Related anime:
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV) (alternate retelling)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Milos no Sei-Naru Hoshi (movie)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection (OAV)
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa (sequel)
Alternative title:
Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Japanese)
Hagaren
Стальной алхимик (Russian)
鋼の錬金術師 (Japanese)
鋼之鍊金術師 (Chinese (Taiwan))
강철의 연금술사 (Korean)
Genres: adventure, drama, fantasy
Themes: alchemy, demons, fighting, Homunculi, military, steampunk
Plot Summary: After losing their mother, Alphonse and Edward Elric attempt to bring her back using the forbidden science of human alchemy. However, alchemy operates on the theory of equivalent trade, and breaking the human alchemy taboo carries a heavy price. Ed loses his leg, and Al loses his body. Ed is able to seal Al's soul inside of a huge suit of armor, at the cost of his arm. Years later, Ed (now with two mechanical limbs) and Al (still trapped in the armor) leave their childhood home, each brother concerned with the other's happiness. Ed, who has a natural talent and skill for alchemy, becomes nationally certified and is soon known everywhere as the "Fullmetal Alchemist." Their true objective is to search for any information on the fabled Philosopher's Stone, hoping it will allow them to regain their old bodies. All of their hopes rest with this mythical stone, which may not even exist at all. However, the brothers soon learn that they are not the only ones after the powerful stone.
Running time: 24 minutes per episode
Number of episodes: 51
Episode titles: 2003-10-04 1. To Challenge the Sun
Taiyou ni Idomusha
「太陽に挑む者」 2004-11-06 1. To Challenge the Sun
2003-10-11 2. Body of Taboo
「禁忌の身体」
Kinki no Karada 2. Body of the Sanctioned
2003-10-18 3. Mom......
Okaa-san......
「おかあさん……」 3. Mother
2003-10-25 4. Transmutation of Love
「愛の錬成」
Ai no Rensei 4. A Forger's Love
2003-11-01 5. Dash! Auto-Mail
「疾走！機械鎧（オートメイル）」
Shissou EETOMEIRU 5. Mechanical Arm
2003-11-08 6. National Alchemist Qualification Test
「国家錬金術師資格試験」
Kokka Renkinjutsushi Shikaku Shiken 6. The Alchemy Exam
2003-11-15 7. The Night of the Chimera's Cry
「合成獣(キメラ)が哭く夜」
Kimera ga Naku Yoru 2004-12-18 7. Night of the Chimera's Cry
2003-11-22 8. Philosopher's Stone
「賢者の石」
Kensha no Ishi 8. The Philosopher's Stone
2003-11-29 9. Silver Watch of the Dog of the Military
「軍の狗＜いぬ＞の銀時計」
Bun no Inu no Gintokei 9. Be Thou for the People
2003-12-06 10. Thief Siren
「怪盗サイレーン」
Kaitou SAIREEN 10. The Phantom Thief
2003-12-13 11. Plain of Pebbles, Part 1
「砂礫の大地•前編」
Sareki no Daichi, Zenhen 2005-01-22 11. The Other Brothers Elric, Pt. 1
2003-12-20 12. Plain of Pebbles, Part 2
「砂礫の大地•後編」
Sareki no Daichi, Kouhen 2005-01-29 12. The Other Brothers Elric, Pt. 2
2003-12-27 13. Flame vs. Fullmetal
「焔ＶＳ鋼」 13. Flame Vs. Fullmetal
2004-01-10 14. The Right Hand of Destruction
「破壊の右手」
Hakai no Migite 14. Destruction's Right Hand
2004-01-17 15. Ishbal Massacre
「イシュヴァール虐殺」 15. The Ishbal Massacre
2004-01-24 16. That Which is Lost
「失われたもの」
Ushinawareta mono 2005-02-26 16. That Which Is Lost
2004-01-31 17. House of the Waiting Family
Kazoku no Matsu Ie
家族の待つ家 2005-03-05 17. House of the Waiting Family
2004-02-07 18. Marcoh's Notes
「マルコー·ノート」 2005-03-12 18. Marcoh's Notes
2004-02-14 19. The Genuine Truth Behind Truths
「真実の奥の奥」
Shinjitsu no oku no oku 2005-03-19 19. The Truth Behind Truths
2004-02-21 20. Guardian's Soul
「守護者の魂」
Shugosha no Tamashii 2005-03-26 20. Soul of the Guardian
2004-02-28 21. Crimson Glow
「紅い輝き」
Akai Kagayaki 2005-04-02 21. The Red Glow
2004-03-06 22. Created Human
「造られた人間」
Tsukurareta Ningen 2005-04-09 22. Created Human
2004-03-13 23. A Heart of Steel
「鋼のこころ」
Hagane No Kokoro Fullmetal Heart
2004-03-20 24. Affixing Memories
「思い出の定着」
Omoide no Teichaku 2005-04-23 24. Bonding Memories
2004-03-27 25. Farewell Ceremony
「別れの儀式」
Wakare no Gishiki 2005-04-30 25. Words of Farewell
2004-04-03 26. Her Reason
「彼女の理由」
Kanojyo no Riyuu 2005-05-07 26. Her Reason
2004-04-10 27. Teacher
Sensei
「センセイ」 2005-09-17 27. Teacher
2004-04-17 28. One is All, All is One
「一は全、全は一」
Ichi wa Zen, Zen wa Ichi 2005-09-24 28. All is One, One is All
2004-04-24 29. Untainted Child
「汚れなき子ども」
Kegarenaki Kodomo 2005-10-01 29. The Untainted Child
2004-05-01 30. South Headquarters Assault
「南方司令部襲撃」
Nanpou Shireibu Shuugeki 2005-10-08 30. Assault on South Headquarters
2004-05-08 31. Sin
「罪」
Tsumi 2005-10-15 31. Sin
2004-05-15 32. Dante of the Deep Forest
「深い森のダンテ」
Fukai Mori no DANTE 2005-10-22 32. Dante of the Deep Forest
2004-05-29 33. Kidnapped Al
Sarawareta Al
「囚われたアル」 2005-10-29 33. Al, Captured
2004-06-05 34. The Theory of Greed
「強欲の理論」
Gouyoku no Riron 2005-11-05 34. Theory of Avarice
2004-06-12 35. The Reunion of Fools
「愚者の再会」
Gusha no Saikai 2005-11-12 35. Reunion of the Fallen
2004-06-19 36. The Sinner Within Me
「我が内なる科人＜トガビト＞」
Wa ga Uchi Naru Togabito 2005-11-19 36. The Sinner Within
2004-06-26 37. Flame Alchemist, Fighting Lieutenant, Mystery of the Thirteenth Warehouse
「焔の錬金術師 戦う少尉さん 第十三倉庫の怪」
Hoono no Renkinjutsushi Tatakau Shouyi san Dai Jyuusan Souko no Kai 2005-11-26 37. Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant, and the Mystery of Warehouse 13
2004-07-03 38. With the River's Flow
「川の流れに」
Kawa no Nagare ni 2005-12-03 38. With the River's Flow
2004-07-10 39. Eastern Civil War
「東方内戦」
Touhou Naisen 2005-12-10 39. Secret of Ishbal
2004-07-17 40. The Scar
「傷痕」
Kizu Ato 2005-12-17 40. The Scar
2004-07-24 41. Holy Mother
「聖母」
Seibo 2006-01-07 41. Holy Mother
2004-07-24 42. I Know His Name
「彼の名を知らず」
Kare no Na o Shirazu 2006-01-14 42. His Name is Unknown
2004-07-31 43. The Stray Dog Has Ran Away
「野良犬は逃げ出した」
Norainu wa Negedashita 2006-01-21 43. The Stray Dog
2004-08-07 44. Hohemheim of Light
Hikari no Hohenheim
「光のホーエンハイム」 2006-01-28 44. Hohenheim of Light
2004-08-21 45. The One Who Lets Her Heart Rot
「心を劣化させるもの」
Kokoro o Rikkasaseru Mono 2006-02-04 45. A Rotted Heart
2004-08-28 46. Human Transmutation
「人体錬成」
Jintai Rensei 46. Human Transmutation
2004-09-04 47. Sealing the Homunculus
「ホムンクルス封印」
HOMUNKURUSU Fuuin 2006-02-18 47. Sealing the Homunculus
2004-09-11 48. Farewell
Sayounara
「さようなら」 2006-02-25 48. Goodbye
2004-09-18 49. Beyond the Gate
Tobira no mukou e
「扉の向こうへ」 49. The Other Side of the Gate
2004-09-25 50. Death
Shi
「死」 50. Death
2004-10-02 51. Munich 1921
Myunhen 1921
「ミュンへン1921」 51. Laws and Promises
Vintage:
2003-10-04 to 2004-10-02
2004-11-06 to 2006-03-18 (USA Broadcast)
2005-02-10 (France Air Date)
2005-07-13 to 2006-05-14 (Gma Network)
2005-07-31 to 2006-02-22 (Animax Latin America)
2005-12-31 to 2006-12-16 (Singapore, Channel U)
2006-01-04 to 2006-04-03 (Australian Broadcast-Adult Swim)
2006-03-03 to 2007-03-02 (Canada, YTV - Bionix)
2006-04-11 to 2007-05-22 (Italy - MTV Italia)
2006-06-05 to 2006-10-02 (Brazil, RedeTV! - TVKids)
2006-07-15 (Colombia-Canal Caracol)
2006-07-20 (Spain - Buzz Channel)
2006-08-01 (Chile)
2007-01-13 (Malaysia, TV3 - Prime Time [6.02p.m])
2007-01-13 (Malaysia, TV3 - Prime Time)
2007-02-04 (Finland, SubTV)
2007-03-20 (Spain, Cuatroº)
2008-12-01 (Russia)
2009-05-02 (Mexico - Televisa 4TV)
2009-10-12 (Ecuador - Gama TV)
2009-12-05 (Malaysia, TV9 -Adik di 9-)
Release dates:
2004-03-24 (Original Soundtrack 1)
2004-08-18 (CD SONG FILE -EDWARD ELRIC-)
2004-12-15 (CD SONG FILE -ROY MUSTANG-)
2004-12-15 (Original Soundtrack 2)
2005-02-08 (USA DVD 1: The Curse)
2005-03-24 (CD SONG FILE -ALPHONSE ELRIC-)
2005-04-05 (USA DVD 2: The Scarred Man of the East)
2005-04-13 (AUS: DVD Vol.01: The Curse)
2005-05-18 (Original Soundtrack 3)
2005-05-31 (USA DVD 3: Equivalent Exchange)
2005-06-15 (AUS: DVD Vol.02: The Scarred Man of the East)
2005-06-22 (CD SONG FILE -WINRY ROCKBELL-)
2005-07-20 (CD SONG FILE -MAES HUGHES-)
2005-07-26 (USA DVD 4: The Fall of Ishbal)
2005-08-31 (AUS: DVD Vol.03: Equivalent Exchange)
2005-09-20 (USA DVD 5: The Cost of Living)
2005-11-15 (USA DVD 6: Captured Souls)
2005-12-21 (CD SONG FILE -BEST COMPILATION-)
2006-01-10 (USA DVD 7: Reunion on Yock Island)
2006-03-07 (USA DVD 8: The Altar of Stone)
2006-05-02 (USA DVD 9: Pain and Lust)
2006-06-27 (USA DVD 10: Journey to Ishbal)
2006-08-01 (USA DVD 11: Becoming the Stone)
2006-09-05 (USA DVD 12: Truth Behind Truths)
2006-09-12 (USA DVD 13: Brotherhood)
2006-10-09 (Brazil DVD 1: A Maldição)
2006-10-09 (Brazil DVD 2: A Cicatriz do Homem do Leste)
2006-10-09 (Brazil DVD 3: Uma Troca Equivalente)
2007-01-17 (Brazil DVD 4: A Queda de Ishbal)
2007-01-17 (Brazil DVD 5: O Custo da Vida)
2007-01-17 (Brazil DVD 6: Almas Aprisionadas)
2007-03-21 (Brazil DVD 7: Reunião na Ilha Yock)
2007-03-21 (Brazil DVD 8: O Altar de Pedra)
2007-03-21 (Brazil DVD 9: Dor e Luxúria)
2007-04-17 (Hungarian DVD 1)
2007-09-18 (USA DVD Boxset Season 1 Part 1)
2007-11-13 (USA DVD 3 Viridian Collection)
2007-11-13 (USA DVD 4 Viridian Collection)
2007-11-20 (USA DVD Boxset Season 1 Part 2)
2007-12-11 (USA DVD 5 Viridian Collection)
2007-12-11 (USA DVD 6 Viridian Collection)
2008-01-08 (USA DVD 7 Viridian Collection)
2008-01-08 (USA DVD 8 Viridian Collection)
2008-02-05 (USA DVD 10 Viridian Collection)
2008-02-05 (USA DVD 9 Viridian Collection)
2008-02-05 (USA DVD Boxset Season 2 Part 1)
2008-03-04 (USA DVD 11 Viridian Collection)
2008-03-04 (USA DVD 12 Viridian Collection)
2008-03-04 (USA DVD 13 Viridian Collection)
2008-03-11 (USA DVD Boxset Season 2 Part 2)
2008-12-15 (Hungarian DVD 2)
Opening Theme:
#1: "Melissa" by Porno Graffitti (eps 2-13)
#2: "Ready Steady Go" by L'Arc-en-Ciel (eps 14-25)
#3: "Undo" by Cool Joke (eps 26-41)
#4: "Rewrite" by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION (eps 42-51)
Ending Theme:
#1: "Melissa" by Porno Graffiti (ep 1)
#2: "Kesenai Tsumi (Indelible Sin)" by Nana Kitade (eps 2-13)
#3: "Tobira no Mukou e (To the Other Side of the Door)" by YeLLOW Generation (eps 14-24)
#4: "Motherland" by Crystal Kay (eps 26-41)
#5: "I Will" by Sowelu (eps 42-50)
Official website:
Animax Latin America: Fullmetal Alchemist Page (Spanish)
Bandai Channel's Fullmetal Alchemist Page (Japanese)
Cartoon Network [adult swim] Fullmetal Alchemist Homepage
Full Metal Alchemist Series 2 (Japanese)
Funimation's Fullmetal Alchemist webpage
GMA Network's "FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST" Homepage (Tagalog)
Madman's Official Fullmetal Alchemist Website
MBS' Official Fullmetal Alchemist Homepage (Japanese)
Mega-Anime's Official Fullmetal Alchemist Website (Russian)
Sony Music's Official HagaRen Website (Japanese)
YTV Canada(Bionix): Fullmetal Alchemist Webpage
鋼之鍊金術師 中文官方網站 (Chinese (Taiwan))
Links:
fullmetal-alchemist.com
Fullmetal Alchemist
Full Metal Alchemist Warcry
Asskicking Alchemy and Automail
Not A Shrimp: An Edward Elric Shrine
Family Man (Hughes)
Fullmetal Alchemist Screenshots Gallery
Edward Elric Chile (Spanish)
Overcome - An Edward Elric Tribute
Maravillosa Alquimia (Spanish)
Ignition - A Roy Mustang Tribute
Hagaren
Nostalgia - Edward Elric and Winry Rockbell
Vicious Streak - Edward Elric and Roy Mustang
Edward Elric
Cruel Intentions - Envy Shrine
Transmute (Edward Elric Shrine)
Eighth Deadly Sin ~ Kiko's Homepage~ Fullmetal Alchemist
Full Metal Alchemist Anime
FMA-Adikz
Fullmetal Alchemist TV Show - TV.com
Rate FMA in Filmaffinity
Fan History: Fullmetal Alchemist
JASMS: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (German)
Fullmetal Alchemist at Telebisyon.net (Tagalog)
Trivia:
In the very first scene of the very first episode, you can see Al's empty suit of armor by the wall, before Ed bound him to it.
Many of the symbols in the series are significant to "Real Life Alchemy." Things such as the Elric's Alchemic crest, and the symbols in many arrays are all taken from historic documentation of medieval documents on alchemy. These include the lizard on Roy’s gloves, the crucified snake on the crest, and the vague outline of a bird (a phoenix) on Scar’s arm.
'Hohenheim', the name of the Elrics' father comes from Auroleus Phillipus Theostratus Bombastus von Hohenheim, AKA: Paracelsus. Paracelsus was a reknowned 16th-century alchemist who made many pioneering breakthroughs in medicine [such as the use of certain minerals and metals in treating diseases], while also dabbling in the occult. Among the accomplishments Paracelsus claimed, though it was never substantiated, was the creation of a "homunculus" - a small humanoid creature that he made by stewing hair, skin fragments, bones and semen in a pit of horse manure. The creature was said to have been loyal to its creator for a time, then ran away.
Cars in Amestris are mainly steam-engined.
Automail is powered by electricity generated from the muscles.
The title of episode 49, "Tobira no mukou e", is the same as the title of the second end theme for the series.
The name of Dante's apprentice, Lyra, means "night" in Hebrew.
The Philosopher's Stone was an actual element believed to have existed by early alchemists. It was said to have the property of turning any base metal into gold.
The name of Alphonse Elric in Japanese is a play of language regarding the nature of the character. In Japanese, his nickname is adapted into the katakana "Aru" to mimic the pronunciation of "Al," but the hiragana "aru" (pronounced exactly the same) is a verb meaning "to exist." The Japanese, however, have two verbs for "to exist;" one for animate objects (iru) and one for inanimate objects (aru). Since a major theme of the anime is whether or not Alphonse still exists as a person with his soul affixed to the normally-inanimate suit of armor, the choice of naming him takes on a deeper meaning with this background. This wordplay could in fact be only a coincidence and not an intentional decision, but it serves as an interesting look into the nature of the language nonetheless given the theme of Al's struggle to define what he has become.
Arakawa Hiromu employed a number of naming conventions, adding deeper meaning to her characters' names. Elysia, the name of Hughes' beloved and much-photographed daughter, is likely a reference to the Elysian fields. In Greek mythology, this was the paradise of the heroes in the afterlife. Given how Hughes felt about his daughter, it's a very appropriate name.
Dante is, naturally, an appropriate name for one who deals with the seven deadly sins. However, Dante has a rival (both nominally, and as competition for Hoenheim's attentions) in Trisha Elric. Trisha (or Trish) can be a shortened form of the name Beatrice. In the Divine Comedy, Beatrice was the ideal woman and symbol of purity. It was she who guided Dante on the latter part of his journey through the underworld and into paradise.
Another naming parallel can be seen between King Bradley and Roy Mustang. Both aspire to the position of Fuhrer, and their first names suggest their ambitions. The name Roy is of Gaelic derivation, and also means "king."
Nearly every member of the military -- Mustang, Hawkeye, Fury, Havoc, Hughes, and even Riza's dog, Black Hayate -- is named after some type of mid-20th century military aircraft. Most of them are WWII-era airplanes. The exception to the aircraft rule is Bradley, who seems to be named after a modern light-armored tank.
Winner of the "Best TV Animation Award" at the 9th Animation Kobe (2004)
In the episode "Phantom Thief" the woman known as Psiren lures tourists to an island that is sinking, an act that is reminicent of the Sirens in the Odyssey that lure sailers to their island ( though for much different reasons )
In "Theory of Avarice" when Ed encounters Greed in Dante's home, Ed's jacket is undamaged but when the scene switches over to Greed and then back to Ed, the right arm of Ed's jacket has mysteriously vanished.
Alphonse's nickname, Al, is also the chemical symbol for Aluminum, quite appropriate for a suit of armor.
Vic Mignogna, Edward Elric's voice actor, sang an english version of Fullmetal Alchemist's Theme song BROTHER, which is originally sang in Russian.
In the english version of "Flame Alchemist" if you slow down the title scenes you can see the original japanese characters of the title at the scene transition.
In the first ending theme "Indelible Sin," the name of the series appears on a broken metal gateway, but Fullmetal is spelled "Fulmetel."
The episode 7 ending is an altered version. It shows Nina and Alexander. At the very end, Ed also does a toothy smile instead.
Lior, the town that Edward and Alphonse Elric stumbled into at the beginning of the series, means “my light” in Hebrew.
In episode 3, Ed kicks Al into the water when they were sparring. Later in the series we find out that if the blood seal gets wet it will disappear and there would be nothing to bind Al to the suit of armor, but Al comes out of the water perfectly fine.
In episode 3, the name on Mustang's letter is not his. It reads James Herbert, a well-known British horror writer.
In episode 3, the text of the book at the start of the episode is about Dungeons and Dragons. To be exact, the text was taken from an online review of the book Alchemy and Herbalists published by Bastion Press.
In episode 13 when Riza Hawkeye fires her gun at Black Hayate she fires 6 rounds, but there are 7 bullet holes in the wall.
In episode 23 Winry is in the train station in Central looking for her escort. As she scans the station we see Izumi Curtis "Teacher" and Sig Curtis looking at the Central Information Board.
In episode 26, a letter to Mustang from Ed briefly appears and repeatedly mentions Britain, despite the fact the story does not take place in this world and does not take place in a different place by that name.
In episode 41, Kimblee, the former Crimson alchemist, met Scar. When the fight began, Kimblee put his palms together like Edward Elric and Izumi do. In fact, he needs not do so because he already has two array tattoos on his palms.
In episode 42 when the military invades Liore you can see a bar with the name Motherland. Motherland is the title of the third end credits theme.
The mystic group that appears in episode 51 has extremely dark undertones. The Thule Society was a group of ultranationalist German mystics that were critical in the formation of the Nazi party. Herman Goering, Heinrich Himmler and Rudolf Hess were members, among others. Professor Karl Haushofer was the geographer who popularized the term "Lebensraum" (Living Space) that later justified Hitler's expansionism. He also participated in the establishment of the German-Japanese alliance.
DVD Easter Eggs:
(All DVD Volumes) Enter an individual episode selection screen, and then scroll to the right of the fourth part of the episode (IV) to find the hidden alchemy symbol. The symbol brings up an alternate next episode preview.