Fullmetal Alchemist: Watch or Not?

The 2003 version is not related to Brotherhood. It's pretty much an original story using FMA characters, while Brotherhood is an actual adaptation of the manga. Opinions differ over which is better.

I'd say it's worth it.

While I prefer Brotherhood overall (it's much closer to the manga), the original has some story and character development elements I found to be better. I would watch both starting with the original (at least until the story takes a left turn), and then watch Brotherhood.

U have to watch both fma and fmab, fmab for the epic manga story, and fma for a twist thats worth watching

I would really recommend watching it.

If you do decide to watch 'Fullmetal alchemist' over brotherhood, I would just like to state that there is a sequel movie to that series, which is called "Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa" it continues the story two years after the end of the main series.

The FMA franchise is definitely not like typical shounen. I'd highly recommend both series. Brotherhood is a better adaptation of the manga (which I love), but considering what the 2003 FMA had to work with (in terms of manga chapters), it's still very good.

I far as i know FMAB and FMA are not realted.
FMA - apparently is a story that at the begging was following the manga but later on went by itself where as FMAB is a full manga replication.
I didn't watch the FMA however I have to say that FMAB is anime that is the closest to 'perfection' out of all the anime currentley out (ate least to me).

There's a reason that this is one of the few "entry level" shows that still has good reception among snobby elitists. Watch 'em. Or read the manga. Both are good options.
Also, just gotta point out that Death Note isn't exactly "long," especially not by shounen standards.

As someone who hasn't seen FMA nor FMA:B yet, but have read a lot of reviews on both as well as asked for various points of view on the series around, I have in the end decided to certainly watch FMA:B while skip FMA. While FMA is not understood as a bad product under any means, FMA:B is just supposedly a masterful recreation of the title. I'm also the type that would give only one a shot due to characters-per-time preference (I want to see different characters in less time), so FMA:B comes before FMA if only one has to be chosen between the two.

Regarding the length and comparison to Death Note as I've seen discussed above, Death Note is a 3-cour, FMA is a 4-cour, and FMA:B is a 5-cour. Basically, 2-cour is many times understood as a full season, meaning that all of the listed are longer than that and can be marked as relatively long series.

Regarding the necessity of watching one to understand the other, as said by the others, there is none. That's why going directly and only to FMA:B would not be a wrong decision made in any way, if you were to do that in the end. I will do it, but if you don't have issues like time pressure, getting bored of the same characters, as well as want to complete the franchise fully or something, then it's cool watching them both - they are supposedly both top notch.

I strongly suggest watching it. The story line and characters are all great, and overall it's a great show. To me, Brotherhood was even better, but it's better to watch the original first (this is mainly because of some events that occur in both, but are stretched out, not in a bad way, in the original, and are shortened in Brotherhood). Either way, they're both awesome shows that I recommend to anyone.

I hope this comment made some sense XD

Either FMA or FMAB works with everyone.
When a series has two versions (or even more) I usually watch the oldest and here wasnt different. And I agree with MrsSaitou.

So my resume:
Would like to see something darker and that just the beginning is like the manga with a curious endpoint? See FMA (2006)
Would like to see something that has better overall (better animation and so on) and with a script with a decent beginning-middle-and-end just like in the manga? See FMAB.

2003 followed the manga up to a point and then it became it's own thing, with Brotherhood following the manga from beginning to end.

2003 is thematically richer compared to Brotherhood with more depth given to both the protagonists and antagonists (especially the origin of the Homunculus) of the series while focusing more on the themes presented through out the story, which is executed better in this series. The movie sequel (Conqueror of Shamballa) is pretty awful with it's writing and while the TV series does hint towards some events for it, I would not recommend the movie.

Brotherhood is a better shonen fighting series, so if you're in the mood for something that will get you hyped for some intense fights, this is a better series for that. It suffers from some pacing and tone issues within the first thirteen episodes, given how they rush many aspects at the cost of some very genuine moments that should have received much more attention. This is mainly due to the fact that Brotherhood had expected you to watch the 2003 version, as the pacing issues more or less stop when the 2003 version became it's own thing.

Both have characters that are handled better depending on the series ex: 2003 - Envy, Wrath, FMAB - Greed, Pride

Both "main" villains are pretty lame.

Both are really good, I'd recommend both (Preferably 2003 first and then Brotherhood)

I was about to write a long post but @MexicanAnime pretty much sum up all I wanted to say. All I would really add, and I think this should already be apparent if you've read that post, but while I think you should probably watch at least one FMA's take into account what you enjoy in shows. If you enjoy slower more character driven stories, then you will probably be drawn more towards 2003. While if you want something to keep you hooked with good action and a broader more conclusive plot line thee Brotherhood is going to be more your thing.

It's hard to explain with out going into spoiler territory but 2003 is willing to take some of the main characters in to much darker and morally ambiguous territory than Brotherhood ever didYes I'm looking at you Roy Mustang

Also 2003 while less annoying than Brotherhoods early pacing issues has some really mediocre/bad filler in the first 10 episodes or so .

Finally as for the film, The Conqueror of Shamballa I feel, while no great, it gets a much worse rap than it deserves and it's a fun film to watch if for nothing more than the fight scene's and is probably worth your time for at least one watch. Ultimately if you don't like it, you can just ignore it and carry on with your life.

Both are good but as your other recent forum post mentioned you are considering Lain and have watched Eva and some Monogatari I do feel that 2003 might be more up your street

Watch both.
Fma first then brotherhood.
Fma is worth it, brotherhood left out most of the beginning stuff other than where they branch off.
+Don't forget the movie after fma, that's also worth it.

Yah dude just join the hype train. For me, I only watched Brotherhood because I like to watch canon shit.

Watch it. Start out with 2003-2004, then "Conqueror of Shamballa", finally brotherhood. It is WORTH YOUR TIME.

With every fiber of my being, I say yes.

Yes, watch FMA: Brotherhood. I haven't seen the original, but Brotherhood is an extremely engaging, complete story with consistently great production values.

That puts it in stark contrast to the cheap and amateurish direction of something like Naruto, it has very little similarity to that type of shounen.

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