Years ago, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was one of the first anime series that got me into anime, and to this day, I consider it the best anime I’ve ever watched. Recently, after seeing a few videos about FMA pop up on YouTube, I decided to revisit it. This time, however, I thought I’d give the 2003 series a chance, as I hadn’t watched it before.

But honestly, I found it terrible. My harsh critique stems from the sheer disappointment I felt.

Let me break it down: ***SPOILER ALERT***

The first 25 episodes, which stick closely to the manga, are admittedly solid. In fact, they can even be considered better than FMAB’s early episodes. While FMAB rushes through the initial arcs, FMA 2003 takes its time with character development and delves deeper into the origin story, which I appreciated.

However, once it starts diverging from the manga around Episode 25, the series goes completely off the rails, it starts become "basic". It feels like a ship lost at sea, aimlessly drifting with no coherent direction. Everything the show had built up until that point—the solid foundation and promising narrative—ends up scattered to the wind without proper resolution. Honestly, it reminded me of the final season ofGame of Thrones—a frustrating mess of missed potential.

I didn’t enjoy the Homunculi’s backstory in the 2003 version, I didn’t connect with the main antagonist, and the supposed “darker atmosphere” that people praise just didn’t resonate with me. In fact, I’d argue that FMAB is far darker and more unsettling in many ways.

For instance, FMAB masterfully explores the corruption of the country, Father’s intricate plan to seize control, and the horrifyingly calculated way he manipulates everyone to achieve his goals. Characters like Truth and the philosophical undertones surrounding them were incredibly compelling.

FMAB wasn’t just an action-thriller anime—it was a profound exploration of philosophy and politics. The origin story of Father and Von Hohenheim was extraordinary, with themes like redemption, sin, and the pursuit of godhood brilliantly woven into the narrative.

In contrast, FMA 2003’s divergence from the manga felt like a massive step down. The story became unremarkable and, frankly, uninspired. It lacked the depth and impact that made FMAB so unforgettable.

I dont really know FMAB but i heard that alphonse was in an other world the whole serie and that his soûl is in an armor. And that at the end of the série Al get his body back and return in the real world without with all of the knowledge from the other world without any consequences (for him).

Hello, so i finished watching both adaptions of FMA, and reading the manga. And now i want more, i know no anime can match greatness of original FMA, but i just wonder is there anime that has similar vibes like FMA. I appriciate if you could give some recommendetions. :)

I’m watching Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood for the first time and I just find it really funny that whenever they show an ounce of kindness to Kimblee’s men they almost immediately flip sides. Really speaks to how awful Kimblee is lol. At first I thought it was lazy writing but then I thought about it, and yeah it makes perfect sense and is very funny

The whole FMA 03 vs Brotherhood thing is far off. Obviously, the one with the full finished plot will be better or have an advantage over the one that has not. The 03 one gave the better darker atmosphere, but it kinda laid low when it had to rely on creative direction since there was no source material left at the time. Brotherhood was as great as they say it was though the first 10-15 episodes overwhelms the watchers as if they assume you've already watched FMA 03. It didn't have enough time to connect the watchers with Hughes and others which 03 did great with considering they were probably stretching the story on that part only, the rest was done great in Brotherhood.

I'd like if they added OVAs right after like some slice of life type of thing.

My wife and i want to get matching tattoos that say "Fullmetal Alchemist". What fonts should we get? We're thinking 2 different fonts like the way its said for commercial breaks

Like, does anyone else think that whole reveal about Envy being jealous of humans and the relationships they have with their loved ones doesn’t feel like it has proper buildup or foreshadowing?

Throughout most of the series, Envy is written as a cocky sadist who actively boasts about causing a civil war and shooting an innocent man in the form of his wife, all with a cocky grin on his face, but at the end of his story, we are supposed to believe that he’s been jealous of them the entire time?

I get the idea that he cuts others down to make himself feel bigger, typical bully stuff. But I just feel like if he was envious the entire time, there should’ve been some indications or something like that; the reveal feels very last minute.

Maybe I’m missing something, but what do you think?

Not sure if this is hotly debated, Ed is certainly powerful BUT Al is way more creative making him more powerful. When given a philosopher stone, he soloed Pride and Kimblee (also with a stone) fighting together in minutes. If he kept it, no one, not even Wrath with his Perfect Sight or Mustang and his Flame Alchemy and I'm tempted to include Father in it as well would last long.

He fought almost instinctively, adapting to everything instantly. If Father's plan works and Al somehow survives, I could definitely see him go a wrathful Hohenheim route.

I just finished FMA(B) ✨ and i absolutely adore all female characters in the anime/manga❤‍🔥 i think they did a good job of having strong and reallistic characters.