The original Fullmetal Alchemist & Brotherhood are from the same manga series, but there are still many differences that set them apart.
When talking about some of the greatest manga series of all time, it’s a given that the name Fullmetal Alchemist will come up at some point. After all, the story of the Elric brothers trying to reverse the dire consequences of a resurrection gone wrong is one of the most compelling stories ever told. And anyone even remotely interested in anime should make it a point to watch this show sooner rather than later.
Speaking of which, Fullmetal Alchemist was such a popular manga that it actually spawned two shows that cover the stories in their own unique ways. So for anyone who might be confused about what to watch and doesn’t know what the difference between the two shows really is, here’s an in-depth look at the wealth of differences between Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
10: The Story Of The Original Anime Took A Wild Turn In The Middle
Fullmetal Alchemist may be the first anime to revolve around the series, but the episodes eventually caught up to the manga. The studio had three options — either take a break, start filler arcs… or create an entirely original second half of the story.
This leads to Fullmetal Alchemist unexpectedly veering off course into unknown territory, while Brotherhood remains fairly consistent in its themes and tones until the very end.
9: The First Few Arcs Of Fullmetal Alchemist Develops More In The First Anime
While the original may not exactly be the optimal Fullmetal Alchemist viewing experience, there’s no denying the fact that the first few episodes of the anime do a better job of fleshing out the early parts of the story, rather than Brotherhood.
Shou Tucker is perhaps the best example of this, with his character building up before a disturbing revelation over the course of several episodes in the original anime. Meanwhile, in Brotherhood, his character arc is wrapped up in a single episode.
8: The Pace In Brotherhood Is Much Faster
While one might argue that Brotherhood is a bit too fast-paced for his liking – especially during the early parts of the anime – there’s no denying that the pace becomes more enjoyable and satisfying as the series progresses.
Although the series overlooks the manga-canon elements of the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime, it is after these parts that Brotherhood finally comes into its own. It manages its story beats with utmost finesse and each episode flows as smoothly as possible.
7: Brotherhood is More Visually Stunning
While it’s obvious considering the gap between Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood, the animation quality and fidelity to Brotherhood must be commended as every scene was a treat.
While the original animation of Fullmetal Alchemist is also great in its own right, there’s no denying the fact that some of its scenes are incredibly lackluster, especially compared to Brotherhood.
6: Lust’s Get-Up Is Different In Both Versions
While this is a minor change, it should be noted that Homunculi Lust appears slightly different in both anime versions.
In the original Fullmetal Alchemist, Lust’s get-up is almost completely black. However, this is not the case in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, where Lust instead wears a dress with a reddish-brown hue.
5: The Gate Serves A Different Purpose In Both Animes
The gate in Fullmetal Alchemist refers to the construct that allows alchemy to exist in the world, and this is its sole function in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
However, in the original anime, the Gate serves as something bigger. According to this anime, Earth and the world where Fullmetal Alchemist takes place are two different landscapes, and the Gate serves as a bridge between the two worlds – something the Elric brothers inadvertently cross at the end of the anime.
4: The Original Fullmetal Alchemist Is A Shorter Anime
While this will be obvious to anyone who sees the anime, it has to be said that the original Fullmetal Alchemist runs for 50 episodes, wraps up most of the events as quickly as possible, and shoves in an ending that most fans feel is too short. rushed for their taste.
Meanwhile, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood took its time with the second half of the series after quickly going through the original manga events already covered in the original series, allowing for a more complete experience that spans 64 episodes.
3: Homunculi Have A Completely Different Origin
One of the biggest thorn in the side of the Elric brothers has to be the Homunculi, who have consistently proven to be a massive obstacle throughout the series in both the original anime and Brotherhood.
However, their origins in both anime are very different. In Fullmetal Alchemist, the Homunculi are basically failed human transmutations that were given new life by Dante. Meanwhile, in the Brotherhood, these Homunculi were created by the Father to essentially serve as his subordinates.
2: The Antagonists Are Completely Different
With the stories diverging halfway through, it’s also time to talk about the antagonists of the two series, who are, as you’d expect, quite different.
In Fullmetal Alchemist, Dante is the true antagonist of the series, having shared a relationship with Hohenheim, the father of the Elric Brothers. Meanwhile, in Brotherhood, the main antagonist of the series is a character simply called “Father”. He is the oldest and most powerful Homunculus around, to the point where he even defeats Hohenheim, who came prepared with the Philosopher’s Stone.
1: The Ending Is Awfully Abrupt An Fullmetal Alchemist
One of the main reasons why people think that the original Fullmetal Alchemist is an inferior experience is mainly because the ending comes out of nowhere and feels incredibly convoluted.
The movie that serves as the official conclusion certainly doesn’t help matters — in Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, the two brothers end up stuck in the real world, which is basically Nazi Germany. It’s certainly a somewhat odd setting for a conclusion, and that’s why people prefer a more wholesome and satisfying conclusion to Brotherhood.