Is FMA worth a try?

[AnimeGirl]

I keep hearing about this anime, and someone recommended me the manga (which I actually plan on reading). I keep hearing that it's a masterpiece, and I want to find out why for myself. I just read the review here at CAA and the plotline seems interesting, what I didn't expect, actually. So CAA people....would you recommend me, AnimeGirl, to watch Full Metal Alchimist? (did I spell it right? XD).

[Hohenheim]

Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes. Do watch this anime. The plot is involving, the character development is wonderful, and the animation is astounding.

Also, it is spelled Fullmetal Alchemist.

[Cognitive Gear]

You have started a thread asking if you should try an anime that is extremely popular on this forum.

Yes you should try it.

[TheSubtleDoctor]

I don't think it's a stretch to say that a large portion of anime fandom, and I include myself in this, would claim that it's the best series of the past decade. You should definatly try it if you are OK with the content, which isn't bad by my standards. The manga is by far the best iteration of FMA. As far as the anime goes, the early 2000s anime of FMA diverges from the manga's plot about halfway (or so) through its run of episodes. The original content is OK, but the manga's story is much, much better, so you might want to watch Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (several of the free/legal sites have it streaming) directly after seeing at least some, if not all, of the original series. I do hope you give it a try and let us know what you think. Happy reading/viewing!

[Lynna]

Ask EllaEdric. I'm sure she has something to say (ALLOT)

[Makachop^^128]

I just started the anime, and have been casually reading the manga, I think its pretty rad lol I would really recommend starting it.

[Atria35]

Um, yes, yes, and YES!
I'm suggesting watching FMA: Brotherhood (available on Hulu) first, because it more closely follows the manga (and the manga itself is coming to a close soon! XD )
But the original is also awesome and I totally recommend seeing it toooo!

[Fantasy Dreamer]

I think you have your answer already XD

It really is amazing. The plot is incredible and the characters are very real (and awesome!). There is quite a bit of violence and blood, but if that doesn't bother you, read/watch it! Also, they use alchemy, which some might view as magic, and some are bothered by magic. But it isn't magic. It's very "scientifically" based.

This is a definite read/watch! Especially watch Brotherhood, but you should watch the first anime as well.

[AnimeGirl]

Alrighty, I shall try it out. What's the difference between Brotherhood and the first anime? Is Brotherhood continue FMA, or it's another version?

[Atria35]

The original was made when the manga was pretty far from finishing- because of that, the story diverges a lot from the original (after a point- there is a lot int he beginning that's the same). Brotherhood is the remake that's based far more closely on the manga, to the point where the ending is based off of the mangaka's rough sketches of the end for the manga.

So that's why Brotherhood is what I'm recommending you watch first- it's not quite finished airing, but close! XD

And you can watch Brotherhood on Hulu if you decide that's what you're going to see first

[AnimeGirl]

So you recommend both? That sounds fine. Is it being dubbed? And if so, will the dub voice actors reprise their roles?

[ArellaEliora]

I'm only going to put my two cents in here because you wanted peoples opinion, but I had a hard time with it. I watched a couple of the first episodes and couldn't watch anymore. It very much disturbed me and even in my dreams at night. It took me about a month to get over it.

I'm not trying to put it down or make people upset with me, just wanted to let you know how I felt about it and the experience I had when I watched it. Many other people seem to like it and that's great

[Atria35]

I'm only going to put my two cents in here because you wanted peoples opinion, but I had a hard time with it. I watched a couple of the first episodes and couldn't watch anymore. It very much disturbed me and even in my dreams at night. It took me about a month to get over it.

I'm not trying to put it down or make people upset with me, just wanted to let you know how I felt about it and the experience I had when I watched it. Many other people seem to like it and that's great

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with it
Some anime aren't for everybody- but at least you gave it a try. I can understand- there are some things in there that disturbed me (though it did make me think, too- I tried to take them philisophically, and that helped a lot).

But every individual is different- what works for AnimeGirl doesn't always work for me, and what works for me might not work for somebody else. At least she can give it a try- if she doesn't like it, she can always drop it

[Atria35]

So you recommend both? That sounds fine. Is it being dubbed? And if so, will the dub voice actors reprise their roles?

FMA: Brotherhood is being dubbed, and you can see some dubbed eps on Hulu, I think (haven't checked- I don't like the dubs of FMA, I'm afraind ). But I do know that the voices for most of the main charries do reprise their roles in the Japanese version- no clue whether they got the originals for the English version. Sorry!


ALSO: SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE-POST!

[Wyntre Rose]

FMA: Brotherhood is being dubbed, and you can see some dubbed eps on Hulu, I think (haven't checked- I don't like the dubs of FMA, I'm afraind ). But I do know that the voices for most of the main charries do reprise their roles in the Japanese version- no clue whether they got the originals for the English version. Sorry!


ALSO: SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE-POST!

Just about all the English cast came back for Brotherhood. I think only Scar and Al are different this time around - besides the "new" characters that were never in the original, of course. Actually, I think there are more new voices in the Japanese than there are in English.

Also, last I checked, Hulu and Funi are only streaming the Japanese...maybe an episode or two dubbed are up...but that may have changed. It's been a while since I've looked. Can anyone verify?

[Atria35]

Went and double-checked- the dubbed versions are unavailable at this time, though they are planning to put them up as soon as they can (but that still doesn't give any clue as to when that will be).

[airichan623]

Hulu only has Japanese, but the funimation dub is currently running on Adult Swim right now at midnight on friday nights. XD

[ArellaEliora]

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with it
Some anime aren't for everybody- but at least you gave it a try. I can understand- there are some things in there that disturbed me (though it did make me think, too- I tried to take them philisophically, and that helped a lot).

But every individual is different- what works for AnimeGirl doesn't always work for me, and what works for me might not work for somebody else. At least she can give it a try- if she doesn't like it, she can always drop it

I totally agree with you. And for what it's worth, I did think about it - that's part of why it was disturbing me... or at least it was disturbing me to the point where I would think about it and even ended up with bad dreams at night just thinking tooooo much LOL.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

Let me tell it to you like this. The manga is the greatest manga in existence. Brotherhood is an amazing anime and is almost as good as the manga. The first anime that is simply title Fullmetal Alchemist is a pretty good anime. Yes, you should go do it right now.

[steenajack]

Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! I have GOT to see this anime ASAP! Oh, and AnimeGirl-chan, as far as I know, the first series (Fullmetal Alchemist) is complete and dubbed (this is the one that is different from the manga). The second series (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood) is not completely dubbed, but is still being released (yes it has MOST of the same cast {Vic Mignogna as Elric at least} and yes it follows more closely to the manga as far as I know.) Then, as I mentioned before, there is the manga. As far as content goes, I'd say it's no worse than Tsubasa Chronicles (possibly a bit less). Of course, I have not read the manga or seen the anime, but I've done plenty of research. There is a review here (for the first anime series) if you'd like to know more about the content. From the research I've gathered, I'd reccomend skipping episode 10 since it's a filler and [SPOILER] there is a scene where the main character accidently grabs a woman's bossom. It's brief and I believe he let's go after a few seconds and he apologizes. I've seen the clip though and it's still kinda.....O_o? Fortunalty, you don't have to watch that episode if you don't want to[/SPOILER] Oh, and in the english dub, I assume the characters don't swear as much as the reviewer says. It's still pretty mild, but from the clips I've seen, I gather it's no worse that Tsubasa Chronicles. There are several people here who have seen the series through and through and can help you out.

[rocklobster]

I recommend you watch Brotherhood. Brotherhood is available online legally, making it easier to find. (I've had bad luck with illegal means, which is why I quit doing it that way. If you have cable or satellite, you can watch Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood every week on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. It comes on right after The Boondocks. (I can't give you the time because cable time slots vary with each time zone)

[Dante]

Worth a try? It's free on Funimation's website and Hulu (Funimation is two episodes ahead of Hulu, making it worthwhile when you get to that part in the series).

[AnimeGirl]

Thanks alot guys. It sounds really interesting. I might try the first series first, since it is finished....

[TGJesusfreak]

Yes 1000 times Yes! You Must watch it. I just finished the full series + movie.

It only has minor cursing in it luckly. Cleaner better than the Stargate series that's for sure.

However if you do not like blood then this is not a show for you. It has blood, a fair amount of it. If you like a gripping plot and great character growth (and can look past the blood and mild swearing) then you'd love this series.

[AnimeGirl]

Yes 1000 times Yes! You Must watch it. I just finished the full series + movie.

It only has minor cursing in it luckly. Cleaner better than the Stargate series that's for sure.

However if you do not like blood then this is not a show for you. It has blood, a fair amount of it. If you like a gripping plot and great character growth (and can look past the blood and mild swearing) then you'd love this series.

I can handle blood, as long as there's no gore or any other horrible violent acts.

[MightiMidget]

Heya. FMA is quite good, though I am not as much of a die-hard fan as others, but it is good. However it is gory, and it is violently disturbing. People are alchemically torn apart, I don't remember if it's shown happening or not? But the aftermath definitely is shown. I think it's pretty much if you can get past the Tucker story arc? You should be fine...but I would suggest researching it thoroughly (as in read different reviews around the web) and see first. I was not expecting the gore and level of disturbing-ness in FMA, and it really shook me up at first. (But it was also one of the first anime I tried)

I have not seen Brotherhood, but I've been told it is much more intense.

However I do vouch for the story and characters both being pretty awesome, so if you don't think it will shake you up too much (or you don't mind getting over it), go for it. =)

[AnimeGirl]

Well.....the review here suggested it 14+ so it can't be too bad. I was surprised I was able to handle the Tsubasa OVAs, which is the bloodiest most violent anime I have seen in awhile (and when I review it, I'll give it 14+ and 15+). (Then again, there was also that one anime based on Riddick which was also really intense, and I saw that). I think I might be able to handle FMA, we'll see!

[the_wolfs_howl]

I had to laugh when I saw the thread title XD I have never seen a story more worth a try than FMA. Tons of people before me have recommended it too, but let me just add that the story is possibly the most gripping story I've ever experienced, and the characters are so vivid and well-rounded!

I might also add that the story pretty much takes an atheistic point of view; different characters say at different times that scientists can't believe in God, etc. All the same, the "good guys" have very strong morals (especially in the manga/Brotherhood storyline), and love (non-romantic as well as romantic) is the driving force in the story. This makes the story even stronger.

Also, FMA is simultaneously the most hilarious and the most tear-jerking anime I've ever seen

[Ella Edric]

Ask EllaEdric. I'm sure she has something to say (ALLOT)

xD Yeah! WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IT!!!!! I just finished it. The plot is very well done, the charactor development is great, the idea in general is very unique. What they have done with it is masterful! So, yes, watch it. xD
Oh, and a warning, there are some disturbing scenes in it. ^^;; But also, what is amazing, is they have perfectly balanced the happy /funny scenes out with the serios and dark moments.

Can you tell i liked the show...? xD

[Wolf-man]

Oh Ella. XD
It is a great show. I would only warn for the original FMA (can't speak for brotherhood) there are a few things in the show that disturbed me spiritually. You may not feel the same way if you watch it but just giving you a heads up.
Other than that it is an awesome show. Also, you should watch it dubbed to give support to Vic Mignogna!:grin: