Anime · in order
Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order
There are two Fullmetal Alchemist anime, and you only need one. Brotherhood (2009) faithfully adapts the manga and is the usual recommendation; the 2003 series diverges into its own original ending.
Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Fullmetal Alchemist is the rare franchise where the main question isn't "what order" but "which version." Two full anime adaptations exist of Hiromu Arakawa's manga, and they are not sequels to each other. You pick one and watch it start to finish. For most newcomers, that pick is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), the manga-faithful retelling that covers the complete story with the author's intended ending.
The default watch order on this page is the modern recommendation: start with Brotherhood (2009), then watch its side-story film, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011), an optional non-canon adventure set during the series. That's the cleanest path through the better-regarded version of the story, and it's where we'd point a first-timer.
The 2003 series is the alternate. The original Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) began airing while the manga was still ongoing, so it shares the early arc and then branches into a completely anime-original ending. Its story is concluded by the film Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005). The 2003 path is darker and more melancholic, beloved by people who grew up with it, but it is a parallel telling, not extra content. Watching both means re-watching the same opening hours, so only double-dip if you fall in love and want a different take.
Quick rule of thumb: want the complete, author-approved story? Watch Brotherhood. Curious about the older, divergent version afterward? That's the 2003 series plus Conqueror of Shamballa. If you enjoy this kind of dark fantasy with alchemy and moral weight, fans of Fullmetal Alchemist often move on to Hunter x Hunter or Death Note next.
Timeline 2003–2011
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist in?
Pick one version. For most people that's Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009), watched straight through, with the film The Sacred Star of Milos as an optional side story. You do not need the 2003 series too.
Should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) or Brotherhood?
Brotherhood faithfully adapts the manga and tells the complete, author-intended story, so it's the usual first-timer pick. The 2003 series shares the early episodes then goes its own anime-original direction.
Do I need to watch both anime series?
No. They retell the same beginning, so watching both means re-watching the early arc. Choose one. Only watch the other if you love it and want the alternate ending.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
Brotherhood is 64 episodes. The original 2003 series is 51 episodes. Each is a self-contained run, plus one finale or side film apiece.
Where do the 2003 series and Brotherhood diverge?
They share roughly the first dozen-plus episodes' worth of story, then the 2003 series invents its own ending because the manga was unfinished at the time. Brotherhood follows the completed manga throughout.
Is The Sacred Star of Milos canon?
No. It's a standalone side-story film set during the Brotherhood-era timeline. It's optional and doesn't affect the main plot, so watch it only if you want more.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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