The World of Fullmetal Alchemist

A young boy with a metal arm sits beside a towering suit of empty armor. One lost an arm and a leg, the other his entire body, all in a desperate, forbidden act to bring their mother back from the dead. This is the unforgettable opening of Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist, a story that has grown into a sprawling franchise of manga, two landmark anime series, feature films, OVAs, and even live-action adaptations. The saga of Edward and Alphonse Elric blends fantasy, science, and philosophy into something truly rare: a shonen epic that prioritizes moral consequence over raw power. Whether you’re brand new to alchemy or a returning State Alchemist, this guide maps every corner of the Fullmetal Alchemist universe, with a clear path for how to experience it all.

The Heart of the Story

At its core, Fullmetal Alchemist is a tale of two brothers searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary artifact said to amplify alchemical power and bypass the fundamental law of Equivalent Exchange. After their failed human transmutation, Edward Elric sacrifices his right arm to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor, and they set out to restore what they’ve lost. The journey takes them from their rural hometown of Resembool into the heart of a military state, unearthing a centuries-spanning conspiracy that ties together war crimes, homunculi, and the very nature of God. The series is celebrated worldwide for its tight plotting, character development, and its unflinching examination of war, guilt, and redemption.

The franchise’s official manga, serialized in Square Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 2001 to 2010, is a 27-volume masterpiece. It is the foundation for everything that followed and can be read in English through VIZ Media. For those who want the story in its original, uncompromised form, the manga is available digitally on platforms like VIZ Media’s site.

The Two Anime Series: A Tale of Two Adaptations

Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

The first anime adaptation, simply titled Fullmetal Alchemist, aired from 2003 to 2004 and ran for 51 episodes. Because the manga was still being published, the anime eventually outpaced its source material. Rather than create filler arcs, the writers (under the supervision of Arakawa) took the premise and early storylines to craft an entirely original second half. The result is a darker, more introspective series that explores the concept of parallel worlds and roots alchemy’s power source in the souls of people from our own reality. Iconic characters like the Homunculi have radically different origins—Lust is not a product of Father, but a creation of the brothers’ tragedy. The 2003 series stands on its own as a compelling, emotionally devastating drama, and many fans argue it possesses a more melancholic, mature atmosphere than its successor.

It introduced original characters such as Sloth, an emotionally complex Homunculus that is intimately tied to the Elric brothers’ past. The animation, produced by Bones, holds up beautifully, with a steampunk-inspired aesthetic and a soundtrack by Michiru Oshima that blends orchestral swell with genuine sorrow. You can stream the 2003 series on Funimation or purchase the Blu-ray collection.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)

Five years after the first anime concluded, Bones returned with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, a 64-episode reboot that follows the completed manga panel-for-panel. It begins with a fast-paced retelling of the early adventures—sometimes too fast for those who haven’t seen the 2003 version—before settling into a meticulously faithful adaptation. Where the first series is a slow-burn character study, Brotherhood is a grand, mythic war epic. It introduces the full cast of Homunculi named after the Seven Deadly Sins, the ancient entity known as Father, the nation of Xing and its own alchemical tradition (alkahestry), and a final conflict that spans the entire country of Amestris.

Brotherhood is widely considered one of the greatest anime of all time, often occupying the top spot on ranking sites like MyAnimeList. The animation is more dynamic and polished, and Akira Senju’s score adds a triumphant, orchestral weight. The 2009 version emphasizes the political intrigue and military camaraderie that define the manga’s middle volumes—Roy Mustang’s team, the Armstrong family legacy, and the Ishvalan genocide as a central wound that the entire nation must confront. For those who want the complete, canonical story as Arakawa intended, Brotherhood is the definitive watch. It is available for streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation.

Feature Films: Expanding the Worlds

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa (2005)

Serving as the direct sequel to the 2003 series, The Conqueror of Shamballa picks up two years after Edward Elric’s disappearance. The film reveals that Ed has been living in a 1920s Munich, a world without alchemy but on the brink of political upheaval. Alphonse, back in his body with missing memories, searches for a way to reunite with his brother. The movie intertwines real history—the rise of the Nazi party and the Thule Society—with the fantasy premise of a gate between worlds. It’s a bold, often melancholy conclusion that addresses themes of belonging, trauma, and the question of whether two brothers torn apart by the laws of reality can ever truly go home. While the animation retains the warm, hand-drawn quality of the 2003 series, the film’s alternate-history setting gives it a distinct look, with cobblestone streets and zeppelins crossing smoky skies.

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011)

Set during the timeline of Brotherhood, this film is an original side story that takes place before the final arc. The Elric brothers travel to Table City, a border town perched on a cliff, where they encounter a girl named Julia Crichton, a fugitive belonging to the oppressed Milosian people. The film delves deep into class struggle, colonial occupation, and the price of wielding a forbidden alchemical power—the Sanguine Star. While non-canon to the main narrative, The Sacred Star of Milos offers a refreshing focus on a new culture and its mythology, with fluid action sequences that emphasize hand-to-hand combat alongside large-scale alchemy. It stands out visually; the character designs shift slightly, employing thicker linework and a darker palette to match the film’s more grounded, revolutionary tone.

OVAs and Specials

Beyond the shows and films, Bones produced a series of short original video animations and special episodes that enrich the world. For the 2003 series, there are comedic shorts like the Chibi Party OVAs, and for Brotherhood, four OVAs were released that adapt side chapters and gag comics from the manga.

  • The Blind Alchemist: A touching, canon story about a self-taught alchemist who once used human transmutation to bring back a lost daughter.
  • Simple People: A vignette where Winry is given Hawkeye’s earrings, showing the quiet bonds between the supporting cast.
  • The Tale of Teacher: A flashback to how Izumi Curtis met Sig and survived the harsh mountains of Briggs.
  • Yet Another Man’s Battlefield: A young Mustang’s first meeting with Maes Hughes during the Ishvalan Civil War—mandatory viewing for those who love the military drama central to Brotherhood.

These OVAs are collected on the respective series’ Blu-ray sets and offer a mix of levity and lore that no fan should miss.

Live-Action Interpretations

Fullmetal Alchemist (2017) and Its Sequels

In 2017, Warner Bros. Japan released a live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film directed by Fumihiko Sori. The movie condenses the early Liore and Tucker arcs while introducing original twists, and mixes practical prosthetics with CGI to realize Alphonse, the Homunculi, and the flash of transmutation circles. Though it received mixed reviews internationally for pacing and narrative compression, the production design is ambitious, and the casting of Ryosuke Yamada as Edward brings a spirited energy. Two sequels followed on Netflix: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar (2022) and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy (2022), which adapt the entirety of the manga’s remaining story. These sequels improve upon the first, delivering a more cohesive vision and embracing the series’ darker philosophical core. The live-action trilogy is a different beast entirely but can be appreciated for its attempt to translate alchemy into a tangible medium.

Music, Games, and Beyond

The franchise’s musical identity is iconic. The 2003 series features opening themes like “Melissa” by Porno Graffitti and “Ready Steady Go” by L’Arc~en~Ciel, while Brotherhood unleashes unforgettable tracks like YUI’s “Again” and Sid’s “Rain.” The music is so woven into the series’ identity that listening to a soundtrack album can instantly evoke the emotional highs and lows of the journey. Official soundtracks are available on streaming platforms worldwide.

Fullmetal Alchemist has also inspired a wide range of video games. Early titles like Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel and Curse of the Crimson Elixir offered original action-RPG stories on the PlayStation 2. Later handheld games on the Nintendo DS and PSP explored strategy and fighting genres. While these games are now collector’s items, they represent an era when the franchise’s popularity was at its peak, allowing fans to transmute weapons and explore new corners of the map.

The Ideal Viewing Order

Choosing where to begin can be daunting, but the answer depends on what you value in a story. Here are two recommended paths.

  1. The Full Journey (for the deep character-first experience): Start with Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and watch it all the way through, including the first OVAs. Then move to The Conqueror of Shamballa to complete that narrative arc. After a short break, dive into Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, experiencing the story as it was originally written. Follow up with the Brotherhood OVAs and The Sacred Star of Milos. This order gives you two distinct, emotionally satisfying stories, with neither diminishing the other.
  2. The Canon Direct Route: Simply watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood from start to finish (this is the manga’s complete story). Insert The Sacred Star of Milos after Episode 32 (a common fan recommendation) or after finishing the series. The 2003 version can then be treated as a fascinating reinterpretation or watched later as a separate, darker work. This path is best if you want the definitive lore without any detours.

Both the 2003 series and Brotherhood are available on Blu-ray and major streaming services, and Crunchyroll even offers Brotherhood in multiple language dubs, including the legendary English cast that many fans consider the definitive voice of the characters.

Why the Themes Still Resonate

Fullmetal Alchemist endures because it treats its audience with intellectual respect. It rejects the “chosen one” narrative—Ed and Al are gifted, but their journey is one of failure and accountability. The Ishvalan War of Extermination, shown in harrowing detail, mirrors real-world atrocities and never offers easy forgiveness. Characters like Riza Hawkeye, scarred by the past, carry their actions with a weight that shapes every decision. The entire concept of Equivalent Exchange becomes a philosophical grounding for consequence: to obtain, something of equal value must be given. The brothers’ final understanding of the law—that the journey itself, and the people met along the way, constitutes the true “equal value”—is a profound statement on human connection.

For further reading on the series’ cultural impact and its exploration of philosophy and science, the Wikipedia article provides an excellent overview, and the VIZ reading guide breaks down the manga’s arc structure beautifully.

Entering the Gate

Fullmetal Alchemist is a monument in anime history because it offers so much more than alchemical battles. It is a story about the scars we carry, the truths we chase, and the families we build from the rubble of our mistakes. Whether you gravitate toward the bleak, thoughtful atmosphere of the 2003 adaptation or the epic, uncompromising sweep of Brotherhood, the franchise rewards those willing to walk alongside two boys who refused to accept a world without solace. So pick a path, draw your transmutation circle, and step through the gate—the whole rich, heartbreaking, triumphant journey awaits.