dragonimp

I'm in the middle of watching the first Brotherhood DVD with my mom, and it's triggered some thoughts. If you want to read my ranting about Brohood it's all under this tag here, but what I wanted to repost and share here are some thoughts about the way Ed's characterization is done in the early stories in the manga:

I’m so used to the Ed we have later on in the series that I forget what he’s like in these early stories, but mom remarked that he comes off as rather cold in the Liore episode. At first I was thinking that because this was the first story Arakawa wrote she might not have had a good sense of their characters yet, but when I thought about Liore and Youswell together and put them against the rest of the series - I think it’s deliberate.

( image heavy behind the cut )

Now that I've had some space from 108 and stepped back for some breathing room, I realized a few things. Foremost, while there were some elements in the ending that left me with a sour taste, it doesn't change everything leading up to it. It's still an amazing series. It's been a long time since I've felt such a strong connection with a set of characters, and I don't think I've ever flailed so much month after month. It has a few tarnished edges and a cheap brass cap, but it's still mostly gold.

The anime - the first anime - falls apart in several places with plot and character, especially in the second half. But it is masterful at telling a story. Even when you're sitting there wondering how in the hell that plot point makes sense and who handed Al the idiot ball, you're still anxious for the next episode. And it kept that up all the way through to the end. The movie had a lot of problems and some cardboard characterization, but it's thrilling and compelling and damn fun to watch. AND it puts an appropriate finishing touch on the saga. Ironically, I didn't like the end of the movie because I found it too depressing, but by damn it fit the story. Happily Ever After is what fanfic is for. Canon needs to be true to itself.

Which brings me back to the manga. In contrast, the manga is expertly plotted and (forced romance aside) has excellent characterization throughout. We see the characters grow and change, but they always stay true to themselves. The storytelling is top-quality as well. It does drag in a few places, but it keeps you coming back and keeps you wanting more.

The ending, on the other hand, slips sideways and stumbles. It forgets what it is. Not completely, but enough to leave that sour taste. An ending shouldn't make you want to write fix-it!fic that makes things less perfect, but that's what it gives me.

But. Up until then, up until canon forgot itself, it's still an amazing piece of storytelling. Arakawa is still one of my idols - I can only wish I could plot that well. The manga is still as dear to me as the anime, and the sub-par ending doesn't change that.

(You might've noticed I didn't mention Brotherhood. It has some good moments, but is overall mediocre and disappointing. But mostly I left it out because it doesn't stand well on its own. It's supplementary material to the manga.)

Well, the scanlation is up.
( some thoughts... )

Beyond that, there's always going to be a let-down when something ends, especially something that's been going on as long as this. May we all continue to find solace in fandom!

I totally did not see that coming. Any. Of. It.

It was so very Ed. And so very ... well, everyone, really. But, she's ended on some evil cliffies before but holy fucking hell.
( Aaaand I'd better put the rest behind a cut )

HOLY FARKING HELL Hohenheim's badass level just ramped up exponentially!
( Aside from that... )

And now I have to get to bed because I have an interview tomorrow morning.

The scanlation is up!

...and, yeah. Not much else to say about it. Because not much happens. This chapter basically reads like set-up for the next chapter. We got one reveal about Scar, and hints that he's been planning something, and that's about it. It's not a bad chapter or anything - just, uh, not really exciting.

Anybody remember what chapter(s) the Ishval flashback was in? I need references for what Roy and Hughes looked like back then.