Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | The Limitations of Power

A video essay about the theme of power and it's limitations in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
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[@charlesbelisle8606]

I missed this format so much. Ned Soup used to make the best video essays on KZbin

[@liamowen9695]

Nowhere else can you watch a FMAB video and hear "Hughes will not see the light of heaven" I love it never change Beau

[@JEMRocker]

Nerd Soup talking about FMA? I clicked this video *so fast*

[@Vessikilla]

I couldn't have clicked on it any faster, and came to comments instantly to so say lolol

[@chance757]

wow, i’m literally watching this anime for the first time right now! i’ll be back to this video when i’m done

[@tyroneturner4923]

I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.

[@codycrawford7842]

Arakawa knows something that we don't. This show was divinely inspired.

[@Wrrohm]

FMAB is doubtless THE BEST anime ever. It's not even necessarily my favorite anime, but the story is so perfect, the characters are excellent, and the themes are deep. The only real negative I have about FMAB is that the first handful of episodes move at a break neck pace, probably assuming most people watched the original series.

[@johnotatum]

Keep making video essays. And don't get hung up on making them perfect. The whole point of a video essay is to start a conversation. For awhile now I feel like Nerd Soup has been trying to figure out what to do next. This could it. This feels right. And it going off of the amount of time you took to rewrite this one, it seems that you care about these quite a bit so keep making them!

[@MathPiHanan]

Another small detail, that people don’t normally talk about is the genius of introducing Scar in episode 4. While at the beginning of the episode you’re told that he is a “traitor” who must be stopped, you are also introduced to the worst dad in anime. Scar killing Tucker in the same episode makes the viewer indifferent about (if not even grateful for) Scar as opposed to hating him.

[@wisdommanari6701]

NERD SOUP Entering their Video Essay Era? Fuck yeah

[@frantictoast3741]

Ruben formally know as Beau, as a long time fan of like 5 years now, I can happily say thank you for finally making the FMA video. Idk if this was the first one you made, but this is the first FMA dedicated video I've seen on the channel. Been a long, long time coming but it's finally here lmao

[@originaozz]

I first started FMAB because of an analysis video that breakdown the show's philosophy. It basically got me back on anime, remembering how deep it can be & how the art form can enhance a story. Still one of the most satisfying endings to any series ever where you're sad it's over, but also glad the heroes got to begin a new journey. While the action is amazing, it truly is a pacifist show at heart. Thank you for covering it.❤

[@bcsmith8994]

How did you manage to put this out when I have just started my third rewatch and showing my girlfriend for the first time. Truly magical hell yea

[@jordantaylor4390]

Honest, I think it's the greatest story ever told...

[@michaeltrinh4394]

"FMAB is the greatest Anime of all time." Truth: "That's the correct answer! You've beaten me, NerdSoup!"

[@Kat-lg9tr]

Its been a while since I’ve sat and listened to AND been engaged during an entire youtube video. Thank you

[@baer5137]

Bro cooked from 0-0:35. FMAB is my favorite anime with Cowboy Bebop as a close second!

[@JosefaGK182]

I would listen to every FMA essay you post. More pleaseee!

[@darriusbethea2373]

It was my 7th anime and I rarely seen such fascinating anime as this.

[@radarmua2316]

Finishing the last two episodes tonight, can't wait to listen to this!

[@Lady_Yunalesca]

This was great! you articulated a lot of what makes this story so special. If anyone out there has watched Brotherhood but not read the manga I highly recommend it. There's a lot of small details that aren't in the anime version, and some things have a lot more time given to them (like everything in Ishval). Still, Brotherhood is a pretty perfect anime, as was stated here. I think the only criticism I have of this video is that Winry doesn't forgive Scar. That's actually one of the nuanced bits of the show I really like. She treats his wounds, and says the things she wants to say, but when he asks if she is forgiving him she flat out says no. It lets her emotions sit in a more complicated place: she is able to move forward, but she doesn't forgive Scar either.

[@AnimeWatcher4]

yessssss, more anime video essays please. more video essays in general please!

[@brioche496]

“A heart made full metal” always got me at the end. Sums up the entire journey of our heroes perfectly.

[@chirbin0nidhogg623]

This was great Beau! As much as I enjoyed watching FMAB as a kid I never picked up on this amazing thru-line spanning the entire story. And you explained it perfectly 👍

[@xhandleyvector]

Excellent essay! More of this content! Loved it!

[@kashhusain8154]

Thank you for reminding me how great this story is.

[@noirspiderman44]

YOOOOOOOO IVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG FOR THIS HAVENT EVEN LISTENED YET BUT THANK YOU

[@littlebigmarc]

Wish we could have a reboot. Such an amazing series.

[@britneywhited4085]

I just finished watching it for the 4th time. It is the best.

[@wolfgangstallionmusic5639]

FMAB is really one of those perfect Shonen Animes

[@bigbear20211]

Absolutely loved this

[@dubbthis]

FMA BrotherHood should be in everyone's top 5

[@StephenSiu]

I never clicked so fast in my life. It's been a while since I've revisited this masterpiece.

[@marasmusshowdown8638]

When the power system is grounded, it's so beautiful. Because as we all know some writers can't balance power system to save their lives.

[@Roron0a_Z0ro]

yo FMAB? I am so here for it

[@josephreusch]

Man I need to watch this show again, so good!

[@chrystine1er]

This anime is so special to me, thank you so much for this wonderful video essay! Hoping that someday you’ll create one for my another one of my favorites, Cowboy Bebop ❤

[@ethano.4561]

This is so hype

[@pwninkev]

damn I just finished randomly rewatching this. talk about timing!

[@LegnaiaUnderground]

1:02 *I'm not really sure about it, take this with a grain of salt*, but from time to time I heard that the woman depitected in that famous image isn't Hiromu Arakawa (the author of the manga), but Edward's Japanese voice actress Romi Park instead, and that there are basically no photos of Arawaka around.

[@Spongebrain97]

I just started watching anime for the first time this past year and FMA was such a delight. I'm like the only one in my friend group who wasn't into anime and so I started with AoT and then FMA. I was like damn, the first two anime series that I got into deal with early 1900s magic mixed with technology at the time and a plot that includes war crimes 😂

[@alexpozniak4106]

This feels like a review that has been yeara in the making.

[@ilanouh]

I'm guessing this is not a response to Overanalyzing Avatar's recent video about FMAB, but it sure is a wonderful coincidence.

[@foolishgenius]

It's the greatest anime ever because the characters are amazing It is Well written it is short it has no filler and there is nothing that is left to the imagination because it ends and it has an amazing ending quite literally the last 16 episodes are the best episodes of the entire show it Peaks and then it ends it's perfect

[@eulermachado3968]

The only thing that keeps me from telling everyone to watch this anime is that we constantly get jokes in tense moments, the "anime jokes" or the "small jokes" to Ed. Its frustrating for me that likes anime, so for my friends who dislike anime, I think its too much. Thats unfortunate, even tho I consider everything in this anime brilliant.

[@AlexanderRodriguez-lm1qw]

Y’all are spoiling us

[@FaithOriginalisme]

i would love to hear you talk more about fma.. give me all your thoughts for my fav anime of all time

[@graveyardbeard9028]

Agreed. Brotherhood is the best.

[@antoniowisesa8497]

are we in FMA video esaays resurgence era or something? i'm enjoying this

[@orn_]

one piece is my favorite manga of all time but gma is without a doubt the best anime of all time 😊

[@MrJackson3215]

Drop more vids like this please!

[@Infinite_Repeat]

Alright now do a video essay on The Bear

[@mechtheist]

I wish more people would understand that, outside of mathematics, the term 'perfection' is utterly empty and even pernicious. Like the beginning of the video touches on wrt 'best' it's totally subjective and thus, as a superlative, devoid of any real meaning.

[@nomoontk9357]

That’s some good soup.

[@Rolandeee]

You got a subscribe based off that intro alone 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dvides89]

FMA = FMAB for me ( both the all time best in different aspects)… Feel free to disagree below 😂

[@Undeadwookiee7]

Oh. You definitely get a like 👍🏼

[@foolishgenius]

And I don't understand why people say avatar The Last Airbender is not an anime because in Japan it will be classified as an anime anything that is animated is an anime to them😂

[@frizzman1991]

Well done! I would still argue that ATLA is anime. If for some reason being made in the east is a requirement to truly be "anime", then note that the animation was done in South Korea. Regardless of that, it follows many shounen traditions artistically and thematically. I can't see a reason to not call it anime aside from Nickelodeon paying for it or it being written by white guys.

[@mcspoonz]

Im just here to boost the engagement

[@mcspoonz]

Amazing

[@brandondennis5889]

Honestly I never really got into it, I might have to double check it lol

[@borjankosarac3645]

Or… maybe the best anime of all time is “Monster”. You ever considered that one? Or the original “Trigun”?

[@EvanNicola-m4g]

Its Beau again not Reuben?! Very confused! Long time fan, also miss the animated bug avatars 😢

[@jianyuyj2016]

Dethroned by Frieren😊

[@franzjosh1208]

❤

[@michaeltrinh4394]

Yeah, FMAB is the greatest.

[@LegnaiaUnderground]

12:33 "Or Edward"... Uhm... the blonde guy shown here is joung Hohenheim back in Xerses, I think (also the very first character shown in the first opening btw)... Maybe you were just trolling us like the "sequel" thing, who knows...

[@TheJediOtaku]

Clicked SO FAST

[@shino475]

Must've missed attack on titan at its peak.

[@shivyshurima6533]

Beau can you do a hunter x hunter vid one day 🔥

[@The_Corvid]

HxH>FMAB

[@aster4jaden]

I prefer the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime because I fucking hated Dante after watching it, Brotherhood and the Manga feel too comedic at times for me to take seriously.

[@iamthebearjew96]

I mean Attack on Titan is the best anime ever buuuuut I'll let this one slide

[@joshuahoover6841]

I don't watch any anime but your opinion is wrong. 😂

[@Flopdoodle]

Meh

[@sifisflisk7408]

Attack of titan better

[@noirspiderman44]

I miss the long form talks of Nerdsoup. Idc if there's no animation or if there is or if it's a still screen of your logo while you speak.

[@noirspiderman44]

And this is the FMAB of FMA reviews.. Truly great and thoughts I haven't heard exactly how you put them even though I've watched many FMA videos Great job

[@Ender13123]

Tbh Fmab is carried by its villains and the plot, the anime does good but Edward as the main mc is outshadowed by mustang, Bradly, scar, greed. Not that it’s bad but it really is half the cast carrying this show after you’ve seen/read it a few times. I’d put AOT or evangelion way above as the best of all time, these are shows carried by the main characters not just the villains