If you loved
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
What hooked you in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was the way a high-stakes magical journey remains anchored by the unbreakable bond between brothers.
Start with the source
The source
Fullmetal Alchemist
Series · 2003
Adaptation
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa
Seiji Mizushima · Film · 2005
Adaptation
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fumihiko Sori · Film · 2017
Books on the same thread
Alchemised
SenLinYu · Book · 2025
Shares a thread with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Moral Ambiguity.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, this story explores the heavy price of alchemy and the personal toll of past mistakes, mirroring the Elric brothers’ struggle with moral ambiguity and transformation.
Mistborn
Brandon Sanderson · Book · 2010
Explores: Class struggle, Revolutionary overthrow, Found family.
Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will recognize the intricate world-building and the focus on a mentor-protégé relationship that drives the fight against a corrupt, long-standing regime in a dystopian setting.
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho · Book · 1988
Explores: Personal Legend, Fate and Free Will, Following Your Dreams.
Much like the philosophical core of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, this narrative follows a protagonist on a spiritual journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the weight of one's destiny and personal choices.
Warbreaker
Brandon Sanderson · Book · 2009
Explores: Magic systems based on color, Divine political intrigue, Sibling rivalry and reconciliation.
This novel echoes the sibling dynamics and complex magical systems found in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, focusing on the tension of familial reconciliation amidst a world defined by divine political intrigue.
Films on the same thread
Akira
Katsuhiro Otomo · Film · 1988
Shares a thread with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Government Conspiracy.
The government conspiracy and themes of youthful rebellion against military powers will feel familiar to anyone who appreciated the darker, high-stakes military tension within Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Castle in the Sky
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 1986
Explores: Anti-war, Environmentalism, Orphan protagonists.
This adventure mirrors the steampunk aesthetic and orphan-led quest dynamic of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, capturing a similar sense of wonder while navigating dangerous foreign agents and magical artifacts.
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
The focus on fate and the powerful, deep connection between two individuals separated by circumstance will resonate with viewers who were moved by the brotherhood at the heart of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Sherlock Holmes
Guy Ritchie · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Steampunk.
The central partnership between a brilliant detective and his loyal companion provides the same compelling bromance and deductive tension that anchored the character dynamics in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
While more comedic in tone, the focus on group dynamics and high-stakes adventure captures the spirit of camaraderie found among the allies in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood during their long journey.
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: moral ambiguity.
These stories lean into the moral ambiguity and experimental storytelling that defined the most gripping episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, providing a similarly immersive experience within a variety of worlds.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood the same story as the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series?
No, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a distinct adaptation. While both series share the premise of Edward and Alphonse Elric searching for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies, the 2003 version diverges from the source material, whereas Brotherhood follows the original story to its intended conclusion.
What order should I watch the Fullmetal Alchemist movies and shows in?
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a standalone series that covers the complete story. The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series and its follow-up, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, represent a separate narrative path. The 2017 live-action Fullmetal Alchemist movie is also a separate adaptation of the original source material.
How long is the journey of the brothers in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the brothers seek the Philosopher’s Stone after a failed alchemical experiment leaves Edward missing limbs and Alphonse as a soul bound to armor. Their journey involves navigating a corrupt military and facing the Homunculi to restore what was lost while maintaining their unbreakable bond.
Should I watch the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie if I finished Brotherhood?
You can watch the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie if you are interested in a live-action adaptation of the story. However, it is a separate production from the 2009 animated series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and follows its own interpretation of the brothers' quest to restore their bodies through alchemy.