FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi) [Episodes 1-20]

First Things first:

KIMI NO TEDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, KIRI SAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Secondly, these impressions are of the 2003 original series, not the 2009 Remake/Retelling, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Fullmetal Alchemist had to be one of the anime that I was conflicted about the most before watching. On one hand, there was the side nagging me not to watch it because it's 51 Episodes long. On the other, I kept on hearing about how great it was to watch. I eventually said 'fuck it' and started watching the series. 

The story of FMA is strange in the sense that it doesn't follow its source material for over half the show. Fullmetal Alchemist was originally a manga created in the late 1990's but when the 2003 series started airing it hadn't finished yet, so the anime team decided on taking its own route. From what I've been hearing, all the original content is good stuff so I have no complaints. What I do have a complaint about however is the chronology of some things early on in the show - it's all over the place. The backstory behind Edward and Alphonse's quest is revealed after some events that take place between episodes 15-20 (the events I'm talking about are actually the first two episodes - see how things can be confusing?) and this just leads to viewer confusion when you try to think about it. Other than that it's a very nice and sweet story fueled by determination and - no pun intended - Brotherhood to carry it along.

Characters are great. Edward Elric is a strong main protagonist, who does have a short temper and a will that cannot be contained.....Seems familiar? Well FMA did come first so I'll let that one slide. Alphonse is very hit and miss so far. I can't really tell what his purpose is - is he just a motivator for Ed? Again no pun intended, but Al just seems like an empty shell so far. He doesn't really develop although he does have great chemistry with Ed and the comedy between them is amazing. My personal favourite character has to be Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang. Not only is he a hard eye, no shit-taking soldier but he is just so random sometimes, which is what makes me love him. He's a very quotable character too and I just love his English voice.

Animation is my only real issue with this series, and it mainly comes down to the colour. I think that FMA has to be one of the most drab and dull looking anime ever. Most scenes take place at either night time or inside some sort of complex in the desert regions, so a lot of browns and greys and duller colours are used. As a Result, the show looks awfully flat and it's what marrs FMA Seriously. Its hard to think that the people who did Cowboy Bebop did FMA.

Musically, FMA is great with some amazing atmospheric pieces and great BGM. The Two Openings I have heard so far are great, my personal favourite being the first Opening Melissa by Porno Graffiti (yes that is their name).

So far, FMA is a fantastic anime that is marred only by its poor animation. I'll have a full review of this show up in the future when I've completed it.