The creators of the first anime series of Full Metal Alchemist decided to do one more run this time sticking closer to the actual story of the manga. To those who don’t know, the first Full Metal Alchemist series which ended with a movie is actually way off the real story (based on the manga). This new series, entitled Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood is a more faithful adaptation of the comic. They recently showed episode 1 and I was able to watch it. Review and screen caps after the break.
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 1 Synopsis
Episode 1 is basically after Edward gets accredited as a State Alchemist in Central City. His mission for this episode is to capture or kill a former state alchemist turned renegade named Isaac Mcdougall, alias the Ice Alchemist. Together with Alphonse, the two Elric brothers hunt down Isaac together with the rest of the state forces stationed at central. This includes Roy Mustang and Armstrong.
The two main powers of Isaac are: making water boil or making water freeze. He uses this with dangerous efficiency. In some encounters with the generic state soldiers, all he has to do is to touch them and he can either freeze them or make them “explode” by boiling the water in the human body.
Apparently the reason why Isaac returned to Central is to destroy Bradley because he thinks that the State is just a group of power hungry and corrupt evil forces (we all know he’s right, hehe). After a few skirmishes with the Elric brothers, Armostrong, and even Mustang, Isaac finally meets Bradley face-to-face. Bradley easily dispatches of the Ice Alchemist without batting an eyelash.
The episode ends with Lust and Gluttony waiting for something in Lior. To be continued next week.
Personally I find the art and animation of Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood to be very good! The colors are sharp and they really bring the characters to life. I hope this isn’t just for the first episode and all the succeeding ones will suck, haha.
I’m very interested to see how “faithful” this new series really is to the manga and how long this run will take. Will definitely watch and follow the next eps. 
PS: You guys might want to read my Valkyria Chronicles Episode 1 Review
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The Gooseman on April 6, 2009
I was looking for something to replace Mobile Suit Gundam 00 for my weekly anime fix when I found out about this. At almost the same time Animax started showing previews and announced that they’ll be showing it at the same week as Japan. I couldn’t wait, so I downloaded it and I just finished watching the first episode. It was fun to see Edward and Alphonse in action again. I’ve only watched the original Full Metal Alchemist anime and haven’t read the manga so I’m sure there’s going to be lots of surprises for me.
The only thing is: I’m not used to the art style of the manga which this new animated series is going for. I find it kind of weird. Backgrounds, colors, character’s bodies and clothing are almost the same compared to the first Full Metal Alchemist but the faces and eyes are completely different. I’m sure it’ll pass and I’ll just tell myself that this is how they are supposed to look in the first place.
Wauks on April 6, 2009
Ugh, made a mistake with spelling Alphonse’s name. Lol.
Dodge on April 6, 2009
Wow I love the new animation style. More 3d than before. O_O And the colors… so dark! YAHOO!!
@The Gooseman
This new remake which is closer to the manga is darker. And bloodier. And LOVELIER. I’m currently reading the manga and all I can say is, even if the first series was good, this one will be MUCH better.
Dodge on April 6, 2009
Hmm this Isaac guy wasn’t in the manga. He seems to be the opposite of the Crimson Alchemist haha.
Wauks on April 6, 2009
@Dodge: Sayang nga akala ko he’d free the Crimson Alchemist tapos pareho sila magwawala sa Central. xD
Vagrant on April 6, 2009
Ep 1 is pure original. Something the studio decided to do to re=acquaint people with the characters (most of em) and the slight changes.
Ep 2 onwards will begin to follow the manga more closely. The OP song already gives enough hints of that.
Akuzihs on April 6, 2009
ang panget ng pagkaka drawing masyadong malinis de tulad nung unang season ~_~
Reinwald on April 6, 2009
Hi wauks! just wondering.. san mo na watch yun new FMA?
Wauks on April 6, 2009
@Reinwald: Baka Updates, bro.
@Akuzihs: I actually prefer then new anime style now. Images are much sharper.
@Vagrant: Wow, ngayon lang kita nakita mag comment sa blog ko Jed.
hinatasou on April 6, 2009
I’m glad all the JPN voice actors are back.
Isaac was an anime only adaptation. Good thing he didn’t last…
sigh anticipating Hughes…
The reason the original anime went off track was because it caught up with the manga at the time of its airing.
XXIX on April 6, 2009
Does this mean that this isn’t a second season but a different version of the first FMA?
Wauks on April 6, 2009
@XXIX: Yep, this is NOT a second season. This is a different version that’s more faithful to the actual story in the manga. The FMA that we watched before was basically “fillerized”.
@Hinatasou: You’re spot on. I was worried that there would be different voice actors when I first heard that they’d be doing a re-boot of FMA.
osteon0812 on April 6, 2009
Did you know the voice actor of Mustang is the same voice actor of Lockon Stratos of Gundam 00. It was kinda wierd hearing his voice on Mustang.
Wauks on April 6, 2009
@Osteon0812: Really? I’ll try to listen closer. Hehehe. Thanks for the info, bro.
Braniac 1.29 on April 6, 2009
Hi Mr. wauks, FMA Brotherhood is also available in Animax.
Wauks on April 6, 2009
Cool! Will watch it there na lang. Less hassle. Hahaha.
Valkyria Chronicles Anime Review (Ep. 1) | Waukster Online on April 9, 2009
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Myssa Rei on April 10, 2009
Well, the series really just diverges after Maes Hughes’ death, with the first anime going one way and the manga going in a completely OTHER direction, with new characters and settings to boot. News in the pipeline (based on Newtype title spoilers) is that Brotherhood will blitz through the first 20 or so chapters at 2 per episode to get to the manga material quicker, so I’m content to sit this one out for a bit.
Watch Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2, Download Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2, Stream Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 3 | Waukster Online on April 13, 2009
[...] Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 2. In this episode, we already see major differences. In Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Episode 1, we saw the Elric brothers take on the Ice Alchemist in an epic battle at Central City. For episode [...]
Gino on May 16, 2009
Buti na lang at iba ito sa ipinalabas ng animax nun.Curious lang ako.Ano yung kuwento nung naunang FMA na ipinalabas sa Animax?
helpneedmusicname on May 17, 2009
can anyone plx help and tell me the title of the music that starts at about 17:26 in this first episode of fma2?
ivo on February 14, 2010
i love fullmetal alchemist brotherhood!!!!i like the character edward,alphonse,pride,greed,bradely,and kimblee