FIRST ANIME EVER!! Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Reaction - Episode 4 "An Alchemist's Anguish"

I'm watching my first anime series ever!! This was my first time watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and well... you'll have to watch the video to see how I liked Episode 4 "An Alchemist's Anguish"! If you liked this reaction video don't forget to drop a Like & Subscribe so you can follow along with the rest of the series!
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[@DougVenturesTV]

Nothing Tragic Ever Happens in anime right!!! ?........................................................................ r....igh..............t?

[@silentassason]

*There is no trauma in the walls of anime.*

[@DougVenturesTV]

@@silentassason and there is no war in Ba Sing Se

[@FantaxxiaTV]

Yeah can I get a beach episode now pleasies

[@demonic_myst4503]

Sadly the country this show takes place in is land locked

[@TriXJester]

Never let this woman watch Made in Abyss...

[@NovaThePirate]

ah yes. the Episode 4 trauma episode. now is the customary welcome to the FMAB community. you are one of us now.

[@ComradeArthur]

One of us, one of us.

[@kylejohnson3889]

(Creepy choir chanting) One of us. One of us. One of us

[@ComradeArthur]

@@kylejohnson3889 Hey, the scene is on youtube. Freaks (1932) - One of Us! Scene (6/9) Movieclips channel

[@BeeWhistler]

@@ComradeArthurGooble gobble.

[@davenaldrich3985]

Last episode we had extreme of religion. This episode we have extreme of science.

[@frogganator3918]

The extremes of religion without reason and science without morals. Both ends of that spectrum can be terrifying and this series does an excellent job portraying both.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

Oh damn I didn’t even think of that!! So true though!!

[@WaywardVet]

Yeah, and as someone else pointed out on another channel, Scar prays for 2 souls being returned to god. He meant the girl and the dog. The man... he's drawn being dragged to hell in the manga.

[@epsilon388]

I never actually thought of it that way before, but you're right!

[@commandercritic9036]

@@WaywardVet that’s one instance where I prefer the sub to the dub, the sub doesn’t specify the kinds of souls that have been returned to God, so you can make the argument that Scar is referring to the dog and girl, but the dub specifies “Human” souls, wish they’d kept it ambiguous for the dub, but that’s my only real complaint about the episode.

[@KyleAllen001]

Few things to note here: - Great reaction, well done. - In the manga, characters who die are all depicted going to Heaven at the end of the chapter, all but Shou Tucker, who goes to "The Fire Zone" - When the guy in the yellow jacket (can't remember if they've said his name by this point or not, so to be safe I wont say it now) prays after "removing" Shou and Ninalexander, in the manga he doesn't pray for "two _human_ souls," just for two souls. Shou wasn't accounted for.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

Good, F that guy

[@ryapowa]

I don't think he ever reveals his name, they just call him by the identifying feature on his face

[@br0kej0sh23]

He was a full grown ass man and he sacrificed people who loved him and relied on him for the sake of his job and his reputation and yet its hinted at that he probably wouldn't have received a harsh punishment because he got results in the end and I think that really gives you your first peak behind the veil and shows that things are sort of morally corrupt when it comes to alchemy, at least for the government.

[@MrROBERTJOHNSMITH]

Episode 4 is always a really heavy one to watch even after you seen it a few times.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

I had to watch it twice. Once for the reaction and once during editing 😖

[@darkwitnesslxx]

For particular reasons, which are spoilers, it has more impact the 2nd time through in my opinion.

[@Pheonixess]

I remember Shou Tucker arc being more impactful in the OG FMA just because they're friends with him for a few more episodes and it's way less hinted at Shou is a bad guy from the start.

[@Pit_Wizard]

Welcome to the fandom. Isn't that just one of the worst things you've ever seen? This episode establishes that the worst monsters aren't necessarily the people you consider enemies, that the people on your "side" can be just as bad or worse.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

oof too true

[@jeremygilbert7989]

For what it's worth you honestly got off light here. In the 2003 series the Tucker story was stretched into two full episodes in order to more thoroughly twist the knife by getting you to let down your guard more around Shou and get even more attached to Nina. He also has a much better speech after the reveal where he tries to rationalize what he did as does Ed afterward in the rain.

[@frogganator3918]

Been a while since I've watched the '03 but correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't Shou portrayed much straighter and no where near as evil? That twist hit much harder back then

[@Pheonixess]

@@frogganator3918 yes iirc, they don't really hint at it at all. That's what I've noticed between the two is Brotherhood is way less subtle in how ominous it gets, but i guess they just wanted to rush through the opening episodes.

[@jeremygilbert7989]

@@frogganator3918 Yup, it really made the gut punch hit that much harder. Any astute observer could pick up on Shou's shadiness from that initial "couple of prodigies" comment in Brotherhood but the '03 version really tried hard to humanize him before revealing what a monster he truly was.

[@sparemobius7430]

@@Pheonixess Brotherhood assumes you have seen the 03 version, they don't need to hide a lot of things so they just don't. They are pretty fast paced in the first part too, they figure you've seen it, lets just brush over these parts. And yes they did spend a bit more time here in 03 version, because the combined part of a different bit with this, SPOILER BIT FOR 03 ANIME: Ed was staying with them to take his certification test. Though there is a very different outcome to the 03 version.

[@kasperwozowicz]

Pulling up your dog to your face on the sight of Alexander was a clever bit of foreshadowing Now, watching you analyze scenes and making mental notes with connections is fun af keep up having fun

[@FantaxxiaTV]

i didnt do it on purpose 🤣

[@SnailHatan]

Just for future reference, it’s analyze. Analize is…something else lmao 😅

[@kasperwozowicz]

@@SnailHatan took care of that It's "analiza/analizować" where I am from xD

[@SlapHappyPants]

you're truly part of the fandom now. Welcome to our shared trauma. Also the way you said "what a good episode for you to be a part of!" to your dog during the whole first bit was so heartbreaking to watch knowing what happens

[@FantaxxiaTV]

i realized the irony when i went back during the editing process 🫠😭

[@IkesPimpHand]

She really went the absolute GOAT anime for her first time 💀

[@Bandikit]

I mean hey, it was my first anime

[@doctorteethomega]

Calling Shou Tucker the "Sowing Life" Alchemist in the beginning is an amazing verbal trick. Sowing is planting, giving or creating. Turns out he's the "Sewing Life" Alchemist, stitching and combining.

[@sakidickerson]

He's still one of the most hated characters in anime. I saw someone cosplay as him at a convention and when he walked down the hallway people were saying boo Non-Stop

[@spiritualelement757]

Wow I wonder how that person cosplaying him felt about that

[@daimyos8823]

I've seen this episode 5+ times, still gives me chills. -Spoilers, this does get kinda dark.

[@Shuffle-Major-Arcana]

In the 2003 version of Fullmetal Alchemist, Tuckers motives are explained more. At that point in his life, he was about to lose his State certification and the comfortable life that came with it. Either lose his certification and become homeless or make a chimera with his child. To quote him. "I knew my life would be ruined, no matter which choice I made. I could do it with the science or without. So I chose the science."

[@nihidea]

really loved your genuine reaction here. almost everyone I've seen reacting to this show had already heard at least *something* about this plot point, because it's so notorious. So really interesting to see someone who really wasn't expecting it at all. Also, wanted to add something to what you said about the differences between what Ed and Al did and what Tucker did: Ed and Al didn't endanger/hurt another living being in what they did. The only people they got hurt were themselves. Whereas Tucket destroyed three living beings' life with what he did. It's one thing for a scientist to put himself at risk for the sake of innovation. Quite another to put other innocent people at risk (or outright hurting them).

[@Shinbu150]

This episode of FMAB is spread out over the course of 5 or 6ish episodes in the 2003 version. It gave you more time to grow attached to them before they rip your heart out. Nina's death is a lot more graphic too.

[@Lady_Yunalesca]

What? That’s not true at all. This plotline is covered in two episodes of the 2003 series. She gets one episode more of screen time and that’s it.

[@annieberardino8732]

And Ed trying to perform transmutation on her blood print on the wall… 😢

[@RecentCobra]

I don't think Scar originally says "2 Human souls" I think he originally says "2 Souls" meaning Nina and Alexander. I don't see why he'd want Shou to go to heaven

[@WaZZaKZZ]

So no thanks to someone, I've been going through this show once again and introduce this to a friend. Coming across this episode once more, I knew this was going to be a dark one for Fantaxxia! As traumatic as this episode gets, it plays such a fundamental part for the Elric Brothers that you'll see over time!

[@masonpallanes7258]

Now, imagine watching this at 10 years old. EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.

[@lukefalkreath3370]

When you watch an anime that traumatizes you early on, I always bring this up to other people who've seen the anime and they get so upset lmao

[@michaelparham1328]

I have no intention of ever rewatching this episode. I automatically skip to the end of reaction videos to see the gut punch reaction. She said 'experimenting' as if this was even an experiment. I don't think it even was. He knew what the result would be, he just did it again to make it look like he had any success.

[@Mr83nn0]

"I'm curious if we meet daddy today". And a "daddy" was met and no one is happy about it. Except us sadistic A-holes that want to se others feel the pain we once felt ^^

[@FantaxxiaTV]

i can honestly see how that can be cathartic though. might go watch someone else's reaction to ep 4 hahaha.

[@FetacciniAlfredo]

Well, you made it though the rite of passage for Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood... Sure glad I missed this episode on tv when I was a kid.

[@ComradeArthur]

8:20 "It was at this time, Fataxxia knew she lost her soul."

[@shadowfire_08]

welcome to ‘FeelsMetal’ 😭

[@bellabee699]

AAAAA FMAB is so good! Arakawa managed to create the most widely hated character in anime... and he is only featured in a single episode.

[@Owlsandoatmeal]

This is such a sad, dark episode :( If it's any reassurance, this show isn't just emotional in the sad/dark sense, though, it's got a lot of warm, lighter moments throughout it too, and the majority of the series has a good balance to it, in my opinion.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

good good i'm glad to hear that!

[@Sigart]

To me, personally, the weirdest thing about this is the fact that Shou Tucker did choose his wife and daughter. I mean, it's a large country. There has got to be vagrants around: poor people or homeless people or even just people living isolated. That were not his own family. It just shows that Shou Tucker had as little attachment to his wife and his own daughter as he does to random strangers.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

I guess it would be easier to convince them because the trust was already there? Idk, so freaking messed up either way

[@Sigart]

@@FantaxxiaTV It is, there's definitely no getting around that. But considering that he's literally a state alchemist, I would think that promising a job (or even just money to, say, move a few things around or getting rid of his less than ethical experiments) would pretty easily have attracted a couple of people. My point was just that his whole monstrousness is so monstrous on several different levels.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

@@Sigart 1000% hard agree!

[@istvanpalanki5316]

Knowing how the country operates the state wouls probably give out prisoners for experiements I never really thought about it why he didn't just grab some strangers

[@Sigart]

@@downeastbeast6448 Same could be said for any vagrant. And much more convincingly.

[@WI-FI_GOD]

I’ve seen this episode more then a hundred times now and it hurts every time

[@justincrowley8787]

Fanta "Puppy!" Me "oh...Oh no!"

[@kushkong1339]

The cow goes "Mooooo" The duck goes "Quack" The cat goes "Meow" The dog goes "Ed..ward"

[@NoelJohnCarlo]

Wait, the dog doesn't go Edward ._.

[@0megaknight2]

This is infamously considered one of the most wtf moments in all anime and its easy to see why

[@Hazardius]

Great reaction! I'm happy you're enjoying the series so far.

[@TriXJester]

Gosh this makes me realize how watching a lot of anime really sets you up for the twist but someone who just got into anime wouldn't get all the signals they were sending off so are completely blindsided. Cause any anime fan veteran I've seen watch this episode the first time were like, almost instantly tipped off that something was not quite right with Tucker as soon as they met the guy. I can tell you exactly what it is too, it's the glasses. Ask any anime fan to pick which character was probably up to something messed up and they'd likely choose the ones with glasses that obscure their eyes. It's also never sunglasses, it's always the ones wearing normal af glasses. In anime, never trust a mofo wearing glasses.

[@PhantomVirus]

There’s two subclasses of obscured glasses; -Arrogant Smart Guy -Sociopath

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Scar did the right thing at the end

[@MrSporkster]

Your little doggo is adorable!

[@FantaxxiaTV]

Pls don’t fuse me with him

[@CoffeePaladin]

Loving the reactions as always. The anime delves into some heavy ethical and emotional topics, it's what makes the show one of my favorites.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

i appreciate that so much!! thanks for experiencing it with me 🥰

[@j_b2397]

if you ever want to know if someone has seen this show, put a black wig on a shaggy white dog and watch their reaction.

[@flip9118]

Oh this show gets even darker (in different ways). But as far as being emotional, you haven't seen anything yet. There are some seriously high highs, and episodes that I guarantee will leave you in tears at the end. One of the great things about this show, though, is that everything ends up having consequences down the line. No spoilers, but the events of the last 2 episodes do affect the characters and the story going forward. This show does not just leave events in the past and forget they ever happened.

[@jeffmolina4989]

Your chanel just got suggested to me today and i just watched all of your FMAB reactions and really enjoyed watching with you, if nobody has warned you yet some episodes later on will have scenes during and after the credits. Cant wait to keep wating you, glad i subscibed

[@FantaxxiaTV]

happy to have you!!!

[@MarkyDav]

The great thing about doing this story so early on is that it opens the door for anything to happen.

[@jakethecaliforniawolf4888]

When you said this was the perfect episode to have your dog around with you.... lmao. i was just shaking my head. ohh gawd! xD

[@opaopa6272]

Shou could have gotten a talking Chimera using a Parrot just saying

[@cobusvanderlinde6871]

There's a marked difference between mimicing human speech and understanding it. Pretty sure parrots don't pass the Turing test.

[@NotActuallyFullmetal]

That thumbnail on its own gave me flashbacks.

[@Nr4747]

A very powerful, but also shocking episode - glad your dog was immediately there for moral support :-)

[@eleanorlanpher34]

It looks like you read every comment! That’s so cool! Came for the reaction and sticking around for you! You seem really cool 😊

[@FantaxxiaTV]

awwww i appreciate that!!! i do read every comment!! i love hearing everyone's thoughts and commentary!!

[@intothekey]

Welcome to the trama club!

[@shoxy-the-pinecone6113]

for the record this plot line was way better executed in the 2003 series

[@FantaxxiaTV]

i can't wait to watch '03!

[@Dizalddin]

Great reaction. All anime is wholesome... : )

[@FantaxxiaTV]

So wholesome 🤪

[@mr.e3123]

my favorite childhood anime

[@cobusvanderlinde6871]

I think for both Ed and Tucker, their gross violations of alchemy ethics came from a place of desperation. Ed needs some counterbalance in his life to make sure that desperation cannot drive him to Shou Tucker's level of depravity.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

yeah i guess for me the hard line was love vs greed

[@brittanylewandowski6200]

@@FantaxxiaTV THAT and they weren't using some other human/animals bodies to complete their objective. They were trying to create the body of their mother. They just lost part/all of theirs in the process. What Shou and the Elrics did were nothing alike. Ed and Al didn't play with human life. They were playing with death.

[@Vael221]

Obviously many people are fond of the slow burn betrayal horror that one gets from the extra time in FMA03, but honestly I feel like this fast method works just as well. Yeah you don't get to spend as much time with Nina, but it also basically hits you like a truck running a red light; you get a real sense of unfairness mixed with anger and powerlessness because it just happens instantly. I don't think it makes what transpires any less tragic one way or the other. Interestingly, if anything you actually get more time here compared to the manga. There it is more like: Here's a potential new ally... 10 pages later... just kidding literally the worst person ever.

[@TheKeller101]

Thank you! Finally not another “original was better” comment

[@marionette8739]

The 03 version was better for characterization and setting up themes. Ed knows from the moment he walks into room what happened to Nina. You don't know that Nina's current existence is literal agony for her, without the context of 2003. You don't get the desperate attempt to seperate them regardless that Ed almost tries. You don't get Nina growling like a dog to get Ed to stop attacking her father. You don't get the setup of Bas Grand.

[@curtise7]

Before warned this is only episode 4, there is much more to come. Yes the first chimera was Shou's wife, he explains his reasoning for it a lot better in FMA, brotherhood sort of rushes through a lot of stuff at the beginning.

[@TDoughter23]

Believe it or not, this was less dark than it was in 2003

[@rickykirk1]

she wasnt ready

[@MegumiMary]

my first experiance with FMA was seeing the (Much much darker version from the 2003 series) of the chimera scene playing on Adult Swim when I woke up in the middle of the night when I left the TV on when I fell asleep Seeing that at the dead of night when you are barely concious with no context left a massive impression on me I needed to see the whole show after that This was when I REALLY got into anime I liked Sailor Moon and Pokemon before this but this was when Anime hit me with how rich and dynamic the storytelling is This was a literal wake up call for me into the incredible world of Anime

[@nathanielrotskull2349]

People tend to be 'not ok' after that episode.

[@LoricSwift]

I in fact was 'not ok' after this episode...

[@FantaxxiaTV]

yup, was not ok lol.

[@Lady_Yunalesca]

People keep saying that the 03 version of Shou Tucker and Nina is better, and I guess I have to disagree. I saw that version first, and it’s certainly dark and sad just like it is here. But I feel like BH does a good job of showing the brothers connecting to Nina because of how they relate to her feeling like her dad doesn’t pay attention to her. The 03 anime doesn’t really make that same connection, at least not overtly, and instead just doubles down on Nina being cute and doing cute things with Ed and Al. And that’s fine: like I said, that version of events is emotionally effecting. But thematically I think everything involving Nina is handled much better here and in the manga than in the 2003 anime. Even showing the Nina chimera’s reaction to her father’s death hit me more than how her death is handled in the 03 series. Point being, “better” just depends on what ends up resonating with you more. And I don’t think getting a single episode more with the character automatically makes it more emotional, at least it didn’t for me.

[@sparemobius7430]

12:36 yes, this episode like the one prior deals in extremes. Blind faith in the previous and desperation in this one, he was desperate enough to maintain his living that he sacrificed his own daughter to maintain his status. Extreme religion and science episodes back to back to parallel how both could go wrong easily. This episode is in a lot of people's worst memories with anime, FMA does indeed go dark from time to time, hard to believe it is a kid's show sometimes. Thankfully, there is nothing quite so jarring as this episode, given it is so early it does kind of hit unexpectedly too if you hadn't seen the original, Brotherhood also in my opinion honestly does this scene better though.

[@CaptainSpycrab]

In the manga, whenever a character dies, the author ends the chapter where it happens with a quick drawing of them ascending to heaven. Shou Tucker is the sole exception; at the end of the chapter that became this episode, he was shown burning in hell.

[@stillatherestaurant]

3:25 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH DOGGO ♥

[@vworpin9945]

alright i straight up thought you hadn't uploaded anymore since episode 3 since I wasn't getting any notifications but i was just logged into the wrong profile lol yeah this is one of the most iconic episodes in all of anime, honestly can't have a cute dog or kid show up in a show without someone referencing it. It's a really great and effective scene though, and has real impact on Ed and Al's characters long term which is why compared to a lot of shows that just do stuff to be dark I think it worth having here. I know you're already there but thank god for episode 6 what a break from the pretty, although gripping, darkness of these two episodes lol

[@petawilleatacat8963]

Watched that when I was younger and still get mad at Shou Tucker. That anime hit deep on that episode.

[@SnailHatan]

Man, I really wish they didn’t rush the beginning just because the first anime was already made. They really reduced the emotional weight and impact of this, and its effects on Ed in particular.

[@chuumon95]

Now you know why this episode is considered infamous.

[@bunnyy_uwu_]

I had the same realisation of like, WAIT THAT WAS HIS WIFE?!?!? I'm also glad he's dead. People really are messed up. Fantastic reaction though!! Can't wait for more!!!

[@FantaxxiaTV]

it honestly took me a second!! i kinda forgot about mustang's speech in the beginning and it didn't click until afterwards!

[@bolt2134]

It doesn't matter how many times you watch it it never gets easy

[@marques9314]

Not all monsters go bump in the night.

[@mangofit1531]

Yes, the perfect episode to watch with your dog

[@kasperwozowicz]

Also this episode got strong human centipede vibes xD

[@MeatSim9]

Welcome to Fullmetal Alchemist. :D Shou Tucker is basically THE example of an untrustworthy character, and is a meme to this day. This episode is basically the cherry popper of the series, but don't think the feels end here.

[@MKnowS]

Episode 4 is definitely the barrier for entry to FMAB. If you can watch it and want to continue then you are prepared to finish the whole show.

[@toastoast]

You saying how appropriate it was your dog was here for this episode: 😊 Me knowing which episode this is: 😬

[@FantaxxiaTV]

yeahhhhhh, i realized that while going back to edit it and was like "i have to leave this in" 😅

[@dudeman47731]

What's worse is because he used his dog as material, nina was given a sense of loyalty to her father

[@Dotterelly]

Welcome to full metal alchemist!

[@user-kf2hr8zw9v]

Welcome to the show.😂

[@storyjumper]

I have a request. Rewatch this episode reaction after you've finished the series. I really am curious about how you will view characters with the other episodes as an understanding. No joke this is one of the most brutal episodes I think only one other comes close

[@FantaxxiaTV]

ooooh thats a really good idea!! i'll write that down!

[@storyjumper]

@FantaxxiaTV I also prewarning you. This episode in the other version is far more ... brutal... in just about every way. Please be prepared. Keep furry friends close.

[@hunterackerman1697]

I wouldn't say 'evil' as much as I'd say 'despiration' Tucker says he came from nothing, his wife was probably very angry that his chosen path caused them to be poor, so he turned her into a chimera. He was desperate not to lose his state certification, so he did it again. Ed and Al were desperate to get their mother back, so they committed Human Transmutation.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

I think it’s fair to say his desperation drove him to evil. What he did to nina was pure evil, I just can’t see any justification for it

[@hunterackerman1697]

@@FantaxxiaTV fair enough.

[@Nate9-9]

Episode 3 shows religion taken to the extreme. Episode 4 shows science taken to the extreme.

[@dagonofthedepths]

That's kind of the thing with anime. In American shows kids are almost always off limits so like a lot of horror movies, for example will put kids in danger but almost never have the guts to kill them off . Aliens is a good example of that. It creates this problem where no matter how dark it looks, people don't believe a child is ever in danger because, common they're not going to kill a kid. In Anime, there isn't any such taboo so they will do whatever they want to anybody. Not saying anime doesn't have it's own tropes, but to serve the plot, most anime wont shy away from killing or harming children or pets which creates a lot more tension in scenes where a character like that is at risk. For me, it also makes it more impactful when people risk everything to save youngsters as I know if they didn't, nothing else will save them.

[@Vael221]

I mean, Aliens might not be the best example since the monsters/violence in those movies are a pretty thinly veiled allusion to SA, so for obvious reasons the creators went out of their way to avoid even the suggestion that any children are in danger.

[@dagonofthedepths]

@@Vael221 I'm not going into artist intent because I didn't research the films much and that's a whole thing with me but that aside, you could always just not put Nute in the movie. Ebert and Ropert made a big deal about that in their review and their right, she just there to build false tension. Besides, you got things like Berserk which has pedophilia in it. So, on the anime side I don't agree with that either.

[@AwokenArtist]

this episode still hurts me and I hated shou so fricken much. thank god scar took him out in all honesty, and gave Nina and alexander peace by ending their life.. because if they kept living they'll just be a lab dog experiment.. and they cant go back how things were and im sure its extremely painful for nina and alexander. so putting them out of their painful misery was the only and best option left for them. Will say that Brotherhood will have dark episodes it gets dark but the story is so good..however will also give you a big heads up when you do watch the 2003 series and plan to do a reaction to it [which in all honesty if you ever do reaction vids of it id love to see tbh cause I dont think ive seen reactors yet to fully do reactions to the 2003 fma anime] the 2003 series gets MUCH more dark and emotional and i recommend get your tissues ready

[@cas2762]

Welcome to the customary trial by fire of the fandom.

[@Shad0wmoses]

its weird to say one enjoys this episode but for me its cathartic. dark stories or moments like these in movies/shows are always fascinating to me. it makes me feel horrible but definitely something i still appreciate.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

Same!! I love when shows don’t shy away from the dark stuff. I think I just wasn’t expecting anything to happen to nina because she’s a child, idk.

[@Shad0wmoses]

@@FantaxxiaTV yea i wasnt expecting it either. i saw it when i was around 15 years old when the original aired on adult swim and it messed me up. granted back in the 90's-early 2000's i grew up with much more darker anime and i guess dark scenarios involving children weren't so surprising to me over all...although, like i said this episode caught me way off guard! i def know in the 90's it was a trend to have more "adult"/intense anime as it was starting to gain more popularity in the west.

[@Scarabswarm]

Feeling sick at this episode is normal. It's proof you're human.

[@Requinix17]

emotional damage

[@Shiraori999]

Well it sure covered "a daddy" at least.

[@neilbryanclosa462]

welcome to fmab

[@BlairBear_1990]

The make or break episode.

[@JDP5127]

So this is a tough episode. No buts about it. Shou Tucker is just the worst. I hope you got a warm hug after this episode. If not, I will send a big hug through the internet your way. Luckily the show also has it's happy moments to balance things out. Also, we definitely get the idea that the State Alchemists may not all be the good guys they have been shown to be with Ed, or his interactions with Mustang and Armstrong. There is definitely a darker side to being an Alchemist in service to the military.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

hahaha i appreciate the theoretical hug!!

[@zibus8456]

first episode i ever saw

[@FantaxxiaTV]

you poor soul

[@zibus8456]

It got me hooked so I watched the rest, so I can't complain. It was my first anime too.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

@@zibus8456 what was your 2nd, out of curiosity? 👀

[@zibus8456]

i think My Hero Academia? I haven't watched newest season tho. I have a couple I need to go back and finish - Ranking of Kings, Demon Slayer, Chihayafuru. I've watched the first season of Chainsaw Man and Bocchi the Rock which were both excellent.

[@Lizaabear]

@@zibus8456 newest season of MHA is so damn good and full of emotion. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to watch it 🙂

[@nicholaswilkerson4394]

And you've now passed your initiation.

[@VictorCiolacu]

Ep 4 is a right of passing for fmab reactors. Funny enough...it is not the most heart wrecking episode. Also, also at.the end of the manga, the characters who died are pictured going to heaven, except for Tucker, who.goes straight to hell.

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Hopefully someday you will watch goblin slayer which is another good anime

[@ODragonwing]

That's not nice. I'm an anime veteran and that first episode is still hard to watch

[@DaDunge]

13:45 You think that's effed up? In the 2003 one we had spent like 5 episodes with Nina.

[@ulmoseaking]

The 2003 verson does Shou Tucker so much better. I would highly suggest watching the 2003 show, at least up to that point, just to see the better version of that story.

[@FantaxxiaTV]

I’m planning on watching 03 but a lot of people recommended finishing Brotherhood first!

[@lifed1533]

It hurts every time

[@frogganator3918]

If you ask me, Shou Tucker got off easy. Silver lining, this is the lowest point in the show. It does get close a couple times, but this is hands down the hardest hitting episode.

[@ANiceMarmot]

This was MUCH harder hitting in the original Anime series. You get to know Nina and Alexander over half a dozen episodes. You get far more attached to them. This series, while it's better in almost every way, doesn't hit AS hard with this. The Original series had a much greater, almost more suffocating sense of loss and sadness than this version does. It was bloody opressive.