So, I’ve said before that Fullmetal Alchemist is basically the best manga ever. Well, its popularity, as well as the popularity of the original anime, has prompted a new anime series based on the manga, titled Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It features all the old voice actors returning to their roles. So how does it begin? With filler. That’s right. The first episode is some bulls*** about an ice alchemist. Then, we have filler as a part of the Father Cornello story. It’s never a good sign that you add filler so early on. Then, there’s the animation. The coloring isn’t as bright, the lines aren’t as sharp, and it just looks like the creators got lazy on the budget because they expected that the popularity of the franchise alone would carry this series into instant fame.
Then, there’s the Japanese seiyuu. Now, ask any “true fan” of anime, and he/she will tell you that the Japanese seiyuu are always infinitely better than American voice actors, and that people who watch the American dubbing aren’t true fans. That’s just stupid. I pick and choose depending on which I think sounds better. For example, the English dub of Yu Yu Hakusho was absolutely superb, and most people agree that it was better than the original. Most people will say that the Japanese seiyuu of FMA are better. I don’t agree. That’s not to say that Paku Romi is a bad seiyuu. But she sounds way too… girly to be Edward Elric. Ed is a really masculine character, despite his age, and Romi’s voice really doesn’t fit. It was great for Loran Cehack in Turn A Gundam, who was really ambiguous. But not here. Vic Mignogna is SO perfect for Ed, and I can’t wait for this show to be dubbed so I can hear his work again.
Alphonse Elric is likewise extremely girly sounding. Aaron Dismuke, the American voice actor, WAS ACTUALLY 12 when he did the role. He isn’t now, but he was SO good! Kugimiya Rie sounds like a girl trying to be a boy, rather than an actual boy. Roy Mustang occasionally sounds effeminate, which I disapprove of, and both Winry Rockbell and Riza Hawkeye sound too womanly. They’re both tough women, and they should have voices to reflect that! Lastly, the music is meh. The opening theme song makes me miss Ready Steady Go by L’Arc-en-Ciel so much. Most people won’t agree with this review. I guarantee it. But this is my honest opinion. It’s still good, but it should be a lot better. And I’m just not convinced by the Japanese seiyuu.
Story: 8.8 Animation: 8.2 Soundtrack: 7.3 Voice Acting: 8.2 Overall: 8.2
