Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order (2026): Brotherhood vs 2003 Explained
New to Fullmetal Alchemist and staring at two anime series with almost the same name? Here is the short answer, then the full breakdown. There are two separate TV adaptations of Hiromu Arakawa's manga: Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009). They are not seasons of one show. This guide covers the correct Fullmetal Alchemist watch order for 2026, the real differences between the 2003 series and Brotherhood, what you can safely skip, where the two movies fit, and where to stream everything region by region. If you only ever watch one, the recommendation is simple, and it is the first thing below.
Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order at a Glance
Most viewers should start with Brotherhood: it adapts Arakawa's manga from start to finish across 64 episodes and stands on its own. Watch the 2003 series only if you want the darker, anime-original alternate telling afterward. Pick your route from the table, then read on for why.
| If you want… | Watch this |
|---|---|
| The complete, canonical story, once | Brotherhood (64 eps) + The Sacred Star of Milos (optional) |
| Both versions, the full experience | 2003 (51 eps) → Conqueror of Shamballa → Brotherhood (64 eps) |
| Just the highlights of the franchise | Brotherhood only — skip everything else |
| The original manga ending faithfully | Brotherhood (the 2003 series has a different ending) |
Fullmetal Alchemist has no Akibato collection of its own, but if the Elric brothers get you building a figure shelf, Akibato ships anime figures from Japan worldwide — browse the anime figures collection for in-stock scale and prize figures.
FMA 2003 vs Brotherhood: The Key Differences
Both series are made by studio Bones and cover the same premise — brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric break the one taboo of alchemy trying to bring their mother back, and pay for it with Ed's limbs and Al's whole body. The divergence is about when each was made.
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
The 2003 series ran 51 episodes on MBS and TBS from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004, directed by Seiji Mizushima. It began while Arakawa's manga was still being serialized, so it tracks the source for roughly its first half and then branches into an entirely anime-original second half and ending. The tone is slower and darker, and its story is closed out by a sequel film, Conqueror of Shamballa (2005), rather than by the series itself.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
Brotherhood ran 64 episodes on MBS and TBS from April 5, 2009 through July 2010, directed by Yasuhiro Irie, and this time the manga was nearly finished. It is a faithful, complete adaptation of Arakawa's story, so its second half — the parts the 2003 series never had access to — is the canonical ending. It moves quickly through the early material because it assumes you may already know the setup.
| FMA (2003) | Brotherhood (2009) | |
|---|---|---|
| Episodes | 51 | 64 |
| Aired | 2003–2004 | 2009–2010 |
| Follows the manga | First half only, then original | Faithful, start to finish |
| Ending | Anime-original | The canonical manga ending |
| Companion film | Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) | The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) |
| Pacing | Slower, darker | Faster early, larger in scale |
The Complete Fullmetal Alchemist Watch Order
If you want to watch the whole franchise in release order, this is the sequence. Chronological order is effectively identical — the flashbacks do not change where anything sits.
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) — 51 episodes
- Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) — the ending to the 2003 continuity
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) — 64 episodes, the canonical retelling
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) — an original side-story set during the Brotherhood era
The one rule: do not watch the 2003 series as "season one" and then jump to Brotherhood expecting a continuation. They tell two different second halves of the same story. Finish one continuity before starting the other.
What You Can Skip
Watch order guides love to overcomplicate this, so here is the honest version.
- Skip the 2003 series entirely if you only want the definitive story. Nothing in Brotherhood requires it, and Brotherhood covers the same opening events its own way.
- Skip Conqueror of Shamballa unless you watched the 2003 series — it is the resolution to that ending and will not make sense on its own.
- The Sacred Star of Milos is optional. It is a standalone adventure, not part of the main plot, so it neither spoils nor is required.
- Do not skip Brotherhood's later episodes. The back half is exactly where it pulls ahead of the 2003 version; that is the payoff.
The Movies and OVAs
There are two theatrical films and a set of short OVAs, and knowing which belongs to which continuity saves confusion.
- Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) concludes the 2003 timeline. Slot it right after episode 51 of that series.
- The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) is a Brotherhood-era side-story with an original cast of characters. Watch it any time after you are comfortable with the Brotherhood world.
- The four Brotherhood OVAs are short character extras (backstories and comedic shorts). They are bonus material, not plot — save them for after the series if you want more.
Where to Stream Fullmetal Alchemist in 2026
Availability shifts by region and changes over time, so treat this as a starting map rather than a guarantee. As of this writing, Brotherhood is the easy one; the 2003 series is the hard one.
| Title | Length | Where to watch (2026, region-dependent) |
|---|---|---|
| Brotherhood (2009) | 64 eps | Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu (US) |
| FMA (2003) | 51 eps | Not widely streaming; Blu-ray / DVD is the reliable option |
| Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) | Film | Crunchyroll (limited regions) |
| The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) | Film | Digital purchase / rental |
| Live-action films | 3 films | Netflix |
Short version: for the recommended path, Brotherhood is one search away on Netflix, Crunchyroll, or Hulu depending on where you live. If you are set on the 2003 series and it is not streaming in your country, physical media is still the most dependable route.
Building a Fullmetal Alchemist Collection
FMA figures — Edward and Alphonse scale figures, Nendoroids, and prize lines — turn up regularly from Japanese makers, and Bones' other shonen properties fill the same shelf. Akibato does not run a dedicated Fullmetal Alchemist collection, but it ships anime figures and collectibles from Japan worldwide. If watching the show has you wanting the Elrics on a shelf, browse Akibato's anime figures collection for what is in stock now.
Working through more long-running series next? Akibato's journal has the same style of guide for Naruto, One Piece, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 or Brotherhood first?
Watch Brotherhood first if you only want one series — it is the complete, faithful telling of the manga. Watch the 2003 series first only if you plan to see both, because it is the older, alternate-ending version.
Is Brotherhood a remake or a sequel to the 2003 series?
Neither, exactly. Brotherhood is a separate 2009 adaptation that re-tells the whole story from the beginning and follows the manga to its real ending, rather than continuing the 2003 series.
How many episodes does each Fullmetal Alchemist series have?
The 2003 series has 51 episodes; Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has 64 episodes, plus four OVAs and a movie.
Can I skip the 2003 series?
Yes. Brotherhood does not require it and covers the same setup its own way. The 2003 series is an optional alternate experience, not a prerequisite.
Do the movies matter?
Conqueror of Shamballa (2005) matters only if you watched the 2003 series, since it ends that continuity. The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) is an optional standalone side-story.
Where can I watch Fullmetal Alchemist in 2026?
Brotherhood streams on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu depending on your region. The 2003 series is not widely streaming, so Blu-ray or DVD is usually the most reliable way to see it.
Key Takeaways
- Start with Brotherhood (64 episodes) — it is the complete, manga-faithful version.
- The 2003 series (51 episodes) is a separate, darker adaptation with an anime-original ending; watch it only if you want both.
- Never treat 2003 as "season one" of Brotherhood — they are two different tellings.
- Movies are continuity-specific: Shamballa closes 2003; Milos is an optional Brotherhood side-story.
- Streaming in 2026: Brotherhood is easy to find; the 2003 series often needs physical media.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Fullmetal Alchemist (franchise overview)
- Wikipedia — List of Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) episodes
- Wikipedia — List of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episodes
- Popverse — Fullmetal Alchemist watch guide, order and streaming
- FandomWire — How to Watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood in Order (2026 Guide)