Most anime fans argue endlessly about power levels, but the real magic of fullmetal alchemist lives in its unforgettable characters. Edward and Alphonse Elric carry a story so emotionally devastating that it redefined what shonen anime could achieve on screen.
Whether you binge fullmetal alchemist brotherhood on Crunchyroll or hunt down the original 2003 run, these characters stay burned into your memory long after the finale. This guide breaks down every major fullmetal alchemist character, explains key version differences, and tells you exactly where to watch each series right now.
Who Made Fullmetal Alchemist and Why the Characters Feel So Real
Hiromu Arakawa wrote and illustrated the fullmetal alchemist manga from 2001 to 2010, and her childhood on a Hokkaido dairy farm shaped the series’ grounded, dirt-under-the-fingernails tone. She built characters who bleed, fail, and sacrifice limbs instead of invincible heroes who breeze through every fight.
Studio Bones adapted her manga into the 2003 fullmetal alchemist anime first, then returned in 2009 with fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood, which follows the source material almost panel for panel. That second adaptation gave fans 64 tightly paced episodes and a far more satisfying conclusion.
If anyone asks “is fullmetal alchemist good,” the honest answer lives in how Arakawa wrote deeply flawed humans rather than cardboard cutouts. Every single fullmetal alchemist character carries genuine trauma that drives their decisions.
The Elric Brothers and the Core Cast You Cannot Ignore
Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist himself, sacrificed his right arm and left leg in a failed attempt to resurrect his dead mother. His younger brother Alphonse lost his entire physical body and now survives as a soul permanently bonded to a towering suit of armor. Their quest to recover what they lost drives the entire plot.
Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, hides ruthless political ambition behind a lazy, womanizing exterior. Riza Hawkeye keeps him honest with a sniper rifle and absolutely zero patience for his nonsense. Winry Rockbell repairs Edward’s automail limbs and quietly anchors the emotional heartbeat of the whole story.
Fans searching “how many episodes in fullmetal alchemist brotherhood” will find 64 episodes packed with these characters evolving in ways most long-running anime never even attempt.
The Homunculi — Fullmetal Alchemist’s Most Terrifying Villains
Lust fullmetal alchemist fans remember her as the cold, seductive killer with extending spear-fingers. Envy fullmetal alchemist viewers know him as the shape-shifting monster consumed by pathetic jealousy toward humans. Each Homunculus embodies one of the seven deadly sins, and each dies in a poetic way that mirrors their specific sin.
| Homunculus | Sin | Key Ability | First Major Appearance |
| Lust | Lust | Ultimate Spear | Episode 4 |
| Envy | Envy | Shape-Shifting | Episode 7 |
| Greed | Greed | Ultimate Shield | Episode 13 |
| Wrath | Wrath | Ultimate Eye | Episode 28 |
| Gluttony | Gluttony | False Gate of Truth | Episode 5 |
| Sloth | Sloth | Super Speed | Episode 34 |
| Pride | Pride | Shadow Manipulation | Episode 40 |
This brutal villain lineup makes the fullmetal alchemist brotherhood episode list one of the most antagonist-rich arcs in modern anime history.
The Fullmetal Alchemist Dog Scene That Broke the Internet
No discussion of fullmetal alchemist characters is complete without mentioning the infamous Nina Tucker and Alexander incident. Shou Tucker, a state alchemist desperate to keep his license, fused his own daughter with the family dog to create a chimera.
That single scene traumatized an entire generation of anime fans and made “fullmetal alchemist dog” a legendary dark meme. It proved Arakawa would not protect any character from alchemy’s consequences.
Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood — Which Version Should You Watch First?
The debate between fullmetal alchemist 2003 and fullmetal alchemist brotherhood never truly dies. The 2003 version diverges sharply from the manga around episode 25 and builds its own darker, more philosophical ending that many fans still prefer for its raw emotional weight.
Brotherhood sticks faithfully to Arakawa’s original manga story and delivers a grander, more action-packed finale across all 64 episodes. Most newcomers asking “which fullmetal alchemist should i watch first” get told to start with brotherhood for the complete story.
However, “is fullmetal alchemist brotherhood a sequel” gets a clear no — it is a full remake, not a continuation. You can jump straight into brotherhood without watching the original fullmetal alchemist first.
Where to Watch Fullmetal Alchemist Right Now in 2025
Fans asking “where to watch fullmetal alchemist brotherhood” or “where to watch fullmetal alchemist 2003” have solid streaming options right now. Crunchyroll currently streams fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood in most major regions.
Netflix carries the fullmetal alchemist brotherhood series in select countries, so search “is fullmetal alchemist on Netflix” to confirm availability in your specific region. The two fullmetal alchemist live action movies also stream on Netflix globally.
For the classic fullmetal alchemist movie “Conqueror of Shamballa,” check Hulu or browse Funimation’s legacy catalog. How to watch fullmetal alchemist ultimately depends on your location and current subscriptions.
Final Word on Fullmetal Alchemist Characters
The fullmetal alchemist characters remain some of the most layered, emotionally complex figures in anime because Arakawa flat-out refused to write them as perfect heroes. Whether you obsess over the Elric brothers, fear the Homunculi, or hunt down every limited Seiko fullmetal alchemist watch on eBay, this series rewards dedicated fans endlessly.
Pick whichever version appeals to you, start episode one tonight, and let the world of Amestris pull you in completely. You will not regret it.