The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise is one of the most beloved and complex anime series, known for its deep philosophical themes, compelling characters, and intricate storylines. It can be a little confusing for newcomers to figure out how to approach the two different anime adaptations (Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) and the movies that accompany them.
Here’s a breakdown of how to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in order to get the full experience.
How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in chronological order
There are three ways of watching Fullmetal Alchemist anime. One is following the original 2003 series which can be followed with The Conqueror of Shamballa. The other involved a reworked manga-accurate remake Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood which has a spinoff chapter set in between its episodes. Additionally, there’s also a live-action trilogy that adapts the anime.
2003 series timeline
Brotherhood timeline
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Sacred Star of Milos (2011)
Live-action
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar (2022)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy (2022)
The first anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s manga, Fullmetal Alchemist (2003), aired before the manga was finished, so it takes significant creative liberties with the storyline and characters. While it follows the same premise—brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric use alchemy to try to resurrect their dead mother and suffer severe consequences—it diverges from the source material about halfway through the series.
This version is often praised for its dark and emotional tone and is a great introduction to the characters. It consists of 51 episodes, and although it’s not as faithful to the manga as the later adaptation, it remains a fan favorite for its unique story.
After finishing the 2003 series, the story continues with Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa, a feature-length movie that serves as a direct sequel to the anime’s original ending. This movie wraps up loose ends and takes Edward and Alphonse into a parallel world resembling 1920s Germany, blending real-world history with fantasy.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the second adaptation of the manga and stays much closer to the original storyline. It begins similarly to the 2003 series but quickly diverges, presenting new characters, different plot points, and a more faithful adaptation of the manga’s themes. With 64 episodes, Brotherhood is generally considered the definitive version of the story, praised for its tighter narrative and more expansive world-building. It’s best watched as a stand-alone series if you want the truest adaptation of Arakawa’s work.
Sacred Star of Milos is a movie that is set within the Brotherhood continuity, perhaps between episodes 15 and 24. But as there’s no confirmed place of the movie in the series it can be watched after Brotherhood as well. The movie follows Edward and Alphonse as they investigate a mysterious alchemist. While it’s not essential to the main plot, it offers an entertaining side story for fans who want more of Fullmetal Alchemist on streaming online.
The 2017 live-action movie adaptation of Fullmetal Alchemist was released on Netflix and condenses the early part of the manga and anime into a feature-length film. The movie focuses on Edward and Alphonse’s journey to recover their original bodies through alchemy. Two sequels followed: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy.
How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in release order
The list below shows you how to watch, buy or rent all the Fullmetal Alchemist shows, specials, and movies in order of their release date. We also give you all the options to stream online for free if there are any offers available on any streaming platform in India.
