You can never go wrong with one of the greatest action anime of all time. Binge-watching the series is a no-brainer because of its amazing story and overall experience. If you're wondering which show to watch first, here's the Fullmetal Alchemist watch order for your viewing pleasure.
Fullmetal Alchemist continues to be a relevant show to this day despite being released for quite some time now.
There are two anime adaptations of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The first was released in 2003, with a reboot in 2009. As a result, fans frequently wonder which show to watch first.
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Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order: Which Should You Watch First?
click to enlargeFullmetal Alchemist fans are divided into two groups. The first option is to watch the Fullmetal Alchemist adaptation from 2003, while the second option is to watch the Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood anime from 2009.
Despite the fact that Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 has a better beginning and character introductions, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is more faithful to the manga. It is also a standalone anime that does not rely on sequel films to finish its story.
Follow the watch order below if you only want to watch the anime that is more faithful to the manga:
| Title | Type | Episodes | Date Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood | TV Anime | 64 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Specials | Special | 4 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 4-Koma Theater | Special | 16 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: The Sacred Star of Milos | ONA | 4 | 2011 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: The Sacred Star of Milos | Movie | 1 | 2011 |
The other option is to watch the series in chronological order. Despite the fact that Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 differs from the manga, particularly in the ending, it is still a good watch.
The difference is due to the fact that the anime ended before the manga. As a result, the production decided to include an original ending to the Fullmetal Alchemist anime in 2003.
If you want to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in its entirety, here is the second watch order:
| Title | Type | Episodes | Date Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullmetal Alchemist | TV anime | 51 | 2003 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Reflections | Special | 1 | 2005 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa | Movie | 1 | 2005 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Premium Collection | OVA | 3 | 2005 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood | TV Anime | 64 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Specials | Special | 4 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 4-Koma Theater | Special | 16 | 2009 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Sacred Star of Milos | ONA | 4 | 2011 |
| Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: Sacred Star of Milos | Movie | 1 | 2011 |
The OVA, ONA, and other specials are non-canon, so you should skip them if you want to follow the storylines of both shows.
In any case, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is a far superior show to the original Fullmetal Alchemist adaptation from 2003. Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 is optional, but Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is considered highly essential.
At the end of the day, you must decide whether to watch Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 before moving on to Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood or vice versa.
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For more articles like this, take a look at our Anime and Fullmetal Alchemist page.