Fullmetal Alchemist VS Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood - Part 4 | Comparing FMA's Manga and Anime

[@Stargazer_Ley]

You said that the 2003 version added in the line about Ed saluting with his left hand but showed an image of the manga contradicting that. I find your analysis to be quite similar to my own thoughts at times. I agree that sometimes the comedic breaks in tension can, and sometimes are, misplaced. Sometimes it's best to just let a moment be and leave it to sink in.

[@Lowart]

Thanks for pointing that out. I have no idea how I missed that in the manga.

[@Fanatic_Foremem]

To be fair the way the speech bubble is presented implies he's not saying it to Hughes, just muttering it to himself, it does give a different message.

[@joelschittenhelm5571]

@@Lowart Hey i found a comment of yours so you can actually see what i write. So i know that after watching both shows (in the correct order) that i liked 2003 better. But i cant bring much positive things in for it because it has been too long since I watched it. But i have a few negative points for brotherhood and if you talk about them in your later videos then im sorry but at the moment i dont have the time to watch them. First of all the "recap" of 2003 in brotherhood or its first season sets the ton for a lot of twists because they bring Nina, Wrath and Hugh in such a short time while still building up the characters. This sadly cant be hold up later in the show and just lets the last term of Brotherhood look more boring while its actually not. Also it destroys the thought of plot armor and you feel like no one is save. That really destroys everything that comes after that because littarly no one important but the villains die after hughs and that makes it really boring. Also the last 2 seasons were basically a big fight but we lost only 2 sidecharacters from whom you could say that they couldnt live in a world without war and that they found peace in death. The half of the audience probably didnt even know their names. 3 of the 4 "nice" chimeras could have died. Lion to Kimble, frog to Pride and boar to zombies. That would have made these characters more dangerous because they would have actually done something but killing redcoats. Then one Armstrong had to die against Sloth. Honestly every Homunculus without a kill is no danger for the characters and the viewers dont have to fear. No member of mustangs gang died that seems wrong. Lust with the Havoc kill would have made the great burning scene even greater. Greed killing Wrath. Scar could die. Mustang should stay blind so that it seems like he had a sacrifice. Btw. where are all the state alchemists? Did scar kill em all? Are they in Leore, all of them? I mean we didnt get one good Alchemist battle or a character that could earn our viewers respect by defeating one of them. Gluttany still has to kill someone, maybe the last chimera or a friend of mustang. The reason why 2003 doesnt have that problem is because the dead of mayor characters is seperate great in the whole show and death is something special. There we still have the constant fear. Not killing so many characters at the beginning makes the dead of redcoats more dramatic so when scar or the homunculi are shown killing unknown people we fear them. In Brotherhood we expect more than a civilian or simple soldier to die. My biggest problem with 2003 is that the end is weird. But i really like the concept of homunculi being in the body of the dead person. Also in both shows some characters just disapear like the bookworm in Brotherhood or Siren in 2003. But at the end both shows are awesome.

[@NichtNameee]

That's an Asian thing. They laugh in uncomfortable situations.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

@@joelschittenhelm5571 "First of all the "recap" of 2003"I know this is old but so is the series so ahh. That was not a recap, you (and many others) must read the manga to see that Brotherhood simply had much less content to adapt than FMA 2003 which wasn't closely following the manga. The manga is just that fast. FMA:B's staff did skip 2 chapters (3 & 4) but nothing in them would fix this "issue" if they were added back in. That's all I wanted to say....7 months later.

[@noahdaglio9362]

I love the how different Scar is between each adaptation, it’s hilarious. 03 Scar looks like a pretty Bishi boy who writes sad poetry while Brotherhood Scar looks like a brick shithouse who hasn’t had a carb since he was 3 and was lifting from age 5.

[@silverdays2909]

Is it a example of the virgin and the chad?

[@joeligmacandace9356]

Absolutely

[@peternotpeter4201]

Lmaoooo

[@SingingSealRiana]

I laughed so hard at this comparison ^^

[@starsparklemonkey3390]

03 Scar: All Cops Are Bastards. Fuck Up Nazis. FMAB: A few bad apples. Blue Lives Matter.

[@fortello7219]

I feel like the moment where Mustang rushes out in the rain only to be useless is actually a good scene to highlight Mustang's caring nature. it shows what separates him from the others that try and move up to the government in the series. That he would charge in recklessly in order to protect those he sees as in need of help. I believe we see this a lot later on, with his whole spy network being close to his heart and his deep personal friendship with people like Hughes. And at this point we haven't seen too much of Hawkeye being the cool weight to Mustang's fiery temper. So it shows some good character dynamic.

[@BlueDragonArt]

^This. I'm glad you said it.

[@papajohn3707]

Was looking for this comment!!!!! Exactly my thoughts

[@RainbowDj7]

Someone had a very interesting take on the Mangahood version of the scar confrontation here: gay-jesus-probably.tumblr.com/post/189573939866/so-im-rewatching-fmab-and-i-totally-just TLDR Mustang purposefully makes himself Scar's target to keep Ed safe

[@sonofaballer96]

I think the uploader failed to see the underlying message in the scene and didn't recognize that aspect of Mustang's character when he made his rant. This is why other perspectives are good.

[@DragonWagonzXL]

FMA scar: I’m a quiet character that has my own goals Brotherhood scar: *I EAT MOUNTAIN LIONS FOR BREAKFAST*

[@nguyenthanhhai6725]

Scar in 2003 is a tsundere. He doesn't know what he was doing. Blinded by vengance and anger his death is meaningless to me.

[@claudiu6387]

@@nguyenthanhhai6725 You haven't understood the character then.

[@starsparklemonkey3390]

@@nguyenthanhhai6725 Are you a from a colonized nation with a violent freedom struggle against the colonizer? No? Shut up then. You won't get it.

[@Leroset]

@Yuri Markov No one said anything about liking 2003 Scar, just that the commenter didn’t understand 2003 Scar’s character, which I would agree with. The idea that 2003 Scar as a tsundere who didn’t know what he was doing is just flat out wrong, and shows a lack of understanding of that character. That’s all that there is to it.

[@wingadept8793]

@@nguyenthanhhai6725 This gives me the opportunity to quote a line by Vegeta that kinda works here. Ahem: MEANINGLESS, HUH? WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF MEANINGLESS? Spend most of your life ruled by another! Watch your race dwindle to a handful! AND THEN, tell me what has more meaning than your own strength! Sorry I had to do it!

[@MrCaCaaaaaaaaa]

The musical score in the 2003 anime is phenomenal.

[@chrisnemat]

MrCaCaaaaaaaaa I agree this is what I missed in brotherhood most

[@snoboreddotcom]

Both are though personally I prefer Brotherhoods. Crisis in the North is a banger

[@marche800]

@@snoboreddotcom The original is way better at setting a mood imo but brotherhood is not bad

[@Melody-dn5zs]

I like them both a lot personally

[@Kujakuseki01]

It's so atmospheric and interesting and every song fits every scene it's used in. Brotherhood has a great soundtrack, but it's pretty Shonen-typical and not unique.

[@OllieConnorsFilms]

I don’t know how anybody misses that the animation is completely different, how did people get that confused?

[@carljosephfriedrich8919]

I don't know. Maybe they are Berserk 2016 fans?

[@lokasocba]

@@carljosephfriedrich8919 XD

[@lainiwakura1776]

Even the art is different.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

Apparently a lot of people really don't pay attention to animation, designs or even aspect ratio. For those who seriously can't spot the difference in artwork the easiest trick is look at Ed's hair. For '03 art it's blonde with a black outline. For FMA:B art it's super blonde with no black outline.

[@silverdays2909]

@@ThexDynastxQueen But Al has no hair how can I tell the diffrents?

[@edgarmorales9950]

One thing I appreciate from 2003 is that whenever Ed confronts these killers like Barry, Scar, and Greed he ends up terrified of them. Usually in a lot of action shows that cover serious topics, it ends up being an immersion breaker when the hero confidently confronts the killer and treat it like a punk on the street or a bully at the playground. Even more so when the hero ends up killing said killer. They just go on with their lives, not telling themselves "I just killed a human being. He was evil so it's okay right? Right?!" It's that kind of inconsistency that I'm glad I haven't found in 2003.

[@conradkorbol]

Edgar Morales 2003 first half was much better But the second half shits itself and brotherhood is much better in its second half

[@conmanwolf405]

@@conradkorbol I disagree with that second half. While 2003's second half does have some rushed edges, it keeps in tone with what came before. It followed through with its themes. The horrors of war, and how people react to it. How Ed becomes more and more comfortable with killing as the show goes on. His killing of Greed is tragic, and he is forced into it, but in his fight with Envy near the end, he's almost on the verge of laughter, and it's only when Envy surprises him with a revelation does he hesitate. It's very human. Brotherhood's second half is closer to the manga, and has some wow moments, and is probably more consistent in quality, but 2003's high points still make me pause long enough to go "Wow, I can't believe that happened." despite probably being on my 5+ rewatch since I saw it as a kid.

[@bunsmasterbunny]

Conrad Korbol 2003’s second half is amazing.

[@robertsadler2768]

ConmanWolf very well put sir

[@greenbunny-]

@@conmanwolf405 your comment made me love 2003 version even more. It seems Brotherhood is just a shonen manga brought to the screen compared to the original . I like brotherhood , but Fma 2003 is incomparable.

[@JamesELLYale]

It happened AGAIN. You keep releasing videos right when I get to them in the series. You're basically the ideal content creator.

[@zetaindewalls1958]

The scar fight was so good in 2003. I loved the way it weaved in Marcoh into these events and had him describe the ishval massacre and has the parallel with Liore. Ed, Al and Scar's characterisations are all excellent here. It's interesting that when Marcoh brings up the war, Ed and Al initially spout some military propaganda about how the military lost soldiers too and so Scar shouldn't be seeking revenge and Marcoh explains that, no, it was an unjust massacre. Brotherhood later on adopts a rather pacifistic message, where revenge is wrong and how it can consume a person. 2003 brings up the same ideas here but will later deconstruct them, with the system itself being slowly shown to be completely corrupt.

[@TheQuashingoftheTub]

Brotherhood's message on revenge, despite being the typical lesson is quite interesting. One of my favorite moments is when *SPOILERS* Scar actually finds closure in the death of Wrath. It's not something we often see.

[@zetaindewalls1958]

@@TheQuashingoftheTub Yes, Brotherhood does execute its message rather well. I just love how challenging 03 is on the topic, instead of going for a safe message. It highlights how simply saying that revenge is wrong is too simple and that allowing atrocities to continue is the real danger. Scar's brutal tactics are shown to scare those in power and get results. Being complacent can lead to suffering. (But like, that doesn't excuse all actions and you can still become obsessed with revenge which is also dangerous). It's just an unusual take I think is pretty well-executed as the characters all remain somewhat sympathetic.

[@dashman8499]

@@TheQuashingoftheTub That's true, but witnessing SPOILER scar find closure and accept death at the end of his arc in 2003 after saving Al hit me alot harder. Him mending his relationship with his brother through the Elrics was incredible.

[@TheQuashingoftheTub]

@@dashman8499 Yeah. There are a lot of moments in both series that hit better, but I think 2003 typically hits all the best moments in the best way.

[@dashman8499]

@@TheQuashingoftheTub Totally agree. As Lowart says, 2003 is a character drama while brotherhood is an action adventure

[@Vitz_atelier]

The thing I love about this series is how it's pretty much a testament to what I always believed since finished the Manga back in the early 2010's: Fullmetal Alchemist is only whole if you watch 2003 and read the manga and/or watch Brotherhood. They complement each other in so many ways...

[@isauldron4337]

I COMPLETELY DISAGREE It's like recommending to someone watch the reboot of Robocop to understand the original movie : it's stupid. In case You wanted to understand better the manga storyline( after watching Brotherhood) You should read the manga, damnit. 03 and The FMA manga/Brotherhood are totally different beasts. In case anyone's wondering , I watched FMA 2003 BEFORE BROTHERHOOD And I still prefer Brotherhood by miles

[@HibikiTehMan]

^As a 2003 fan I agree though I think one should read vol 1-3 prior to FMA:B so one can catch it's changes early. The two are like adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, you don't combine any to get the full picture of the play....you read the play. Everything outside of the source is a creative's team own take and is treated as such, do the same here.

[@sarafontanini7051]

I will say Brotherhood/the manga is WAY better at using other cast members than 2003. I probably mentioned this in one of your earlier viddeos but still. in 2003, while other characters DO do stuff that sometimes is tied to the main plot, it usually doesn't matter or add much to the plot and the only ones driving the plot forward other than the villains are Ed, Al and Mustang(and whatever side character gives them exposition or assistance). in Brotherhood and the Manga, a lot mroe characters contribute to the plot in little and small ways, especially in the ending. for example in 2003 WInry and Sheska start investigating Sloth/The Fuhrer's secretary and some of the military's secrets together....and nothing comes of of it.

[@isauldron4337]

Agree COMPLETELY, my grain of salt: Mustang's crew's entire relevance in the plot ... Near none

[@isauldron4337]

Winry's entire subplot of the dead parents wasn't really solved onscreen in FMA 2003 and It ended Up mattering little

[@sarafontanini7051]

@@isauldron4337 yeah. They changed it to Mustang having killed them and sufering massive guilt for it but that' basically all the relevance it has to anything. and yeah Mustang's subordinates were REALLY screwed over in 2003

[@bunsmasterbunny]

Sara Fontanini that’s still better than having the completely unimportant Xing characters forced into the center the whole time. Aside from Olivier Grummand makes a small appearance at the end of 03 so he doesn’t count) none of the Brotherhood exclusive characters have any real reason to be as focused on as they are. Olivier has a deeper plot significance and feels like a natural integration into the storyline. Characters like the chimeras are just there to do stuff. Brotherhood has more side characters that do stuff but almost none of them are actually important to the main plot, whereas every side character in 03 has importance to the main plot. What 03 lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality.

[@kvproductions2581]

I agree. The side characters make FMA great, including the Xing ones

[@Next-xm2dh]

Not related To scar personality But I Think he looks better on 2003( facial features and The red Alchemy energy ), I also like that he's always with his glasses in 2003

[@maskofthedragon]

He looks like Toguro in 2003

[@Next-xm2dh]

Maybe that's why I like Him, Toguro Was A Badass

[@edgarmorales9950]

One thing that I noticed is that Scar in 2003 looks way younger than his Brotherhood counterpart. Like Scar in 2003 looks like he could be in his early 20's, where as Brotherhood Scar looks to be late 30's early 40's.

[@blue_teacup]

I think I prefer the Brotherhood design partly because he stands out against the other characters more and partly because it makes him feel more like a hardened warrior that’s gone through hell and back.

[@nv_johan8711]

I like his manly look in brotherhood more.

[@edgarmorales9950]

Don't make me choose. Scar was awesome, no amazing, in both versions. I will say though in terms of english voices, I prefer Brotherhood's over 2003. Not to say 2003's was awful, both had amazing performances, but I like the deeper more gruff voice english Brotherhood Scar had.

[@emrys4386]

I can't remember where I saw it but I do remember that someone compared 2003 Scar to FMAB Scar by saying he looks like "My emotions are very complex and sometimes I cry while writing free verse poetry" not "I eat mountains for breakfast" which I mean... is truer than I'd care to admit in retrospect, but honestly I feel like putting FMAB Scar in FMA, just wouldn't've worked. I'm not saying it wouldn't work well, I'm saying he wouldn't've worked in that timeline. Period, end of story. I mean each Scar had moments where it made it very clear that they were both based off the same initial character, but since I went straight from FMA to FMAB (a mistake I'll admit, if for pacing if nothing else) Scar felt like a complete turn around from who he was in 2003. As for the voice thing, it's Dameon Clarke vs J Michael Tatum, so that's probably a very popular opinion.

[@edgarmorales9950]

Ani Agreed 100%. Both Scars I feel were shapes by the events in their own respective stories. Different events create different characters. Seeing them both develop into who they are in both stories was like a roller coaster of emotions.

[@frogglen6350]

Scar's English voice does not match in 03

[@emrys4386]

@@frogglen6350 What do you mean? Do you mean his voice doesn't match the character on screen or do you mean the name I said was wrong?

[@mechajay3358]

Yeah, Both Dameon Clarke and J. Michael Tatum both are great as, but Tatum's voice just feels more right with him.

[@sonofaballer96]

One of the things I like more about brotherhood was how Al's mortality. Specifically, how the reality and limitations of his body seemed more appearant. This was illustrated in multiple episodes and it made their mission of getting their original bodies back seem more urgent. The same thing that happened to Barry the Butcher could've happened to Al.

[@thehavocmiranda]

I don't think you're spending a lot of time in 2003 than you are on manga or praising 2003 anime disproportionate. What happens is that a LOT of people just spend their videos saying how Brotherhood is better and the 2003 is shit. I don't understand how people would do that. They're both good. I believe that unconsciously you end up developing more 2003 exactly to set points against the most of the people who speak crap about the 2003. I love both 2003 and Brotherhood but I hate the injustice people do against the 2003 anime.

[@thefox1901]

Exactly. He's saying things that need to be said. A lot of fans of 2003 have felt this way for a long time so it's really nice to have him so thoughtfully and meticulously point out the strengths in the writing and presentation of the first anime.

[@treydawson2432]

Exactly! The whole discussion of FMA on the internet is just inherently shifted towards Brotherhood, and as a result, anyone who gives 03 a chance is seen as being biased.

[@mechajay3358]

I see 2003's verison as a AU type of story from Mangahood. That way I can appreciate both series for what they are.

[@alexandersykes6300]

@@treydawson2432 No, He IS biased as fuck lol. Its not a bad thing by any means. In fact its sort of a common behavior to be extra biased towards things that are normally looked down upon, And yet you like those better. I honestly love both series. But i feel like he Lowart is not looking at things the way he should be in order to understand FMAB properly. He has a lot of knowledge about the Manga and Brotherhood but not really the mindset... Maybe because of the type of person he is... Or maybe because FMA03 gets so much shit on the internet. Regardless i think he didnt enjoy Brotherhood as much because of the public opinion on Brotherhood being a lot better. And maybe even nostalgia lol. I also wanted to point out that to understand Brotherhood properly you kinda have to look at the big picture.

[@alexandersykes6300]

I do agree but most of the things he has said about 2003 so far , I legitimately think he is right. But when he starts to talk about brotherhood im just like ._. Jeez, This this guy really watched the show? Well i guess he is just a serious person. In a weird way. Plus i think in general Brotherhood's cast is Insanely better than 03. When he said that 2003's was a lot better handling characters and he just saw it in general as an action adventure story. Im not gonna lie xD That was biased AF holy shit. With the Exception to Hughes. I dont think there was ANYBODY who was handled better. The magic of the 2003 show is far from the god damn characters xD, Just wow.

[@GwydionAE]

Character study vs action/adventure/shounen - YES! I have always been more than willing to admit that the manga has the more cohesive plot, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the character development of Ed in 03, even in the supposed "bad" later episodes. I have always enjoyed a more character focused story, so digging in deep to one character's core is more fulfilling to me than something with a lot of characters vying for my attention. That being said, the plot and humor of the manga do make up for the lack of this, in my opinion, so I'll always like 03 and the manga about the same - it's hard to pick one over the other when I like them both for such completely different reasons.

[@lovstat]

FMA (both Brotherhood and ‘03) have always been my favorite anime, and even when I read the manga, I just kept on loving it even more. So happy I finally found a channel that actually cares enough about it to do a series long of deep analysis videos of the three media! Keep up the good work my dude 💪🏼🙌🏼

[@thewrongsorcerer]

I mean it's pretty easy to tell which one is which. 2003 is 4:3 and Brotherhood is 16:9

[@carljosephfriedrich8919]

Yeah. And oh - the animation is completely different;)

[@jennahsmailes7029]

im so glad you are doing this series, im definitely going to re-watch 2003 and give it the acknowledgment it deserves... i dont think i would have noticed the complexities to my favourite piece of fiction without your insights. Thank you!

[@tdfern1]

Ooohhh okay this is where I get the whole point of the analysis that you do because I never exactly understood point of these FMA Analysis videos. I never really thought of FMA 2003 as a "character study" and while FMA Manga & Brotherhood as action/adventure story. I have heard once there are two different types of story methods; a character story and a storytelling story which is what FMA 2003 and Manga-hood are respectively.

[@andrewshirley9240]

I almost wonder if it'd be possible to frankenstein together a watch order and/or fan edit that includes both the character building, interpersonal moments of '03 while keeping to the overarching philosophical motivation of Brotherhood. Or are they so incompatible with each other that we'd just be creating our own "chimera"?

[@tdfern1]

@@andrewshirley9240 I dont know it's possible but remember old FMA ran between 2003-04 then 5 years later we got Brotherhood which ran from 2009-2010. Because they are fundamentally different in terms of animation and storytelling and the fact that the 2003 has changed characters and their motivations to progress the story, and of course a lot of anime original filler, it might be hours long.

[@tdfern1]

@Savanna Banana FMA manga/brotherhooc wasn't just pacifism it was also power, corruption, militarism and course equivalent exchange.

[@isauldron4337]

@@andrewshirley9240 With all du respect, you'd create a crazed chimera without rime or reason

[@bunsmasterbunny]

Savanna Banana 03 was neither more cynical nor more realistic. Things didn’t work out not because they couldn’t, but because Ed gives up his own happiness for others.

[@andreseduardo7114]

I really like how in Manga/Brotherhood Scar attacks them just after Nina's Death, I think the point of this is showing how Scar actions on killing alchemists are a little bit justified just when we have seen what alchemy is able to do just a moment ago with Nina, but I have to admit that 2003 is a series that really knows how to build drama, and even the Manga does this job in a far better way tan Brotherhood.

[@TheEnigmaticBM39]

You also see his justification a few episodes after this that show how brutal the state alchemist were with the isvhalans.

[@Laiser]

The early villains of FMA03 represent the 7 deadly sins 1.Farther Cornello -Pride 2. Man with the automail arm on the train- Wrath 3. The Other Elric Brothers - Envy 4. Siren - Greed 5. Guy who made the lifeless dolls - Lust 6. Shou Tucker - Sloth 7. Yoki - Glutonny

[@link61601]

Bruh.

[@lukeohara6047]

I disagree with shou tucker as sloth though. He worked really hard for his research and it was because it yielded no results and he cared too much about it that he did what he did to Nina. That doesn't seem like sloth to me, more the opposite.

[@monfernova]

@@lukeohara6047 I think it's more he didn't find a way which didn't compromise a moral boundary. You could argue that though he loves Nina in his own twisted way, experimenting on her was the "easy option".

[@lukeohara6047]

@@monfernova yes, but somebody truly slothful wouldn't go to the lengths to experiment on their daughter. Plus the guy worked very hard.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

Me The Guy: Slothfulness isn't just all around laziness it was a sin that spiritually described rejecting the obligations/duties one has to the Christian God and fits with the version of Sloth '03 choose. Under this lens Tucker rejecting his main role by experimenting on his wife and daughter for his exams can be sloth.

[@AnimeFreakLucky7]

Can't wait til you talk about Maes Hughes and his relationship with the Elric brothers more, more specifically, with Edward! Really love the episode where they go back to Resembol, its sweet and very laid back. Scar is a very interesting character, for sure. You understand why he does what he does-but you also know he is going about the wrong way. Can't wait to see more of these!=)

[@InugamiTheHound]

The gag with Envy is great IMO because Envy is suppose to be jealous of others epically the elric brothers and how you talking about FMA 03 over brotherhood (representing the hordes of angry fans in the comments talking about brotherhood is better than FMA03. FMA03 it worth your time to watch) and also huge spoiler in FMA03 it turns about Envy is Ed and Al step brother and his jealous of them and how hohenheim abounded him and his mother and started over with a are family and perfect wife and two perfect sons.

[@conmanwolf405]

Honestly, the homonculi being human is 100% my favorite change from the Manga/Brotherhood to the 2003 adaption. It's such a neat way to have the series cycle back on itself and show how people make the same mistakes, for good and bad reasons. And how running from your problems or fears will hurt you and others. Like with Sloth, who Ed and Al meet many times, but they just ignore the problem, despite it being in their face. Until it ends up hurting people close to them.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

The '03 reveal with Envy was so good as no one saw it coming yet by just looking at Envy's "true form" everyone instantly got why he was so fixated on the Elrics. To me in Mangahood though his enviousness doesn't feel as understandable because the Homunculi didn't exhibit limitations in their emotions or actions compared to humans. I think if Arakawa made Envy care about his "siblings" but they rejected this comradery as unnatural his feelings towards humans would've made instant sense.

[@bunsmasterbunny]

ConmanWolf It makes so much sense as the direction to take the series that it’s surprising it wasn’t the original idea.

[@GlorpLorp]

You 03 dickriders are way worse then brotherhood dickriders.

[@gertrudeherman7365]

Your channel is godtier. I've never seen someone as passionate and devoted to make extremely high quality content about a lot of shows people have grown up with and mean a lot to. Especially the original fma. It is very rare I see anyone at all acknowledge it or even breakdown the differences and uniqueness between all 3. Thank you for what you do Lowart.

[@monsoon410]

Your bit with shrimpy Envy on the phone with you was a nice addition. Thanks for helping to keep Arakawa’s best work alive!

[@nancyjay790]

I also refer to that version of Envy as "shrimp", both because of its appearance but also it amuses me since Envy spent so much time calling Ed shrimp or other words for short.

[@TacticalMikey]

I feel like if you took every excellent aspect of each version (Manga, '03, BroHo) and put it all together, it wouldn't work - they're all just too independent to each respective version they're from. That said, it's nice in retrospect that they all have merit to them.

[@duckbringr]

Just found your channel. This analysis is great and reminded me of why all 3 works are some of my favorite in anime and manga. Thanks for the feels and concepts to think on

[@romelloellis1567]

Your videos to me are a a very refreshing take on the full metal alchemist series. Its really nice to see someone go in depth on it and other cartoon and anime im into. Keep up the great content and looking forward to your next vid

[@brytonup1551]

I’m so happy @Lowart I just got off work and was frustrated asf but I’m happy and content because you finally uploaded more of the fmab videos

[@frogglen6350]

Yeah.....People who say "Brotherhood Follows the manga 100%" clearly never read the manga. They're just parroting what others say.

[@TheEnigmaticBM39]

It follows it more to the T. Things like the beginning of fma with the train and terrorist happened in fma and the manga but not in brotherhood.

[@tdfern1]

@@TheEnigmaticBM39 since it has been tried and established and haven't gone to the Other material of the manga.

[@adnanilyas6368]

He literally started calling the two Mangahood because of how close Brotherhood and the manga overlap.

[@firebird1080]

How many anime can claim they follow the manga 100%? No one actually means it's a literal 100%.

[@frogglen6350]

@@firebird1080 Oh. Well I guess you've never seen Hellsing.

[@claireaquos6532]

2:44 Speaking of wich, I love the way Al handle the situation. Knowing that the gun can't hurt him, he places himself in front of the gun and said "If you shoot you're only gonna hurt yourself". Not only is Al is incredibly mature here but that simple phrase says so much.

[@totallynotrodion8081]

Damn, you invest tons of work this. Thank you. And we will wait for the next part as soon as possible. =)

[@starling_944]

I finally found a way to put it! I like brotherhood and 2003 but I only like brotherhood as much as I do because of how 2003 handled the characters! Hughes is an amazing character but I don't think I would enjoy him as much in brotherhood without watching 2003 first. I got attached to the characters in 2003 and brotherhood only made them more enjoyable for me. Without 2003, Brotherhood would be my number one anime and without brotherhood I wouldn't understand 2003 as much.

[@diaryofagoat-lass1023]

Awesome video as always! I am very much enjoying your essay on FMA/FMA:B

[@schale8051]

This series really makes me want to re-watch 2003. Maybe I'll start doing that soon, once I finished some other things I'm doing right now. Great video as always =D

[@nitehunter91]

I love all these series [you've been doin'] and also your way of narrating this critiques. Thanks for uploading more videos recently.

[@kashandi2]

Agreed on character focus over action adventure. You're series is reminding me that there was more to brotherhood though. Mostly I remember it as a series of ultimate fights, with the brothers taking a back seat to side characters.

[@nickcameron4107]

much of what I felt when watching Brotherhood was that the character bits were rushed through to get to fights

[@nickcameron4107]

@Krillindude there might be more characters that get time in brotherhood, however, there is more character growth and driven story in 2003.

[@lampad4549]

@@nickcameron4107 only for ed and al

[@nickcameron4107]

@@lampad4549 and for Hughes, and the first greed and mustang and winery ...

[@nickcameron4107]

@@lampad4549 in fact name any character that has more challenge or change in them in brotherhood than they do in 2003

[@ManDUCKedia]

Great stuff as always Lowart. You've been really going over many great details of why I love FMA. That episode is probably my favorite in the whole franchise. Keep it up! Loving this videos!

[@SheldorTheConqueror2313]

That song still gives me goosebumps

[@LucanoGaming]

Yet another killer video. And yes, I totally love how you differentiate these sources. Just as you, I see Mangahood as an action/adventure shonen, a bit more formulaic, but still absolutely amazing and 2003 as a character study, more in line with anime un-conventional storytelling like Evangelion, Escaflowne (which has a lot in common with FMA) and Ergo Proxy.

[@oskarvlixesmtze7891]

Ergo proxy maaann... That fucking end... Or was a beginning?

[@JimFaindel]

I love the fact that when you say "...but we'll get to that later." you ACTUALLY GET TO IT LATER, instead of just forgetting all about it. Consistency and planning greatly enhance any analysis, and it shows you have both, as well as loads of passion for the material.

[@jaydencordero7492]

So like. Do I have bad taste since I prefer Brotherhood?

[@dapyzzz4209]

Nah I like it more too

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

No, it's just a personal preference as the two show's intents and themes due to that were completely different. There is nothing wrong with liking either or neither at all as long as you don't force your preference onto others or belittle them for theirs, you're good to enjoy whatever.

[@isauldron4337]

I am on the same Nice Boat

[@aeroga2383]

It's undoubtedly better. '03 just has a better beginning

[@jeweerly2319]

@@aeroga2383 fuck off

[@Dumbledoresarmy13]

I don't really like how completely goofy that spinning thing was after the Scar battle, but I can understand there being a snap back to humor. My grandparents were in their living room when their house was destroyed by a tornado, trapping them in the rubble, barely able to reach a cell phone to call for help. It was a really near death experience. Afterward, though, she was joking around about her 'house' being a mess after one of my relatives had just cleaned "I think I'm gonna have to fire my maid - what a mess, looks like a tornado went through there". Like, she had just been pulled out of the rubble and rushed to the hospital, insanely lucky not to have been crushed by a wall, she's now homeless, we worried she might have pneumonia from being in the rain and not having her oxygen machine or something - and she's joking about it all. But it felt natural for that to happen. After all the danger and suspense, the rush of relief that they were okay kind of just released that sort of response from all of us. We all got kind of goofy for a little bit there.

[@captain_sly]

props to the laughing dog for freaking him out lol

[@Airyllish]

Fantastic video, with a great analysis of '03 and emphasis on why its differences to Brotherhood don't make it bad, given it's aiming for an entirely different end goal. I particularly like the time taken to focus on the odd side episodes it has and the exploration of the gravity of '03 and its much darker themes. The notation of Rose is actually really cool because it's been so long since I watched '03 that I forgot that it did that, and when I did originally watch it I never really pieced it together as a visual metaphor for the results of Ed's actions. Honestly with that point of view in mind, you've made me want to rewatch '03 again, lol. The only thing I really disagree with is the notion of Mustang's hotheaded response to Scar; we've established already that in Brotherhood, Mustang seems to be on the boys' side more than he does in '03. Brotherhood takes the effort to suggest that Mustang cares for the boys, on a certain level. Also (while in fairness these are both later in Brotherhood and never appear in '03 so it's hard to bring these up without spoiling major plot points) Mustang is revealed to be hot-headed and rash by the General in the East, and is revealed to be a reactive, emotional person when somebody he cares for is under threat or has been harmed (his fight with Lust, and his particular reaction to Envy upon realising Envy's history with Maes.) Mustang's reaction is actually quite reasonable when you have that context for it. He cares about Ed and Al, at least enough to want to see them succeed. When he arrives on the scene where he was likely only told the wanted criminal Scar was fighting the Fullmetal Alchemist, he finds that Ed is in grave danger. Could Hawkeye have just taken the shot to save Ed's life and put Scar down? Almost certainly. What we don't know is if she got the chance to; what if Mustang grabbed a pistol (an unusual weapon for him, considering he is heavily reliant on his alchemy and they make this point almost immediately after, as well as us never seeing him with a service weapon that I can recall at any other point) and quickly fired it to immediately draw attention to himself? What if he goaded Scar to make himself an obvious, bigger threat that would be far more appealing to kill and exact revenge upon, remembering his history in the war? In his process of impulsively goading Scar to keep Ed safe, he falls into the trappings of his reckless personality and falls back into old habits, preparing to simply fight an enemy. It's actually a pretty fair assumption that what started as a genuine attempt to save Ed's life in the fastest way possible, if not the most reckless way possible, simply turned into hubris and impulsive behaviour as Mustang has been said to be prone to do. At that point, he's put himself at real risk, and Hawkeye has to bring him beg down to earth in a literal metaphor. Either way, it's very likely that seeing Scar's willingness to kill just a boy - and a boy who wasn't even part of the war, too - Mustang reacted in a snap-decision manner... and proved that honestly, when forced to make a snap-decision that he absolutely couldn't plan for, he's not actually that great thinking through.

[@WalkthroughHorde]

perfect timing; I finished Brotherhood last night. I absolutely loved Brotherhood, even the parts you criticized. I wasn't very confused by the first episode and I didn't mind rushing through the beginning a bit. Even though I did find it strange that Nina had such a large impact on the story and was brought up again and again but was in only one episode. That being said, while Brotherhood is already sealed as one of my favorite shows of all time despite its flaws and oddities, I'm gonna watch 2003 soon to get the full experience. And when I rewatch it to show my girlfriend, we'll watch at least part of 2003 before jumping into Brotherhood.

[@bunsmasterbunny]

You should watch all of 2003 with her. The 2003 series should definitely be seen in its entirety before Brotherhood.

[@spicysquire3521]

I liked the use of comedy in the scene with Ed and Al after the Scar fight in brotherhood. It felt like Al was snapping Ed back to a slightly more optimistic reality, and the comedic spinning thing gave that clear message, that Ed was being "a stupid brother". The comedic style changes sometimes felt to me like a way of showing how ridiculous their situation really was, and that they had to take their ridiculous circumstances and try to make something good of them. Or something like that. It's been so long since I've seen ether series so, I could be totally off. EDIT: The rest of this comment is just me rambling, not directly related to this video. I generally preferred Brotherhood's handling of scenes between Ed and Al because the characterization seemed more consistent to me. The two felt more like brothers who were in a journey together and they need to keep each other on track. I also liked the dialogue itself better pretty much every scene that 2003 and Brotherhood shared. When Roy was crying in the rain at Hues' (probably spelled wrong) grave, and the bit with Al calling out Ed that I was talking about above. They felt more poetic in Brotherhood, and watching 2003 after that made those versions just feel awkward to me. I also felt like Brotherhood was much more optimistic than 2003. 2003 felt like it was justifying Ed's hopelessness with how it ended, how Ed really never succeeded. But in Brotherhood, all his hard work paid off. The things he went through were still plenty hard, but they had meaning in the end. Usually I feel like a show with an overly sad ending is a show with a bad ending, it wasn't able to solve it's problems and the questions it set forth, or at least give a satisfying answer to them. Just thematically running in a circle. With exceptions of course. I'm definitely a big fan of 2003 as well though, I don't want to make it sound like I'm not. I agree with a lot of things people commonly say it handled better (Hues relationship with the boys for example), and I dig a lot of the ways it mixed up the story and where it went tonally for the most part (like how I loved the way they handled Lust). But I don't want to make this comment any longer than it already is lol. This is just something I've been thinking about lately. I haven't done much research so this could all be totally off. EDIT: Btw you are definitely one of my favorite KZbinrs and I've been loving everything you've been putting out lately. I don't want to give the wrong impression with this comment lol

[@catalyst6882]

I really don't see what's wrong with 03's more cynical and bleak outlook on the series. There's definitely a taste preference, but one of 03's themes is about EE being false and you might lose more than you gain.

[@spicysquire3521]

@@catalyst6882 That's a good point. Me preferring brotherhood's tone is definitely a taste difference. I think it just comes down to what one looks for in a show, which for me is usually something to show a character overcoming something. I do appreciate what 2003 did though.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

frosty squid I do think it’s the perfect summation of the two adaptations’ differences that 03 is about Equivalent Exchange being faulty because you lose more than you gain and Brotherhood is about Equivalent Exchange being wrong because you should try to give more to the world than you get from it.

[@spicysquire3521]

@@UltimateKyuubiFox I like that

[@catalyst6882]

No, FMAB was more like EE doesn't exist because all good guys must win and all bad guys most lose. Only two character deaths smh

[@ParZival_29]

This guy deserves a lot more subscribers...

[@clecanadalawexplained6330]

Fuck using Envy’s monologue, which at least for me was one of the most emotional impactful moments of Brotherhood, for comedic reasons was pure gold.

[@Michael_Dominic]

i did watch these last year but i am reviewing many of your FMA videos and firstly, I appreciate your appreciation for shot composition and also 2003. I think they're both perfectly fine as opposed to some other creative liberties taken by certain adaptations *coughgameofthronescoughstarwarscough*

[@genyakozlov1316]

Disney's Star Wars movies are not an adaptation of the prior post original trilogy material, they only take some elements from it. Lukas was going ignore those books anyway. Besides, if he wanted movies which followed his outline to a t, he should have made them himself. He made the decision to sell the rights, so he doesn't have any right to complain they changed a few parts of his outline. It also not a fact that people would have liked what he had in mind. I love those movies and would not have it any other way. Prequels are still the best tho.

[@nyodesu]

It took me a while to get to watching this video. But it was worth it. Awesome as usual! 😁

[@ringzofmarz]

As someone who absolutely loves all iteration of this story. I find it absolutely hilarious that studio bones got the funding for this anime but then realized that the story wasn’t officially finished, so instead of waiting to release the anime or discuss delays they went to the creator and said “so what should we do about the anime’s ending” and the creator said “do whatever you want”. So 2003 is basically just a huge fan fiction.

[@haosmagnaingram6992]

Most studios start an anime while the manga is unfinished, hence why madhouse rarely finishes an adaptation and why most shonens have a significant amount of filler. The fact the story starts injecting plot point seeds early on, it’s pretty likely both bones and Arakawa were fully aware going into it that that it was going to have an anime original ending. Also supposedly from some stuff I’ve heard, Hiromu Arakawa did still help with the ending, so it’s not like it’s pure fanfiction.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

That'd be like saying every Batman after the Silver age is fan fiction not official D.C. produced works. Anyways the 2003 staff knew there was no way they'd be able to adapt an ongoing manga, they didn't have infinite yet oddly not enough money...they aren't Toei so they didn't bother closely following it. Interviews confirm this, simply reading the manga does as well and Arakawa working with them because all those mild coincidences with the manga towards the end exist because she told them everything, was on the staff but needed them not to spoil everything 8 years in advance. There are also the light novels which started before FMA '03 which weren't Arakawa's work either so separate stories weren't new to her or Square Enix. There is nothing wrong with fan fiction as god knows manga authors create some stupid shit whether due to time, editors or just being dumb that fans easily fix or improve on but if the license holders green light a creation...it's not a fan work, it's an official product with like copyrights and stuff.

[@parttimesaint3165]

Yup! I keep up a lot more now that I know the differences! Thanks for making it clear and all!

[@benjamingunderman297]

Extra points to 2003 for getting Hawkeye's eye color right

[@sarafontanini7051]

Dr Marcoh being killed offscreen in 2003 was pretty goddamn bullshit especially since it was left uup in the air for such a logn time the eventual reveal made the entire cliffhanger pointless

[@derpynerdy6294]

Scars death and his and brothers back story especially the humonculous are Amazing

[@SeymourDisapproves]

Dang your series is really making me want to read the manga again. Another great job, Lowart!

[@ViperleoneNevar]

Lotta people out here actin' confused about '03 Scar looking younger like they don't know he straight up IS canonically younger in '03.

[@fredrik_lundq]

Awesome series! Can't wait for the next part :)

[@Ravenex2]

Yo.......great analysis! I am really enjoying this series! FMA is one of my all time favorites.

[@onaippiano3491]

LOVE the return of the brotherhood call. Best joke from your series!😃

[@rainesage100]

Your content is so engaging. No wonder the comment section is so full. Love ya. Made my week!

[@ScarletCandlelight]

Can't wait for part 5 thank you

[@CanterlotCrusader]

I think Brotherhood is masterpiece. However a masterpiece doesn't equal flawless. You bring up some good points about how FMA 03 manages to spin character moments more seriously as it really does focus more on Ed and Al while mangahood emphasizes the whole world, which is it's strength. It really is quite a strange case where two enjoyable shows from the same source can do things so different yet still be quality in their own ways.

[@dimeili3887]

Omg the dog's laugh, I reacted the same way.. XD I liked the 2003's animation better, I know it's "old" but it was great, the changes in colors in different situations/lighting (Ed's red coat sometimes becomes crimson red etc.), not too much shine in one's hair for example, but in 2009 the colors are too bright, and light (just as in Boruto), like Ed's hair. It's too simplistic. Moreover, I liked how stem the 2003 version was, it had fair amount of comedy as well, but all in all it was rather a serious show, 'cause well, really serious things were going on there. Also, both (2003 and 2009) have their good sides, as mentioned in the video, I haven't yet seen FMAB, (I will start it soon) but according to these comparison videos (I watched a lot XD), I like the older one better, has more details at the beginning, and focuses on emotions way more, but well, the creators assumed that we have already watched FMA so why should they do it in the exact same way then? I hope I will like FMAB too, I don't know what to expect exactly, even though I watch these videos :)

[@c.alexandros4]

9:16 when you're heavily engaged in something, do you notice what is happening around you? So it makes sense Scar didn't notice the soldier approaching. You're just nitpicking here, right?

[@cloakx3640]

God, that Envy voice cracked me up. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lokiragnarok1881]

Im really loving this and look forward to your next video.

[@derlaine]

I always wondered if Mustang purposely made a fool of himself in public so others would underestimate his rise through the ranks (similar to his loud flirting at work to cover for espionage) . Otherwise like you said it makes no sense he doesn't know he can't use his alchemy in the rain. Moreover , in the later fight with Lust he transmutes water into Hydrogen and Oxygen and explodes it with a match, so he's not truly useless in the rain. Narratively I think Arakawa wanted us to see him as a non threatening gag character before shocking us with the Lust fight. (i mean, I was shocked)

[@ivanlescanec7543]

Perfect way to start the weekend thank you!

[@DragonRaiderX9]

Can we all just take a moment and ask what was up with that laughing dog? It concerns me.

[@rankovasek1987]

They said that Ed is smol. Dog found it funny

[@wilkobye9533]

Liked for the moment when u pointed out the laughing dog I'm.... Wow

[@JoelFeila]

i'm as little disappointed you didn't spend more time on the different takes on scar. I genuinely find scar in 2003 better as a character then bh. In bh he comes off as more superhuman, and the ending of his arch in 2003 is just better way to end the character.

[@ragingjavier0075]

As for scar not seeing the people with guns or pulling up my guess is that he was distracted fighting Ed and Al duh. And you can't talk about the spinning punch Al gave Ed and saying it doesn't feel real or taken serious while showing a clip of Scar dodging bullets fired by two guns and no cover. That had me dying.

[@manofhonor151]

you know now thinking about what Ed and Al said about returning home to resembool I now understand why people dislike the ending to conqouror of shamballa

[@kyuubimakai009]

That bit with chibi-Envy at the beginning of the video made me fall out of my chair and laugh my ass off. That was just too perfect!

[@bazidrayan6945]

The best videos out here fam

[@ExSphereAMV]

Great content as always, keep it up!

[@catalyst6882]

nice amv :}

[@WisdomThumbs]

Whenever my brother and/or I were nearly killed, we always cut the tension with flimsy jokes and shaky laughter. But it still took us longer than a minute to do that. Al’s arm falling off was good enough. It was kind of funny while also underlining the brothers’ sense of helplessness. “Brotherhood” really shouldn’t have used the Ed-spin or wacky sound effects.

[@panose6542]

The soldiers suddenly surrounding scar can be played off as scar didn’t care or both were so focused on the fight that they didn’t notice

[@oskarvlixesmtze7891]

The talk between Ed and the soldier.... The first time in my life when I feel identified, sad and anger whit a anime.

[@kodytiffany5686]

----------------------------------- I had not known why borders changed before, so thanks for the clarity. Once again thank you for these videos I enjoy these type of comparisons.

[@lainiwakura1776]

They changed because 03 was made before the switch to HD years later. It's also less smooth looking. I don't see how it's hard to tell.

[@kodytiffany5686]

@@lainiwakura1776 I think bad recording before I think different series. HD plays no part to me since I only recently got a TV with it; I simply do not think of it as a reason.

[@1banana636]

The way envy called him. LOL🤣

[@davidzx2292]

9:51 And this, is an example of a big issue I have with both FMA and FMAB, although in the later I think it's handled a bit better. It tries to relieve the tension by introducing comedic situations, and it does that over and over again, but it does so sooo badly. Most of the time it really pulls me out of the story as it wouldn't fucking make sense for the characters to act the way they act. No, it wouldn't make sense for anyone to act all stupid when the situation is dramatic and important.

[@TheQuashingoftheTub]

That skit with Envy couldn't have been more perfect.

[@TrevorNickell]

Not sure about other territories but on Adult Swim, the episode where Scar kills Ironblood originally aired unedited. Then when it came time for re-runs they actually shortened Ironblood's death scene; cutting out the explosion of his brain, the prolonged wide shot with the geysers of blood & the blood soaked seat of his pants. I just found it funny that even AS was like "oh shit! We should've probably toned that down..." 😅

[@MrEgo-sl3fp]

Great vid. Keep up the good work!

[@PaigeMustang]

10:07 I always thought this thing with the rain was wierd. Because it doesn’t make sense that Roy would forget that he can’t use his gloves in the rain but riza could remember? Every time someone made a joke about it I didn’t really think it was funny because it’s just a little bit off to me

[@theotherchase8442]

11:55 i know i commenting about a subtle complaint 5 years later and ive liked all your analysis so far but i think brotherhoods comedy is really good. from what i remember there isnt that much of it with the enemies its almost always with the good guys "or fuhrer bradley who is pretending to be". I really like this concept that even if things are bad, maybe even the worse the can get you can still laugh and be lighthearted about it without be cynical. almost none of the jokes are dark, they are slapstick and quick and get back to the point and tbh i think brotherhood could have done even more with this concept. i understand some people may not like it but i think it fits with brotherhood themes.

[@GenCavox]

Currently my favorite youtube series.

[@Ash-ti4sb]

I loved the envy part at the beginning

[@DanafoxyVixen]

Loving these videos, cant wait till the next one ^.^

[@mr.incognito2687]

The thing I like about this review is that while I feel that bias for 2003 against Brotherhood exists, it doesn't put Brotherhood in a condescending position, since a lot of the OG FMA reviews I've seen shat on Brotherhood needlessly and were really just overly nitpicky.

[@lashrooma5246]

That phone call xD lol that was great.

[@lero244]

While I like the "density" of 2003 like you could definitely see the pain in Ed's face when certain things happened like Vic did an amazing job on all those parts especially my favorite episode in 2003 the Barry the chopper ep I feel like 2003 scar really accomplished nothing like his whole "I'm a prophet" thing was annoying, he was only there to kill a few alchemist and Nina only to disappear (importance wise) then he came back for the lior thing which really didn't go anywhere other than change rose and archer who also didn't REALLY do anything and he died in like a really lame way imo he was just lame in 2003 he didn't really have a redemption but in the whole lior thing I liked his assertion in not caring about soldiers because when I lose sympathy for someone completely I just don't care and I won't ever care but yeah his death was boring because lust wouldn't have died so what was the point

[@manofwisdom000]

Another Brotherhood fan girl or fan boy

[@NinjaSox7]

"Considering what's going to happen in Conqueror of Shambhala, this is actually pretty tragic." sTOP I'M GONNA CRY

[@flygonkerel781]

that damn envy intro was MAGNIFICENT!!!

[@ekaterinashparlo9463]

Yaaas, new part, great as always! Already looking forward to a closer look at Ishval and Hughes and many other things :зз thanks for your work xoxo

[@claydogg234]

Brotherhood is just more logical with Scar as it explains he was trained as a warrior. 03 Scar didn't seem to have that background making his insane strength seem a tad strange. I understand people preferring some parts of 03 but let's be real folks 03's story got very rushed with characters like Bradley, Greed, Scar, Marco, and Kimblee getting way more time to develop. Sure 03 Lust is great and 03 knew how to ramp up the emotion but 03's story and use of characters felt way too rushed at times.