Title

Fullmetal Alchemist

Also known as: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, 鋼の錬金術師, Full Metal Alchemist, FMA, HagaRen, Fullmetal Alchemist Gaiden, Çelik Simyacı, Fullmetal Alchemist - Ocelový alchymista, Стальной Алхимик, Сталевий Алхімік, Cang Giả Kim Thuật Sư, Čelični alhemičar

by Hiromu Arakawa

Score from AniList: 89/100finished27 volumes116 chapters

Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy More like Fullmetal Alchemist

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Alchemy tore the Elric brothers’ bodies apart. Can their bond make them whole again? In this world, alchemists are those who study and perform the art of alchemical transmutation—the science of manipulating and transforming matter. They are bounded by the Law of Equivalent Exchange: in order to gain something, one must sacrifice something of equal value. In an alchemical ritual gone wrong, Edward Elric lost his arm and his leg, and his brother Alphonse became nothing but a soul in a suit of armor. Equipped with mechanical “auto-mail” limbs, Edward becomes a state alchemist, seeking the one thing that can restore his and his brother’s bodies...the legendary Philosopher’s Stone. (Source: VIZ Media) Note: Includes eight extra chapters.

Chapters available: 116
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4.5/5

A near-perfect shonen that pairs big ideas about sacrifice with exceptional pacing, even if a few later stretches feel rushed.

Pros

A tight, rules-based world with clear logic
A strong blend of action, comedy and drama
Themes of sacrifice and brotherhood land hard

Cons

Some later arcs feel rushed
The political layer can get dense if you are not paying attention

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Read the full take

Fullmetal Alchemist is the rare shonen that gets nearly everything right. The alchemy system is built on a rule anyone can grasp, equal exchange, and the story uses that rule to hurt its characters in ways that feel earned. The brothers' bond is the emotional core, and it carries the series through big action, sharp comedy and some genuinely dark turns. The pacing is a standout: the story knows when to speed up and when to let a scene breathe. The honest cons are a few later stretches that feel rushed, and a political layer that can get dense if you are not paying attention. Still, the highs are very high, and the balance of thought and action is hard to beat. If you have never read it, this is a strong starting point for the genre. Go in expecting a lot of heart, and you will not be disappointed.