How to Watch Fullmetal Alchemist in Order
The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise is one of the most beloved and complex anime series, known for its deep philosophical themes, compelling characters, and intricate storylines. It can be a little confusing for newcomers to figure out how to approach the two different anime adaptations (Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) and the movies that accompany them.
Here’s a breakdown of how to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in order to get the full experience.
Two young brothers are raised as alchemists, but when they are severely injured trying to perform a forbidden act, they begin searching for the one thing that can save them; the fabled philosopher's stone.
The first anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s manga, Fullmetal Alchemist (2003), aired before the manga was finished, so it takes significant creative liberties with the storyline and characters. While it follows the same premise—brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric use alchemy to try to resurrect their dead mother and suffer severe consequences—it diverges from the source material about halfway through the series.
Munich, Germany, 1923. Two years have passed since Edward Elric was dragged from his own world to ours, leaving behind his country, his friends and his younger brother, Alphonse. Stripped of his alchemical powers, he has been all this time researching rocketry together with Alphonse Heiderich, a young man who resembles his own brother, hoping to one day find a way back home. His efforts so far had proven fruitless, but after lending a hand to a troubled gipsy girl, Edward is thrown in a series of events that can wreak havoc in both worlds. Meanwhile, at his own world, Alphonse Elric ventures deeper into the mysteries of alchemy in search for a way to reunite with his older brother. This movie wraps up loose ends and takes Edward and Alphonse into a parallel world resembling 1920s Germany, blending real-world history with fantasy.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second adaptation of the manga and stays much closer to the original storyline. It begins similarly to the 2003 series but quickly diverges, presenting new characters, different plot points, and a more faithful adaptation of the manga’s themes. With 64 episodes, Brotherhood is generally considered the definitive version of the story, praised for its tighter narrative and more expansive world-building. It’s best watched as a stand-alone series if you want the truest adaptation of Arakawa’s work.
