Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Watch Order

Interactive episode guide and ratings for all 64 episodes

Follow the Elric brothers from their tragic beginning to the Promised Day — zero filler, pure story.

Episodes
64
Movies
1
Skip model
0% skippable

Start watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Start with episode 1, use the filters to hide skippable material, and check movie placements only when you want side stories. The full route notes sit below the episode guide.

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Complete Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Watch Guide

Route advice for first-time viewers, filler skipping, movies, and completionist watches.

Updated guide

How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is widely considered one of the greatest anime ever made, and it's also one of the easiest to watch. All 64 episodes are canon with zero filler — every episode advances the story. Brotherhood is the faithful manga adaptation, distinct from the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist which diverged from the source material. If you're choosing between the two, watch Brotherhood. The single movie, The Sacred Star of Milos, is a side story that can be watched after episode 20 but isn't required. At approximately 21 hours total, Brotherhood delivers a complete, satisfying story with one of the most acclaimed endings in anime history.

Best Fullmetal Alchemist watch route

Start with Brotherhood if your goal is the cleanest and most complete first watch. It follows the manga, finishes the story, and avoids the split-route confusion that comes from starting with the 2003 adaptation.

Brotherhood versus the 2003 anime

The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist is a separate branch once it moves past the shared opening material. It can be worth trying later out of curiosity, but it should not replace Brotherhood as the main recommendation for first-time viewers.

Movie placement

The Sacred Star of Milos is optional and fits best after the world is established, around the first third of the series. It is a side story, so skipping it does not hurt the main route.

Why Brotherhood stays evergreen

It is one of the easiest prestige anime to recommend because the watch order is clear, the length is manageable, and the story feels complete from start to finish. Very few series balance accessibility and payoff this well.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Movie Guide

When to watch each Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood movie in the episode timeline

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos

Watch after Episode 20

Side story set during the series. Can be watched anytime after episode 20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I watch Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood first?

Watch Brotherhood first — it's the faithful manga adaptation and the definitive version. The 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist diverges from the manga halfway through and has a different ending.

Does Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood have filler?

Brotherhood has zero filler episodes. All 64 episodes adapt the manga faithfully. The first episode is an anime-original prologue, but it's considered canon-adjacent.

How many episodes is Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood?

Brotherhood has 64 episodes, making it a concise and complete story from beginning to end.

When should I watch The Sacred Star of Milos?

The Sacred Star of Milos works best after roughly episode 20, once the world and supporting cast are established. It is optional side material and not required for the main Brotherhood storyline.

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