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Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 had its ending approved by the manga's creator

Rafael Shinzo
My name is Rafael Alves, known as Shinzo. I created the AnimeNew website in 2009 to offer news about anime, manga, and games directly from Japan.

For decades, rumors circulated that Hiromu Arakawa hated the first adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist. However, screenwriter Sho Aikawa debunked this theory. According to him, the author not only gave her blessing but also actively participated in the creation of that universe.

Arakawa personally requested a different ending from Studio Bones. Since the manga was in its early stages, she wanted to avoid spoilers for her own narrative. Therefore, the production followed the mangaka's strict guidelines to maintain the essence of the series. Among the curious rules, she strictly prohibited the use of motorcycles and characters flying with alchemy.

At the time, representatives from Square Enix monitored every script meeting. If any doubts arose, they would call Arakawa immediately. Therefore, even though a darker version of the Fullmetal Alchemist story was born, it stemmed from a direct and respectful collaboration. While many prefer the fidelity of Brotherhood, the classic version remains an authorized alternative vision by the creator herself. This involvement ensures that the drama experienced by the Elric brothers retains the emotional weight originally planned.

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Which version do you prefer: the 2003 classic or Brotherhood? Leave your comment below!