A big thank you to everyone who has watched these videos! I loved making them. Though this is the end of the 2003 VS Brotherhood series, I'm sure I'll still make more FMA content in the future. It just won't be part of this series. Either way though, thanks again, and I hope you enjoy this last one :)
The scene in 2003 where Ed is looking out at the town underneath Central is insane to me and then Ed’s realization that an entire society was destroyed and forgotten for the stone .
I think most people miss the meaning of “sloth” in 03. She says it herself. She doesn’t have the energy to assume the role and emotions of being their mother. And that’s why she must kill them. She feels it’s an awful burden that’s been placed on her. Think of how some people with severe depression or addiction are. They begin to neglect their kids and pets. And this itself causes them more pain and guilt and it becomes a cycle.
It's also represented in al too, who remains largely unchanged even this far in. He becomes almost grating because of how little he evolved as a character and the traits that used to be admirable no longer have a place when facing the humonguli. his naivette and trying too hard to do the right thing lands him in a lot of trouble.
@@ShadowSkyX I would say that a large factor in Al's choices is the fact that the conception of Homunculi in 03 is very different to Brotherhood. In the former, Sloth was the living image of Trisha Elric; mockery of their mother and walking reminder of what they threw away. in the latter, Sloth was a strange creature that they had no responsibility over. If 03 Homunculi were the original concept, Brotherhood Ed and Al would have made some of the same mistakes.
That is what I like more about 03's Homunculus. It actually takes a more nuanced approach to their sins, closer to what they actually mean rather than the manga and Brotherhood that more follows them at face value.
7:10 Ive honestly always liked the scene where Ed has a ptsd flashback to their failed transmission and passes out at the crime scene Cause like, hes 12 hes a kid. Seeing something like that would be traumatic for any kid but add on a previous trauma and well I also like how Hughes (? Its been awhile since ive watched but im sure its hughes) is worried about ed and then gets him to safety while eds out of it
Hughes in 03 is just a top tier character. Having the time period be based before his child is born gave us the extra time we needed to really fall in love with him. Brotherhood and the manga don't give us that.
and if I remember correctly someone (I forgot who) said that ed kept muttering to his mom he was sorry while he was asleep, that’s so messed up like sheeeeesh
My favorite scene in the whole franchise is in the old show, right after they discover that the stone is made from humans. In the middle of the night, Ed and Al have a conversation where they're just allowed to reflect on themselves for a bit.
For me, my favorite scene is after surviving Barry the chopper, and Ed is lamenting the reality that he is so insignificant and "can't even save a little girl" as he breaks down crying. Reaaaaaally made me feel bad for him there. Rough day for the Elrics. Second favorite is probably Izumi embracing them after beating the living crap out of them for their transgressions against her teachings. In 2003. That scene actually is less good in brotherhood.
So I watched 03 after I had watched Brotherhood. And there was always something I noticed in the early episodes of 03 and that was how childlike and weak they showed Ed. In Brotherhood, while he does have setback in the early episodes, it seems like he works through them and pushes on. With 03 I found myself being constant reminded that Ed was just a child. He wasn't grown up and I could feel a sense of innocent naivete from him. If that makes any sense.
@@ngpdreamteam2k4 I would say that I personally like Brotherhood more than 03. Not that 03 is bad in any way, shape or form. I think I just liked the direction that the story took in Brotherhood more than 03. I'm thinking about doing a rewatch of 03 as I've watched Brotherhood more times that 03, so who knows. Maybe my opinion will change.
I only finished watching both series like 6 months ago but I’m rewatching 2003 now and it makes me even more emotional to know everything that happens to Ed. 2003’s characterization of him was INCREDIBLE, especially the beginning episodes truly hammering it into viewer’s heads that “this is literally a traumatized 12 year old kid.” I think I prefer 2003 because of how much care they put into emotional aspects of the series. Many of my favorite moments with Ed happen in 2003, especially the small ones like when Mustang is still unfamiliar to Ed so he speaks to him very nervously and rigidly/overly-politely on the phone; later after trying to revive Nina when Ed cries out and flinches away from Mustang when he marches toward him to grab his arm; even in the filler episode with the nurse when Ed throws a fit about having to get a shot! I LOVE these scenes, it makes the fact that he’s a CHILD SOLDIER so much more real and sad to think about.
@@kimzee59 I think 03 would’ve impacted you more if you watched it first instead if Brotherhood. The tucker and Major Hughes storylines were told better and had more emotion in the 03 version
Damn dude... it's not till watching this video that I realized just how similar, thematically, the two shows' messages are by their end. They just go about conveying it very differently. Mangahood shows us even after Ed and Al get pretty much everything they've wanted; their bodies back, keeping each other safe, and a loving home to come back to, that doesn't mean they should stop; they continue to confront their ignorance, and gain knowledge from other people in the hopes of continuing to make the world a better place. 2003 is the inverse of that. The world has beaten Ed and Al down, even tried to forever separate them, simply for their ignorance as children, even when trying to rectify that mistake, they only made it worse. But by the end of their journey, even if they've lost their home and family, they'll continue to acknowledge the truth about their world and their place in it, in hopes to make it a better place. In both cases, "don't turn a blind eye to the truth of the world and your potential impact on it" comes to mind. 2003 focuses on acknowledging the negative consequences your actions may have, while Mangahood focuses on the good that can come from encouraging positive actions.
Interesting conclusion. I also liked that in 03 homunculi are created by the actions of alchemists, among others, the protagonists. This extends the aspect of consequences tje actions have
The thing with father is that he is not intelligent he is just extremely knowledgeable and has a lot of power to control and manipulate circumstances. Even if he succeeded in the final battle and had the whole universe as his playground, he would soon realize it is just another container, his view on freedom is something that can never be accomplished.
A sort of Intelligence vs. Wisdom debate. Father is intelligent and and his cunning nearly pulls off his plan, and yet he would see the universe as another container. He is intelligent, he is not wise. Or at least not compassionate. While hoenheim is the wiser of the two.
@@SkippytWalrus That may be, I would see it more as knowledge vs intellect. Father is born with everything he knows and will know, like truth told him, he never grew or learned something new which is what intellect is for so im not sure he is even intelligent, let alone wise.
Knowledge is a facet of intelligence, it’s called called crystallised intelligence, improving with age as we attain more of it. Fluid intelligence is the other side, it’s the flexibility to adapt to your environment, that gets worse as you age. There are more areas but they’re the main ones
@@PotionsMaster007 Knowledge is the end result of intellect applied correctly not intellect itself. Your metaphor of crystallized intelligence is a good one (especially for father because of the philosopher's stone situation) if intellect is the process and knowledge is the result. We all remember that kid from class who wasn't intelligent but got good marks because of cramming. Father is sort of that dude except he is just born with everything and he won't forget it as it is downloaded to his "soul" permanently, sort of like a memory chip.
I think what I love about Manga/hood and Brotherhood is that the whole of the story feels like a love letter to humanity and human life. The each plot point, characters, themes, and conclusions return back to that idea. And through the story, the characters show what humanity is. Without disregarding the dark and bad parts of humanity, despite them, people struggle, and what brings the homunculi to an end, the supposedly next phase of life, the ultimate being, all meet their ends because of their rejection, or reveling in, their humanity
That constant praise of humanity honestly started getting on my nerves. 'We're humans we can do anything we want' is overdone tripe, the result of a narcissistic monkey thinking it's oh so cool. Humanism is the most idiotic thing we've ever come up with.
Yeah, I love how FMAB is capable of acknowledging the horrors of humanity while still ultimately positing that humans are fundamentally capable of good and that, importantly, they all mostly strive for it as they can. There aren't good individuals, but rather good people and individuals who lose sight of what is good temporarily or permanently.
As I saw it, what Edward gained at the end of the 2003 series was wisdom; the wisdom of recognizing that he is fallible, that he doesn't have all the answers immediately the way he thought he did, and that he can't save the world on his own- but that's okay. The fact that he became a wiser, more mature person is its own reward. To be fair, Lowart, you implicitly highlight a lot of this in your analysis. But your final summation, about the message of the show being "its worth trying to do the right thing anyway despite not knowing" or something to that effect...I mean, sure, that message is in the 2003 show, but to sum it up as merely that...well, I think that's a much more shallow and superficial summation of the core themes than your *own* analysis warrants. I also noticed you didn't really delve all that much into 2003's anti-scientism angle with Edward's arc. One thing that always struck me as interesting about FMA 2003 is that, for a show that starts with its protagonist denigrating primitive superstition and praising science, it sure spends a *lot* of time and effort implicitly highlighting how he's basically made a "religion" of sorts, out of what he believes about alchemy, one centered around [but not limited to] his beliefs about equivalent exchange. Edward's beliefs about alchemy are juxtaposed with the religious fanaticism of different characters- directly with that of Cornello's followers, and of Scar and certain other Ishballans, and indirectly with that of his own country's leader, who views himself "as one of God's guardian angels." On top of this, some of the most hostile statements in the entire show about religious people are placed in the mouth of Dante herself, who is implicitly coded as someone who doesn't believe in any sort of higher power or deity. Still further, though it's much less focused on than Edward's own beliefs, its all but stated that at the Amestrian government's core philosophy in the 2003 show is influenced in part by a belief that they are bringing progress to backwards peoples. From all of the above, I think its pretty obvious that we the viewer are being challenged to ask ourselves whether being atheistic, secular, a "believer in science", etc. is really sufficient in and of itself to save one from the sort of rigid dogmatism and inflexibility that under-girds religious extremism. And I think its safe to say that the show's answer is a resounding *no* . But does that mean FMA 2003 is advocating for belief in a higher power? No, I don't think it is. It certainly doesn't give any sort of blanket sympathy to religion per se, considering how it highlights and condemns religious extremism at multiple points. However, the fact that it spends just as much, if not more, effort condemning fanaticism in matters other than religion leads me to believe that the message is more about condemning extremism and the rigid thinking that gives rise to it in *all* its forms, not just the ones already disliked by a specific group of people. Whether or not there is a God in the universe of FMA 2003 is not stated, because it's besides the point; the point is that one should never be a fanatic, period.
I dont think wisdom is something you can fully gain when you are young. But you could say he gain a little bit of wisdom or say the start of concious person whose wise and will become even more wise over time.
You forgot to mention that after a life of seeming faith denial, after learning that there is no A+B=get_my_brother's_body_back, Ed makes a... leap of faith, just to grasp at the chance of getting something.
You could view it as a closetly (that should be a word) pro-religious show. If anything, it's communicating the old talking point, which is more obvious today, that man cannot live without religion. Those who are "secular" make religions out of new things, out of their love of Science TM, or their love of human "progress", with little care for the on the ground effects of "progress", or if people even like their version of "progress". Ed of course has adopted the former belief, and the military the latter. The former belief is depicted as merely childish and harmful, too arrogant by half, but the latter is depicted as covertly genocidal, echoing early progressive eugenicists and their beliefs, which would be taken to the ultimate extreme under the Nazis, themselves great believers in "progress". This isn't to denigrate anyone who's ever used that label, but it is likely set up to challenge those certain in their own ideas of "progress".
@@ndalum75 Good thoughts. Like I said, I don't think the show is actively trying to take a position one way or the other as to whether God exists. Its simply condemning arrogant rigidity and fanaticism in any form. With that said, if we apply Tolkien's concept of applicability in storytelling, the reading you describe is certainly plausible. However, one thing makes me wonder if such a reading is not just plausible, but intended. Its worth remembering what some of the prevailing philosophical and sociopolitical movements were at the time the show came out. In this case, I'm thinking of Neoconservatism and the New Atheist movement. As I've always understood it, Neoconservatism includes a belief that a desire for freedom, progress, etc. as defined by western liberal-democratic regimes, is something that all peoples throughout the world either consciously or unconsciously carry within them, and foreign intervention can sometimes be necessary in order to either awaken that desire within them, or else to facilitate it if/when it has already been awakened. As for the New Atheists, as I understood their arguments back when I first encountered them, they were asserting not so much people *can* be morally upright without believing in a higher power [although they do believe that] as that people *automatically will* be *more* virtuous if they are atheistic than if they are religious. As the phrase goes, "art doesn't exist in a vacuum." I have to wonder if FMA 2003's story was crafted in part as a critique of Neoconservatism and New Atheism.
Ed is a great main character, but his iteration from 2003 is by far my favorite, the added scenes and character moments make me sympathize with him more, and seeing his growth and constant lost while holding on to his belief is just masterful.
The FMA iteration in 2003 pays way more attention to the characters and their development, as well as their sorrow. Brotherhood is a series rushing to the end. Brotherhood is only palatable if you’ve read the manga or watched the 2003 version.
FMA 03 was just so much more grittier and real. When Ed kills Greed, it was his first kill and they really showed the guilt and trauma that came with it perfectly. That being said, some plot points were a bit dragged and convoluted. Like Dante and Rose.
@@jase276 yeah. Some plotpoints with Dante didn’t make much sense to me. Like how she was opening the gate with Rose’s baby just by holding it up…..or how Ed switched bodies with his other counterpart, killed him, and then he crossed over with his normal body? Did Hohenheim switch bodies with his WW2 counterpart?
@@junglejuice4761 o quizás planearlo de mejor manera sin que queden agujeros en la trama. Los mundos o universos paralelos pueden ser buenos si se sabe como utilizarlos, en 03 pasa que se quedaron a medias y por eso se siente como incompleto porque en verdad lo está. Es una lástima que en el final de la serie se hayan acelerado dejan muchos cabos sueltos y cosas metidas un tanto a la fuerza. Imagina como hubiera sido el final si lo hubieran desarrollado bien, porque si a pesar de lo apresurado e incompleto que fue el final que dieron salió algo medianamente aceptable, con un mejor desarrollo hubiera sido un grandioso final para una serie tan buena como lo fue 03.
I always had the impression that the theme of 2003 was that Ed insisted he had to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders alone, resulting in him pushing other people away and making everything worse for himself.
The last part of the show was a slow spiral into the dark for him. Over time there are less and less people around him; subtle red flags are raised in the last conversations he has that he isn't going to come out of this like all the other times. He's changed so much and al has refused to. Ed had been forced to grow up and forced to acknowledge he can't maintain the childish mindset; something has to give, else he'll break down sooner rather than later. Al however shows what happens when you refuse to take initive or change. his unchanging sentimental naivette is no longer a good thing or good for him to desperately cling to. Equivalent exchange--the foundation of who they were--was the only constant that hadn't warped into a lie. By the time ed visits dante under the church, its the only belief left that hasn't been contested seriously. Beyond the gate makes ed realize their no kill rule didn't matter - every alchemist unknowingly kills those residing on the other side. ed just never fully considered the energy as part of the greater equation and certainly not how much was constantly being converted just to do even the more basic feats. Thing is, neither ed or dante are inherently wrong; the world encompasses both equivalent exchanges _and_ chaos. Ed succeeds in getting Al's real body back because of time. In all other cases too much time had passed before trying to bring someone back to life. Ed's life is exchanged for Al's soul, al's memories as a suit of armor were exchanged for his body.
It is another of the things that I really like about both adaptations. In 2003, Edward avoids people so he doesn't hurt them, he literally cuts Winry out of his life for years just so he doesn't hurt her, and he doesn't trust anyone. While in Brotherhood, Ed's final lesson and what he had to understand was quite the opposite: that he was not alone, and that there was nothing more valuable than the people around him.
Whereas in brotherhood.. He was shown sharing the burden with his frds and he doesn't feel alone that even leads him to sacrifice his gate.. And I think that's amazing
Father becomes a much better villain when you realize that all the homunculus are parts of his personality. When you think of all of them as one being rather than eight separate ones. I always said that the most interesting thing about the Dwarf in the Flask was that he wasn't emotionless and that there were tinges of humanity in him. For one thing, I think he genuinely cared about Hohenheim way back when he was a slave. Yes, he was always manipulating the situation in his favor, but at the end, he still called Hohenheim "brother" and he still gave him all those souls for a damn near eternal life. Also, later on, when he finds out Hohenheim has children, he's briefly very affectionate to Edward. The way he pats him on the head and smiles seems very genuine. At least in that small moment.
Its also worth mentioning that the moment in which he meets Ed that he now has Greed back inside him. The Homunculus who when it boils down to it was all about making a surrogate family.
I think he did care about him..as you said, he left him alive. I think if they had stayed together, maybe he wouldn't be so evil. But it's understandable why they didn't after witnesses such a mass genocide.
I always related Sloth’s name being pinned to her because of HER actions and mentality. With not wanting to be bothered by the complex thoughts and painful feelings her past memories bring up, so she wants to simply get rid of the source instead of facing it and working through it, so she can have an easier, more immediate path to supposed peace and freedom for herself… But I didn’t even THINK about how the same could be applied to Ed and Al’s actions and mentality toward her too. Wohe…Nice. :0
@@monfernova Wrong, Dante and the Elrics say their "sins" and memories are simply imprints from the creators(Just like they say the Homunculi have no individual souls to call their own) but that`s because they initially underestimate the Homunculi`s autonomy and humanity!
In short, the difference between 2003 and Mangahood isn't the difference between "idealistic vs cynical", it's between "hard fought idealistic vs earned bittersweet".
It feels surreal for this series to be finally over, melancholy to an extent, even. However, I don't think it could have happened in a better way, as this analysis has done a wonderfully beautiful job at reminding me why I love every version of Fullmetal Alchemist and also giving me further appreciation for it, as well as you as a content creator. I know it may sound cheesy, but truly, thank you for making this series and I'll stick around to see what else you have in store for us.
I've heard a bunch of people call mangahood as a "Stock shonen anime", usually in order to unfavorably compare it to the 03 version, as if idealism and a happy ending somehow made it "lesser". To me, that feels the same as calling 03 a "pointless grimdark angst-fest". Both are incorrect. There's nothing inherently wrong with mangahood focusing on action and ideals (with plenty of character development), just as there's nothing wrong with 03 focusing on characters and different ideals (with plenty of action). They're both amazing stories in their own right, and in the end, which you think is better just boils down to a matter of what kind of story you prefer. This was an amazing analysis series, and thank you so much for doing both shows justice. Your speech and visual timing was excellent, and this was a wonderful series that I can definitely see myself coming back to. I wish you the best in the future.
I actually think mangahoods happy ending makes it a better story. It's not a meaningless happy ending either, it's as clear as it can be a defeat of the will-to-power philosophy that Armestis represents. I really like it when someone dares to give an answer to philosophy and stand by their answer. I haven't watched 2003 in a long time, and I can't recall what questions it asked and what answers it gave. I really dislike that about 2003. After everything I still can't grog (to grog something is to fully understand it) the motivation of Dante. People have explained to me that's she's insane and is driven purely by survival, and I understand that. But I can't grog how that matches with all she needs to be to rule a nation from the shadows.
I wouldn’t say it makes it lesser. But it is a bit too perfect. I actually appreciated how in 03 things don’t wrap up in a neat bow. Sometimes that’s just life, not everything has a good resolution and you just have to move on,
@@masterDarts4188 I don't need stories to tell me about life. I already live life. I need stories to tell me about ideas and adventures. Those need proper conclusions.
Many people think it too harsh and somewhat negative/tragic when the 2003 anime repeatedly pushed Ed into a situation that later revealed more brutal results, but this is the element that makes me love FMA in the first place. Put it in the anime-style context of the 2000s, in its chaotic order of a war that ended a few years ago but still leaves social consequences up to the present, the rottenness of the political system, the anime becomes extremely meaningful, especially in the effort of giving us the understanding human's sorrow and forgiveness. It is actually more impactful if the viewer was born and raised in a land where wars are present, or have just passed but in some ways still affecting the present. I am the second generation born in peacetime and the wars have completely ended over 30 years in my country. However, the imprints that more than 1500 years of wars have left in my people's history of preserving the nation-freedom and peace-seeking make the story in FMA 2003 have a much stronger impact on me than on other audiences from the western world. the loss of thousands and millions of lives, the loss of wrong decisions, and the belief of ordinary people despite whether they can see the whole picture or not, after all, still remains a hope of a better future when everyone dares to take the plunge on the adventure of believing in their ideals. The world order in FMA 2003 is chaotic and might be imperfect, but it's beautiful in its own way, not less well-structured in the storytelling in comparison with the whole system of mangahood than people think it was.
One thing I also love in Brotherhood is the difference in how Truth treated Father and Ed in the ending. Father viewed Truth/god/world as sth negative, that's why Truth ended up giving him despair. Ed viewed the world as sth positive, he sees hope in the world, that's why Truth gave him hope in the ending.
Something that I find interesting about 2003, at least from my perspective, is how all the wavering on his ideals that Ed does, its all *before* the time skip, when we're still learning about his past and what led up to the events in Liore. After the skip, Ed becomes far more resolute and the show starts demanding how far his ideals will take him before he has to start making compromises. In a way, you could almost see it as pre-time skip, or post-jump back, depending on how you look at it, Ed is experiencing the world for the first time and how it impacts him. The show never explicitly has him betray his ideals. It introduces all these ideas to us and asks, "How does Ed feel?" We're never explicitly told Ed views the humunculi as humans, so Ed taking their life isn't an explicit breaking of his code. However, he never feels good about it. We see that with every humunculus that Ed kills, he loses part of himself, so maybe he is betraying himself. He starts the show spunky and irritable and ends it somber and almost defeated. In my view, Ed changes his perspective, not his ideals. To put it in a somewhat reductive way, he changes his worldview from deontological, that every action, no matter the consequences, has a morality in and of itself, to consequentialist, that the morality of an action is judged by the consequences of that action. The show questions the morality of each action, but never condemns anyone, and the way it does so is by taking control from the characters and questioning what they should do in those situations. Did they make the right choices? Maybe. Sure, they don't necessarily win in the end, but they don't necessarily lose, either, and the series had been attacking their "equivalent exchange" belief since the beginning. They could've made all the right choices throughout the entire series and still got the raw end of the deal, like Izumi's child and, almost, Rose's baby. Or alternatively, maybe all their choices, right or wrong, contributed to the end. Thats what the show was doing, in my opinion. It wasn't telling us what was right or wrong, it wasn't telling us that Ed and Al sticking to or betraying their ideals is good or bad. It presents all of it to us and asks, "What now?" Thats why I love the series.
I personally feel that Ed does see the homunculus as humans or at least have the same worth, but has to tell himself otherwise till the point that he can barely pretend. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to keep going. Though this is just my opinion.
@@cww2490 Obviously, killing Greed affected him, but after, I think he did everything he could to avoid thinking about it. I think if Ed allowed himself a moment to reflect on it, he'd come to the decision that they, at the very least, have the same worth as a human, as he did with the bound souls on the armor in lab 5, but knew if he wanted to stop Dante, he'd have to face the homunculi, and considering they can't be knocked out or become too injured to fight, killing them was the only option he had, which meant he didn't allow himself to consider their life.
You want me to watch a one-hour long video about Edward's character and mentality on the 2003 version? *sure,* *lemme* *get* *some* *popcorn* *and* *let's* *start*
@@lainiwakura1776 eh I sometimes do vids on 1.25x because of a commute or work. But, I agree he doesn't talk slow..plus how do you retain anything at 1.5x or higher?
My biggest complaint with Shamballa is still Ed and Al both being stuck on our side of the gate. I think if Ed had told Al to stay on their side of the gate to protect it like Ed will protect ours, itd be a great way to show them still being together while apart and it leaves Winry less shafted and alone at the end
Well, Ed *did* tell Al to destroy it on their world's side of the gate. Al just decided to tag along with him anyway. Without that, the movie ends just as it began, with the two brothers separated forever. In a way, having them end up in our world helps accomplish what Ed wanted to do at the end of the series. He wanted to destroy any and all traces of the Stone from memory so no one would ever pursue it again. Having them no longer exist in their world removes another link in that memory of the Stone.
Frankly I like that Shamballa left the door open for more stories, even if we never got any. I can imagine Ed and Al on a train headed to some new adventure.
@@Edax_Royeaux yes! I think keeping them together at the end would have been the only satisfying end to the story. They’ve been through so much, sometimes 2003 seems like it’s just set on bullying Ed as much as possible (and some people even complain that it’s too pessimistic), so having all of their pain and struggles and experiences pay off by accomplishing what had always been their main goal-to get Al’s body back and be together again (Ed didn’t get his limbs back, but he didn’t seem to care about that)-is what really ties it all up for me. Yes, it’s still tragic because they had to leave everything and everyone else behind, but in 2003 they were so attached at the hip, all they’d ever wanted was just to get through this life together. Ed was already attached to our world and couldn’t stand to leave it behind when he knew something terrible was out there that he might have the chance to stop, and Al’s entire mission was to see and be with Ed again. It’s bittersweet, and I feel like we got closure, even with Winry when she accepts that she’ll never see Ed again. She resolves to move on, knowing he’s alive and that the brothers are where they’re supposed to be, by each other’s side.
@@ComputerJunkie00 True, Ed wanted Al to stay in their world while he remains in our world I cried when Ed was able to restore Al's body while losing his arm again. But they were separated hoping one day to reunite again & they were only this time Al wasn't going to be left behind he wants to be by his brother's side again & they are together again.
FMA was my first anime and still remains my favourite to this day, and everytime I see video essays about it, I just fall deeper in love with this series. I always find time to rewatch both the 2003 version and Botherhood at some points because it was that good. It's honestly astonding to me how it long it has stuck with me which is aound maybe 10+ years?? for me. This is the anime I recommend to people and I'll always say, watch both series because there is so much to love about it. Does it have flaws? of course, but the good outweights the bad
To me the only real justification needed is that Mustang clearly fills a fatherly role and Ed is furious with his father so it translates to this other alchemist watching over him
I'm very happy you brought up the veteran in episode 16 of 03. He's such a fantastic version of a character who lost so much and gained something you wouldn't expect. The reflection it affords him is completely alien to Edward until the old man explains it to him. Edward needed that dose of reality. That episode is one of my favorites in the entire show. Episode 16 title "That which is lost." If you're curious. Fantastic episode in it's own right, but the ending with Ed and the old man is just a perfect example of the kind of tone you get with 03.
@@lampad4549 it's a lot more optimistic and hopeful. To me it's just a different beast all together from 03. Which isn't a bad thing. I think you can find something of value from both. I just happen to like 03 a lot more than Brotherhood.
The amount of nuance in 2003 and lack of any simple, good choices and outcomes is why it was such a hit. Brotherhood would never have been made, and the manga would’ve never achieved the popularity it did. It’s also one of the big reasons for the huge growth in popularity of anime in the mainstream in the western world The other world twist shocked me back when the series first came out.
I agree. Even as someone who ultimately prefers mangahood, the impact of the 03 series can’t be understated. It was one of the most talked about anime in the west during the 2000s and really widened my view on what kind of stories and themes could be tackled in anime
What I liked about the 03 anime was their take on the homunculi. Failed human transmutations who have evolved into their own nonhuman being, and adopting the appearance (and even memories) of the person they were supposed to resurrect as. I thought it was so clever that the failed human transmutation that cost Al’s body and Ed’s leg ended becoming a homunculus used against them, having their mother’s face. The way of defeating them was also smart, as their major weakness is the remains of the human they’re suppose to be physically representing; attacking them until their philosophers stone grows weak or destroyed didn’t feel as creative. Plus (my personal bias), I liked the art style and character design in the 03 anime better. Characters looked more… mature? Not as soft? Sharper?🤔
@@trika91 you can say that that you prefer the designs in 2003 over brotherhood, sure, it would be pedantic but you could say that. But to say they look more mature is stupid, they are practically the same. And to say that you prefer the designs just because one has sharper edges than the other is also stupid, just say that out loud and listen to that absurdly nit picky reason.
No its not at all a big reason in the growth of anime in the west, that goes to one piece, bleach and naruto. FMA had barely any traction besides a niche audience, its hardly been noted to be a gate away series. As for lack of any simple good choices, what are on about? Most of the choices presented by the elric brothers is viewed as good. The ending is the only thing about the series that you can call bittersweet but even that got a happy resolution.
I think in the end both series deduce that equivalent exchange isn’t a thing. 2003 deduces that you will always lose more. Mangahood deduces you can always win more.
If I recall Al says (Manga) that they’re working on a theory where you do the equivalent exchange and then add something of yourself. I took that to mean something like “you can suffer a lot when you extend mercy and love to others and you don’t always get what you deserve for putting that out there. But instead of putting it out there and then waiting for an equal return, just throw out some more. It certainly can’t hurt.” Aggressively care about your world and about other people even if it’s painful, essentially. I feel it lines up with Ed’s closing monologue pretty well.
To consume the whole, you need to experience both, as the two function as dark reflections of the other. The truth of the matter exists somewhere betwixt, I think.
Personnaly, my theory is the reel law of equivalent echange is balance (in 2003)! Remember when Dante used death as an exemple to show equivalent echange doesn't exist? We can also ask ourselves the opposite: When a baby is born, what does it loose? For me, that means we are born with everything and are meant to loose everything. To give it back to the all. Also, the reel flaw behind Ed's belief is thinking the thing we gain=something you want. Again with Dante, she assume that succeed the exam should be what is gain. Howerver, what you really gain from studying is knowledge you can use later. Succeed in exam is just a bonus! Also, Ed may think he lost everything from the time he tried to revive his mother, but he did gain: the ability to do alchemy without a circle and a better understanding to why you shouldn't do human transmutation but also regrets and trauma. The last 2 are defenetly not things he wanted but we can't denie he gain it. Also, with that logic, Wrath having Ed's arm and leg doesn't contredict the equivalent exchange theory because there's no law saying that you can't use what you gain for sonething else...
@@claireaquos6532 Agreed. This is why, after accompanying the characters through 51 episodes (well, the movie also, but I prefer the gate is left opened, then), experienced all events that question their (and my) beliefs of "equivalent exchange" that was intentionally repeated at the beginning of each episode - the principle of the law roughly remains in my deep knowledge with upgraded understanding. Until the end of the story, my belief about "equivalent exchange" remained unchanged and it became the quote that I hold in my heart for the longest of time (I would say, it turned out to be one of the biggest mottos of my life). "People cannot gain something without sacrificing something. You must present something of equal value to gain something." The change switched from the physical path of alchemy to the emotional path of the experiences that everyone gets through the journey to find the final goal.
With how different their paths go and how different their worlds end up becoming, I am curious how 03 Ed and Brotherhood Ed would fair in the other's world. Obviously they'd have to have the lessons they gained at the end of their series because I imagine at the start they'd be about the same but I am curious how each version would handle a different take on their lives, learning where their Alchemy comes from, different origins for Humoculis and of course the different results their actions would take. Would Brotherhood Ed still be able to keep his no kill rule when faced with a reality where HIS actions created a dangerous threat instead of Father? How would 03 Ed feel about a world that is a little more brighter than his own, where his actions do actually leave a positive impact instead of it seeming to matter little? Its just interesting to imagine how these two different takes on Ed would handle eachother's journey with the knowledge the acquire from their own journeys.
I can't stand "no kill" characters any longer. It's beyond self-deception, beyond cowardice, beyond infantile. It's Bruce Wayne screaming at death in an alley, while Joker just laughs and kills another Robin. Writers need to stop trying to teach kids survival at any cost is shameful. That the (possible) trauma of killing their would-be killer makes the murder itself sinful, in any way shape or form.
@@Dunge0nwritters don't "need" to do shit. If you don't want no kill characters there's plenty of stories where the hero isn't that and if you feel like that's not the case, go write your own story. Although then again, if you think that's the point that even brotherhood, let alone other fma vertions, are trying to make you're clearly not qualified to. There's other characters that don't share ed and al's idealism that are still "good guys" in the story. Even in brotherhood ost of the villains end up dead, even ed does that, what ed and al are saying is that they don't want to kill people to fix their bodies when they did that to themseves, not that you can't kill anyone for any reason. but go off ig
@@pamelaguerra3768 Promoting it as 'idealistic' is hopelessly naïve in the first place. Like the laughable 'war' at the end of Brotherhood. No, sorry, you can't sidestep the issue of bullets like that. Guns don't care about kung fu or plot armor. Once the economy finally bites the big one, people might finally understand what "kill or be killed" really looks like.
I sacrificed my sleep to watch this and in turn I get a very nice detailed explanation about Edward's character. What an equivalent exchange and it's well worth it. At this point, I can't say which version is my favorite and this video cemented that. I feel like Ed in both version are different characters all together. They both experienced hardships but overcome it in separate ways. But in the end, they got the lessons they needed to move forward with their life. Edward is such a complex character that you managed to put on a surprising one-hour long video. Great job, man. Keep it up!
I love the 03 version because you are constantly reminded that Ed is just a kid still. That AL is still a child. And you watch as these kids are ripped into and rebuilt by tragedy. Brotherhood also does a semi decent job in this sometimes but it always felt a bit... off. I recently rewatched brotherhood and the 03 version, still prefer the 03 version.
Been following this series of analysis videos for 2 years now, awesome to see it end with another great video! Loved this analysis and really reminded me of how much I love Fullmetal Alchemist, especially 2003. The 2003 version of Edward is probably one of the most interesting protagonists I've seen in a show. Amazing job as always, can't wait to see what you do next!
What a great end to your series about our favorite series. Brotherhood has been my favorite but watching this has made me appreciate 03 more. Also will read the manga soon because of you. Thanks for this series Lowart.
@@thecod2345 “trauma, especially at a young age, gives a sense of focus and hardens someone’s will” I’ma blow your mind here but shounen anime and Hollywood movies are not, in fact, always reflective of real life. Please tell me you don’t perceive trauma that way about actual people.
@@thecod2345 People handle trauma differently, some people get hardened, some people get stuck. We can see stories of rape victims for instance who have stood up against their trauma and become a beacon of inspiration for others. We can also see stories of people who don't and pass on that trauma to others because they cope with the pain by inflicting it on others.
I want you to go over the differences in Scar next, how he went from "I have a lot of complicated feelings" bishie to "I eat mountain lions for breakfast."
I absolutely loved being a part of this journey with you exploring Fullmetal Alchemist. I can't express how much this series has meant to me growing up. And to hear all these different perspectives of the show only served to deepen the love I have for it. So for that, I thank you and I can't wait to see what you decide to cover next! If you decide to do another Anime I have to recommend Code Geass.
im so glad you're still doing essays about fma. these literally make my day :) i love the series and your videos fill the void i feel after finishing rewatching it every so often
I don't tend to comment on anything but this hit me in the feels and was rock solid as a video. I grew up on Adult Swim and the original FMA was all I knew until I discovered the manga many years later, followed by the well made anime series. But as you've portrayed, there is a distinct difference between the original and the manga adaptation. I love them both, partly siding with the manga version for it's comedy but ability to still portray most of what the original did in its own unique way. Alas, it would've been criminal for any FMA fan to not watch both series, and I absolutely loved the way you condensed it in such a loving format. Thank you for this awesome video. To any Full Metal Lover out there, don't skip over the original. This video portrays quite well why you shouldn't.
God I love yer FMA analysis videos they always give such amazing insights into the series and the fact it's still talked to till this day truly says a lot about how great of a series it truly is, the characters, the writing, the scenes and music and such, I also always liked how neutral you are about both versions of FMA not leaning towards any of them but instead find beauty and lessons within each of them no matter how dark or bleak things may get Truly your videos are ones I am most happy to look forward to during my days as a content creator
Yes!!! More FMA content. I don’t think you realize how much I love the FMA content you produce. It’s so good and honestly bro you have actually taught me some life lessons irl because of how you explained the story and how deep it really goes. But the life lessons you can learn from this show with someone as intelligent as you explaining how the cause and effect happens and how little details can mean everything and the consequences of your own actions that it has on you, the people around you, and then the world. I know you weren’t trying to, but honestly bro. THANK YOU! I literally can’t explain to you how much you have helped me overcome my real life trauma because of your analysis of this show. So seriously thank you! I know it can’t, but I truly wish this series continues forever. I’ve watched every one of your FMA videos at least 5 times. Seriously. You may not be trying to do so, but during your analysis I kept seeing moments in my life that related back to this show from so many different perspectives on so many different subjects and how it relates back to the mistakes I’ve made and how it’s effected people. The harm I’ve caused, the good I’ve done.. so many moments of both horror and greatness. Your analysis has made me take huge look at my life and to change. I guess I just needed someone to logically explain things to me in a way to where I could get it, but I couldn’t until you made your videos and gave me something relate my own real life with back to see my flaws. So one last time. Thank you bro! You have helped me in ways I can’t explain. Keep up the great content! I can’t wait for the next video.
I can’t remember if you already mentioned this in your Homonculus video, and simply didn’t mention it here because the focus was on Edward, but 2003 Sloth’s name also is symbolic in her character motivations, how she is actively trying to deny/avoid the work of having to confront her identity issues and memories, in direct contrast with Lust who is embracing her memories and past “self” (as part of her lust for life and humanity/identity), Sloth is running away from that challenge and as well as the role (of “mother”) those memories she feels traps her in.
You're the exact kind of FMA fan to do this video series justice, and I love them, and I appreciate you for them. So so SO many times I have seen fans who go back and forth, one way or the other, on which is the better anime, and stick staunchly to those convictions, which can be admirable, but often it comes at being reductive to the other property. Which ruins the point of EITHER interpretation of the story, if I am being perfectly honest. In so doing, these fans miss the point of 'one is all and all is one,' ironically. Both stories have their points, their merits, their detriments, and it is completely open to interpretation, but it is completely possible to have one's favorite and being able to view one series as more favorable than the other without being reductive or unfair. It is possible to live in a world with both anime existing and to get something different out of either one, as that is what I believe was the intention. There are more positive things each has over the other, and more negative things back and forth as well. And this is why I appreciate your video series, because you don't mince words or have an obvious bias. You appreciate some things about each version of the story (manga, 2003, brotherhood) over the other properties and know the faults and pitfalls each one has as well. You give each their fair due, from the perspective of both a fan and an analyst combined, not separating one from the other. All three versions of the story are interconnected. All three versions exist in this world. And all three versions have a point, a story to tell, a lesson to learn, and a memory to be shared. I appreciate you, sir, and look forward to more~
This video is tremendous. It really took me back to return me to many of the feels from 2003 that I haven't felt because I haven't rewatched it in a long time. Amazing.
So, this is my first time stepping into this retrospective series and I've got to say my eyes are opened up wide. I watched 03 from start to finish way back in high school, even borrowing the movie from a friend at the time to top it off. Years later when Brotherhood was a thing, people were putting down 03 as bad because it diverted so far from the manga and wasn't canon. So I kind of just shrugged and figured they had some validity in saying that. Now to learn that both series are sort of a yin and yang, showing the darker and lighter sides of these characters and story... I'm honestly amazed. I don't think one should exist without another, and I'm glad for having watched through both. While the existence of both in this fashion may be accidental, in my opinion Fullmetal Alchemist is as good as it is because it can bring both this yin and yang together to really form a more realistic and conclusive story where failure and success are often hand in hand. Where fairness an equivalent exchange are just honeyed words to a reality that can be just as dark or as light as it wants to be, and you just have to deal with that as best you can.
I'm very glad you made this series. You got pretty much all the reasons why I love and respect 2003 so much and you've even made me want to read the manga of it. I will always be yearning for more, but I'm glad it ended on this note. Thank you for making these. Best of luck to the new projects you'll make next, I'll stick along and see where it goes :3 Side note, I was always curious why the Trisha homunculus was Sloth in 2003. I'm glad you put that into context while explaining stuff about the sins I never knew
48:46 "The importance of living in the truth... while also living for a bigger purpose." Thanks. When I saw this, I was at a pretty dark place. And it's no exaggeration claiming that your analysis on Mangahood's idealism and optimism greatly helped me crawl out of that darkness.
You're incredible, man! It feels like the end of an era, but it's so cathartic to see you finally finish this series. Your commitment has been absolutely stellar, and I hope you are proud of your work. Thank you for providing us this wonderful series over the years. Well done!
This has been an amazing journey! I’m ao glad you made this. FMA has been a huge part of my otaku journey as well as my life in general. I’ve been reflecting alongside these videos at my past self and the lessons FMA ‘03 taught me and the support it gave me through hard, cruel, senseless times in my life. I of course love the manga and seeing it come to life in FMA:B I wouldn’t trade. However, seeing you breakdown the themes of each has helped me understand more about a series I love so much as well as some foundational themes I adopted in my life that I hadn’t quite fully understood myself. So thank you Lowart, and thank you FMA.
What an absolutely incredible video dude. I don’t know how to explain it but I actually started to well up hearing you discuss the messages of both of these series. What a journey it’s been following those analysis series and your TH-cam channel grow. I can’t wait for more.
God this was one hell of a journey thank you so very much. For all your hard work and dedication for this series. You are an amazing essayist and I can't wait to see where you go next
I love this series and I took away something different from it when I watched it but seeing this analysis of the series gives me an even greater appreciation for it with a better way at looking at the series as a whole great video.
This video has hit me like a train, wow I remember watching 2003 back when I was 12 or 13, and I loved it I used to be very sensible and scared of blood so when I watched it I was both repulsed and fascinated by the violence, and I think that's because the violence never was free The most depressing episode for me at the time was the one with the weird rock illness in the village. I don't remember every details that much, just the incredibly cruel ending of the episode but damn that one left me sleepless for some nights After watching Brotherhood maaaany years later and thinking again about 2003, it seemed to me that 2003 was just the "what if everything goes wrong and the writers just decided that the viewers should not feel happy" kind of version of FMA, but watching your video made me think again about so much points and I almost had tears in the eyes seeing how much honor you have made to the very underrated 2003 version In any version, I feel like FMA is very good at being extremely relatable for the viewers, the world may be fictionnal but they just feel the same sometimes ; and I like that even though one is quite darker than the other, neither of them is blindy optimistic or straight out nihilistic ; because that's how the real world is. Good things are out there too, and sometimes it can be easier to just label humans as inherently bad and violent so that it feels less bad to see people suffering all other the world. And sometimes it's also easier to think that things will eventually sort out on their own because humans are inherenlty good rather than actually dirtying our hands to make things better on our side. FMA is a great manga/anime to start with. It only gets better when you let the show get older with you. When I was 12, I didn't need to think about the deepness of the show to enjoy it. Its intent still managed to get to me, unconsciously. But now, I just feel like FMA has always been somewhere in the back of my head, influencing my thinking, my imagination, to the point were ten years later I can watch this video with the vivid memory of everything I have felt when watching this show and an ache in my heart. Thank you and sorry for the random life sharing post
When one journey ends, the next begins. Can't wait to see what's up next on your channel. Have been enjoying the FMA vids so much, I can't imagine what comes next :'D
Really loved this video, looking in depth on Edward was a interesting take and also I can't be mad at another FMA video because I love this series and every time I've seen an FMA video by you I want to re-watch/re-read the series.
The comparison series was an amazing journey. And one thing 03 08 and the Manga though often compared and contrasted and search for the wholeistic the best version is a search in vain all three interpretations are great and no one surpasses the other largely as they each tell their own story even if it has the same root. Do not disservice the other versions over your preferred one but understand each one told their own great story and some of the best characters in all of modern media
These videos have been amazing and this one is no exception. Sad to see this series end but oh well. These videos have gotten me to watch the shows again. It's usually an annual thing for me to get the tick to watch them. Keep up the great content
A little late, but my favourite scene is not really a scene, but a sequence. It's that of the philosopher's stone creation in 2003. Scar going through with creating the stone, not for his own motives anymore, but to save Al from becoming a bomb, Lust realizing where her true feelings stem from, and Scar's final line of "A man who inflicts suffering can’t rest, his guilty mind won’t allow it. But today, I can finally close my eyes to the living nightmare and lay down, knowing that I won’t wake again." Right before closing the circle in Liore with his own body will always give me goosebumps. I also love that in 2003, Ed stops wearing his red coat after Izumi stops being him and Al's teacher.
Thanks for all the research and work you’ve put into this whole series. The love and dedication is evident in every video you posted. I learned something from every video, both about literary analysis and about the show itself. I’m very glad I was able to watch them and I look forward to your future endeavors!
Starting at the end of this FMA saga... gonna back track through. This is wicked though, very fun dive through the show. Like reliving it and kinda, not so much having a chat about it, but just enjoying someone talk about in a clear and concise way. Very cool.
I do love Brotherhood, but the 2003 anime is just the one I love more is really stands out to me in a special way and I appreciate that you get the beauty of it and don’t make me feel guilty for liking it
Something about 2003 Kimblee that I really like is that he calls back to something you might've forgotten by this point in the story - Ed condescending to Rose about how humans are reducible to mere components. Kimblee takes that perspective to its most logical extreme, and bases his entire philosophy around it. If humans are nothing but chemicals, minerals, and so forth, then the only value that they have is in what can be derived from them. Kimblee finds beauty in the turning of people into explosives. As humans, they may have lived boring lives and never truly meant anything to the rest of the world, but as bombs, it's undeniable that they made an impact and that their existence was justified.
I really like how 03 questions Ed and Al’s conviction to not killing anyone. With how morally grey the fma story is I was sorta surprised at how much the story of the manga and brotherhood supported their choice rather unquestioningly. If you let terrorists and war criminals live, odds are they’re going to kill more people so complete pacifism isn’t always the best option. I just really like the moral questions in 03, just because you’re not directly hurting people doesn’t mean your actions won’t lead to further harm and I love the breakdown of Ed’s idea that the world is fair and equivalent exchange holds when there is obvious unjust suffering in the world. These kinds of ideas are held by a lot of people so it’s cool to see them explored
This is why I like Greed in '03 better than Mangahood. He didn't have as much of a character in the former, but in my opinion, 03 Greed made a much bigger impact on Ed by forcing him to realize what it means to willingly kill someone. He drags Ed kicking and screaming and throws him in front of the realization that he can't accomplish any of his current goals without dirtying his hands.
That’s why I see 2003 as more of a character study. More questioning of the characters morals. I prefer Mangahood’s version of Edward Elric because, although the world that surrounds him is dark, it also has it’s good sides. He gets punished for his mercy in both. Maybe he doesn’t get dealt as dirty in Mangahood as he does in 2003 but it still happens. For example, when he decided not to kill Kimblee. If he killed Kimblee he wouldn’t be in that situation in the first place. However, his mercy allowed him to get saved and have new allies. He fails in some instances and he succeeds in others. I like him succeeding more than just failure after failure, with a couple times of getting rewarded by the plot. There 2003 ending also made zero sense to me. How the hell did he end up in Nazi Germany? I get how it’s just that their world had no correlation to each other.
@@edwardelric2905 I can agree with that. As much as I enjoy the character study aspect of 03 it is a huge bummer to watch a character you’re attached to just get beaten down time after time until he becomes this shell of himself lost in a world he doesn’t understand. I’m certainly partial to happy endings so I prefer mangahood overall. It’s a weird turn for sure but I think it sorta makes sense. Amestris in general is hinted to be this sort of parallel to Central/West Europe in the early 1900’s, iirc the date is explicitly stated to be somewhere around then and all the surrounding regions are not so subtly similar to real areas like Russia or the Middle East. so I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to say it would be vaguely where Germany is around roughly the same time period as WW2 but in a world where alchemy exists. I don’t particularly like that they connected it to the real world in the first place though so I can’t say I like the inclusion of the nazi shit it’s just kinda unnecessary, I at least agree with you there.
@@frickinfrick8488 Yes. I do enjoy the character study of 03 but, it’s just frustrating to see a character you root for, getting relentlessly and mercilessly beaten down again and again, to the point where it’s predictable that he’s going to fail because plot wants him to. And in some ways, I think it’s bad writing. There still needs to be happiness. Where he gets rewarded or punished for his actions. And in some ways, Mangahood just made more sense to me. I don’t really like the mindset that if a series is darker, that makes it better. There’s still darkness. But Mangahood doesn’t feel nearly as gloomy.
At 38:38 is another reason why FMA 2003 is so much darker and morally complex. In both series they let their enemies live…while in Brotherhood it only reinforces the “Defeat Equals Friendship” cliche Shonen is known for while in FMA Al lets a mass murderer kill plenty of innocent civilians. Sho Aikawa was a lot better than Hiromu Arakawa with bringing out the real animal and darker implications from the story, making it vastly superior in layered story telling and adult writing.
You seriously have the best FMA analysis videos around. I'll be staying tuned for more. I'm also willing to shoot some ideas and suggestions. I'll subscribe to your channel and patreon shortly.
Man i love your analysis for all your videos you show praise as well as critiscm for both series which shows me a different perspective than i would've orginally and for that you're the best 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Just discovered this channel today at work. After watching the dedicated video on 03 FMA I was on the fence. Initially, I thought this channel mightve been more negative and critical than content I enjoy listening to about media I like. But after this, subscribing is an easy choice. Well done analysis. Great stuff.
Hi Lowart) Honestly, I can't believe that your FMA series has come to an end. I remember the first time I went to your videos, after your comment under the GoatJesus video on FMA, where you mentioned that you also make comparisons of FMA series. It seems to have been at the end of 2017. These were still those old videos before your ultimatum rebild of these videos. I was just damn glad that someone on TH-cam remembers about FMA 03, because the Brotherhood has never decreased its popularity. At that time, for me, your videos were also an inspiration to plunge into the depth of these series myself. It was also a great event for me to get acquainted with the LateMluff videos, which you also supported with your attention. Those conversations of the comments section with LateMluff under his video will have meaning for me for many years, if not decades, based on how fruitful it turned out to be in understanding one of my most favorite stories. Therefore, here, indirectly, I also pay my tribute to this user, for whom you were most likely the inspiration, too) In the end, I brought out my own ultimate understanding of what both series are dedicated to. And the second analysis is dedicated to Edward personally. My thoughts come from a different angle than your analysis. I would like to leave them especially under your video as a sign of how important your series was to me. It may be interesting for you to read them in your free time. I'll post them here later. Thank you again)😊 It feels like an entire Era has ended...
I stumbled upon your series of videos not too long ago and it made me rewatch brotherhood, and appreciate it all the more. Thank you for an amazing analysis on a great story
The ending is also foreshadowed by the core messages but I think you already knew about that I still love every video that you post and I hope you make more in the future thank you for giving us this amazing analysis
Heck there's even pieces of dialogue that foreshadow the ending right around the 30th episodes some characters even say quotes that foreshadow all of that and also other ideas remember that old guy that taught scars brother Alchemy and about the Philosopher's Stone and right around there where at and out first meet him he says a quote that kind of foreshadows what's going to come in the end on top of that the amestrian military does do things that mirror our world and have Concepts that morale world as well like that gag episode that people thought that there was a ghost and aliens something that we think of and still do there's many instances but I want to say that so far they really did foreshadow those but yeah I'm sorry if I interrupted amazing videos that I will never forget
@@mr.l3938 Hey just left a comment on lowart’s dante vs father video in response to a commenter who goes by Teknanam, that I thought you might be interested in and additionally that you might want to make some additional points to
@@mr.l3938 the parent comment was by James Colby and was left 3 months ago (which is still pretty easy to find by filtering on new) in case you want to check it out in its entirety and see the other person’s rebuttal. Here’s the stuff I thought you would find interesting: So for Dante, she is largely a symptom of the problems of the world at large, she is a culmination of these problems and exacerbates them. As such I find her placement in the story to be fitting and that the shared focuses across the story does more for the intended purpose even if some of the ways the time allotted isn’t good such as terminarcher. I feel Dante’s purpose to the narrative is executed well and the surrounding narrative is largely enhancing that rather than taking away from it. She is more important in the way she effects Ed and reflects the world Ed experiences. For the stuff about the gate and the other world. I never really got the sentiment that the gate makes no sense or even comes out of nowhere, both from a narrative perspective and from a mechanics perspective. From early on it should be apparent to a viewer that alchemy has to be getting energy from somewhere, at first when I first watched the series I initially assumed that the possible answer was some sort of power specific to humans in that world either through a use of excess store energy like how the body converts chemical energy to heat or through use of the soul which was a confirmed tangible thing by the existence of Alphonse and later philosopher’s stones. Later as the gate was introduced it became pretty clear that the secrets of alchemy were going to be more in the realm of the metaphysical already dealing heavily with things like souls as energy by way of philosopher’s stones and now the concept of creating artificial life through failed attempts at bringing someone back, the ominous foreboding gate seemed to suggest something dealing with a connection between death and the laws of alchemy. As the series continued, the gate’s presence should have always been in the back of your mind and with that should have begun the question of “what is it a gate to” a question that is ultimately asked to hoenheim by Dante during their confrontation which gives you enough time to ponder before Ed’s conclusion with Dante. Really at that point there were really only two possibilities either the gate leads to the afterlife or the gate has another world on the other side. And it makes sense that alchemy is powered by the crossing of souls with how philosopher’s stones work. If alchemy is always powered by souls it makes sense how a philosopher’s stone works as it’s simply cutting out the middle-man, removing resistance, and having a larger quantity of the energy immediately at your disposal. And then on rewatch a viewer should notice that images shown to Ed through the gate as he sees the truth of the nature of alchemy includes images from our world. I never really got how this doesn’t make sense for people. I can understand the ending being claimed to be perhaps unsatisfying or less than climactic, but the ending itself makes sense and follows sound reasoning. Beyond how it works from a mechanics perspective and in terms of foreshadowing there is then how it works for the narrative and metanarrative. So firstly there is the ways the gate reflects the unfairness and incomprehensibility of the world that Ed must confront in the conclusion with even equivalent exchange being false in terms of science as you end up with a net loss due to energy spent (an idea mirrored in thermo dynamics that we will get to later) and coming to terms with the fact that the way the world operates is far more complex and esoteric to the point that it can be fit into some neat box as nicely as Ed assumed nor is it something we fully understand. Then there’s the point it has in Ed’s journey about accepting death and how much weight it then puts on the fact that the skill that Ed has been using throughout the series is powered by countless deaths. There's the way it relates to the ideas of Ed's isolation and not "seeing that outside his dreams there's a whole other world out there" with there literally being another world with tragedies going on that Ed can no longer turn a blind eye to. The way that it works as Ed being presented with a reality he can't run away from and how anti-escapist it is by using the real world as representation of the truth. There's the way it relates to the themes of nihilism and Ed overcoming it when world war 1 is possibly most notable for the wave of disillusionment and nihilism that followed. Its also a way for Aikawa to comment on how fiction and the ideas in FMA are not things we can or should separate ourselves from and just like Ed we have a responsibility to the world. There's the way that the ideas of entropy play into 03's themes of chaos etc… as you can hopefully see there is just way too much to dig into for a simple TH-cam comment to do justice here.
@@haosmagnaingram6992 Holy shit this goated I agree with this man and also damn that's the declaration of independence in comment mode goddamn shit long but interesting thanks
this video randomly came up on my feed - i've never seen any of the other related videos before either. I'm so grateful someone looked so deeply into FMA as a whole, I'm a hardcore fan and have been since the beginning and I just deeply appreciate the effort you made. Your insights are so thoughtful and thought provoking. I enjoyed your video and will watch all related - thank you for all your hard work. I will like & subscribe - hope that is enough for equivalent exchange...
Great job bro.....hands down the BEST Fullmetal Alchemist analysis series I've seen to date!! I know a ton of work and research went into this, glad it came out superbly well done!
Beautiful final break down. :) I loved following your fma series from the very start! Also love the "All is one and one is all" angle from which you analyzed the Ed versions (and other characters by extension), also many interesting things do turn up when compared to one another directly which wouldn't be as noticeable when analyzed separately. Thanks for the whole series and looking forward to your future videos!
Thanks for sticking with this series for four years haha I still remember your comments on those older videos, as well as your own Edward Elric videos you made :)
@@Lowart Haha gosh I became a walking FMA lexicon back then and it feels like nothing will erase that knowledge from my memory anymore 🤣 I actually just finished uploading another FMA 03 vid, but I definitely could not be nearly as consistent as you haha...thank you again for the whole series. Also love to watch your other vids though I am less commenting nowadays :)
Speaking about commenting less, just one thing I remember as some striking "difference" between the anime versions: in Brotherhood the brothers adapted equivalent exchange as 1 + 1 equaling more than just 2, since giving to the world may reinforce improvement. In 03 on the contrary it was more like 1+ 1 most likely equaling less due to potential loss - it's up to the brothers to hope for something worthwhile despite that likelihood. Ironically both messages have in common the aspect of hope, just a more melancholic outlook in 03. Nothing going against your analysis but rather supporting what you said, I just remembered I found this the most funny contrast-and-similiarity-at-the-same-time both series share. :)
I've been actively following this series since shortly after it began. I've loved every second of it and got giddy when I saw a new upload, and the same applies to other unrelated videos. It feels surreal that it's over but that means you can focus on new things. Well done, my dude. Sincerely, A New Subscriber
Have you ever read D. Gray-Man? Its a series thats often compared to FMA as it deals with main characters that have essentially made pacts to get their loved ones and had to deal with the consequences that come with it, alongside having similar but different approaches to the concepts of truth , sin, being a "dog of the military", and Identity (the show even shares a lot of the same eng dub voice actors). Its a series I'd honestly think you'd like. Either way, thank you so much for the videos these past couple years. They've helped me resee FMA 03 and Mangahood in different lights and have made me appreciate both for what they are. I'm looking forward to your next upcoming analyses :)
This is essentially why I like FMA 2003 more. It’s so much more morally ambiguous, philosophically complex and infinitely darker. I read the manga first and loved it before completing 2003. It’s haunted me in a way no other series has and wish one would again. It’s totally replaced the manga in my memories, so...i exchanged the manga for the 2003 version...one I found MORE than equivocal.
I don't think it is that much more complex, simply more Grey, while one cherish the meaning of humanity and the bounds of human knowledge, the other focuses on the questioning of one beliefs. I used to prefer 2003 but after some years i've found myself feeling more attached to Mangahood scenes, i think that whatever you prefer one or another it all comes down to personal experiences since they are both masterfully crafted stories
The promised neverland video popping up when you said Edward would not allow scar to kill anyone in 2003 killed me. Emma's talk no jutsu would've come in handy in 03hood...
Something that i thought about when you talked about ed and father's stories is that, Ed saw the ants. That's how he figured all is one and one is all. When father says he looks (or doesn't look) at humans as ants. He thinks of the all completely the opposite of Ed.
If you need two arms to connect the circle, but one arm can being metal it would mean that the intent of the connection is the key component. As such, slapping your knee could achieve the same results. The more you know!
I mean Wrath does alchemy by clapping his hand and foot, and Lust's boytoy (for 1 episode) doesn't even touch the circle, he just holds his hands like in a prayer. So, I guess you deduced something that the show clearly stated?
So in brotherhood mustang wouldn’t even need to clap to do his alchemy he could just have his ignition gloves and snap with the intent to do his alchemy
@@Nixus237 Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. The snap generates a syncing point for the brain to enact the alchemists desires. The circle acts as the instructions for what will happen in that instant; meanwhile the brothers don't need circles because that understanding is in their brain, but they still need to create a syncing point where the reaction begins.
I've watched EVERY SINGLE ONE of these FMA analysis videos more than once and I got to say going in I thought it was going to be a simple slam dunk answer, but watching these videos I realize that each different iteration brings something different. Theres like a slight ideological change from "Mangahood" and 2003, I believe both are telling similar stories but with somewhat different objectives and when you broke down these differences I can appreciate the whole "manga is different from the anime" differences were more than just a creative difference but it was meant to say something different as well.
I love these videos man--keep showing love to this beautiful anime/manga. It was the 2nd one I watched after Inuyasha and has a special place in my heart.
A big thank you to everyone who has watched these videos! I loved making them. Though this is the end of the 2003 VS Brotherhood series, I'm sure I'll still make more FMA content in the future. It just won't be part of this series. Either way though, thanks again, and I hope you enjoy this last one :)
Thank YOU for making these videos. Interesting and entertaining to watch
THANK YOU LOWART . We love you
You should make one of Alphonse in 03 and Brotherhood
GOOD JOB. I LIKE WHAT YOU GOT.
Pls do steins gate analysis of themes and characters
The scene in 2003 where Ed is looking out at the town underneath Central is insane to me and then Ed’s realization that an entire society was destroyed and forgotten for the stone .
Do you know the episode ?
@@justtheguywiththewavecheck6244 I wanna say episode 47 or 48 not sure but I remember it’s in the last couple of episodes
@@OneEyedOwl__ thanks
@@justtheguywiththewavecheck6244 actually episode 49 just looked it up lol
@@OneEyedOwl__ oh thanks
Edward is one of the best shounen protagonists of all time
He isn't the dumb, overpowered protagonist with a bottomless stomach who loves to fight like the other big names.
he's great but not the best one, I would suggest you to watch Ashita no Joe, I think Joe Yabuki is much better
@@thedamntrain Here we go again...
@@БогданКрименюк fr
@@thedamntrain you're literally showing off the toxicity of the 2003 fanbase
I think most people miss the meaning of “sloth” in 03. She says it herself. She doesn’t have the energy to assume the role and emotions of being their mother. And that’s why she must kill them. She feels it’s an awful burden that’s been placed on her. Think of how some people with severe depression or addiction are. They begin to neglect their kids and pets. And this itself causes them more pain and guilt and it becomes a cycle.
It's also represented in al too, who remains largely unchanged even this far in. He becomes almost grating because of how little he evolved as a character and the traits that used to be admirable no longer have a place when facing the humonguli. his naivette and trying too hard to do the right thing lands him in a lot of trouble.
@@ShadowSkyX I would say that a large factor in Al's choices is the fact that the conception of Homunculi in 03 is very different to Brotherhood. In the former, Sloth was the living image of Trisha Elric; mockery of their mother and walking reminder of what they threw away. in the latter, Sloth was a strange creature that they had no responsibility over. If 03 Homunculi were the original concept, Brotherhood Ed and Al would have made some of the same mistakes.
That is what I like more about 03's Homunculus. It actually takes a more nuanced approach to their sins, closer to what they actually mean rather than the manga and Brotherhood that more follows them at face value.
7:10
Ive honestly always liked the scene where Ed has a ptsd flashback to their failed transmission and passes out at the crime scene
Cause like, hes 12 hes a kid. Seeing something like that would be traumatic for any kid but add on a previous trauma and well
I also like how Hughes (? Its been awhile since ive watched but im sure its hughes) is worried about ed and then gets him to safety while eds out of it
Hughes in 03 is just a top tier character. Having the time period be based before his child is born gave us the extra time we needed to really fall in love with him. Brotherhood and the manga don't give us that.
and if I remember correctly someone (I forgot who) said that ed kept muttering to his mom he was sorry while he was asleep, that’s so messed up like sheeeeesh
@@catsinwonderland7473 i think that was tucker
My favorite scene in the whole franchise is in the old show, right after they discover that the stone is made from humans. In the middle of the night, Ed and Al have a conversation where they're just allowed to reflect on themselves for a bit.
Yeah I love that scene too. Beautiful show
For me, my favorite scene is after surviving Barry the chopper, and Ed is lamenting the reality that he is so insignificant and "can't even save a little girl" as he breaks down crying.
Reaaaaaally made me feel bad for him there. Rough day for the Elrics.
Second favorite is probably Izumi embracing them after beating the living crap out of them for their transgressions against her teachings. In 2003. That scene actually is less good in brotherhood.
@@Horsed_Beef how is that scene less good in brotherhood?
@@lampad4549 In Brotherhood, it's not driven home. It's treated more like comic relief than a serious moment.
@@kalypso4133 i assure you, it is not.
So I watched 03 after I had watched Brotherhood. And there was always something I noticed in the early episodes of 03 and that was how childlike and weak they showed Ed. In Brotherhood, while he does have setback in the early episodes, it seems like he works through them and pushes on. With 03 I found myself being constant reminded that Ed was just a child. He wasn't grown up and I could feel a sense of innocent naivete from him. If that makes any sense.
Makes a lot of sense. That’s what made it so sad and depressing. I say 03 is better. Which one would you say?
@@ngpdreamteam2k4 I would say that I personally like Brotherhood more than 03. Not that 03 is bad in any way, shape or form. I think I just liked the direction that the story took in Brotherhood more than 03.
I'm thinking about doing a rewatch of 03 as I've watched Brotherhood more times that 03, so who knows. Maybe my opinion will change.
I only finished watching both series like 6 months ago but I’m rewatching 2003 now and it makes me even more emotional to know everything that happens to Ed. 2003’s characterization of him was INCREDIBLE, especially the beginning episodes truly hammering it into viewer’s heads that “this is literally a traumatized 12 year old kid.” I think I prefer 2003 because of how much care they put into emotional aspects of the series. Many of my favorite moments with Ed happen in 2003, especially the small ones like when Mustang is still unfamiliar to Ed so he speaks to him very nervously and rigidly/overly-politely on the phone; later after trying to revive Nina when Ed cries out and flinches away from Mustang when he marches toward him to grab his arm; even in the filler episode with the nurse when Ed throws a fit about having to get a shot! I LOVE these scenes, it makes the fact that he’s a CHILD SOLDIER so much more real and sad to think about.
@@kimzee59 I think 03 would’ve impacted you more if you watched it first instead if Brotherhood. The tucker and Major Hughes storylines were told better and had more emotion in the 03 version
Exactly! I think that's why the anime was so successful
Ed's character, whether it be 2003 or Brotherhood/Manga, is a lot more complex than people give him credit for.
Big facts here
Damn dude... it's not till watching this video that I realized just how similar, thematically, the two shows' messages are by their end. They just go about conveying it very differently.
Mangahood shows us even after Ed and Al get pretty much everything they've wanted; their bodies back, keeping each other safe, and a loving home to come back to, that doesn't mean they should stop; they continue to confront their ignorance, and gain knowledge from other people in the hopes of continuing to make the world a better place.
2003 is the inverse of that. The world has beaten Ed and Al down, even tried to forever separate them, simply for their ignorance as children, even when trying to rectify that mistake, they only made it worse. But by the end of their journey, even if they've lost their home and family, they'll continue to acknowledge the truth about their world and their place in it, in hopes to make it a better place.
In both cases, "don't turn a blind eye to the truth of the world and your potential impact on it" comes to mind. 2003 focuses on acknowledging the negative consequences your actions may have, while Mangahood focuses on the good that can come from encouraging positive actions.
Interesting conclusion. I also liked that in 03 homunculi are created by the actions of alchemists, among others, the protagonists. This extends the aspect of consequences tje actions have
The thing with father is that he is not intelligent he is just extremely knowledgeable and has a lot of power to control and manipulate circumstances. Even if he succeeded in the final battle and had the whole universe as his playground, he would soon realize it is just another container, his view on freedom is something that can never be accomplished.
A sort of Intelligence vs. Wisdom debate. Father is intelligent and and his cunning nearly pulls off his plan, and yet he would see the universe as another container. He is intelligent, he is not wise. Or at least not compassionate. While hoenheim is the wiser of the two.
@@SkippytWalrus That may be, I would see it more as knowledge vs intellect.
Father is born with everything he knows and will know, like truth told him, he never grew or learned something new which is what intellect is for so im not sure he is even intelligent, let alone wise.
@@ollipantsukka7211 ok0ool0lplokok
Knowledge is a facet of intelligence, it’s called called crystallised intelligence, improving with age as we attain more of it. Fluid intelligence is the other side, it’s the flexibility to adapt to your environment, that gets worse as you age. There are more areas but they’re the main ones
@@PotionsMaster007 Knowledge is the end result of intellect applied correctly not intellect itself. Your metaphor of crystallized intelligence is a good one (especially for father because of the philosopher's stone situation) if intellect is the process and knowledge is the result. We all remember that kid from class who wasn't intelligent but got good marks because of cramming. Father is sort of that dude except he is just born with everything and he won't forget it as it is downloaded to his "soul" permanently, sort of like a memory chip.
I think what I love about Manga/hood and Brotherhood is that the whole of the story feels like a love letter to humanity and human life. The each plot point, characters, themes, and conclusions return back to that idea. And through the story, the characters show what humanity is. Without disregarding the dark and bad parts of humanity, despite them, people struggle, and what brings the homunculi to an end, the supposedly next phase of life, the ultimate being, all meet their ends because of their rejection, or reveling in, their humanity
That's very cool. 2003 is more my cup of tea but I appreciate your perspective as well
That constant praise of humanity honestly started getting on my nerves. 'We're humans we can do anything we want' is overdone tripe, the result of a narcissistic monkey thinking it's oh so cool. Humanism is the most idiotic thing we've ever come up with.
Yeah, I love how FMAB is capable of acknowledging the horrors of humanity while still ultimately positing that humans are fundamentally capable of good and that, importantly, they all mostly strive for it as they can.
There aren't good individuals, but rather good people and individuals who lose sight of what is good temporarily or permanently.
As I saw it, what Edward gained at the end of the 2003 series was wisdom; the wisdom of recognizing that he is fallible, that he doesn't have all the answers immediately the way he thought he did, and that he can't save the world on his own- but that's okay. The fact that he became a wiser, more mature person is its own reward. To be fair, Lowart, you implicitly highlight a lot of this in your analysis. But your final summation, about the message of the show being "its worth trying to do the right thing anyway despite not knowing" or something to that effect...I mean, sure, that message is in the 2003 show, but to sum it up as merely that...well, I think that's a much more shallow and superficial summation of the core themes than your *own* analysis warrants.
I also noticed you didn't really delve all that much into 2003's anti-scientism angle with Edward's arc. One thing that always struck me as interesting about FMA 2003 is that, for a show that starts with its protagonist denigrating primitive superstition and praising science, it sure spends a *lot* of time and effort implicitly highlighting how he's basically made a "religion" of sorts, out of what he believes about alchemy, one centered around [but not limited to] his beliefs about equivalent exchange. Edward's beliefs about alchemy are juxtaposed with the religious fanaticism of different characters- directly with that of Cornello's followers, and of Scar and certain other Ishballans, and indirectly with that of his own country's leader, who views himself "as one of God's guardian angels." On top of this, some of the most hostile statements in the entire show about religious people are placed in the mouth of Dante herself, who is implicitly coded as someone who doesn't believe in any sort of higher power or deity. Still further, though it's much less focused on than Edward's own beliefs, its all but stated that at the Amestrian government's core philosophy in the 2003 show is influenced in part by a belief that they are bringing progress to backwards peoples.
From all of the above, I think its pretty obvious that we the viewer are being challenged to ask ourselves whether being atheistic, secular, a "believer in science", etc. is really sufficient in and of itself to save one from the sort of rigid dogmatism and inflexibility that under-girds religious extremism. And I think its safe to say that the show's answer is a resounding *no* .
But does that mean FMA 2003 is advocating for belief in a higher power? No, I don't think it is. It certainly doesn't give any sort of blanket sympathy to religion per se, considering how it highlights and condemns religious extremism at multiple points. However, the fact that it spends just as much, if not more, effort condemning fanaticism in matters other than religion leads me to believe that the message is more about condemning extremism and the rigid thinking that gives rise to it in *all* its forms, not just the ones already disliked by a specific group of people. Whether or not there is a God in the universe of FMA 2003 is not stated, because it's besides the point; the point is that one should never be a fanatic, period.
I dont think wisdom is something you can fully gain when you are young. But you could say he gain a little bit of wisdom or say the start of concious person whose wise and will become even more wise over time.
You forgot to mention that after a life of seeming faith denial, after learning that there is no A+B=get_my_brother's_body_back, Ed makes a... leap of faith, just to grasp at the chance of getting something.
You could view it as a closetly (that should be a word) pro-religious show. If anything, it's communicating the old talking point, which is more obvious today, that man cannot live without religion. Those who are "secular" make religions out of new things, out of their love of Science TM, or their love of human "progress", with little care for the on the ground effects of "progress", or if people even like their version of "progress". Ed of course has adopted the former belief, and the military the latter. The former belief is depicted as merely childish and harmful, too arrogant by half, but the latter is depicted as covertly genocidal, echoing early progressive eugenicists and their beliefs, which would be taken to the ultimate extreme under the Nazis, themselves great believers in "progress". This isn't to denigrate anyone who's ever used that label, but it is likely set up to challenge those certain in their own ideas of "progress".
@@pelucheCR7 That's a good way of putting it.
@@ndalum75 Good thoughts. Like I said, I don't think the show is actively trying to take a position one way or the other as to whether God exists. Its simply condemning arrogant rigidity and fanaticism in any form. With that said, if we apply Tolkien's concept of applicability in storytelling, the reading you describe is certainly plausible.
However, one thing makes me wonder if such a reading is not just plausible, but intended. Its worth remembering what some of the prevailing philosophical and sociopolitical movements were at the time the show came out. In this case, I'm thinking of Neoconservatism and the New Atheist movement. As I've always understood it, Neoconservatism includes a belief that a desire for freedom, progress, etc. as defined by western liberal-democratic regimes, is something that all peoples throughout the world either consciously or unconsciously carry within them, and foreign intervention can sometimes be necessary in order to either awaken that desire within them, or else to facilitate it if/when it has already been awakened. As for the New Atheists, as I understood their arguments back when I first encountered them, they were asserting not so much people *can* be morally upright without believing in a higher power [although they do believe that] as that people *automatically will* be *more* virtuous if they are atheistic than if they are religious.
As the phrase goes, "art doesn't exist in a vacuum." I have to wonder if FMA 2003's story was crafted in part as a critique of Neoconservatism and New Atheism.
Ed is a great main character, but his iteration from 2003 is by far my favorite, the added scenes and character moments make me sympathize with him more, and seeing his growth and constant lost while holding on to his belief is just masterful.
The FMA iteration in 2003 pays way more attention to the characters and their development, as well as their sorrow. Brotherhood is a series rushing to the end. Brotherhood is only palatable if you’ve read the manga or watched the 2003 version.
FMA 03 was just so much more grittier and real. When Ed kills Greed, it was his first kill and they really showed the guilt and trauma that came with it perfectly. That being said, some plot points were a bit dragged and convoluted. Like Dante and Rose.
@@jase276 yeah. Some plotpoints with Dante didn’t make much sense to me. Like how she was opening the gate with Rose’s baby just by holding it up…..or how Ed switched bodies with his other counterpart, killed him, and then he crossed over with his normal body? Did Hohenheim switch bodies with his WW2 counterpart?
@@amuroray9115 I feel they should've went a different direction for the gate than another world beyond the gate
@@junglejuice4761 o quizás planearlo de mejor manera sin que queden agujeros en la trama. Los mundos o universos paralelos pueden ser buenos si se sabe como utilizarlos, en 03 pasa que se quedaron a medias y por eso se siente como incompleto porque en verdad lo está.
Es una lástima que en el final de la serie se hayan acelerado dejan muchos cabos sueltos y cosas metidas un tanto a la fuerza. Imagina como hubiera sido el final si lo hubieran desarrollado bien, porque si a pesar de lo apresurado e incompleto que fue el final que dieron salió algo medianamente aceptable, con un mejor desarrollo hubiera sido un grandioso final para una serie tan buena como lo fue 03.
I always had the impression that the theme of 2003 was that Ed insisted he had to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders alone, resulting in him pushing other people away and making everything worse for himself.
The last part of the show was a slow spiral into the dark for him. Over time there are less and less people around him; subtle red flags are raised in the last conversations he has that he isn't going to come out of this like all the other times. He's changed so much and al has refused to. Ed had been forced to grow up and forced to acknowledge he can't maintain the childish mindset; something has to give, else he'll break down sooner rather than later. Al however shows what happens when you refuse to take initive or change. his unchanging sentimental naivette is no longer a good thing or good for him to desperately cling to. Equivalent exchange--the foundation of who they were--was the only constant that hadn't warped into a lie. By the time ed visits dante under the church, its the only belief left that hasn't been contested seriously. Beyond the gate makes ed realize their no kill rule didn't matter - every alchemist unknowingly kills those residing on the other side. ed just never fully considered the energy as part of the greater equation and certainly not how much was constantly being converted just to do even the more basic feats. Thing is, neither ed or dante are inherently wrong; the world encompasses both equivalent exchanges _and_ chaos.
Ed succeeds in getting Al's real body back because of time. In all other cases too much time had passed before trying to bring someone back to life. Ed's life is exchanged for Al's soul, al's memories as a suit of armor were exchanged for his body.
It is another of the things that I really like about both adaptations. In 2003, Edward avoids people so he doesn't hurt them, he literally cuts Winry out of his life for years just so he doesn't hurt her, and he doesn't trust anyone. While in Brotherhood, Ed's final lesson and what he had to understand was quite the opposite: that he was not alone, and that there was nothing more valuable than the people around him.
Whereas in brotherhood.. He was shown sharing the burden with his frds and he doesn't feel alone that even leads him to sacrifice his gate.. And I think that's amazing
Father becomes a much better villain when you realize that all the homunculus are parts of his personality. When you think of all of them as one being rather than eight separate ones. I always said that the most interesting thing about the Dwarf in the Flask was that he wasn't emotionless and that there were tinges of humanity in him. For one thing, I think he genuinely cared about Hohenheim way back when he was a slave. Yes, he was always manipulating the situation in his favor, but at the end, he still called Hohenheim "brother" and he still gave him all those souls for a damn near eternal life.
Also, later on, when he finds out Hohenheim has children, he's briefly very affectionate to Edward. The way he pats him on the head and smiles seems very genuine. At least in that small moment.
Its also worth mentioning that the moment in which he meets Ed that he now has Greed back inside him. The Homunculus who when it boils down to it was all about making a surrogate family.
Dude no, that's not how it fucking works and is a copout for subpar writing. Father was as bad as Dante and was a sucky villain
I think he did care about him..as you said, he left him alive.
I think if they had stayed together, maybe he wouldn't be so evil. But it's understandable why they didn't after witnesses such a mass genocide.
@@georgepanicker61916 At least explain yourself if you're gonna so brazenly state such a bad take.
@@georgepanicker61916 dude can you at least give a reason why it's the case?
I always related Sloth’s name being pinned to her because of HER actions and mentality. With not wanting to be bothered by the complex thoughts and painful feelings her past memories bring up, so she wants to simply get rid of the source instead of facing it and working through it, so she can have an easier, more immediate path to supposed peace and freedom for herself…
But I didn’t even THINK about how the same could be applied to Ed and Al’s actions and mentality toward her too.
Wohe…Nice. :0
All of the Homunculi; their "sins" are the sins of their creators, it's a throughline of 03
@@monfernova true! I was aware of that but for some reason hadn’t made that connection with Sloth yet lol
@@monfernova true! I was aware of that but for some reason hadn’t made that connection with Sloth yet lol
@@monfernova Wrong, Dante and the Elrics say their "sins" and memories are simply imprints from the creators(Just like they say the Homunculi have no individual souls to call their own) but that`s because they initially underestimate the Homunculi`s autonomy and humanity!
@@AspieMediaBobby i think they just mean the sins they’re named after are the sins of their creators.
In short, the difference between 2003 and Mangahood isn't the difference between "idealistic vs cynical", it's between "hard fought idealistic vs earned bittersweet".
It feels surreal for this series to be finally over, melancholy to an extent, even. However, I don't think it could have happened in a better way, as this analysis has done a wonderfully beautiful job at reminding me why I love every version of Fullmetal Alchemist and also giving me further appreciation for it, as well as you as a content creator. I know it may sound cheesy, but truly, thank you for making this series and I'll stick around to see what else you have in store for us.
I'm happy you enjoyed it :) Thank you for sticking with it for so long
@@Lowart hey lowart which version of fmab do u prefer? manga 2003 or brotherhood?
@@BruhBruh-ej4cd 2003 is my favourite
40:55 HOLY SHIT I never put that together! That's... man, could you imagine if Ed ever learned the whole truth about that scenario?
I know. It's such an awesome way of building upon the idea that Ed's actions keep having unpredictable consequences.
Same I went pikachu meme, every analysis and rewatch of all FMAs have something new to contribute! It’s just such a rich series
I've heard a bunch of people call mangahood as a "Stock shonen anime", usually in order to unfavorably compare it to the 03 version, as if idealism and a happy ending somehow made it "lesser". To me, that feels the same as calling 03 a "pointless grimdark angst-fest". Both are incorrect. There's nothing inherently wrong with mangahood focusing on action and ideals (with plenty of character development), just as there's nothing wrong with 03 focusing on characters and different ideals (with plenty of action). They're both amazing stories in their own right, and in the end, which you think is better just boils down to a matter of what kind of story you prefer.
This was an amazing analysis series, and thank you so much for doing both shows justice. Your speech and visual timing was excellent, and this was a wonderful series that I can definitely see myself coming back to. I wish you the best in the future.
Yea both mangahood and 03 are good
I actually think mangahoods happy ending makes it a better story. It's not a meaningless happy ending either, it's as clear as it can be a defeat of the will-to-power philosophy that Armestis represents. I really like it when someone dares to give an answer to philosophy and stand by their answer.
I haven't watched 2003 in a long time, and I can't recall what questions it asked and what answers it gave. I really dislike that about 2003.
After everything I still can't grog (to grog something is to fully understand it) the motivation of Dante. People have explained to me that's she's insane and is driven purely by survival, and I understand that. But I can't grog how that matches with all she needs to be to rule a nation from the shadows.
I wouldn’t say it makes it lesser.
But it is a bit too perfect. I actually appreciated how in 03 things don’t wrap up in a neat bow.
Sometimes that’s just life, not everything has a good resolution and you just have to move on,
@@masterDarts4188 I don't need stories to tell me about life. I already live life. I need stories to tell me about ideas and adventures. Those need proper conclusions.
@@rutger5000 Hey man do you. I'm just saying for me personally I appreciated the change of pace for story telling.
These videos just reinforce why I think it’s so important to engage with BOTH the stories
Exactly. The two complete one another
Many people think it too harsh and somewhat negative/tragic when the 2003 anime repeatedly pushed Ed into a situation that later revealed more brutal results, but this is the element that makes me love FMA in the first place. Put it in the anime-style context of the 2000s, in its chaotic order of a war that ended a few years ago but still leaves social consequences up to the present, the rottenness of the political system, the anime becomes extremely meaningful, especially in the effort of giving us the understanding human's sorrow and forgiveness.
It is actually more impactful if the viewer was born and raised in a land where wars are present, or have just passed but in some ways still affecting the present. I am the second generation born in peacetime and the wars have completely ended over 30 years in my country. However, the imprints that more than 1500 years of wars have left in my people's history of preserving the nation-freedom and peace-seeking make the story in FMA 2003 have a much stronger impact on me than on other audiences from the western world. the loss of thousands and millions of lives, the loss of wrong decisions, and the belief of ordinary people despite whether they can see the whole picture or not, after all, still remains a hope of a better future when everyone dares to take the plunge on the adventure of believing in their ideals.
The world order in FMA 2003 is chaotic and might be imperfect, but it's beautiful in its own way, not less well-structured in the storytelling in comparison with the whole system of mangahood than people think it was.
One thing I also love in Brotherhood is the difference in how Truth treated Father and Ed in the ending.
Father viewed Truth/god/world as sth negative, that's why Truth ended up giving him despair.
Ed viewed the world as sth positive, he sees hope in the world, that's why Truth gave him hope in the ending.
Something that I find interesting about 2003, at least from my perspective, is how all the wavering on his ideals that Ed does, its all *before* the time skip, when we're still learning about his past and what led up to the events in Liore. After the skip, Ed becomes far more resolute and the show starts demanding how far his ideals will take him before he has to start making compromises. In a way, you could almost see it as pre-time skip, or post-jump back, depending on how you look at it, Ed is experiencing the world for the first time and how it impacts him.
The show never explicitly has him betray his ideals. It introduces all these ideas to us and asks, "How does Ed feel?" We're never explicitly told Ed views the humunculi as humans, so Ed taking their life isn't an explicit breaking of his code. However, he never feels good about it. We see that with every humunculus that Ed kills, he loses part of himself, so maybe he is betraying himself. He starts the show spunky and irritable and ends it somber and almost defeated.
In my view, Ed changes his perspective, not his ideals. To put it in a somewhat reductive way, he changes his worldview from deontological, that every action, no matter the consequences, has a morality in and of itself, to consequentialist, that the morality of an action is judged by the consequences of that action. The show questions the morality of each action, but never condemns anyone, and the way it does so is by taking control from the characters and questioning what they should do in those situations. Did they make the right choices? Maybe.
Sure, they don't necessarily win in the end, but they don't necessarily lose, either, and the series had been attacking their "equivalent exchange" belief since the beginning. They could've made all the right choices throughout the entire series and still got the raw end of the deal, like Izumi's child and, almost, Rose's baby. Or alternatively, maybe all their choices, right or wrong, contributed to the end.
Thats what the show was doing, in my opinion. It wasn't telling us what was right or wrong, it wasn't telling us that Ed and Al sticking to or betraying their ideals is good or bad. It presents all of it to us and asks, "What now?" Thats why I love the series.
what episode timeskip
@@raphaelph52 what do you mean? Are you asking what episode is the skip forward or backward?
I personally feel that Ed does see the homunculus as humans or at least have the same worth, but has to tell himself otherwise till the point that he can barely pretend. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to keep going.
Though this is just my opinion.
@@cww2490 Obviously, killing Greed affected him, but after, I think he did everything he could to avoid thinking about it. I think if Ed allowed himself a moment to reflect on it, he'd come to the decision that they, at the very least, have the same worth as a human, as he did with the bound souls on the armor in lab 5, but knew if he wanted to stop Dante, he'd have to face the homunculi, and considering they can't be knocked out or become too injured to fight, killing them was the only option he had, which meant he didn't allow himself to consider their life.
You want me to watch a one-hour long video about Edward's character and mentality on the 2003 version?
*sure,* *lemme* *get* *some* *popcorn* *and* *let's* *start*
Ha! I can watch videos at 2x speed like it's nothing!
Be gone fodder!
@@thearomanticshipper4468 That's amateur hour. Lowart doesn't even talk slow.
@@lainiwakura1776 eh I sometimes do vids on 1.25x because of a commute or work. But, I agree he doesn't talk slow..plus how do you retain anything at 1.5x or higher?
I love the Ending on Brotherhood Better and I did Watch Both Shows
My biggest complaint with Shamballa is still Ed and Al both being stuck on our side of the gate. I think if Ed had told Al to stay on their side of the gate to protect it like Ed will protect ours, itd be a great way to show them still being together while apart and it leaves Winry less shafted and alone at the end
Well, Ed *did* tell Al to destroy it on their world's side of the gate. Al just decided to tag along with him anyway. Without that, the movie ends just as it began, with the two brothers separated forever.
In a way, having them end up in our world helps accomplish what Ed wanted to do at the end of the series. He wanted to destroy any and all traces of the Stone from memory so no one would ever pursue it again. Having them no longer exist in their world removes another link in that memory of the Stone.
Frankly I like that Shamballa left the door open for more stories, even if we never got any. I can imagine Ed and Al on a train headed to some new adventure.
@@Edax_Royeaux yes! I think keeping them together at the end would have been the only satisfying end to the story. They’ve been through so much, sometimes 2003 seems like it’s just set on bullying Ed as much as possible (and some people even complain that it’s too pessimistic), so having all of their pain and struggles and experiences pay off by accomplishing what had always been their main goal-to get Al’s body back and be together again (Ed didn’t get his limbs back, but he didn’t seem to care about that)-is what really ties it all up for me. Yes, it’s still tragic because they had to leave everything and everyone else behind, but in 2003 they were so attached at the hip, all they’d ever wanted was just to get through this life together. Ed was already attached to our world and couldn’t stand to leave it behind when he knew something terrible was out there that he might have the chance to stop, and Al’s entire mission was to see and be with Ed again. It’s bittersweet, and I feel like we got closure, even with Winry when she accepts that she’ll never see Ed again. She resolves to move on, knowing he’s alive and that the brothers are where they’re supposed to be, by each other’s side.
@@ComputerJunkie00 True, Ed wanted Al to stay in their world while he remains in our world I cried when Ed was able to restore Al's body while losing his arm again. But they were separated hoping one day to reunite again & they were only this time Al wasn't going to be left behind he wants to be by his brother's side again & they are together again.
@@ephemereaux I bet had Al not tagged with Ed, he would had missed out on Scar and Sloth as a lovely dovely couple XD
FMA was my first anime and still remains my favourite to this day, and everytime I see video essays about it, I just fall deeper in love with this series. I always find time to rewatch both the 2003 version and Botherhood at some points because it was that good. It's honestly astonding to me how it long it has stuck with me which is aound maybe 10+ years?? for me. This is the anime I recommend to people and I'll always say, watch both series because there is so much to love about it. Does it have flaws? of course, but the good outweights the bad
Having Mustang be shown manipulating the two also helps justify Ed's antagonistic relationship with him.
To me the only real justification needed is that Mustang clearly fills a fatherly role and Ed is furious with his father so it translates to this other alchemist watching over him
@@RobertsonIslandso the only justification Ed needs to dislike Roy is daddy issues?? Lmao
@@yukarilolz yeah, he’s a 14 year old lmao how much emotional maturity do you expect from him?
@@RobertsonIsland i don't. I was just resaying what you said in a more funny way but my tone didn't come across
I'm very happy you brought up the veteran in episode 16 of 03. He's such a fantastic version of a character who lost so much and gained something you wouldn't expect. The reflection it affords him is completely alien to Edward until the old man explains it to him. Edward needed that dose of reality.
That episode is one of my favorites in the entire show. Episode 16 title "That which is lost." If you're curious. Fantastic episode in it's own right, but the ending with Ed and the old man is just a perfect example of the kind of tone you get with 03.
How is that tone different from brotherhood?
@@lampad4549 it's a lot more optimistic and hopeful. To me it's just a different beast all together from 03. Which isn't a bad thing. I think you can find something of value from both. I just happen to like 03 a lot more than Brotherhood.
Man everytime I think I can’t love FMA more you post another video breaking it down again. Keep up the good work
The amount of nuance in 2003 and lack of any simple, good choices and outcomes is why it was such a hit. Brotherhood would never have been made, and the manga would’ve never achieved the popularity it did. It’s also one of the big reasons for the huge growth in popularity of anime in the mainstream in the western world
The other world twist shocked me back when the series first came out.
I agree. Even as someone who ultimately prefers mangahood, the impact of the 03 series can’t be understated. It was one of the most talked about anime in the west during the 2000s and really widened my view on what kind of stories and themes could be tackled in anime
What I liked about the 03 anime was their take on the homunculi. Failed human transmutations who have evolved into their own nonhuman being, and adopting the appearance (and even memories) of the person they were supposed to resurrect as. I thought it was so clever that the failed human transmutation that cost Al’s body and Ed’s leg ended becoming a homunculus used against them, having their mother’s face. The way of defeating them was also smart, as their major weakness is the remains of the human they’re suppose to be physically representing; attacking them until their philosophers stone grows weak or destroyed didn’t feel as creative.
Plus (my personal bias), I liked the art style and character design in the 03 anime better. Characters looked more… mature? Not as soft? Sharper?🤔
@@trika91 you can say that that you prefer the designs in 2003 over brotherhood, sure, it would be pedantic but you could say that. But to say they look more mature is stupid, they are practically the same. And to say that you prefer the designs just because one has sharper edges than the other is also stupid, just say that out loud and listen to that absurdly nit picky reason.
No its not at all a big reason in the growth of anime in the west, that goes to one piece, bleach and naruto. FMA had barely any traction besides a niche audience, its hardly been noted to be a gate away series.
As for lack of any simple good choices, what are on about? Most of the choices presented by the elric brothers is viewed as good. The ending is the only thing about the series that you can call bittersweet but even that got a happy resolution.
@@lampad4549 I did say it was “my personal bias”…😑
Good for you going around telling other people *their opinions* are wrong.
I think in the end both series deduce that equivalent exchange isn’t a thing. 2003 deduces that you will always lose more. Mangahood deduces you can always win more.
If I recall Al says (Manga) that they’re working on a theory where you do the equivalent exchange and then add something of yourself. I took that to mean something like “you can suffer a lot when you extend mercy and love to others and you don’t always get what you deserve for putting that out there. But instead of putting it out there and then waiting for an equal return, just throw out some more. It certainly can’t hurt.” Aggressively care about your world and about other people even if it’s painful, essentially. I feel it lines up with Ed’s closing monologue pretty well.
To consume the whole, you need to experience both, as the two function as dark reflections of the other. The truth of the matter exists somewhere betwixt, I think.
Personnaly, my theory is the reel law of equivalent echange is balance (in 2003)!
Remember when Dante used death as an exemple to show equivalent echange doesn't exist? We can also ask ourselves the opposite: When a baby is born, what does it loose? For me, that means we are born with everything and are meant to loose everything. To give it back to the all.
Also, the reel flaw behind Ed's belief is thinking the thing we gain=something you want. Again with Dante, she assume that succeed the exam should be what is gain. Howerver, what you really gain from studying is knowledge you can use later. Succeed in exam is just a bonus! Also, Ed may think he lost everything from the time he tried to revive his mother, but he did gain: the ability to do alchemy without a circle and a better understanding to why you shouldn't do human transmutation but also regrets and trauma. The last 2 are defenetly not things he wanted but we can't denie he gain it.
Also, with that logic, Wrath having Ed's arm and leg doesn't contredict the equivalent exchange theory because there's no law saying that you can't use what you gain for sonething else...
@@claireaquos6532 Agreed. This is why, after accompanying the characters through 51 episodes (well, the movie also, but I prefer the gate is left opened, then), experienced all events that question their (and my) beliefs of "equivalent exchange" that was intentionally repeated at the beginning of each episode - the principle of the law roughly remains in my deep knowledge with upgraded understanding. Until the end of the story, my belief about "equivalent exchange" remained unchanged and it became the quote that I hold in my heart for the longest of time (I would say, it turned out to be one of the biggest mottos of my life).
"People cannot gain something without sacrificing something. You must present something of equal value to gain something."
The change switched from the physical path of alchemy to the emotional path of the experiences that everyone gets through the journey to find the final goal.
With how different their paths go and how different their worlds end up becoming, I am curious how 03 Ed and Brotherhood Ed would fair in the other's world. Obviously they'd have to have the lessons they gained at the end of their series because I imagine at the start they'd be about the same but I am curious how each version would handle a different take on their lives, learning where their Alchemy comes from, different origins for Humoculis and of course the different results their actions would take. Would Brotherhood Ed still be able to keep his no kill rule when faced with a reality where HIS actions created a dangerous threat instead of Father? How would 03 Ed feel about a world that is a little more brighter than his own, where his actions do actually leave a positive impact instead of it seeming to matter little? Its just interesting to imagine how these two different takes on Ed would handle eachother's journey with the knowledge the acquire from their own journeys.
Agree
That would make an interesting fan fiction.
I can't stand "no kill" characters any longer. It's beyond self-deception, beyond cowardice, beyond infantile. It's Bruce Wayne screaming at death in an alley, while Joker just laughs and kills another Robin. Writers need to stop trying to teach kids survival at any cost is shameful. That the (possible) trauma of killing their would-be killer makes the murder itself sinful, in any way shape or form.
@@Dunge0nwritters don't "need" to do shit. If you don't want no kill characters there's plenty of stories where the hero isn't that and if you feel like that's not the case, go write your own story. Although then again, if you think that's the point that even brotherhood, let alone other fma vertions, are trying to make you're clearly not qualified to. There's other characters that don't share ed and al's idealism that are still "good guys" in the story. Even in brotherhood ost of the villains end up dead, even ed does that, what ed and al are saying is that they don't want to kill people to fix their bodies when they did that to themseves, not that you can't kill anyone for any reason. but go off ig
@@pamelaguerra3768 Promoting it as 'idealistic' is hopelessly naïve in the first place. Like the laughable 'war' at the end of Brotherhood. No, sorry, you can't sidestep the issue of bullets like that. Guns don't care about kung fu or plot armor. Once the economy finally bites the big one, people might finally understand what "kill or be killed" really looks like.
I sacrificed my sleep to watch this and in turn I get a very nice detailed explanation about Edward's character. What an equivalent exchange and it's well worth it.
At this point, I can't say which version is my favorite and this video cemented that. I feel like Ed in both version are different characters all together. They both experienced hardships but overcome it in separate ways. But in the end, they got the lessons they needed to move forward with their life.
Edward is such a complex character that you managed to put on a surprising one-hour long video. Great job, man. Keep it up!
I love the 03 version because you are constantly reminded that Ed is just a kid still. That AL is still a child. And you watch as these kids are ripped into and rebuilt by tragedy.
Brotherhood also does a semi decent job in this sometimes but it always felt a bit... off. I recently rewatched brotherhood and the 03 version, still prefer the 03 version.
Been following this series of analysis videos for 2 years now, awesome to see it end with another great video! Loved this analysis and really reminded me of how much I love Fullmetal Alchemist, especially 2003. The 2003 version of Edward is probably one of the most interesting protagonists I've seen in a show. Amazing job as always, can't wait to see what you do next!
Thank you :)
Thanks to Fullmetal Alchemist I've came to enjoy series with various different versions. I can't describe how magical that is.
What a great end to your series about our favorite series. Brotherhood has been my favorite but watching this has made me appreciate 03 more. Also will read the manga soon because of you. Thanks for this series Lowart.
@@thecod2345
“trauma, especially at a young age, gives a sense of focus and hardens someone’s will”
I’ma blow your mind here but shounen anime and Hollywood movies are not, in fact, always reflective of real life.
Please tell me you don’t perceive trauma that way about actual people.
@@thecod2345
Cool. But that’s not how trauma works for most people. At all. So I’d think twice before projecting that anecdote onto everyone else.
@@thecod2345 People handle trauma differently, some people get hardened, some people get stuck. We can see stories of rape victims for instance who have stood up against their trauma and become a beacon of inspiration for others. We can also see stories of people who don't and pass on that trauma to others because they cope with the pain by inflicting it on others.
I want you to go over the differences in Scar next, how he went from "I have a lot of complicated feelings" bishie to "I eat mountain lions for breakfast."
I absolutely loved being a part of this journey with you exploring Fullmetal Alchemist. I can't express how much this series has meant to me growing up. And to hear all these different perspectives of the show only served to deepen the love I have for it.
So for that, I thank you and I can't wait to see what you decide to cover next!
If you decide to do another Anime I have to recommend Code Geass.
im so glad you're still doing essays about fma. these literally make my day :) i love the series and your videos fill the void i feel after finishing rewatching it every so often
I don't tend to comment on anything but this hit me in the feels and was rock solid as a video. I grew up on Adult Swim and the original FMA was all I knew until I discovered the manga many years later, followed by the well made anime series. But as you've portrayed, there is a distinct difference between the original and the manga adaptation. I love them both, partly siding with the manga version for it's comedy but ability to still portray most of what the original did in its own unique way. Alas, it would've been criminal for any FMA fan to not watch both series, and I absolutely loved the way you condensed it in such a loving format. Thank you for this awesome video. To any Full Metal Lover out there, don't skip over the original. This video portrays quite well why you shouldn't.
God I love yer FMA analysis videos they always give such amazing insights into the series and the fact it's still talked to till this day truly says a lot about how great of a series it truly is, the characters, the writing, the scenes and music and such,
I also always liked how neutral you are about both versions of FMA not leaning towards any of them but instead find beauty and lessons within each of them no matter how dark or bleak things may get
Truly your videos are ones I am most happy to look forward to during my days as a content creator
Yes!!! More FMA content. I don’t think you realize how much I love the FMA content you produce. It’s so good and honestly bro you have actually taught me some life lessons irl because of how you explained the story and how deep it really goes. But the life lessons you can learn from this show with someone as intelligent as you explaining how the cause and effect happens and how little details can mean everything and the consequences of your own actions that it has on you, the people around you, and then the world. I know you weren’t trying to, but honestly bro. THANK YOU! I literally can’t explain to you how much you have helped me overcome my real life trauma because of your analysis of this show. So seriously thank you! I know it can’t, but I truly wish this series continues forever. I’ve watched every one of your FMA videos at least 5 times. Seriously. You may not be trying to do so, but during your analysis I kept seeing moments in my life that related back to this show from so many different perspectives on so many different subjects and how it relates back to the mistakes I’ve made and how it’s effected people. The harm I’ve caused, the good I’ve done.. so many moments of both horror and greatness. Your analysis has made me take huge look at my life and to change. I guess I just needed someone to logically explain things to me in a way to where I could get it, but I couldn’t until you made your videos and gave me something relate my own real life with back to see my flaws. So one last time. Thank you bro! You have helped me in ways I can’t explain. Keep up the great content! I can’t wait for the next video.
Thank you so much for your kind words :) I'm happy these videos connected with you so deeply
I can’t remember if you already mentioned this in your Homonculus video, and simply didn’t mention it here because the focus was on Edward, but 2003 Sloth’s name also is symbolic in her character motivations, how she is actively trying to deny/avoid the work of having to confront her identity issues and memories, in direct contrast with Lust who is embracing her memories and past “self” (as part of her lust for life and humanity/identity), Sloth is running away from that challenge and as well as the role (of “mother”) those memories she feels traps her in.
You're the exact kind of FMA fan to do this video series justice, and I love them, and I appreciate you for them.
So so SO many times I have seen fans who go back and forth, one way or the other, on which is the better anime, and stick staunchly to those convictions, which can be admirable, but often it comes at being reductive to the other property. Which ruins the point of EITHER interpretation of the story, if I am being perfectly honest. In so doing, these fans miss the point of 'one is all and all is one,' ironically. Both stories have their points, their merits, their detriments, and it is completely open to interpretation, but it is completely possible to have one's favorite and being able to view one series as more favorable than the other without being reductive or unfair.
It is possible to live in a world with both anime existing and to get something different out of either one, as that is what I believe was the intention. There are more positive things each has over the other, and more negative things back and forth as well. And this is why I appreciate your video series, because you don't mince words or have an obvious bias. You appreciate some things about each version of the story (manga, 2003, brotherhood) over the other properties and know the faults and pitfalls each one has as well. You give each their fair due, from the perspective of both a fan and an analyst combined, not separating one from the other.
All three versions of the story are interconnected. All three versions exist in this world. And all three versions have a point, a story to tell, a lesson to learn, and a memory to be shared.
I appreciate you, sir, and look forward to more~
This video is tremendous. It really took me back to return me to many of the feels from 2003 that I haven't felt because I haven't rewatched it in a long time.
Amazing.
You stated just exactly why Edward Elric and the Fullmetal Alchemist universe is my all time favorite. Loved this analysis!
So, this is my first time stepping into this retrospective series and I've got to say my eyes are opened up wide. I watched 03 from start to finish way back in high school, even borrowing the movie from a friend at the time to top it off. Years later when Brotherhood was a thing, people were putting down 03 as bad because it diverted so far from the manga and wasn't canon. So I kind of just shrugged and figured they had some validity in saying that.
Now to learn that both series are sort of a yin and yang, showing the darker and lighter sides of these characters and story... I'm honestly amazed. I don't think one should exist without another, and I'm glad for having watched through both. While the existence of both in this fashion may be accidental, in my opinion Fullmetal Alchemist is as good as it is because it can bring both this yin and yang together to really form a more realistic and conclusive story where failure and success are often hand in hand. Where fairness an equivalent exchange are just honeyed words to a reality that can be just as dark or as light as it wants to be, and you just have to deal with that as best you can.
I'm very glad you made this series. You got pretty much all the reasons why I love and respect 2003 so much and you've even made me want to read the manga of it. I will always be yearning for more, but I'm glad it ended on this note. Thank you for making these.
Best of luck to the new projects you'll make next, I'll stick along and see where it goes :3
Side note, I was always curious why the Trisha homunculus was Sloth in 2003. I'm glad you put that into context while explaining stuff about the sins I never knew
48:46 "The importance of living in the truth... while also living for a bigger purpose."
Thanks. When I saw this, I was at a pretty dark place. And it's no exaggeration claiming that your analysis on Mangahood's idealism and optimism greatly helped me crawl out of that darkness.
Damn
2003 Ed just can’t catch a break
You're incredible, man! It feels like the end of an era, but it's so cathartic to see you finally finish this series. Your commitment has been absolutely stellar, and I hope you are proud of your work. Thank you for providing us this wonderful series over the years. Well done!
This has been an amazing journey! I’m ao glad you made this. FMA has been a huge part of my otaku journey as well as my life in general. I’ve been reflecting alongside these videos at my past self and the lessons FMA ‘03 taught me and the support it gave me through hard, cruel, senseless times in my life. I of course love the manga and seeing it come to life in FMA:B I wouldn’t trade. However, seeing you breakdown the themes of each has helped me understand more about a series I love so much as well as some foundational themes I adopted in my life that I hadn’t quite fully understood myself. So thank you Lowart, and thank you FMA.
What an absolutely incredible video dude. I don’t know how to explain it but I actually started to well up hearing you discuss the messages of both of these series. What a journey it’s been following those analysis series and your TH-cam channel grow. I can’t wait for more.
LORD what a journey! How awesome the consistent ride to the end has been. Great job, this is exactly what FMA deserved.
God this was one hell of a journey thank you so very much. For all your hard work and dedication for this series. You are an amazing essayist and I can't wait to see where you go next
sincerly a great series that helped me appreciate this story so much more. thank you for your hard work :)
I love this series and I took away something different from it when I watched it but seeing this analysis of the series gives me an even greater appreciation for it with a better way at looking at the series as a whole great video.
This video has hit me like a train, wow
I remember watching 2003 back when I was 12 or 13, and I loved it
I used to be very sensible and scared of blood so when I watched it I was both repulsed and fascinated by the violence, and I think that's because the violence never was free
The most depressing episode for me at the time was the one with the weird rock illness in the village. I don't remember every details that much, just the incredibly cruel ending of the episode but damn that one left me sleepless for some nights
After watching Brotherhood maaaany years later and thinking again about 2003, it seemed to me that 2003 was just the "what if everything goes wrong and the writers just decided that the viewers should not feel happy" kind of version of FMA, but watching your video made me think again about so much points and I almost had tears in the eyes seeing how much honor you have made to the very underrated 2003 version
In any version, I feel like FMA is very good at being extremely relatable for the viewers, the world may be fictionnal but they just feel the same sometimes ; and I like that even though one is quite darker than the other, neither of them is blindy optimistic or straight out nihilistic ; because that's how the real world is. Good things are out there too, and sometimes it can be easier to just label humans as inherently bad and violent so that it feels less bad to see people suffering all other the world. And sometimes it's also easier to think that things will eventually sort out on their own because humans are inherenlty good rather than actually dirtying our hands to make things better on our side.
FMA is a great manga/anime to start with. It only gets better when you let the show get older with you. When I was 12, I didn't need to think about the deepness of the show to enjoy it. Its intent still managed to get to me, unconsciously. But now, I just feel like FMA has always been somewhere in the back of my head, influencing my thinking, my imagination, to the point were ten years later I can watch this video with the vivid memory of everything I have felt when watching this show and an ache in my heart.
Thank you and sorry for the random life sharing post
This is your best FMA video yet dude. Fantastic work.
In 2003, Ed confronts Hoenhiem. In the manga/Brotherhood, Hoenhiem confronts Ed.
When one journey ends, the next begins.
Can't wait to see what's up next on your channel. Have been enjoying the FMA vids so much, I can't imagine what comes next :'D
Really loved this video, looking in depth on Edward was a interesting take and also I can't be mad at another FMA video because I love this series and every time I've seen an FMA video by you I want to re-watch/re-read the series.
The comparison series was an amazing journey. And one thing 03 08 and the Manga though often compared and contrasted and search for the wholeistic the best version is a search in vain all three interpretations are great and no one surpasses the other largely as they each tell their own story even if it has the same root. Do not disservice the other versions over your preferred one but understand each one told their own great story and some of the best characters in all of modern media
Loved the entire series, and this was my favorite video. Thank you!
These videos have been amazing and this one is no exception. Sad to see this series end but oh well. These videos have gotten me to watch the shows again. It's usually an annual thing for me to get the tick to watch them. Keep up the great content
A little late, but my favourite scene is not really a scene, but a sequence. It's that of the philosopher's stone creation in 2003. Scar going through with creating the stone, not for his own motives anymore, but to save Al from becoming a bomb, Lust realizing where her true feelings stem from, and Scar's final line of "A man who inflicts suffering can’t rest, his guilty mind won’t allow it. But today, I can finally close my eyes to the living nightmare and lay down, knowing that I won’t wake again." Right before closing the circle in Liore with his own body will always give me goosebumps.
I also love that in 2003, Ed stops wearing his red coat after Izumi stops being him and Al's teacher.
Thanks for all the research and work you’ve put into this whole series. The love and dedication is evident in every video you posted. I learned something from every video, both about literary analysis and about the show itself. I’m very glad I was able to watch them and I look forward to your future endeavors!
We've come to the end of this comparison at last. You did good, Lowart. You did real good 😊
Thanks for including that little note about Sloth in the description. I appreciate to which depths you pursued your research for this video! :)
Starting at the end of this FMA saga... gonna back track through. This is wicked though, very fun dive through the show. Like reliving it and kinda, not so much having a chat about it, but just enjoying someone talk about in a clear and concise way. Very cool.
I can't say thank you enough for this series. I've been enjoying them for years and your insight in these comparisons is just tremendous.
I do love Brotherhood, but the 2003 anime is just the one I love more is really stands out to me in a special way and I appreciate that you get the beauty of it and don’t make me feel guilty for liking it
You’re not alone, 2003 is a masterpiece.
Something about 2003 Kimblee that I really like is that he calls back to something you might've forgotten by this point in the story - Ed condescending to Rose about how humans are reducible to mere components.
Kimblee takes that perspective to its most logical extreme, and bases his entire philosophy around it. If humans are nothing but chemicals, minerals, and so forth, then the only value that they have is in what can be derived from them. Kimblee finds beauty in the turning of people into explosives. As humans, they may have lived boring lives and never truly meant anything to the rest of the world, but as bombs, it's undeniable that they made an impact and that their existence was justified.
This is hands down one of the best videos on youtube 👏👏👏 thank you for such an amazing analysis series bravo
It's been a long ride watching this series over the years, ill miss, it but you ended it perfectly. Thank you.
I really like how 03 questions Ed and Al’s conviction to not killing anyone. With how morally grey the fma story is I was sorta surprised at how much the story of the manga and brotherhood supported their choice rather unquestioningly. If you let terrorists and war criminals live, odds are they’re going to kill more people so complete pacifism isn’t always the best option.
I just really like the moral questions in 03, just because you’re not directly hurting people doesn’t mean your actions won’t lead to further harm and I love the breakdown of Ed’s idea that the world is fair and equivalent exchange holds when there is obvious unjust suffering in the world. These kinds of ideas are held by a lot of people so it’s cool to see them explored
This is why I like Greed in '03 better than Mangahood. He didn't have as much of a character in the former, but in my opinion, 03 Greed made a much bigger impact on Ed by forcing him to realize what it means to willingly kill someone. He drags Ed kicking and screaming and throws him in front of the realization that he can't accomplish any of his current goals without dirtying his hands.
That’s why I see 2003 as more of a character study. More questioning of the characters morals.
I prefer Mangahood’s version of Edward Elric because, although the world that surrounds him is dark, it also has it’s good sides. He gets punished for his mercy in both. Maybe he doesn’t get dealt as dirty in Mangahood as he does in 2003 but it still happens. For example, when he decided not to kill Kimblee. If he killed Kimblee he wouldn’t be in that situation in the first place. However, his mercy allowed him to get saved and have new allies. He fails in some instances and he succeeds in others. I like him succeeding more than just failure after failure, with a couple times of getting rewarded by the plot. There 2003 ending also made zero sense to me. How the hell did he end up in Nazi Germany? I get how it’s just that their world had no correlation to each other.
@@edwardelric2905 I can agree with that. As much as I enjoy the character study aspect of 03 it is a huge bummer to watch a character you’re attached to just get beaten down time after time until he becomes this shell of himself lost in a world he doesn’t understand. I’m certainly partial to happy endings so I prefer mangahood overall.
It’s a weird turn for sure but I think it sorta makes sense. Amestris in general is hinted to be this sort of parallel to Central/West Europe in the early 1900’s, iirc the date is explicitly stated to be somewhere around then and all the surrounding regions are not so subtly similar to real areas like Russia or the Middle East. so I don’t think it’s a huge stretch to say it would be vaguely where Germany is around roughly the same time period as WW2 but in a world where alchemy exists. I don’t particularly like that they connected it to the real world in the first place though so I can’t say I like the inclusion of the nazi shit it’s just kinda unnecessary, I at least agree with you there.
@@frickinfrick8488 Yes. I do enjoy the character study of 03 but, it’s just frustrating to see a character you root for, getting relentlessly and mercilessly beaten down again and again, to the point where it’s predictable that he’s going to fail because plot wants him to. And in some ways, I think it’s bad writing. There still needs to be happiness. Where he gets rewarded or punished for his actions. And in some ways, Mangahood just made more sense to me. I don’t really like the mindset that if a series is darker, that makes it better.
There’s still darkness. But Mangahood doesn’t feel nearly as gloomy.
@@edwardelric2905 That was a confirmation of the anti racism anti fascism message of the anime. Lbr Amestrians were fantastical Nazis pretty much.
At 38:38 is another reason why FMA 2003 is so much darker and morally complex. In both series they let their enemies live…while in Brotherhood it only reinforces the “Defeat Equals Friendship” cliche Shonen is known for while in FMA Al lets a mass murderer kill plenty of innocent civilians. Sho Aikawa was a lot better than Hiromu Arakawa with bringing out the real animal and darker implications from the story, making it vastly superior in layered story telling and adult writing.
You seriously have the best FMA analysis videos around. I'll be staying tuned for more. I'm also willing to shoot some ideas and suggestions.
I'll subscribe to your channel and patreon shortly.
Man i love your analysis for all your videos you show praise as well as critiscm for both series which shows me a different perspective than i would've orginally and for that you're the best 🔥🔥🔥🔥
TH-cam, recommending you high quality video essays at 2am since 2015. Great video
Just discovered this channel today at work. After watching the dedicated video on 03 FMA I was on the fence. Initially, I thought this channel mightve been more negative and critical than content I enjoy listening to about media I like. But after this, subscribing is an easy choice. Well done analysis. Great stuff.
Hi Lowart) Honestly, I can't believe that your FMA series has come to an end. I remember the first time I went to your videos, after your comment under the GoatJesus video on FMA, where you mentioned that you also make comparisons of FMA series. It seems to have been at the end of 2017. These were still those old videos before your ultimatum rebild of these videos. I was just damn glad that someone on TH-cam remembers about FMA 03, because the Brotherhood has never decreased its popularity. At that time, for me, your videos were also an inspiration to plunge into the depth of these series myself. It was also a great event for me to get acquainted with the LateMluff videos, which you also supported with your attention. Those conversations of the comments section with LateMluff under his video will have meaning for me for many years, if not decades, based on how fruitful it turned out to be in understanding one of my most favorite stories. Therefore, here, indirectly, I also pay my tribute to this user, for whom you were most likely the inspiration, too)
In the end, I brought out my own ultimate understanding of what both series are dedicated to. And the second analysis is dedicated to Edward personally. My thoughts come from a different angle than your analysis. I would like to leave them especially under your video as a sign of how important your series was to me. It may be interesting for you to read them in your free time. I'll post them here later. Thank you again)😊
It feels like an entire Era has ended...
Thank you for your kind words :) It's awesome to still see you here in the comments!
I stumbled upon your series of videos not too long ago and it made me rewatch brotherhood, and appreciate it all the more. Thank you for an amazing analysis on a great story
The ending is also foreshadowed by the core messages but I think you already knew about that I still love every video that you post and I hope you make more in the future thank you for giving us this amazing analysis
Heck there's even pieces of dialogue that foreshadow the ending right around the 30th episodes some characters even say quotes that foreshadow all of that and also other ideas remember that old guy that taught scars brother Alchemy and about the Philosopher's Stone and right around there where at and out first meet him he says a quote that kind of foreshadows what's going to come in the end on top of that the amestrian military does do things that mirror our world and have Concepts that morale world as well like that gag episode that people thought that there was a ghost and aliens something that we think of and still do there's many instances but I want to say that so far they really did foreshadow those but yeah I'm sorry if I interrupted amazing videos that I will never forget
@@mr.l3938 Hey just left a comment on lowart’s dante vs father video in response to a commenter who goes by Teknanam, that I thought you might be interested in and additionally that you might want to make some additional points to
@@haosmagnaingram6992 is it okay you can put that comment here? I'm sorry I don't seem to find it it's weird maybe my phone messed up
@@mr.l3938 the parent comment was by James Colby and was left 3 months ago (which is still pretty easy to find by filtering on new) in case you want to check it out in its entirety and see the other person’s rebuttal.
Here’s the stuff I thought you would find interesting:
So for Dante, she is largely a symptom of the problems of the world at large, she is a culmination of these problems and exacerbates them. As such I find her placement in the story to be fitting and that the shared focuses across the story does more for the intended purpose even if some of the ways the time allotted isn’t good such as terminarcher. I feel Dante’s purpose to the narrative is executed well and the surrounding narrative is largely enhancing that rather than taking away from it. She is more important in the way she effects Ed and reflects the world Ed experiences.
For the stuff about the gate and the other world. I never really got the sentiment that the gate makes no sense or even comes out of nowhere, both from a narrative perspective and from a mechanics perspective. From early on it should be apparent to a viewer that alchemy has to be getting energy from somewhere, at first when I first watched the series I initially assumed that the possible answer was some sort of power specific to humans in that world either through a use of excess store energy like how the body converts chemical energy to heat or through use of the soul which was a confirmed tangible thing by the existence of Alphonse and later philosopher’s stones. Later as the gate was introduced it became pretty clear that the secrets of alchemy were going to be more in the realm of the metaphysical already dealing heavily with things like souls as energy by way of philosopher’s stones and now the concept of creating artificial life through failed attempts at bringing someone back, the ominous foreboding gate seemed to suggest something dealing with a connection between death and the laws of alchemy. As the series continued, the gate’s presence should have always been in the back of your mind and with that should have begun the question of “what is it a gate to” a question that is ultimately asked to hoenheim by Dante during their confrontation which gives you enough time to ponder before Ed’s conclusion with Dante. Really at that point there were really only two possibilities either the gate leads to the afterlife or the gate has another world on the other side. And it makes sense that alchemy is powered by the crossing of souls with how philosopher’s stones work. If alchemy is always powered by souls it makes sense how a philosopher’s stone works as it’s simply cutting out the middle-man, removing resistance, and having a larger quantity of the energy immediately at your disposal. And then on rewatch a viewer should notice that images shown to Ed through the gate as he sees the truth of the nature of alchemy includes images from our world. I never really got how this doesn’t make sense for people. I can understand the ending being claimed to be perhaps unsatisfying or less than climactic, but the ending itself makes sense and follows sound reasoning. Beyond how it works from a mechanics perspective and in terms of foreshadowing there is then how it works for the narrative and metanarrative. So firstly there is the ways the gate reflects the unfairness and incomprehensibility of the world that Ed must confront in the conclusion with even equivalent exchange being false in terms of science as you end up with a net loss due to energy spent (an idea mirrored in thermo dynamics that we will get to later) and coming to terms with the fact that the way the world operates is far more complex and esoteric to the point that it can be fit into some neat box as nicely as Ed assumed nor is it something we fully understand. Then there’s the point it has in Ed’s journey about accepting death and how much weight it then puts on the fact that the skill that Ed has been using throughout the series is powered by countless deaths. There's the way it relates to the ideas of Ed's isolation and not "seeing that outside his dreams there's a whole other world out there" with there literally being another world with tragedies going on that Ed can no longer turn a blind eye to. The way that it works as Ed being presented with a reality he can't run away from and how anti-escapist it is by using the real world as representation of the truth. There's the way it relates to the themes of nihilism and Ed overcoming it when world war 1 is possibly most notable for the wave of disillusionment and nihilism that followed. Its also a way for Aikawa to comment on how fiction and the ideas in FMA are not things we can or should separate ourselves from and just like Ed we have a responsibility to the world. There's the way that the ideas of entropy play into 03's themes of chaos etc… as you can hopefully see there is just way too much to dig into for a simple TH-cam comment to do justice here.
@@haosmagnaingram6992 Holy shit this goated I agree with this man and also damn that's the declaration of independence in comment mode goddamn shit long but interesting thanks
this video randomly came up on my feed - i've never seen any of the other related videos before either. I'm so grateful someone looked so deeply into FMA as a whole, I'm a hardcore fan and have been since the beginning and I just deeply appreciate the effort you made. Your insights are so thoughtful and thought provoking. I enjoyed your video and will watch all related - thank you for all your hard work. I will like & subscribe - hope that is enough for equivalent exchange...
Great job bro.....hands down the BEST Fullmetal Alchemist analysis series I've seen to date!! I know a ton of work and research went into this, glad it came out superbly well done!
Beautiful final break down. :) I loved following your fma series from the very start! Also love the "All is one and one is all" angle from which you analyzed the Ed versions (and other characters by extension), also many interesting things do turn up when compared to one another directly which wouldn't be as noticeable when analyzed separately. Thanks for the whole series and looking forward to your future videos!
Thanks for sticking with this series for four years haha I still remember your comments on those older videos, as well as your own Edward Elric videos you made :)
@@Lowart Haha gosh I became a walking FMA lexicon back then and it feels like nothing will erase that knowledge from my memory anymore 🤣
I actually just finished uploading another FMA 03 vid, but I definitely could not be nearly as consistent as you haha...thank you again for the whole series.
Also love to watch your other vids though I am less commenting nowadays :)
Speaking about commenting less, just one thing I remember as some striking "difference" between the anime versions: in Brotherhood the brothers adapted equivalent exchange as 1 + 1 equaling more than just 2, since giving to the world may reinforce improvement. In 03 on the contrary it was more like 1+ 1 most likely equaling less due to potential loss - it's up to the brothers to hope for something worthwhile despite that likelihood. Ironically both messages have in common the aspect of hope, just a more melancholic outlook in 03. Nothing going against your analysis but rather supporting what you said, I just remembered I found this the most funny contrast-and-similiarity-at-the-same-time both series share. :)
I've been actively following this series since shortly after it began. I've loved every second of it and got giddy when I saw a new upload, and the same applies to other unrelated videos. It feels surreal that it's over but that means you can focus on new things. Well done, my dude.
Sincerely,
A New Subscriber
Thank you :) It really means a lot
@@Lowart You're welcome!
Have you ever read D. Gray-Man? Its a series thats often compared to FMA as it deals with main characters that have essentially made pacts to get their loved ones and had to deal with the consequences that come with it, alongside having similar but different approaches to the concepts of truth , sin, being a "dog of the military", and Identity (the show even shares a lot of the same eng dub voice actors). Its a series I'd honestly think you'd like.
Either way, thank you so much for the videos these past couple years. They've helped me resee FMA 03 and Mangahood in different lights and have made me appreciate both for what they are. I'm looking forward to your next upcoming analyses :)
Thank you for this series! Been following it since maybe 2018 and it just renews my love for all things FMA. I think I'm gonna rewatch the animes now.
THAT WAS PHENOMENAL!!!
WELL DONE, LOWART!!!! 👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thanks! Happy you enjoyed it :)
This is essentially why I like FMA 2003 more. It’s so much more morally ambiguous, philosophically complex and infinitely darker. I read the manga first and loved it before completing 2003. It’s haunted me in a way no other series has and wish one would again. It’s totally replaced the manga in my memories, so...i exchanged the manga for the 2003 version...one I found MORE than equivocal.
I don't think it is that much more complex, simply more Grey, while one cherish the meaning of humanity and the bounds of human knowledge, the other focuses on the questioning of one beliefs. I used to prefer 2003 but after some years i've found myself feeling more attached to Mangahood scenes, i think that whatever you prefer one or another it all comes down to personal experiences since they are both masterfully crafted stories
The promised neverland video popping up when you said Edward would not allow scar to kill anyone in 2003 killed me.
Emma's talk no jutsu would've come in handy in 03hood...
That was unintentional but I'm definitely leaving it now lol
Something that i thought about when you talked about ed and father's stories is that, Ed saw the ants. That's how he figured all is one and one is all. When father says he looks (or doesn't look) at humans as ants. He thinks of the all completely the opposite of Ed.
Bro, you legit just blew my mind.
If you need two arms to connect the circle, but one arm can being metal it would mean that the intent of the connection is the key component. As such, slapping your knee could achieve the same results. The more you know!
I mean Wrath does alchemy by clapping his hand and foot, and Lust's boytoy (for 1 episode) doesn't even touch the circle, he just holds his hands like in a prayer. So, I guess you deduced something that the show clearly stated?
@@ofgreyhairwaifu4089 oh hey, look at that, someone being an asshole by choice.
So in brotherhood mustang wouldn’t even need to clap to do his alchemy he could just have his ignition gloves and snap with the intent to do his alchemy
@@Nixus237 Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. The snap generates a syncing point for the brain to enact the alchemists desires. The circle acts as the instructions for what will happen in that instant; meanwhile the brothers don't need circles because that understanding is in their brain, but they still need to create a syncing point where the reaction begins.
@@ofgreyhairwaifu4089 well in all 3 versions Al’s radio transmutation in Liore doesn’t have him touch the circle
I've watched EVERY SINGLE ONE of these FMA analysis videos more than once and I got to say going in I thought it was going to be a simple slam dunk answer, but watching these videos I realize that each different iteration brings something different. Theres like a slight ideological change from "Mangahood" and 2003, I believe both are telling similar stories but with somewhat different objectives and when you broke down these differences I can appreciate the whole "manga is different from the anime" differences were more than just a creative difference but it was meant to say something different as well.
Outstanding! Now I feel tempted to watch 2003 again.
I love these videos man--keep showing love to this beautiful anime/manga. It was the 2nd one I watched after Inuyasha and has a special place in my heart.