The reason that i like FMA is because of the attractive visuals, and the somewhat interesting plot. However, i find that the character development is somewhat lacking, as the main characters are frustrated by the exact same thing and react the exact same way every single time that it happens. "Oh my god i cant believe that we came so close to finding the philosopher's stone, and then we didnt. Darn." Just gets kinda repetetive and also, eventually the jokes about his height get REALLY FREAKING ANNOYING! But apart from crappy (main) characters and overused punchlines, its pretty damn good.

     I'm not sure how altered the American version was. I'm watching the straight up Japanese style one. So far (I'm on episode 13ish) the philosopher's stone has been an over-arching plot, but they really haven't cared about getting it so much as watching the horrible pain and suffering it causes for others. They go for it... kind of forget about it, then save the town and say: "Where should we go look next?" I kind of like the short jokes though! But they can get on your nerves if used more than once an episode.

No, its the same thing in american version. Most episodes its just a catylyst for the plot of the episode, but sometimes its the main shtick. I love how you describe how they just go around watching other people suffer. it makes it seem like they're going around going "I say al, why that person looks like hes in horrible pain" "I say!" "Perhaps it has to do with the philosophers stone?" "yes, yes, perhaps perhaps" which isnt really what they're going like at all. They're NICE TO PEOPLE! (kind of sickeningly so) tahts why scar is such a breath of fresh air, because all he does is go around and blow peoples limbs apart. (And their brains... TEHEHEHE)

     Well... true, they are good people. They just sort of seem to bring death and destruction wherever they go.

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