FMA: Brotherhood - My Thoughts

I just finished watching the first episode of the new FMA series. And I gotta say...all that obsessive love I ever had for the series (in any form), that had receded with time? Just came rushing back. I'm absurdly enthused about this. Plus, I'd heard that this series was supposed to follow the manga more closely, which I'd really love. (And since we've seen Father at least once already, I'd say that there's a good chance they really are doing that.)

The art is all shiny and new, which is cool. The new themes are freaking awesome. Though, I'm a bit on the fence about the voice cast. Thankfully, they got Paku Romi and Rie Kugimiya back; it wouldn't be FMA without them. It sounded like they got several of the others back, too. But I know they recast Roy. And I'm not sure how I feel about it. I mean...I like Miki Shinichiro. But it just feels weird...Roy's supposed to sound different. (His previous voice was deeper, I think.) To me, he sounds younger here, which I'm not sure I like. How old is Roy, anyway? All I keep finding online says that, according to the manga, he's 29...but I could have sworn he was younger than that in the anime. If I'm right, then his new voice would fit okay...but if I'm wrong, then it really doesn't. Not to mention...he sounds too soft spoken, and not really arrogant enough. (Hopefully this will improve with time.)

And...I never thought I'd say this, but...I really gotta give Funimation props. Offering the episodes, subbed, for free viewing on their site, just days after it airs in Japan? This might just make up for what they did to DBZ. Seriously. That's how thrilled I am. =D