Fullmetal Alchemist or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?

Just started watching FMA for the first time after the girl I like recommended it to me. Im 34 episodes deep and realized Im watching the 2003 version that is considered as an alternative ending. Should I continue with FMA and then finish with the movie and move onto FMA:B or skip straight to FMA:B ? Havent read the manga at all so I dont know what all Im getting into. Im liking FMA so far but the plot is kind of going into a weird direction, which Im assuming is why its considered an alternate version.

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Ok_Trick59162025-12-28 05:51

Watch both

PokemonFamilySagaX2025-12-28 05:52

I think full metal Alchemist brotherhood is best for watching.

dexxan692025-12-28 05:54

I watched both. If you only have time for one, watch brotherhood as that follows the manga and is excellent.

JamesSomdet2025-12-28 05:54

It was a very long time ago, but I remember the original FMA ending and movie being pretty profound. I’d definitely finish it before going to FMA Brotherhood.

Heiruspecs2025-12-28 07:13

The anime original ending is absolutely terrible. I don’t understand why people like it. It doesn’t even make sense from a world point of view.

The best way to watch imo is to start with the first like 12 episodes of the original, the. 2-4 of brotherhood, then 14-16 of original, then something like 9 to the end of beotherhood. It’s something like that. There’s a few things left out of brotherhood that give some additional good context to the characters that show up later in brotherhood. I can’t remember the exact order but it’s easy to look up.

moogoo22025-12-28 07:25

I see shit like this and will never watch a series. I don't care how good it is I'm not going to look up an obtuse viewing order.

Canium2025-12-28 08:05

The poster you are replying to is wrong, you should just watch brotherhood. You only miss out on some minor character introductions that just gets covered in brotherhood when they pop back up in the story later.

Heiruspecs2025-12-28 10:39

Brotherhood is totally fine to watch as a standalone, but if you want to get the best of both series, there’s a way to combine them for the additional context.

MakingaJessinmyPants2025-12-28 08:07

He just made that shit up, FMA is not chronologically complicated at all

Heiruspecs2025-12-28 10:41

I didn’t. It’s just how you watch everything. Some of the stuff in the original is omitted in brotherhood. Like the short Barry the Butcher arc or the short arc about the coal mining guy whose name I can never remember. It’s wholly unnecessary though.

Heiruspecs2025-12-28 10:39

It’s wholly unnecessary to watch it as above. But if you want to maximize the best of both series, there’s an obtuse way to do it.

Turbulent-Region33232025-12-28 08:37

What is this BS lol. Just watch FMA then FMAB lol

Edit: Or you can watch fmab then fma. Like literally nothing changes.

landragoran2025-12-31 00:08

FMA first makes "Bro...ther" and "It's a terrible day for rain" hit a lot harder because it spends more time on the buildup.

MegaDuckCougarBoy2025-12-28 05:54

I like FMA more for the music, the character development, and the absolutely batshit wild ending that differs from the manga.

I like FMAB more for the action, quite a few characters that don't even show up in the original, and the author's intended ending.

I would say watch both tbh

ExaminationNo91862025-12-28 05:56

Either way, both are too long, and could do with some good editing to drop about 15 episodes worth of material.

protosalmon2025-12-28 05:57

Fma better if you're an adult. Brotherhood for teenagers

Pandos172025-12-28 09:46

So edgy I got a paper cut

protosalmon2025-12-28 09:49

Teenagers hate him

Embarrassed-Air-21142025-12-28 05:59

I watched both, but I rec FMAB

AugustusNZ2025-12-28 05:59

Watch both. The order you're watching now is better imo as brotherhood is better.

rinimeni2025-12-28 06:03

I personally liked the ending of Brotherhood better. You should watch both though if you can cuz they’re both really great in their own way.

TheYoungEkko2025-12-28 06:03

If you’re already 34 deep, you might as well finish it as well as the movie. That said you should absolutely watch Brotherhood.

JustAnotherWitness2025-12-28 08:34

I literally just finished my watch through of both. If you’re that far in, honestly watch the rest. But DO NOT SLEEP ON brotherhood. It’s a completely different story. Starts off the same but it follows the manga and separates completely. Haven’t watched the movie yet so I can’t speak to that but both series are well worth watching.

SGT33862025-12-28 11:11

This! I especially really appreciate the ishvalian war being a sort of black box, in the first series. It made me get sucked into the second series way more as they give more detail on that side of the story, amongst other good story points.

SenpaiChara2025-12-28 06:04

They are both good overall Brotherhood follows the manga more but orginal FMA has a diffrent story and changes that make it worth watching and opening 4 is a banger.

MusubiKazesaru2025-12-28 06:05

Brotherhood if you watch one, but if you intend to watch both watch FMA followed by Conqueror of Shamballa (which concludes its story) first.

Brotherhood was designed for returning fans (like many anime remakes) so it skips some early canon FMA content while FMA had a mix of canon and filler and then went its own solid but ultimately anime only direction fairly early on relative to the manga's full storyline.

Both are worth watching though it can be a bit much back to back.

Moshimoshi-Megumin2025-12-28 06:06

I’m in the minority that prefers FMA. I’d finish it, you’re far enough that it’s completely different and won’t spoil anything if you want to watch FMAB after.

JashPotatoes2025-12-28 06:40

Same here. Both are amazing, but I like the tone the original sets a little more

Sibula972025-12-28 08:30

Yeah, especially the very first episode of the original. I liked it much more than the 3rd(?) episode of FMAB that covers the same arc.

Largofarburn2025-12-28 15:44

I think a lot of people recommend watching the first few episodes of the older version then switching to brotherhood.

invisibleman130002025-12-30 08:37

I'm pretty sure that doesn't actually work because 03 begins making changes almost right away. Changes that don't line up with Brotherhood, not to mention the overall tone of 03 being darker even in the beginning.

taveren32025-12-28 18:37

They shortened everything the first anime covered

Fakesoifong132025-12-28 07:05

I perferred the old one as well especially how they tackled the huminclous

Spartan050892342025-12-28 08:46

If FMA 03 didn't exist, Brotherhood would be better. But because it does they handled the early story differently so it shouldn't be controversial to watch 03 first. Brotherhood assumed you watched it.

WeWereInfinite2025-12-28 13:38

With the exception of the opening scenes of the first episode I don't think that's really the case.

03 spent extra time developing characters early on because they had limited source material to work from, but it ended up benefiting the series massively because it made those characters more impactful. Brotherhood follows the manga, which is faster paced and doesn't include those extra details from 03.

If 03 didn't exist Brotherhood would still follow the same manga pacing and not devote much time to the those side characters. I guess we probably wouldn't notice it as much though since we'd have nothing to compare it to.

jsmith45672025-12-28 16:05

If 03 didn't exist and succeed I doubt 09 would not have gotten the same quality of adaptation.

Double-Skirt-55852025-12-28 11:56

I love to see 2003 finally get the love it deserved. For years you’d be downvoted for praising it just because it doesn’t follow the source material.

sengirminion2025-12-28 18:14

I also prefer Full Metal Alchemist over Brotherhood. I just liked the original direction of the story and how everything played out in the first one. I watched Brotherhood as well, after everyone online suggested it was so much better, but it was just different, and I did not enjoy it as much.

EconomyProcedure92025-12-28 06:09

Both IMO preferably watching Brotherhood right after watching the first version.

blueandgoldilocks2025-12-28 06:10

Watch both

FMAB adapts the manga to pretty much the letter, but FMA03 has imo a darker tone than the former which leans a bit more towards shonen

SantyagoMP2025-12-28 06:11

When I first introduced my gf to anime I started with FMA and boy oh boy did i take my time doing my research on what to watch. Here's what i concluded in case it's useful to you:

TLDR: FMA:B is only the better series only once you have watched the original FMA. Watch FMA, let a few months pass so you don't get tired and then watch FMA:B

The original takes its time developing the characters and the relationship between them. Its more gloomy and paced, when key events in the story happen they have a certain weight and hit harder. At some point the story diverges from the intended story but is by no means bad (except the identity of father, that sucked). The ending IMHO is better and the movie conqueror of shambala is amazing.

On the other hand Brotherhood is more frantic it doesn't take its time, and seems to be rushing to reach there point when the original diverges. It kinda expects that you to already know some aspects of the world or that you catch up on the flight. The things the original does really really good here they kinda skip over (in the sense that they rush it a bit) so it doesn't have the same weight. It's also (imho) a bit more cheery and shoneny.

VegetaFan13372025-12-28 09:47

What if op watched FMA upto the diverging point and then jumped into FMAB?

faerierose842025-12-28 09:52

Divergence literally starts in episode one.

VegetaFan13372025-12-28 09:53

Never watched fma so how?

faerierose842025-12-28 10:06

More homunculi show up during the Cornello arc, and their motivations are slightly different.

The bigger changes start in the next episode, where the timeline of the Elric brothers’ childhood is years off the manga version in places. The Nina incident takes place directly after the state alchemist exam, instead of when Edward is 15. Hughes is introduced years earlier, too.

Double-Skirt-55852025-12-28 11:55

The whole tone of 2003 is entirely different from Brotherhood. It’s much darker and broodier.

zadcap2025-12-28 23:28

I always insist that people watch *at least* the first 12 or so episodes of 03 before picking up Brotherhood, just for how hard Brotherhood rushed through the first arc and character introductions. Brotherhood is great, but not as good as Brotherhood + existing knowledge.

Like, Brotherhood straight up skips the coal mining town, and just assumed we already know it's arc and characters when they show up later.

SantyagoMP2025-12-29 02:54

Exactly this. Plus a lot of arcs are just not as impactful. Nina and Hughes come to mind. I mean i almost freaking cried in FMA but on FMA:B they were like "ok, this moves the plot forwards... On we go!"

DrewbieWanKenobie2025-12-29 07:17

> I always insist that people watch at least the first 12 or so episodes of 03

Nah, nah, 25. Watch the first 25, then watch Brotherhood.

zadcap2025-12-29 07:20

I mean the whole thing is better, but yeah swapping where they split mattress the most sense. I really mean it as a minimum. At least 12, preferably 25, hopefully the whole thing. But for the ones who just want to jump right into Brotherhood, the first 12 of the original are honestly pretty needed.

EarAppropriate73612025-12-28 06:18

I loved FMA. Couldn’t get into FMA:B. I should give it another chance but I didn't care for the first few episodes.

bbzef2025-12-28 06:19

ya I don't know what these people are smoking watch brotherhood it's superior in every way

_BMS2025-12-28 06:23

2009's FMA:B was originally made with the assumption that you've already watched the 2003 FMA. Which is why Brotherhood runs through the first sections of the story so fast so it can reach the divergence point between the two sooner.

That said, FMA:B is still perfectly watchable on its own and it's the one that everyone assumes you're talking about when discussing FMA. I'd say it's a 95% chance the girl that recommended FMA to you is referring to FMA:B.

LongjumpingShip36572025-12-28 13:41

>2009's FMA:B was originally made with the assumption that you've already watched the 2003 FMA.

The director of FMAB had directly stated this wasn't true

>Which is why Brotherhood runs through the first sections of the story so fast so it can reach the divergence point between the two sooner.

This isn't true at all FMAB is damn near 1-1 with the manga (the Nina stuff for example was a single chapter in the manga) in the beginning part that both FMA and FMAB adapt FMAB only skips 2 minor chapters the most chapters skipped was actually from scenes AFTER FMA 2003 ended with the Ishval flash backs being an entire volume in the manga but a single ep in the anime

FMA 2003 had over 10 anime original episodes before it stopped adapting the manga entirely in ep 25 and the episodes it did adapt from the manga were also filled with completely anime original scenes (they also completely skipped chapters like Winry helping the woman give birth)

onepieceweeaboo2025-12-28 06:25

Brother hood

Darkelementzz2025-12-28 06:37

Finish it and Shambala. Brotherhood begins by skipping a lot of the intro and starts to split from 2003 around the 5th lab. Both series are great, but brotherhood is just better all around

nirvash5302025-12-28 06:47

At that point, just finish it.

Watch Brotherhood after.

BlackCatEives2025-12-28 06:58

Yup, stick with it and get the authentic FMA watching experience. It goes FMA (03) -> FMA (03) Movie: Conquerors of Shambala -> FMA (09): Brotherhood. It's how most people originally watched it and is in my opinion the most satisfying way to experience FMA as a whole.

The two series complement each other really well since FMA: Brotherhood was originally written with the assumption that everyone watching it at the time had already seen the original 2003 version that had caught up to the manga and went with an anime original ending. Also, many people (such as myself) actually prefer the more grimdark take on the story; so definitely finish it off and ruminate on the answers that the story's conclusion will leave you with. I can assure you, it will be much more satisfying when you can compare your thoughts from the original series with the more manga faithful 2009 version of the story. So yeah, finish off the 03 version, watch the movie, and then start Brotherhood. Have fun!

pcnoobie2452025-12-28 07:00

Fma did the parts that both cover better. Fmab feels rushed at parts, and the tone all over the place with bad jokes right after something serious. I never watched the fma movie but i enjoyed fma even with the things they decided to do on their own. Fmab is better after they diverge

Left-Night-11252025-12-28 07:08

Fullmetal panic

TurborelCoCoSo2025-12-28 07:09

I also so them in that order: first FMA and after FMAB. I really like the contrast and differences between them. I believe that both of them are really weird and go into unexpected ways. I really recommend you to finish FMA and see all FMAB

Pinolillo0062025-12-28 07:17

FMAB.

xanders19982025-12-28 07:20

One word: Brotherhood.

FernandoPA112025-12-28 07:48

I can't agree with many here, for me FMA was absolutely atrocious with a lot of things that made no sense or plain dumb and weird plot. Also, the diverges heavely from the manga early on, so is not an alternate ending, is a completely different story.

If u r on ep34 already u should finish it and watch FMA:B aswell so u can compare.

Hex_a_decimal_1770132025-12-28 08:13

Fmab

CobaltAesir2025-12-28 08:39

Both are great. I watched FMA and the accompanying movie first, then FMAB. Enjoyed each immensely for their own unique qualities. Finish the one you started then keep going. Why limit yourself?

UltiMikee2025-12-28 09:19

This is becoming a more popular take now but I prefer 03 to Brotherhood. Brotherhood ends up a bit more complex and follows more characters towards the end and this muddles the whole story for me a bit. It’s still great and is the canon manga ending so technically the “real” one, but I prefer 03.

Toomuchgamin2025-12-28 09:42

I didn't like the original and didn't bother with the movie. The storyline just got stupid. FMAB ended up being my favorite of all time tho. Might as well finish what you started though.

WoodenRocketShip2025-12-28 09:47

I'm in the camp of watching Brotherhood first and then watching 2003 if you want more, but at this point you're already halfway through, sunk cost fallacy be damned. Just finish 2003 if you're enjoying it, then watch Brotherhood..

Accomplished_Area3112025-12-28 09:53

I prefer FMA to FMAB, although I can admit FMAB does certain things better. If you’ve already started FMA, I’d say finish it then watch FMAB.

RAMAR7132025-12-28 10:16

Definitely finish FMA 03 first, it has a darker and more Seinen approach to storytelling and it's my favorite of the two.

prestonpiggy2025-12-28 10:39

Shortly you will enjoy fmab more if you have the background from previous. Movies are great even when not canon. Fmab kinda expects you have seen the previous one with charcter interactions and skips a lot of those more or less meaningfull interactions. Without watching the 1st one characters just pop out of nowhere and they talk like they have been part of your life for long.

ogthesamurai2025-12-28 10:51

This is a weird coincidence. Just a few hours ago I asked chatgpt what is the difference between 2003 fma and fma brotherhood. I want to show a friend who hasn't watched much anime fma but it's been quite a while since I watched both of them. So I wanted to show him the one that was most watchable for someone like him. I decided on fma brotherhood.

Just a weird coincidence that I ran into this post.

Double-Skirt-55852025-12-28 11:53

I prefer 2003. Both are good and should be watched. If you’re already that deep in 2003, just finish it. I think it’s also important to ask, what did the girl actually recommend? Does she even know the difference?

jacowab2025-12-28 11:59

FMA had a lot of filler and restructuring to try not to catch up to the manga but when they got to the greed arc they did catch up to the manga and the author gave them permission to continue on with an original story.

Definitely finish off FMA but after that move onto brotherhood, it was created after the manga finished and follows the manga more closely. And it's not just a no filler with a slightly different ending, basically everything you have watched is just the first 12 EP of FMAB.

Willster3282025-12-28 12:47

Brotherhood and it's not even fucking close

A_Erthur2025-12-28 12:54

Its not as good as FMAB, but just finish it, the stories are vastly different after like 15 episodes and its pretty good in its own. FMAB is just one of the best anime ever, hard to compare with that.

ABitMadHS2025-12-28 13:40

Hahahaha i did the same thing when I watched them too. I finished the normal then watched Brotherhood. Much preferred Brotherhood but it's not like the other one wasnt an okay watch too

Figleafplayz2025-12-28 13:50

The only problem is have with brotherhood is that its first 5 episodes assume you already watched 2003, or at least the start of it. Echo what others have said you might as well finish but brotherhood is the Manga storyline so id recommend watching it.

blackscales182025-12-28 13:51

I like fma better, especially for the first part of the series. Brotherhood kind of assumes you've already seen the first one in some ways

PencilgonGiveIt2Ya2025-12-28 15:58

I've only watched Brotherhood, hence all I could recommend is Brotherhood.

ArytoldProductions2025-12-28 16:05

You're watching the better version

BigJeffreyC2025-12-28 16:17

I enjoyed both

RochHoch2025-12-28 16:44

2003 is actual garbage once it diverges from the manga. Shit ass fanfiction.

Brotherhood is the real story, as written by the author. It's the only one that matters.

drfitzgerald2025-12-28 16:46

I think this is a hot take, I prefer the og anime and the movie to brotherhood. Brotherhood feels much more standard shounen to me, and sacred star of milos doesnt hold a candle to conqueror of shambala as far as the movies go.

SacaeGaming2025-12-28 16:50

I’m a little late to this, but honestly if someone is recommending the series to you, it should be assumed they mean brotherhood as that’s the actual story.

That said, (insert picture of small commercial girl) why not both?🤷‍♂️

Codee332025-12-28 18:07

I started the original FMA and got maybe 15 episodes in before I went to Brotherhood. The emotional moments hit harder in the original, and you also got more details about the mechanics of the world. The plot and narrative of Brotherhood is absolutely fantastic.

So, I’d say just finish FMA if you’re that far in, then watch Brotherhood after.

Dolozoned2025-12-28 18:20

Watch both. Both are absolutely worth a watch. But i did like FMAB more.

specterofthepast2025-12-28 19:12

Brotherhood is better in a lot of ways... but the original series is well worth watching. I even like the creativity in the homunculus weaknesses better in the original.

Butane90002025-12-28 20:15

Honestly it's a bit of both. You watch the first 6-7 episodes of the original series then start on episode 3 or 4 of Brotherhood. Brotherhood follows the manga far better but the first few episodes are the weakest since it assumes most people know the series and kind of summarizes the start of the series.

In short, watch the original until you get to the father of the year Shou Tucker then swap to Brotherhood at roughly the same point.

say-af2025-12-28 21:47

This thread helped me overcome the inner guilt I was feeling for skipping FMA’03 and directly divulging onto Brotherhood.

SirTroah2025-12-28 23:03

I prefer the original and will always suggest watching it first if you are going to watch both. If you only want to watch one, then brotherhood would be my recommendation

animex752025-12-29 03:40

Honestly, they're both good in their own ways.

DrewbieWanKenobie2025-12-29 07:14

I usually tell people to watch the first half of FMA (25 episodes) then watch the whole of FMA:B

LegendaryZXT2025-12-29 10:17

You need both for a complete adaptation.

The first one faithfully adapted the first half and then did it’s own thing

The second fast forward and skipped a lot and faithfully adapted the later stuff.

Watch 2003, take a break then watch Brothehood.

Seiryo-Tennan2025-12-29 16:40

Original FMA mogs shounen slop brotherhood