This is my first review and english is not my native language, so do forgive my rambling about..
- Story -
FMA:B's story is truly one of the most unique stories I have seen. Everything at first is so shrouded in mystery and the story is set into motion as the brothers set out on their journey to get their bodies back. You are introduced to many events of the series early on, and all of these are explained as the show goes on. This is where FMA's pacing shines. The story is mostly a very continuous story with flashbacks to the past presented occasionally to further explain the underlying factors that make the show's world what it is in the present. Also character development is very well executed in FMA:B, and it's honestly fun to see Ed growing up as the show progresses. I was also very glad to find that for it's whole run time of 64 episodes, FMA has no filler episodes at all.
10/10
- Art -
The art in FMA:B is very good, but it's not the best. The animation is certainly fluid in the action scenes, and even though I was not the biggest fan of the realistic (though well drawn) backgrounds and the at times grey color palette. But it does fit the show. I had a few issues with the very simplified chibi-art joke moments especially at the beginning of the show but, as the show goes on, you get used to them and they appear less often.
9/10
- Sound -
I have only watched the sub version of FMA:B, so I cannot judge the series from the dub. The voice actors did a great job at portraying the characters and their emotions, and I especially liked Mustang's performance. Edward can sound a little bit annoying at times, and I found it a bit disturbing that their voices had not matured nearly at all towards the end of the series, but that doesn't matter too much. I have to say that FMA:B excelled with its classical OST and outstanding openings. Two of the openings, Again and Period especially stood out for me, Period with it's catchy tune and appealing visuals, and Again with Yui's wonderful voice and maybe some of the best directing in openings to be seen. You will definitely find yourself remembering some of the music used in the show for a long time.
9/10
- Character -
The characters are perhaps the best part about FMA:B. Pretty much all the characters are so well written, with distinctive personalities and their own struggles and pasts. None of the main characters are too strong, and we will see them succeed and suffer as much. The main characters', Ed's and Al's arcs are so well rounded that it's just a pleasure to watch unveil. And the rest of the supporting cast was also portrayed in a spectacular fashion, they weren't there just to support the main characters. Also, I find it rare for shows to make such good villains as there are in FMA:B. I'm not sure if I've ever actually felt for a villain as they die, but it happened here. It was interesting to like the villains and hate them as much at the same time.
10/10
- Enjoyment -
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a show even non-anime fans would like. It avoids the usual cliches some anime shows tend to use and it will keep you enthralled during its whole run time. FMA:B probably loses some of its enjoyment if one rewatches it, as learning about the world and its events as the show progresses is one of the most enjoyable things about it, but I still wouldn't mind rewatching it. It's a story hard to forget about, and you will find yourself feeling empty after watching it, because it is that fulfilling.
10/10
Overall the show is a 10/10 for me.
