Some anime are full of action, some are emotional and some are dark. However, when it comes to Fullmetal Alchemist as the best anime to watch, the Brotherhood version still has a hold on us viewers. Adding a modern and definitely dark touch to the usual brotherhood we know, this anime is all about a world built on actual consequences, loss, and the price for desire. Is Fullmetal Alchemist worth watching? This is what we know.
Here, the world runs on alchemy. And, to create something, you must sacrifice something. When two brothers, in an attempt to bring back their mother from the dead, try human transmutation for the first time, the results are a nightmare. What begins as two brothers trying to fix a mistake soon turns out into an ugly world of genocide, ancient conspiracy, and artificially created humans who worship someone called Father.
Well, here are our thoughts on Fullmetal Alchemist and why this one ranks at the top of the best anime list for 2025.
Fullmetal Alchemist as the Best Anime to Watch: The Plot
In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is more than just a craft. Here, it is a discipline that is ruled by the one ultimate rule: to obtain something, you must sacrifice something of equal value to what you desire. Adding a darker note to the “You must lose to obtain” version, the anime starts with two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric. PS- think Frankenstein here.
To bring their mother back from the dead, the duo breaks this rule while performing the first-ever human transmutation. And, the consequences are dire. Edward loses a leg, while Alphone loses his entire body and exists only as a soul stuck in armor. This is when they realize they want a second chance and restore what they had lost.
To do that, the brothers become State Alchemists who are government-affiliated alchemists provided with enough resources, rank, and authority. The only catch? They work for the government. This attempt puts Edward and Alphonse into the world of military, politics, law, and secrecy. And, as the brothers join this political cult to get their hands on one thing that can reverse it all, they soon realize they live in a world driven by hidden sins and wars.
The main quest for the brothers is to achieve the Philosopher’s Stone, a very powerful alchemical object that can break the equivalent rule they broke. What started out as a personal tragedy soon expands when they learn how exactly the stone was made. They soon realize that to achieve this stone, the level of sacrifice they are required to make is unacceptable.
Rated as one of the most popular anime right now, Fullmetal Alchemist has multiple arcs, noteworthy worldbuilding, and some remarkable character development.
What We Love About Fullmetal Alchemist?
One of the best things we love about this best anime right now is that way the storyline is laced. Besides giving a darker, different touch to the classic “Frankenstein” concept, the anime assumes you can think, feel, and read between the lines. meaning, the plot comes with no forced emotional telling, which is very apparent most of the time. This concept allows the viewers to read between the lines and understand what the concept is all about.
Another great thing about Fullmetal Alchemist is the pacing. You don’t have to watch 30-something episodes just to get into the actual plot. It starts fast, starts dark, and leaves you with a cliffhanger all the time. Plus, the concept of filler is very limited here. Even silent, slightly slow-paced episodes have relevance to the plot.
The character development and emotional architecture around them are yet another noteworthy mention. The backdrop, emotional storytelling, and dialogue delivery hit on point every time. Beyond just melodrama and buffed dialogues, the characters have an emotional relevance- something that is not often found in anime. And, while the brothers are pretty vital to the plot, side characters have their own relevance. Side or main, every character has their own story, betray or traumas, which the anime beautifully dives into.
But one thing we love the most has to be the fact that the main theme of this anime always remains central. There are many instances where many anime pick different themes or arcs and soon abandon them. However, in the case of Fullmetal Alchemist, the plot will always be defying the great equivalent rule and fixing mistakes with more mistakes.
Criticism: What We Don’t Like?
Yes, Fullmetal Alchemist is a full and polished story; however, it still needs slight improvement.
To start with, the consistency of tonality can be a bit abrupt. Certain conflicts are explained with pain, promises, and moral difficulty. And, the entire journey to heal from conflict is also respectful. However, the way certain conflicts are dealt with too softly doesn’t really justify the whole emotional turmoil. In short, the ending of some arcs should have been harsher with some cliffhangers or anticipation.
Another thing we noticed is the pacing. The show starts and ends pretty strongly, but the middle? Well, that can get a bit boring. Though the primary theme remains always central to the plot, certain new or side themes are often stretched to a point where they feel forced. Yes, these side themes are also important to the plot, but they can pull apart the emotional factors users have already invested in the brother’s journey.
Moreover, despite having a strong purpose, many characters don’t get the depth they deserve. In short, there were a lot of characters that could have been worked on. While the overall character development is pretty good for the brothers, some main characters also deserve the limelight.
Lastly, the plot of this best anime to watch assumes you are highly intelligent. To put it simply, you have to be invested in this anime altogether. The plot and the way the story is told are not easy. You have to catch the cues and make out some of the parts on your own. You can’t simply absorb. You need to be all invested in.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Ending Explained (Brotherhood)
SPOILERS AHEAD
Starting off the the very start, Ed and Al try transmutation on a malformed creature to bring their mother back. But, since the body has no soul, the mother never comes back. Her death remains permanent, which is very critical to the brother’s character development. They finally accept the fact, instead of trying to rewrite it.
By the time you reach the end of the anime, we see the two same brothers who were once trying to fix their personal tragedy fix the world’s fate. The final arc, called The Promise Day, shows the failed attempt of the Father for the giant sacrifice. The nationwide sacrifice is stopped. Still, Father, somehow, obtains the “God” powers.
The final scenes become very intense and emotional when we see Alphonse giving up his soul so Ed can have his body back and keep fighting. This is the cornerstone of the anime. Once considered selfish, the brother willingly gives up his soul by choice, not tragedy. After defeating Father, Edward brings back Alphonse- but loses another important thing. He gives up Alchemy to bring back Alphonse. This is the cleanest, full-circle end to an anime plot we have ever seen.
What Is The Top Anime Right Now? | Best Anime to Watch
If you loved Fullmetal Alchemist, there are many best anime to watch. You can go for One Piece, JJK3, Bleach, Dragon Ball, and Chainsaw Man. You can also explore the top 10 anime right now here.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fullmetal Alchemist as the Best Anime To Watch?
Below are some frequently asked questions on Fullmetal Alchemist:
Is Fullmetal Alchemist the same as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
No. While both have their initial storyline inspired by the manga, the Brotherhood version is actually true to the manga. The original Fullmetal Alchemist did start off from the manga storyline, but has different characters and ending.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist worth watching?
Fullmetal Alchemist is recommended as the best anime to watch. With a great storyline, the anime is action-packed, fast-paced, and has a good ending.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood better than the original Fullmetal Alchemist?
Generally, Brotherhood is considered a better series because it has a complete ending and a well-explained plot. Plus, unlike the original anime, Brotherhood is not slow-paced and is full of cliffhangers.
Where to watch Fullmetal Alchemist?
You can watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Crunchyroll. It is rated as the best anime to watch on Crunchyroll. The anime is also available on Netflix.
Is Fullmetal Alchemist finished?
Yes, the anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has officially been finished. The anime ended with Alphonse giving up his soul to help his brother Edward defeat Father. After Father’s defeat, Edward gives up alchemy to bring back Alphonse’s body and soul.