Overview
Two brothers try to bring their mother back from the dead and pay for it with a leg, an arm, and a body. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows their search for the Philosopher's Stone through a country whose military is not what it seems and whose alchemy is drawn from something much older than science.
Every arc, explained
Introduction / Youswell
Episodes 1–10The brothers' history, the human transmutation, and the first cracks in Amestris' military.
Lior / Ishval
Episodes 11–30Scar, the Homunculi, and the genocide that built the modern state.
Northern Wall of Briggs
Episodes 31–45Olivier Armstrong, Fort Briggs, and the reveal of the country's shape.
Promised Day
Episodes 58–64The final arc. Every character pays off; nearly no thread is left dangling.
Alchemy obeys equivalent exchange: to make anything, something of equal mass and value must be given up. Human transmutation breaks that law and always takes more than it should. Alkahestry, from Xing, is a related but medically-rooted variant.
Amestris is a militarized nation on the edge of a continent it has spent generations conquering. Every arc rewrites the map: Ishval, Xing, Xerxes, Briggs. Underneath is a single conspiracy older than any government.
Watch order
- 1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
- 2Sacred Star of Milos (side story film)
Characters
The Fullmetal Alchemist, the youngest State Alchemist in history.
Edward's younger brother, bound to a suit of armor after their attempt to bring their mother back.
The Flame Alchemist and a State officer with plans that extend far beyond his rank.
Themes
Quotes to remember
"A lesson without pain is meaningless. That's because no one can gain without sacrificing something."— Edward Elric
"Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You have strong legs."— Edward Elric
"It's a terrible day for rain."— Roy Mustang
Fun facts, hidden details & easter eggs
- 1Brotherhood is a full re-adaptation, not a continuation of the 2003 anime.
- 2Hiromu Arakawa modeled Amestris' geography on early 20th-century Europe.
- 3The show is one of the few anime to hold the #1 slot on major rating sites for over a decade.
Soundtrack & openings
Voice cast
| Role | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Elric | Romi Park | Vic Mignogna |
| Alphonse Elric | Rie Kugimiya | Maxey Whitehead |
| Roy Mustang | Shinichiro Miki | Travis Willingham |
Awards
- Anime Grand Prix
- Seiun Award — Best Comic
Frequently asked questions
Should I watch FMA 2003 or Brotherhood?+
Brotherhood if you want the faithful, tighter version. FMA 2003 is worth revisiting later as a fascinating alternate reality with a very different tone.
How much filler is there?+
Effectively none. Brotherhood is 64 episodes because the manga was that lean.
Is it appropriate for teens?+
Yes, with heavy themes of war and grief. Recommended 13+.
Conclusion
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood earned its spot in the AnimeVerse library because it did what most anime doesn't: it kept its promises. The arcs paid off. The characters grew. The world got bigger the longer we sat with it. If you're picking your next weekend of viewing, this is one worth clearing the calendar for.
