Dear Otakus,
The first anime recommendation that comes into my head for anyone new to the anime world is Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, besides Death Note, Naruto and other mainstream animes we know so well.
I am currently watching it, in episode 46, and from the very beginning, we already know it was meant to be an overwhelming anime. From the grand opening to the plot development and as it goes.
This post is nothing more than a catch up of all that this anime’s greatness and boldness.
⚠⚠ Beware of violence, aggressive visuals and profanity ⚠⚠
About it
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, or in Japanese “Hagane no Renkinjutsushi”, is finished airing between 2009 and 2010, with 64 episodes, each 24 minutes long, takes the first spot in Myanimelist, as the anime with the best rating, 9.24. It’s based on the manga “Fullmetal Alchemist”(2001-2010), created by Hiromu Arakawa, with 27 volumes and a rating of 9.13, ranked 3rd place in the best manga in Myanimelist.
Source: MAL
What’s so good about it?
Being so highly rated, “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” has a unique plot and complex storytelling that hooks the watcher instantly to the screen.
The anime begins to introduce the two boys, their loving mother, to destroy that reality to a nightmare, after her death. They start studying alchemy to achieve their objective: revive their mother, breaking one of the forbidden laws of Alchemy.
The plan goes terribly wrong ending Alphonse’s life and taking away Edward’s left leg. Edward sacrifices his right arm to not lose his brother entirely, attaching him to an empty armour’s suit. Broken, Edward accepts to become a State Alchemist along with his brother, striving to get their bodies back, and if the anime wasn’t “messed up” already, it got much better after joining the Central’s State Alchemists Force.
The characters are my favourite part, thanks for the amazing voice actresses and actors behind their life. Edward Elric is the older brother and feeling guilty and responsible over what happened, he aspires for his brother’s body so much as his own. At times, he is childish, like the kid he is, denying to drink milk and rage when someone calls him small or ignore him. But mature when he needs to, when it comes to his friends and brother’s wellbeing.
Alphonse is his younger brother, caged in an armour’s suit, he feels nostalgic and misses his body and sensations, since he doesn’t feel sleep, pain nor hunger. Since a child, he was always more understanding and calm, compared to his brother, and until now, he has never lost a fight against him. Edward and Alphonse share a very deep bond, of love and brothership, making it extra hard to not love them both while they play part of new and dangerous adventures, or worry when both are separate from each other.
The supporting cast is as interesting to meet and follow as the episodes go. As the experience goes, it’s impossible to not emotionally attach to them and avoid to suffer when they are in pain. It’s definitely unique and struggling to accept, placing the characters’ mindset in question.
Each character owning their own ideas and personal thoughts, with more individually, build around an unexpectable plot, that is so irregular and changeable at any second. To think and announce that character as an enemy and then save them from death, to twist around and question them making them allies, compose a dynamic and evolutive plot, believing that everyone can change from that label for the right motives.
On the other hand, your most trusting friends can be planning your death as well. To mischief, tricks, and lies, strategies to overcome the greater enemy.
⚠⚠Spoilers The greater enemy is homunculus, humans artificially created by the philosopher’s stone, known as well as the seven deadly sins: Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Greed, Wrath, Pride and Sloth; and their father, who created the Amestris’ State to destroy in the “Promised Day”. These characters as well as interesting to meet since each has an association with a sin, we start learning about them and their desires, as well as how they are created.
I am a big fan of Greed, who took over one of the supporting cast body, Lin, and now fights against himself in order to become the king of the world- a complete blasphemy- with “the help” of Edward and crew, that sucked up to his will, because he is Greed. Spoilers End⚠⚠
The romance, which is not on the anime’s spotlight but I always like to mention, is slow-paced and comedic. I love Edward and Wendy’s relationship as it is, close but not too close, building suspense and foundation to their emotions. They fight a lot, either because she calls him small or because he destroys her automails, but they care for each other like family.
⚠⚠Spoilers I remember Edward protecting her from Scar, State alchemist’s Serial Killer, physically and psychological to not “stain her hands”. As well as Wendy. Taking care of Edward’ automail, she is responsible for the success of his missions and for his protection. Learning more about automail, she strives to give her best to Edward. In their own way, they were working their best to save the ones they loved. End Spoilers⚠⚠
The comedy is always present, being part of the character. It breaks out a smile or two because of the voice acting and the following animation, either are the character arguing or just talking. They become chibis or simply plum with a tear, a laugh, and a wobbling animation to it, always pausing from the plot’s stressful moments. Sometimes it’s present in more grave moments and action sequels.
Putting an interruption to what makes you laugh, the plot takes itself seriously with a lot questionable and offensive violence, causing to permanently hate some characters more than the actual villains. ⚠⚠Spoilers, For example, episode 4, when a father made a talking quimera, experimenting on his daughter and dog. Definitely one of the most shocking and disturbing moments that I had seen in anime. End Spoilers⚠⚠
Another thing I love about “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” is alchemy. Even though I don’t understand the dynamics sometimes but one thing is essential:
“In order for something to be obtained, something of equal value must be lost.”
It’s not magic, it’s more powerful and scientific, complex than the eye meets, and each character was different alchemy, to create and destroy, with something of the same value. It produces fighting scenes with more interest and strategically more versatile.
In order to use alchemy, it needs an equal value and a transmutation circle to be executed. Unlike most alchemists, Edwards doesn’t need to make a transmutation circle because he has understood the truth, due to the human transmutation of his mother, and has the upper hand against his attackers. Once again turning the combat more interesting and captivating. Alchemy is unique and complex and the plot follows the rules strictly becoming itself more consistent, with consequences of its usage.
Putting aside the Plot and Characters, the anime is also known for its characteristic opening theme. I think everyone knows the song very well. The other openings didn’t have the same popularity reach nevertheless they are not bad.
The soundtrack is also amazing and very well placed onto the moments and really trigger those feelings. The plot is already so distracting and the soundtrack highlights the moment and emotion, either its sadness, happiness, or anger. Truly putting a piece of art together, that is “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”.
What could’ve been better?
“Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” started airing in 2009 and finished in 2010, and from it has the custom animation less detailed and advanced today’s generation of fans are used to. Even so, it’s not considered old enough to be outdated. It’s definitely enough as it is, we clearly understand what’s happening and there is detail to some extent in the characters’ bodies and facial expressions.
Besides that, I was reading some reviews at MAL and in comparison to the previous adaptation, “Fullmetal Alchemist”, some viewers were bothered by the pacing of “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”, defining it as fast. I never watched the first adaptation so I can’t confirm but I trust my fellow source to tell the truth and only the truth. To me, the pacing was good, because even if their screen time was small the plot was organized so well to fit all the right moments in.
Time is precious and if you are new to anime and old of age “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” is a must-watch. You want disgusting creatures, you have it, smart and tactical fights, too many to count, characters so amazing you want to hug in real life, you’ll cry so much because you can’t, a plot so wide and epic you can’t keep up and a soundtrack it makes you wish for more? It’s “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”.
Maybe I am overreacting or not.
I hope you enjoy it for yourself,
Faith
To Otakus 