[[2026 Books and Manga]]  I kept saying I’d watch **Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood** for like 20 years now but you and I both know I was lying about that. I don’t have patience for TV nowadays, particularly something as long as **Brotherhood**. But I love reading so I decided to do just that. I’m glad I did — whilst I was worried I might not enjoy it as much as watching it because **Brotherhood** has great animation and music, it didn’t bother me that much. This is because Hiromu Arakawa is an incredible fucking panelist, one of the best in her class in my opinion. Every panel looks perfect, is clear to the eye, and draws you deeper into the story. The art is gorgeous from beginning to end too. I don’t need to explain to you that **Fullmetal Alchemist** is one of the greatest pieces of storytelling ever created, manga or otherwise. Reading it was basically just a confirmation to me. However, I did watch the original 2003 anime of **Fullmetal** back in the day, and I think it’s very interesting to compare and contrast that show with the manga/**Brotherhood**. For example, I was vaguely aware that the ending of the manga is overall quite positive and happy compared to FMA2003. I felt like I’d be disappointed because I felt that the original anime’s ending was more fitting for the story being told. However. However. Now I am old and tired, and I think everyone should get a happy ending, who fucking cares. The panel on greed was especially affecting. Nothing greedier than wanting everything to be good. But 2003 still rips. Dante is a cool villain, the underground city and ballroom were cool, and the decision to put the real world on the other side of the gate was so fucking sick, and ballsy too. I just had to respect it. I remember how floored I was by Beethoven’s 5th playing and seeing the zeppelins. And the ending with the brother’s promise of equivalent exchange to each other and the way home leitmotif bringing it all full circle. Just peak. It's too bad the Shambala movie kinda fucked it up, I wish it didn't come out. In the end I would recommend both series to anyone, there's enough different and interesting about them both to be worthwhile, and that’s awesome! I love that there’s so much **Fullmetal** to enjoy. Easy 7/7, and don’t forget to peep my thoughts on Arakawa’s currently running series as of this writing, [[Yomi no Tsugai]].