Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Episode 10 Discussion/Poll

[Oberon]

After seeing both renditions of Hughes' death, the impression I get is that the first series did indeed go for an emphasis of the tragedy of Hughes death, while the 2nd series displays it as a part of a greater puzzle in a thriller or a mystery. After this episode, I feel more like asking questions, like "damn, what exactly did he find out that made him a target?" and "how deep does treachery run in the military?", instead of just mourning a character's death.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall whether the first series ever revealed what Hughes' discovery actually was. Maybe upscaling the emotional impact of his demise was also an attempt to mask over the fact that they didn't really have an answer to that question, as the manga didn't yet cover that when it was first animated. Well, the writer for the 1st series did have a penchant for including human drama, so maybe he didn't even consider that and just went for the opportunity when he saw it.

Aynways, I'm glad that we'll soon be entering territory not covered in the first series. I often get the feeling that the 2nd series suffers a bit from "we have to animate things differently" when there's scenes that are similar in both series, to set things apart. It'll be nice to see how the story will be handled once there's nothing left to compare it to (apart from the manga).

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall whether the first series ever revealed what Hughes' discovery actually was. Maybe upscaling the emotional impact of his demise was also an attempt to mask over the fact that they didn't really have an answer to that question, as the manga didn't yet cover that when it was first animated. Well, the writer for the 1st series did have a penchant for including human drama, so maybe he didn't even consider that and just went for the opportunity when he saw it.

There was something I think he discovered the

Spoiler for 1st anime:

identity of Sloth

but all I will say in terms of this series (no actual details at all in the spoiler just speaking in very general terms but putting it in spoiler tags just in case).

Spoiler for Minor:

you are correct that what he found out here is on a completely different scale.

[Yamada]

Yeah, Kirarakim is right about Hughes' discovery in the original series.

Spoiler for first series:

Hughes noticed that Juliet Douglas (the Fuhrer's secretary) was recorded as dead before the Ishbal rebellion, but then the exact same soldier was promoted to actually becoming the Fuhrer's secretary years later. His realization of this discrepancy lead him to discover her true identity, which ultimately lead to his death via Lust and Envy.

Originally Posted by Oberon

After seeing both renditions of Hughes' death, the impression I get is that the first series did indeed go for an emphasis of the tragedy of Hughes death, while the 2nd series displays it as a part of a greater puzzle in a thriller or a mystery. After this episode, I feel more like asking questions, like "damn, what exactly did he find out that made him a target?" and "how deep does treachery run in the military?", instead of just mourning a character's death.

I completely agree with you. I noticed it particularly in the musical score surrounding Hughes' death as well. It really did have a feeling of suspense and mystery to it. Brotherhood is doing a good job of getting the viewer to think about the underlying motives and corruption within the military (at least for this episode - I doubt the next episode in Rush Valley will have anything to do with it ).

[BetoJR]

Well, this was different. I don't remember being teary-eyed at the funeral scene the first two times (manga and anime). Dunno if it was Roy's voice at the end, or just the mood of it all (the detail of the Generalissimo's shaking was superb, IMHO), but... it just clicked, I guess. Great episode, for me. Hope more like it come soon.

[forgottendiary]

Nothing ever blunts Hughes' death for me. *weeps uncontrollably*

[rpgman1]

Hughes' death always gets me and when Eliza asked about Daddy. She starts crying and screaming for him. It is truly tragic. The music made it more of mystery and suspense.

[kitten320]

Haven't watched it yet, will do it today.

[Evil Sis]

Originally Posted by BetoJR

Well, this was different. I don't remember being teary-eyed at the funeral scene the first two times (manga and anime). Dunno if it was Roy's voice at the end, or just the mood of it all (the detail of the Generalissimo's shaking was superb, IMHO), but... it just clicked, I guess. Great episode, for me. Hope more like it come soon.

I'm right with you there, sir. Love this ep! ^^

[Kinny Riddle]

Rest In Peace Hughes. It was fun having you back for another 10 episodes since the first anime, but in the end, you had to leave us. Rest assured you'll be remembered fondly.

[Kirvee]

Elicia at the funeral was very heartbreaking. Poor little girl ;-;.

[White Manju Bun]

This epi really did an excellent job juggling the comedy and drama. Still one of my fave scenes is when Bradley comes to visit Ed and everyones reaction to it. Then Bradley leaving out the window later.

Hughes's funeral was amazing. I loved it in the first series, I loved it in the manga, I loved it this time too. Still hard to watch.

[kitten320]

I don't know about you guys but for me it was the best episode out of all 10 that were done till now. It might be not that powerful as in 1st season but I still enjoyed it a lot.
And Roy made it even better. The moment at graveyard with burrying was kinda rushed but Alicia's voice had much better effect on me here as well as when Roy started to cry.

And on side note... Rize is so kind and understanding! Roy is really lucky to have her by his side!

[Sackett]

Originally Posted by Mystique

In that sense, I guess I'd have to see if any readers of the manga who saw this in text before FMA 1 was aired and now seeing what you've read animated scene for scene feel the same.
Which tugged your heartstrings the most? Which do you prefer now seeing both versions animated.
The result is the same but the approaches were very different.
I guess Roy's lines of
"It's going to rain"
tugged my heartstrings a little and Hughes parting words to his daughter, but that was as sad as I got, no tissues for me.
I was too busy trying to keep tabs with the pace of the story since they'd moved on already.

Anyways, I've a feeling that FMA 1 + FMA 2 similarities are ending real soon now. Wanna ask a quick question, please answer in spoilers too since it's to do with the preview.

Spoiler:

The automail town that the trio end up at, they meet a young boy in the town. Was that in FMA 1 cause at this point, my brain is getting fuzzy meaning it's turning to manga only storylines and I'm gonna go into hiding xD

Okay, rant over I feel better xD
But yeah, I didn't think anger was an emotion I was gonna get from this ep, but there you go.
It'll be interesting to see how others feel, manga readers, FMA 1 series watchers and people who've never seen FMA at all alike.

I have to say I read the manga, and watched FMA1 and I far preferred the FMA1 anime version. Why? because Hughes had been there since the boys left home. That is what gave it more impact. In addition to all the other little things they did. FMA1 did a really good job of expanding the starting parts of the manga- greatly improving it- little things like Ed being involved in arresting Barry the Chopper- the extra time given to developing Al's worry about where he came from (not remembering certain things/people, ect).

The manga does rush the opening and set up compared to the FMA 1 anime- there is only one small difference in the plot that actually effects anything that I can think of- and that is that the homoculii in the manga/FMA 2 don't want Ed to create a philosopher stone for them to make them human. Instead they want Ed to survive because he's "a special sacrifice".

The difference in the storyline is about to become much bigger in the next couple episodes, and when it does you will start to see why so many people prefer the manga. Even though FMA 1 had a better setup and start, the manga/FMA 2 version develops the story themes better- in terms of what the homoculii are, there purpose- and who Ed and Al's father is.

Personally- I just splice the two together in my mind- that way I can enjoy the better FMA1 setup, and also the better climax of the manga.

PS: for your spoiler, yes it is in FMA1, we still probably have at least 2 and maybe 3 episodes that will follow the FMA1 plot before diverging.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Sackett

the extra time given to developing Al's worry about where he came from (not remembering certain things/people, ect).

Personally this is something I disliked about the first series. I didn't think they needed to spend extra time on this and I felt they just dragged out Al's angst unnecessarily and then resolved it in a poor fashion during the middle of a fight scene. Not to mention why would Al be losing his memories? Never explained thus to me it was a poorly written subplot.


I will agree that how the anime expanded some of the manga's early subplots were a nice touch, especially the Nina and Hughes storyline. Nina & Hughes were minor characters in the manga who became major characters in the anime. But at least for Hughes you have to consider that in the 1st anime he died at episode 25 the series 1/2 way point. In this series he dies at episode 10/Vol 4 of the manga. It's not even close to the half way point of the manga storyline. In fact Hughes died at the very early stages of the manga. That in itself is an important difference that people need to realize when judging the two versions. In comparison episode 10 of the 1st series was a side story about some female thief.

[duckroll]

Originally Posted by Sackett

PS: for your spoiler, yes it is in FMA1, we still probably have at least 2 and maybe 3 episodes that will follow the FMA1 plot before diverging.

Ep14 will be the final episode which features any FMA1 content.

[GaimeGuy]

Originally Posted by duckroll

Ep14 will be the final episode which features any FMA1 content.

And the majority of the ep should be new, if they focus on the things the corresponding manga chapter(s) focuses on primarily.

[Somnus]

I'll start off by saying this...I really am enjoying this series, and I can never get enough of Ed and Winry. As far as this episode is concerned though, I'm going to have to jump on the boat waving the "1st anime Hughes was better" flag.
I do understand the difference in circumstance between the two shows, but I just like how the death was portrayed in the 1st one so much better (with Hughes as a major character). Though that being said, seeing Elicia at the funeral and what she says will always get to me.

[kenecix]

Rest in Peace...

[Guido]

I won't like in the least how the current FMA series is going to give the full account of what really happened in the Ishbal War, not because of bad script-writing.
On the contrary, I'll be of the first looking towards it. But, because it'll be both painfully and heartlessly cruel to watch, nonetheless, that's still for an uncertain future to happen.

Anyways, this time around the new animation staff chose to treat the audience with Hughes's very last breath. It totally shook when Roy picked-up the phone, and the line was hung up after no one answered his responses from the other side.

Spoiler:

While in the first FMA series Hughes's death meant for a dramatic turning point in the storyline's scope, this time around it made for a big impact for the show's climax point in that episode.

That's Mustang not feeling threatened and not flinching in the least to climb the ladder of power to find out the truth.

Moreover, the music played a pivotal part in the whole mess, because it warns of dangers that are uncertain and ahead to the main characters to know about.

It's about a higher power, which Hughes likely found out after deducing what they did in Ishbal and then Lior; someone's manipulating the military power to spark wars but for what reason... ?

Whatever was it was too much of a sensitive secret for Hughes to pry his eyes upon, which forced that power to summon Lust and Envy to finish him for good.

We're almost to reach the converging point where the second FMA series will go separate ways from the first FMA series in concern to the plotline, that's coming really soon.

[Catnipcat]

I'll put it simple:
I do think Oberon has a point there. Now in my own words:
This time it's more grown-up. You get my point, I hope? It's getting darker. It's geting scary.