What is the Difference Between FMA and Brotherhood?

The main differences between Fullmetal Alchemist (FMA) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (FMAB) are their faithfulness to the manga, tone, main antagonists, and endings. Here are the key differences:

1. Faithfulness to the manga: FMAB is more faithful to the original manga, while the original FMA series branched off from the manga's storyline as it was being made. FMAB follows the manga's storyline from beginning to end, whereas FMA explores ideas that were only briefly touched upon in the manga.
2. Tone: FMA has a darker, more serious, and moody tone, while FMAB is more cheerful, inspirational, and hopeful. The characters in FMA are shell-shocked and struggling to cope in a hostile setting, whereas the characters in FMAB are determined and driven by goals and visions for the future.
3. Main antagonists: In FMA, Wrath is a failed homunculus, while in FMAB, Wrath is Fuhrer Bradley, and Pride is his son. The identities of Pride and Wrath are entirely different between the two series.
4. Endings: FMA ends with its movie, Conqueror of Shamballa, which sends Edward into an alternate dimension. On the other hand, FMAB faithfully adapts the manga's ending, tying up every plot point and character in a beautiful and organic fashion.

Overall, while the two series share many similarities, they diverge in their adaptations, tones, and endings. FMAB is considered more faithful to the original manga, while FMA explores its own unique storyline.

Comparative Table: FMA vs Brotherhood

The two Fullmetal Alchemist anime adaptations, Fullmetal Alchemist (FMA) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (FMAB), have several differences. Here is a table summarizing the main differences between the two:

In summary, FMAB is more faithful to the manga and has a more action-oriented and comedic tone, while the original FMA takes a character-driven approach and diverges from the manga to tell its own story.