I have watched both the 2003 and 2009 versions, and while I think the 2009 version is superior, just like the majority of viewers seem to think, the fact that the 2003 version is overlooked also can't be denied. While it does go a completely different route from the manga after a point of time, the fact that it's something original at par with it instead of being a low quality filler-like string of episodes is the biggest reason I hold this version in high regard.
I was so hooked that I watched almost 13-15 episodes a day and binged the whole thing in just four days. While some of the faces seemed drawn a little awkwardly (Roy Mustang's eyes having too much gap, for example), the overall animation quality is splendid. The action scenes are neatly drawn and beautifully crafted with sufficient tension and intensity to match the show's rather dark tone. There's some humor from time to time, but it is indeed pretty dark and serious, especially when you compare it to the similarly action-packed and dark but also the hilarious second adaptation.
I know that the second adaptation is more faithful to the manga and far more epic, but this 2003 version uses a comparatively smaller percentage of the manga and expands it using original storylines developed by the creators, which is a huge plus point and remarkable. The character drama is well developed and something that adds soul to the proceedings. The ending, while dividing a lot of viewers, actually is pretty good given how the rest of the show unfolded, And yeah, the soundtrack is pretty cool and worth revisiting. I can't really say this is the superior version of the two, but this is surely a worthy competitor given how much originality it brings to the table on its own, which is again still laudable given how much it differs from the source material.
I was so hooked that I watched almost 13-15 episodes a day and binged the whole thing in just four days. While some of the faces seemed drawn a little awkwardly (Roy Mustang's eyes having too much gap, for example), the overall animation quality is splendid. The action scenes are neatly drawn and beautifully crafted with sufficient tension and intensity to match the show's rather dark tone. There's some humor from time to time, but it is indeed pretty dark and serious, especially when you compare it to the similarly action-packed and dark but also the hilarious second adaptation.
I know that the second adaptation is more faithful to the manga and far more epic, but this 2003 version uses a comparatively smaller percentage of the manga and expands it using original storylines developed by the creators, which is a huge plus point and remarkable. The character drama is well developed and something that adds soul to the proceedings. The ending, while dividing a lot of viewers, actually is pretty good given how the rest of the show unfolded, And yeah, the soundtrack is pretty cool and worth revisiting. I can't really say this is the superior version of the two, but this is surely a worthy competitor given how much originality it brings to the table on its own, which is again still laudable given how much it differs from the source material.