Fullmetal Alchemist: A question

[MissKale]

I've heard such good things about this series, but when I watched the first disc it was immature, dull and very superficial. I know this is a 51 episode series so the first 4 episodes may not herald what the rest of the series will be like. My question is, when does it become the series other people suggest that it is?

Because as it stands right now, it feels like a less well conceived Slayers.

[Alex Scott]

Episode 7.

At least, I'm pretty sure that's the one I'm thinking of.

[Hiromi]

IMHO it picks up somewhere in the teens I believe.

[G_Man]

In my opinion, ignore it and pick up the manga series that is shortly coming out. Believe me, with a few exceptions, the manga's better unless the anime picks up and I mean big time at some point beyond the episodes they've aired so far.

[Zun Liako]

Question about the manga however, how much different is it than the anime? Did the endings chance or is the manga even over?

[Matt K]

My understanding is that the basics are the same. Some revelations are given away a lot earlier than in the anime and I know the partial fate of one character is different (better done in the anime). I recommend just taping it when it airs on CN. It costs you little and you'll know if you like how the series progresses. BTW, I think the anime is fantastic and really the more light hearted early episoded are needed to balence out the rest of the series (damn depressing).

[MissKale]

My understanding is that the basics are the same. Some revelations are given away a lot earlier than in the anime and I know the partial fate of one character is different (better done in the anime). I recommend just taping it when it airs on CN. It costs you little and you'll know if you like how the series progresses. BTW, I think the anime is fantastic and really the more light hearted early episoded are needed to balence out the rest of the series (damn depressing).

I'm in Canada, so no Cartoon Network for me.

Believe me, I'd be watching it there if I had that ability.

Though thanks to the other answers. I may get the next DVD, and worst comes to worst I can give it to a friend who watched Fansubs.

[Scubbily]

It's a never-ending quest so, you can't really tell what comes next. Are you sure you can't get Anime Network up in Canada? I'm pretty sure they carry Full-Metal Alchemist. So just look into that. I'm waiting for the next DVD too so I know how you feel. I started watching it at like episode 16 or something on CN so I've been duying the DVDs so I can catch up.

[joyousday]

I just finished watching the whole series, and I intend to watch it again at some point. I'm still confused about exactly what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. And it's not because they left all kinds of loose ends, it's because of the complex and fast moving plot. Every episode, especially toward the end, broadens the concept of the series. The whole thing comes together quite nicely.

The end of it was much different than anything I'd expected. I wasn't prepared for how it brings the events of the entire series into a hugely universal perspective. I'm still trying to process it entirely!

Full metal alchemist is one of the most original anime (or non-anime) series I've seen. I've only seen about six anime series in sequence, but I know several people who are really into anime who completely agree with me.

Overall, I'd say that it's my favorite anime. It does get depressing, but it's not too depressing to enjoy. There is a fair share of comic relief, which I feel is essential to anime.

If anyone has any suggestions of other anime series that those who loved Full Metal Alchemist would probably enjoy, please tell me.

[Melchior]

Well, the major difference between the TV series and the manga that I have seen is that the anime is taking more time to do stuff. The manga seems more streamlined to me. For example, in the manga: Ed's test is a lot simpler, the bit with Barry in the past does not exist, there was no Alchemist-in-training at the mining town, the fake brothers were not shown, and the thief lady arc was not done. I'm also probably missing some things.

This is not a knock on the anime, though. I am expecting a ton of NASTY stuff to go down in the last 20 or so episodes, and having a pre-existing back-up cast really helps (see "Flame of Recca". All the guys that were beaten up but lived through the big tournament? They show up in the last set of battles as hero back-up. Good use of characters). Gives more life to the world as well.

And now I just realized He must be a homunculus as well. I should have seen that one coming. And, no, I will not state who He is....

[joyousday]

And now I just realized He must be a homunculus as well. I should have seen that one coming. And, no, I will not state who He is....

Maybe He us somebody else is the manga.... because based in the anime, I'm not sure what you're talking about.

[Melchior]

Well, a while back someone stated we had already seen five of the homunculi in the anime. Three of them are obvious, one was shown that I knew through the manga, and another two I knew were not shown yet because the manga has them showing up much later. So I had a sudden flash of inspiration and I think I know who the last homunculus is, given some other clues.

Just so happy I probably got it that I had to mention it. Do not worry. We will all find out sooner or later.

[Shadow Crawler]

Okay, I haven't seen anybody else mention this yet, but there's one big reason why it's not so enjoyable until about episode 13 or 14. That reason being that the first two episodes of the series take place in the series' current time, while episodes 3 through 12 or 13 are all flashback episodes. It tends to get dull or boring during those episodes. Beyond those episodes it's a great series.

[The Real Nemo]

Okay, I haven't seen anybody else mention this yet, but there's one big reason why it's not so enjoyable until about episode 13 or 14. That reason being that the first two episodes of the series take place in the series' current time, while episodes 3 through 12 or 13 are all flashback episodes. It tends to get dull or boring during those episodes. Beyond those episodes it's a great series.
3-9 are the flashback episodes, episode 10 with the thief Psiren picks up where 2 left off...

[Shadow Crawler]

me = corrected

But still... it's helluva boring during those flashback episodes.

[SAMAS]

Well, the major difference between the TV series and the manga that I have seen is that the anime is taking more time to do stuff. The manga seems more streamlined to me. For example, in the manga: Ed's test is a lot simpler, the bit with Barry in the past does not exist, there was no Alchemist-in-training at the mining town, the fake brothers were not shown, and the thief lady arc was not done. I'm also probably missing some things.

This is not a knock on the anime, though. I am expecting a ton of NASTY stuff to go down in the last 20 or so episodes, and having a pre-existing back-up cast really helps (see "Flame of Recca". All the guys that were beaten up but lived through the big tournament? They show up in the last set of battles as hero back-up. Good use of characters). Gives more life to the world as well.

And now I just realized He must be a homunculus as well. I should have seen that one coming. And, no, I will not state who He is....


Waitwaitwait... Flame of Recca and Full Metal Alchemist take place in the same world?

[Robotech Master]

No, he was using an example from Flame of Recca to guess at how the back-up characters will be used in the finale of Full Metal Alchemist.

[Melchior]

Waitwaitwait... Flame of Recca and Full Metal Alchemist take place in the same world?

Oh, GOD, no! Shoot, I didn't realize it could have been read that way. As Robotech Master stated, I was just using it as an example. The way I see it, the Elric brothers will be running/hiding/searching frantically for things toward the end, and that the various people they have helped/met in their quest will be lending a hand to old friends. That's all.

[joyousday]

Well, a while back someone stated we had already seen five of the homunculi in the anime. Three of them are obvious, one was shown that I knew through the manga, and another two I knew were not shown yet because the manga has them showing up much later. So I had a sudden flash of inspiration and I think I know who the last homunculus is, given some other clues.

Just so happy I probably got it that I had to mention it. Do not worry. We will all find out sooner or later.


Well, I've seen the whole anime in Japanese with Engliah subtitles. Nevermind what I had said about all of this. I don't want to risk saying anything that could be a spoiler for anyone who hasn't seen/read it all the way through. ;)

[Azangel]

I MUST GET BACK TO WATCHING THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gah, you guys are such teases. Now I'm fiending for more anime.

;)