Fullmetal Alchemist

Edward and Alphonse Elric are brothers who learned alchemy young, hoping to use it for good. After attempting the forbidden act of human transmutation to recover their mother, they suffer devastating losses: Edward is maimed and Alphonse loses his body, his soul bound to a suit of armor. With that failure as fuel, they set out to find the philosopher's stone, a rumored shortcut that might restore what they lost. Their search leads to dangerous discoveries, unexpected allies, and morally gray opponents, and it forces them to weigh the cost of power against their love for each other, without revealing the series' deeper twists or ending.

Premiering in 2003, the TV adaptation was developed from Hiromu Arakawa's manga and brought to screens by Sho Aikawa, featuring Romi Park and Rie Kugimiya as the Elric brothers, alongside Megumi Toyoguchi, Toru Okawa, and Ryotaro Okiayu.

The series earned strong fan support and drew critical attention in anime circles, appearing on many best-of lists and receiving nominations at various industry awards and fan-voted ceremonies. While it didn't sweep major Western prizes, its reputation has grown steadily since release.

Fullmetal Alchemist left a clear mark on anime fandom, with the phrase "Equivalent Exchange" becoming a shorthand for the show's moral logic and its tense, often tragic scenes being widely discussed. Its willingness to mix action with bleak ethical questions helped push shonen storytelling toward more serious themes, and it continues to be referenced in discussions about dark, character-driven animation.

Viewers have given the show high marks, reflected in an average rating of 8.223/10 from nearly a thousand votes, with particular praise for voice performances and character development. Core themes include family bonds, the consequences of trying to play god, the ethics surrounding scientific power, and how identity endures after loss, all delivered through tense battles and emotionally charged choices.