Where to start
Fullmetal Alchemist
4 versions · originally a series, 2003
The saga explores the harrowing physical and moral costs of alchemy as two brothers sacrifice everything to reclaim their humanity.
✦ Most fans start here
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
The original tv
Fullmetal Alchemist
Series · 2003
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) offers a darker, character-driven departure from the source material, focusing on the emotional toll of the brothers' journey for those who prefer atmospheric, standalone storytelling over manga accuracy.
2005 film
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa
Seiji Mizushima · Film · 2005
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) provides a definitive, cinematic conclusion to the 2003 television series, delivering a grounded, historical perspective on Edward's displacement in a non-alchemical world.
2009 series
✦ Start hereFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) is the definitive adaptation, meticulously following the manga's expansive plot to deliver a high-stakes, action-packed experience that is essential for viewers seeking the complete, intended narrative arc.
2017 film
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fumihiko Sori · Film · 2017
Fullmetal Alchemist (2017) attempts to condense the epic scope of the alchemical quest into a live-action format, offering a condensed visual spectacle for those interested in seeing the iconic characters realized physically.
Common questions
What order should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist in?
You should start with the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series, followed by the 2005 film Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, which serves as its conclusion. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a separate adaptation of the original source material and should be watched as a distinct series.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood a sequel to the 2003 series?
No, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is not a sequel to the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series. It is a separate adaptation that follows the original source material more closely. Both series exist as independent versions of the story rather than continuing the plot of the other.
How does Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa relate to the 2003 show?
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa is the direct cinematic conclusion to the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist television series. It picks up the narrative threads left at the end of the 2003 show to provide a final resolution for the characters and the plot.
Is the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie a continuation of the anime?
No, the 2017 Fullmetal Alchemist movie is a live-action adaptation and does not serve as a continuation of the 2003 series or the 2009 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime. It functions as a standalone live-action film project based on the original series premise.