Here is the hot take that will get me yelled at in comments: watch Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 first.
Not Brotherhood. Not the “technically superior” version. The 2003 series that half the internet tells you to skip.
I’ll explain exactly why in a moment. But before you close this tab, know that both adaptations are genuinely great, they tell meaningfully different stories, and once you understand what each one is actually doing, the debate stops being confusing and starts being exciting. You don’t have two versions of the same thing. You have two complete stories sharing a premise and a cast.
That distinction matters. And it’s the thing every other watch order guide skips over because they’re too busy dumping a chronological episode list on you.
Here’s the complete 2026 Fullmetal Alchemist watch order, the FMA vs Brotherhood debate settled with actual reasons, and a breakdown of every arc, movie, and OVA worth your time.
Quick Answer: The Watch Order
If you want the summary before the explanation:
Route A (The Full Experience):
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) — 51 episodes
- Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) — film
- Break. Take a breath.
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) — 64 episodes
- FMA: Brotherhood OVAs — 4 shorts (optional)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) — optional spinoff film
Route B (Brotherhood Only — Fastest Path):
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) — 64 episodes
- FMA: Brotherhood OVAs — optional
- Sacred Star of Milos — optional
Route C (Absolute Minimum):
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, episodes 1-64
- Done. You’ve watched the greatest anime ever made according to MyAnimeList.
The Debate: FMA 2003 vs Brotherhood
Let’s actually settle this instead of hedging.
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) started airing when Hiromu Arakawa’s manga was only a few volumes in. Studio Bones caught up to the source material around episode 25-30 and then went completely off-script. The rest of the series is original story, original villain philosophy, an original ending, and a tone that gets significantly darker and more psychologically heavy than what Arakawa eventually published.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) is the complete manga adaptation. It covers the full story as Arakawa wrote it, including the final arc that 2003 never got. The animation is sharper, the pacing in the back half is relentless, and the ending is objectively more complete.
Brotherhood is the “correct” story. But 2003 does something Brotherhood doesn’t: it takes its time in the early tragedy.
The opening arc with Nina Tucker hits differently in 2003. The homunculi backstories are more intimate and cruel. The grief over Trisha Elric is drawn out longer and treated as the emotional core of the entire series. Brotherhood, knowing that fans had already seen these beats, rushes through the first 13 or so episodes and doesn’t linger on the same weight.
So here is the actual recommendation: if you have 115+ hours to spend, watch 2003 first. You get a deeply emotional, complete story followed by a technically superior, story-complete adaptation that rewards you for knowing the characters. The second time through Brotherhood, you don’t need hand-holding on who the Elric brothers are or what they lost. You just feel it.
If you don’t have 115 hours, start with Brotherhood. It will still ruin you emotionally. It still has Nina Tucker. It’s still the greatest anime on MyAnimeList (score 9.11, over 3.5 million members). You are not missing something essential by skipping 2003, just something excellent.
What you should not do: watch them simultaneously, switch between them mid-run, or try to treat one as a “supplement” to the other. They are different stories. Watch them separately.
The Three Routes
Route 1: The Completionist (115+ hours, no skips)
This is the route for people who want to be the most obnoxious person in any FMA conversation (meant lovingly).
You start with the 2003 series. All 51 episodes. You follow Ed and Al through the original villain arc, through the Gate, through a conclusion that is genuinely haunting and thematically complete. Then you watch Conqueror of Shamballa, which is the 2003 epilogue film set two years later in Weimar Germany. It’s a strange and slightly melancholy movie. It ends things.
Then you take a few days off. Seriously. The emotional residue needs to clear.
Then you start Brotherhood fresh. You’ll notice it moves faster early on. Some beats feel familiar. That’s fine. By the time you hit the Ishval backstory and the final arc, you’re watching something entirely different. Two full stories, both complete.
Add the 4 Brotherhood OVAs after finishing Brotherhood. They’re short, fun, and expand on backstory without being essential.
Sacred Star of Milos (2011 film) is optional. It’s a standalone adventure set during the Brotherhood timeline with secondary characters. The animation is noticeably weaker than the series. Watch it only if you want more time in the world.
Route 2: The Fast Track (Brotherhood first, 2003 second — 115+ hours but different order)
Some fans recommend starting with Brotherhood, then watching 2003 as a “what if” alternate story. This works just as well structurally. Brotherhood’s depth and complete worldbuilding actually helps you appreciate what 2003 was trying to do differently.
If you’re watching with someone who hasn’t seen either series and you’re not sure which experience to give them first, this route is arguably the safer bet. Brotherhood is more polished and complete. It creates a stronger first impression. Then 2003 becomes a fascinating parallel story.
Route 3: Brotherhood Only (64 episodes, the popular choice)
This is what most people do and it’s completely valid. Brotherhood is:
- MAL’s #1 rated anime (score 9.11, #2 most popular by member count)
- A complete adaptation of Arakawa’s manga
- Gorgeous animation for its era that holds up in 2026
- A self-contained story with one of the best ensemble casts in anime
You’re not compromising anything by watching only Brotherhood. You’re watching the canonical, complete version of the story. The vast majority of FMA fans only watched Brotherhood and are fine.
If this is your choice, you don’t need to feel like you’re missing out. Just know that FMA 2003 exists and is worth visiting later if you fall in love with the world.
Series Breakdown: Everything You Need to Know Before Starting
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
Episodes: 51
Studio: Bones
Aired: October 2003 - October 2004
Watch on: Not widely available for US streaming (DVD or VPN required; Amazon Prime in Germany)
The 2003 series is often unfairly dismissed as “the inferior one.” That’s not accurate. It’s a different story with a different villain philosophy, a darker view of alchemy’s moral cost, and a genuinely excellent climax that Bones crafted themselves.
The series follows the same basic premise as the manga: Edward and Alphonse Elric attempted human transmutation to bring back their mother and paid a terrible price. Ed lost his arm and leg. Al lost his entire body, his soul anchored to a suit of armor. They become State Alchemists to use the military’s resources to find the Philosopher’s Stone and restore what they lost.
Where 2003 diverges: the Homunculi (the series antagonists, failed human transmutations) have completely different backstories and motivations than in the manga or Brotherhood. The villain Dante and her obsession with immortality replace Father and the homunculi’s connection to Truth. The final act involves a portal between worlds that 2003 uses to explore the nature of alchemy itself.
If you’re going in, the pacing is slower and more deliberate through the first 25 episodes, then accelerates significantly as Bones builds toward their original ending.
Skip guide: No filler. Every episode is plot-relevant. Watch in order.
Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: The Conqueror of Shamballa (2005)
Runtime: 105 minutes
Watch on: Crunchyroll
Placement: After FMA 2003 finale, before Brotherhood
Set two years after the 2003 ending. Ed is in our world (Weimar Germany, 1923) studying rocketry with Hermann Oberth while Alphonse has no memory of his time in the armor. It’s a bittersweet, strange film that leans into real-world historical setting and doesn’t quite resolve the emotional loss from the series in a satisfying way.
Whether you find the ending cathartic or infuriating probably depends on your attachment to Ed and Al’s relationship specifically. It’s worth watching. It’s not the triumphant conclusion people hope for.
Important: This film is part of the 2003 continuity ONLY. Watching it before Brotherhood makes no sense — different story, different ending, different world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Episodes: 64
Studio: Bones
Aired: April 2009 - July 2010
Watch on: Netflix, Disney+, Crunchyroll (check regional availability)
This is the one. MAL’s #1 rated anime. A complete adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s 27-volume manga.
The early episodes rush somewhat because Brotherhood assumed many viewers had already watched the 2003 series. The first 13 episodes compress backstory that 2003 handled more deliberately. Stick with it. Once Brotherhood finds its own pace around episode 14-15, it becomes something special.
Arc breakdown (Brotherhood):
Episodes 1-13 — Introduction / Early Journey: The Elric brothers establish themselves as State Alchemists, investigate the Philosopher’s Stone, and encounter Scar (an Ishvalan warrior hunting State Alchemists). Rush Valley and the introduction of automail mechanics. This section moves fast. It exists to get you to the real story.
Episodes 14-33 — Promises / The Shadow War: The brothers discover the conspiracy behind the State, meet the Xingese prince Ling Yao (one of the best new characters), and the homunculi’s true nature begins to emerge. Greed appears. Winry becomes more central. Major deaths start happening. The tone shifts here.
Episodes 29-38 — Ishval Flashback / Roy Mustang’s Arc: The Ishval Civil War flashback is one of anime’s greatest episodes of military horror and moral culpability. Roy Mustang’s story — a loyal soldier who commits war crimes and builds his entire character around making up for them — is given the weight it deserves. This section elevates Brotherhood above simple adventure storytelling.
Episodes 39-50 — Descent: Everything accelerates. Characters arrive in Central City. The Promised Day approaches. Father’s actual plan becomes clear and it’s significantly more ambitious and cosmically terrifying than anything in 2003. Greedling’s character arc is probably the series’ best surprise.
Episodes 51-64 — The Promised Day and Finale: One long climactic battle involving almost every character in the series. The final five episodes are an absolute rollercoaster. The ending is genuinely earned in a way that 2003’s couldn’t be because Arakawa wasn’t finished yet. Bring tissues regardless.
Note on Episode 4: “An Alchemist’s Anguish” is the Nina Tucker episode. If you’ve heard anything about FMA, you’ve heard about this. It’s devastating. Prepare yourself.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVAs (2009-2010)
Episodes: 4 shorts
Watch on: Available on Blu-ray, select streaming platforms
Placement: After Brotherhood episode 64
- The Blind Alchemist: Ed and Al investigate a rumor of successful human transmutation. Heavy and dark. Worth watching.
- Simple People: Winry and Riza Hawkeye flashback vignettes. Understated and surprisingly moving.
- The Tale of Teacher: Izumi Curtis’s backstory, showing how she became the brothers’ teacher. Excellent if you loved her character.
- Yet Another Man’s Battlefield: Roy Mustang and Maes Hughes in Ishval, before the series begins. This one is essential if you cared at all about Hughes.
None of these are required. All of them are good. They average 15-20 minutes each.
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011)
Runtime: 110 minutes
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Placement: After Brotherhood, optional
A standalone film set during the Brotherhood timeline. Ed and Al investigate alchemy crimes in a border region called Milos. The main characters are all new. The animation is notably lower quality than the series. The story is self-contained and has no impact on the main plot.
Watch if you want more time in Arakawa’s world. Skip without guilt if you don’t.
Where to Watch in 2026
| Title | Streaming (US) |
|---|---|
| FMA 2003 | Not available on US streaming — DVD or VPN required |
| Conqueror of Shamballa | Crunchyroll |
| FMA: Brotherhood | Netflix, Disney+, Crunchyroll |
| Brotherhood OVAs | Crunchyroll, Funimation (select episodes) |
| Sacred Star of Milos | Crunchyroll |
The streaming gap for FMA 2003 in the US is a genuine problem. If you want to watch it legally, you’re looking at buying the Funimation DVD set or using a VPN to access Amazon Prime Germany or other regional catalogs. It’s an extra step that’s absolutely worth taking for the full experience.
Key Decisions to Make Before Starting
Sub or dub?
Both are genuinely good. Vic Mignogna’s performance as Edward in the English dub has issues separate from the anime (he’s since been replaced in newer productions), but the dub overall is solid and Aaron Dismuke’s young Al is particularly remarkable for a child voice actor. The Japanese sub features Romi Park as Ed and Rie Kugimiya as Al, a legendary pairing.
My honest take: start with sub for Brotherhood. The Japanese performances are slightly more nuanced in the emotional moments. Dub works fine if you prefer it.
Should you watch both or just Brotherhood?
Already addressed above, but to be direct: if you have the time and any interest in anime as a medium, watch both. They represent two different writers (Arakawa vs Bones’ screenwriters) taking the same characters in completely different directions. That’s genuinely rare and valuable.
If you’re time-limited, Brotherhood only is the correct call.
Do you need to read the manga?
No. Brotherhood is a complete and faithful adaptation. You’re not missing plot by watching instead of reading. Some Brotherhood fans read the manga afterward for the art and pacing differences — Arakawa’s visual storytelling is exceptional — but it’s not required.
FAQ
Is FMA Brotherhood a remake of FMA 2003?
Sort of, but not exactly. Both adapt the same manga, but 2003 ran out of source material and became an original story. Brotherhood is the complete adaptation made years later after the manga finished. They share the first 25ish episodes of premise but tell entirely different stories from there. Calling Brotherhood a “remake” undersells how different the two are.
Do I need to watch FMA 2003 to understand Brotherhood?
No. Brotherhood is self-contained and introduces every character and concept independently. Knowing 2003 first enriches the experience but isn’t required for comprehension.
Can I skip the first 13 episodes of Brotherhood since they’re similar to 2003?
Technically you could skip to episode 14 if you’ve seen 2003 and find the pacing frustrating. But I’d recommend watching episodes 1-13 anyway — Brotherhood’s versions of early scenes are worth seeing even if familiar, and the differences are instructive. At minimum watch episodes 4 (Nina Tucker) and 7-8 before jumping ahead.
Is FMA 2003 worth watching if Brotherhood exists?
Yes. This isn’t a “watch the inferior version for completeness” situation. FMA 2003 is a genuinely excellent anime that tells a darker, more intimate version of the same premise. Plenty of fans prefer it. If you call it the inferior version after actually watching it, that’s fine — but the dismissal before watching is worth resisting.
Why is FMA 2003 not on US streaming?
Licensing complications. Funimation held distribution rights for years and the US rights situation has been messy since Crunchyroll absorbed Funimation. Brotherhood’s rights were easier to clear for international streaming platforms. FMA 2003 may eventually surface on a major service, but for now it requires more effort to watch legally in the US.
Where does Sacred Star of Milos fit in the timeline?
It’s set during the Brotherhood timeline, between episodes 48 and 49 roughly (based on the Promised Day build-up). But since it’s entirely self-contained with new characters and has no bearing on the main plot, placement doesn’t actually matter. Watch it after Brotherhood finishes.
How long does it take to watch everything?
- FMA 2003 only: ~21 hours
- Brotherhood only: ~26 hours
- Both series + both films: ~50 hours
- The complete Completionist route (everything): ~54 hours
Stream & Buy Fullmetal Alchemist: Crunchyroll | Amazon | eBay
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Stream free (with ads) or Premium |
| Amazon | Blu-ray, manga, official merch |
| eBay | Collector editions, rare merch |
Who Is This For?
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the standard recommendation for anyone who asks “what’s the best anime.” It’s the answer because it earns that answer — tight plotting, an ensemble cast where almost every character gets a real arc, alchemy rules that have actual internal logic, and an ending that makes you feel like the show respected your time.
But here’s who specifically should watch this:
Watch it if you loved Death Note and want something that matches the strategic villain plotting but with heart underneath it. The conspiracy mechanics in Brotherhood are as intricate as any chess-match thriller.
Watch it if Attack on Titan was your entry point and you want something with the same “hidden conspiracy behind society” energy but a more hopeful thematic conclusion.
Watch it if you’ve been told anime is all filler and power-ups. Brotherhood has zero filler and no power-up speeches. Every episode moves the story forward.
Watch FMA 2003 specifically if you’re interested in anime that subverts its own genre conventions, if dark and morally ambiguous storytelling appeals to you, or if you want to understand why some anime fans consider an “inferior” adaptation to be their personal favorite.
Both are worth your time. Start with whichever sounds right after reading this. Just start.
If you’re building out your watch list, check our guide on Naruto Watch Order for another massive franchise with a filler problem, or the Hunter x Hunter Watch Order if you want something with zero filler and comparable emotional devastation. If you’ve already finished Brotherhood and you’re looking for what’s airing right now, our Summer 2026 Anime Preview has the full lineup.