You couldn't follow FMA Brotherhood? Sure, it starts out right in the middle of something, but IIRC they explain things all the time in that show.

And you don't need to watch the first one. Brotherhood is a remake. But hell, maybe you should go give that one a try if you think it will help. 

Golly gee, I'm really having trouble imagining how someone would want to turn off Brotherhood. Hard to empathize.

I don't blame you for quitting on Trigun. I had the same problem as you combined with not actually finding the characters compelling enough to push through it. Plus it was 2goofy4me.

Go back and find Ed and Al compelling >:I