Anime is hand-drawn and generated through computer animation, which originates from Japan. The word “anime” is solely associated with animation originating from Japan. However, in Japan, Japanese anime (anime is a short form of the English word animation) refers to all animated work, regardless of its style or origin.
Anime is wildly popular, it’s enjoyed globally. One of the most loved anime is Fullmetal Alchemist. However, people mix it with Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, which is justified as both of them have a connection.
Let’s get into it and learn about the differences between Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series that is said to be loosely adapted from the original manga series. It was directed by Seiji Mizushima and was broadcast in Japan on MBS for one year, from October 2003 to October 2004.
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is also an anime that is completely adapted from the original manga series. This series was directed by Yasuhiro Irie and was broadcast in Japan on MBS for one year, which was from April 2009 to July 2010.
The difference between these two is that Fullmetal Alchemist anime was only a slight adaption from the original manga series, while Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime was a complete adaption of the original manga series. Furthermore, the Fullmetal Alchemist anime was created and broadcasted when the original manga series was still developing, whereas the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was created when the manga series was completely developed, basically the storyline of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood coindes with the storyline of the manga series.
Have a look at the table for some small differences between Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
| Fullmetal Alchemist | Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood |
| Fullmetal Alchemist is loosely adapted from the manga series | Complete adaptation of the original manga series |
| The first episode was broadcasted on MBS in Japan on October 4, 2003 | The first episode was broadcasted on MBS in Japan on April 5, 2009 |
| It consists of 51 episodes | It consists of 64 episodes |
Keep reading to know more.
What is Fullmetal Alchemist about?
Edward and Alphonse Elric are the protagonists who live with their parents Trisha (mother) and Van Hohenheim (father) in Resembool. Soon the mother Trisha faces her death from an illness, right after Edward and Elric finish training alchemy.
With the help of alchemy, Elric tries to bring their mother back from the dead. However, the transmutation fails and backfires, which results in Edward losing his left leg while Alphonse loses his whole body. Edward sacrifices his right arm in order to restore Alphonse’s soul, binding it to a suit of armor. Later, Edward became a State Alchemist to find a way to restore their bodies and went through medical procedures to get prosthetic automatic limbs. The Elrics search for a mythical Philosopher’s Stone for three years to accomplish their goals.
The Fullmetal Alchemist is a long series. Thus, it can’t be summarised in a few words. However, it ends with the Elrics returning home. However, two years later, they both separate their ways to learn more about alchemy. Several years later, Edward ends up marrying a girl named Winry and has two children.
There is a Fullmetal Alchemist manga series as well as an anime series, and both have small differences. The manga series was adapted into an anime named Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. On the other hand, Fullmetal Alchemist anime contains an adaptation to some extent from the manga series, but not completely, as it was created in the early stages of the original manga series.
Nonetheless, let’s dive into what Fullmetal Alchemist is about, whether it’s an anime series or a manga series.
Understanding Alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist’s World
In the manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, the setting is the fictional country of Amestris. In this fictional world, we know that alchemy is, in fact, the most practiced science; alchemists working for the government are called State Alchemists and receive a rank of major in the military.
Alchemists are known to have the ability to create anything that they desire with the help of patterns, which are known as transmutation circles. However, according to the Law of Equivalent Exchange, they must give something of equal value.
One must know that even alchemists are forbidden to transmute some things, which are humans and gold. It’s believed that there have been attempts at human transmutation, but they have never been successful. Furthermore, it’s said that whoever attempts such acts will lose a part of their body, and the ramification is an inhuman mass.
Such attempters are known to have a confrontation with truth, a pantheistic and semi-cerebral God-like entity that is basically the regulator of all the use of alchemy and whose nigh-featureless image is said to be relative to the individual with whom truth converses.
Moreover, it’s often said and also believed that Truth is a personal God who is the punisher of the arrogant.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood the same?
Fullmetal Alchemist is loosely adapted from the manga series while Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a complete adaption of the original manga series. Fullmetal Alchemist’s first half of the plot is the part that is adapted from the manga series, the first half of the plot covers the first seven manga comics, thus there are great chances that the first half of the Fullmetal Alchemist is same as the Brotherhood.
However, by the middle of the story of Fullmetal Alchemist anime, the plot diverges, specifically around when the homunculus Envy in disguise kills Roy Mustang’s friend Maes Hughes.
There are certainly some differences between Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and the original manga series, so learn about them through this video.
Should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood first?
Let’s face it: despite the good Fullmetal Alchemist anime, the original will always remain better. Either you should start by reading the manga and then watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, or read the manga and watch Fullmetal Alchemist. you don’t have to watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as you already know the story because the manga was adapted into an anime known as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
However, if we talk about which anime to watch first, you certainly should watch the original one which is the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It’s upon an individual’s preference as some people call Fullmetal Alchemist the original one, and prefer to watch it first and than Brotherhood.
Regardless of which you watch first, you are guaranteed an immersive experience, as both were created with great effort and are entertaining.
In what order should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist?
As I said, it depends upon an individual’s preference. However, the popular order is listed below.
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2003)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: The Blind Alchemist (2009)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: Simple People (2009)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: The Tale of Teacher (2010)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: Yet Another Man’s Battlefield (2010)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011)
You have several options. You can start by watching Fullmetal Alchemist, given that Brotherhood has a completely different storyline, or you can watch Brotherhood first, as it will give you an idea of what the manga series and the anime Fullmetal Alchemist are about.
Watch in any order you want to because however you prefer these anime, your confusion about anything will be eliminated as you watch them.
To Conclude
- “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” are anime series from the same manga. They have different styles.
- “Fullmetal Alchemist” debuted in 2003 and took its path. In contrast, “Brotherhood” followed the manga and aired in 2009.
- One diverges from the manga, changing the story significantly.
- Both follow the Elric brothers’ quest for the Philosopher’s Stone in a world where alchemy is crucial. The Law of Equivalent Exchange governs it.
- Despite distinctions, both captivate audiences with compelling stories.
- You can pick which to watch first on your choice. Many suggest starting with “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.”
- They were broadcasted on MBS in Japan, with “Brotherhood” directed by Yasuhiro Irie in 2009.