This episode of FMA was based on the first chapter of the manga, wasn't it? It also looked very similar to what I remember of the first episode of the first anime.

I really like how wise/cynical Ed sounds when he's discussing God and miracles - especially knowing what he's already been through. We hadn't seen that yet in the first anime.

I also think that's why this episode feels a little lesser now. In the first anime, this episode served to introduce concepts and background of our main characters, but we've already had that in the two episodes previously, so the only reason this is still included is to set up the plot arc. But it's robbed a little of its significance on its own.

XWA

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First two chapters, IIRC, which is why the pacings a bit off.

Yeah, even from people criticising the episode as a whole there seems to be approval of Ed's characterisation in it.

But you make a good point there at the end - it's very much an introductory type episode, and since it's no longer an introduction, it's been made slightly redundant. I also have this thing where I find that introductory episodes, though necessary, tend to be much weaker than the rest of the series they introduce.

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