Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are separate adaptations of Hiromu Arakawa’s manga, not two seasons of one continuous story. The 2003 anime develops its own storyline and ending; Brotherhood adapts the manga’s overall completed story. You can start with either, and watching the 2003 series is not required before Brotherhood.
What are the two series?
Both adaptations follow brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose attempt at human transmutation has devastating consequences. They use alchemy and search for a way to regain what they lost. The official Brotherhood introduction describes alchemy through the principle of equivalent exchange; TBS also summarizes the brothers’ shared premise on its program page.
The distinction is in how the adaptations tell that story. The 2003 series establishes its own anime continuity and conclusion. Brotherhood is a later adaptation designed to follow the manga’s broad story through its ending. It is not a continuation of the 2003 anime.
How do their stories differ?
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
The 2003 television series takes a distinct anime-original direction and has its own ending. It is a separate interpretation of the manga’s premise, rather than an introductory season that hands the story over to Brotherhood. Secondary reference summaries describe the series as 51 episodes; that count is not established by the official pages cited here. Wikipedia’s series entry is a secondary reference.
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Brotherhood follows the manga’s overall completed storyline, but it does not reproduce every chapter or scene identically. Its opening illustrates that difference in arrangement: the official episode guide begins with the Elrics pursuing Isaac the Freezer, a former State Alchemist, while episode two is titled “The First Day” and covers the brothers’ origin. See the official episode-one synopsis and the TBS episode guide.
At a glance
| Series | Continuity and ending | Relationship to the manga | Episode count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) | Separate anime continuity with its own conclusion. | Develops a distinct anime-original direction. | 51, according to the secondary Wikipedia series entry; the cited official pages do not establish this count. |
| Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood | Separate adaptation; it does not continue from the 2003 finale. | Follows the manga’s overall completed story, with rearranged and omitted material rather than a scene-for-scene reproduction. | 64, listed by TBS for the 2009 production on its program page. |
Which one should you watch first?
Choose Brotherhood for the manga’s overall story
If you want one TV adaptation that follows the manga’s completed storyline, start with Brotherhood. Its first episode changes the order in which early material is presented, so do not expect it to begin as a chapter-by-chapter replay of the manga.
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Choose the 2003 series for a separate interpretation
If you are interested in seeing a different anime continuity and ending built from the same central premise, watch the 2003 series. It is an alternative, not a prerequisite or prequel to Brotherhood.
Watch both if you want to compare adaptations
Either viewing order works because there is no continuity handoff between the shows. Watching both is optional; choose based on whether you want the manga’s broad completed story, a distinct anime ending, or both interpretations.
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Are they listed as separate releases?
Yes. The Japanese official franchise site lists Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood separately, along with related films and media listings: official watch and media page. Streaming availability depends on territory and can change; that Japanese listing does not establish current availability in other countries.
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