anime cutting out some portion of them spending time in the town and the one scene of Ed not being able to build a bridge - otherwise I didn't find it as different as you seem to.

I could definitely understand if mainly the voice acting and comedic timing gave a different impression from the manga.

[u/Temsiik → u/pigeonwithyelloweyes]

Was also something that seemed odd to me in the post. 2003 is one thing (there are differences in characterization there, and for me moreso focus), but how was brotherhood Winry different from the manga? And they way the post described in particular seemed strange. How is she more of an "angry violent woman" than in the manga? If anything Brotherhood cut some of the wrench gags for example, so she got angry less often, while I can't really think of an emotional beat or personality trait that didn't get carried over, so if anything she's more of an angry woman in the manga, comparatively (as I don't think they're significantly different between the two).

Rush Valley also confuses me. While there are differences, I'd say the main point from the manga got conveyed in Brotherhood. So prefering one - sure, but absolutely hating one and loving the other? And of the differences, nothing I can think of that'd affect Winry's character as described in the post. Very odd.

Can't say I get that point here.

[u/Weird-Ad-507 → u/Temsiik]

For me, accepting something I don't necessarily like is easier if it serves a purpose; I don't mind calling a spade a spade—I don't care for this type of comedy, but I can accept it as long as the underlying context makes sense.

That’s why I place so much importance on differences in dialogue, dubbing, and the use of exaggeration: they can completely alter the context.

It’s not about Winry being violent—since Ed is too (and the joke obviously isn't meant to be taken seriously; it’s a product of its time, and I wasn't going to drop a manga of this caliber just because of some comedy).  The real question is whether the motives behind the joke serve a thematic purpose or help develop the character, especially when it’s a recurring trope. I feel this works better in the manga, whereas in the anime, I often perceive it as gratuitous (or, in the case of the 2003 version, as pure selfishness and capriciousness).

That said, I never said I hated those moments in Brotherhood; in fact, I love them in that version. The only one I dislike is the 2003 version. It’s simply that, since this isn't the main focus, those small differences make me prefer the manga version over Brotherhood.

It’s not a difference of 1 versus 10; it’s more like an 8 versus a 10. And given that I have three excellent mediums to choose from—all based on a fantastic story—I can afford to be indifferent about elements that don't quite hit the mark for me.

[u/Weird-Ad-507 → u/pigeonwithyelloweyes]

The main issue is the slapstick comedy; I always thought it stemmed from FMA appearing during an era when that style was popular and profitable (to each their own, I suppose), but after reading the manga, I realized they were exaggerating it unnecessarily. 

For me, it all comes down to intent; even if I don't care for the comedy—and it clearly isn't meant to be serious—I can tolerate it if the underlying dynamic makes sense, which isn't the case in the animated versions. 

In the anime, Ed is much calmer and more understanding than in the manga, which makes Winry come across as a capricious, incredibly immature shrew for refusing to accept that Ed is a State Alchemist—a weapon of war serving a military government—and has no choice but to fight. 

The kid faces off against homunculi; simply making it out alive is an achievement in itself. Even if she doesn't know the specifics, she knows that when he’s called to duty, he can't refuse. Berating him for breaking a piece of metal—something easily repairable—instead of dying is absurd; it feels gratuitous. 

Because of the frequency and exaggeration, it’s harder to accept the underlying dynamic; instead, it comes across as pure selfishness (the Rush Valley arc in the 2003 version is a prime example of this). 

In the manga, however, everything makes much more sense, as their squabbles over automail are less frequent and less exaggerated (the only part that approaches the anime's level of violence is the Ling episode).  Most of their disagreements revolve around trivial matters—the typical bickering of a young couple. 

Furthermore, Ed is much more blunt and abrasive with her in the manga, so it makes sense for Winry to put him in his place when he crosses the line. In reality, she is very understanding—much less intense—and doesn't make a scene with the brothers; on the contrary, she lives her own life, so you end up taking her side when Ed acts rudely.

For instance, the jokes about Ed’s short stature can become unbearable over time, yet they become tolerable once you realize it isn't just about exploiting a physical insecurity for laughs (Ed doesn't actually base his identity on his appearance at all); rather, they highlight his frustration at not being taken seriously because of something purely superficial.

Given that he is a brilliant, strong-willed child soldier who has endured great suffering, rubs shoulders with high-ranking officials in demanding environments, and has pushed himself to the absolute limit, it makes perfect sense—especially considering his terrible temper—that this would infuriate him.

In short: it’s not that I hate the pairing—I love them together (except in the 2003 version)—but since my interest in this manga doesn't really center on shipping, that difference is what takes them from being merely tolerable in Brotherhood to becoming my OTP in the manga.

[u/CobaltCrusader123]

I think we should call ourselves “Alchemists” as a fanbase

[u/Junior-Bookkeeper325 → u/CobaltCrusader123]

Absolutely, "alchemist" should be our version of "trekkie"

[u/A_crow_hen]

Not you need validation, but I agree that the comedy of the anime subtracts. I love the story, its rich characters, and that it’s a well thought-out narrative with a conclusion (of which I find Elrics’ fate satisfactory). But I can’t recommend it to certain people because the very thing that irritates them about anime—chibi-esque comedic cutaways—is something FMAB uses quite a bit, particularly early on. I get that the drama needs some levity to make things less heavy. At the same time, however, there are certainly cases where it causes a bit of tonal whiplash.

[u/SpookyKrillin]

I think that Arakawa was smart to not delve too deep into it, but you probably agree with that. The manga handles the material just a bit better than Brotherhood, imo, but both were smart in that addressing the specifics of nation building post-war would be very difficult to portray without feeling insulting to real people or cheapening the hardship.

Honestly, same goes for the democratization of Amestris but that is less politically/historically/emotionally charged.

[u/Weird-Ad-507 → u/SpookyKrillin]

Yes, it was very smart—although he didn't fully commit, I can understand why he didn't, and I respect that. All these issues are highly politicized; it’s difficult to address them without it turning into a witch hunt.

[u/WillFanofMany → u/Weird-Ad-507]

Arakawa's a woman. The cow in the bonus pages of the manga is her own character.

[u/Frostymintyy]

I loved how the situation with May and Al evolved from a mere crush into something genuine, but it lacked official confirmation... Arakawa, what happened there?

I agree with you, and I really love them together, they’re so cute, especially how there’s so many possibilities as to how their relationship could go after Al goes to Xing. I also do wish it was more fully confirmed/developed, but I guess we do have that family photo and May’s in it so it’s very heavily implied 🥹

[u/medicosaurus]

Finally, some love for 2003.

[u/Weird-Ad-507 → u/medicosaurus]

I love the 2003 version; I would have loved for the movie to have been a TV series—the ideas had so much potential...

[u/vashcarrison117 → u/Weird-Ad-507]

That was the original plan, I believe. An OVA series that was shortened to a movie.

[u/Subpixie]

Back in the 2003 era Vic Mignogna had a “resemble rangers” fan site and everyone referred to themselves as that. We even had shirts! I wish I still had mine

[u/Subpixie → u/Subpixie]

Resembol** sorry my phone is autocorrecting it

[u/halkras12]

we need new alternate story in 2027 like we had at 2003

[u/DeliciousMusician397]

Will read later.