Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 Had to Follow Rules Imposed by the Author
The adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist released in 2003 remains one of the most debated versions among fans, mainly because it followed a different path from the original manga. However, new information reveals that the Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) had to follow specific rules created by the mangaka, completely changing the perception that the studio made decisions without authorization.
Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 Had to Follow Rules Imposed by the Author
The anime produced by studio Bones premiered at a time when the manga was still in its early years of publication. This meant that the original story had not progressed far enough to sustain a full adaptation without eventually surpassing the source material.
For a long time, rumors circulated that the studio had changed the story on its own and that Hiromu Arakawa was unhappy with the result. However, more recent reports indicate the exact opposite. The Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) had to follow clear rules established by the mangaka, which served as guidelines for the anime’s writing team.
Sho Aikawa, the lead scriptwriter of the 2003 version, explained that the writing process was closely supervised by Square Enix, the publisher of the manga. According to him, there was constant oversight to ensure that certain fundamental elements of the original work were respected.
Among the author’s instructions were specific restrictions on how alchemy could be used and how the characters should be portrayed. For example, one of the established rules was to avoid showing characters flying using alchemy. Another instruction was to avoid placing the protagonists in situations that did not fit the tone and world of the series, such as using motorcycles in inappropriate ways.
Direct supervision from the author and publisher
In addition to the initial rules, Square Enix and the editorial team directly participated in script meetings. In some cases, Hiromu Arakawa herself was consulted to clarify doubts and ensure that decisions aligned with her original vision.
This shows that Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) was not an independent project disconnected from the source material, but rather an alternative version developed under close supervision. Another important detail is that, according to records, the author herself requested that the anime have a different ending from the manga.
Why Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) had a different story
When the anime began production, the manga had only started serialization two years earlier. This caused the anime to quickly catch up with the most recent events of the original story. At the time, it was also common for anime to have their own endings, which explains why many older anime feature original conclusions, unlike modern productions that wait for the manga to progress.
Because of this, the studio had to create an original ending for Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). If it were produced today, the anime would likely release seasonal formats with 12 episodes and wait for the manga to advance before adapting more content, but that was not the standard practice in the past.