GR Anime Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

A Glass Reflection Anime Review of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Originally Released: October 10th 2015
MORE ANIME REVIEWS ► • Glass Reflection Anime...
► Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Arkada
► Crunchyroll Free Trial: www.crunchyroll.com/Glassreflection
► Follow me on Twitter: GlassReflection

[@Argos-xb8ek]

This was hands down one of the greatest anime of all time

[@EgoGranok]

Larkin Hancock yeah with hunter x hunter and gintama

[@shaunrodrigues3509]

Larkin Hancock bullshit it sucks

[@thateggplant4068]

Larkin Hancock ń

[@poop_on_stilts9570]

Itachi uchiha ur opinion But a pretty bad one

[@Argos-xb8ek]

Itachi uchiha But How?

[@WormyMaster]

I think ANYONE can agree with me, that the pinboard with the pictures at the very end of the show was the most satisfying thing ever.

[@yellowflash5838]

Wormy especially watching how a tall Ed would look like

[@markcastillo2622]

This is a very late reply but yes i completely agree, also it is a very tear-jerking moment. Seeing how they have their own complete and happy families is just too much when you remember what the siblings went through.

[@nightlock3]

I agree, usually I don't like cheesy epilogues, but they undoubtedly deserved it.

[@riseabovehatesfrance]

Yes even the dogs had babies

[@MiosPanties]

That feel when you watch a great anime and then realise that you will never ever ever get to see it for the first time ever again...

[@MrGreenixx]

+Aya Drevis that feeling when you ralize that you found sth amazing in a pile of crap and have to go through that ever growing pile ( given a growth ratio of quality/trash the ratio would drastically shrimp down as seasons pass ) again.

[@isaacdavid5087]

+Aya Drevis I´ve watched Brotherhood 5 times since I finished it, it never gets boring. I had that same feeling with Steins;gate though.

[@Eric-976]

+Aya Drevis I felt the same way after watching Steins Gate

[@benharkin4909]

+Isaac David Same, Steins;Gate was an incredible show and one of my top three. Can't wait for Steins;Gate Zero.

[@isaacdavid5087]

+Rick Locker Oh God yes!! I would like to erase my memories to rewatch my favorite anime series and have the same amount of hype from back then. I really hope the Steins;gate 0 VN will be available for pc, it sucks that only sony has the rights for now.

[@Blizzic]

I just finished this show. HOW CAN ONE BE SO HAPPY AND YET SO SAD ITS OVEEEEEER?!

[@barley2469]

Same. I just finished it today :/

[@glorioustigereye]

There is 4 koma theater and specials I love 4 koma theater the ling the train

[@jaaldecrga4470]

Gray stripe is mc This last name is made up ling the tank engine *THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE THEME PLAYS INTENSELY*

[@syrahokeiv9036]

Blizzic thats fmab for you

[@delipa5657]

Blizzic ikr goddammit

[@hasch5756]

After watching Brotherhood, I envisioned the sudden realisation that nothing could ever trump this. This anime is perfection up to an uncanny degree. It is clear to me that a terrifying loss must await those who gained knowledge of it; as Mozart died upon the final note of his Requiem, or as Boltzmann paid for his advances in physics by loss of his sanity. What was then my toll for beholding this unparalleled opus magnum? Where was the catch in this contract I closed with alchemy? What will you, reader, lament on conclusion of this masterpiece? The price you must pay in return for finishing Brotherhood is that you will not ever again be able to watch it for the first time. No potion is strong enough to make you forsake this memory, no circle can reverse the transmutation that has happened. An arm and a leg would not suffice to bring forth the impossible, neither the body of any relative of yours. Savour every second of this feast while it is happening, spectator, knowing that you will never again see akin to the story that craves, yet denies an equal.

[@GauravKumar-bf2rq]

You know I felt the same until I watched Attack On Titan. My god, the feels.. It's like living it again. Living the perfection, the fight scenes, the aggression, the score again.. How could anything surpass it ? And then the wait.. I watched it last November, since then I've finished the manga, I know it will be worth it when it comes..

[@glorioustigereye]

To bad fma brotherhood got to my second fav anime

[@ameerr.7614]

H. Sch. Hear hear!!! well said my friend! your prose is simply exemplary!!! are you a writer or something?

[@hasch5756]

7Ameer7 No, in fact English isn't even my first language. When it comes to holding bombastic speeches, Code Geass is a sublime reference :)

[@ameerr.7614]

H. Sch. Lol yeah I've heared Code Gease is legit (I've downloaded it but haven't watched it yet btw)... As for your english, excuse me sir but tbh I find it hard to believe it's not your native tongue... You see I myself am a writer (actually just about to publish my first book 😅), so trust me when I say this I can tell when I see an excellent prose... Haha ok I believe you, but at least tell me you're majoring english or something, right?

[@Frijoles96]

Arkada....Edward Elric...hmmm... Blonde Hair: Check Red Jacket: Check Very Energetic Personality: Check Not able to use Alchemy yet still tries: Check Based off the circumstances given it is fair to say *ahem*....WEEABOO CONFIRMED! Jk. Love ya Arkada xD

[@NocturnalWrath]

But is arkada short. Only then will it be confirmed

[@AlvinQin]

He's the shortest male among the Podtaku members IIRC

[@lunamoon8801]

+Alvin Qin OMG! WE"VE FOUND ED!

[@ShootingStar1313]

He's got the looks, all that's left is to give an arm and a leg for alchemy's sake ;p

[@Fedorchik1536]

+DEFCON G20 Ed is not short anymore. And since Arkada already finished FMA manga/FMA:B - he has all the rights to be as tall as he pleases xD

[@Kuraskvids]

Brotherhood ended ... "Really well" ? Don't undersell it lmfao , Brotherhood has quite possibly one of the best endings in anime history.

[@tracehazarrrrd]

+Pixy Wing thanks god people like you exist.

[@lospollitoz]

+Pixy Wing One of the best. Not THE best.

[@lospollitoz]

***** Opinions are opinions. But unfortunately this is the internet where opinions are shot down left and right.

[@rubeng9092]

+Los Pollitoz code geass had the best ending. fmab the second best

[@TruthinessChibiOtaku]

+Ruben Granz Only people who have never watched a single other war drama or mecha anime would say that.

[@alphonso6942]

I need to mention this. Everything in the anime had progressed with every episode. For example, the skin carved symbol of Mustang slowly healed away in several episodes. Another is obvious, Edward's height.

[@genshinollie]

_Hello World_ edwards scar on his forehead gets reopened and healed several times throughout

[@yummybutter8707]

H yeah, this was one of the most consistent anime I have seen when talking about detail

[@DarkEclipse23]

False

[@DarkEclipse23]

Edward basically stayed the same height until the six months growth spurt.

[@williamhenning4700]

He mentioned Hunter x Hunter. I am satisfied.

[@Le_Dom]

+William Henning foreshadowing the RWOA

[@deadspacemasseffect]

+William Henning I wonder when he reviews it if he's going to make a reviewof each arc, because the Chimera Ant arc and Yorknew arc are videos on there own

[@mamaobama7132]

+letmeknow yeah you just asked me that

[@williamhenning4700]

letmeknow Hopefully he splits it up into parts and lets the CA arc have its own video.

[@deadspacemasseffect]

I HAVE NO NAME I didn't, I was talking to someone else in this comment thread

[@kaein2973]

I honestly like the 4 opening... I feel it is way to underrated

[@RisingSunReviews]

+Kaishi Mitsune That one is my favorite from the show, along with one of my favorite openings from any anime.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

+Kaishi Mitsune For it, it's 5>1>3>4>2

[@Fabrissable]

4th opening would be good, if person singing it was a girl. High pitched man voice didn't fit to it for me :/

[@pachamaridamofasat7803]

I loved the fourth ending... because it was the most exciting part of FMA Brotherhood and everytime when there was a epic cliffhanger it started playing

[@whodatninja439]

+Fabrissable That's a poor reason to dislike something.

[@Gearstin]

I hate when people say that like FMAB is better because it follows the manga. I like FMAB more because it's simply better.

[@matiasalanis397]

no

[@blackrose6429]

GTech you just contradicted yourself lol

[@connorcoates1666]

No he didn't. Not at all. He is saying that he can't stand when people say brotherhood is better simply because it follows the manga. He likes it because it is simply of higher quality compared to the original.

[@robertonome2448]

*cough* bland homunculi

[@kimmispooks]

yes you're right, 2003 did have bland homunculi

[@TheJuanTrueKaiser]

This is easily the greatest shounen of all time, and among the top 50 anime of all time without a doubt and is personally my second favorite. It really is something to behold something that could have not even been an anime and still been magnificent, and you good sir have managed to convey that. This is one of your best vids yet, I applaud you Arkada.

[@EmoBurrito123]

+The JuanTrueKaiser Hunter x Hunter casually shits on it, thoughts???

[@calum.6222]

+EmoBurrito123 Nah.

[@TheJuanTrueKaiser]

EmoBurrito123 I honestly have not finished HxH, but from what I have completed I'd say that FMA has a more coherent narrative, not to mention the anime did not truly shine [for me] til the Yorknew arc, and the one that followed has been rather meh so far.

[@EmoBurrito123]

True True but Hunter x hunter has the best character characterization of any battle shounen, thoughts?

[@EmoBurrito123]

Also chimera ant arc, best arc.

[@sSpirit]

I have yet to find an anime with a story as epic as FullMetal Alchemists. The anime definitely had my favorite soundtrack, and the story was so epic. Just watching the characters talk with small amounts of orchestras behind them was epic.

[@deepoweepo325]

Hunter x Hunter

[@sSpirit]

Abraham De Paz I really hate Gon's shorts :/

[@deepoweepo325]

***** dunno if you are trying to be hipster, but the CA arc was absolutely fantastic, along with Yorknew. Its also just on hiatus... itll come back... hopefully

[@deepoweepo325]

***** Kite was unecessary, but pam? i dont know whats wrong with her

[@deepoweepo325]

***** im pretty sure that the whole point of that part was that the manga/show was showing that not everything will go perfectly according to plan

[@fricktard12345]

this also has one of the greatest anime dubs imo

[@Ericdaman12345]

100% agree

[@SniperQuitSniping]

Sean James dbz is best

[@K1809H]

The original is always 100 times better than any dub.

[@theYuGiOhseasonzeroguy]

Círdan Not for this show, no.

[@acerola3576]

Círdan Wrong. YYH.

[@cosmiclatte2652]

It's over, isn't it? Why can't I move on?

[@JR-vh7ex]

Obskara Oracion me niether ;-;

[@emilyh1049]

fukin reference my man

[@Trimaster7Studios]

>Says he doesn't want to spoil ending > SPOILER: Shows a clip of Ed transmuting with two arms. Smh

[@abhijithis9424]

lol

[@ariv8763]

Took my comment

[@krimson8317]

>Tries to give a spoiler warning >SPOILER: Immediately gives the spoiler directly next to the warning. Smh

[@yuvisahni8123]

You gave me the spoiler 😭

[@Nison545]

I firmly believe that watching the 2003 version before Brotherhood is the ideal way to enjoy Brotherhood.

[@personalglow]

I like the way you think

[@asz25]

aye, that's what I did.

[@crazysmith5408]

I just have the firm belief of watching the original before a remake. Even if the original is about 300 episodes long.

[@izukumidoriyaisssss3049]

Nison545 wasn't that way for me j watched brotherhood first because the DVD set was really cheap on Amazon so I bought it loved it to death it's honestly my favorite anime and then I watched 2003 online and loved everything about it except the ending and conquerer of shambala movie because holy shit that's a train wreck of a conclusion annnnnd how they did Fuhrer Bradley because he's just no where near as cool as he is in Brotherhood

[@geico105]

Crazy Smith Even Hunter x Hunter? A huge part of the enjoyment is having no idea what will happen next.

[@lanatherana157]

Took your advice and watched FMA and then Brotherhood after, I enjoyed them both so much...I do think that FMA did some of the exposition better, but I liked brotherhoods ending better, at the end of FMA I was sorta disappointed because I felt like the parallel universe thing was out of the blue. I wanted to see what I ended up seeing in Brotherhood. That climax!!!! I still love both though, so freaking great.

[@abdullahnasir1233]

Basil Baby You know, it’s a little late to say that now. I just finished FMAB last night, and now I am so disappointed that there is no other anime up to that mark, level and standard.

[@abdullahnasir1233]

Basil Baby I guess I will watch FMA the FMAB later when I forget the whole thing.

[@kuuroosimptetsuro2498]

Yeah, fma exposition is better than the FMAB exposition. FMAB exposition was kind rushed.

[@MzShaybutta]

I enjoyed the First Full Metal story line more, but Brotherhood had a better ending.

[@1withballz]

Fmab ruined anime for me. It was the first anime I ever watched and it set the standard so high that all the other anime I watch is just utter dog shit in comparison.

[@1withballz]

Except Cowboy Bebop. That shit was lit

[@prodrawer1481]

watch psycho pass. Its great.

[@GloryJsn]

mark arceo Same here

[@karinaosbourne9332]

S A M E

[@epicmarschmallow5049]

mark arceo Slightly extreme but true to some extent. I loved AoT the first time I watched it. Then I watched FMA:B. Then I rewatched AoT and was very disappointed. Although there are still some very good anime that I feel come very close and are even equal to brotherhood. Well...maybe not equal but still in the same league.

[@skirmich]

LOL Are you for real? Roy Mustang has THE BEST Moment ever in Brotherhood.. Shit, None of his actions in the first run even comes close to the epicness in that specific Brotherhood moment which is not only powerful but its also very useful and the execution is one of the most flawless moments in anime history.

[@BradLad56]

I assume your talking about the moment with the lighter?

[@skirmich]

The lighter is key...

[@eireto5450]

Or when he completely fucking roasted envy.

[@DJ-vg1pr]

both literally and figuratively

[@erigor11]

He didn't talk about mini skirts on brotherhood. Ergo, you're clearly wrong.

[@lionwolf7424]

You should review the greatest seinen of all time, Cory in the house.

[@simbadg13]

brah sweet life of Zack and Cody was better....

[@aaronposey5291]

Can you please get the fuck? You are not funny. Your shit is stale as fuck. How long do people like you carry on shitty ass jokes?

[@thewobbuffetking3273]

Dude, Malcolm in the middle>Everything else

[@sflematti]

He just keeps repeating the joke for likes. The likes make some people feel better about themselves.

[@TheDerBorn]

+The SwagLord prophet Of Cory Leo Nah,Toy Story was a better seinen since it tackled the theme of humanity,what's real and what's not,society,conspiracies and people lives as marionettes or toys.

[@areallyawsomename]

Maybe I'm just stupid but after watching episode 1 of Brotherhood (and never having seen the original) I didn't get the impression that they were setting up Bradley to be a villain.

[@kieran2050]

Yea, it's called a plot twist

[@WinedandDined27]

@@kieran2050 he was referring to GR's comment that there is no twist, that they reveal his villainy in the first episode. Don't be a smartass if you didn't even pay attention to the video the comment is on, homie.

[@essybessy]

I just finished FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood this morning... around like 4ish in the morning and i had school today xD I just loved the remake... I just couldnt go to sleep and wait for today to come so around like 12ish in the morning I sneakly grabbed my phone and just watch from 56 to 64. This show touched me... I was crying that the show ended! The ending was amazing that the original. Both of the animes were the best no doubt about it. I mentioned this to my friend and she is loving i so far (Shes on episode 2 on the original) I told her to watch the original like what Glass Reflection said because he's right. It's like rewatching Brotherhood then you just get bored over it. This anime is the best... It's in one of my top 5. Now what happened to me when i only had three hours of sleep? Got very tired at times... Almost fell asleep in Science two times (Teacher had to tell me to wake up) the third time something was stuck in my eye so i was rubbing it and he told me to stand up in the middle of the class... Embarrassing... But it was worth watching FMA for 6 hours in the middle of the night. (I started around 10 but i had to stop at 11:35 since my parents were walking around) I regret nothing.

[@Yvädastra]

I would die happy if there would be a revamp in a decade or longer from now that covers the original manga even better than Brotherhood did.

[@vividly94]

And with a better, more darker tone. Alongside less colorful and awkward looking character. They just looked as if you'd play a video game that didn't support widescreen, so it just stretched everything out.

[@theoutbackpandas8641]

Vividly what?

[@someguywhohasareallylongus6314]

Oliver Burke Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Brotherhood

[@robertonome2448]

I'd kill for a 2003's version remaster fixing some of the basic consistency stuff, while bringing up the animation to Brotherhood's level (but for god's sake, not the jokes). Such as Al armor getting wet on the first episode, and the ordering of some events (episodes showing eric brothers going to Liore prior to Ed going to central for the first time).

[@Jotari]

Wait what shows Bradly's allegiance in Episode 1? Granted it's been a few years but all I remember him doing is putting down the ridiculously named rebel (something every other character in that episode was trying to do) and smiling at the Elrics saying he;ll have something to tell his son. I don't recall anything that showed he was a bad guy until Greed got the melt.

[@jacobmonks3722]

Canned Kindness The antagonist of the first episode also seemed like he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing by getting rid of Bradley, which he technically was, but his methods were less than ideal.

[@eldanx]

Just finished it. I wonder why i waited so long to watch it. It is like my 50th anime. This anime conquered the top spot in my top list. I still need to watch the 2003 version though. I hope it is as good as brotherhood. For those who didn't watch it. STOP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING AND WATCH THIS ANIME. IT IS A MASTERPIECE

[@erigor11]

Watch the original, it's better and not just a little.

[@DevilHunter1994]

The original 2003 version isn't as good as Brotherhood, but it is still good and I really like the alternate origins they gave to Lust, Envy, Wrath, etc. The only major complaints I have against the show is that the final villain isn't particularly interesting and the actual ending was....meh. Still a great watch overall though.

[@2ndguywithmoustache962]

I stopped whatever I was doing n watched it n all I got was disappointment . Fight scenes r boring af . Not to mention the story wtf was going on this stupid trash??

[@myrtomoschou69]

well, I watched brotherhood first, is that bad?

[@rockaholic1241]

Not exactly but as he said the beginning of brotherhood is a little lacking so it would have been better if u watched the original first

[@myrtomoschou69]

rockaholic1241 well i didnt know a fullmetal alchemist existed...i thought it was just the Brotherhood...But i think i wont have a big problem right?

[@rockaholic1241]

+Myrto Moschou Not a major problem but you kinda missed out on getting extra feels from the tucker family arc and hughes family arc

[@myrtomoschou69]

rockaholic1241 ok...but i will watch it for sure...

[@rockaholic1241]

+Myrto Moschou Go ahead I mean I personally preferred brotherhood but that was after watching the original... well anyways have fun and like ark said I hope this series touches you like it did many others

[@calilatet1832]

Greed's voice is what I breathe for.

[@171QA]

Before or after he became attached to Ling?

[@calilatet1832]

171QA Everything

[@171QA]

Okay.

[@calilatet1832]

171QA uhm... i hope i didn't come off as too awkward?? sorry, have a nice day.

[@171QA]

You too.

[@JoshyWaWa]

Now we just need a tokyo ghoul brotherhood

[@aneonfoxtribute]

+Joshy WaWa-PianoXAnime WITHOUT THAT GOD DAMNED CENSORSHIP! THEN MAYBE I'LL TRY WATCHING IT!

[@KanpaiGuren]

+Emma Petersen Pretty much and I'm also not too thrilled with the recent announcement that they're adapting Tokyo Ghoul :re as well. Hopefully Tokyo Ghoul gets readapted by a more competent studio like Madhouse into a 50 ep anime by the next decade or so.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

+aneonfoxtribute You do know that censorship was broadcast only, all future releases do not have it.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

CornishCreamtea07 No, I actually did not. Does Crunchyroll or Funimation have the censorship?

[@CornishCreamtea07]

+aneonfoxtribute The show is on Funimations website, I live outside the US so I can''t see it, but I imagine there should be, CR has every episode of Terra Formars uncensored. The home releases are uncensored, so if all else fails, just find a rip online. This is what it now looks like; blog.alltheanime.com/tokyo-ghoul-uncut/#prettyPhoto yeah it is rather strange, but I've heard censorship laws are funny about content.

[@Tweekitus]

Brotherhood and the original FMA both had without a doubt the best dubs I've ever heard.

[@jeanpaultrinidad1664]

This is the very BEST FMA:B review ever. FMA was my first anime, followed by FMA:B, since then, I've been living with this void in my heart, seeking such greatness in any form. I have found many good, great, amazing anime, but FMA/FMA:B is something else. Maybe I'm overrating it, but it is just that good! I agree with you, both are great in their own aspects, but the best experience is to watch both of them int the order they came out. After that I read the manga, just cuz I needed more! GREAT REVIEW, it was loong overdue. Thank you.

[@evandugas7888]

+Jean Paul Trinidad think Naruto was my first my dads a anime fan so i have seen anime all my life full metal alchemist brother hood is also one of my first then watched 300 ep of one peice and and 150 of bleach. i watch more slice of life stuff more now and i see it all and dont watch as much shogin now

[@leviepine1876]

We're watching this in my schools anime club and I never could comprehend the consequences of having a room of hormone fuelled teenagers react to episode 4. I've never witnessed such hatred in one room.

[@eastpittsburgh68]

Holy shit Arkada watched a long running shonen anime? We need that hunter x hunter review straight away!

[@Spifyninja]

I completely loved FMA: Brotherhood. The way the characters and story were developed and the way they brought all of the plot lines together as they got closer and closer to the end, and tied it all together so beautifully gave Brotherhood the best ending I have ever seen in any show ever, and I'm not limiting that statement to anime. The show has a way of getting you connected to the characters, without blatantly saying "you must root for these characters because protagonists," it makes you want to root for them. The characters aren't all black and white, which I'd elaborate more on but I don't want to risk any spoilers. In terms of production and story development and the ending, I'd say that this is the best series I have ever watched.

[@mtchfgc]

Looks like Christmas came early.

[@SYS2Ascend]

I hope one day technology allows you to erase parts of you're memory so I can rewatch this gem for the first time again.

[@YuKaKariyu]

The sad thing is when FMA is the third anime you've ever watched so nothing really seems to live up to it 😂. I started off watching the original Fruits Basket and Ouran High School Host Club after loving the mangas back in 2012 as an 11 year old. They were nice, and really brought me into Anime - but FMA blew everything out of the water and created a real love for the genre. It now has a very emotionally charged place for me being that titular anime for me. There are a lot of good shows that have come in the time, I genuinely enjoy them but FMA will probably always be my favorite anime of all time. One thing that's interesting for me is how my favorite has shifted from the 2003 anime to the 2009 anime. I watched the series as a kid at 12 years old, and I'm lucky in that I thankfully started with the 2003 series. I watched Brotherhood about a year later but I found myself preferring the 2003 plotline for the emotional background to homunculi creation, that focus on the ramifications of human transmutation. Brotherhood seemed colder and I didn't really like that fact. Oddly enough rewatching almost 8 years later, now I prefer Brotherhood. I still enjoy and appreciate the emotional aspect of the 2003 series, but I prefer the scale and complexity that Brotherhood also offers in other areas as well: worldbuilding, politics etc.

[@the1zeldafan609]

Watch Clannad and Clannad After Story...

[@YuKaKariyu]

@@the1zeldafan609 I did, 😂 - it broke my heart but FMA is still #1 for me

[@the1zeldafan609]

@@YuKaKariyu it was the first anime I watched, tears galore

[@FurryGram]

I feel brotherhood is more like a "how it could of happened" because of how the story played out. the introduction episodes of the original are so much better, but after where the manga and the anime split brotherhood followed the manga much better and had better production quality.

[@robertonome2448]

IMO Brotherhood felt pretty much like a fanfic of 2003's getting their "happily ever after" endings. And I say that while having watched Broterhood first.

[@Pookie2112]

Olivier Armstrong is my favorite character of all time and I fucking love Fort Briggs

[@chrisblanc663]

I barely registered the difference of Al’ voice actors. That was incredible voice work!!!

[@tehandroidmaster]

The reason why I can't get on with Brotherhood anymore goes as follows (also, major spoiler warning): There was no conceivable way Al could've gotten his body back. Al lost his entire body as the cost for attempting human transmutation. Hohenheim told Izumi that there was no way to restore that which was taken away by the Gate when he re-arranged her organs to make her life easier and by the end of the series, Ed still has an automail leg. If Hohenheim, a LIVING PHILOSOPHER'S STONE WITH 400 YEARS OF ALCHEMIC KNOWLEDGE says this and his own son doesn't have his leg back (not to mention the fact that Roy still lacks his sight), then there should've been no conceivable way that Al could've gotten his body back. If giving up your ability to perform alchemy is what allows you to regain what you lost from the gate, Ed should've gotten his left leg back and nothing more. By the time that Ed realises that he could give up his ability to perform alchemy, Al's soul already detached itself from the armour so there was no way that Al could've gotten that knowledge. The ending to Brotherhood was complete and total horseshit. I'd much rather it be a bittersweet or even a downright depressing ending where the brothers remain separated because at least that way, it falls in line with the subject matter that the entire series tackles. These two guys committed a huge crime against the natural order (literally). There should've been no way they could've had things work out for the better whatsoever.

[@MrMarrowsky]

What a bleak interpretation of the themes present in FMA. Valid, yet so very bleak.

[@GeorgeK1467]

+tehandroidmaster Wasn't it possible for them to get their bodies back using a philosophers stone though,they just chose not to?And i thought Mustang used one in the last episode to restore his eyesight. The thing that got to me was how the fuck were alchemists able to construct a living sentient being(practically a soul)i.e. Father, without using a philosophers stone???

[@Pierah]

+tehandroidmaster I haven't really watched the dub, but in the sub Hohenheim does not say that to Izumi, rather he says something along the lines of "The organs that were taken are the proof of your sins, so I can't bring them back." I don't think that anywhere in the series anyone said that it would be impossible, at least I cannot recall any time where that was said.

[@tehandroidmaster]

***** Except Al wasn't deceased at the time they committed human transmutation. Al didn't lose his soul, he lost his body so his soul was still (presumably) in limbo. As such, it was perfectly feasible for Ed to bind Al's soul to the armour because it didn't pass on into the afterlife. The problem I have with the ending is the fact that it felt like a complete asspull just to give the fans their happy ending. If Izumi didn't have her organs by the end of it all, if Roy didn't have his sight back by the end of it all, if Ed still doesn't have his leg back, why should Al have his body back? Now if Ed were to give up his ability to perform alchemy to regain something that was taken by the Gate, Equivalent Exchange would mean that he'd have to give up his own alchemy to regain something that HE lost (i.e. his leg). For Al to regain his body, he'd need to give up HIS OWN alchemy, which he didn't realise he could do before his soul left the suit of armour. ***** I think I already answered your question responding to the other guy.

[@tehandroidmaster]

dixtremo >the organs that were taken are the proof of your sins so i can't bring them back >implying that what was taken from the gate cannot be restored, so why does al have his body back when al lost his body as the penance for committing human transmutation?

[@momoney731]

Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood are literally my entire life, i cried when it ended.....

[@gmdille]

Your enthusiasm for these shows is incredible. Excellent review!

[@boloyeungjr]

I just watched it all. I have never felt so many different emotions at so many different times when watching a series. One of the greatest things I’ve ever watched in my life

[@lynladyfromthelastcentury5772]

I was listening to Arkada talking while scrolling through the comment section, and ENJOY listening to the background osts. I MISSED FMAB

[@James--Parker]

The Sacred Star of Milos was pretty bad. You're not missing anything.

[@alvinchimp1392]

+James Parker It wasn't really thaaatttt bad, its mainly the animation that ruins it.

[@lunamoon8801]

+Gaming Powerz I really think it was more the lack of clarity. I was REALLY confused when watching that movie.

[@alvinchimp1392]

Luna Moon It takes place in like the episode 20s of brotherhood if I remember correctly. I wouldn't really recommend the movie to anyone even the hardcore FMA fans.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

+James Parker It wasn't bad.

[@whodatninja439]

+James Parker And Arakawa had nothing to do with it. It shows...

[@TheWraithOfMooCow]

Make way for the greatest anime of all time!

[@TheWraithOfMooCow]

***** Geez, It's almost like opinions exist.

[@TheWraithOfMooCow]

***** Or maybe I'd rather enjoy the anime. :3

[@TheWraithOfMooCow]

***** And I'm sorry for not hating anything that isn't Citizen Cain. :3

[@heehoo-yf5zc]

+Pixy Wing Stop responding to everyone who leaves a remotely positive comment on this show with the same copy-paste statement. Etilist.

[@evanw783]

+Pixy Wing you just got rekt lmao ..sad to see

[@AngeredChair]

Did you know that Aaron Dismuke (2003 Alphonse) actually came back to Brotherhood and voiced the young Van Hohenheim during his time as a slave? I thought that was pretty cool.

[@jairartis]

FMA Brotherhood was my first anime ever watched, I've been in love ever since

[@ataraxia6195]

So glad someone finally shares my thoughts on the difference between these two! The 2003 series always felt more emotionally dramatic and plays more like a psychological thriller of sorts, where Brotherhood is definitely more of a shonen. Which makes it hard to compare them apples to apples. They really just feel like two different shows, each likable in their own right!

[@mamaobama7132]

arcada please review hunterxhunter hxh and FMA brother hood both are rated in the top 10 of the website myanimelist

[@leidolfwinter4521]

+I HAVE NO NAME He likely will in Decemeber for the Review Week of Awesome.

[@mamaobama7132]

+Leidolf Winter yeah hunterxhunter is easily a masterpiece and one of the greatest shounens ever

[@deadspacemasseffect]

+I HAVE NO NAME I hope it makes each big arc it's own video because the Chimera and and Phantom troupe arc deserve there own review videos

[@mamaobama7132]

+letmeknow ok but I don't think he'll dedicate that much to ONE anime

[@HannahNguyen1995]

+letmeknow Too optimistic... But he could dedicate a certain portion of his video to HxH.

[@jrsooner]

Arkada, what's your opinion on the movies?Sacred Star of Milos for Brotherhood, and Conqueror of Shambala for the original? The OVA for brotherhood?

[@akvelo9862]

jaime ruiz 2003 the 2011 wraith was Bradley your thinking about the teachers son one died to bring Edward back

[@sebj811]

Troy Baker was excellent as greed in the dub. I never knew he did anime, but I'm so glad he does

[@ObaREX]

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The perfect manga and the best anime ever.

[@saskiacigam4447]

Best anime ever !! Forever in my heart. I m happy to see that im not the only one who is still amazed by this masterpiece after all this years ^^

[@AdamKurabi]

Dude, you're amazing honestly, your videos are so well-made, I really hope you get more and more successful

[@PaulRaiiin15]

Gigguk needs to watch this review! He needs to watch and review this show!

[@HannahNguyen1995]

+Paul Thorn ... He has not watched it yet?!

[@whodatninja439]

+Paul Thorn Gigguk needs to do SOMETHING

[@martinmendiolamm]

I like a theory on pinterest that is ONLY FOR THE ANIME EXCLUDING MANGA "Truth watched everything that unfolded [in the 2003 universe.] He (it?) is disappointed with the way things turned out: (spoiler excluded for obvious reasons) But what if they had another chance? They deserve better. So The Truth grins, and utters one word : "Again" " Then the opening for FMA Brotherhood "Again" by Yui starts playing showing that the Elrics have another chance at having a happy ending.

[@cannondebris]

It's actually somewhat unsettling how much I agree with everything you said about FMA.

[@animelegacy7551]

Funimation lost the right to FMA and Botherhood so you've got to go to Aniplex USA now.

[@Redchocobo]

I actually like it better how they outed Bradley in the very beginning. His character felt a lot like a "too powerful will always get you out of trouble because you're main characters" without explanation in 2003. Which is completely negated by revealing that he has ultimate reasons, explained later, to ex-machina everyone out of bad situations.

[@Martineeez76]

Both of the animes are good, but I like the original better. I feel that it was much more set on one target other than splitting of into 4 or 5 stories that then over time come together at the end. I also taught that the homonculi were better. Wrath and Sloth were my favorites by far because they were close to the main and side characters. Hoenheim was better in brotherhood tough.

[@rymaracabre2479]

Aiyaaa. We have the same reason for not watching it sooner. I didn't want it to end yet. But now that it has, and I havr finally seen brotherhood, I am heartbroken, yet at the same time invigorated. I love the story so much that it left me empty when it ended. The story is truly the epitome of epic and sublime. The show may have ended but their characters will live on in my heart. Thank you for this review, GR. As always, you give so much justice to each anime. :)

[@RamblyngRobyn]

11:20 The word you're looking for is Leitmotiv :3

[@Spark31Gaming]

+The Tree's Apprentice Bro! Are you ok man?! I Heard about your problems.

[@maysonaugustine5768]

Just finished bingeing it because you're my favorite reviewer . I just cried like a baby on those last twp episodes

[@GamerAtzen]

Hunter x Hunter had 148 episodes and was extremely well animated and never had any kind of drop in quality.

[@Jairjax]

+clubg100 yeah, i liked the part when Gon turned into a weird man-child and fought that weird women-ant.

[@Anim3ga]

That was one of the first animes i watched (except DBZ,Pokemon and stuff) with Death note, Code Geass, Attack on titan and Steins Gate. Man why did i watch the best first :/

[@Chronoflation]

Well, best shounen. I personally recommend watching The World God Only Knows cause it's basically a rom-com done in a shounen style, and after that trying out other genres will be easier. Personally I've since fallen in love with rom-cons and romance, they don't have all the action that shounens do, so they tend to be more consistently animated. Also, for an underrated shounen, I totally recommend a show called Hamatora. It's a real world super powers/detective show and it's a little low budget, but it's pretty cool, definitely worth checking out

[@Anim3ga]

ChronoFlation i know that they are not the best in any way and for every one^^ i have seen a lot that is very good too, but they were just still the highlights to me. I personally dont like romance that much. But Hamatora sounds not bad, i will think about watching it :)

[@Chronoflation]

***** Yeah, I get that. I fell into romance because I like shows that focus on the characters, so a good one can be really good for me, but I get that they're not for everyone. Let me know how you like Hamatora

[@Werelight]

+Animega Popularity factor. People who are new to a community or art form run headlong into the most popular stuff, because they don't interact with people or involve with conversations or databases that mention the rest. I'm so glad I've avoided the main shonen long-runners. They're time-suckers that steal your soul.

[@Anim3ga]

The Protagonist Wow thats kind of negativ. I liked the most of the popular stuff, but i have also enjoyed animes that are less popular. And i also like the shonen long-runners.

[@BigBoss-qq3kl]

I loved the first opening of Brotherhood, Yui's voice is just beautiful.

[@nicholaslangrock8293]

The "Blackcriticguy" review of fullmetal alchemist brotherhood is also 18 minutes and 43 seconds, which is the same duration of this video. Lol, what an epic coincidence.

[@isillor529]

the universe is rarely so lazy. - .-

[@klixxy5234]

Am I the only one who watched Brotherhood first? It might be because I'm young and I didn't get to watch FMA when it first came out (it came out before I was born), but I watched FMAB first because everyone was yelling about how it was such a great anime and I didn't realize that FMA existed. I watched FMAB first, but for me, I didn't really feel as if the first 13 ep felt off. Some people say that it doesn't do a very good job of making a watcher who had no experience with FMA or the manga feel for the characters, but damn, that wasn't true at all. I felt nothing off at all, even though I had no previous experience with Fullmetal Alchemist. I actually loved it. Maybe it's just that people who already knew the characters noticed some things that some others who watched it for the first time (like me) didn't. Or maybe I dunno, I'm just dumb for something. Idk.

[@Hive-LordKeplar]

love the disclaimer at the beginning of the episode

[@cowponySyfexou]

WILL YOU REVIEW HUNTER X HUNTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@deadspacemasseffect]

+cow pony look at his twitter

[@cnash9744]

+letmeknow what do you mean?

[@deadspacemasseffect]

Collin A. He was talking about it

[@shiteyanyo1111]

My major gripe with Brotherhood (other than the Tucker & Hughes family arcs you already mentioned), was that Lab 5 got a whole one episode in Brotherhood. They totally skimped over it and the significance of it was left very vague for a good while, making it feel somewhat random.

[@TheLogicalChoice]

I actually prefered the lab 5 arc in the 2003 anime over brotherhood

[@robertonome2448]

Let's be honest, all the serious themes overall were much better handled on the 2003 version Sure, Brotherhood got most of the flashy fights and badass moments, but still I'd much rather go for the better storytelling

[@thevagabond9245]

Roberto Nome you hit the nail on the head here my friend. Well said

[@heerotomoe]

Olivia Armstrong is my Queen.

[@troysitosta]

FMA took me out of a very dark time in my life with one line --- "Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You've got two good legs. So get up and use them. You're strong enough to make your own path." After seeing that scene with rose, and did everything to change my life for the better.

[@JillianSteins]

I literally just finished Brotherhood a couple of weeks ago and all I had to say was wow. That's EXACTLY how I felt when it ended. I was like...what is life...I'm so sad that it is over...It was like a part of me went missing. The character development and the sheer movement of the story was amazing. Definitely one of my top. Ugh. SO GOOD.

[@DadofTheYear2948]

I love Fullmetal!! As you can tell

[@scrubbie6174]

ha yup:)

[@DadofTheYear2948]

+Apple Lover Apple lover ;)

[@Not_Abby_Its_Abbey]

I watched Brotherhood and don't know what to do with my life. I feel so lost. I'll consider the original though.

[@ozirisgcneto]

Man, so far, I've only watched the fullmetal alchemists videos of yours and i've gotta say: i'm going to watch the others. for sure. Fullmetal Alchemist is for certainly on my top 1 anime because of everything it brought upon me. Great review. I think i couldn't express myself any better. Greetings from a Brazilian guy (:

[@TheNinjaDC]

There was not much of a gap between Hellsing TV & Ultimate either.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

+TheNinjaDC Yeah there was. TV's plot was a mess :P

[@TheNinjaDC]

Talking about time gap. I recall it was even shorter than Brotherhood's. :P Though the gap between each release...

[@mcvjjmdm]

+TheNinjaDC I know this is off-topic but I haven't watched/read anything Hellsing yet. What should I start with?

[@forklauncher]

+Josiah N Watch the TV series first, it has problems, but it does a few things differently, which you may or may not like, then watch Hellsing Ultimate, which follows the manga almost scene by scene. Then watch Hellsing Abridged by TeamFourStar and embrace it as the best one... or don't.

[@aceotaku]

+Josiah N the first anime series is much shorter and doesn't have as much awesome aniamtion or moments, but it has GREAT music and some interesting filler (plus the next episode segments are hilarious), buuut the tv series has a crappy ending that doesn't resolve the actual mysteries of the show, while hellsing ultimate answers and resolves those mysteries and gives us nazi vampires for the heroes to fight.

[@cloudunderweather9554]

The way I think about it is FMA was a premature release when the manga got hype. Brotherhood was done when the manga was completed and is thus the REAL story.

[@SethHydra]

You completely nail this review, especially about how you feel empty after completing all 64 episodes. Its probably the most complete and satisfying ending i've watched but it also made me want soo much more of it.. like how their journey would continue AFTER the whole homunculi saga ended, whether they'd find new forms of alchemy and all that.

[@TMadara]

Okay, okay Tristan. Let's just get ufotable to adapt FMA for the third time and make it 100% true to the manga.

[@aneonfoxtribute]

+TMadara If they adapted FMA, it would have to have animation better than UBW, otherwise it's horrible in comparison to Brotherhood, considering it's already basically perfect.

[@tylionn]

+TMadara why that is just dumb

[@TMadara]

+AniLionTV Because Brotherhood is not perfect, the beginning is rushed and parts are not canon. And ufotable should just do every fighting anime.

[@tylionn]

TMadara I think Madhouse is the best studio ever because ufotable only has not done many anime and Fate/Zero in my eyes is the only masterpiece they created cause God Eater isn't one that's for sure and i don't watch Anime for fighting just saying

[@TMadara]

AniLionTV If notable works is your only criteria, then Madhouse would indeed be the best animation studio. But, in terms of animation quality, I believe ufotable is better. Have you seen the fight seen between Archer and Lancer in Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) - Prologue? It has better animation than any fight in Brotherhood.

[@FullmetalOrk]

FMA Brotherhood, HunterXHunter yeah those shows are in a league of their own. Now what the heck do I watch now....

[@deadspacemasseffect]

+Fullmetal Ork Code Geass, Jojo Bizarre Adventure, Kateyko Hitman reborn_after you get through the dumb First 19 epsiodes)

[@FullmetalOrk]

+letmeknow yeah code geass is pretty good. Im gonna have to check out those others tho

[@deadspacemasseffect]

Fullmetal Ork Just keep in mind the first 19 episodes of Hitman Reborn is just dumb comedy with no Plot, it does't start getting action till episode 20, then it takes a little break on epsiode 26 thn it jumps back into the action in episode 34, it's really good though

[@LazyLuke99-]

This was the show that got me into anime. Was in a coma and lost parts of my memory after a motorcycle accident and this show is one of the things I WISH I forgot so I could rewatch

[@meru8348]

Pride is so cool when he was revealed in the scene with hawk eye I actually had chills down my spine

[@morgantreppa1160]

I've just found your channel in the past week and I absolutely love you already. This show was also AMAZING and I just finished it, that's how I found you. This is like my new favorite channel :D

[@narutardandproud7568]

Do a review of Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins)

[@caitb233]

The BEST anime I've ever watched

[@raisedbybears1991]

The original English voice actor for Alphonse from the 2003 anime made an acting cameo in the Brotherhood dub as the English voice for young Hohenheim in the Dwarf in the Flask flashback

[@ventnrage4851]

Ever since No Shonen anime was the same

[@vvpenny1109]

Jesus this show is so dear to me , I've watched Brotherhood twice but I have not seen the original , I've been saving it but I think now is the time , I cried so many times during Brotherhood , especially everytime the soundtrack came on that played during the first scene for human transmutation , I can't wait for the wild ride that is the original .

[@elizabethsear4544]

Best anime ever!

[@ozo_man]

My favourite anime of all time. It's a 10 from me

[@erluq9309]

Arkada,you're so similar to me. I'm not sure if all the fullmetal alchemist fans felt the same,but i felt really sad when i saw the ending of ep 64. Because the ending shows what happens to the characters after they defeated father and the song that was playing while during that scene almost make me cry. It's over now and i really miss the series

[@theanimerapper6351]

GOAT shounen

[@phantomango7563]

I prefer 2003 FMA, don't hate me ;-;

[@BDL3035]

Dude, it's your opinion. Don't be ashamed. Both FMA and FMA:B are friggin amaze-balls!

[@japzone]

The only thing I don't really like about the 2003 version was the ending. It left certain things unanswered and the movie only made things even more confusing.

[@devilmikey00]

+Phantomango It really depends on what you like the first show goes in such a bleak and thought provoking direction while FMA:B is a flat out shounen show of the highest order. Not hard to like both but I totally get why people love the original.

[@phantomango7563]

+japzone so tru.

[@whodatninja439]

+Phantomango I kinda do too. just a bit.

[@jbird1152]

I started watching this because of this reveiw. I'm at about episode 50 and I'm absolutely loving it ( especially since I'm fairly new to anime, or at least I haven't seen to many of them )

[@serixskylark]

Hearing the beautiful soundtrack in the background gives me nostalgia to my first time watching Brotherhood a couple years ago. I actually decided to start avidly watching anime so I went on Crunchyroll and tried to think of one to watch. I then remembered hearing Markiplier and Jacksepticeye say that both Fullmetal Alchemists were really good and Mark even going to say that it was perhaps his fav since he doesn't watch a lot of anime. Anyways, when I searched for it, they had only Brotherhood and the movie, so I watched Brotherhood and am probably biased when I say, in my own opinion, that its probably better than the first anime in many aspects, but both have their own strong points.