The brilliance of Full Metal Alchemist

M

Manga Girls

Hunter
I only stumbled across FMA a little while ago, and I am totally impressed by the anime, it is an exceptionally good peice of storytelling. And now that I've seen the anime, I want to know more about the series and I was wondering if other FMA fans could help me out or point me in the right direction.

- Is it worth getting the manga? Is the storyline the same as the anime or does it go in a different direction?
- Not sure but was there an additional movie made in addition to the series?
- Are there any good books about the series? I'm interested in the backstory/ characters / alchemy etc.
- Any good websites - where do the UK FMA fans hang out.

Any advice would be most welcome,

M.G xx
 
In my opinion the anime adaption is far superior to the original manga. Characters in the manga seem more one dimentional especially Scar. I gave up on the manga at about volume 4 and stuck with the anime until the end. The anime is now one of my top series. I'd give the manga version a miss and save your money.

There is a movie in addition to the DVD series, it has recently had an english language release in the US with the special edition coming out in November. MVM will possibly end up licencing this for a UK release.
 
FMA movie is dire, except for a certain fight between Wrath and Gluttony
I used to love the anime, up until the end of the series, I often change my views on this. The anime is so different to the manga you can't really compare them in the end.
 
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I loved how the series and enjoyed the movie a lot. The only character I didn't like in the movie was Mustang. Other than that though it was a great conclusion and I was satisfied with how it turned out.

They could have easily turned the anime into an extended borefest like Naruto or Bleach. I'm so glad they didn't.
 
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Indeed, I'm glad it ended, but I still feel somewhat empty as the ending wasn't quite what I expected, too much hype, then BAM, end. The movie really centered around the Elrics, and I mean REALLY, no other characters never really got any screentime. That was pretty much dissapointing too.

Scar has better character development in the anime, he's more of a monster in the manga.
 
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions...

FMA is one of those series where I'm finding, even though there are 51 episodes, it just doesn't seem to be enough! I found the ending to be happy-sad, what I found more shocking was the ending of the penultimate episode 50 regarding Edward - I certainly didn't see that coming. I really liked the way the series re-invented itself as it went along, changing the opening and closing scenes. It made it more fun to watch.

This series has made me laugh, cry and has left me shocked in equal capacities- its unnerving to think what human kind will do to obtain such power. This series rightfully deserves a spot on my top 10 anime list, so I will put it up there.

I will certainly check out the movie, as I'm interested to know how they will continue the story. I've decided to forgo the manga and get a state alchemist pocket watch instead.

Guess that makes me a FMA geek!
 
I shall put a break on the party by saying i was horribly disapointed with FMA.

My major hate is the fact that it has a very serious, and very dark story, which should make it brillaint, but it is presented as a comedy. WORST. IDEA. EVER. I was annoyed at those 'short' jokes in about ten seconds. It is a real shame as the actual story is superb, i just felt the presentation was miles off.

(and i like comedies - Excel saga is one of my fave anime, but here the humour simply clashes in an extreme way)

but each to their own.
 
Just started watching the series currently on episode 3 or 4, they just the city with the wine fountain, not to sure about this series, the little kidvoice in the huge armour just doesn't fit right although I know it is part of the plot.

Not sure enough whether to celebrate or condem it yet, time will tell I'm sure
 
Hehe, I'm in a bit of a pickle with FMA.

I started watching it about 3 months ago on Rapture, ( just after I realised that they were showing Anime ), and at that point they were already well over half way through and I was a bit, 'Meh, it's on and nothing else is, so i'll watch it.' Thing is, now i'm really getting into it. :roll:

Now that they're near the end though, i'm kind of stuck with the choice of - do I stop watching, get the DVDs and start watching from the beginning, then finish when I get back to where Rapture is now, or carry on watching the episodes on Rapture untill it finishes, and then go back and buy the DVDs and watch the series from the begining. :?

The annoying thing is as well, the last disk isn't out yet and it'll cost a bloody fortune to buy them all. :cry:
 
Exactly. :D lol

And I still have 4 series to finish buying the disks for yet too. - The last 4 disks of Excell Saga, the last 3 disks of Raxephon, GitS Gig2 Vol 6 and 7 and Burst Angel Vol 6. :shock:

I really need to slow down a bit on the spending, i've spent a 'hell' of a lot of money on Anime DVDs over the last 3 months. :? lol
 
Guyver 0 said:
Its on my "To Watch" List aswell as many others gunna watch the movie first thought as i have that readily avalible
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I wouldn't do that... y'know... since it's the end.
 
My opinions on FMA are that aside from the opening 2 episodes, a couple of the early missions, and the 5th lab sections, I was pretty much bored until about episode 29, and seriously considering dropping the series. Then it becomes good for a consistent run. But the last few episodes and the ending sort of just peter out, and aren't very good.
 
Fair enough, I can't imagine everyone liking FMA, but being a fan of dark stuff, I actually found the comedy elements entertaining. The jokes about Edward being a shortie are repetitive, but there is a reason for them being there - you just have to wait until the Labratory 5 episodes. Bearing in mind, the heroes of the story are two kids, they do have to be childish and bratty sometimes, no matter how grown up they might pretend to be.

McIcy - Stick with it. I had the same complex about the kiddie voice in the armour when I started watching it too, but as the storyline develops, you dont notice it that much. The cool thing with this show is that what happens early on has bigger impacts later on in the series. There are no wasted characters in this series, every one has a purpose and this drives the series along. And a lot of pretty dark stuff happens, but the Elrics just have to find a way and deal with it. Even the baddies like Scar and Lust are interesting. There will be many twists in the story, its not untill close to the end that you realise just how a big a scale the story really is.

Tasker - If you can, go back and watch it from the beginning. I originally watched it on Rapture too, mid plot. I know its expensive. If all else fails there's a dubbed version on You Tube.

Guyver O - I've just watched the movie myself and the earlier comments are right - the movie picks up the story after the series and almost has an alternative ending.
 
Manga Girls said:
Tasker - If you can, go back and watch it from the beginning. I originally watched it on Rapture too, mid plot. I know its expensive.
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Oh I will buy the DVDs at some point. :D I was just undecided as to wether I wanted to watch the end and 'then' go back and watch the beginning. ( Hehe, I always seem to do things back to front. :) )

I've decided though that I can't be arsed waiting, ( at the rate the disks are being released i'll still be waiting this time next year), so I'll finish off the series on Rapture and then buy the disks when I get the chance. :)
 
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