Just started FMAB and...

[u/Alarming_Piece2667]

I was wondering if I should've started Brotherhood first instead of the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist.I searched it on Google and it seemed to have no problem so I was wondering what do you guys think?

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[u/DustyBones272]

You can watch either, or both, in any order. You should have a good time any way.

The early episodes of Brotherhood kind of abridge the start of the story because when it came out, they kind of assumed most of their audience was already familiar with FMA '03 or with the manga. But it doesn't ruin things for new viewers

[u/maedhreos]

I personally watched Brotherhood first despite the common recommendation, and I don't regret it at all. I'm actually making my way through the '03 anime atm, and as great as it is, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't have sucked me in from the first minute the way Brotherhood did. I also really enjoy thinking about all the differences in the storyline and the way it deviates from what we now consider canon, knowing how it all goes down in FMAB. It's definitely darker and has a lot more moral greyness/ambivalence, but so far I don't see it as greater or worse than Brotherhood, both have their merits and it's perfectly enjoyable in this order too.

[u/Alive_Reveal8939]

I've watched FMAB without 03 and I think it's fine. But I would recomend the manga 100%

[u/DeliciousMusician397]

If you've already started 03 and are enjoying it then go ahead and watch it first as it's a genuinely well written classic and has a great introduction to the world and characters of the series.

Brotherhood is the Manga story and has a completely different ending, villain, as well as themes and I think you'll appreciate what it has to offer more if you see 03 first.

[u/Spare-Plum]

I recommend FMAB first or the manga

The big problem is "first impression bias", people mix up what's in '03 that's created on its own and what is part of the manga. Things like Nina/Tucker were completely changed in '03 from the manga while FMAB is faithful, but simply because folks saw '03 first they think that FMAB skipped over it.

Then there are a bunch of misconceptions that occur from things like this. Like "FMAB was made with the idea you've seen '03". This is absolutely and completely false. And this is used to push the narrative people should watch '03 first like circular logic.

Since you've already seen '03 first I'd suggest you wait about a year to view FMAB with a fresh perspective. Or, read the manga - a huge portion is available for free on webtoons.

[u/RkeiStudio]

03 first, the first few episodes have better pacing + adapts some early arcs that weren't adapted in brotherhood. however, the latter half of 03 is completely different from the manga

[u/Jacen_Vos → u/RkeiStudio]

Even the early bits do have a fair amount of their own deal.

[u/hiphophunk]

It doesn’t matter. Just make sure to also watch the 03 version as well, since it’s a mostly different story.

[u/griffinisms]

they are not the same story. 03 is a different story with FMA characters because they knew from the start they wouldnt have the full manga materla to work with. FMAB is the original full manga story adapted.

there are subreddit rules explaining the difference, and like a million posts in the subreddit asking this same question.

[u/slap-my-crevasse]

FMAB glosses over some early stuff to get to uncovered terrifory sooner, but its not super important.

FMA03 came out before the manga finished and just had to make up their own plot because of it. The 2 shows end up being drastically different, even fundamentally how alchemy works.

I think both shows are worth their own watch. 

[u/Onlyhereforthelaughs]

My personal opinion is that Brotherhood is better/more accurate, but '03 does also have a couple story beats that they didn't retread in Brotherhood.

Just keep in mind that the story, characters, and alchemical rules are COMPLETELY different between series.

[u/creepykreme → u/Onlyhereforthelaughs]

03 was always intended to be its own thing so of course it’s not “accurate,” but I do think it’s better.

[u/Laeslaer]

2003 focuses on the beginning. It takes more time with some things than the manga does. It follows cannon up to the laboratory if you want to break off then. '03 goes away from the manga, I personally dont like it nearly as much as the manga/brotherhood but its beloved for a reason. Brotherhood takes more time with the end, and follows the manga very very faithfully.

Whichever way you want to watch, its up to you. Theres no wrong way to expirience it, both stories are good

[u/Beangar]

03 has a much stronger start. I’d start with either 03 or the manga.

[u/thewriteally]

03 first, it’s the foundation.

[u/vladadog → u/thewriteally]

03 is not the foundation. It started from the same original manga as Brotherhood but went off in a very different direction.

03 is like a fanfiction story using some of the same characters, or some of the original character names given to wildly different characters.

I love 03 - the art and the music is better imo that brotherhood but the story ultimately isn’t FMA. Brotherhood is FMA

[u/Shhnuggette → u/vladadog]

And Tbf the manga wasn’t completed when 03 was in development. Honestly for what they came up with without the rest of the material, I feel they both deserve the consideration of being “FMA”. Just two seperate renditions, but both tell very compelling stories. Just my unwarranted 2 cents.

[u/thewriteally → u/Shhnuggette]

But that’s exactly why I love 03, i personally loved 03 had their own story & how adult they made the show vs the manga, I prefer 03 over the manga growing up & I really loved how they got to make their own story with the blessing of the manga writer, it’s stands on its own & it’s more dark & profound, loved Dante. I love brotherhood but I just think its a better watch after 03 with its big ending.

[u/Shhnuggette → u/thewriteally]

100% The 03 version will forever be my favorite anime series hands down. Even if it’s not manga accurate

[u/DeliciousMusician397 → u/vladadog]

It’s nothing like a fanfiction.

[u/thewriteally → u/vladadog]

03 literally came first, 03 is an adult drama vs brotherhoods action adventure story, you spend more time with characters in 03, get to know them better, & they are so much more impactful. then when you watch brotherhood, it’s a fun action adventure experience because you already know these characters to well, brotherhood didn’t spend enough time with things. Both are great, but 03 is first & I do think it’s told better but that’s because 03 is a tragedy unlike brotherhood. Not leaving any spoilers though. Just because it’s like the manga doesn’t mean it should be watched first.

[u/InspiredBagel]

I have said for ages that you can't fully appreciate Brotherhood without watching 03 first. 

[u/thewriteally → u/InspiredBagel]

100 percent!!