Anime fan for 15 years. Covers shonen, seasonal previews, and the occasional deep dive.
Fullmetal Alchemist vs Brotherhood: The Definitive Answer
If you have spent any time in anime forums, you have seen this question asked a thousand times: should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) first? Or both? Or just one?
This guide settles it once and for all.
The Short Answer
Watch Brotherhood first. If you only watch one, make it Brotherhood. It is the version that follows the manga, has the better second half, and is considered one of the greatest anime ever made (currently #1 on MyAnimeList).
If you fall in love with the world and want more, then watch the 2003 series after as a darker, alternate-universe retelling.
Why Two Versions Exist
Hiromu Arakawa's manga began in 2001 and was still ongoing when Studio Bones adapted it in 2003. The anime caught up to the manga quickly, so the writers invented an entirely original second half with a different ending. That is Fullmetal Alchemist (2003).
When the manga finally finished in 2010, Bones produced a brand new adaptation that faithfully follows the source from beginning to end. That is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
So they share the same opening arc (roughly the first 10 to 12 episodes cover the same story), then diverge completely.
What Each Version Does Better
Brotherhood (2009) — 64 episodes
- Faithful to the manga — the complete, intended story
- Better pacing in the second half — the original gets bogged down
- Stronger world-building — Xing, Briggs, the homunculi backstories
- Bigger, more satisfying climax — the ending is genuinely earned
- Better animation overall — six years of technical progress
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) — 51 episodes
- Darker, more melancholic tone — leans into tragedy
- Slower, more atmospheric opening arc — many fans prefer it to Brotherhood''s rushed start
- Stronger psychological focus on Ed and Al — the brothers feel more central
- A genuinely haunting ending — including the movie Conqueror of Shamballa
- Better standalone villain — for spoiler reasons, the 2003 antagonist is incredible
The Common Misconception
A lot of people online say "watch 2003 first because Brotherhood rushes the early episodes." This is half true — Brotherhood does compress the first arc because the manga readers had already seen it. But it is not a dealbreaker. The compressed opening is around 10 episodes; the show then opens up into 54 of the best episodes in anime history.
If you watch 2003 first, you will spend 51 episodes with characters and a plot that the canon version handles differently. By the time you watch Brotherhood, you will be comparing every scene to a version that no longer exists in the source material. It dampens the experience.
Recommended Watch Orders
Option 1 — The Standard (Best for newcomers)
- 1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (64 episodes)
- 2Done. You have seen the definitive version.
Option 2 — Full Completionist
- 1Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (64 episodes)
- 2Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) (51 episodes)
- 3Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa (movie that concludes the 2003 series)
- 4Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (Brotherhood-era side story movie, optional)
Option 3 — Chronological/Historical
- 1Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
- 2Conqueror of Shamballa
- 3Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This is what older fans did because they had no choice. We do not recommend it today.
The Verdict
For 99% of viewers in 2026: start with Brotherhood. It is the version Hiromu Arakawa intended, it has the better long-term payoff, and it is the one that ranks at the top of every "best anime ever" list.
Save the 2003 version as a second course — a darker, alternate-take companion piece that you will appreciate more once you know what the canon version chose to do differently.
Where to Watch
Both series are available on Crunchyroll. Brotherhood is also on Netflix in many regions. The movies are on Crunchyroll and digital storefronts.
Either way you choose, you are about to watch one of the best stories anime has ever told.