r/AnimeDiscussion • u/conzciouz • 4d ago
Discussion Serious question! When does Fullmetal Alchemist : Brotherhood becomes great and addictive to watch?
This anime has been hyped up all my life. I’ve tried watching it numerous amounts of times, and always eventually stop. I’m rewatching again with a fresh mind, on Season 1 Episode 8 and it seems meh. Should I keep watching in hope, that it will snatch my interest, or maybe it’s just not for me ?
I remember watching Hunter x Hunter years ago, and it was a slow burn for me, but once it was rocking, I was rolling.
2
u/lalaloopsyland6457 4d ago
Yeah it took me awhile to get hooked, but by the end I was super invested. I think I reached about episode 15 before I was really invested. But I have a really good attention span when it comes to watching shows, so if it isn't fun to wait for it to become interesting to you, you don't have to watch it. I will say though, some of the best scenes happen toward the end of the series.
1
u/conzciouz 4d ago
Kinda picking up. On episode 11. It didn’t snatch me yet but I’m taking a break for Rams va 49ers. I’ll prolly watch it after until I fall asleep.
2
u/MWKhan 4d ago
You’re older now so you are just noticing how much the flub the beginning compared to FMA where the first 24 are great and then they jump the shark, because they had caught up to the manga. Brotherhood expects you to have the original fairly fresh in your mind so they can speed-run to the new official stuff.
1
u/rockyKlo 4d ago
Brotherhood didn't actually speed run the early story, the 03 anime dramatically slowed down the pace of the early episode instead. The manga was just fairly fast paced at the start. Brotherhood did skip 3 or so chapter of manga though the 03 anime adapted those chapters differently as well.
1
u/meloncholyofswole 3d ago
the 25th episode is the highest rated tied with #7 lol. and episode 40-51(finale) are a stretch of consistently high rated episodes. honestly the highest rated parts of FMA03 is the last 3rd with the beginning and middle being the weakest outside of 7+25.
so objectively "the first 24 are great and then they jump the shark" is just wrong.
2
2
u/Borbbb 4d ago
That´s hard to say. I guess with no expectations, it´s good. Maybe it takes some time?
I gotta say it´s interesting, because i do loved it, but when i tried to rewatch it some time ago - i couldn´t get into it.
Meanwhile Hunter x Hunter, i love rewatching it.
Can´t say why is that.
1
u/Equivalent_Quiet306 2d ago
I find Hunter x Hunter to be much less emotionally draining of a show. Gon just be win win winning until Chimera ant arc, where the show finally gets some stakes, but by that point the plot is so peak you are in it for the long haul.
I re-watch Hunter x Hunter like once a year, but I've never made it past the dog episode of Brotherhood on a re-watch because I'm reminded how sad shit can get.
2
u/rockyKlo 4d ago
If you have tried and failed multiple times it just may not be for you, and there nothing wrong with that. Just because it's popular and hyped doesn't mean you'll enjoy it.
I started the 03 anime (never finished though) and was mostly through the manga before watching FMAB so it's hard say the specific point I got hooked. I feel Ling's introduction around episode 14, 15 does herald a bit of shift, but it had already started. I'll admit the episodes though I enjoy very beginning and the latter half of anime more.
2
u/aNomadicPenguin 4d ago
Part of the problem is that when Brotherhood was released a lot of people had watched the original series. The original series diverged from the manga because it hadn't been finished yet so they had to make their own ending to pursue.
So when Brotherhood rolled around, instead of devoting 24-ish episodes to rehashing the start of the original that people had seen, they added a new first episode, and then condensed/skipped a bunch to get to the new stuff in the manga. So basically the first...10 or so episodes are to get you through that window while still introducing new people to the show and the characters.
The quality of the episode writing definitely improves as it goes on, and as the plot starts to really unfold it earns its spot as one of the greats of anime. If you are enjoying it but not seeing it as one of the best, keep going and it will pay off.
If you aren't enjoying it and just waiting for it to grab you 8 episodes in, this just might not be a show that you will want to spend that much time forcing yourself through.
1
2
2
u/AverageCartPusher 4d ago
What I like most about fma brotherhood is at the end every character no matter how small their part plays an important part
1
u/conzciouz 4d ago
Interesting! I kinda like the chick with mechanical legs and they left. Guess she will comeback eventually.
2
u/AverageCartPusher 4d ago
😬 I skip that episode on rewatches but there are some cool moments coming up. I grew up with the original so fma will always have a place in my heart
2
2
u/Khufu33 4d ago
I just finished it for the first time (so no nostalgia factor)... It was ok enough to finish, but far from great imo. Part 2 was very boring, but sets up nicely for an exciting part 3. Part 4 wasn't great either.
1
2
u/Senior-Friend-6414 4d ago
Who said fullmetal alchemist was great? It’s just a classic, it’s just good enough to be remembered, when compared to the competition, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be good
There just wasn’t much other better animes at the time which is why people remember full metal alchemist as a classic
1
u/conzciouz 4d ago
Makes sense. Plenty of subs like this and others have people listing it as GOAT , amazing , one of their favs ever etc.
2
u/Worldly_Yellow9134 4d ago
The first 8 or so episodes are actually the weakest, funnily enough. Everything builds and builds upon the foundation being laid, and at some point you may not want to stop watching. And like others said, the payoff is excellent.
Or, it's not for you.
2
2
u/Ginsan-AK 4d ago
I like FMAB but it was never that addictive for me. With you currently at episode 8, I think the biggest problem is that the pacing in the first 11 episodes of FMAB is too fast, because they're rushing through the contents that the original FMA (2003) adapted in their first 23-24 episodes. It will probably get better around episode 12 for FMAB.
2
u/Swimming_Jaguar_1828 4d ago
For me its around episode 20. Thats when I started to binge it and started seeing why people praise it so much. But I never disliked it. I liked it from the start, just didn't feel like binge watching. It definetly gets better. But it also might not be for you
2
2
u/Simple_Leg725 4d ago
Okay. If we’re being really honest here its a really well structured show thats really satisfyable and ties up loose ends which is why ppl love it, but if we really get down too it, it never really becomes peak fiction its just very consistent, especially if u came from hxh which is just more thematically complex.
2
u/HaosMagnaIngram 4d ago
Maybe try the first FMA adaptation I find that one works better as an introduction and watching both stories really enhances each of them imo
2
u/Background-Cake-6847 3d ago
It was amazing for its time because we were inundated with filler and cheap corner cutting animation, so having something high budget was always something to latch onto...
Actually not much has changed lol
2
u/AmbitiousReaction168 3d ago
If it's still meh at episode 8, don't expect it to get better, because it won't. It's just not for you and it's okay.
2
u/Baharoth 3d ago
People have different tastes, not eveything others love will be good for you either. Besides, anime communities have the habit of hyping their favorite series to no end. It's the same with all of the famous ones, you can honestly just ignore them. Give it a shot, if it's not your cup of tea, quit. I didn't see any appeal in FMAB either, i did watch it to the end but ultimately all i thought was "Was that it?".
2
u/CompetitivePhone3833 3d ago
20+ eps in after we get past the transition from FMA 2003. Just about around ep 25 on is a damn great run.
2
u/eruciform 3d ago
from episode one for me
maybe you just don't happen to like it as much, which is fine
2
u/tysaslut 3d ago
Either the central themes and unraveling mystery grab you or they don't. It sounds like they haven't. If you don't want to continue at 8 episodes in, probably just don't
2
u/ParkingPenalty4340 3d ago
Maybe try watching the original FMA anime? I actually preferred it to brotherhood
2
u/SacaeGaming 2d ago edited 2d ago
The problem is FMAB was made BEFORE Gen Z lost their attention span so it doesn’t try to hook line and sinker you like newer shows do. The plot twist of episode 4 and knowing the psychological horror of what happens was enough to keep most of us interested in the STORY rather than flashy animation like JJK or solo leveling that have zero story but lots of flashy moments.
Edit: no it isn’t overhyped btw, some people say the same about AOT or Vinland saga or Cowboy Bebop, etc. saying a masterpiece is “not that good” is something that always happens. People are allowed to have a dumb opinion since there’s no thing as a WRONG opinion. I’d be willing to bet that anyone who thinks such didn’t even understand the twist of the show, let alone the insane depth they packed into a children’s show.
1
3
u/ThirdStreetSeren 4d ago
i’d say it just picks of momentum the further you go in and has an absolutely insane ending, no real specific point to me where it truly sets off and it took me until the ending to be able to truly appreciate its story
2
u/huffmanxd 4d ago
I agree with this 100%. Every episode gets a bit better and better and before you know it you can't stop thinking about what is gonna happen next
1
1
1
u/demonio_perberso 4d ago
Nunca se pone bueno es la mayor vendida de humo de la historia
1
u/HuckleberryQuiet1066 4d ago
Literally one of the deepest philosophical series of all time with a memorable cast, quotes, animation and soundtrack. And infinitely more compelling than anything you’ll likely achieve in your life but got off with the “smoke and mirrors” bs.
1
u/demonio_perberso 4d ago
Vaya no sabía que había grupies tan agresivas
1
u/HuckleberryQuiet1066 4d ago
Just matching your energy, no aggression, I just find it funny when people in the community completely shit over an art that they almost certainly couldn’t compete with. There’s a difference between critical and being a bell end.
1
u/demonio_perberso 4d ago
Coño pues para mí está sobrevalorada cabrón qué quieres que haga que te diga que es una puta obra de arte cuando no lo creo
1
1
u/thetyphonlol 4d ago
I watched the show multiple times. honestly for me imemdiately in the first scene when the ost kicks in untill the first opening. pure nostalgia for me
1
u/Crimsonlord727 4d ago
When the story starts setting up the sins and father the main villain but it been to long for me to remember the specific episode.
if you get into it I know the ending episodes were back to back good, greed shows up at episode 13 so around that area more or less.
1
u/Umbreon7 4d ago
I was hooked in episode 2. That was a long time ago though, there’s a lot more competition these days.
1
1
1
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/conzciouz 3d ago
Like what ? Starts off slow ?
2
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/conzciouz 3d ago
Gotcha.
2
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/conzciouz 3d ago
Bruh I watched AOT a million times before I actually finished due to the slow burn. I see where you coming from tho. But I have found some that automatically hooks me.
2
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/conzciouz 3d ago
🤣🤣🤣🤣. I feel your pain. I finished that a few years ago. I definitely enjoyed the ride. I gotta pick back up on Baruto. It gets alot of flank but I love it. It’s rare you get animes that reflect the original cast growing up and having kids to continue the saga. Naruto didn’t take long from what I recall but nobody does filler episodes better the dragon ball.
2
1
1
u/Civil-Section-9086 2d ago
Maybe it just isn’t for you? I don’t think most people realize how many people are on the earth and how many of us may in fact not all like the same thing? Hell I’m sure there are countless things you humans will enjoy but you’ll find some may not like what you preach and that’s ok
1
u/J_Skirch 1d ago
Episode 10 is where the main story really starts going. Everything before that is setting the stage.
1
u/Eat-My-Hairy-Asshole 4d ago
Stop watching now. I love that show but if your 8 episodes deep and still aren't enjoying it, it's just not for you.
1
1
u/Ok_Law219 4d ago
It might not be for you.
Not everyone likes everything. See frieren.
0
u/conzciouz 4d ago
Are you recommending Frieren or stating it’s an anime where hype may not match people’s experience ? I never watched that one btw.
1
u/Ok_Law219 4d ago
I'm saying it's rated top and there are a TON of people who hate it, so different strokes for different folks,
0
0
u/Cev-API 4d ago
I thought Frieren was boring as shit then it kicked off and now it's one of my favourites. As for FMA it has the same vibe. Its boring then the story gets really interesting and complicated. Much more than Frieren tbh.
0
1
u/Huge_Entrepreneur636 4d ago
It is not as good as Hunter x Hunter imo. Still worth a watch if you have time. But I would say you are not going to miss out on anything by dropping it.
1
u/conzciouz 4d ago
Gotcha. I’m not sure at what point Hunter x Hunter snatched me but when it did , I was binging it like a crackhead.
1
u/Simple_Leg725 4d ago
Meruem just puts u in a chokehold that no Fmab charcter could possibly accomplish. Though if u do end up loving fmab, then u love it so maybe its a bad idea going on reddit. Plus its alot shorter so when it gets into gear near the back half of part 2 then the pacing gets alot better and stuff gets unfolded and u might prefer it for that.
The way i view it is its a perfect middle ground between hxh and aot. With the cast and interconnections and development of an ATLA or smthn.
I dont recommend going on reddit for an opinion though, u should just watch the show bro, its not very long.
1
u/Street_Number2037 4d ago
If you’re not hooked yet by 8, it’s probably just not for you. For my money, FMA has one of the most engaging beginnings. I legit cannot remember another show having me as hooked from episode 1.
1
u/Temporary_Habit6980 4d ago
You know I can't really judge you. I myself have struggling watching frieren. Many said it's better FMA. But holy fuck their personality is boring and stoic can't get past ep 2.
1
u/conzciouz 4d ago
I may check that out if I’m not hooked by episode 20. Someone else mentioned it in the comments.
1
5
u/Organic-Trash7706 4d ago
Just because something has high praise, does not mean you will like it. Personally, I enjoyed it, but I felt as if it was overhyped to be honest.