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Oct 4, 2023 6:19 AM
#1

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Aug 2020
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Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 first episode was released exactly 20 years ago. It is surely a divisive work, and although 2009's version gathered more attention and praise, I feel like this work did well. The characters felt more real and the ending was bittersweet. What are your impressions and takes about this version?




Oct 4, 2023 6:39 AM
#2

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Jun 2016
13383
I like this anime. My only complaints really is that I don't like Archer as a villain and I prefer the direction the story took in the manga/Brotherhood but still the twist reveal on the nature of alchemy on the 2003 series was pretty cool and unexpected.
MEA·MENTVLA·INGENS·EST
Oct 4, 2023 6:45 AM
#3
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Apr 2020
337
Both versions of those shows I watched multiple times I get the two mixed up in my head makes sense now since the last time I watched it was probabaly 15 years ago
Oct 4, 2023 8:21 AM
#4

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Feb 2021
573
Underrated. The somber melancholic tone fits the world of Ametris really well. The score is phenomenal and the rules of human transmutations are well made. Agree with the guy who doesn't like Archer as an antagonist.
Oct 4, 2023 1:40 PM
#5
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May 2015
245
Not very good, has a lot of issues in characterization, wasted characters and nonsensical plot and themes, but I guess it’s decent for a series that had no real direction since the manga wasn’t done yet. I don’t really understand how people think it’s underrated. Probably nostalgia.
Oct 4, 2023 2:33 PM
#6
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Jun 2023
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Reply to ShamankinguYoh
Not very good, has a lot of issues in characterization, wasted characters and nonsensical plot and themes, but I guess it’s decent for a series that had no real direction since the manga wasn’t done yet. I don’t really understand how people think it’s underrated. Probably nostalgia.
@ShamankinguYoh wich characterization problem and themes problems?
Oct 4, 2023 2:46 PM
#7
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May 2015
245
mouadchag said:
@ShamankinguYoh wich characterization problem and themes problems?

Honestly it’s mostly just the fact that the characters were wasted and the narrative was very bad. Mustang, Bradley, Envy, Scar, Hohenheim and Winry really suffered from the poor planning and writing in this version. Dante was a bad villain. That’s not to mention how ridiculous the ending was and the fact that you have to watch a (bad) movie to get the series conclusion.
Oct 4, 2023 2:54 PM
#8
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Jun 2023
2
Reply to ShamankinguYoh
mouadchag said:
@ShamankinguYoh wich characterization problem and themes problems?

Honestly it’s mostly just the fact that the characters were wasted and the narrative was very bad. Mustang, Bradley, Envy, Scar, Hohenheim and Winry really suffered from the poor planning and writing in this version. Dante was a bad villain. That’s not to mention how ridiculous the ending was and the fact that you have to watch a (bad) movie to get the series conclusion.
@ShamankinguYoh the only character who iam agree about is Bradley the other idk what are u talking about. Hohenime is just a side character in 2003 he dont have an arc like in broho so how he is wasted ? Aslo how dante was a bad vilain? And yeah the ending is not good but that have nothing to do with character.
Aslo the script of the show was plained from the start even the other side of the gate twist was forshadow early in the show.
I think you just dont notice.
Oct 4, 2023 4:25 PM
#9
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May 2015
245
mouadchag said:
@ShamankinguYoh the only character who iam agree about is Bradley the other idk what are u talking about. Hohenime is just a side character in 2003 he dont have an arc like in broho so how he is wasted ? Aslo how dante was a bad vilain? And yeah the ending is not good but that have nothing to do with character.
Aslo the script of the show was plained from the start even the other side of the gate twist was forshadow early in the show.
I think you just dont notice.

There are a lot of little things wrong with the story. And I disagree with the plot direction. One thing is they made it so Mustang was responsible for Winry’s parents death but they do absolutely nothing with that. Winry barely has a character or a presence. Dante comes out of nowhere in the end and dies in an extremely anticlimactic way. The story with Dante and Hohenheim is nonsensical and Envy being Ed’s half brother is ridiculous. There’s just so much wrong with the series. It’s just pretty bad in general. Nothing compared to the manga or brotherhood anime.
Oct 4, 2023 6:04 PM

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Dec 2016
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I watched this first version after Brotherhood and I ended up preferring it more. I do believe that Brotherhood has the better-developed storyline overall, in terms of progression and conclusion (its first 10-15 episodes are notoriously rushed because it happily assumed everyone had already seen the 2003 version which already did the introductory job), however, in terms of emotional weight and impact, it's well below its predecessor and that's why to me it can't have the edge over it. 2003 had this certain dark, melancholic mood and a more human approach that Brotherhood just could not replicate, which are to me elements much more valuable than just a well-thought, immaculate storyline.
Oct 4, 2023 6:51 PM
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Jul 2022
219
SoldierDream said:
I watched this first version after Brotherhood and I ended up preferring it more. I do believe that Brotherhood has the better-developed storyline overall, in terms of progression and conclusion (its first 10-15 episodes are notoriously rushed because it happily assumed everyone had already seen the 2003 version which already did the introductory job), however, in terms of emotional weight and impact, it's well below its predecessor and that's why to me it can't have the edge over it. 2003 had this certain dark, melancholic mood and a more human approach that Brotherhood just could not replicate, which are to me elements much more valuable than just a well-thought, immaculate storyline.

Agreed I prefer this over brotherhood the art tone and story fits it more had me more worried and on edge than the other
Oct 4, 2023 10:35 PM
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Mar 2008
27
Say whatever you want about this version (I love it) but you must admit that Dante's theme is a true banger.
Oct 5, 2023 6:57 AM
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May 2022
268
I love it. Prefer it to FMAB personally
Oct 5, 2023 9:04 AM
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Mar 2021
1385
ShamankinguYoh said:
mouadchag said:
@ShamankinguYoh wich characterization problem and themes problems?

Honestly it’s mostly just the fact that the characters were wasted and the narrative was very bad. Mustang, Bradley, Envy, Scar, Hohenheim and Winry really suffered from the poor planning and writing in this version. Dante was a bad villain. That’s not to mention how ridiculous the ending was and the fact that you have to watch a (bad) movie to get the series conclusion.

we think of them as wasted because brotherhood version exist

if you look at 03 as total separate work it is really incredible
Oct 5, 2023 9:40 AM
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May 2015
245
Khushal_v said:
ShamankinguYoh said:

Honestly it’s mostly just the fact that the characters were wasted and the narrative was very bad. Mustang, Bradley, Envy, Scar, Hohenheim and Winry really suffered from the poor planning and writing in this version. Dante was a bad villain. That’s not to mention how ridiculous the ending was and the fact that you have to watch a (bad) movie to get the series conclusion.

we think of them as wasted because brotherhood version exist

if you look at 03 as total separate work it is really incredible

I actually tried to look at it separately as an anime original, it’s just not that good, sorry. And even if brotherhood never existed, the original manga would, which is the best version of the story anyways.
Oct 5, 2023 9:45 AM
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May 2015
245
SoldierDream said:
I watched this first version after Brotherhood and I ended up preferring it more. I do believe that Brotherhood has the better-developed storyline overall, in terms of progression and conclusion (its first 10-15 episodes are notoriously rushed because it happily assumed everyone had already seen the 2003 version which already did the introductory job), however, in terms of emotional weight and impact, it's well below its predecessor and that's why to me it can't have the edge over it. 2003 had this certain dark, melancholic mood and a more human approach that Brotherhood just could not replicate, which are to me elements much more valuable than just a well-thought, immaculate storyline.

No way. And the manga is better than both. I can’t enjoy the characters in a story if the narrative is terrible, which is the case with FMA 03. The manga has great characters and a great plot, the original anime has a decent depiction of Ed and Al, but everything else is botched and the ending is terrible. Easy choice.
Oct 7, 2023 2:52 AM
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Apr 2021
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i quite like this anime, probably more than brotherhood. I like the more dark aspects and the anime original ending. They tried doing something different, so with the slower paced beginning they could flesh out their characters more and so the emotional beats of the story felt more gut punching.
Oct 7, 2023 8:40 PM
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Jul 2022
24
ShamankinguYoh said:
mouadchag said:
@ShamankinguYoh the only character who iam agree about is Bradley the other idk what are u talking about. Hohenime is just a side character in 2003 he dont have an arc like in broho so how he is wasted ? Aslo how dante was a bad vilain? And yeah the ending is not good but that have nothing to do with character.
Aslo the script of the show was plained from the start even the other side of the gate twist was forshadow early in the show.
I think you just dont notice.

There are a lot of little things wrong with the story. And I disagree with the plot direction. One thing is they made it so Mustang was responsible for Winry’s parents death but they do absolutely nothing with that. Winry barely has a character or a presence. Dante comes out of nowhere in the end and dies in an extremely anticlimactic way. The story with Dante and Hohenheim is nonsensical and Envy being Ed’s half brother is ridiculous. There’s just so much wrong with the series. It’s just pretty bad in general. Nothing compared to the manga or brotherhood anime.

I don’t see how Dante being a lover from one of Hoenheim’s MANY lives and lifetimes is any less sensical than him growing a one eyed life form in a small bottle , and it taking his form after taking half the souls of Xerxes after being let out the bottle? I could make many nitpicks at brotherhood, as it wasn’t perfect. Also how does Dante come out of nowhere? she was introduced before Hoenheim ever shows up as Izumi’s teacher. Come on man.
Loccon_StratosOct 7, 2023 8:46 PM
Oct 7, 2023 8:42 PM
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Jul 2022
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Loccon_Stratos said:
ShamankinguYoh said:

There are a lot of little things wrong with the story. And I disagree with the plot direction. One thing is they made it so Mustang was responsible for Winry’s parents death but they do absolutely nothing with that. Winry barely has a character or a presence. Dante comes out of nowhere in the end and dies in an extremely anticlimactic way. The story with Dante and Hohenheim is nonsensical and Envy being Ed’s half brother is ridiculous. There’s just so much wrong with the series. It’s just pretty bad in general. Nothing compared to the manga or brotherhood anime.

I don’t see how Dante being a lover from one of Hoenheim’s MANY lives and lifetimes is any less sensical than him growing a one eyed life form in a small bottle , and it taking his form after taking half the souls of Xerxes after being let out the bottle? If you just don’t like it because you like Brotherhood better just say that, but your arguments fall very flat, and I could make many nitpicks at brotherhood, as it was far from perfect. On top of which how does Dante come out of nowhere? If you paid attention to the show instead of hating it? You would’ve saw she was introduced before Hoenheim ever shows up as Izumi’s teacher. Come on man.

Sorry if it came off as a bit off putting, but it’s just many of the issues I feel like you have with it specifically that one, just seem like they fall flat, or nit picky.
Oct 7, 2023 9:49 PM
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May 2015
245
Loccon_Stratos said:
ShamankinguYoh said:

There are a lot of little things wrong with the story. And I disagree with the plot direction. One thing is they made it so Mustang was responsible for Winry’s parents death but they do absolutely nothing with that. Winry barely has a character or a presence. Dante comes out of nowhere in the end and dies in an extremely anticlimactic way. The story with Dante and Hohenheim is nonsensical and Envy being Ed’s half brother is ridiculous. There’s just so much wrong with the series. It’s just pretty bad in general. Nothing compared to the manga or brotherhood anime.

I don’t see how Dante being a lover from one of Hoenheim’s MANY lives and lifetimes is any less sensical than him growing a one eyed life form in a small bottle , and it taking his form after taking half the souls of Xerxes after being let out the bottle? I could make many nitpicks at brotherhood, as it wasn’t perfect. Also how does Dante come out of nowhere? she was introduced before Hoenheim ever shows up as Izumi’s teacher. Come on man.

Is it a nitpick that Winry is barely a character in this version? That they do nothing with the fact that Mustang is Winry’s parents killer? Or that it’s ridiculous how Bradley’s son so happens to decide to come back with his skull so Mustang can conveniently survive and kill him? That Envy being Ed’s half brother was stupid and added nothing? That they spent no time at all on Hohenheim in this version and his apparent relationship with Dante? How basically the entire cast is very underdeveloped except for the Elric brothers where the canon series is far more well rounded? These are minor nit picks?
Oct 8, 2023 9:51 AM
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ShamankinguYoh said:
Loccon_Stratos said:

I don’t see how Dante being a lover from one of Hoenheim’s MANY lives and lifetimes is any less sensical than him growing a one eyed life form in a small bottle , and it taking his form after taking half the souls of Xerxes after being let out the bottle? I could make many nitpicks at brotherhood, as it wasn’t perfect. Also how does Dante come out of nowhere? she was introduced before Hoenheim ever shows up as Izumi’s teacher. Come on man.

Is it a nitpick that Winry is barely a character in this version? That they do nothing with the fact that Mustang is Winry’s parents killer? Or that it’s ridiculous how Bradley’s son so happens to decide to come back with his skull so Mustang can conveniently survive and kill him? That Envy being Ed’s half brother was stupid and added nothing? That they spent no time at all on Hohenheim in this version and his apparent relationship with Dante? How basically the entire cast is very underdeveloped except for the Elric brothers where the canon series is far more well rounded? These are minor nit picks?

But you aren’t going to take into consideration that this is a product based off of an incomplete
Manga? There are rushed endings for a reason, and that’s because there was no source Material to go off of after a certain point. I just don’t think you’re being fair to the series, as it had only so much to work with to a point, and was FORCED to wing it on its own. There are so many worse anime that run away from the manga, but based off writers choice, FMA 03 wanted and was up to a point, following the manga to a T until it ran out. That’s why I’m saying it’s nit picky, not because you don’t have a point, but you’re not taking into consideration of the circumstances. A lot of what you’re upset about isn’t due to the fault of the show, it’s the fault of the mangaka, for leaving it incomplete, as much as I love her.
Oct 8, 2023 9:52 AM
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ShamankinguYoh said:
Loccon_Stratos said:

I don’t see how Dante being a lover from one of Hoenheim’s MANY lives and lifetimes is any less sensical than him growing a one eyed life form in a small bottle , and it taking his form after taking half the souls of Xerxes after being let out the bottle? I could make many nitpicks at brotherhood, as it wasn’t perfect. Also how does Dante come out of nowhere? she was introduced before Hoenheim ever shows up as Izumi’s teacher. Come on man.

Is it a nitpick that Winry is barely a character in this version? That they do nothing with the fact that Mustang is Winry’s parents killer? Or that it’s ridiculous how Bradley’s son so happens to decide to come back with his skull so Mustang can conveniently survive and kill him? That Envy being Ed’s half brother was stupid and added nothing? That they spent no time at all on Hohenheim in this version and his apparent relationship with Dante? How basically the entire cast is very underdeveloped except for the Elric brothers where the canon series is far more well rounded? These are minor nit picks?

Now that I will give you, Envy being Ed’s brother could’ve had so much more potential if it wasn’t dropped on you, but what did brotherhood do that was so much better aside from his Death which was admittedly extremely satisfying.

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