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[MetatronM]

Without saying anything spoiler-ish,

Spoiler

Ed and Al are "sacrifices" that the homunculi intend to use in their main plan. They're not ready to actually do it yet, though, so for now they just need them behave themselves. Marcoh was locked up because they didn't know where he was in the first place, so they knew he could just as easily disappear again. The Elrics, on the other hand, are extremely high profile, and their search to restore their bodies means they're not going away any time soon.

Ling's other bodyguard, Fu, went back to Xing with Maria Ross.

 

[SleepyJohn11]

Just a couple things I'm wondering right now (and please, no spoilers for past episode 31):

Spoiler

Why are the Homunculi letting Ed and Al walk free? I thought they needed them as sacrifices for something, but as soon as Father and Envy had them, they let them go see Bradley and now they're just wandering Central. Doesn't make sense to me that they'd lock up Marcoh, but Ed and Al are allowed to come and go as they please.

Also: what happened to Ling's other bodyguard? Wasn't there another guy with Lan Fan?

Spoiler

Did you see where Ed and Al confront Father? Dude can nullify thier alchemy, so it's not like they would be able harm him. Plus, I think I remember a scene where King Bradley told Ed they know where Winry is and that's she pretty much a hostage.

As for Fu (I think that's the other bodyguard's name), he's still returning from Xing or that Xeres desert, but my memory's a bit vague.

 

[Blader]

Thanks for the responses, I forgot that guy was with Maria Ross.

One more question: What is the name of the track that plays when Mustang is burning Lust? It's so epic, but I can't find it!

edit - nvm, I found it

 

[ILikeFeet]

Faster != better. It was downright rushed, they had to get through the first series' content without boring people too much.

I'm talking about the first series

 

[B.K.]

There was some interesting foreshadowing in episode 26. I never noticed in it before that (spoilers for final chapters of the manga/final episodes of Brotherhood)

Spoiler

Arakawa was setting up Homunculus absorbing Truth way back when Ed, Ling, and Envy were inside Gluttony.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Also, in the fourth opening, you can see Ed's gate being broken down.

 

[CassSept]

There was some interesting foreshadowing in episode 26. I never noticed in it before that (spoilers for final chapters of the manga/final episodes of Brotherhood)

Spoiler

Arakawa was setting up Homunculus absorbing Truth way back when Ed, Ling, and Envy were inside Gluttony.

There are many more amazing cases of foreshadowing through the series.
My favourite one is in episode 19.

Spoiler

Lust's last words to Mustang's are "I can't wait until your eyes are twisted in agony"

Also, in the fourth opening, you can see Ed's gate being broken down.

Wat

 

[ThatObviousUser]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epP-32pvOk8#t=1m20s

 

[CassSept]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epP-32pvOk8#t=1m20s

I know I know, I've checked this right after your post, I'm just shocked that I've somehow never made the connection between the series ending and 4th op:lol

 

[GaimeGuy]

Welp, I'm impatient. After Saturday's cliffhanger episode, I decided to continue watching the rest of the series (subbed) on Funi's youtube channel. Just finished episode 31, things are definitely getting interesting now.

Some cool twists like

Spoiler

Father and Hohenheim not being the same person (that seems to be the case now, if it isn't, no one correct me!); Greed being reborn inside Ling; more Mustang and Ishval backstory.

Just a couple things I'm wondering right now (and please, no spoilers for past episode 31):

Spoiler

Why are the Homunculi letting Ed and Al walk free? I thought they needed them as sacrifices for something, but as soon as Father and Envy had them, they let them go see Bradley and now they're just wandering Central. Doesn't make sense to me that they'd lock up Marcoh, but Ed and Al are allowed to come and go as they please.

Also: what happened to Ling's other bodyguard? Wasn't there another guy with Lan Fan?

Too bad the backstory you mentioned is completely butchered in the anime compard to the manga (It's an entire volume of content in the manga, most of which was cut from the anime, including some important parts)

 

[Weenerz]

Was there no new episode last night on Adult Swim?

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Was there no new episode last night on Adult Swim?

Nope, as has been posted, there's a hiatus of uncertain amount starting last night.

I really don't get it, though. The actual anime, with all the animation, music, v/a, etc. can be done with new episodes every week for more than a whole year. There's really no reason why dubs should have breaks, in light of that.

 

[GaimeGuy]

Nope, as has been posted, there's a hiatus of uncertain amount starting last night.

I really don't get it, though. The actual anime, with all the animation, music, v/a, etc. can be done with new episodes every week for more than a whole year. There's really no reason why dubs should have breaks, in light of that.

It's called "milking." Funi does this a lot with popular series.

IE: If you look at how long it took the dub of DBZ to air, from start to end, it was actually longer than it took for the anime to air in japan, from the first episode to the final episode

 

[Blader]

Finished the series last night.

Overall, it ended up being much better than it started out (or maybe I just enjoyed it more being able to watch one episode after another, rather than week-to-week). Though I still have complaints:

Spoiler

-music was incredibly repetitive and nowhere near as memorable as the first series' soundtrack
-like Gundam 00, there were too many characters than the story could handle; most of them amount to little more than (useless) participants in the final fight
-I didn't like how it kept introducing antagonists and having them all defect to Team Elric (Barry, the chimeras, Scar, Greed); it was like DBZ x100
-a lot of the Homunculi characterizations in were weaker in Brotherhood than in the first series
-the very end, with Ed and Winry getting married and having kids, is total fanfiction

In comparison to the first series, I'd say that Brotherhood is by far the more visceral and action-packed show, but the original FMA was the more poignant and dramatic story. Also, I prefer the bittersweet ending of the first series to the happily ever after ending of Brotherhood.

Still, fun series, I don't regret watching it.

 

[Kai Dracon]

Finished the series last night.

Overall, it ended up being much better than it started out (or maybe I just enjoyed it more being able to watch one episode after another, rather than week-to-week). Though I still have complaints:

Spoiler

-music was incredibly repetitive and nowhere near as memorable as the first series' soundtrack
-like Gundam 00, there were too many characters than the story could handle; most of them amount to little more than (useless) participants in the final fight
-I didn't like how it kept introducing antagonists and having them all defect to Team Elric (Barry, the chimeras, Scar, Greed); it was like DBZ x100
-a lot of the Homunculi characterizations in were weaker in Brotherhood than in the first series
-the very end, with Ed and Winry getting married and having kids, is total fanfiction

In comparison to the first series, I'd say that Brotherhood is by far the more visceral and action-packed show, but the original FMA was the more poignant and dramatic story. Also, I prefer the bittersweet ending of the first series to the happily ever after ending of Brotherhood.

Still, fun series, I don't regret watching it.

About Homunculi...

Spoiler

The first serious came up with its own unique explanation for what they are, and that version inherently made them stronger characters - being resurrected dead people invited more connections to the main cast, more plot twists. Plus, there was fairly subtle development of their situation - if one recalls Dante promised the Homonculi "souls" if they serve her. Essentially they fear oblivion without souls, should they die. However at one point, Gluttony exhibits personality after Dante believed she had wiped his mind. Then, in the ultimate fate of child-Wrath, he is shown as a whole human boy meeting Izumi's spirit beyond the gate. This insinuates that Dante was lying to manipulate the Homunculi and that they had always had souls. It gives a more tragic spin to their story compared to their manga / Brotherhood form where they are merely pieces of Father's psych.

 

[duckroll]

I really don't get it, though. The actual anime, with all the animation, music, v/a, etc. can be done with new episodes every week for more than a whole year. There's really no reason why dubs should have breaks, in light of that.

There was an entire year of production done before the show even started aired. I'm sure if you want to wait a few more months before it ever started airing on Adult Swim, they could do it without a break.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

There was an entire year of production done before the show even started aired. I'm sure if you want to wait a few more months before it ever started airing on Adult Swim, they could do it without a break.

But they were also doing a lot more work... >.>

 

[KAL2006]

Question,

I have never watched or read anything of FMA, and I heard this is a reboot, what shall I watch this or the original series. Also off topic but same question for Evangelion, TV series or movies.

 

[wwm0nkey]

Question,

I have never watched or read anything of FMA, and I heard this is a reboot, what shall I watch this or the original series. Also off topic but same question for Evangelion, TV series or movies.

Both are good and different. Watch both if you have the time.

Spoiler

The original movie ending is a bunch of bull shit though

 

[Blader]

Question,

I have never watched or read anything of FMA, and I heard this is a reboot, what shall I watch this or the original series. Also off topic but same question for Evangelion, TV series or movies.

For both FMA and Eva, start with the original series then move on to the new version.

 

[B.K.]

And still make sure to read the manga even if you do watch Brotherhood. There was enough cut and moved around that the manga is definitely worth reading.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Re-watching episode 2, Vic really knocked it out of the park. Wow.

 

[KAL2006]

For both FMA and Eva, start with the original series then move on to the new version.

I don't really want to watch both, what is the definite version to watch

 

[Peff]

For FMA I'd say just read the manga since it's got the more complete version of the superior storyline, and for Eva you can watch the series+End of Evangelion since the retelling is far from finished (but it's still worth watching since it's just four movies, not another series, and you can even skip the first movie).

 

[KAL2006]

For FMA I'd say just read the manga since it's got the more complete version of the superior storyline, and for Eva you can watch the series+End of Evangelion since the retelling is far from finished (but it's still worth watching since it's just four movies, not another series, and you can even skip the first movie).

OK, but with FMA, I don't really want to read the manga (rather just watch), out of the 2 series FMA and FMA:B, which is the best version.

 

[Aad]

OK, but with FMA, I don't really want to read the manga (rather just watch), out of the 2 series FMA and FMA:B, which is the best version.

It's clearly Brotherhood, the first series didn't really click with me as much but maybe that was because I was following the manga.

 

[Blader]

OK, but with FMA, I don't really want to read the manga (rather just watch), out of the 2 series FMA and FMA:B, which is the best version.

Depends on what you're looking for.

For action, Brotherhood is the better series; for drama, the original FMA is superior.

 

[Lyonaz]

OK, but with FMA, I don't really want to read the manga (rather just watch), out of the 2 series FMA and FMA:B, which is the best version.

Brotherhood hands down.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Original FMA is a lot slower but that's a good thing in its case. The twists are some of the best in anime and the focus on certain characters is much better.

Brotherhood has a better overall plot and a larger cast of characters, with IMO much better pacing and action. However it doesn't have the emotional resonance of the first.

 

[Blader]

Original FMA is a lot slower but that's a good thing in its case. The twists are some of the best in anime and the focus on certain characters is much better.

Brotherhood has a better overall plot and a larger cast of characters, with IMO much better pacing and action. However it doesn't have the emotional resonance of the first.

Plus, Brotherhood doesn't have Bratja, which single-handedly makes the original FMA better.

 

[Q8D3vil]

just finished it.
definitely better than the first one but the problem is my that my direction of anime changed since i watched the first one so i didn't enjoy as the first series but i'm sure if i watched the old one after this i will hate it.

why can't japan make more animes like gungrave and berserk.

 

[Cloudy]

Original FMA is a lot slower but that's a good thing in its case. The twists are some of the best in anime and the focus on certain characters is much better.

Brotherhood has a better overall plot and a larger cast of characters, with IMO much better pacing and action. However it doesn't have the emotional resonance of the first.

I think pacing really hurt the show. They shouldn't have half-assed the first few eps because that cost a lot in character development. For example, the deaths in the original FMA were kind of devastating. In Brotherhood, it was pretty "meh"

 

[B.K.]

For example, the deaths in the original FMA were kind of devastating. In Brotherhood, it was pretty "meh"

That's because you knew it was coming.

 

[Blader]

That's because you knew it was coming.

No, it just wasn't as well done.

Brotherhood trumps the original FMA in terms of action, but as far as drama and emotion goes, the original is far and away the better work.

 

[B.K.]

New episodes start on Adult Swim on January 9.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-17/adult-swim-to-run-more-fma/brotherhood-on-january-9

 

[B.K.]

There's a new episode tonight at 1:00am on Adult Swim.

Too bad it's the recap episode. :/

 

[Knux-Future]

New episodes start on Adult Swim on January 9.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-17/adult-swim-to-run-more-fma/brotherhood-on-january-9

The forth dvd comes out at the end of March....I'll wait.

You lost me AS.

That Hiatus was stupid

 

[Tamanon]

The forth dvd comes out at the end of March....I'll wait.

You lost me AS.

That Hiatus was stupid

I'm pretty sure the hiatus is nothing to do with Adult Swim. Just getting enough English episodes to air.

 

[Blader]

The forth dvd comes out at the end of March....I'll wait.

You lost me AS.

That Hiatus was stupid

They can't air any episodes Funi hasn't dubbed yet.

 

[ultron87]

Finished this on Hulu the other day. Must say I really enjoyed it, even if the (END SPOILER)

Spoiler

the solution to the Al's soul problem was almost too easy. And I feel like Pride could've had a better 'death' for being such a menacing as hell villain.

And why were the

Spoiler

Greed/Greedling vs Wrath fights so much better than everything else?

Mustang is a boss, of course.

And the 4th OP is the best OP.

 

[Regulus Tera]

My only disappointment with this show is that it does not touch the ethics of alchemy as much as the first series seemed to do.

I was mightily impressed at how everything introduced throughout the story appeared to play a part in the ending. That last arc could have been two episodes or so shorter, however.

 

[Sirius]

Currently re-watching the original japanese dubs of Brotherhood in HD with the bros. - the series really is timeless, so full of suspense, emotion and raw energy that makes it just that much of a pleasure to re-watch.

Speaking about foreshadowing, for those who have seen past Episode 40 -

Spoiler

I simply love how the Opening 1 sequence is actually a tribute to Van Hohenheim and Xerxes. Always thought that figure was Ed.

And all the other subtle references to the later stages of the plot are so noticeable now...

The Brotherhood movie is all that's left to be seen.

And why were the

Spoiler

Greed/Greedling vs Wrath fights so much better than everything else?

True, they were the most intense.

Spoiler

A Homonculus vs Homonculus match takes the limelight I guess. However don't forget the Armstong siblings vs Sloth, that was simply epic. I was thoroughly disappointed though that there wasn't a proper 1-on-1 sword fight between Prince Lin and King Bradley, was looking forward to such a match ever since their first encounter.

 

[Masked Man]

And why were the

Spoiler

Greed/Greedling vs Wrath fights so much better than everything else?

I agree that they were more intense than a lot of the other fights, probably because

Spoiler

Ling and Wrath are the rulers of their respective nations. In that sense, Ling can't bear to see a ruler knowingly allowing and causing so much suffering for his own people. Greed and Wrath are both Homunculi, but it is clear from the beginning that Greed operates a little differently than the rest. Moreover, Greed and Ling both lose their comrades at the hands of Wrath (Fuu ;___. I think that Greed's "rogue" status, Ling's sense of duty as a ruler, and their shared vendetta against Wrath all combine to add much more intensity to their battles than other character pairings--save Mustang and Envy, perhaps, but I think that treads more into the territory of downright frightening.

My only disappointment with this show is that it does not touch the ethics of alchemy as much as the first series seemed to do.

I think that's just because the shows approach the subject from fundamentally different standpoints: more specifically,

Spoiler

the way the Homunculi are created is different. In the first series, Homunculi were the products of attempting to bring someone back from the dead; in the second series, however, the Homunculi were the physical manifestations of Father's own "seven deadly sins" that he expelled from his body in order to become a "perfect being." The concept of reanimation lends itself more strongly to the concept of taboos and trespassing on "sacred ground," so to speak, in the sense of disrupting the balance of nature.

 

[Keikoku]

Just finished the anime.

Spoiler

Man that epilogue was lame. Reminded me of Harry Potter's ending :/

Loved it except from the epilogue though. Neither worse or better than the first anime, just different.

 

[Regulus Tera]

I think that's just because the shows approach the subject from fundamentally different standpoints: more specifically,

Spoiler

the way the Homunculi are created is different. In the first series, Homunculi were the products of attempting to bring someone back from the dead; in the second series, however, the Homunculi were the physical manifestations of Father's own "seven deadly sins" that he expelled from his body in order to become a "perfect being." The concept of reanimation lends itself more strongly to the concept of taboos and trespassing on "sacred ground," so to speak, in the sense of disrupting the balance of nature.

If I had to describe both series, it is that the first one is more about the morality of alchemy, while the second one goes into the "science" behind it. And that's probably because most of the groundwork regarding alchemy's ethical standing is established really early in the manga.

Brotherhood suffers a lot from skipping very basic if essential content for the first thirteen episodes. They skim through the necessary elements, but don't give the audience enough time to feel about the consequences of what's happening during that period.

 

[GaimeGuy]

And why were the

Spoiler

Greed/Greedling vs Wrath fights so much better than everything else?

Because

Spoiler

Bradley, Ling, Greed, and GreedLing are awesome, and Bradley is the best fighter in FMA even as an old man. Ling being the 2nd best fighter

 

[CassSept]

I think that's just because the shows approach the subject from fundamentally different standpoints: more specifically,

Spoiler

the way the Homunculi are created is different. In the first series, Homunculi were the products of attempting to bring someone back from the dead; in the second series, however, the Homunculi were the physical manifestations of Father's own "seven deadly sins" that he expelled from his body in order to become a "perfect being." The concept of reanimation lends itself more strongly to the concept of taboos and trespassing on "sacred ground," so to speak, in the sense of disrupting the balance of nature.

I'd say this and also

Spoiler

the big twist that alchemy was actually fueled by dead souls from Earth. While it is true that in the manga/Brotherhood it's pretty much the same (alchemy being fueled by philosopher's stones set around Amestris, controlled by father), after he is destroyed and Scar's brother's circle is activated they use planet's crust's energy instead, which is much... ummmmmm, 'cleaner' source of energy. Thus at the end of Brotherhood using alchemy doesn't really carry any consequences.

 

[GaimeGuy]

I'd say this and also

Spoiler

the big twist that alchemy was actually fueled by dead souls from Earth. While it is true that in the manga/Brotherhood it's pretty much the same (alchemy being fueled by philosopher's stones set around Amestris, controlled by father), after he is destroyed and Scar's brother's circle is activated they use planet's crust's energy instead, which is much... ummmmmm, 'cleaner' source of energy. Thus at the end of Brotherhood using alchemy doesn't really carry any consequences.

Actually in Brotherhood

Spoiler

the stones around the country are used as a filter, not as the source of the energy. So when father disabled Ed and Al's alchemy, what he did was basically jack up the filter to 100%. Scar's brother's circle removed the filter, so Amestris's alchemists could use the energy of the earth to its fullest extent. It's why everyone's attacks become more powerful during hte final standoff with Father.

 

[CassSept]

Actually in Brotherhood

Spoiler

the stones around the country are used as a filter, not as the source of the energy. So when father disabled Ed and Al's alchemy, what he did was basically jack up the filter to 100%. Scar's brother's circle removed the filter, so Amestris's alchemists could use the energy of the earth to its fullest extent. It's why everyone's attacks become more powerful during hte final standoff with Father.

I thought that

Spoiler

they are both the filter and the source of alchemy? It definitely was the filter (thus, as you said, in their final standoff when they were granted energy of planet's crust they could go into hax mode), but also as the actual source as noted by Mei before the fight with Envy in Briggs that "this country's alchemy feels like people dying" or whatever (I don't exactly remember what she said, but it was something along these lines).

 

[Sirius]

I thought that

Spoiler

they are both the filter and the source of alchemy? It definitely was the filter (thus, as you said, in their final standoff when they were granted energy of planet's crust they could go into hax mode), but also as the actual source as noted by Mei before the fight with Envy in Briggs that "this country's alchemy feels like people dying" or whatever (I don't exactly remember what she said, but it was something along these lines).

I'm quite sure that it was revealed

Spoiler

from Scar's brother's research that the source of energy from alchemists is derived from the tectonic displacements of the land deep down in the Earth - the basis behind both Alchemy and Eastern Alchemy (Alkahestry). The souls of the undying created a wall in between this energy and the alchemists of Amestris.