Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the best shounen anime out there, delivering action, heart, and more twists than a philosopher’s stone.
With two different adaptations (similar likes Hunter x Hunter), this beloved series follows the Elric brothers as they dabble in the dangerous world of alchemy.
Expect epic battles, feels that hit like a freight train, and a plot more tightly woven than a pair of automail gloves. So, buckle up! You’re in for a wild, emotional ride.
Fullmetal Alchemist
1. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
| Title | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi |
| Episodes | 51 |
| Aired | 2003-2004 |
The rules of alchemy state that to gain something, one must lose something of equal value. Alchemy is the process of taking apart and reconstructing an object into a different entity, with the rules of alchemy to govern this procedure.
However, there exists an object that can bring any alchemist above these rules, the object known as the Philosopher’s Stone.
The young Edward Elric is a particularly talented alchemist who through an accident years back lost his younger brother Alphonse and one of his legs. Sacrificing one of his arms as well, he used alchemy to bind his brother’s soul to a suit of armor. This lead to the beginning of their journey to restore their bodies, in search for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie – Conqueror of Shamballa (2005)
| Title | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Shamballa wo Yuku Mono |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Summer 2005 |
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 gypsy 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.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
| Title | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST |
| Episodes | 64 |
| Aired | 2009-2010 |
The 2003 adaptation, made before the manga was complete, takes some creative liberties, especially in the second half. It has its own unique ending, which some fans love for its darker tone and philosophical depth. However, this remake benefits from hindsight, giving viewers the complete, unfiltered story as Arakawa intended, with tighter pacing, more character development, and grander world-building.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is generally considered the definitive version, especially for those who love epic action and satisfying payoffs.
In short: Brotherhood is the more faithful and polished experience, while Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 version offers an alternate, equally intriguing take on the same beloved tale.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection (2009)
| Title | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST Mihousou Episode |
| Episodes | 51 |
| Aired | Summer 2009 |
Amazing secrets and startling facts are exposed for the first time in the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection, a new assortment of stories set in never-before-seen corners of the FMA universe.
Join Ed and Al as they chase rumors of successful human transmutation into a web of shocking family drama and lies. Sneak a glance at hidden sides of Winry and Hawkeye’s personalities.
Survive the frigid north with a young Izumi Curtis as she fights to gain a deeper understanding of alchemy. Explore the legendary friendship shared by Mustang and Hughes and watch them grow from military school rivals into hardened brothers transformed by the horrors of the Ishvalan War.
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011)
| Title | Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Milos no Seinaru Hoshi |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Summer 2011 |
A fugitive alchemist with mysterious abilities leads the Elric brothers to a distant valley of slums inhabited by the Milos, a proud people struggling against bureaucratic exploitation.
Ed and Al quickly find themselves in the middle of a rising rebellion, as the exiled Milos lash out against their oppressors. At the heart of the conflict is Julia, a young alchemist befriended by Alphonse.
She’ll stop at nothing to restore the Milos to their former glory – even if that means harnessing the awful power of the mythical Philosopher’s Stone.
And there you have it, folks—your roadmap to one of the most beloved series in anime history. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll probably question your entire existence a few times along the way.
Hiromu Arakawa’s masterpiece isn’t just a best shounen title—it’s a tale of brotherhood, sacrifice, and learning the hard way that equivalent exchange is way more complicated than it sounds.
So prepare for a journey that’s equal parts mind-blowing action and emotional devastation. Happy watching—and remember, no human transmutations allowed!
