User blog comment:B214/Akame ga Kill! Episode 23 Review/@comment-3141417-20141211023653/@comment-4829046-20141211051331

FMA 2003 made its own take on the story from the onset after the whole birth incident(or shortly after that) and then continued with its own unique writing, making a coherent story that while having flaws, didn't feel like a train-wreck. In this case, circumstances were very different. They would have made a proper manga-reliant ending if popularity was good, but sadly that wasn't the case so anime-only ending it is.

While I prefer Brotherhood, I can't say the 2003 one was 'bad'. It tried for a downright depressing and bittersweet tone and succeeded. It was a explicit capture of the 'life isn't all peachy but it still has its good points'. It was saddening as hell, but if you watched Guilty Crown, then it ain't too bad.