castalia: (FMA - Al w/in Al)
[personal profile] castalia
With all this free time I've had on my awesome 5-day weekend, I decided to finally get started on the new version of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime that's following the manga better than the original anime series.

I forgot that the English dubs are waaaaaaaaaaaaay behind the Japanese version, so now I'm stuck at ep 21 and will have to wait for another episode every week. Damn it. Oh well.

The first 10 or so episodes were an odd viewing experience, considering how much they resemble the first season of the old anime, sometimes almost word-for-word. I do like that they made the effort to get back so many of the original voice actors, and I like that sometimes the new kid they got to play Al sounds so much like Aaron it's uncanny (I was worried about that, b/c I was so attached to the old Al voice). However, the pacing felt slow to me this time around, maybe b/c they skipped over things and didn't take the time to delve into the backstory like the first series did. It felt like they introduced way too many characters all at once, and although I know who they are b/c I know the manga and the old anime, I think this would be a confusing way to start for a first-time viewer.

Rushed, perhaps. That's what it feels like. Rushed. Like they couldn't wait to get to the point where the old series diverged, so they sped everything up. That makes it hard to care about the characters without thinking back to those old scenes. Which means I'm having a hard time keeping the series separate in my head.

While there are some little things that were dropped that I miss (a lot of Roy's team and their early interactions, Ed's state alchemy exams, Al's introduction instead of the clunky narration we get now, etc), the other changes are working nicely.

Hughes' death still hurt, though I don't think they'd given him enough screen time this go 'round to give it quite the same impact. It was gorier, but not as dramatic, I guess. It still sucks, though :(

Also, Havoc. :(

It's interesting to see more of the manga characters, though I still find Ling and Mei annoying as hell. It was disturbing how attached I got to small characters like Barry the Chopper, especially considering his serial killer-ness. Weird. Scar is less likable this time round. Looking forward to seeing General Armstrong and the Briggs crew, though.

I hate waiting. At least I know how it ends.

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-07 02:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nzraya.livejournal.com
HUGHES IS NOT DEAD

BITE YOUR TONGUE, LADY

http://joruri.livejournal.com/24065.html

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-07 03:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] castalianspring.livejournal.com
Mm, denial. I like denial. Hughes can go sit with D'Argo and Ianto and all the other characters who made me cry when their writers did bad things to them. :(

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-07 10:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] antjgiab3.livejournal.com
I haven't watched any of the new series yet, mostly due to the lack of time. Glad you're enjoying it!

(no subject)

Date: 2010-07-08 02:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mir280.livejournal.com
Yes, the first episodes are rushed but they do get better. MUUUUUCH Better:) Fantasticly better:) I have watched all of the subs but I haven't really been keeping up with the dubs. I knew they were far behind though. Still I should watch them. Scar is less likable at first but his character does grow quite a bit. I love being able to see the growth of Ed and Al and some of the other characters:) Such a great manga/anime:)

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