Fullmetal Alchemist - Recommendations

Inu230 says...

This may seem like an odd comparison but as I watched Jormungand I was struck by how much it reminded me of FMA. Thus my recommendation is based on the following:

“Nice kids don’t shoot people in the face.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

...

What group of people own the majority of guns?”

“Military, duh.”

“Sorry that’s wrong. It’s civilians.” 

...

“A normal person with a gun will do something he never thought himself capable of.” - Jonah & Koko. Jormungand ep 4 (2012).

x-X-x

“How could a person murder someone for such a ridiculous reason?”

“Because they can, given the slightest provocation anybody can do it. Men have morals, but send them to war and they have no problem slaying each other in the most brutal fashions. Why do you think that is?”

“I have no idea.”

“‘Cause deep down inside we all want to kill.” - Edward Elric & Barry the Chopper. Fullmetal Alchemist ep 8 (2003).

• Take note that the above dialogue comes from from pretty early on in each anime, giving just a bit of time for viewers to get a taste of the world before being directly provided with information that plays such a large role in the respective animes.

x-X-x

Both animes follow a young boy with a tragic past who becomes involved with an organization he can’t stand out of necessity. Both are set in the Western world with European/caucasian characters and names. War, blood, torture, hatred, revenge, religion, pain, suffering, tears, false beliefs and scientific domination permeate both worlds.

Doctors who aid those in need are targeted because the people they patch up continue to fight.

People believe they are acting in the best interest of their country, even if it means killing innocents. People pretend to be what they are not and come to regret their deceit. The lives of good men are lost and the audience weeps.

Adults in both animes look down on the adolescent for his size and age, though only one is sensitive about the teasing, both are constantly reminded, and reminding adults, that they are a child soldier in an unforgiving world. While at the same time both boys are viewed as talented promising individuals and praised for their abilities. The boys have to work hard and make choices that would frighten and that would be incomprehensible to others their age. They are dogs who abide by their master’s commands, for the most part ;)

Characters in both shows are in frequent contact with (overwatched/looked after by) one main adult and a group of other adults who care deeply for the youth. They are constantly thinking about the well-being of the boy while putting them in dangerous and deadly situations.

-X-x-X-

Side Notes: For the Dubbed version English voice-actors lent their talents to characters in both shows as well [a part of the reason I drew connections].

The boys do things that make them hate themself and question their actions but continue to keep walking forward.

Married men keep secrets they’d prefer were never revealed to their spouses/family.

A father obsessed above and beyond the max with his child is present in both anime’s as well.

DIFFERENCES potential viewers may want to be aware of before starting Jormungand or FMA. While neither are exactly family friendly, comparatively Jormungand is darker with more blood, on-screen slaughter, sexual material, exploitation of children and excessive amounts of swearing.

Farla says...

Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fullmetal Alchemist are similar in their themes of exploring questions of fairness, sacrifice, and equivalent exchange within an unfair system.