Looking Back and Moving Foward

Ah, yes, a new year, new opportunities, things learned in the past will effect the present...

you get the point, this is a new year's post.

Moving on.

Each year a do a HUGE purge of my room. I guess I keep a lot of stuff that I really don't need, that I won't get rid of because of nostalgic reasons, because this year I found a lot of things that I just... I have no reason to keep this junk! Why was it even in my room in the first place? So a lot of things got thrown out, things that used to be important but no longer mean anything to me.

Now I have so much more room for more random stuff I don't really need xD

Looking back - 2014 has been a great year. Here are some highlights:

-Finished FMA:B. That show was nothing short of amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an action/adventure/fantasy show!

-My sweet 16! I had a great party and it totally lived up to the childhood dream of an epic 16th :)

-Spring Kraken Con, which I wore my Azula cosplay to

-I was in my first major production, "Into the Woods"

-A few friends and I went to prom and had an awesome time!

-A very close friend of mine moved. This isn't so much a highlight as in a good thing, but it's something important that happened.

-Mexico trip!!! I had lots of fun and met a group of interesting people there :)

-Started Junior year. School reforms, honors courses, and my own ambition made school much more enjoyable.

-Made lots of new friends at school

-Fall Kraken Con with one of my best friends :D

-Dickens Fair/San Fran trip with my family

-Lots of rainstorms, which is something much needed where i live

-Legend of Korra beautifully concludes my favorite fandom.

Moving Forward - 2016 seems to have a lot of awesomeness in store!

Every year, I pick up something new, or focus on something I already do. Not really a new years resolution, but one goal to count my progress by the end of the year. In 2013 I made it a point to draw every day, even if what I did wasn't that great. Y'all saw my progress, and I really think I improved over that year. Unfortunately, that didn't give me much time to read. At all. And I love to read. So, in 2014, my yearly goal was to read 52 books. Now, let me explain a thing: 52 books would mean 1 book a week- and that doesn't take into account school insanity and not having a book available or being too sick to read. 

So I read 25 books and figure that it's good enough. I'll try again some other time. 

So now it's time to look forward to my next big undertaking: writing a book. I have been planning on writing this book for years- I started designing characters in the summer before 8th grade. I started writing it then, too, but it just wasn't that great, and I lost those files, so I can't use them as reference. Well, I was talking to Kaitlin, and she mentioned that she is doing a re-write of her book, so we decided to partner up and keep each other going in our writing! We also made some character designs (yes using fashion doll generators is a totally legit way to quickly design a character lol)!

                                                

  

So theres the villain's daughter and two of the main characters. I'm really excited to see how the story goes! I really like the new direction I'm going with it, and it's really started to flow better now that I'm a more experienced writer :)

Alright, well, that's all for now. How was your Christmas/New Years? Happy holidays! 

~Shaak

And Now It's Over

Last night, the very last episode of the Avatar franchise aired. The very last episode of my absolute favorite series... ended. I was so excited and so sad and so not ready for it to be over. But all good things come to an end, I suppose. 

I had always intended to do a post about ATLA and LOK, but I never had the time or motivation. Well, now I do, and it's time to say goodbye. Perfect timing. 

Here's a little history of how I even got involved: back when I was younger I saw a promo for Avatar: The Last Airbender, which was showing for the first time that night. I thought it looked kind of cool, and a little while later I was watching it. I don't remember much, I don't think I even watched the whole thing. The point is, I saw it, and I remembered it enough so that when the movie came out it 2010 I wanted to go see it (also, judging by the preview, 12 year old me thought it would be awesome. I did think it was awesome).

Unfortunately, I liked the movie so much I had my dad buy the DVD. Whoops. Now that's sitting in a box somewhere and I will probably deny that I own it. I am kind of thankful for it though, because if I hadn't seen the movie, I probably wouldn't have watched the show. 

Now, fast-forward a few months. My brother was sick, we were trying to find something to watch, and so we checked out Nick... and there it was: ATLA- The Southern Raiders. Sure, my first episode of it wasn't from the first season, and I didn't even see the first half of the episode! But it became a weekly event where my brother and I would watch ATLA re-runs (which were not shown in any specific order that I know of) on Saturday mornings. 

I didn't watch it in order the first time I saw it. Or the second, or third. I started randomly picking them and eventually was able to piece together the whole show. Eventually Mom decided to watch it since Dante and I loved it so much, so we watched it as a family, in order. 

Never had I seen a show with such amazing characters, plot, depth, animation, emotion, or music.  

The characters felt like old friends once I finished the series. I loved them so, so much. If I was sad, I would watch it. If I was lonely, I would watch it. If I was happy, I would watch it. I would watch it and watch it and watch it, and these characters became real to me. Y'all know how much I love FMA, right? And how much I love the characters? Well, it's like that, but x10, or x20, or x100 (being in the fandom for 5 years probably has something to do with that haha).

The heroes were well rounded, the villains were well rounded, the random side characters got their share of development, too. It's rare to see such excellent characterization in any show, let alone an animated kids show!

My Azula costume... she's probably one of my most favorite characters ever!

There are so many layers in ATLA, and every time I watch it I get something new out of it. I'm not saying that kids shows can't be deep or have good meaning, but a lot of them don't, so it's refreshing to see something so amazing made so that kids can understand it and teens and adults can enjoy it, as well.

The music  THE MUSIC is just beautiful and amazing and sooo perfect. So much effort went into ATLA and it's been a HUGE part of my childhood :')

When I found out that there was going to be another Avatar series, I flipped. I was sooooo happy that we would be having 12 more episodes of Avatar awesomeness! Ha. Ha. Ha. Little did I know that this so called "fun mini-series" would become a 3 year ordeal that would become one of my favorite shows.

remember when this was 

all we had of Korra

You can imagine my excitement when Nick called for 3 more seasons! About half way through season two, I got a little disappointed with the writing and plot direction (which was something I could forgive for season 1, they only had 12 episodes to work with, after all), but I still loved it. Season three's writing proved to be a huge improvement from seasons 1 and 2. The writing was better, the villains were darker, the over-all plot was much more enjoyable and intense, and the characterization was fantastic. We got to see sides of character that we had never seen before, new and well developed characters entered the mix, and friendships developed between old characters. Something that I really enjoyed about seasons 3 and was the lack of romantic sub-plot between the Krew. I think that was a let-down for the fans during season 2.

Fan-made trailer for the finale

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you Avatar, thank you Bryke, and most importantly, thank you Fandom for such an amazing 5 years. ATLA was a real treasure of my childhood, and LOK was a wonderful part of my high school experience. I'm sure our fandom will last for quite a while, it was still going strong between ATLA and LOK, so I don't doubt that there will be plenty of fanworks for the years to come, but it's still sad to see such an awesome series end,

Good bye, Avatar, goodbye.


*and then I sob for about 10,000 years*

About Me and About Fashion Pt. 1

As you may or may not know, for the past year or so my taste in fashion has actually become more than "mens size nerd tee + jeans + makeup that is just to fab for the outfit" (though that's still my staple look lol). Heck, I joined the new fashion club at school and will be writing a section in the newsletter about fashion subcultures!

So, my own quick personal history in fashion:

I loved it as a kid. I drew all sorts of amazing outfits and my parents were pretty sure that I'd grow up to be a designer. I loved to play dress-up (what little girl doesn't?), thoroughly enjoyed theater, would have little "fashion shows" with my friends... oh what joyous memories! I even made dresses for my dolls!

Here's a drawing from when I was about 6.
You can see my 14yr old re-do here

Then I went through the tom-boy phase. You know the one... reject everything feminine to appear "cool" and unlike other girls... i have only one thing to say to that...

But, me being me, and artist and a lover of fashion at heart, it didn't last long... unfortunately the ending of my tom-boy phase led straight into my "when I was 12" era... oh what dark times those were :p

I listened to a strange mix of Christian pop and Christian metal... I cut my hair short (super, super short), wore a heck of a lot of purple (it is my favorite color so it made up 90% of my closet back then), but, again, had no sense of style. It was pretty sad. 

Fortunately, I survived that first half 8th grade with horrible taste, but when I turned 14, I realized that I needed to get my act together. I got some new clothes, let my hair grow out long (i had been keeping it shoulder length most of the year) and learned how to properly style hair and use mascara.

 It was that summer after 8th grade, though, when things got oh so much better. I went to Europe, and had no time or need for makeup or fashion. When we returned, I went shopping with some cousins and got my first eyeliner (can you believe that I learned how to do eyeliner with black liquid?) and some lipgloss. I also bought a dress that was nice/casual, because I didn't own any casual dresses. 

600 steps my dad and i walked down in Greece

Next came two months of me working on my CVI cosplay, Ahsoka.Through the cosplay process I learned about makeup and fashion in general. (Fun fact: 80% of my makeup skills are modified from what I learned in cosplay. That's why a)my makeup skills are hella rad and b)my eye makeup is always pretty heavy). 

That all led into my 9th grade year, when I owned a good supply of Star Wars shirts, leather boots, eyeshadow pallets, and eyeliner. I also started painting my nails every week (school didn't allow it in 8th grade) and wore my leather jacket almost every day. I cut my hair short again and had a "fashion revival". 

I still wear my leather jacket every day tbh...

Part 2 Coming soon!

look who's not dead

hey there

so yeah.... i guess i've been gone for a while now, but life has been busy.

-three clubs
-two honors courses
- one college level italian course

and a partridge in a pear tree (no seriously we have a pear tree that we used to put a fake partridge in... i wonder where that little bird got to)

i guess it's that time of year again, "currently" and "life update" posts taking over my dash, all with the customary "sorry i've been gone for so long"

it's totally fine, dude, i feel ya
this is the first time i've gotten on blogger in over a month and i'm only on now because i'm sick and avoiding homework.

ok, enough ranting. i have stuff to say

-my hair is now red (a natural copper tone, like amy pond)
-i'm submitting to the Scholastic Arts and Writing
-i have a job (tutoring the third grader across the street)
-i finished Stargate
-i went to Kraken Con (if i ever find the time i'll post about that)
-yeah
-korra
-korra is literally my life my entire week is "oh thank god just __ more days till korra"

oh and i saw big hero 6 and it was amazing

hope y'all are doing well

see you next time (and i'm going to re-do my blog a bit now)

Weddings and Mountans and Colleges- Oh My! (AND KORRA OMG)

This title tells you 4 things:

What I did this weekend

Where I went this weekend

My search for the perfect college fit has begun

A reference to the Wizard of Oz, which will be the play this year!!

(AND KORRA OMG)

So... weddings...

My cousin got married this weekend! It was a beautiful ceremony, about 3 hours south of where I live.

(and this was written at the beginning of September, so obviously a lot has happened)

I went to Kraken Con! I'll be posting about that soon. I got my drivers license :D, and yeah... school, school, and more school XD  ALSO! At the end of this month I'll be testing for my Blue Belt!

I have been keeping up in my art, but I still don't have my camera, and my phone just isn't doing it for me. Sooooo maybe at the end of the year I'll just do a huge post of everything, or just choose a few of my favorites... don't know which, yet.

See y'all later!

Liebster Award!

(hi sorry i disappeared. School's crazy + i got sick and didn't post this when I meant to... like a week ago. Sorry.)

Thank you Voronda at A Believer's Journey for the tag! It's great to see you back in the blogging world :)

thank and link back to the person who nominated you
list 11 facts about yourself
answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you
nominate 11 bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers
(you can’t nominate the blogger who nominated you)
ask them 11 questions
let them know about the nomination

Ok! 11 facts!

I have blonde hair
I am ENTJ
I've had 7 cats total throughout my life
Working out is awesome (and that is a statement that you would have never heard me mutter under my breath until about 9th grade)
I want to go into a STEM career (aerospace engineer)
I LOVE CATS SO MUCH OMG CATS CATS CATS
I love cooking and baking
In the summer between 7th and 8th grade, I dyed my hair purple
I have strep throat right now :(
I love to sing/act
Did i mention that cats are my life?

they are cute but evil when they yawn
cats
yay

Voronda's Questions:

1. What was your favorite moment of summer so far?
Hmm... I went swimming with whale-sharks, and that was pretty rad. I also hung out with some friends right before school started and we had lots of fun then :)

2. Since this was fun with Anna. First word or phase that comes to mind when you hear:

a) Pineapple yuck!!

B) Force Use the force, Luke

C)Mountain Climbing

D) Skydiving Pandas I don't really know... but i pictured Po from Kung-Fu Panda skydiving lol

E) Crossbow Sports

3. What was the last book you read? That I finished would be "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" (absolutely amazing btw) 

4. Look up from the computer, whats the first thing you see? My great-grandfather's portrait. 

5. If you could have a mansion. What would you put in there? Ooh so much. I hope to have a large house one day, and have a whole floor dedicated to guest housing. I want to alway be able to have friends and family over. I want a large kitchen connected with the dining room, so that on holidays, the whole family can come over and celebrate (much like we do now). I love Steampunk (like that wasn't obvious lol) and would have a bunch of steampunk inspiration around the house. I'd have a life size Darth Vader, because why not. 

6) Ultimate Crush. Real or Fictional? Um... idk how to answer this. I had a huge crush on someone in my elective last year, though.

7. Would you rather:

a) be a tiger for a day

or

b) an eagle?
Tiger! They're soooo cool! (and cat)

8. Do you have a weird, obscure but somewhat useless talent?
I can eat really fast? Honestly, I don't have any unusual talents. Actually, I can speak in a number of accents - Russian, Alabama, Deep US south, British (it's awful- still working on it), Italian, and Scottish (only if I'm reading out loud).

9. Your house if burning. What 4 things do you save?
Computer, The Lightning Thief, phone, art notebook (and if i can get my cat i would sacrifice my phone and grab her)

10. If you could break any rules, what would be the first one you break?
Well, at school I would dye my hair purple again, or blue :) i want to tip-dye it!

11. Do you like the new layout?(Yes, I went there!).
Yes! I think it looks great! 

Alright, 11 questions for y'all:

1. What are looking forward to most this school year? (even if you're not in school)
2. If you were given the chance to go ANYWHERE in the world for one week, and it was completely payed for and everything, where would you go?
3. On the topic of travel- what is the best trip you've ever been on?
4. Would you rather live in the mountains or by the sea?
5. Alternative or Pop music?
6. What would you do if you could spend the day with one of your favorite characters?
7. Can you name all 50 American states (and if you're not American- can you name all the regions/states of you're country?)
8. Favorite girls name beginning with "T" + its meaning
9. Favorite boys name beginning with "L" +it's meaning
10. What type of atmosphere do you like when you go out to eat?
11. What sport do you enjoy most? (And you can either participate in it, or just like to watch it. Whatever floats your boat :) )

And I Tag:

Ashley at Just Another Crazy Fangirl
Covert Knight at Knights Underground
Grace at Say Something, Grace
Annika at Pen and Camera
Shena at Pens, Thespians, and Words
Faith at Princess Faith
Gollum at Riddles in the Dark (this would be hilarious!)
Misty at Actor, Writer, Dreamer

And that's literally everyone who I follow who is currently active (and two of those are run by the same person!) Haha maybe I should start following more blogs...

Ciao!

I NEED COSPLAY HELP!! (it's more of an opinion thing)

As I may have mentioned before, I have two cosplays I'm trying to make before the end of the year. They both need to be done by the end of the year. The first is Captain Amelia, which is for October Kraken Con and Halloween. The other is a steampunk dress for the Dickens Fair.

Cpt. Amelia

She's not the one I really need help on (though if you have suggestions i would love to hear them!)

My steampunk outfit is white. I have a plain white skirt, I have white boots, I have a white hat, I have a cool off-white lace overskirt, I have white fabric with a cool blue-grey design that I'm going to use for the corset. I don't know which style of corset to do.

I have it narrowed down to 3 patterns, but I don't know which one I like the best, so please choose one!

all of the boning (dark stripes) will be pale pink. the "frill" on top will be leather, as well as the busk (the parts that close it together)

CORSET A

CORSET B

CORSET C

So, yeah, just let me know which style is your favorite! Hearing other opinions will just help me decide which one I want to do in the end :) 

(and "whichever you want to do" is not an answer :p I've been through plenty of patterns, so these are my "top 3"- and their all relatively easy patterns, as far as corsets go)

~ShaakThusa

*sigh* (not so much of a sigh any more)

Back to school it is, then.

I think August 5 is too early, but it's not like i can change anything. so yep. schooooollllllll

i'm going back to the same school i went to last year, by the way. there was a lot of debate of if i was actually going back, and it looks like i am. i hope that it works out.

i guess i shouldn't be so picky. its just hard, after being in such a strange schooling situation, to really adjust. if you didn't know, i went to a very... hard core? rigorous? demanding? school from pre-k to third grade, then went back in 8th grade. Even when I was homeschooled (4-7 and 9th), my family kept the same standard of academic excellence while I was homeschooled.

Last year TC (the school i go to now) wasn't exactly... level with my previous standards. Students could not hand in homework and get away with it.

______

(I wrote all of that a few days before starting back up- didn't have time to post it. here we are at the end of week 2 and, wow, things have changed!)

Well, as I said THINGS. HAVE. CANGED!

And I think I'm probably the only person in the world who can be so excited about something like this. (For a little background, I'm ENTJ...)

Last year, I would get so frustrated because people would not do/turn in their homework. Students would yell out in the middle of class the score they're getting on the video game they were playing. Disrespecting teachers was too common.

It was awful (remember- I was at that one school and then homeschooled. I didn't have to deal with things like that. Failing to turn in homework and disrupting class has always been punished in my world).

On the first day of school, there was an announcement. Apparently, the whole  "student's aren't turning homework" thing wasn't working for the school. They decided that academic standards needed to be raised.

pretty much me when they said "Academic standards need to be raised"

So now there are much stricter rules and punishments and stuff for people who disrupt class and fail to turn in their homework and stuff! Some things are a little extreme, but, whatever, i won't have to continuously watch people slack off all year, so I'm not complaining :)

I also have really great classes/teachers this year! I have two of the academic advisers to the school as my math and english teachers, I have the same history teacher as last year (he's pretty awesome) and finally....

i needed an excuse to use this. don't judge me

I got into honors chemistry (I'm assuming. they haven't kicked me out yet lol) and the teacher is doing a very lab-based curriculum! He's a pretty good teacher so far :) I'm kind of sad that Anna isn't going to school with me anymore... she was my science buddy xD haha we had so much fun, i'm going to miss her soooo much when she moves :'(

That's off topic...

But yeah, I'm also the vice pres. of the art club, and the costumer for the drama club! I'm really excited!

It looks like my junior year is going to be pretty great :D

(Also, here is a wonderful line from my Girls Bible/Contemp. Issues teacher who got married last year: "You should all come to the beach party! Then you can meet my husband and see how hot he is!!" lol!)


Fun Fact:
it will be another 873 years (or so) before we have another August with 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays

we live in some pretty rad times

~ShaakThusa

Remember how I went to Europe in 2012?

Well, now I bring you, a little over two years later, pictures from the trip. Idk why I didn't post these sooner, but whatever. Have fun! (and these arent' in chronological order)

Croatia

Venice, Italy

Ceva, Italy

Dubrovnik, Croatia
story behind this: if you could balance on that brick, it would bring you good luck. The tradition started back in the late 90s or so when a guy asked a girl if she would go out with him if he could stand on the brick. He could so she did. Ever since, locals and tourists alike have found it as a symbol of good luck  (I think theres a few other versions of the meaning/story, but that's the one I heard)

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Same as above

Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy

Idk where this was, but there were 598 stairs that my Dad and I walked down to get to the port
We could have just taken the gondola

Ephesus, Turkey

Lake Como, Italy
Fun Fact: This is the Lake House that Anakin and Padme got married at

Lucca, Italy

Ephesus, Turkey??  I think??

I think this was Athens?

Blog Tag :)

(heyyyy peeps I'm back from Mexico :) Had a great trip and will have a post on it soon!)

Thank you Arda for the tag!!

The rules are as follows...

1. Follow the blog that tagged you (optional).
2. Include two or more pictures that include your favorite characters, books, movies, or lyrics from songs (they can also be your own edits or pictures).
3. Tag five or more bloggers and tell them.
4. Answer the blogger’s ten questions related to characters, books, movies, or lyrics.
5. Create your own questions having to do with the same thing.

Ok, so two pics to start us out:

A Stargate quote

And some absolutely perfect Pacific Rim fan art

1. Do you listen to any podcasts?
Yep! I listen to Jonathan Park (it's good. listen to it. now.) and WTNV!

2. At what point did you know you were into your main fandom(s)?
Well, I didn't really know what a "fandom" was until I was in 7th grade, but from the first time I saw Star Wars I was a die-hard fan :). Three episodes into FMA I knew I was in deep, and I sold my soul to Stargate: SG-1 in the TV movie cut of the first two episodes!

3. What are you currently reading and/or watching?
Reading: I just finished The Joy Luck Club, and am currently reading Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and O! Pioneers.
Watching: Clannad After Story and Stargate: SG-1 :)

4. Writing in books - yes or no?
Yes! Unless it's not your book to write in.

5. Who is the funniest character you like?
Sokka from ATLA

6. What is your favorite soundtrack?
How to Train Your Dragon :D

7. Do you like to reread/rewatch things?
Only if I love it enough (but usually I won't finish reading/watching something that I don't love)

8. What character inspires you the most?
WHAT??? THERE ARE SO MANY YOU CAN'T EXPECT ME TO CHOOSE ONE!! (and forgive me for not choosing Ahsoka, but I'm still not over her ending)

So here's a list of just a few:
Winry Rockbell for her healing hands
Sam Carter for her brilliant mind
Riza Hawkeye for her loyal hart
Edward Elric for his fierce determination
Luke Skywalker for his willingness to grow
Percy Jackson simply because he was my favorite character for many years

9. What is a smaller or lesser-known fandom you think is great?
Hmmm.... I don't really know? Probably the Primeval fandom.

10. What movies are you still looking forward to this year?
Mockingjay
Transformers
Gaurdians of the Galaxy
Lucy (though I doubt that I will be able to see it.)

Questions!
1. What was your favorite childhood TV show?
2. What song makes you think of that character who's death you'll never get over?
3. What is your current favorite fandom?
4. Is there a character that you have many similarities, though you may not like them as a character?
5. What book have you read that you really liked, even though you expected to not like it so much?
6. What song makes you think of 2012?
7. Is there a character that you grew up with? (such as how some people grew up with Harry Potter)
8. Which book is more loved- the one that is years old but in almost perfect condition, or the one that looks like it's traveled the world and just barely holding together?
9. Which of your favorite characters has the most tragic back story?
10. What books are you looking forward to reading?



Alright, I tag:

Faith of Princess Faith
Covert Knight of Knights Underground
Shena of Pens, Thespians, and Words
Aalya Rain of Fangirl & Farmgirl
And Arda, if you want to do this tag again :)

Fullmetal Alchemest 2003 and Fullmetal Alchemest: Brotherhood

I know I said in January that I would have the comparison up "soon"

"soon" is a relative term and can mean some time within two minutes or two years, depending on what this "soon" was referring to.

"I'll put the cookies in the oven soon"- some time within the hour
"I'll see you soon"- some time within the next few days
"I'll post my review soon"- when I actually have time to sit down and do it
"I'll clean my room soon"- I don't want to clean my room so it'll never happen

now that that's all cleared up- on to the review! 

(And random fandom-ey stuff at the end)
_________________________________________________________________

As you know, I have finished both "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood", and absolutely loved them both! After finishing FMA:B, I didn't feel the need to make a review for it. Why? Well, my original review for the 2003 version pretty much covers what I need to say about the plot and warnings (mostly), so no need repeating myself.

I'm going to refer to the 2003 version as FMA and the 2009 version as Brotherhood

((The next part is really just me talking about the depth/ violence/ rating of the series. It would be more useful for someone who has not seen the series before. Fell free to skip and resume after the picture of the candy. That's where the real comparison starts.))

So, as I have mentioned before, both versions are intense. Scale of 1-10/ Fruits Basket to Hunger Games? It averages out to a five or six. But then there are scenes that are total fluff (obviously), and then there are those shocking scenes that sky-rocket to "Hunger Games" level.


But then again, I'm just talking about the action/violence/gore. Not the in-depth look at moralities, the grey between right and wrong, and the well defined black and white. That's something that I loved so much about both shows- there was the laid out black and white, but there was also the grey zone, just as it is in real life.

Ed and Al grow up fast. They have to, and though much of the story takes place when they're 14/15/16 (ending when Ed's around 18 in Brotherhood), they also have episodes when they're very young.  You see the boys mature, but the circumstances start off just as awful as they end. Violence peruses them (or they pursue it. It's hard to tell), but more importantly the show is very layered.

Layers upon layers upon layers of story and plot and orals and symbolism and metaphors and analogies. It's like a jaw breaker. 
(Brotherhood more so. Mostly because it's longer, but it also has fewer plot holes)

You can always count on me to compare something to candy

My brother, who is relatively smart, is 13. He watched FMA / Brotherhood, and understood it to and extent, but I honestly don't believe that he got the best experience with it (I know I wouldn't have at his age). I, at 15, understood it better than him, but I know there are some things that I missed. It will take a second and third watches, as well as maturity, for me to grasp it all. 

So, yes, as a general rating, I would agree with the TV rating: TV-14. But the decision is really a question of maturity and understanding than age.

Brotherhood, in general, was much more in-depth than FMA, and had more condensed violence, as well.

((Ok, now onto the real comparison))

I'm going to look at two main things here: The plot and characterization. Other aspects of the show really just aren't that important when comparing. Finally, I'll conclude with the question of "What should I watch?". 

I spent a lot of time on this. Appreciate it.

The Plot

The beginning of FMA and Brotherhood are parallel, due to them both following the manga. The first 10 to 15 episodes of Brotherhood seem rushed, though, because so much is crammed into them. On the other hand, FMA devoted almost double the episodes to the same plot. It allows viewers to get more connected to the characters, and to enjoy the rest of the series without feeling rushed.

I think that one of the main reasons the writers of Brotherhood felt like they could just rush through such an important part of the story is because it is assumed that fans already watched FMA, so they had no need to go into detail, which makes sense. 

But this doesn't change, so don't worry, you're not missing much there :p

So, for the question of  "should I just skip FMA all together?" my response is this: If you do not want to watch all of FMA, then don't, but please, please watch until episode 25, then watch Brotherhood from the beginning. There are minor differences in the beginning of Brotherhood's series that need to be seen, even if the episodes aren't that great.

Also, watch "The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant; and The Mystery of Warehouse 13". It is in FMA and not worth missing.

For the rest of the series, Brotherhood is longer, so it has more time for things to develop well. This left less room for the larger plot holes (which happened in FMA) and helped keep the continuity.

Many people discard FMA after watching Brotherhood, but in reality, FMA is a well done show in and of itself. True, there are some obvious plot holes and general weirdness that happens, but it's not worth calling the anime "worthless" over.

The two shows ultimately go in totally different directions, so it's almost pointless to say one it better than the other when it comes to the overall plot and spirit. I would like to believe that FMA is just an alternate universe version of Brotherhood :)  (and it's possible, considering how FMA ended)

Characters

There are sooo many wonderful characters in both shows, but lets face it: Brotherhood's characterization, character development, writing of character interactions, and female characters are way better than FMAs.

It's true- ask anyone who has watched both shows.

In FMA, the characters are great. You get attached and the main characters have some development and depth. I wouldn't call it bad... just lacking. Especially since so many of the lovely ladies just got pushed aside. 

Epic people who I will cosplay. Thank God I'm blonde!
Credit

Ed and Al's character arcs obviously carry the most weight in the story, but in Brotherhood, they share the spotlight a lot more. It becomes a story of how they initiated saving the end of the world and worked as a team to save it, not a story just about Ed and Al saving everyone's butts. 

Also, Brotherhood has a lot more characters that are absolutely amazing! Because there's more episodes, there's more time to get to know all of those characters. It's really great. 

By this cutie

"What should I watch?"

And here we arrive at the big question. "Should i watch Brotherhood? Or FMA? Or Both? Why should I even watch it?"

Yes

Yes

Yes

Because it is amazing and is beautifully done. There is action, adventure, romance, comedy, tragedy, and a truly amazing hero's journey. It is considered one of the best animes of all time for a reason. Sure, it gets violent and makes you cringe, but that's why it's so good. It wakes something up deep inside of you, it gives you hope and then takes it away and then builds it back up from the ground. It will leave you crying tears of joy and sadness and anger. There is something for everyone, even if it typically isn't your type of show.

Also Izumi's pretty hot (and I mean that in the straightest way possible).

So go and watch it! Watch both!

Watch FMA first, and enjoy it. Love the story for what it is and remember how much you liked it when you watch Brotherhood. Both are amazing, but in totally different ways. Leave a good month or so in between watching them, so that you can keep the story straight in your mind.

If you watch Brotherhood first, then FMA will be crap.

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Alright, that's it! Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think/ your opinions on each series. 

(and I'm totally up for geeking out in the comments, as always)
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This is an amazing video and everyone needs to watch it

And now I'm going to shamelessly do some self promotion

Have some EdWin fluff

cretits
(has lots of cute EdWin art- go check her out!)

Or if RoyAi is more your style

~ShaakThusa