Written by: Kevin Berge
This series will constantly remind you that Ed, the partially metallic alchemist, is the legendary Fullmetal not his fully armored brother. (Image Courtesy of: youtube.com)
While people constantly lament the film industry's insistence on sequels and reboots, anime has been relying upon both for decades to keep using popular brands. Fullmetal Alchemist was released in 2003 to a solid reception without relying upon the structure of the manga that preceded it.
Luckily, the studio that owned the anime chose to reboot the franchise with a more strict focus on the original story of the manga, subtitling it Brotherhood. With a new director and writer at the helm, the series took another step up and became one of the most beloved animes of all time.
It took me too long to get to Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, but that is partially due to my late arrival to the series as a whole. I knew though that this was one anime I could not skip.
Luckily, the studio that owned the anime chose to reboot the franchise with a more strict focus on the original story of the manga, subtitling it Brotherhood. With a new director and writer at the helm, the series took another step up and became one of the most beloved animes of all time.
It took me too long to get to Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, but that is partially due to my late arrival to the series as a whole. I knew though that this was one anime I could not skip.
Synopsis
After their mother died, Edward and Alphonse Elric agreed to commit the ultimate sin, human transmutation, to bring back their mother from the dead. They paid for their transgression with Ed losing his left leg and Al losing his whole body in the process, forcing Ed to also sacrifice his right arm to bind Al's soul to a suit of armor.
To counteract this horror, they both set a new goal for themselves: to reclaim their bodies. Thus, Ed became the youngest state alchemist in history, nicknamed the Fullmetal Alchemist, and began a quest with his brother for the one object that might provide an answer: the mysterious and sinister Philosopher's Stone.
To counteract this horror, they both set a new goal for themselves: to reclaim their bodies. Thus, Ed became the youngest state alchemist in history, nicknamed the Fullmetal Alchemist, and began a quest with his brother for the one object that might provide an answer: the mysterious and sinister Philosopher's Stone.
There is nothing FMAB loves more than casual blood. (Image Courtesy of: prettymuchgeeks.com)
Story Arc Analysis
***This is the only section of the review that contains spoilers. If you have not seen the anime yet, skip ahead to the Impact and Art Style section.***
The Elric Brothers (Ep 1-14): This section of the anime follows the same lines as the original series in faster fashion with a few small hints of changes to come. In fact, most of the episodes tell an identical story (unsurprisingly as this was the section of the original following the manga) as an introduction to the Elric brothers and the politics in play.
Homunculus Conspiracy (Ep 15-28): The anime takes off at this point with emotional and vicious precision as it becomes clear that the government are truly the villains in this series. Their plot and alliance with the Homunculus as well as Father (whose shared appearance with Ed and Al's father makes for an intriguing introduction) is enticing drama as it feels overwhelming for the heroes.
A new character Ling is introduced to ultimately take up the role of Greed in his search for immortality, and his interplay with Ed and Al is some of the most fun in the series as Brotherhood better captures its humor. The reveal that Scar killed the Rockbells and Winry unable to shoot Scar is one of the best moments of the series.
Resistance (Ep 29-49): This section may be a bit long for its own purposes with too much convenient fighting and escape, but it is fun to see who is on what side. The reveal of Pride in particular is great anime horror. Even in its humor moments, the undertones at this point become most grim.
This section reveals the truth of Hohenheim and Father which creates a whole story that feels like it could make for its own series. Some great moments are here including the near death of Ed and both brothers befriending Chimera soldiers through their kind actions.
The Promised Day (Ep 50-64): After so much of the series moved in weeks even months, much of this climax progresses over one day, and it is a true action climax in all its glory. The near-invincible homunculus are joined by a near-invincible army of mannequin soldiers to make for a horror blood bath.
More importantly, the heroes must learn to fight such an indomitable force as the world hangs in the balance. Every homunculus is defeated, and the army fought back with the government overthrown. Still, it looks hopeless after that as Father gains what is qualified as the power of God.
Ed's fight with Father is enticing but most effective as thematic culmination, showing how Father's intentions for power cannot overcome Ed's desire to protect his brother. The "God" narrative feels a bit corny but does not push beyond the bounds of the story, leading to a satisfying finish even with Ed left powerless.
Movie (The Sacred Star of Milos): While there were fascinating stories to tell in this anime, they are not explored here as this feels more like a solid filler arc episode. It's a well written filler arc, but nothing in the story feels wholly necessary. I would have liked to have a Hohenheim focus or a post-series focus instead.
The Elric Brothers (Ep 1-14): This section of the anime follows the same lines as the original series in faster fashion with a few small hints of changes to come. In fact, most of the episodes tell an identical story (unsurprisingly as this was the section of the original following the manga) as an introduction to the Elric brothers and the politics in play.
Homunculus Conspiracy (Ep 15-28): The anime takes off at this point with emotional and vicious precision as it becomes clear that the government are truly the villains in this series. Their plot and alliance with the Homunculus as well as Father (whose shared appearance with Ed and Al's father makes for an intriguing introduction) is enticing drama as it feels overwhelming for the heroes.
A new character Ling is introduced to ultimately take up the role of Greed in his search for immortality, and his interplay with Ed and Al is some of the most fun in the series as Brotherhood better captures its humor. The reveal that Scar killed the Rockbells and Winry unable to shoot Scar is one of the best moments of the series.
Resistance (Ep 29-49): This section may be a bit long for its own purposes with too much convenient fighting and escape, but it is fun to see who is on what side. The reveal of Pride in particular is great anime horror. Even in its humor moments, the undertones at this point become most grim.
This section reveals the truth of Hohenheim and Father which creates a whole story that feels like it could make for its own series. Some great moments are here including the near death of Ed and both brothers befriending Chimera soldiers through their kind actions.
The Promised Day (Ep 50-64): After so much of the series moved in weeks even months, much of this climax progresses over one day, and it is a true action climax in all its glory. The near-invincible homunculus are joined by a near-invincible army of mannequin soldiers to make for a horror blood bath.
More importantly, the heroes must learn to fight such an indomitable force as the world hangs in the balance. Every homunculus is defeated, and the army fought back with the government overthrown. Still, it looks hopeless after that as Father gains what is qualified as the power of God.
Ed's fight with Father is enticing but most effective as thematic culmination, showing how Father's intentions for power cannot overcome Ed's desire to protect his brother. The "God" narrative feels a bit corny but does not push beyond the bounds of the story, leading to a satisfying finish even with Ed left powerless.
Movie (The Sacred Star of Milos): While there were fascinating stories to tell in this anime, they are not explored here as this feels more like a solid filler arc episode. It's a well written filler arc, but nothing in the story feels wholly necessary. I would have liked to have a Hohenheim focus or a post-series focus instead.
Somehow, the original FMA thought it was a good idea not to include Ling, the best character in the series (or close to it). (Image Courtesy of: fma.wikia.com)
Impact and Art Style
The early episode of FMAB all start the same: explaining how alchemy is a science of balance with human transmutation the true imbalance. Much of the series is defined by this idea: exploring balance and imbalance, the fallacy of playing the game of creation and rebirth, and the value of human life.
Exploration of those themes can often take precedence over the action with the writing loosening a bit when characters are fighting. The emotional outbursts are effective but not as detailed and memorable as in the quieter moments of contemplation.
Ed and Al are great characters even though their shared naivety can often lump them together. That naivety is an ideal in the show given the moral ambiguity some try to hold firm to. This is not a government-friendly show as much of the focus in the abandonment and disparaging of both war and politics.
Comparing this to its predecessor, the use of characters and steady story are far stronger with the anime also less afraid to step into comedy to break up the drama. The alternative animation in those comedic moments work to steady the change in pace.
The art style is an improvement on the original and nearly perfect in its portrayal; however, the animation of the action is noticeably lackluster in comparison to the regular art. It sometimes feels a bit incomplete and certainly less than up to standard.
Exploration of those themes can often take precedence over the action with the writing loosening a bit when characters are fighting. The emotional outbursts are effective but not as detailed and memorable as in the quieter moments of contemplation.
Ed and Al are great characters even though their shared naivety can often lump them together. That naivety is an ideal in the show given the moral ambiguity some try to hold firm to. This is not a government-friendly show as much of the focus in the abandonment and disparaging of both war and politics.
Comparing this to its predecessor, the use of characters and steady story are far stronger with the anime also less afraid to step into comedy to break up the drama. The alternative animation in those comedic moments work to steady the change in pace.
The art style is an improvement on the original and nearly perfect in its portrayal; however, the animation of the action is noticeably lackluster in comparison to the regular art. It sometimes feels a bit incomplete and certainly less than up to standard.
Sub vs. Dub
For the most part, the cast here is the same as in the original series with the big selling point of Vic Mignoga as Ed still present. The cast are excellent and sell a strong script. The dubbed English is legitimately stronger than the Japanese original, a rare feat.
Recommendation: Dub
Recommendation: Dub
How is it that most of the crafted beings are less attractive than every single regular ordinary humans? (Image Courtesy of: fma.wikia.com)
Conclusion
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood has no dull moments, barely anything that constitutes filler, intense action, and an intelligent, emotional core with characters that are easy to root for. As far as I am concerned, it is the quintessential anime experience that I have often strived for.
Ed and Al's journey is near perfect length, long enough to explore the characters, without staying too long with just one set of villains. While I liked the characters enough that I would welcome another 64 episodes or more with them, that would only take away from the perfect balance of the series.
If I were to introduce a friend to anime, this would now be my go-to because it does not slow and has no bad episodes. While it can be intensely violent at times, it never is out of place and aiding the intense action and feeling of dread that spread through much of the anime before the satisfying conclusion.
As arbitrary as my grading can be, I only give an A+ to something that is truly the pinnacle of its medium. FMAB is exactly that.
Ed and Al's journey is near perfect length, long enough to explore the characters, without staying too long with just one set of villains. While I liked the characters enough that I would welcome another 64 episodes or more with them, that would only take away from the perfect balance of the series.
If I were to introduce a friend to anime, this would now be my go-to because it does not slow and has no bad episodes. While it can be intensely violent at times, it never is out of place and aiding the intense action and feeling of dread that spread through much of the anime before the satisfying conclusion.
As arbitrary as my grading can be, I only give an A+ to something that is truly the pinnacle of its medium. FMAB is exactly that.