[impressions] Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Episode 01

My most awaited spring anime series is undoubtedly Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I loved the anime and even rewatched it in preparation for the remake. As I’ve said before, the new seiyuu cast was a bit of a letdown, although since the replacements are wonderful seiyuu, I know the voices are still going to be awesome. What I expected from the new series minus the new voices are better art and effects while hopefully keeping the intensity of the first series as well as its charisma.

After watching episode 1 of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, however, I have slightly  mixed feelings with the changes they’ve made to the series.

New Seiyuu for Roy, Scar, etc. in Fullmetal Alchemist 2

As said in Anime News Network, this coming Tuesday, the main seiyuu cast for the Fullmetal Alchemist remake this spring 2009 will be announced in Newtype, Animage and Animedia. Some of the main cast, like the Flame alchemist Roy Mustang and Ishbal survivor Scar, have changed seiyuu. Here’s a rundown of some of the cast with notes on who their old seiyuu were, if they are changed.

Edward Elric – Paku Romi
Alphonse Elric – Kugimiya Rie
Winry Rockbell – Takamoto Megumi (formerly Toyoguchi Megumi)
Roy Mustang – Miki Shinichirou (formerly Ohkawa Tooru)
Riza Hawkeye – Orikawa Fumiko (Neya Michiko)
Alex Louis Armstrong – Utsumi Kenji
Maes Hughes – Fujiwara Keiji
Jean Havoc – Ueda Yuuji (formerly Matsumoto Yasunori)
Scar – Miyake Kenta (formerly Okiayu Ryoutarou)
Vato Farman – Hamada Kenji (formerly Murozono Takahiro)
Maria Ross – Nazuka Kaori (formerly Saiga Mitsuki)
King Bradley – Shibata Hidekatsu
Lust – Inoue Kikuko (formerly Satou Yuuko)
Gluttony – Shiratori Tetsu (formerly Takato Yasuhiro)
Envy – Takayama Minami (formerly Yamaguchi Mayumi)
Zolof Kimblee – Yoshino Hiroyuki (formerly Ueda Yuuji)
Isaac – Yamadera Kouichi

Personally, I’m a bit disappointed that Ohkawa Tooru is not reprising his role as Roy Mustang. Roy was one of my first anime crushes and I love everything about him. I’ve imbibed that voice into his personality. MikiShin’s voice is good, but it’s of different quality and timbre and I don’t know if I can get used to it. I’m also sad that Okiayu is not Scar anymore, because he’s one of the strongest and most emotional characters in the series. Like with MikiShin, I don’t have anything against Miyake Kenta, but I was hoping they’d keep the original cast, especially with the main.

I guess we can’t have everything, especially since this is a remake that will follow the manga more closely.