FUNimation Acquires Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

[Chris Beveridge]

FUNimation has acquired digital, broadcast, DVD and merchandising rights to the megahit anime series “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” from Aniplex and debuting on Japan’s MBS and TBS nationally at 5:00 pm on April 5th.

Starting Thursday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m., FUNimation will deliver high-quality, free, original Japanese dialogue accompanied by English subtitles...

More... (http://www.mania.com/funimation-acquires-fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood_article_114186.html)

[malazar]

Cool. It will be nice to watch this free and with no remorse. :sdsmiley:

[DJ_72]

Excellent news, though not surprising. Even after watching the subs, I'll still want to see the English version.

[Damius]

I was wondering, to this continue the story after the first series and ignore the movie?

[something]

I was wondering, to this continue the story after the first series and ignore the movie?
No, it basically throws out all FMA anime so far and redoes the show from the start, following the manga more closely.

Though from what I understand, the first half of the first FMA anime isn't all that different from the manga, so I don't know how different Brotherhood will be. The second half is completely different, I hear. But still very good, so if this means I get to watch a good show twice and experience different things each time, then I'm quite happy the first anime diverged.

[UEHacker]

I was wondering, to this continue the story after the first series and ignore the movie?
No, it basically throws out all FMA anime so far and redoes the show from the start, following the manga more closely.

Though from what I understand, the first half of the first FMA anime isn't all that different from the manga, so I don't know how different Brotherhood will be. The second half is completely different, I hear. But still very good, so if this means I get to watch a good show twice and experience different things each time, then I'm quite happy the first anime diverged.

First bit of FMA is actually pretty different compared to the manga, similar yes but the anime was putting it's own twist on things from the very beginning.

[Damius]

I was wondering, to this continue the story after the first series and ignore the movie?
No, it basically throws out all FMA anime so far and redoes the show from the start, following the manga more closely.

Though from what I understand, the first half of the first FMA anime isn't all that different from the manga, so I don't know how different Brotherhood will be. The second half is completely different, I hear. But still very good, so if this means I get to watch a good show twice and experience different things each time, then I'm quite happy the first anime diverged.

First bit of FMA is actually pretty different compared to the manga, similar yes but the anime was putting it's own twist on things from the very beginning.

Ok thank you both for the clarification.

[kit-kat]

And it's free! Awesome :D ! I don't like watching stuff on my comp, but I'll make an exception to check out at least the first couple of episodes :D!

[Buckeye]

Though everybody expected this to happen, it is still a great thing.

[Mafty Allegro]

I didn't like the first series, but I have been sort of anxious to see how this new closer-to-the-source version turns out (though a chunk of that is primarily due to Akira Senju providing the score). It's good to hear FUNimation make the show available for free online viewing, not that it was too surprising for them to pre-license it a la Shikabane Hime. Hope it will be worth it in end...

On another note, it is a little surprising to see so many different places internationally offer the series up for viewing in their respective region, even for a show as popular as the former. Still, it's a good sign of the prospects and merits of digital distribution.

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

This is terrific. Can't wait to watch it on Funimation.com. I just hope they can retain most if not all of the original version dub cast when the DVDs start to come out.

[boogiecat]

Wow its a good thing that FUNimation did the same thing that Animax Asia did with the airing of this a must see anime!!

[The Adventurer]

Will Funimation continue to bring the show over each week as it airs? It'll be interesting to watch a show practically as it airs over seas through legit channels (hope it comes HD streaming)

Its certainly a distribution model I'd support fully if more shows/distributors took advantage of it.

And for the shows I really liked, buying the DVD release for posterity would certainly be something I'd still want to do. So its just like watching TV shows on TV in that respect.

I honestly didn't like FMA, but I'm willing to give this a shot, maybe it'll be just different enough to fix all of my problems with the original. We'll see.

[El Santos]

This is great, awesome Funi your amazing. Thank you with a tear drop running down my face.

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

I just hope that there severs will be able support the sure flood of people that will want to watch the first episode on day one.

[WTK]

I very rarely watch anime online nowadays, but I will make an exception to this. I'm definitely looking forward to this.

[mike.motaku]

I do like hyperbole. A show that NO ONE has seen even one episode of is already a "mega hit"?

Really?

For me, once was enough. I liked the first one enough that I have no interest in seeing a reloaded version more faithful to a manga I've never read.

[magicalgirlj]

this is good news. I will definaly check this out

[Richard J.]

I just hope that there severs will be able support the sure flood of people that will want to watch the first episode on day one.Let's just hope there will be a flood. Tell any anime fans you know to go to Funi's video portal and prepare for the day.

[aquastar831]

I just hope that there severs will be able support the sure flood of people that will want to watch the first episode on day one.Let's just hope there will be a flood. Tell any anime fans you know to go to Funi's video portal and prepare for the day.

As I told a friend of mine last night, if I end up watching FMA 2, it's Funimation for me hands down. This is quite exciting as there's no better time than now for a revival of the series, and I'm sure all of us remember the peak of popularity of series and even now how it still has its staying power.

Now, a few of you are wondering about the first sentence, right? I'm going to go on a slight rant for a moment against some fansub groups. I guess I should've expected this to happen. But still, seriously? In the past two days, let's just say it's getting ridiculous with fansubbers crossing the line. There's no reason for them to sub it, yet they still do it. And not just one group either.

Funimation did an excellent job with the first series, and they'll do so once again. They're making a huge push to get one of the hottest titles out there fast for the fans, yet we see this with fansub groups. What we can do as fans is let people know that they can watch it streamed online by Funimation themselves which is THE best option.

Anyways, like some of you mentioned, I'm interested to see how many hits Funimation's server gets when they start streaming ep 1.

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

Well when it comes to this show I say fuck fan subs I WILL support Funimation and only watch it on there site.

That being said I did check out the opening title sequence over at youtube mainly casue I wanted to hear the new opening theme song ("Again" by Yui ) and going solely on that the animation looks amazing and better that the first series. However I am basing that off 1:30 seconds of footage and still need to see the sereis outright. Can't wait for Thursday.

[Mazinkaizer]

That's very good news, i hope that Funi has the BD option as well since the show is broadcasted in HD already. Well i see no reason for Funi not to acquire it or not to be given the BD rights for it (from the parent company).

[Takato]

I live in the U.S. so it won't effect me if it's not, I'm just curious to know, but will these streaming episodes be available to anime fans outside the U.S., like in the UK or Canada, or will it exclusively be available to the U.S. only? Will Funi be releasing FMA2 in half-season sets like they're doing with One Piece or will they be releasing it with singles? And what are the chances we'll get the OST for this released in the U.S., too? Has Funi made any hints about airing the series on Adult Swim?

[Shirou Emiya]

My Questions:

1.) When will Fullmetal Alchemist (2): Brotherhood be english dubbed?

2.) Where will Fullmetal Alchemist (2): Brotherhood be released english dubbed?

3.) How will Fullmetal Alchemist (2): Brotherhood be released english dubbed?

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

1. Once a good number of episodes is available to start the dubbing.
2. North America from Funimation Entertainment. Other english speaking countries at other times by other companies.
3. The same way the first show was done.

[zerok]

Well when it comes to this show I say fuck fan subs I WILL support Funimation and only watch it on there site.

My sentiments exactly, I will support FUNimation the entire way with this release.

[aquastar831]

Same here. Since I'm usually a very busy person, I'm not in a huge rush in that I have to see it as soon as it broadcasts. 4 days is a good turnaround time. I do have to laugh at some people who call it "fail" because that's "too long". Sorry, but that indicates to me that to people that are THAT impatient and say that, there's seriously something wrong.

I support Funimation on this release, no question about it. The nice and simple subs on ep 1 actually looked more attractive to me, and you would think you were watching the DVD already by how it looks.

This is what fans have been asking for, and Funimation is delivering. What more could you ask for, right?

[Shirou Emiya]

1. Once a good number of episodes is available to start the dubbing.
2. North America from Funimation Entertainment. Other english speaking countries at other times by other companies.
3. The same way the first show was done.

When would it probably start being released to DVD in the U.S.?

[Prede]

1. Once a good number of episodes is available to start the dubbing.
2. North America from Funimation Entertainment. Other english speaking countries at other times by other companies.
3. The same way the first show was done.

When would it probably start being released to DVD in the U.S.?

Hard to say, but seeing how their recent licenses are aimed for early 2010 that's not a bad estimate. It won't be too long. I suspect this to be released in their normal 12ish episode box sets. Makes the most sense to me anyway.

Anyway I don't really care. Not interested in this show. Never cared for the first one either. Sorry...

[Shirou Emiya]

1. Once a good number of episodes is available to start the dubbing.
2. North America from Funimation Entertainment. Other english speaking countries at other times by other companies.
3. The same way the first show was done.

When would it probably start being released to DVD in the U.S.?

1.) Hard to say, but seeing how their recent licenses are aimed for early 2010 that's not a bad estimate. It won't be too long. I suspect this to be released in their normal 12ish episode box sets. Makes the most sense to me anyway.

2.) Anyway I don't really care. Not interested in this show. Never cared for the first one either. Sorry...

1.) Ah, okay, that does make sense, thanks for your input, I highly appreciate and value it :)!

2.) That's ok, everyone has their own opinions and beliefs.

By the way, if you don't care for the entire franchise, then why even post in the thread?

[Prede]

By the way, if you don't care for the entire franchise, then why even post in the thread?

Because I had some info that could be of some use to you ;)

[Shirou Emiya]

By the way, if you don't care for the entire franchise, then why even post in the thread?

Because I had some info that could be of some use to you ;)

Aww shucks, thanks, you're so nice to meh pal :).

*sends friend request & PM*

Oh, I guess I'm done talking in this thread, so *ends off-topic convo before it gets out of hand*