I think the biggest feature of the 03 version is the growth process of the characters. Edward didn't kill the Quartet like this from the beginning, he was extremely powerful. The chief was not born with a straight face, and his ambition to become the chief president. Everyone unknowingly becomes the last one we all see. And this part of the growth part is already the original part in the early days of the animation.
For example, the part where Chopper Barry chases and kills Edward when he is still alive is the original content of the animation. Here you can see Edward's fear of imminent death is vividly portrayed. His helplessness, his panic, is something you rarely see in comics and 09 animations. But you can compare it to the episode where Edward sneaked into the institute by himself. When he faced the bodyless murderer brother who was far more terrifying than the previous Bally, he no longer ran away, panicked, but fought with the opponent calmly. This is growth. There would be no Edward today without the chase of Barry. In the same way, the duel between Greed and Edward is also a kind of growth. On the surface, it is a duel. It looks more like Greed is teaching Edward with his own life. The reason is as Greed himself said, "You haven't killed anyone yet." Therefore, when Edward finally inserted the mechanical armor into Greed's abdomen, Edward would show nervousness and fear. This is another kind of experience, and it is also a necessary experience for Edward, because after that, he will face a more powerful enemy. If he does not have the consciousness to kill the opponent in the duel, then he will die.
The Colonel also had a youthful time. At that time, he didn't have any ambition to become the President, but he went to the front line of Ishbal just to serve the country. It was this war that completely changed him. In the eyes of each other's fearful eyes, they tremblingly killed the teenager with the rifle in front of them; after shooting Wen Li's parents, they blamed themselves, and even tried to commit suicide after breaking down. These are also not seen in the original work. The Ishbar War completely tore apart the beautiful world of the Great Colonel.
The Colonel who came back after the war became a frustrated person who was locked in his room, desperate enough to practice human body training, but laughed at himself for being cowardly. And it was Hughes's words that cheered the chief up again. "If you want to change, then try to climb up and become the president. If one person is not enough, then I will put you on the top." This becomes the animation in the animation. The origin of Da Zuo's ambition is also a turning point in the sublimation of feelings between Hughes and Hughes from comrade-in-arms to close friends. Without this scene, it's hard to feel the unbreakable bond between the two of them.
That's why I prefer version 03. No one is like this from the beginning, it is one encounter after another that makes people like this. Of course, fortune can shape and destroy people. Whether it is rebirth from nirvana or ashes, depends on the toughness of each person's heart, and of course the support of friends is indispensable. Edward and Colonel were lucky to be the former.
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