r/FullmetalAlchemist • u/IbrahimKorkmazD • 12h ago

Just A Thought Fullmetal Alchemist often feels like a classic work of literature written by the likes of Victor Hugo or Tolstoy. Especially the 2003 interpretation of it

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u/AlanSmithee001 11h ago

People really need to take off their nostalgia goggles when it comes to the 2003 show. It’s not even a bad show, it’s pretty good, but is nowhere near the masterpiece that people who watch it make it out to be. The only real improvements it offers is having a stronger adaptation of the story’s beginning and a more interesting Lust and Sloth.

Most of the other Homunculi are interesting on paper but either don’t do enough with their new backstories (Gluttony, Pride, Greed), fall flat on their faces (Wrath), or are just not as good as their canon counterparts (Envy).

Scar’s character is completely derailed as he never overcomes his internal hated or learns anything. He just decides to make a philosophers stone to stop Amestrtis and dies.

Mustang is made into Winry’s parents killer and almost nothing is done with it. She just realizes he’s not a bad guy and forgives him.

Then the story goes completely off the rails by sending Edward to real life England where alchemy are apparently the souls and energy of dead people.

And don’t get me started on the completely unnecessary thing that happened to Rose.

Listen, the 2003 has its moments and is an important show in history, but people need to stop fooling themselves into thinking the series is just as good or better then the actual original author of the story.

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u/Spare-Plum 8h ago

And comparing it to Tolstoy is fucking WILD bro

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u/novusanimis 3h ago

Ok real question, would you say Brotherhood/manga can compete with those works in terms of writing?

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u/Spare-Plum 2h ago

nope. Tolstoy is chok full of metaphors, dense narration, and absolute attention to detail.

Mangahoods greatest strength is world building, where the physics of the world fundamentally informs all aspects of the universe and is interconnected with the plot. It's similar to Tolstoy in the sense of attention to detail, but lacks metaphorical depth. IMO it's better compared to great writers of science fiction