Okay, so I've finished watching Brotherhood, which was 9 million kinds of awesome (possibly 'trillion' rather than million), and... I want more FMA. ;___;

So, yeah. How does the first series compare? I never saw it, so I don't know. On the one hand, I want to watch it because I NEED MORE CANON, DAMN IT but on the other hand, I'm afraid it might ruin the FMA franchise for me if it's any less impressive than the second anime series. Like, Kuroshitsuji's second season effectively killed canon for me with its ridiculously convenient alternate ending... I don't want that happening with FMA. It's such a cool and brilliantly plotted storyline... I would weep if a storyline that perfect were ruined.

That said, deviating from manga-canon is okay, as long as the deviation's of equally high quality! Like I said, MOAR CANON PLZ. But only if the storyline's still as good.

Knowing that, do you recommend that I watch the first FMA series? And if you do, could you also tell me what episodes NOT to watch if I've watched the second series (like, material that might've been repeated/retold)? Because I only want to have new stuff to watch... No point in watching episodes in which I kinda already know the plot.

And, um, if there're any yaoi fangirls out there, I'd especially appreciate your recommending episodes/arcs from the first series that are particularly 'slashy' or that have such moments, especially between Ed and Roy. (The rest of you that are NOT yaoi fangirls can just overlook this request or pretend you never saw it... Lol.)

All right! That's it for my request! Any help from people who've watched both FMA series would be greatly appreciated!

It's somewhat good on it's own even with all the plot holes in it. It's got a lot more drama for one. But if you've already watched Brotherhood, then I'd recommend against it.

I think that you should watch the whole thing, even the first numbers of episodes.They may be a little repetitive, but the story is shown is much greater detail than in Brotherhood. I personally watched the first series before Brotherhood and at first I was disappointed since so much was cut of. However, that disappointment didn't last long when the two series split track. The later part and the ending in the first series may not be as "good" (from a statistic point of view) as the later part in Brotherhood. But if you take into consideration the fact that the whole thing was a filler, it's actually pretty good.

For the perfect FMA viewing experience I recommend that you combine the beginning of the first series with the later part of Brotherhood. But since that's not really possible, just watch them both.

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I won't bother to keep my manga list at two places at once, so... http://myanimelist.net/profile/Hogat
And my VN list:
http://vndb.org/u3483

I agree with blak. If you have already watched the first series, then you must watch Brotherhood. But if you watched Brotherhood first and is trying to find more canon, then I think it's better if you don't watch the first series.

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don't watch the first one

awfil awful ending

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best shonen manga couples :

shinichi X ran
natsu X erza
ippo X kumi
naruto X gaara

It's a split jury! I can't decide yet...!

More input from even more people, please?

@hoghat, THANKS SO MUCH for your detailed reply, seriously. That kind of insight is truly appreciated. <3

When I finished that first series of FMA, Brotherhood didn't exist yet so I had nothing to compare it to except for the manga... but I still didn't like it. Unfortunately, I can't tell what exactly I didn't like because it was quite a long time ago, but I remember being really disappointed with the anime. So, don't waste your time watching the first series, especially when you've already watched Brotherhood, which is so much better. Unless you are very curious what the difference between them is.

it´s okay to watch it. It is fun. There is also an episode they left out of the fmab anime (about yoki). But the story is different. I would recommend it, but it´s not a must

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currently reading: Nyotai-ka
please support me

I haven't seen brotherhood but I've read the manga and the seen the first anime. I much prefer the first anime over the manga, the movie kinda sucks though since it doesn't bother wrapping anything up.

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The first series was done when the manga was still going while the brotherhood was done at the end of the manga, so the deviations aren't really a problem when they originally aired.

If you just want more FMA, just go watch it already.
I watched the first one when it aired and followed the manga at the same time, but when brotherhood came out I wasn't impress with it to keep going. I've seen the movie too and it was alrite if you just wanted some more FMA.

Either way, just watch it, I actually like the humor in the first series better compared to brotherhood, it could very well just be me though...

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Watch it you silly person. Watch it until your eyes bleed.
And then watch it again.
Its good for the most part, just not as good as brotherhood.

manga = brotherhood anime / story is same

FMA split at abt episode 14 or something when they go to meet their teacher....then it takes a alternate storyline...the movie follows alternate story too

all in all aftr the split the characters lose their shine and become bland like cardboard boxes with names on em no chara development and ED X winry doesnt come into play in 1st anime.....they re soo cute together

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best shonen manga couples :

shinichi X ran
natsu X erza
ippo X kumi
naruto X gaara

I liked the first series for the most part. The first anime series goes way off from the manga but it's still a decent story.

the first series was good up until it started changing from the manga, and Al's english voice actor was WAAAY better then. there are some really funny eps of it to-just didn't like the ending to much but it was worth the watch and the way it showed Ed and Al's attempt at transmuting their mother and around that area is way better too.

I say watch it.
There was one particular episode that was hilarious.
Mustang's subordinates think some warehouse is haunted and they get him to investigate with them because he doesn't believe in ghosts. I laughed a lot during that episode. I think it was episode 29 or around there somewhere.

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