Comments on: A love letter to FMA: Brotherhood #19 and why I love anime http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/ Anime fan forever Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:59:24 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Gan_HOPE326 http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-40799 Gan_HOPE326 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:04:45 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-40799 Yes, I have to say, I totally agree with you. It's style: nothing more than this. I'm a reader of the FMA manga, so I have to say, surely I appreciate its contents (characters, plot, the underlying reflections about the use, or misuse, of science and how the Ishbal war recalls of similar, but way more real, episodes that happen everyday in our world); but after all, why am I watching the anime too? It all comes back to this: things coming finally to life, and giving you unsuspected emotions thanks to the use of music, thanks to good animation, thanks to art. I have to say, it already happened with episode 8 (the fight in Lab n.5), which was quite good, while the fight against Greed was a huge missed chance. But this! Lust's death was... well... lustful :). And since this episode, looks like the quality standards aren't going to drop. It's really changed course, this anime. It could become one of the best ever. Yes, I have to say, I totally agree with you. It’s style: nothing more than this. I’m a reader of the FMA manga, so I have to say, surely I appreciate its contents (characters, plot, the underlying reflections about the use, or misuse, of science and how the Ishbal war recalls of similar, but way more real, episodes that happen everyday in our world); but after all, why am I watching the anime too? It all comes back to this: things coming finally to life, and giving you unsuspected emotions thanks to the use of music, thanks to good animation, thanks to art. I have to say, it already happened with episode 8 (the fight in Lab n.5), which was quite good, while the fight against Greed was a huge missed chance. But this! Lust’s death was… well… lustful :) . And since this episode, looks like the quality standards aren’t going to drop. It’s really changed course, this anime. It could become one of the best ever.

]]> By: Xerox http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-39796 Xerox Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:06:21 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-39796 My god, I love you. After I finished the episode, the first on my mind was to check your blog for an FMA post and you have no idea how much I appreciate the fact that you wrote one. I've been dying to see this one chapter animated from manga and it was, in fact, the reason I watched the original FMA series. Though, sadly they left it out. But, my god, I thought the exact same thing after I finished 19: "What I love about anime is watching something like this spark into life. The movement itself is a joy, the use of music and sound, that is anime." Those two sentences represent, by and large, the meaning of my life. My god, I love you. After I finished the episode, the first on my mind was to check your blog for an FMA post and you have no idea how much I appreciate the fact that you wrote one. I’ve been dying to see this one chapter animated from manga and it was, in fact, the reason I watched the original FMA series. Though, sadly they left it out.

But, my god, I thought the exact same thing after I finished 19: “What I love about anime is watching something like this spark into life. The movement itself is a joy, the use of music and sound, that is anime.” Those two sentences represent, by and large, the meaning of my life.

]]> By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-39042 bateszi Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:46:16 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-39042 <a href='#comment-38884' rel="nofollow">@Shirogetsu</a> - I still remember that argument, in fact I just had a look for it on AUKN but it seems to have been lost to internet heaven. It's funny how things work, probably more than 5 years later and we're still here, talking about FMA! :) @Shirogetsu – I still remember that argument, in fact I just had a look for it on AUKN but it seems to have been lost to internet heaven. It’s funny how things work, probably more than 5 years later and we’re still here, talking about FMA! :)

]]> By: Shirogetsu http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38884 Shirogetsu Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:04:51 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38884 Hey Paul, it's me, Lupus from AUKN. Ain't read your blog in a long time, but I'm glad you're enjoying new FMA, I remember when he had that argument back in the day about the first anime being bad/good (Well, I thought it was bad after reading the manga, still do, but it's not terrible). I've been keeping up with new FMA, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, but lately I feel it's been lacking, this is something you may not feel due to never reading the manga, of course. A lot of scenes altered in terms of direction, scenes taken out etc. Regardless it's still a good watch. Episode 19 has sparked up some decent reception, mostly claiming Mustang to be GAR (Ugh...) after him crushing Lust. Still, this is only the beginning for FMA, there's much better scenes, this is just one of many, I do hope they're given the same amount of quality if not better. Hey Paul, it’s me, Lupus from AUKN. Ain’t read your blog in a long time, but I’m glad you’re enjoying new FMA, I remember when he had that argument back in the day about the first anime being bad/good (Well, I thought it was bad after reading the manga, still do, but it’s not terrible). I’ve been keeping up with new FMA, I’m thoroughly enjoying it, but lately I feel it’s been lacking, this is something you may not feel due to never reading the manga, of course. A lot of scenes altered in terms of direction, scenes taken out etc. Regardless it’s still a good watch. Episode 19 has sparked up some decent reception, mostly claiming Mustang to be GAR (Ugh…) after him crushing Lust. Still, this is only the beginning for FMA, there’s much better scenes, this is just one of many, I do hope they’re given the same amount of quality if not better.

]]> By: Kim http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38782 Kim Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:40:32 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38782 I understand what you are saying. And you are right the fight scene in this episode was really beautiful. And as a medium animation can capture some things that manga cannot. Action scenes definitely look better animated (at least they should) and this fight was a great example.. But overall I would say the animation of Brotherhood has not added much to the manga scenes. In the first place the FMA manga has a very cinematic feel to it. I understand what you are saying. And you are right the fight scene in this episode was really beautiful. And as a medium animation can capture some things that manga cannot. Action scenes definitely look better animated (at least they should) and this fight was a great example..

But overall I would say the animation of Brotherhood has not added much to the manga scenes. In the first place the FMA manga has a very cinematic feel to it.

]]> By: bateszi http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38772 bateszi Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:05:08 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38772 @Omisyth I guess it's just anime's way of transforming something violent into something beautiful. When it happens like this, it's wonderful. @gaguri ...Which has been my modus operandi for a few years now! I daren't even imagine anime like Casshern Sins without the aesthetic. @Kim & Sorrow-kun It's true that not all good anime needs great animation. Cross Game and Monster are fine examples of that, but I suppose my point was that Cross Game and Monster are great stories regardless of medium; I'm not watching them because I'm an anime fan, but rather because I enjoy their stories, so I could read the Cross Game or Monster manga and feel exactly the same way about them, but it's different with anime like this episode of FMA, or something like Gankutsuou, it's precisely the way they are animated and presented that makes them so special, when the style becomes the substance and every tiny flicker of detail reveals as much about a character as any amount of dialogue and plot could hope to achieve. @0rion I know what you mean, it's like great animation feels more alive than live action, which seems like a contradictory thing to say, but may be it's just easier to escape into animation? @Omisyth

I guess it’s just anime’s way of transforming something violent into something beautiful. When it happens like this, it’s wonderful.

@gaguri

…Which has been my modus operandi for a few years now! I daren’t even imagine anime like Casshern Sins without the aesthetic.

@Kim & Sorrow-kun

It’s true that not all good anime needs great animation. Cross Game and Monster are fine examples of that, but I suppose my point was that Cross Game and Monster are great stories regardless of medium; I’m not watching them because I’m an anime fan, but rather because I enjoy their stories, so I could read the Cross Game or Monster manga and feel exactly the same way about them, but it’s different with anime like this episode of FMA, or something like Gankutsuou, it’s precisely the way they are animated and presented that makes them so special, when the style becomes the substance and every tiny flicker of detail reveals as much about a character as any amount of dialogue and plot could hope to achieve.

@0rion

I know what you mean, it’s like great animation feels more alive than live action, which seems like a contradictory thing to say, but may be it’s just easier to escape into animation?

]]> By: 0rion http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38763 0rion Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:08:41 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38763 There's something unique and visceral about a fluid, well-animated fight sequence that I find fascinating. As much as I love a good live action sequence, animation produces some intangible quality that makes it seem much more artistically and aesthetically impressive, in my opinion. There’s something unique and visceral about a fluid, well-animated fight sequence that I find fascinating. As much as I love a good live action sequence, animation produces some intangible quality that makes it seem much more artistically and aesthetically impressive, in my opinion.

]]> By: Kim http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38758 Kim Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:26:49 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38758 I know the anime and manga are not exactly the same thing but I certainly did not fall in love with the FMA storyline in the manga these past 5 years for its style (and no it's not the fight scenes either although those can be exciting). It was for its well thought out plot, setting, and wonderful characters (both major & minor). I mean was this episode just a fight between Lust & Roy. We also saw Riza break down and almost give up because what she thought happened to Roy. We saw Al not give up on her. We saw Roy's worry for Havoc. We saw Winry waiting for Al and her happiness at his return. These are the moments that make me love the FMA story. sorry for the double post :) I know the anime and manga are not exactly the same thing but I certainly did not fall in love with the FMA storyline in the manga these past 5 years for its style (and no it’s not the fight scenes either although those can be exciting). It was for its well thought out plot, setting, and wonderful characters (both major & minor).

I mean was this episode just a fight between Lust & Roy. We also saw Riza break down and almost give up because what she thought happened to Roy. We saw Al not give up on her. We saw Roy’s worry for Havoc. We saw Winry waiting for Al and her happiness at his return. These are the moments that make me love the FMA story.

sorry for the double post :)

]]> By: Sorrow-kun http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38755 Sorrow-kun Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:10:50 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38755 <blockquote>The movement, the music and the action were so good, and because, by and large, I don't watch anime for plots or characters. For those things, I read books.</blockquote> Well, I don't subscribe to this notion, so I wasn't all too impressed by this episode. I mean, it was good for what it was, but it was just another sign to me that FMA isn't making a concerted effort to separate itself from the bulk of the genre. Style is important in anime, but substance is still king. Anime like Cross Game prove that.

The movement, the music and the action were so good, and because, by and large, I don’t watch anime for plots or characters. For those things, I read books.

Well, I don’t subscribe to this notion, so I wasn’t all too impressed by this episode. I mean, it was good for what it was, but it was just another sign to me that FMA isn’t making a concerted effort to separate itself from the bulk of the genre. Style is important in anime, but substance is still king. Anime like Cross Game prove that.

]]> By: Kim http://www.bateszi.me/2009/08/15/a-love-letter-to-fma-brotherhood-19-and-why-i-love-anime/#comment-38754 Kim Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:09:34 +0000 http://www.bateszi.me/?p=1047#comment-38754 The animation of the Lust Vs Roy fight was beautiful. I am sure Arakawa will be pleased since she said it was one of the moments she was most excited to see. I just wish the series kept up this standard. It seems they flip flop when it comes to animation. Some episodes are animated beautifully like this and episode 14. Others like episode 17 and 18 not so much. But I watch anime for the story and style. I think I need a combination of both. And while it is true you can get a good story just be reading a book if I have to give up great animation or a great story. I probably would give up the great animation. Although of course the best anime series should have both. The animation of the Lust Vs Roy fight was beautiful. I am sure Arakawa will be pleased since she said it was one of the moments she was most excited to see. I just wish the series kept up this standard. It seems they flip flop when it comes to animation. Some episodes are animated beautifully like this and episode 14. Others like episode 17 and 18 not so much.

But I watch anime for the story and style. I think I need a combination of both. And while it is true you can get a good story just be reading a book if I have to give up great animation or a great story. I probably would give up the great animation. Although of course the best anime series should have both.

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