I don't get it....

[Joshua Christopher]

I really, really don't get it.

Fullmetal Alchemist is a decent series. It's okay. But every single anime periodical, website, and so on and so forth are calling the "must-see" anime.

What?

Look, it's a decent series, but I can't for the life of me figure out why so many people think that it is so amazing.

Most anime fans love it, too.

Maybe I'm just dense. I don't know. I don't think Fullmetal Alchemist is bad, at all. It's got great animation and character designs, and a semi-interesting story... Ah well, maybe one of you fangirl/boys can explain to me what's so amazing.

[Rue Shibusky]

I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. But when there is alot of hype about something that you haven't seen or whatever, you get your hopes up and you expect too much and are later disappointed.

[MasterDias]

I haven't actually seen the anime yet but I have read quite a bit of the manga. I don't think I would consider it my absolute favorite series but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Good characters. Good story. Good plot... I can't thing of anything I really dislike about it.
Judging from the manga, I would guess that the anime series would be pretty high quality.

I guess it's all a matter of personal tastes.

[Jeikobu]

It comes down to personal interest I guess. Personally, I am loving FMA so far, and it has quickly become one of my all time favorites. But like I said, it's up to opinion.

[Joshua Christopher]

Don't get me wrong, I do like Fullmetal Alchemist, I just don't think it's this amazing come-all/end-all anime. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7. I like it, I just don't love it. ^_^

Maybe I'll change my mind if I watch more. I've got up to 27, I think, of the manga. Haven't had time to read them yet.

[indyrocker]

Well my reason for liking it is the fact that the Human alcamy rule and all that is asoisated with that it.

[SereneDolphin]

I've seen one episode, and i loved it. Unfortunately, it shows during my normal sleeping hours, and one episode is all I ever got to see. My opinion right now doesn't count much, since I've only seen one episode. I basically agree with Jeikobu.

[agasfas]

What I come to understand is that whatever anime(s) Cartoon Network shows people like. I was talking to this guy who owns an Anime rental place and he was explaining how there are a ton of people who only want to watch what comes on CN. For instance he was saying that some come in demanding to see certain titles, and if they are out of it, he'll try suggesting another they may like based on the genre or their likes. Most of the time they usually refuse because they only want to watch what is publicized on TV. People tend to be that way, if it's on TV, it's the best out there. Unforcantly that's not true. Although, I do enjoy most anime titles CN shows, I've seen many anime titles that are better then what CN has to offer. It's all about marketing and appeal.

For example, Wolf Rain was okay... but I had no idea what was going on half the series. It was okay at best, but not the greatest. Though I will be honest and say I fairly enjoy FMA; overall it has a good story. I really like it but I don't think it's the "best" thing out there. Though, I guess people have their own opinions. There are so many great series out there that people don't know about: Kaleido Star, Irresponsible Captain Tylor, Fighting Spirit etc... It just kind of sucks when there are so many good titles out there getting no name recognition.

Sad fact is that people tend to follow what is only on TV. Not necessarily a bad thing, but yeah, whatever... *shrugs*

ALthough I can understand... Some just don't have the money to go out and purchase anime. Sometimes it's just easier and cheaper to watch what's on TV. So from that perspective, I can understand people thinking the shows on CN are the "best" thing out there.

[inkhana]

*shrugs* There are lots of things that get over-hyped. Now me, personally...I have really enjoyed FMA, (avatar...duh...XD) and I enjoyed what I read of the manga LONG before the show was on tv. But there are a TON of other shows that people keep on and on about that I don't get, don't like, or can't stand. It's not that any particular thing is bad, it just doesn't necessarily appeal to me. I'm sure they pick out for CN what they think will be popular...and FMA has proven to be. (In my mind, for good reason, but of course not everyone will agree with me...nor will I ask them to...^^;; ) Then again, if you asked me to pick a favorite anime...I couldn't do it. There are too many awesome shows out there.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

they tie in science and stuff. It's not all that fictional when you think about it. The series is INCREDIBLY thought provoking. And its not like in naruto where its like "battle battle battle whateverness we win"

the plot. Is incredibly awesome. And its like.... not what you expect at all

[SonicRose]

I do appreciate whatever Anime is spoon fed us on TV, and like to shop the safe waters when I know, by preview, what I'm up for. But I come to you guys begging suggestions, because I like having personal reviews of things. I think word of mouth is the best seller of Anime.

I don't know why FMA is "Must See", I really enjoy it and TV's probably the only way I'll ever see it, but phenomenal it's not. Good, entertaining, probably worth a replay or two. Phenomenal? Nnn... Nope.

[Hitokiri]

I downloaded a episode just to see what it is like...and I loved it (episode 3 to be exact) but I saw 4 other episode and I quickly was dissapointed. It was ok but nothing to nominate for Best anime series of the year.

[Kisa]

I only saw one episode and it seemed ok... I guess you have to watch more of it....

[Namelessknight]

must see? i think so. phenomenal?[major spelling there], not necessarily. However, i personally did think it was awesome! i downloaded up to episode 50 and then am waiting for the entire thing on R1 to see the ending. The least I can do I do think it was awesome tho....

[Lady Arianrod]

I've only seen the first few episodes of the series, but it seemed unique and exciting. There was also a decent amount of character development in the episodes I watched, too. Maybe the show is big because it's something new... Not many shows feature ancient sciences, after all. =D

However, I thought that the alchemy in the show was just the slightest bit... occultic. Even though I liked the show, something about it made me the slightest bit uncomfortable. I guess it's a matter of personal preference.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Alchemy is of the occult though. And it is called Full Metal Alchemist, so what did you expect. I haven't seen it and I don't think I will. The trailer I saw looked very cool but it does seem to have the occult as a centerpiece.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i suppose it is probably because many of you have only seen a handful of the series. Cartoon network is around episode 9 or 10 i believe? Maybe in the #teens. I believe that once you finish the series you will see that FMA is awesome. Thats my opinion. Of course not everyone will love FMA to death like some of us here

[Mave]

I think FMA had a unique and original plot going for it during the time it was released. When I first checked it out, I was thinking, "Man, what's with all the gloom and serious feel to everything?"

The first episode is most probably going to either attract or turn off the Christian audience since it slaps on religion on the face pretty hard. I admit I didn't really feel comfortable with it at first but later realized that this is probably the first anime/manga title to question religion and ppl's faith without beating around the bush or shamelessly using religious symbols for fun.

What really got me hooked was how the Elric brothers greatly emphasized that one has to face the consequences of doing forbidden things within alchemy, no matter how good the intentions are. I would support its nomination for anime awards. I'm pretty impressed with FMA as a whole (plot, characters, animation, music etc).

[Debitt]

Alchemy is of the occult though. And it is called Full Metal Alchemist, so what did you expect. I haven't seen it and I don't think I will. The trailer I saw looked very cool but it does seem to have the occult as a centerpiece.

<off topic> Actually, to be perfectly fair, some of the greatest minds in early science dabbled in alchemy. It was a "honest to goodness science" until much much later in history, and could be considered the basis for modern chemistry. </off topic>

Anyways, I think any show that's so highly hyped is due to disappoint a good number of people, especially because of the 'omg this best anime EVAH' label a lot of people have placed on FMA. I'm not exactly a fan myself, but I'm not saying it's a bad show by any stretch, and I'm sure my sentiments (and probably a lot of other people's) might be better towards the series if everyone wasn't so 'OMG' over it. But that's just my two cents.

[uc pseudonym]

Aside: the Alchemy in the series is not occultic, the series states that it is a science. And while the use of circles does make me slightly uncomfortable, I have never seen anything that relates to true occult practices (with which I am moderately familiar).

I would consider myself a fan of the series, though not in the sense of "fanatic." But in terms of answering your question, I am not so certain that I can (or that it is possible to) do so.

There is simply too much personal preference involved. You, for example, are a very big fan of the series Big Robo. Why? Most likely, your response (which I am not actually asking for) could be used by fans of Fullmetal Alchemist. I think that whatever answer there is might lie in your own post: you stated the series has "great animation and character designs, and a semi-interesting story" [emphasis added]. Whether a story is interesting or not is a matter of preference, not quality. If someone liked the story of the series very much, would not the other qualities you mentioned make it (perhaps) worthy of the adjective "phenomenal?"

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I really loved how they got a science: alchemy. And made it more awesomer. Such as using it with your hands. And turning theoretical things real. (aka like the homunculus)

sure, it has a MAJOR fanbase, like naruto. But don't let that turn you down. Many who said Naruto was like DBZ soon became addicts of it. 2 of my friends can testify to that. Ya just gotta let yourself be absorbed into the series.

And it's a very thought provoking series. How that Ed and Al MUST pay for their sins. Tis Equivelant Trade

[TroutNinja]

The last few episodes explain Alchemy completly... it's not 'magic' at all. I will say that the series can be very disturbing, especially when you get to the second half of the series.

Oh, and Major Armstrong pwnz, as does Major Hughes..

[Kaligraphic]

You don't love Full Metal Alchemist? Thou infidel!!! (j/k)

I quite liked the show, but I trailed off around episode 30-something.