Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Disregard for alchemy’s laws ripped half of Edward Elric’s limbs from his body and left his brother Alphonse’s soul clinging to a suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers seek the Philosopher’s Stone. Enemies and allies – the corrupt military, the Homunculi, and foreign alchemists – will alter the Elric brothers course, but their purpose will remain unchanged and their bond unbreakable.
Episodes
Fullmetal Alchemist
After escaping from Central Prison, the Freezing Alchemist, Isaac McDougal, sets his plan in motion to kill Führer King Bradley.…
The First Day
On the way to Lior, Ed and Al reminisce about the events that lead to them being trapped in their…
City of Heresy
Ed and Al arrive at the city of Lior, hoping to find the legendary Philosopher's Stone so they can return…
An Alchemist's Anguish
Ed and Al become interested in biological transmutation after witnessing a chimera in Lior, so Colonel Mustang introduces them to…
Rain of Sorrows
After learning about what happened to Shou Tucker and his daughter Nina, the Elric brothers begin to question what alchemy…
Road of Hope
After their encounter with Scar, Ed's automail and Al's armor need to be repaired, so Major Armstrong escorts them to…
Hidden Truths
When Ed and Al arrive at the Central Library they discover that it has been burnt to the ground and…
The Fifth Laboratory
Ed and Al sneak inside the Fifth Laboratory to search for more answers about the origins of the Philosopher's Stone.…
Created Feelings
Ed is now in a hospital recovering from his wounds and Al is unable to let go of what Number…
Separate Destinations
When the conspiracy surrounding the Philosopher's Stone closes in on the highest ranks of the military, one of Mustang's most…
Miracle at Rush Valley
The Elrics, realizing alchemy has yet to unlock the mysteries of creating life, feel powerless when a new friend goes…
One is All, All is One
While visiting Izumi, their childhood teacher, the Elrics recall the early difficulties of grasping equivalent exchange. They also discover she…
Beasts of Dublith
Al is abducted by chimeras led by the seemingly indestructible Homunculus known as Greed. When Ed's rescue attempt falls short,…
Those Who Lurk Underground
In a violent clash with Greed, King Bradley proves to be a brutal opponent. But the man who finally destroys…
Envoy from the East
The Elrics scuffle with Ling Yao and his attendants, Lan Fan and Fu, visitors from Xing seeking the Philosopher's Stone.…
Footsteps of a Comrade-in-Arms
After learning of Hughes's fate, Ed and Al are ravaged by sadness and guilt. Envy still hides in plain sight…
Cold Flame
Freed by an unlikely liberator, Ross's escape is interrupted by Mustang. Even those most loyal to the Flame Alchemist are…
The Arrogant Palm of a Small Human
Ed's journey to a distant land of legend offers surprising new details behind Mustang's alleyway encounter with Ross. After a…
Death of the Undying
Mustang, Alphonse, Havoc, and Hawkeye split up to search a military laboratory. If Lust has her way, none of them…
Father Before the Grave
Hohenheim's visit ends with a grave warning to Pinako, but Ed finds hope among the charred ruins of his childhood.…
Advance of the Fool
Hoping to learn more about the Homunculi, Ed and Al devise a risky strategy to lure the creatures out of…
Backs in the Distance
Scar's mission to destroy those who slaughtered his people is fueled by justifiable rage. Upon learning the role Scar played…
Girl on the Battlefield
Cooperation between Mustang's cabal and Ling Yao's band leads to the capture of a Homunculus. Unfortunately, their actions also capture…
Inside the Belly
Gluttony's twisted powers overwhelm the Elrics - and the creature's appetite is satisfied by battle's end. Meanwhile, Mustang acts on…
Doorway of Darkness
The Homunculi are winning. Ed and Ling face a horrific enemy within the hellish expanse of Gluttony's gut. In Central,…
Reunion
Truths are exposed when Al finds the one called Father, and Mustang hears the tale of Bradley's creation - but…
Interlude Party
Visions of the past play out by a warming fire as Hohenheim reflects on the unavoidable follies of man: the…
Father
The Elrics come face to face with Father - and his face is familiar indeed. Powerless and amazed, Ed and…
Struggle of the Fool
The Elrics are at Bradley's mercy; if the brothers make one wrong move, those dearest to them will pay. As…
The Ishvalan War of Extermination
As Edward hears Hawkeye's tale of a time when idealistic young soldiers were tasked with genocide, the horrors of the…
The 520 Cens Promise
Even as his subordinates are scattered, Mustang finds he still has allies - unfortunately, so do his enemies. The Homunculi…
The Führer's Son
A secret encounter allows Mustang to spark new ambition in an old friend - an ally with loyal troops at…
The Northern Wall of Briggs
The frigid northern borderlands become a battlefield when Kimblee finally closes in on Scar. Deeper into the frozen wasteland, Ed…
Ice Queen
The soldiers at Fort Briggs remain ever vigilant against the threat of spies from Drachma. The massive compound may seem…
The Shape of This Country
Ed uncovers a conspiracy of staggering scope: a plot that has already claimed countless victims. Clues suggest that Fort Briggs…
Family Portrait
As Raven tries to corrupt Armstrong, Ed and Al can only wait in their cell. Long ago, their father faced…
The First Homunculus
Hawkeye is shocked when the first Homunculus reveals itself. Far away, Edward is surprised by an offer from Kimblee: Fullmetal…
Conflict at Baschool
When Scar is cornered by a pair of gruesome chimeras, the Elrics enter the fray as his unlikely allies. Later,…
Daydream
The ruse of Winry's abduction by Scar is revealed, but a plan of rescue must still be hatched. A brutal…
Homunculus (The Dwarf in the Flask)
Long ago, the blood of a simple slave was used in an experiment which created a strange, shapeless being. In…
The Abyss
Bound by more than blood, the Elrics have long shared joy and pain. Now, with Al wandering the frigid void…
Signs of a Counteroffensive
May and Marcoh's efforts to decode the research of Scar's brother yield progress, but it might be too late to…
Bite of the Ant
In the snowy north, the soldiers of Fort Briggs engage an invading army, and Marcoh leads an attack against monstrous…
Revving at Full Throttle
Hohenheim and Alphonse enjoy a chance to get reacquainted. Their bond is restored with ease, inspiring the father to share…
The Promised Day
Quiet warnings spread near and far: the Promised Day is at hand. While most will face the coming chaos with…
Looming Shadows
Those who have prepared to reclaim a nation find their plans exposed. The chaos multiplies after an assassin strikes down…
Emissary of Darkness
A sinister voice rings out from the shell of Al's armor, and Ed and Greed find themselves under attack. As…
The Oath in the Tunnel
After investigating the twisted roots of the Bradley family tree, Mustang gathers his most loyal troops. Meanwhile, Ed and his…
Filial Affection
With his father's help, Al takes incredible steps to contain the monstrous Pride. As the sun begins to rise on…
Upheaval in Central
Mustang leads a ragtag assault force of hardy northern troops - and welcome faces from the past - against Central's…
The Immortal Legion
Ed's crew faces a horde of ravenous mannequins, abominations powered by human souls. The twisted creatures aren't the only unstoppable…
Combined Strength
With a Philosopher's Stone in his possession, Alphonse fearlessly engages Pride and Kimblee. Elsewhere, the Armstrongs find themselves trapped between…
Flame of Vengeance
After a startling radio broadcast grants Mustang's forces the advantage over Central's troops, the Flame Alchemist unleashes the brutal power…
Beyond the Inferno
As Envy writhes within the firestorm unleashed by Mustang's vengeful rage, Hawkeye must take drastic measures to prevent the Flame…
The Adults' Way of Life
A rebel victory is imminent and hope takes hold among Mustang and Armstrong's troops. Central's forces teeter on the brink…
The Return of the Führer
Central's forces fight with renewed vigor following Bradley's return, and the Fuhrer himself enters the battle. His first opponent is…
Eternal Leave
The battle for a nation's soul descends into chaos. Bradley unleashes death on those who dare engage him. Beneath Central,…
Sacrifices
Mustang must make a difficult choice: will he break alchemy's greatest taboo? Or will he watch the person dearest to…
Lost Light
As the light of the sun vanishes, Mustang learns the loss which comes from seeing the other side of the…
Eye of Heaven, Gateway of Earth
The light is gone. Shadows swallow everything. As the planet quakes and the heavens tremble, the souls of heroes and…
He Who Would Swallow God
Millions of lifeless bodies litter the landscape of Amestris, and a being with the power to create suns is unleashed…
A Fierce Counterattack
A truly epic battle erupts when Edward, Mustang, Hawkeye, Greed, Izumi, and Armstrong attack the god-like Father. The odds are…
The Other Side of the Gateway
When the battle ends, the one known as Father meets his final fate beyond the Gateway. When the one known…
Journey's End
As one shared journey ends, many journeys begin. Those most touched by the conflict which surrounded the Philosopher's Stone now…
Where to watch
THEDORAMA.COM Review
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, a titan of animated storytelling, demands a critical eye beyond its immediate thrills. What elevates this series from mere entertainment is its unflinching gaze into the human condition, framed within a meticulously constructed world of alchemical laws and moral ambiguities. The narrative, a sprawling epic spanning 64 episodes, masterfully navigates themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the true cost of power.
The direction here is a lesson in pacing. Unlike many long-form animations that succumb to filler, Brotherhood maintains a relentless forward momentum. Every arc, every character introduction, feels purposeful, converging towards a truly satisfying and earned conclusion. The visual language, while adhering to anime conventions, uses dynamic camera work and expressive character designs to convey emotional weight. Consider the stark contrast between the vibrant, hopeful early episodes and the grim, desaturated palette employed during the more harrowing confrontations with the Homunculi; it’s a subtle but effective manipulation of the viewer's emotional state.
The screenplay, a marvel of intricate plotting, weaves together political intrigue, philosophical debate, and deeply personal character journeys. Edward and Alphonse Elric’s quest for the Philosopher’s Stone is not simply a McGuffin hunt; it's a profound exploration of their own culpability and the ethical boundaries of science. Romi Park’s vocal performance as Edward, in particular, captures a complex blend of youthful arrogance, profound grief, and unwavering determination that grounds the fantastical elements in raw humanity.
However, even masterpieces have their fissures. While the overarching narrative is robust, some secondary characters occasionally feel underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals. And at times, the exposition, particularly regarding the more esoteric alchemical principles, can lean towards the didactic, momentarily pulling the viewer out of the immersive experience. Yet, these are minor quibbles in a series that consistently challenges its audience to ponder the very nature of humanity and the price of playing God. Brotherhood is not just a story; it's a powerful, resonant work of art that demands contemplation long after the final frame.
