Post by dante on Sept 29, 2009 21:00:14 GMT -6
After reading over some of the announcements about Brotherhood, I realized that we don't have an official feedback thread. So here's the place to talk what about your impressions of the series thus far!
This goes without saying, but please try to refrain from any disrespectful language or personal insults. We all have different opinions, and just because someone doesn't see things the way you do is no reason to get your bloomers in a bunch. Now that we have that little formality out of the way, let's get to the discussion, shall we?
Overall, I'd have to say my feelings on the new series are... mixed.
Admittedly I am a hardcore fan of the original anime, so I was a mildly grumpy at the announcement of a second series. Of course, after I got over myself I decided to start watching it and tried to go in with an open mind. Much of it is quite enjoyable, but there are some things that get on my nerves.
One of my main criticisms is how horrible the pacing of the first episodes are, prior to where the divergence occured in the original anime. Although I can understand that it would have been unwise to waste time on what we've all ready seen, they could have tried other things as opposed to simply rushing through the material. For example, the first anime expanded on many scenes it kept from the manga before becoming its own story. If Brotherhood did something like -- but to a smaller extent so they could get to the manga plot quickly -- the first arc would have been much more enjoyable to watch. I can understand why they chose to rush through it, but unfortunately the quality of the series suffered as a result.
Now that they are dealing with the manga exclusive material, things have become much more interesting. The pacing has slowed down, and it feels like an actual series as opposed to FMA: The Cliffs Notes Edition. Since I don't know much about the manga I can't go into detail about how the plot is being handled, but from what I can see it seems like it's being done very professionally. The art took some getting used to, but it's closer to the manga and fits the series well. The music is also suitable, but the absence of songs like "Brothers" and "Dante" is a little upsetting. Of course, this is a completely separate series, so I can't hold that against them. That's not to say it doesn't have it's own memorable songs: I can't get 'Again" out of my head.
As for criticisms of the plot... Well, this is technically criticizing the source material, but I feel it needs to be said. One of the major gripes I have with the series is its numerous background characters. Some of them are genuinely likeable, such as Ling and his bodyguards, but there are so many that its next to impossible to care about half of them. Many of the extra soldiers are a little aggravating and the plot could do without them, but none of them hold a candle to Mei Chan. No offense meant to any of her fans, but in my opinion she is by far the most annoying character in the show. Her voice is positively grating, and her cutsey personality is far from endearing.
Apart from what I've all ready gone over, there's not much else I can think of. One thing I should also bring up is that fans of the original might find the change in tone a little jarring at times. For instance, the original anime had fairly tame fight scenes; the only thing that seemed a little fantastic to me was the fight with Gluttony in the movie. As for Brotherhood, I finished watching Ed and Ling having a little confrontation with a gigantic monster Envy in Gluttony's stomach. It's a bit hard to get used to, but just keep in mind that this is a completely different series.
Another thing I would caution against is comparing it to the original series. Apart from the first half, which as far as I am concerned was handled much better in the original, they're apples and oranges.
So that's my two cents. Feel free to share your opinions!
This goes without saying, but please try to refrain from any disrespectful language or personal insults. We all have different opinions, and just because someone doesn't see things the way you do is no reason to get your bloomers in a bunch. Now that we have that little formality out of the way, let's get to the discussion, shall we?
Overall, I'd have to say my feelings on the new series are... mixed.
Admittedly I am a hardcore fan of the original anime, so I was a mildly grumpy at the announcement of a second series. Of course, after I got over myself I decided to start watching it and tried to go in with an open mind. Much of it is quite enjoyable, but there are some things that get on my nerves.
One of my main criticisms is how horrible the pacing of the first episodes are, prior to where the divergence occured in the original anime. Although I can understand that it would have been unwise to waste time on what we've all ready seen, they could have tried other things as opposed to simply rushing through the material. For example, the first anime expanded on many scenes it kept from the manga before becoming its own story. If Brotherhood did something like -- but to a smaller extent so they could get to the manga plot quickly -- the first arc would have been much more enjoyable to watch. I can understand why they chose to rush through it, but unfortunately the quality of the series suffered as a result.
Now that they are dealing with the manga exclusive material, things have become much more interesting. The pacing has slowed down, and it feels like an actual series as opposed to FMA: The Cliffs Notes Edition. Since I don't know much about the manga I can't go into detail about how the plot is being handled, but from what I can see it seems like it's being done very professionally. The art took some getting used to, but it's closer to the manga and fits the series well. The music is also suitable, but the absence of songs like "Brothers" and "Dante" is a little upsetting. Of course, this is a completely separate series, so I can't hold that against them. That's not to say it doesn't have it's own memorable songs: I can't get 'Again" out of my head.
As for criticisms of the plot... Well, this is technically criticizing the source material, but I feel it needs to be said. One of the major gripes I have with the series is its numerous background characters. Some of them are genuinely likeable, such as Ling and his bodyguards, but there are so many that its next to impossible to care about half of them. Many of the extra soldiers are a little aggravating and the plot could do without them, but none of them hold a candle to Mei Chan. No offense meant to any of her fans, but in my opinion she is by far the most annoying character in the show. Her voice is positively grating, and her cutsey personality is far from endearing.
Apart from what I've all ready gone over, there's not much else I can think of. One thing I should also bring up is that fans of the original might find the change in tone a little jarring at times. For instance, the original anime had fairly tame fight scenes; the only thing that seemed a little fantastic to me was the fight with Gluttony in the movie. As for Brotherhood, I finished watching Ed and Ling having a little confrontation with a gigantic monster Envy in Gluttony's stomach. It's a bit hard to get used to, but just keep in mind that this is a completely different series.
Another thing I would caution against is comparing it to the original series. Apart from the first half, which as far as I am concerned was handled much better in the original, they're apples and oranges.
So that's my two cents. Feel free to share your opinions!
