In 2008, I've seen the series with eyes of an adult and I instantly loved it. As a standalone it is beautifully written with a few inconsistencies, here and there.
However, with the emergence of the 2009 adaptation Brotherhood, the official FMA 2003 TV Tropes page it is dubbed a "Cult Classic" a title that shows just how much the general populous reacts to deviations from the source material.
I've already delved into why adaptations aren't good aspirations in an blog post, so there's no need to repeat myself.
I've rewatched this series and yes!
FMA 2003 is not a perfect anime, but none is. What appeals to some, may not appeal to others, as perfection is a subjective quality. But it is a masterpiece that has its own merits:
1. More in depth exploration of story elements and themes, which, while not abundant, give a clear sense of flow to the plot and enhances world building.
2. Characters better developed, who don't develop so much on a ideological level, having their beliefs shaken to the core, but maturing realistically on the inside, in the short period of time they are given - which is a year and a half to 2 years.
3. Great pacing and combining of events that fit into the overall themes and plot of the series. The "filler" episodes don't deter from the overall story, as they show the various aspects of the world and various different perspectives aside from those of the main characters.
4. It is filled with beautiful colours and character designs. The composition of shots does not follow the manga all the time, but make do with perspectives that make sense from a cinematographic point of view.
5. Atmosphere is displayed superbly through lighting and music, as Michiru Ooshima's score don't distract you from the scenes and only enhances them - Nina's reveal comes to mind.
6. The themes of death and repentance are touched more realistically in the anime, characters reacting to events and revelations as real people would.
7. Being a series who's main driving force is death, it is beyond me why the seriousness in tone of this anime is pointed out as a flaw.
8. The very notions that govern the world shown
are put in the balance and many of the characters take a realistic interest to these aspects of their lives.
9. Lastly, the ending is superb as it fits with the messages of the story.
When the people's favorite falls...
In 2008, I've seen the series with eyes of an adult and I instantly loved it. As a standalone it is beautifully written with a few inconsistencies, here and there. However, with the emergence of the 2009 adaptation Brotherhood, the official FMA 2003 TV Tropes page it is dubbed a "Cult Classic" a title that shows just how much the general populous reacts to deviations from the source material. I've already delved into why adaptations aren't good aspirations in an blog post, so there's no need to repeat myself.
I've rewatched this series and yes! FMA 2003 is not a perfect anime, but none is. What appeals to some, may not appeal to others, as perfection is a subjective quality. But it is a masterpiece that has its own merits:
1. More in depth exploration of story elements and themes, which, while not abundant, give a clear sense of flow to the plot and enhances world building.
2. Characters better developed, who don't develop so much on a ideological level, having their beliefs shaken to the core, but maturing realistically on the inside, in the short period of time they are given - which is a year and a half to 2 years.
3. Great pacing and combining of events that fit into the overall themes and plot of the series. The "filler" episodes don't deter from the overall story, as they show the various aspects of the world and various different perspectives aside from those of the main characters.
4. It is filled with beautiful colours and character designs. The composition of shots does not follow the manga all the time, but make do with perspectives that make sense from a cinematographic point of view.
5. Atmosphere is displayed superbly through lighting and music, as Michiru Ooshima's score don't distract you from the scenes and only enhances them - Nina's reveal comes to mind.
6. The themes of death and repentance are touched more realistically in the anime, characters reacting to events and revelations as real people would.
7. Being a series who's main driving force is death, it is beyond me why the seriousness in tone of this anime is pointed out as a flaw.
8. The very notions that govern the world shown are put in the balance and many of the characters take a realistic interest to these aspects of their lives.
9. Lastly, the ending is superb as it fits with the messages of the story.