If you answered become a dog of the army, then I welcome you to second attempt at an anime adaption of Hiromu Arakawa's manga Fullmetal Alchemist, the brilliant Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
The anime ran from 2009-2010 so its a rather fresh one on the scene in terms of that which is to be titled "classic." Directed by Yasuhiro Irie and adapted for the screen by Hiroshi Ōnogi, this is definitely something to take off your never-endingly growing list of suggestions and to take on immediately as your next marathon.
There are a total of 64 episodes so get ready. This is about to be a journey, which unlike the unceasing longer anime, where the filler is a frequent as story; will be uninterrupted by episodes which make machette qielding maniacs go on reaping sprees in your local corn fields.
For those who don't like corn, imagine wheat.
The story is one of a classic. The quest for the redemption and more. Thought in many ways this show is all too unique on this point. The twists keep popping up, but not in the manner which makes one feel like wanting to hear Vogon poetry. They are honestly flowing with the story, and do not feel like they are there for the sake of merely extending this story to the point that you forgot how it even started. Within the borders of the genre it is an honestly encapsulating story, and beyond the base structure true genius. The detail that Arakawa went to in terms of some of the theory to the world itself is uncanny at points. For this an more, the story would be insulted to its very core to receive less than a 10/10
As for the characters, little is to be said. They have amusing traits. Endearing traits. You can connect with them, despite the fact they exist in a world so different from our own, and you honestly care what happens to them. It has everything that a character should, and so receives a thorough 9/10
The art and sound however I have little to say about. Neither good nor bad. There is nothing all to noteworthy about it, and this is what makes it so special. The most important factor to this piece above is the story it bears, and not its visual play. By not overbearing the story, nor detracting from it the art and sound truly do their roles. Earning them a solid 7/10 and 8/10 respectively.
To those at home who’ve bore with my review as above which is lie more than a rant on how much I’ve appreciation for the given story of this anime, and how much I enjoyed it; I’ve but three words. Just watch it. There is no maybes in the world of indifference. If you merely throw it on the exponentially expanding “to watch” list, it will become lost and perhaps even never seen.
Commit yourselves to a show that’s to be a true marathon tempter, it got me.
Overall I’d love to give it more than a 9/10, however 10/10 implies perfection for a complete mark. This anime is far from perfect, there are times for example, when the pacing, especially in the last two seasons got on my nerves. However I wouldn’t be preaching if I hadn’t enjoyed it so. Give the anime your time, and in my opinion, if you’ve not seen it yet, you’ll wonder how you hadn’t.
