Eyes Convey Truth in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

[@meganbell3699]

Maybe I missed it but you forgot to mention how Lings eyes are always closed, he only opens them during "serious" moments or when hes trying to be intimidating. When Greed takes over his body, his eyes are always open so that we can clearly see his intent and emotions, this is because one of Greed's "rules" is to never lie.

[@joshdavis5720]

Brooooo.

[@TheBuddybro1]

You just made my day with that comment. Thank you

[@Oly1y]

It's funny how little symbolism like that adds to the series

[@javi5072]

i always thought it was because ling coded asian and greed isn't coded asian lol

[@Abdega]

Also, the eyes of Ling’s body change color depending on who’s in control. If it’s Ling, they are black, If it’s Greed, they are that wine color the homunculi have

[@Evilgidgit4Ever]

I never noticed that Father's gate of truth was blank.

[@Sebzero99]

Evilgidgit4Ever those little details are so good

[@adamposada]

Evilgidgit4Ever me either. I honestly never noticed any off the gates of truth being different.

[@asarheru9130]

Also notice how Father, still being so obssessed with acquiring Truth, Power and God, was turned toward his gate of Truth and spoke to it and thought it was Truth until Truth caught his attention and he turned around. Perhaps as Truth later confirmed once Father's Gate of Truth took him, Father was expecting to be swallowed by it.

[@UMAMAHESH1308]

Even I never saw the difference in the gate of truth of each person.. this really is an amazing thing to know after such a long time..

[@nv_johan8711]

I did but I feel ya.

[@BLARG313]

Man, Brotherhood is a masterpiece. It's easily my favorite TV show.

[@fictionarch]

same

[@sargeantBones]

Yep

[@jacobknudsen4013]

BLARG313 the only rival to fmab for me is avatar the last airbender

[@johnnyjoestar5193]

Watch Hunter x Hunter 2011 then

[@cindeemaynard2827]

I love HXH 2011 but it has nothing on FMA Brotherhood not even in the same league.

[@stalk8r]

Whoa I never noticed they all have different Gates of Truth!

[@ramennoodles666]

Me neither

[@saifmehdi178]

@Anonymous they tell you how much knowledge they have gained

[@djordjecalosevic9044]

Father's gate was empty which implies that he didn't know anything.

[@saifmehdi178]

@@djordjecalosevic9044 that empty gate implied he didn't understand whatever knowledge he obtained from different people

[@cearfarseer9725]

I did

[@Yal_Rathol]

another point on the entity of truth is that truth, like justice, is blind. truth doesn't care who you are, where you came from or what you look like. all are equal before truth. that's why it seems sadistic to father, because truth treats everyone the same, even those that it seems mercy should be given to (like mustang, he didn't perform the transmutation, yet still got punished). but, if you look deeper, you find that truth is perfectly consistent and perfectly just. not only was mustang's price lighter than that of any other character who entered the gate, the price isn't a punishment, its payment for advanced knowledge. in essence, because mustang was forced to face truth, truth gave him a discount. truth is consistent and fair, even if it doesn't look like it at first. because, all is equal before truth. how curious then that one of the most common prices for facing truth is your soul, meaning death. because, death is the great equalizer. truth is fair, truth administers blind justice, truth gives a fair price AND truth enforces equality. all because truth is blind. and of course truth would want people to learn their lesson. because learning truth is the highest form of learning. and of course he would enforce the lesson on everyone, even those who don't visit the gate or the entity beyond it, because truth is blind. he only acts to enforce it to those who've visited the gate because, well, they've seen The Truth. the symbolism is kinda soul-crushing in its depth, just because of the simple facts that truth is fair and truth doesn't have eyes.

[@grazzer88]

Mostly agree, but whether or not Mustang's punishment or payment is lesser than any others really depends on how you want to measure it. From a practical stand point i would agree, losing ones eyesight seems both appropriate/relevant and also not particularly "expensive" of a cost because he can still function to a high capacity as a productive person. But from a personal standpoint it was probably the worst out come for him short of becoming say paraplegic (a universally expensive price). Whilst the video was really informative it really plays down the reasoning behind the punishments which were akin to the old wish granting devil trope; where each wish is a bastardisation of the intent. The wish for money sees the individual in jail where he can't spend it because the money is stolen, and such. So the fact that the loss of his eyesight appears cheap in cost, it could also just be coincidental.

[@Lin-il4vk]

For the Mustang part, truth likes to be ironic eg taking the organs from the woman who tried to bring back her baby so she couldn't get pregnant anymore, for Mustang it to his eyes that was going to see the bright future as the Fuhrer

[@Yal_Rathol]

@@grazzer88 mustang's eyes were not damaged. every other character who enters the gate has the body part bloodily ripped from them. all truth did was rended his eyes nonfunctional, rather than ripping them from his skull. that is already a lighter price than anyone else got. consider the fact that izumi and ed would have died from blood loss if they hadn't gotten treated so quickly, and al lost everything, while all mustang lost is the FUNCTION of his eyes. now consider two other facts. 1, mustang was not dropped into a room alone, like izumi and ed were, and left to figure out how to find help by himself. mustang was not left alone to wander blind with his eyes ripped out, like how ed was left to wander without his leg. and most importantly, he was dropped a stone's throw away from riza hawkeye, his most loyal support and the one person who can aim him and his attacks without him needing to see. 2, he was dropped into a philosopher-stone-rich environment. several homunculi, dr. marcoh, hell, ed knows how to turn your own soul into a stone and burn it for alchemy. the possibility that mustang would never be healed is low. all in all, mustang got off FAR lighter than anyone else who saw the gate, because if you look at the ending pictures, his eyes aren't glassy anymore. truth is omniscient, do you think it was a mistake that he only took a minimal payment, dropped mustang next to his strongest allies and near the people who could heal him? because that doesn't sound like an accident to me. that sounds like truth playing fair, and giving the man who doesn't want the truth a discount.

[@grazzer88]

@@Yal_Rathol I think you're reading too much into the arbitrary aesthetics of the animation. The punishment matches the sin and the sinners ultimate wish. It just happens to be that you cannot take away someone's limb(s) or organs without causing an absolute mess; and those like Izumi Curtis who lost internal organs had to have their ailments visually represented for the medium so the blood loss issue was over emphasised for affect, it was not representative of the brutality in which is occurred. The things that were lost just disappeared, they were not "bloodily ripped from their person". But they weren't exactly patched up after-the-fact either. Though i do think there is room for interpretation that Truth did go easy on him [Mustang] because he was forced into this predicament. Truth knows why the people who did what they did got to where they are (in front of him, Truth) and Mustang more than likely turned up with that missing desire to actually "use" Truth for power, leaving him in a strange position to enact a punishment on an essentially innocent person. Izumi could have just been made sterile for the hubris of wanting her lost son over trying for another. But we're slowly getting into the realm of mere speculation here. We could rationalise all sorts of reasons for and against why certain theories work or don't work and be none-the-wiser for it. Is all that we do know is that the punishment is relative to what is in the heart of the person to commit the taboo.

[@SirRebrl]

@@Lin-il4vk It's not ironic, what Truth takes for the price. It's poetic accordance with the Law of Equivalent Exchange. In the context of the show's universe, considering that Law, the prices exacted are practically just what one might expect.

[@cctz_1]

Just when you think everything in FMAB has been discussed... Lol Great video though, you just earned a sub

[@SugoiChappy]

Holy cow. Amazing video. Your video essays blow my mind. Keep making them, and have fun doing so.

[@UnderTheScopeAnime]

Thanks! Video essays are what I enjoy making most, so glad you like them :)

[@elitaniamolina3133]

The use of the OST in your video really enhanced what you were saying , and by god. How you ended the video was perfect. How were you able to use the OST without a copyright strike?

[@UnderTheScopeAnime]

Generally if you can find the song already on youtube, it's probably not gonna get hit with copyright.

[@elitaniamolina3133]

I hope yours doesn't get hit buddy . I legitimately smiled when you ended the video like you did. Seriously, great work.

[@johnaustindelozier2056]

I'm so glad someone else picked up on this theme! I think it's also fair to mention that, during Mustang's flashbacks to the war in Ishval, Kimblee says to Hawkeye that she now has the eyes of a killer, and that all Amestrian soldiers now hace those same eyes. The art style uses a very jagged, stressed line underneath the eyes to convey this topic. I kind of forgot about this until Mustang's beat down on Envy. During this fight, Mustang's eyes adopt that exact same look. Edward even says to him, "Take a look at your eyes, are those the eyes of man who is going to heal this country?" While try to dissuade him from giving into his hatred. Such a great video!

[@michaelballack3051]

God's perception in this anime is so well thought, yet so simple. You only need a few words from Truth/God to understand what he really is. The reason why he's called Truth is because of the fact he represents your true self. In Ed's case, an alchemist, Truth believes and knows everything Edward knows, they both believe in the law of equivalent exchange, that eveything can be restored if you sacrifice something of equal value. That is why transmutation alchemy is impossible, there is nothing that can be exchanged for the life of someone already lost. In Father's case, he desires for knowledge, so his beliefs prove him that having "God" join him, will give him everything he needs. Yet he forgot to look upon himself and understand what he truly was. In the final scene, when he meets his true self (Truth) he asks why is it wrongto seek knowledge to your own, why is it wrong to seek perfection. The thing is... he didn't truly seek knowledge, he stole it from others. When Truth finally exposes him to his own beliefs, "whoever plays God, must pay..." Father finally realizes what he did wrong. It was there allalong, yet he refused to accept it. Remember, Truth/God in FMA is simply the personification of your own beliefs. Therefore, Truth says to Father "you simply must have seen it with YOUR OWN eyes".

[@xXXdaniel210xXx]

Eric Giangiulio absorbing souls fam

[@drewyetti]

Eric Giangiulio don’t you mean father?

[@KamiTenchi]

DrewYetti Yes

[@kliop00023]

There's no God or Godhood. There's only someone who is ignorant enough to create Godlike and traps oneself.

[@blanktrigger8863]

This is false because everything Truth does works in relationship to equivalent exchange. He does with everybody, not just Ed. To explain the long way: Giving up the gate means giving up the ability to use alchemy. That means that Ed wasn't the one who brought Al back to life because he couldn't "reconstruct" the body. Truth has always been the one who performs the transmutations. This means that the Gate = the individual's access to Truth and vice-verse, so that God (which is like the stomach of Truth) can consume and recycle materials for equivalent exchange. Sacrificing the Gate, then, means (in a very real way) that Truth and God are the sole agents in the transmutation process. Ed has learned the lesson that the Hommunclus refused to learn, giving up all power to Truth and God, no longer striving to play God instead. The catch here, though, is that Truth pretty much always appears as an empty copy of the one it speaks to. This means that Truth (and therefore God) is in some way a part of every person. Indeed, what Ed seems to learn about alchemy from watching the "Circle of Life" seems to have a strong connection to God and Truth. Going further than that, Truth, while it punishes those who attempt human transmutation, also seems to given them what they want in the end; however, punishing by them taking something away from them in poetic fashion actually transmutates the person in such a way that they're a better person than they would have been had they received the thing they wanted by their own power (and without consequence). For example, Izumi is at once seemingly robbed of ever having children and yet adopts Ed and Al later on. When Truth speaks to the Hommunculus, he says that the Hommonculus's mistake was that he didn't evolve. What this indicates is that FMA teaches a kind of pantheism. The Truth's role is basically to teach men to understand Balance, but if an individual comes to understand Balance, then Truth's role is nonexistent, except that he has to go through with the transmutation. Giving up the Gate isn't just a "material" sacrifice; rather, it's something that can only be done by someone who can not be transmutated because they have nothing else to learn really. That's the only equivalent exchange apart from sacrificing multiple souls. (In which case, sacrificing the Gate is in essence sacrificing multiple souls because it's apart of Truth and God.)

[@rumiexistence]

The philosophical value of this show is so underrated. The birth that took place in Rush Valley, for example, that was the meaning of truth that the brothers were too busy to notice at the time. The baby's eyes as well were closed.

[@ursomrano542]

This video just made me realize a another potential reason for why Roy lost his eyes. We use our eyes to see the truth which is why Truth doesn’t have any eyes, because who needs eyes to see the truth when you are the truth. The reason why Roy lost his eyes was because he had already seen the truth that matters, he already knew the value of connections but Truth had to have Roy pay a price for him to see the rest of the truth so what does he take, the eyes that Roy doesn’t need because he has already seen the truth that those eyes were meant to see. Truth also takes Roy’s eyes to ensure that whatever happens to Roy won’t change his perspective on the truth to be something wrong because the correct truth was going to be the last thing he would ever see.

[@ianmaluk1]

By seeking to purge himself of his imperfections, his seven desires, his sins. The Dwarf misunderstood the meaning of his flaws and sought to expunge them, inevitably becoming blissfully unaware to the new one that he himself created. Therefore by becoming dejected from worldly desires; The Dwarf could only suffer in melancholy as he sought for a purpose in his wasted, shallow and empty existence. There is no such thing as perfection. It is a concept that only exists to understand the imperfections, a duality if you will. Instead of seeking a goal beyond knowledge and power, The Dwarf lost all meaning in life, it would slowly drive him to madness.

[@AF-nh2ux]

It's crazy how similar to nieztsche your paragraph is, literally describes how Nietzsche viewed religion. The author for FMA:B honestly might have understood Nietzsche better than nietzsche did it's surreal

[@jakubrogacz6829]

@@AF-nh2ux It describes how religion views humans too. No one is ever perfect.

[@ptah4611]

You should strive to purge your sins. The issue is Father never learned how to love.

[@slipgate5293]

That's not it, you need stop overcoming your sins and accept them

[@Tharizdone]

Fantastic video! Btw was the lip sych at 4:55 on purpose? lol

[@FallOutJosie]

I finished the series last night confused. but now that I watched this video it honestly makes so much more sense.

[@siaw0000]

Such a well-done video! I don't even know what to say; it is rare to see on KZbin such carefully articulated and justified arguments using academic language.

[@censari544]

This 100% deserves way more views. This was beautiful and taught many lessons to all it's viewers.

[@Kairi-ou]

It's out it's out!! Oh man FMA:B theories are always great to think about, especially with all the themes they have going for it. I don't know why you didn't mention the Eye colour thing that separated the Ishval war though, I think it's especially telling that 'eye' s were the thing people began to associate with who they needed to fight, rather than more obvious things like Skin and Hair colour.

[@user-yr8ge3fz8o]

Well, it was kind of implied with the comment about Miles, but it might have warranted a bit more of a mention

[@Kairi-ou]

Jaden Strahan Yeee that's what i meant aha

[@nahbirdie4773]

Kairi-ou agreed and fmab is perfect for philosophical videos

[@TheZombiesAreComing]

5:20 In regards to Roy's gate: Overlapping Triangles similiar to "flame alchemy inscription. " Top circle: Quinta essentif [ Oureum? vis ignis fertus ] Middle circle: Aes clestillafull? Pars [Fores virices aeris] Bottom Circle: fun dere lux ??? [ignis lentis ] Top Triangle: right- Crescene (growing up) left- Dearescens? Bottom Triangle: right- Cinis (ashes) left- isuna? (food) 13 una? (13 together) is una? (it is one)

[@erincarter9760]

"Somethings you see with your eyes; other's you see with your heart."

[@erois6190]

Yeah Truth is a really interesting case with the reason why it takes the other person's eyeless form and how it also connects to Plato's philosophy and I've written some threads about that.

[@andregomesdeoliveira9653]

This is one of the the most fantastic analysis about this series that I've seen. Respect, sir! It's funny, I technically did interpret the many instances where eyes were used to convey some greater meaning, but I did it subconsciously. You managed to break it down in an easy to understand manner. I'll pay more attention to these details moving forward. Thanks for the great video, and keep up the great work pal.

[@jesses7244]

You rocked the delivery, message and style of this video

[@marianmayuga1338]

"That's a truth you can't see with your eyes." Oh god, the writing at about this part was equal parts mind-blowing and tear-jerker... One of the beautiful things about FMA is the simplicity of its themes yet the many layers under them that you find when you really think about them. Your insights and writing are so beautiful and enlightening and just made me love FMA even more than I already do. Thank you so much!!!

[@xsaberfaye]

FMA:B is so rich in thematic references (Conflict, Hope, Sacrifice, Purpose) that it deserves so much more to talk about. Thanks for such a good explanation of "Truth" here!

[@vallano8970]

"Do you have what it takes to become my fury?........my wrath." Only One of my favorite lines

[@MKWiiLuke4TW]

Nice man, finally a video on me I see

[@myrtomoschou69]

yeah truth...

[@SomeRandomDude000000]

that image makes this seem so sarcastic

[@thunderwlkr]

you "see"... haha haha i get it.

[@symonsybico12]

According to your profile pic and name, your probably confusing Truth and God,Truth and God are actually 2 different characters in the FMAB world, God is the one behind the door, Truth is the one guarding it, Truth is kinda like a man-made God, a collective unconscious of sorts, someone you have to face before you see God, and that someone is yourself, that's why Truth mimics the voices(and appearance in Father's case), of the one who meets truth, Truth has no eyes but God is nothing but an eye(or that's all we can see), some people ask "why doesn't Edward believe in God if he met God" that's cuz Truth is not the real God

[@ClownLordi]

Symon Sybico then he has still met God. He went through the Gate.

[@pokemongirl5674]

In my most recent rewatch of the series I started paying attention to the details of the series and it was well done, however I wasn't aware of the eyes thing though. I suppose I can use of what I learned in this video in my next rewatch In case you're wondering, I watch the series once a year since 2010 as it was my gateway anime thanks to it airing on adult swim in its first run actually, best Valentine's day gift ever btw

[@buckwade1402]

Did Brotherhood appeal to adults?

[@pokemongirl5674]

Apparently it does, although a lot of teens (including myself at the time) does watch the anime block

[@buckwade1402]

+pokeemblem Brotherhood can appeal to adults because of its themes, while teens can get a kick out of it because of the action, though, it's, not something I'd probably show to an 8 year old.

[@25neurus]

Buck Wade It depends really, my bro has just turned 10 and has watched half of the series already. He's loving it and gets the story pretty good.

[@timothyacowin9761]

GOD I LOVE THAT OPENING....the one at the end

[@myrtomoschou69]

yato mitsuketa...

[@squig5080]

AME WAAA!!

[@selfelevation7]

whoah!!! .. . this is a real good piece you put together.. FMA-B is one of my top shows period. I fucking love this whole series. . . one main thing that does it for me is the science. not just the literal science, but the deeper, allegorical, metaphysical, & even anthropomorphic science that this show represents.. . I always looked at Truth as an etherical, or spiritual (to keep it more simpler) reflection of the Self. you can see that with each person who encounters him. he's basically a self reflection of whoever that person is & he gives the absolute truth of that person to that person through cold, straight forward logical lessons. . he represents the cold, hard truth. the truth ain't here to be your friend. the truth is exactly what it is, the absolute truth of everything, & that's a principal of supreme power in its realist sense.. . yo, what you broke down about the eyes is real powerful.. as said, the eyes are the window to the soul & the info you broke down on this vid def shows & proves that statement... . I'm a very well studied brother & I always looked at this show from a true scientific & metaphysical perspective. . what you broke down about the eyes is a very insightful analysis & it def adds on to my overall understanding of the deeper meanings & symbology of this show.. . Great vid bro.. . I really enjoyed & learned some good stuff from this.. if you got any other vids breaking down different aspects of Full Metal Alchemist, I'll def be checking for those as well. . that's what's up. you did a good job with this homie!. . .

[@selfelevation7]

hey, one more quick note.. I love the way you broke down the science behind the scene of the exchange of father homunculus & Truth.. that final exchange between the 2 is one of favorite scenes out of the whole series.. I have my own deeper interpretation of that scene, however the meaning you broke down def adds on to mine & gives it a much wider perspective.. again, I really appreciate how you put this piece together. Like I said, I love Full Metal because of the high science & deeper meanings it carries, & this vid you did here def confirms & expands a lot on my personal understanding of the show as a whole!.. . & indeed. . the "eye or eyes" do represent the eye of God or the eye of Heru (Horus), which is the all-seeing eye. so the eye or eyes are portals, gateways into the infinite expansion of the Divine Living Mind, also which is known as the Force (Star Wars for ex.). & this comes directly from Hermetic teachings, which is based in Alchemy.. . As we see, this thing goes deep & I love every drop of it dude!!!.. . . .

[@selfelevation7]

oh yeah, one last thing; & fuck Shou Tucker!.. Lol! . Real rap! he was a creep, scumbag piece of shit & I was happy as hell when Scar killed his bitch ass!.. Feel me?.. Lol!

[@worldking3838]

Self Elevation very good perspective

[@selfelevation7]

+The King thank you bro... I went in on this show.. I peeped & was breaking down all kinds of symbolism. the author & her writing team must be well studied people cause they put all kinds of different science & symbolism in this piece. feel me...

[@worldking3838]

Self Elevation did Homunculus really get what he wanted at the end?

[@ninjaian06]

"you can't handle the truth" would have been perfect for truth to say

[@profesorgonzalezpontiles9070]

i really liked your analysis. "only when you accept the truth you can move forward" that is true...

[@eugenefindit]

I have one really major question for you. How the heck do you know all of these things? This is probably single-handedly the best video I have seen by you. This and probably your Hyouka review. And your Nisemonogatari clarification video. You have just made me love Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, an anime I already consider one of the best, even more. I was pretty much in a trance watching this video from start to finish. You can tell from that that I've found something amazing. Don't even bother worrying about your hiatus, buddy. If you keep making content like this, I'm just happy to be subscribed to you. Keep up the good work. ^_^

[@mollybirdgrace9955]

This is seriously one of the best assessments I've ever seen of this anime. I love FMAB and I had sort of subconsciously noticed what your video discussed, but you put it so succinctly and plainly. I salute your brilliant insight.

[@betsymartinez3773]

I get it now. I always wondered the phrase “you must have seen it with your own eyes” now it makes sense. I can’t help but feel sorry for the Dawrf in the Flask he was low key corrupted by humans desire for immortality. If no one wanted to be immortal he would still be stuck in the flask maybe not even in existence. But he took advantage of the King of Xerxes and got out of the flask. He knew better too he knew dam well. And the King of Xerxes paid the price with his entire kingdom gone.

[@PedroGarcia-to2em]

You can say this vid was an EYE opener 🤣

[@j1d2o3t]

This is why Fullmetal alchemist is a deeper anime than most people will ever realise

[@lucaswebber1808]

This video deserves so much more recognition in my opinion. Never had considered that such an obvious trait of anime (eyes) could be, and was used, like this. Truly brilliant, and when I rewatched the anime considering this analysis, fma just became that much better ^_^ Congrats dude, you're brilliant.

[@WhalecomeHome]

I dropped a like because of the editing, music addition, and a great explanation great work

[@futureshock382]

This was the show that made me receptive to the idea of alchemy as a kid and guided me to the discovery of the Kybalion in my late teens. You guys should read it, the gift of understanding are open to those with the eyes to see Alchemy is real and it is being hidden (occulted) from you God bless you all, let not the evil conquer your soul

[@mrheal420]

You know fma and brotherhood really did the exact same thing for me. But I'm surprised how few people really feel the same. Its a great show in general but the real deep stuff is truly only for eyes seeking truth.

[@AF-nh2ux]

The eyes represent the Nietezche quote "when you stare into the void the void stares into you" It's amazing how influential nietszche was on the author and how on point the imagery described what Nietzsche meant

[@buckwade1402]

This video has no business. It has NO business, being THIS deep, and convincing me, to rewatch Brotherhood at some point. Damn you Under The Scope!

[@AF-nh2ux]

Read some.books about nieztsche. FMA is such an incredibly deep series

[@FF5freak13]

Wow, what an interesting analysis. I never even caught the bit about the doors being different for everyone when I first saw the show. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

[@Lakanus]

Btw the voice actor for Truth in the FMAB dub is the same for Nagisa in Clannad After Story (Luci Christian)

[@UnderTheScopeAnime]

LUCI CHRISTIAN VOICED TRUTH?! :O

[@Lakanus]

Yep lol

[@UnderTheScopeAnime]

I can't believe I didn't know that. You just straight blew my mind.

[@ntvinh20]

wait, isn't truth's voice an edited version of that person's voice?

[@Binks129]

NTVinh20 That's only in the Japanese dub tho at the end it echos edwards voice.

[@EN-mh4og]

So, true alchemy was the friend's we made along the way

[@rndmpinkiepie64]

I haven't seen this series but I agree about eyes. I can draw a character horribly but if the eyes turned out great, then it's a good drawing. I recently made a woman based after Audrey Hepburn if she grew older into Bette Davis (I know nobody here has any idea who either of those two are). When I first drew her, she looked great, but I knew the eyes had to reflect age, experience, love, loss, pain and tiredness. It took several tries, but because of how her eyes turned out, I honestly think she may be my favorite character I made. Eyes are super important to me, in real life, comics, anime, whatever. Its amazing what eyes can tell about a person

[@codyroberts1555]

There has never been a more beautiful and “eye opening” story as FMA Brotherhood.

[@CircleOfInevitability]

This is by far the best analysis of an anime I have ever heard. even if it only talks about the truth aspect. well done. this is truly great

[@davyjones3319]

Deez NuGz then you haven't watched hxh analyses by talesofnerdia or aleczadrx

[@michaelchang6736]

Love this video. Very fancy tidbits that I missed about the show such as his fathers gate of truth was blank and rightly so. Good luck with school too

[@scorpionsketch908]

Videos going into the symbolism of different anime are great to watch. They really get me thinking about a lot of different things.

[@shoshannachaia3502]

The anime is so well written that it always amazes me. It’s truly my favorite anime of all time because of this.

[@hikermichael9443]

In watching this a second time I’ve made a realization. What is the door to truth. If truth is understanding, knowledge, and what is conveyed through the eyes as what we can see, then the door of truth is what leads you to that understanding. It is the price you pay for that knowledge. It simultaneously a lesson learned through desire and sacrifice. No ones door is ever the same. Similar to how one person may learn not to touch a hot stove by being burned by it while someone else will learn by watching the first person experience it. It rewards you with the power of truth, or other words the ability to understand. If you give up your door of truth, (your understanding) you relinquish everything you know for the chance to learn again. It’s like how sometimes you are so deeply invested in your knowledge that you fail to see the full picture. You can step back and see that there is another solution and from that a new door of truth is created. I wonder if arikawa intended for us to glean that information or if it’s happy accident we’ve fabricated on our own. 😊

[@azizsaidy1135]

Your videos are absolutely fantastic. You're a criminally underrated channel.

[@Wrathful_woodie]

This was probably one of the best made videos I've ever seen. Brotherhood is one of my favorite anime of all time, but they way you portray one of the most important aspects of the anime as a whole was perfect. You definitely earned the subscription, like, and some shares. keep it up

[@kiddicarus]

Sooo very well done! (as well as the observations about Ling & Greed by others in the comments below...) Thank you VERY much for this!

[@zobothehobo25]

you just had to play rain at the end. it gave me the feels😭

[@joshdavis5720]

Bro. I am a huge fma fan. I grew up with fma. Edward was my biggest role model including the characters. I even went as far as getting the original fma anime watch. You just made me want to keep chugging on and keep watching the anime because of you

[@richt6314]

+Under The Scope Reviews. Another interpretation of eyes and how they pertain to knowledge is that they serve as a means of ascertaining truth; not truth itself. The characters in the show, as well as the viewer, actively analyzes that which we visually perceive in our quest for understanding. Ultimately in masking that which we can perceive, we are unable to discern the reality of the matter. A proverb that better caters to this notion of the obscuring/masking eyes would be, "eyes are the window to our soul." Whereby, that which is masked physically, masks the true nature of the individual (granted as with all systems there are exceptions). How fitting is it then that Father, who is an anthropomorphic cluster of eyes, is ultimately unable to see the truth and instead personifies the extreme desire to seek the truth? Father is ultimately locked behind the gate after not being told of where he had faulted in his endeavors. While I agree that your point has credibility I wouldn't renounce the idea that, under the axiom I've presented, Father is locked away without an explanation due to the futility of finding truth via perception. The fact that the truth is blind caters to this notion that truth exists beyond the constraints of perception. Those who look at truth are typically met by a white featureless version of themselves; an abstraction that gives no perceivable hints as to the essence of truth itself. This desire for truth is mirrored in Plato's, Apology in which Socrates states, "When I left him, I reasoned thus with myself: I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know." Ultimately, conveying the embrace in humility that we see in FMAB.

[@WW-1995]

I will let the French translation of the quotes for every french people that may read this nice comment and are curious to read the French quote rather than making a translation. "Je suis plus savant que cet homme-là. En effet, il est à craindre que nous ne sachions ni l'un ni l'autre rien qui vaille la peine, mais, tandis que, lui, il s'imagine qu'il sait quelque chose alors qu'il ne sait rien, moi qui effectivement ne sait rien, je ne vais pas m'imaginer que je sais quelque chose. En tout cas, j'ai l'impression d'être plus savant que lui en ceci qui représente peu de chose : je ne m'imagine même pas savoir ce que je ne sais pas."

[@jaim9206]

Pretty detailed thoughts and views for a guy named rich tits 😂😂

[@milamilovic7124]

Amazing analysis. I'd have to say, the whole bit about the eyes symbolizing the character's thought process, and how Truth's eyes aren't hidden; I hadn't thought of that. Great job! :D

[@Wingedmagician]

I did not expect to like this video as much as I did. I was like "FMA, eyes, o relly? Pfsh get out of here."

[@austinaxley81]

That's a bit of an oversimplification. FMA is about... well, alchemy. The themes of truth, attainment, and equivalence echo the philosophies of Hermes Trismegistus, the father of hermetics. That "eyes are windows to the soul" is a colloquialism that comes from him although what he actually taught was that eyes are the windows to truth. This was a preface to his thoughts on magick and alchemy. The philosophy of FMA and alchemy as a discipline can be deconstructed into three major tenets. Firstly, the value of a work is only as great as the effort that was put into bringing it to form, secondly, nothing is ever gained but that an equal measure is lost, and thirdly, the eye can only create what it sees. The first two amount to the same thing but there is a reason it is broken down into two. The first statement is meant to speak to value, thusly it stood as a warning for those who sought miracles such as turning lead to gold. You will never be able to create anything of value without great effort and hardship. The second statement speaks to the dangers of the first, if you seek to gain wealth first seek to separate from your possessions. If you seek power first seek to become powerless. If you seek life you will first find death. This philosophy is also echoed in the Tao, to truly understand what something IS you must first understand everything it is not. Is wealth measured in gold or joy? Power in status or humility? Life in seeking or observing? The third statement is the most important. The eye can only create what it sees. If you seek something hard enough you will attain it. This is the core philosophy of all magick, it sounds like a sales pitch but when you consider his other statements it is really a warning. A warning the demon in the flask should have heeded. You will attain what you desire, but it will not be without effort and it will not be without consequence.

[@lazreghassen9035]

I am humbled by your knowledge and eloquence

[@omeragam8628]

great video, one of my favorites. I cant help comparing the eye motif in FMA withe the same motif in King Oedipus- one of the most well known Greek tragedies. eyes mean truth in that work too, and that tragedy is *obsessed* with "truth".

[@davidsimons7614]

This is an absolutely beautiful interpretation of the series. Great video, dude.

[@shadedizzy]

May I also point out the shot that you showed when Ed sacrificed his alchemy for Al. It is a simple reveal shot, but the way it's used conveys so much. It's basically saying "the truth is who you love, how you choose to go about loving them, not power." In just a second it tells you the whole point of the show and the goal of the series.

[@myrtomoschou69]

I hadn't realise anything about that... now I get it! what a nice ending!!!!

[@alexbucsp]

This video gave me chills! Awesome, man!

[@danielc.5724]

never truly understood the Door thing. thanks for clearing it up.

[@oohFrostyy]

Please make more videos on the Philosophical meaning is anime, extremely interesting. May i suggest Shinsekai Yori or Mushishi or Elfen Lied or even Spirited Away? (I know you already made a video on Shinsekai Yori and Elfen Lied but another would be great).

[@issakjimenez5600]

Devon C spirited away

[@alonespirit_1Q84]

Devon C Mushishi is a Flow!!

[@TwistedFoo]

hey man, was tripping balls hard on lsd and i was went through some truth shit today. holy shit. like with the timeline and just like overloaded with information. it was insane. to see everything from so many angles from so many ways. i was trying to contemplate what i saw today. and this is what i thought of. what a trip.

[@jmacracken]

Under The Scope Reviews you deserve so many more subs.

[@Yvädastra]

Great vid, I appreciate this series for its apathetic take on "God" because (to me at least) Truth makes most sense as an apathetic entity because it's inherently inhuman. Perhaps the story had to take some liberties with displaying this apathy to allow equivalent exchange to work and character maturation to develop, but I'm mostly okay with it. It would be awesome if you did a series review from the perspective of the Dwarf and what his origins as a slave and the feelings we see in the 7 homunculi tell us about him. As bad as the shit the Dwarf did was, I still find him to be such a tragic character.

[@jojiriver627]

I'm glad I watched this after it was completed. I feel sorry for those who's watching this while airing. Waiting too much long for an EP that you might forgot what happen last EP.

[@primeno.6487]

Probably the best anime analysis vid ive seen ....not bad

[@animefan77]

2:49- With the eye of Truth, its gray with circles- an ethereal yet eerie expression that can be either seen as good or evil. The Dwarf's eyes are purple with slits, showing his vile nature and aligned with pure evil; especially since he hides his eyes with the golden heroism of the Xerxes culture for most of the series and again the climax after briefly revealing how his true eyes have become even more warped than they were before.

[@Primejunz]

This was the best explanation some one could ever give i totally get what your saying! After 5 years i just realised what the truth is

[@dragonite7780]

These thought out vids are great, glad I found this channel!

[@MrZahsome]

FMA and FMAB are a whole lot deeper and complex than I originally thought it out to me... I always knew it was no doubt one of the best animes of all time, but with this video, oh boy, I wondered what else I missed.

[@JaydevRaol]

Every time I rewatch this video, it just makes me love the show even more. So thanks a lot for this.

[@mokongx3m]

I have rewatched this series so many times, I have always noticed each persons gate had different images but only now have I realised that Father's gate was blank!

[@Gaboxf]

Great review, I actually always looked at the eyes of the characters of Fma in the manga, because their emotions are more clear than in the anime, and that inspired me in a lot of things.

[@kovanova9409]

I love this series so much it hurts to know i can't forget it and re-watch it

[@MsBungakuJosei]

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Mt 6:22-23)

[@_Blank___Space_]

Nice video. I got goosebumps at the end when that song started playing.

[@thebullmoose8316]

The humans had the high ground and father underestimated their power.

[@AF-nh2ux]

Relevant profile pic

[@gregmedley4026]

most amazing video iv ever seen on FMA, I thought i had a good understanding of the deeper meaning in the show but this layed out aspects and meanings that I had no idea about in the show. Well done, amazing video

[@yayciencia]

Great video essay! I love the symbolism discussion. I had known some of the meaning of the more common anime tropes (the use of eyes to convey emotion), but there were several observations about eyes that I hadn't realized (like Grumman's eyes becoming visible later and what that meant).

[@tdfern1]

Man great analysis I never thought of it that way. I finished Brotherhood a couple months back and boy it was great. I never saw the eyes that way, be it in anime or in this series in general. Good video.

[@Critical_N]

This video made me appreciate Fullmetal Alchemist way more than I already did!

[@EndothermiCamel]

Amazing finish, You explained a side I knew was clear but could not explain in my own words. Thank you for making this video, you did an awesome job!

[@riley1160]

Really amazing analysis on one of my favourite shows!!! This video deserves a lot more views than what it has!

[@TGathererH]

Man, this great video alongside the most epic moments and music from the show... It sure gave me chills. Great job man!

[@MsBungakuJosei]

" we can easily forgive a child who's afraid of the dark " the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light " Plato

[@deliciousdelight7847]

I was on the verge of tears listening, and the song had to play at the end 😭 I miss watching FMA and FMAB 😭😭

[@cmason105]

did I just discover a hidden gem in KZbin?

[@babette5492]

FMA brotherhood had told me so much life lessons , wow it's amazing.

[@Lawkodi]

Im crying, this show hurts me in so many ways.

[@avengerex]

You have earned yourself a subscriber sir :D Excellent reviews.

[@orlylando]

Wow. This was a beautiful video, and it really shows one of the reasons FMA: Brotherhood is so great!

[@zianawind2970]

Very well done one of the few intelligent dissertations I have found on a profound Anime in a long time, I hope you write about other things in your spare time.

[@InoSense85]

Eye can See that this video was very well thought out. What's funny is I literally just watched Brotherhood over again for the second time about a month ago. With this review in mind I may watch it again in the following year. One of the best anime series I have ever watched, and the English dub is one of the best in the world. Thank you for your contribution. You have a new subscriber.