Current Events > Can someone explain Full Metal Alchemist to me? *spoilers just in case*

(+) Yeah! (+)

Just started the anime, and they really harp on about equivalent exchange. But then the character go and pull spears out of the ground or turn daggers into full length swords. How? Where is the equivalent exchange? I must've missed a part where they explain that? Or maybe it's later on? And can everyone use alchemy without drawing circles because they have transmutation circles on their gloves or something?

they're turning the rock in the ground into a spear. that's the exchange.
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lilORANG posted...

they're turning the rock in the ground into a spear. that's the exchange.

How about the case where one of the characters turned a dagger into a sword?

The equivalent exchange part just means you can't create a spear out of nothing. For the dagger->sword they're basically just reshaping the metal.

Yeah, most (all?) of the main characters you see have some way of using alchemy without having to stop and draw an actual circle.
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idk, maybe they turned a dense dagger into a less dense sword. Or they added material from underground or the air without outright showing it.
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Which one did you start? The superior FMA03 or overrated Brotherhood?
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Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.
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MonsterZed posted...

lilORANG posted...

they're turning the rock in the ground into a spear. that's the exchange.

How about the case where one of the characters turned a dagger into a sword?

Don't remember this, but, a few times, they will make something bigger at the cost of it being thinner, and a bit weaker.
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Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste
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DezDroppedFreak posted...

Which one did you start? The superior FMA03 or overrated Brotherhood?

Shit post
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DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.
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superstud69x posted...

Don't remember this, but, a few times, they will make something bigger at the cost of it being thinner, and a bit weaker.

The third episode (I think) where the brothers go to a town with ghost rumors and they meet an alchemist there (forget his name) who was searching for his beloved and she was right in front of him the whole time.

I'm watching the older one.

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Which one did you start? The superior FMA03 or overrated Brotherhood?

DezDroppedFreak posted...

A man with truly bad taste

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Magic, except it's apparently science maybe. Seventy episode epic. Popular. Drop it in three episodes if it's not working for you.
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MonsterZed posted...

superstud69x posted...

Don't remember this, but, a few times, they will make something bigger at the cost of it being thinner, and a bit weaker.

The third episode (I think) where the brothers go to a town with ghost rumors and they meet an alchemist there (forget his name) who was searching for his beloved and she was right in front of him the whole time.

I'm watching the older one.

You fucked up
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hollow_shrine posted...

Magic, except it's apparently science maybe. Seventy episode epic. Popular. Drop it in three episodes if it's not working for you.

I mean I'm enjoying it so far, it's just that these are some questions that popped up immediately as they sort of explained the logic behind this world.

Blue_Inigo posted...

You f***ed up

*shrug* I'm giving them both a chance.

BTW, TC, the reason why people are (wrongly) saying the 2003 anime is bad and Brotherhood is vastly superior, is that when 2003 came out, the manga wasn't finished. So they ended up doing an anime exclusive ending half of the series (around 26 or so, but it still has differences before that). Then when the manga was finished they re-did it as Brotherhood (and even got 99% of the old VAs back). However, they rushed through the first 13 or so episodes of Brotherhood since they assumed you saw 2003 already. So, a lot of people (myself included), really like the first half of the 2003 anime, since it takes it's time with the content, instead of bum-rushing it with Brotherhood. Also, they fleshed out the Homunculous in 2003, which some people liked and some didn't.

But really, watch em both. 2003 is still really good, even if it's own story after the halfway point.
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Just watch Brotherhood. The other garbage one isn't worth it tbh
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Just know that pride > the other idiots
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Looked gf posted...

Just watch Brotherhood. The other garbage one isn't worth it tbh

This.
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Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

What the fuck? Brotherhood is the actual story written by the author. Super (The manga) is actually written with the supervision of Toriyama. Brotherhood and Super are better than their shitty fanfiction counterparts FMA03 and GT.
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FMA: Brotherhood is great. it follows the plot of the Manga

I like FMA 2003 (just called FMA) better. the origin story for... seven particular characters... is much more interesting.

MonsterZed posted...

the character go and pull spears out of the ground or turn daggers into full length swords. How? Where is the equivalent exchange? I must've missed a part where they explain that? Or maybe it's later on?

it leaves a space in the ground where the spear used to be

there's probably the same amount of metal in the dagger and the sword; it's just less dense. it's mentioned in Brotherhood that Al's armour keeps getting thinner and thinner because Ed has to keep stretching the metal out to repair it after fights

there is a way to bypass equivalent exchange, sort of, but I don't think you will have seen it yet

And can everyone use alchemy without drawing circles because they have transmutation circles on their gloves or something?

different transmutations require different types of circles. the ones on Mustang's gloves only work for creating fire. they're less versatile than generic transmutation circles, but they're also more powerful and the alchemist doesn't need to spend time drawing them

I'm fairly certain that Mustang is the only one, except maybe Armstrong, who uses that, though there are a couple people who have transmutation circles tattooed on their bodies (Kimblee has them on his hands).
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'03 is the first fifteen episodes of the '09 before the plot goes off the rails. Way more serious. Has prettier animation, in my opinion, and a more emotive soundtrack. The quality of this is series is why Brotherhood got green lit. Watch until around episode 40 and then drop it.

Brotherhood is the manga. There are more gags. The plot moves way faster, which is fine if you want to get to the intrigues introduced in the later chapters.

Both shows have excellent sequences and awesome moments. The conclusion of the Ishbal arc in '03 gave me actual chills and that whole mess might be my favorite sequence period for how crazy the stakes get. But Brotherhood has the Kimbly x Pride x Gluttony team up. If you started with Brotherhood you've likely spoiled yourself on a pretty awesome reveal from '03. Actually there's a lot of that. Whatever.

averagejoel posted...

I'm fairly certain that Mustang is the only one, except maybe Armstrong, who uses that, though there are a couple people who have transmutation circles tattooed on their bodies (Kimblee has them on his hands).

Most of the state alchemists have equipment or tattoos that feature their needed circles, so they don't have to sit down and actually draw them.
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What do Ed and Al have?

Holy_Cloud105 posted...

Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

What the fuck? Brotherhood is the actual story written by the author. Super (The manga) is actually written with the supervision of Toriyama. Brotherhood and Super are better than their shitty fanfiction counterparts FMA03 and GT.

@Holy_Cloud105

I'm arguing in favor of Brotherhood guy.
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Yeah, they're just making things less dense. They may not do it in the original anime, but you see in one series or another that there's a divot in the ground when they make spears or what have you.

Like this:
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fma/images/e/e6/Simpletransmutation.png/revision/latest?cb=20140620115910

MonsterZed posted...

What do Ed and Al have?

Ed doesn't need them. This is a plot point.

Al uses them, they might just not show him drawing them. If you look, though, there should be chalk circles when he uses alchemy.
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MonsterZed posted...

What do Ed and Al have?

what do you mean?
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Nevermind. My question was answered lol

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Which one did you start? The superior FMA03 or overrated Brotherhood?

This level of trolling is totally uncalled for.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

Looked gf posted...

Just watch Brotherhood. The other garbage one isn't worth it tbh

This.

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MonsterZed posted...

What do Ed and Al have?

without giving any spoilers, there's a way that people can learn to transmute without using a circle. in the 2003 anime, Al doesn't have this, but Ed does. their alchemy teacher has it too.

in Brotherhood, Al gets it after... regaining some key memories.
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Oh if you mean for using alchemy, Al has to draw a circle and he has chalk for it, they'll explain Ed eventually (unless they already have and you forgot)
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Duncanwii posted...

Holy_Cloud105 posted...

Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

What the fuck? Brotherhood is the actual story written by the author. Super (The manga) is actually written with the supervision of Toriyama. Brotherhood and Super are better than their shitty fanfiction counterparts FMA03 and GT.

@Holy_Cloud105

I'm arguing in favor of Brotherhood guy.

@Duncanwii

Oh snap, my bad. I completely read everything wrong. Lolz
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Behaviorism posted...

Just know that pride > the other idiots

Depends on the version. In '03, Wrath is easily the standout.
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superstud69x posted...

Oh if you mean for using alchemy, Al has to draw a circle and he has chalk for it, they'll explain Ed eventually (unless they already have and you forgot)

Ah. I very well must've missed that part. Al recently exclaimed that he was surprised that Ed could do it without a circle, so I assume I didn't miss it yet.

Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

I don't watch that shit mate so I have no idea what you're talking about.

03 is much better than Brotherhood. Just because it doesn't follow the manga after a certain event doesn't mean it's worse. Hell of a lot more quality than constant garbage shonen jokes and Betty Sues with little character development.

Fuck your manga purity. Quality is quality
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DezDroppedFreak posted...

Quality is quality

Then we need to talk about those final ten episodes and the movie...
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DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

I don't watch that shit mate so I have no idea what you're talking about.

03 is much better than Brotherhood. Just because it doesn't follow the manga after a certain event doesn't mean it's worse. Hell of a lot more quality than constant garbage shonen jokes and Betty Sues with little character development.

Fuck your manga purity. Quality is quality

The 03 homunculi are freaking jokes. And that ending...just rofl.
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TheRealDill2000 posted...

Behaviorism posted...

Just know that pride > the other idiots

Depends on the version. In '03, Wrath is easily the standout.

They're the same person <_<
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Despite what everyone is saying about the older one, I'm still giving it a fair chance as I will for Brotherhood. So far I'm enjoying it, so I see no reason to stop.

MonsterZed posted...

Despite what everyone is saying about the older one, I'm still giving it a fair chance as I will for Brotherhood. So far I'm enjoying it, so I see no reason to stop.

They're both good shows. The internet just has the mentality that if one is better, then the other HAS to be utter trash.

As mentioned above, Brotherhood does indeed rush through the beginning portions. I remember there was a two or three part arc in the original that is relegated to a single episode in Brotherhood. So if nothing else, the original does do the beginning portions better.
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hollow_shrine posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Quality is quality

Then we need to talk about those final ten episodes and the movie...

And Brotherhood's is better because it follows the manga? lol ok. Its final arc is pure trash that loses all sense of what it is
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hollow_shrine posted...

'03 is the first fifteen episodes of the '09 before the plot goes off the rails. Way more serious. Has prettier animation, in my opinion, and a more emotive soundtrack. The quality of this is series is why Brotherhood got green lit. Watch until around episode 40 and then drop it.

Brotherhood is the manga. There are more gags. The plot moves way faster, which is fine if you want to get to the intrigues introduced in the later chapters.

Both shows have excellent sequences and awesome moments. The conclusion of the Ishbal arc in '03 gave me actual chills and that whole mess might be my favorite sequence period for how crazy the stakes get. But Brotherhood has the Kimbly x Pride x Gluttony team up. If you started with Brotherhood you've likely spoiled yourself on a pretty awesome reveal from '03. Actually there's a lot of that. Whatever.

I like the tone of 03 much better. the origin of those seven certain characters is also way cooler

the gags in Brotherhood are intrusive and interfere with the storytelling imo

that being said, there are some things that Brotherhood did better; most notably the coded messages and the inclusion of Xingese people

Most of the state alchemists have equipment or tattoos that feature their needed circles, so they don't have to sit down and actually draw them.

this makes sense, I suppose.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Duncanwii posted...

Which one are you watching? Don't watch 03 watch Brotherhood since O3 is Fanfic garbage.

A man with truly bad taste

Would you say Dragonball GT is better than Super? Because that's the same comparison. One is the actual thing written by the Author, and the other is Fanfic garbage.

I don't watch that shit mate so I have no idea what you're talking about.

03 is much better than Brotherhood. Just because it doesn't follow the manga after a certain event doesn't mean it's worse. Hell of a lot more quality than constant garbage shonen jokes and Betty Sues with little character development.

Fuck your manga purity. Quality is quality

The 03 homunculi are freaking jokes. And that ending...just rofl.

Again, how is Brotherhood's ending any better?
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Leanaunfurled posted...

The 03 homunculi are freaking jokes.

this is the worst opinion so far in the topic

the origin makes them 10x better
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Maybe don't get into an argument about the endings of two different shows in a topic where the TC has explicitly only started one of them.
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MonsterZed posted...

superstud69x posted...

Oh if you mean for using alchemy, Al has to draw a circle and he has chalk for it, they'll explain Ed eventually (unless they already have and you forgot)

Ah. I very well must've missed that part. Al recently exclaimed that he was surprised that Ed could do it without a circle, so I assume I didn't miss it yet.

if you want to know about Edward-

when they tried to transmute their mom back to life, and lost their limbs and bodies, Ed saw the Gate of Truth, which granted him vast alchemical knowledge and gave him the ability to transmute by clapping his hands together and making a circle with himself pretty much. it doesn't work for Al for some reason, probably cause he lost his entire body and therefor couldn't see anything or something like that.

slight brotherhood spoilers for Al regarding that previous spoiler-

al gains the same ability eventually in brotherhood, when he gets some memory or other back about halfway or more through the series
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DezDroppedFreak posted...

Again, how is Brotherhood's ending any better?

How was Brotherhood's bad? It was perfect, aside from being iffy on the fight between Ed and spoiler guy.
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Leanaunfurled posted...

DezDroppedFreak posted...

Again, how is Brotherhood's ending any better?

How was Brotherhood's bad? It was perfect, aside from being iffy on the fight between Ed and spoiler guy.

DezDroppedFreak isn't trying to say that Brotherhood's ending is bad; merely that it's not better than 2003's
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