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06-15-2008
I'm a bit behind in FMA, but I will say this: I thought the way the anime handled it was the best way to do it, and a blueprint more shows should follow. I've discussed this before, but there are essentially 4 ways a manga is adapted into an anime:
1) directly and completely (i.e. Bleach) - every aspect of the manga is put into the show, some filler typically needed if pacing is off
2) directly and incompletely (i.e. Inuyasha) - every aspect of the manga is put into the show until it's cancelled
3) partial adaptation (i.e. Berserk) - only a portion of the manga is adapted into a show
4) conceptual (i.e. FMA) - the show and manga are fundamentally different, but the concepts it is based on remain the same.
I've always said that FMA handled it best. I thought the show had some flaws (particularly with the Door and Scar), but I loved it and I liked that it deviated from the manga. I hate fillers, and I hate overly long shows. Alchemist straying on its own to keep the length manageable was perfect.
I will say this though: the manga is great. I think it's overcomplicated, and I think some of the pacing is questionable, but overall, I love it. My main problem with it (and with most manga) is that there aren't many "stopping points." It's really one continuous story arch, which is irritating because you never get any resolution about anything in increments. I never liked that with tv shows, US comics, or Japanese manga. I prefer a structure where we can get some closure at some points along the way.
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