I think Brotherhood was somewhat over hyped. It's not proven itself to be all that grand of a spectacle but it's not the worst anime ever either. To me, it definitely does not have the impact that FMA 1 had so in that respect it is a bit of a let down. Because the two anime are so radically different in content and style, you can't really compare them. The only thing you can compare is the "feel" you get from watching each series, the empathy you have with the characters. So far, Brotherhood had failed to seize my undivided attention like FMA 1 did. With FMA 1, I was so eager for every single episode that came out that the wait between episodes (I'm referring to watching it on Cartoon Network) was painfully frustratingly long. With Brotherhood, such is not the case. I'm happy to get a new episode but it's not the end of the world if a sub is a day or two late coming out. Since Brotherhood IS the manga I'm not sure how it could be an improvement of the manga. Truthfully, Brotherhood is just an opportunity to watch static characters on a page come alive, so to speak. It's a chance to see all those elaborate fighting scenes in their full glory.

The only thing that truly bugs me about Brotherhood is how Ed more often than not is used for comedic effect. Those ridiculous faces, the ranting about height, etc etc - maybe it's just me but it's wrong to lampoon your hero like this. It's probably an East vs West kinda thing but a hero should get more respect than this, not to mention more screen time, esp later on in the series. Seriously, there are so many OCs in the manga right now that the main characters are hardly seen at all. I'm beginning to believe that everybody in Amestris is going to end up in the manga somehow. Shouldn't a manga called "Fullmetal Alchemist" actually feature said Fullmetal Alchemist and not shove him off the secondary status? "Fullmetal Alchemist" isn't Ed's story anymore and hasn't been for a long time now. FMA 1 did right by Ed even if FMA 1 is considered an AU of the true canon, aka the manga. Show Ed the respect he deserves! That'a all I'm asking.

I'm disappointed in some regards, and content in others. I never really expected Brotherhood to be as good or better than the manga, and I think some parts have been interpreted well, but others just...haven't. Some scenes animated are much less effective than in the manga (ie Havoc yelling at Mustang to let him go in the most recent episode vs. the manga which was MUCH more poignant originally), though I feel it could be just as good if executed correctly. I do, however, for the most part appreciate Bones' efforts on the series as a whole. It's not often that a series gets a complete revamp like FMA has, so I'll count my blessings as they come.

The new series has helped me appreciate just how much more amazing the source material for this all will always be, and I'm pretty okay with loving the manga the most. *shrug*

When I first heard that the series was getting a revamp I was thrilled, having read the manga myself and knowing how amazing the actual story was; then I saw the promotional posters etc and thought that they were doing right by the manga... then I watched the show. The opening was great and the first episode introduced the FMA world to the masses, that was all fine and dandy.

However, I had set myself up for disappointment. Brotherhood is, for me, another anime-based-on-a-manga show, not a strict adaptation as was claimed by the staff. Yes, in reality the show is another FMA cow being milked, but its being milked incorrectly. (All puns intended.)

I am saddened that: there isn't time taken to be emotionally drawn to the characters, many important characters' dialogue and scenes have been omitted (some for a 2nd time) or scenes are in a different random order etc. The lack of a decent soundtrack hurts, too. I'd call Brotherhood, the Spark notes version of the manga story line on too much caffeine.

Overall, I'm still watching the show, because I enjoy the characters and there are many famous scenes and events that have yet to come, but I am not crossing my fingers thinking that the whole series will be like episode 19 was, although the show could have been.

I hated the first anime, so I'm grateful to have Brotherhood.

I'm let down in someways-the pacing, some of my favourite humourous scenes left out, little nuances of scenes edited etc.

But then there are moments that make me so overjoyed.

The Roy vs. Lust fight is easily the best scene animated yet. And, in fact, it's one of my favourite animated scenes of all time.

It's a shame they couldn't have taken more care and been more complete. But this is a lovely addition to the manga (rather than a seperate entity).

I've got to second that the Roy Vs. Lust scene was the best thing ever.

Fullmetal's one of the few series that can really get me screaming and yelling at the tv/computer screen/manga page because it REALLY draws me in at times.

And the Roy Vs. Lust scene not only had my attention but randomly caught the attention of my entire family; and it's rare for my family to watch ANYTHING tougher.

So far I really like it... the first few episodes were a bit of a let down but I did have to remind myself that some of the older plot-lines also used in the first anime would be speed up because the staff probably realizes that all the old fans will be coming back and may not be cool with just watching a 're-drawn' version of what they already know well.

I think the real test for FMA Brotherhood would be to try and use it to get someone who has never seen Fullmetal into the series by using it. I remember readying the first chapter of the manga and seeing the first episodes of the original anime and automatically having the "I have to see more" reaction.

Would someone new to the series have such a reaction to Brotherhood? Hard to say coming from someone who's been a fan since the first series.

I don't think it's an improvement to the manga because having read the manga I don't get to have as many "SHOCK OM PLOT TWIST" moments in watching the anime.

I'm actually enjoying Brotherhood quite a bit. I would like to see them slow down the pace, though. I feel like there is so much that they're skipping over. It amazes me in a way that they're doing it so fast because I see these epically long animes that have loads of fillers, and yet they could make Brotherhood twice as long as they already are planning on, follow the manga more closely, and still not have any filler episodes. They could make it amazing instead of just good.

But for what it is, I'm enjoying it. I'm happy to have more FMA no matter what. And while I loved the original anime, I'm also happy to have some of my favorite manga scenes animated as well. Overall, I think this fandom is pretty lucky to get more even if it isn't done as in depth as I personally would have hoped for.

So many tl;dr comments, gg guys.

I much prefer Brotherhood to the first anime, I've always liked the manga more than the first anime and I hate filler with a passion.

I have a love/hate relationship with the new anime. I'm glad that my favorite characters are appearing and all my favorite stuff is coming up, but I wish they didn't have to rush things and omit some scenes. In the manga, you have to pay attention to the tiniest of details, because they end up being kind of big later on. (IE: Havoc giving Falman a gun in his gift basket from Mustang.)

I feel that the new anime is missing some key factors. I'm not getting the emotion I get reading the manga at all. It's sort of like what an above commenter said, it's just another manga-to-anime adaption. Plus another milk cow for Bones.

Regardless, it's FMA. All FMA is love in my book.

Brotherhood has some good moments, but they're greatly outweighed by the worse moments. The animation is appalling bad in places, a far cry from the first anime that was pretty spot on with keeping character shape and/or any injuries/different changes to their appearance throughout the episode. I know the "chibi" style is from the manga, directly in most cases, but it does NOT translate to anime well. We're losing some of the more touching moments through this.

The Homunculi are played down, a lot of characters are getting scenes cut, mostly in favour of 'OMG DOES WINRY LIKE ED?!' which was done SO well in the manga, it's a shame they're all but ruining it by forcing it on the viewers. Al's had some scenes cut with Winry that were sweet, and showed that she actually cared for both brothers, at the moment it's just as if she's all about Ed; when that ISN'T true.

As said above, Roy and Hughes' relationship was toned down so much, it WAS more of a '...so why is he crying?' when it came to Hughes kicking it. In the first anime, I was the one crying. Brotherhood hasn't had ANY of those moments yet for me.

The manga is gorgeous, and Brotherhood is not a good interpenetration of it.

Scar was a lot hotter in the first anime series. And that's all I have to say, really. XD

I was SO excited when I found out that FMA:B was going to be airing. I enjoyed the first anime immensely, but loved the manga more and I had always wanted to see the later parts of the manga come to life.

However, I can't say that I cared for the 1st season. Yes, it was great for FMA to be on air again, but the animation (to me, at least) was inconsistent, the music seemed out-of-place at points, and it seemed rushed overall.
But, I understand. The first season is basically the first-half of the previous anime. We do wanna hurry and get to the new stuff, but the beginning information/plot is important for setting up the rest of the episodes.

From the introduction of Ling to now, I think that Brotherhood has improved -- slightly. I'm getting used to the animation (I still don't particularly care for the "fight scenes". Even the "fight"-scene in the 4nd ending (I Will) of the previous series was better than these.) I'm still not one for the chosen music in some scenes...
I love how they've brought Ling to life, but I'm depressed by what they've done with Hoho-papa (he's way too serious!).

I suppose that I assumed that we would be getting a direct manga-to-anime show, but there are too many scenes missing (i.e. how Barry the Chopper suddenly got Ling's sword before breaking Maria Ross free) and scenes out-of-order. Overall, it seems choppy, but maybe I should stop scrutinizing it so much. It's FMA, it's the manga (yay! Truth!), it's animated.

But, really? I just miss the old fighting animation. And the way Hoho-papa used to be.

I agree about Hohenheim D: His dorkiness made him lovable.

Brotherhood unabashedly gave an effort to covert each and every detail of the manga; therefore, you don't complain when it's rushed, more and more characters are getting less scene, and somewhat a disappointing adaptation (adaptation? really?) of the manga. (as a lot of people said). I assume that Brotherhood is targeted at those who are familiar with the manga.

As for "canon," I don't really fond of the term. Death of the author, remember? This applies to Brotherhood.

And music? I'd have to say I'd prefer the first anime's music more.

Edit: I mean, I'm not really fond of the term "canon."

It's not as good as the previous anime and it's not as good as the manga.
But it's not poor and the standard is improving, despite inconsistances with the art and animation. There is so much I could pick on, but overall I'm enjoying it. I don't know whether to catch up to where the manga is now or let this anime version suprise me in places I haven't been surprised in yet.

Lol, I like it guys.

Seconded. I think the first anime was kind of um, crap on a stick. So I don't see what everyone's ranting about >_>