Yeah, this episode proves it: the creators really were trying to rush through the first bunch of chapters for the sake of those who already watched the first series. This episode was much slower paced than the previous eight episodes, and it allowed for a lot of time to flesh out the characters. For once we have an episode without action that instead focuses on characters, and although quite a few parts of this episode did return in the anime at one point, it was an enjoyable episode.
The comedy was a bit overkill, though. It was definitely funny, but some of the jokes missed the mark; especially the ones in which Ed started yelling. Energetic jokes don’t suit this series: its humour is at its best when it’s subtle, not when the characters are jumping around and yelling like a bunch of overexcitable teenagers.
One big issue that was solved pretty fast was Al’s doubts about Ed’s intentions. If I recall correctly, in the original series it took him tens of episodes of emo-ing before he spoke up his mind, though here they managed to set their differences within an episode. It’s two different approaches which both make sense in their context. My only complaint about the way it was handled in the original series was that Al’s development wasn’t really moving in the time he was wondering whether he was brainwashed by Ed.
There was also a nice Easter-egg when Izumi and Sig Curtis walked past in the train station. That’s the second time that we see familiar faces at a train station, so perhaps it’s going to be used in the future again.
Another big difference with the first season is that the Humonculi don’t seem to want anyone to find out about the philosopher’s stone. They seemed to be using Lior in order to track down the idiots who were searching for it, kept track on them and whenever they’d get too close they seem to be destroying the evidence that was left. Their motive in the original series was to become human, but I don’t think that that’s their intention here.
Rating: (Enjoyable)
While the comedy didn’t always work, the new parts of this episode were pretty good.
the origins of homunculi between the manga and first anime are entirely different. the Philosopher’s stone in Brotherhood is more or less analogous to the red stones in the old series, so a fair number of people already know how it’s made.
I’m glad that Al didn’t spend ten episodes emoing. Faster pacing means we get to good stuff faster lol, although there are definitely some aspects where the old series was better. Currently we are still in the first half of chapter 15 in the manga (out of 95 chapters currently released) so there’s still a long ways to go.
Next episode should be a dandy. Hughes 🙁
Yeah in the manga their is a lot more character development that is more like maturation or something rather than a lot of emo-ing like in the first series.
As for the Humunculi, just wait till you find out what they were REALLY doing in Lior.
You are right that the homunculus motives are very different from the 1st series but not exactly right about Lior.
I don’t think the Al angst lasted for 10 episodes last series but it definitely felt longer because they added in a lot of unnecessary stuff like Al running around in the rain and going off with Scar & that Ishbalan kid.
Here it was resolved by Winry literally bashing some sense into Al and a spar + nice heart to heart between Ed & Al. I guess for me the difference is the first series went for angst while this series went for heart.
I don’t consider the first series to be the original series. The first animated series was based on the manga with a lot of changes made by Bones. The current version is following the manga, sometimes panel by panel.
Personally I feel the current series is best seen with fresh eyes, and I consider the first and the current series to be completely separate series with different tone and characterization. I would even consider the first series to be an alternate-universe retelling of the FMA just because of the numerous differences btw the first series and the work it was based off of ;P
Anyway, in regards to this episode, I enjoyed it a lot. If one considers the emotional content of the last episode and the next episode, then this episode would be the comic moment, the relief, between two heavy episodes. In that sense the amount of comedy in this episode may be appropriate as it provides greater emotional contrast to the episodes before and after.
don’t worry about the homunculus objective. once it becomes clear, it will make much more sense than in the anime. even more, after reading the manga, the first anime homunculus’ story just seemed really really bad..
I’m not saying those “energetic” jokes were perfect but, I liked them and I really think they are one of fullmetal’s high points in the comedy. but of course i’m already considering stuff that hasn’t happened yet. maybe I could be thinking like you if I wasn’t already used to the manga
Well here we are, its around here that the storylines for the two series start to diverge manga story stopped after the introduction of greed in the first series. Overal a good episode the spacing has dropped again and its here onwards we’ll see if bones can create a masterpiece out of one of the best manga’s in recent times.
The next episode will be crucial to see if bones can do it. If they can put as much emotional impact into the Hughes incident as the original series and manga we should be in for a treat.
NO!!! HUGHES!!! I was so pissed off last time, and i probably wont be as pissed, but still, Hughes rocks…
So far this one is doing a good job, i like the animation alot. I think the characters are more likable, but Mustang isn’t getting that whole cool factor he had in the first go around. Though being leg sweeped before being decomposed by scar was hilarious..
I love full metall alchemist! anime
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