If you ask any seasoned anime fan to name the "Greatest of All Time," you’re going to hear one title more than any other. It’s almost a cliché at this point. Since the mid-2000s, Fullmetal Alchemist has sat at the top of ranking sites like MyAnimeList, often refusing to budge even when massive hits like Attack on Titan or Frieren try to take the crown. But for someone standing on the outside looking in, the hype feels suspicious. Is it actually that good, or is this just a case of collective nostalgia?
Honestly, it’s a bit of both, but mostly it's just damn good writing.
We’re talking about a story that starts with two kids trying to bring their dead mom back to life and ends with a geopolitical conspiracy that involves God, genocide, and the very meaning of the human soul. It sounds heavy. It is. Yet, Hiromu Arakawa—the brilliant woman behind the manga—manages to bake in enough humor and heart that you don't feel like you're drowning in misery.
Understanding the Two Versions: Brotherhood vs. 2003
Before you dive in, you have to understand the "Two Series Problem." This is where most newcomers get confused. You'll see Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009).
The 2003 version was made while the manga was still being written. The studio ran out of source material and just... made up their own ending. It’s darker, weirder, and focuses heavily on the psychological trauma of the brothers. On the flip side, Brotherhood follows the manga exactly. It’s faster, more epic, and generally considered the definitive version.
If you’re wondering is Fullmetal Alchemist good enough to watch both? Most purists say yes. But if you only have time for one, go with Brotherhood. It’s the complete vision.
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The Hook: Equivalent Exchange
The magic system in this world isn't really magic. It's Alchemy. It’s treated like a science, governed by the Law of Equivalent Exchange: "To obtain, something of equal value must be lost."
Edward and Alphonse Elric learned this the hard way.
They tried "Human Transmutation" to resurrect their mother. It failed spectacularly. Ed lost his left leg. Al lost his entire body. In a desperate move to save his brother's soul, Ed sacrificed his right arm to bind Al’s consciousness to a giant suit of armor. That’s the starting point. It’s a brutal, effective hook that establishes the stakes immediately. There are no free lunches in this world.
Why the Characters Stick With You
Most shonen protagonists are loud idiots who want to be the King of Something. Edward Elric is different. He’s a prodigy, sure, but he’s driven by a crushing sense of guilt. He feels responsible for his brother being a hollow tin can who can’t feel the wind on his face or the taste of food.
The supporting cast isn't just window dressing. You have Colonel Roy Mustang, a "Flame Alchemist" who seems like a generic cool guy but is actually navigating a treacherous military landscape to atone for war crimes he committed in the past. There’s Winry Rockbell, the mechanic who keeps Ed’s prosthetic "automail" limbs running, who provides the emotional groundedness the show needs.
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Even the villains, the Homunculi, represent the Seven Deadly Sins in ways that feel meaningful to the plot rather than just a gimmick. Envy, for instance, isn't just a monster; they are a pathetic creature whose hatred for humans stems from a deep-seated jealousy of human resilience.
The Ishvalan Civil War: Handling Dark Themes
What really elevates the show is how it handles the Ishvalan Civil War. This isn't just a background detail. It's a look at systemic racism, state-sponsored genocide, and the PTSD of soldiers who were forced to be weapons of mass destruction.
Arakawa didn't just pull this out of thin air. She grew up in Hokkaido and was influenced by the history of the Ainu people and her family's history in farming. You can feel that grounded, "salt of the earth" perspective. When the characters talk about the cost of war, it doesn't feel like a cartoon. It feels like a warning.
Is the Animation Still Good in 2026?
Animation moves fast. What looked amazing in 2009 can sometimes look "crunchy" now. However, Studio Bones did something special with Brotherhood. The fight choreography relies on clever use of the environment—alchemists constantly reshaping the ground, walls, and weapons—rather than just glowing energy beams.
It holds up. The fluid motion in the fight between Bradley and Greed is still a masterclass in tension and pacing.
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The Flaws (Because Nothing is Perfect)
If we're being real, the first dozen episodes of Brotherhood are a bit rushed. Because the 2003 series had already covered the beginning of the story, the creators of Brotherhood zipped through the early chapters to get to the new stuff. Some emotional beats, like the tragic story of Nina Tucker, hit a little harder in the original 2003 run because they took their time.
Also, the humor can be jarring. You’ll have a scene about political assassination followed immediately by a "chibi" Edward screaming because someone called him short. Some people find it charming; others find it tonally inconsistent.
The Verdict: Why It Ranks So High
So, is Fullmetal Alchemist good? No. It’s a landmark.
It’s one of the few long-running series that actually sticks the landing. The ending is widely regarded as one of the most satisfying in fiction. Every character arc is resolved. Every mystery is answered. There are no loose threads, no "to be continued" teases that never happen, and no weird power-scaling issues where the hero becomes a god for no reason.
It’s a story about human limitation. It’s about learning that we can’t fix everything with a magic circle or a quick fix. Sometimes, you just have to keep moving forward with what you have left.
How to Watch Fullmetal Alchemist the Right Way
If you’re ready to start, don’t just jump in blindly. Follow these steps to get the best experience:
- Prioritize Brotherhood: Unless you are a completionist, start with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It is the most faithful to the creator's vision and has the more epic "world-at-stake" narrative.
- Watch the First 10 Episodes Carefully: Since the pacing is fast at the start, pay close attention to the world-building details. They matter immensely later on.
- Don't Skip the Openings: The music (like "Again" by YUI) is iconic for a reason and sets the tone for each "act" of the story.
- Check Out the Manga Afterward: Hiromu Arakawa’s art style has a specific grit and humor that even the best animation can't quite capture 100%.
- Avoid Spoilers Like the Plague: This series has some of the biggest "holy crap" moments in anime history. Don't Google character names until you're finished.
The beauty of this series is that it grows with you. You might watch it as a kid for the cool fights, but when you rewatch it as an adult, you realize it's actually a story about the weight of history and the price of ambition. That's why people are still talking about it twenty years later.