FMA Anime

[Andy2kk]

I've recently started watching anime that I've heard of but haven't bothered to watch. So far, it's been OMG, FMP, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Fate Stay Night and now FMA!

I'm enjoying it the most so far, it has a good amount of the typical anime *lol* shenanigans, but what makes it really good IMO is the poignant heart wrenching stuff. Like what happened with that wanker Tucker, what he did to Nina. Then with Ishabul and Hughes, it's all very good stuff. I'm up to episode 35 and I did read head a bit on the wiki... I couldn't help myself! ...looks like it's going to be one fked! up time all the way to the end. (Now I just have to find somewhere I can download the the movie from...?)

 

[SimmyC]

Yeah. It's a great series in its own right. Which is an amazing feat because, while it is based on the manga, it deviates from it very early on (especially since the manga is a monthly series. Doing the typical 'fillers until they catch up' is simply not in the cards for them as it would have with a weekly series). Most series that deviate from the manga usually suck for obvious reasons (while Naruto sucks now, when it was 'good', the manga was still superior to the anime given that the manga didn't have fillers. Bleach is a better example where episodes that follow the manga are better than the filler crap it has in between them).

If you ever want to read the manga, you'll notice after the first arc and so how very different they are. For example, the Homunculus, beyond Lust, Greed, and I'm not sure if you know yet, but another character in the series, are all different. Wrath, and Sloth are completely different in the manga (heck, the one character I mentioned before? He is Wrath in the manga. Pride is taken by another homunculus that doesn't exist in the anime series). Rose's part is significantly much lower than she is in the anime (heck, before the very recent chapters, she was no where to be seen after the first two-three chapter arc ended). And of course, it also introduced characters and places that the anime never went to. The Northern area and the Eastern area (where you have Asian characters). And Hohenheim's history is a bit different.

Even with all the changes, the anime still holds up well against the manga. Again, a rarity in anime translated from mangas. That being said, I honestly didn't like the ending since, well, besides it being a 'finite' ending (one that can't really be continued if they decided 'Hey! We need more FMA') it also felt a bit 'depressing'. Bittersweet as you said, but depressing given the way it resolved one of the major arcs in the story.

 

[Andy2kk]

Regarding the Homunculus, the anime Envy... I thought he was a she at first. The voice actor in the Japanese version has to be a woman at the least. I only realised Envy was male after reading the wiki about him. Anyone else think that?

I've only got 12 more episodes to go! Have you seen the movie?

 

[SimmyC]

It's still up in the air with the manga. Part of it of course is that, his/her gender was never important in the manga. In the anime, it wasn't all that important either... until close to the end.

And I never thought he was a 'female'. Granted, I think I spoiled myself before the series ended, so that could be the reason.

And yes, I've seen the movie. Have the DVD.

It's, a pretty emotional movie too. And the emotion that you'd probably feel is sadness. :blue: One of the reasons why I didn't enjoy it all that much.

 

[Bucks]

I was rather suprised at the Anime also. It was awesome. By the way, which chapter does the manga diviate from the anime?

 

[SimmyC]

I'm not completely sure to be honest. To an extent, even the first episode had a few 'differences' to the manga. But it wasn't until, if Wiki is to be believed, around episode 32 to 35 did it really deviate from the manga.

Though again, even before then, there were differences. Siren for example, was not in the manga. Sloth of course, is different. Heck, we didn't even get to see Sloth in the manga until well after the anime series ended. And let me tell you, it isn't in the appearance of Ed and Al's mother.

And even after the meeting with Greed (which is where the two versions really separated), there are arcs that are found in the anime, that is the same as the manga version after that. Mainly of course, the Chimera squad arc. It was changed to fit the differences the anime brought to the series, but it was still there nonetheless.

BTW, while FMA is an example of how to translate a monthly manga series into an anime series (one that isn't done at least since FMA manga is still ongoing), Claymore IMO is an example of what NOT to do when translating a monthly manga series into an anime series. Claymore kept VERY close to the manga (and why it was at first awesome) until literally the very end. Where it seemed like they 'had' to end the series. And IMO, it ended very badly. Sure, they kept it open for a second season. But the changes they did to make that 'unique anime ending' was so big IMO that there is no way they can use the manga from that point on as a reference point. And given that it stayed 'too close' to the manga, questions asked in the manga, are now unanswered in the anime series.

At least FMA, by going it's own route, answered questions that the anime series focused on. And not the mangas.

 

[Bucks]

That wasn't what I asked, I wanted the exact manga chapter that was close to the anime. I watched the anime but the manga is different and I want to read it to see if it is any good.

Now that we are on the subject of Claymore, I ask the same question. Sorry to be a bother, but I don't want to read something I already watched. That would be long.

 

[SimmyC]

Sorry, I misread what you wrote. In that case, I do not know what chapter of the FMA manga then. Too many god damn chapters to look through.

And even then, the main problem with the manga is, even when it was close to the anime, it's different. While the chapters that are the 'same' as the anime only have slight differences, they are still 'big enough' to effect the rest of the story. I don't know the exact chapter, but it must be sometime after Greed's appearance. If you can find an FMA fansite that tells you when Greed first appeared in the manga, than that's your best bet in 'skipping what was already made'.

[edit]Example, I mentioned the Chimera arc. But one that you might go 'wait a minute, didn't I see this in the anime?' is the Ishbal Massacre. There is an arc that involves the Ishbal Massacre in the manga. Heck, it dedicated an entire 'flashback' arc to it. Problem? Besides being 'after' the Greed Arc if Wiki is correct and this is where the manga and anime 'deviate', it is both the same (military comes in, kills a bunch of people), and yet different enough that you might want to read over it anyways if you're still interested with FMA the manga (like how Winry's parents died. Let's just say it wasn't Roy).

Claymore on the other hand, is MUCH easier to say 'yup, this is the chapter where they changed it'. Granted, I don't know off the top of my head again. <_< But, well, it's during the Northern Campaign, when they are defending the town, where the two story deviates. that should be, at least chapter 60-70. Again, I do not know the exact chapter. But unlike FMA where they purposely changed a ton of things to tell its own story, Claymore stayed true until the very end.

 

[Bucks]

Okay, Bumped this thread because the Anime is going to start up again. I heard rumors about it earlier, and it was confirmed with a trailer in the 00 episode. (There was some trailer in the middle, most likely a commercial)

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

 

[Amodelsino]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

 

[fenixzero]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

According to everything I know, its a relaunch of the series from the beginning closely following the anime.

 

[Bucks]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

According to everything I know, its a relaunch of the series from the beginning closely following the anime.

What he said. It will start from episode 1 again and follow the manga.

 

[Prince Charon]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

According to everything I know, its a relaunch of the series from the beginning closely following the anime.

What he said. It will start from episode 1 again and follow the manga.

One of us is confused, here. Is it me?

 

[SimmyC]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

Um...

Why is it impossible for the new series to, basically be a restart, this time following the manga more closely? It isn't like this was the first time an anime did that.

Take, AMG for example. There was the original OVAs, which condensed a big portion of the mangas, taking out arcs here and there, and basically making their own story with it. Then there was the standalone movie, and after awhile, they had a new anime series that was even closer to the manga. That is the current AMG TV series.

Yes, the time between AMG OVA and AMG TV was longer than the time of the current FMA anime to the new 'season'. But that still doesn't mean that it 'can't' be a restart. Take another example, Tenchi Muyo. Tenchi Muyo Ryo-Ohki and Tenchi Muyo Universe (purposely ignoring Tenchi in Tokyo).

Oh, and while I haven't seen Negima anime, from what I know, it's clear season 1 and season 2... not the same. Season 1 was so bad, that they went back and 'restarted it'. <_<

Trailer I've seen of it seems to suggest just that. Al is back in his armor form. If this was a sequel series, he wouldn't be back in the armor form.

Yes, I know it's possible that it's a 'lost' season (i.e. a sidesequel of sorts to the current series. New arcs and so forth). But that doesn't mean it couldn't be a restart either.

 

[Amodelsino]

Why is it impossible for the new series to, basically be a restart, this time following the manga more closely? It isn't like this was the first time an anime did that.

:huh:

I didn't say that that was impossible, I said that it was impossible to start following the manga, because the anime already created it's own storyline.

Basically, they can't start following the manga from where they left the anime, because it is now a different story. If they want to follow the manga, they have to redo the anime from Arc 1. Which is apparently what they are doing.

I don't know where you got the idea that I was saying the opposite of what I was actually saying.

 

[SimmyC]

Then I misread what you wrote. So I should apologize. :unsure:

Yes. The CURRENT anime, you can't just go back and follow the manga because yes, the story is different. But the NEW anime isn't following the current anime. Since you didn't distinguish between the 'current/old' anime and the 'new' anime, that's where I got confused.

[edit]I see, somehow I missed the last sentence, or didn't take it into consideration when I wrote my reply.

 

[Bucks]

It is probably going to start following the manga. I haven't read the manga, so I guess I'm going to have to watch it again.

That's.. completely impossible. The only way for it to follow the manga is for it to be remade as a completely different series than they did the first time.

Basically, the anime can't 'start' following the manga, because it already contradicted it with a completely different story line. All they can do is either continue from where they left off in the movie, or (in order to follow the manga) restart it from the very first arc (which was also different in the manga).

According to everything I know, its a relaunch of the series from the beginning closely following the anime.

What he said. It will start from episode 1 again and follow the manga.

One of us is confused, here. Is it me?

Well, to be blunt. Yes

 

[SimmyC]

http://www.hagaren.jp/

The 'third' season of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Again, it is technically the 3rd season. Just that, it's the season that's basically a reboot, following the manga this time.

 

[bissek]

They'd have to start the reboot at Hughes' death to return things to the state of the manga.

 

[Xon]

I was rather suprised at the Anime also. It was awesome. By the way, which chapter does the manga diviate from the anime?

Chapter 1. The anime radically re-orders several events in the Manga, and almost completely diverges once the nature of Homunculus is expanded on in any real detail including practicaly all of the background on the philosopher's stone.

In the Manga, human transmutation is not forbidden because it is horrifically dangerous(it is) or that is an abomination against humanity(the manga is worse), but so the government maintains it's monopoly on force(ie having an army).

 

[SimmyC]

Yeah. It would be hard, almost 'stupid' to reboot from the beginning if only because the beginning of the 'first FMA anime' and the manga are basically the same. Problem is, the changes do start pretty early in the 'original' anime. So while I do see them glossing over say the first arcs, they have to account for the changes, if very minor, ones that still existed in the early episodes.

 

[bissek]

The major plot changes between manga and anime don't occur/get revealed until after the death of Hughes. The visible minor differences I can think of are:

1: The incidents with Psiren, the fake Elric Brothers, and the alchemist who was kidnapping people to try to resurrect his dead lover (who wasn't dead) didn't happen in the manga.
2: The incidents with the coal miners and Shad Tucker didn't happen until after Ed returned from Riol in the manga, as opposed to right after Ed became a state alchemist in the anime.
3: The means by which Ed passed the practical exam for state alchemist differ.
4: Ed barely knew the Hughes family in the manga, having only met Maes right after the Tucker incident.
5: Scar killed both Tuckers in the manga, but only Nina in the anime.
6: In the manga, Ed was not involved in the arrest of Barry the Chopper.
7: In the anime, the burning of the library was an accident, in the manga, it was deliberate.
8: Bradley's homunculus secretary in the anime does not exist in the manga (As a different character was created for the role of Sloth).

After Hughes dies (From the Mustang side of the story) and Ed meets with his old teacher (From the Elric side of the story), the stories diverge radically.

 

[SimmyC]

Like I said, minor, but those are still changes.

Granted, it's true that some of them could be considered fillers and say 'hey, they could happen in both the old and new anime. But even minor things like the secretary not being Sloth, or even looking like Ed an Al's mother would still need to be explained.

And having Tucker die early is another one too. After all, if he didn't die, the new anime would have to either, bring him back for some inane reason just to off him, or, pretend he disappeared.

While it would be ideal if they set it after Hughes' death, realistically they would have to do it like other reboot series. Thinking mainly Ah! My Goddess, to make for all the differences the manga following anime is compared to the original anime.

Animate the first arcs anyway just to show that there are differences to the 'first' season. If they are creative, they could marginalize them so that it wouldn't be complete retread.

There is of course a third option, follow closer to the manga =/= exactly like the manga. Just, close enough that it stays with the manga more than the original anime did. But, they still need to be creative to get around the similar beginning arcs.

Oh, now that I had some time to think about it, the best solution would simply be... flashbacks. Incidents like the Church and so forth that happened in the first arc of both the anime and the original manga... those events still happened... just that, instead of showing it again and be a retread, flashbacks revealing that yes, those events did happen. Problem? Flashbacks =/= best story telling device. but if they really try avoid retreading, this would be the best solution for them.

 

[Ura Mamoru]

The major plot changes between manga and anime don't occur/get revealed until after the death of Hughes. The visible minor differences I can think of are:

1: The incidents with Psiren, the fake Elric Brothers, and the alchemist who was kidnapping people to try to resurrect his dead lover (who wasn't dead) didn't happen in the manga.
2: The incidents with the coal miners and Shou Tucker didn't happen until after Ed returned from Riol in the manga, as opposed to right after Ed became a state alchemist in the anime.
3: The means by which Ed passed the practical exam for state alchemist differ.
4: Ed barely knew the Hughes family in the manga, having only met Maes right after the Tucker incident.
5: Scar killed both Tuckers in the manga, but only Nina in the anime.
6: In the manga, Ed was not involved in the arrest of Barry the Chopper.
7: In the anime, the burning of the library was an accident, in the manga, it was deliberate.
8: Bradley's homunculus secretary in the anime does not exist in the manga (As a different character was created for the role of Sloth).

After Hughes dies (From the Mustang side of the story) and Ed meets with his old teacher (From the Elric side of the story), the stories diverge radically.

Fixed.

9. Hohenheim's backstory is different, but has some parallels to his anime backstory.
10: In the anime, Scar can use his 'marked' arm for alchemy without a transmutation circle, and to instantly analyze what something's made of. In the manga, that arm is only capable of deconstructing.
11: Barry the Chopper has a more important role, and has a much different human body.
12: Homunculi are formed in a very different way in the manga.
13: The whole 'alchemy is fueled by the souls in another world' thing is nonexistant.
14: Homunculi aren't made vulnerable by exposing them to the remains of their 'original selves' (due to the differences mentioned in #12). They can still die, but the method to killing one is different.
15: None of the homunculi show any interest in becoming human.
16: Envy's true form in the manga is freaking creepy! And it's nowhere near being human.


Incidentally, for #1, the 'fake Elric Brothers' arc wasn't in the manga, but it was 'lifted' from the first of six FMA spin-off light novels. None of the stories are officially part of the manga story, however.
I could go on for longer, but it's getting late now.

 

[SimmyC]

Well I think bissek's point was talking about the differences that occurred before Hughes' death. The point of the story in the original anime when the changes between the original anime and the manga (and in turn, where the new anime is going) become very apparent. His reasoning is that, the new anime should start after Hughes' death because it's at this point that original anime diverges greatly with the manga.

Though the differences he pointed out, IMO, shows how hard it would be to do that if they try not to 'retread' arcs that the original anime already went over.