Distinguishing FMA from Brotherhood

Full Metal Alchemist (FMA) is a highly popular Japanese manga by Hiromu Arakawa, which was turned into an animated TV series with 51 episodes and later a film. Due to its immense popularity, an independent second series called FMA Brotherhood was created. Both series have loyal fan bases, and it can be difficult to determine which is better. This article will discuss the differences between the two series.

Key Takeaways

• FMA was the first anime series aired on TV in 2003-2004, while Brotherhood was the second version aired in 2009-2010.
• There were 51 episodes in FMA and 64 episodes in Brotherhood.
• Brotherhood is considered technically more advanced and has more comedic scenes, while FMA is seen as more emotionally appealing and poignant.

FMA is set in a fictional world where alchemy is the most powerful science. It follows two brothers, Alphonse and Edward, who are trying to get their bodies back through alchemy after losing them in a failed attempt to resurrect their dead mother.

FMA Brotherhood is an independent version of the same manga storyline, but with 64 episodes that aired between 2009 and 2010. Some differences between the two series include different directors, with Yasuhiro Irie directing Brotherhood and Seizi Misushima directing FMA. Brotherhood has a higher visual quality due to advancements in animation technology and features a more humorous Edward character.

FMA is considered more emotionally appealing, while Brotherhood is seen as technically more advanced. Brotherhood contains many comical scenes to provide relief, whereas FMA is more poignant in nature and depiction. Some fans argue that the music in FMA was better than the score of Brotherhood.

The ending of FMA was unexpected, while the ending of Brotherhood was more planned out. Additionally, the story of Brotherhood more closely follows the original manga, whereas the plot of FMA deviates from the manga at times.