Where to start withFullmetal Alchemist
4 versions · originally a series, 2003
Themes: alchemy, brotherhood, redemption, moral ambiguity, search for power.
Start with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) — the series. Fullmetal Alchemist exists in 4 versions across media, beginning as a series in 2003; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The saga of two brothers navigating the moral costs of alchemy while seeking to restore their shattered physical forms.
✦ Most fans start here
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
The original tv
Fullmetal Alchemist
Series · 2003
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) offers a darker, character-focused divergence from the original manga narrative, making it an essential watch for those interested in seeing an alternative, self-contained take on the Elric brothers.
2005 film
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa
Seiji Mizushima · Film · 2005
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) serves as the definitive conclusion to the 2003 television series, providing a high-stakes, cinematic resolution to the brothers' separation across two distinct worlds.
2009 series
✦ Start hereFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) is the ultimate definitive adaptation, meticulously following the original manga’s plot to deliver a sprawling, epic journey that balances complex world-building with intense, emotional character arcs.
2017 film
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fumihiko Sori · Film · 2017
Fullmetal Alchemist (2017) provides a live-action condensation of the early narrative arc, offering a visual experiment for dedicated fans who want to see these iconic characters rendered in a grounded, physical space.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Fullmetal Alchemist series in?
You should begin with the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist television series. Follow this with the 2005 movie Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa to conclude that specific narrative. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a separate adaptation that follows the original source material more closely.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood a sequel to the 2003 series?
No, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is not a sequel to the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist television series. It is a distinct adaptation of the source material that follows a different narrative path. You can watch it independently of the 2003 version and its subsequent 2005 film.
How does the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie relate to the anime?
The 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie is a live-action adaptation of the franchise. It is separate from the animated 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist television series, the 2005 film Conqueror of Shamballa, and the 2009 series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It functions as a standalone cinematic interpretation of the story.
Should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa before Brotherhood?
You should not watch Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa before starting Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The movie serves as the conclusion to the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist television series, whereas Brotherhood is a separate production that requires no prior viewing of the 2003 material.