Whoever said remakes aren’t perfectly done needs to take a good look at Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The 2009 series is a reboot of the 2003 anime of the same name, but it is so much better. It lived up to the idea and expectations of a reboot, but there’s one anime that needs to do the same.
In particular, this gothic series was all the rage back in the 2000s, and for the right reasons. This is the era of remakes, especially with Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon and others getting their reboots. It only makes sense for this macabre anime to jump on the bandwagon and here’s why.
A 2000s manga that deserves the Fullmetal Alchemist treatment
Hiromu Arakawa is one of the finest mangaka who reshaped the shonen genre through her opus Fullmetal Alchemist. The series is an interesting take on alchemy, magic, politics, power, and humanity. The theme of family and brotherhood intermingles with the core elements of the plot.
Arakawa’s manga was adapted back in 2003 but was rebooted in 2009. The remake to this date stands as a faithful adaptation of the manga. Be it visuals or pacing, the series countered the issues and criticisms effectively. This is why I believe that some reboots outdo the original, but that is not all.
FMAB has an IMDB rating of 9.1/10 and a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but what makes the 2009 version unique is its approach to the manga. It worked out the pacing issues and fleshed out arcs brilliantly, which is remarkable in itself.
Other than that, Bones did a great job of defining the characters and adding depth through their animation. There’s a huge difference between the 2003 Elric and the 2009 Elric. And while we’re at it, I believe there’s an anime that deserves the FMAB treatment.
To be precise, Soul Eater was in vogue back in the 2000s. The character designs, concept, and setting are all too gothic which is why I love the show. But what makes it a novelty is the assemblage of villains and power systems. They have depth, layers, and substance to their personality.
Maka’s flaws and errors make her a relatable and familiar character. Her growth throughout the series is commendable, which also extends to Stein. He is sadistic and apathetic but that changes later on. Above all, though, the series would outdo itself if Tim Burton were to approach it from his perspective.
Soul Eater through Tim Burton’s eyes
Soul Eater is filled with gothic references but that isn’t limited to fashion. Yes, the series has stylish villains with the coolest drip, but it also ties in with cultural references. Stein is fashioned on the famed gothic figure Frankenstein whereas Gorgon Sisters are based on the myth of Medusa and Arachne.
Death Weapon Meister Academy shares certain similarities with Hogwarts in Harry Potter. There’s an interesting fusion of pop culture references along with it as seen in Jack the Ripper and Clown. On top of that, the blend of eerie and macabre vibe instantly reminds us of Tim Burton.
Burton has worked on an array of projects that bring out the eccentricities within the characters. Be it Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands, the outlandish nature is what draws me and many others to his works. Finding peace in the “abnormal” is what makes us seen, heard, and appreciated.
If the reboot is approached from his perspective, it would do very well, in my opinion. This would also boost Atsushi Ohkubo’s recognition as a versatile mangaka. And it fits well with Fire Force manga gaining momentum and notoriety.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is available for streaming on Netflix. Soul Eater is available for streaming on Hulu.
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