Fullmetal Alchemist

{{Short description|Japanese manga series by Hiromu Arakawa}} {{About|the manga series|the title character|Edward Elric|other uses}} {{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | image = Fullmetal123.jpg | caption = First {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volume cover, featuring siblings Edward (right) and Alphonse Elric (left) | ja_kanji = 鋼の錬金術師 | ja_romaji = Hagane no Renkinjutsushi | genre = {{ubl|Adventure<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/fullmetal-alchemist|title=The Official Website for Fullmetal Alchemist|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112143713/https://www.viz.com/fullmetal-alchemist|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DaVinci"/>|Dark fantasy<ref name="50million"/><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:荒川弘「鋼の錬金術師」の全話が3月31日までの期間限定で、スクウェア・エニックスのマンガアプリ・マンガUP！にて配信されている。|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/224347|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=June 26, 2020|language=ja|date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708032522/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/224347|url-status=live}}</ref>|Steampunk<ref name="Barnes"/><ref name="DaVinci">{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|title=Da Vinci Magazine Lists 3 Manga Among 2011's Top 10 Books|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-06/da-vinci-magazine-lists-3-manga-among-2011-top-10-books|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 26, 2020|date=December 6, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628192202/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-06/da-vinci-magazine-lists-3-manga-among-2011-top-10-books|url-status=live}}</ref>}} }} {{Infobox animanga/Print | type = manga | author = Hiromu Arakawa | publisher = {{ubl|Enix (2001–03)|Square Enix (2003–10)}} | publisher_en = {{English manga publisher | AUS = Madman Entertainment | NA = {{ubl|Viz Media|Yen Press (digital)}} | SG = Chuang Yi }} | imprint = Gangan Comics | magazine = Monthly Shōnen Gangan | first = July 12, 2001 | last = June 11, 2010 | volumes = 27 | volume_list = List of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters }} {{Infobox animanga/Print | type = light novel | author = Makoto Inoue | illustrator = Hiromu Arakawa | publisher = Square Enix | publisher_en = {{English manga publisher | NA = Viz Media }} | demographic = | imprint = | magazine = | first = February 28, 2003 | last = April 22, 2010 | volumes = 10 | volume_list = List of Fullmetal Alchemist light novels }} {{Infobox animanga/Other | title = Anime television series | content = * ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' (2003–04) ** ''Conqueror of Shamballa'' (2005 film) * ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'' (2009–10) ** ''The Sacred Star of Milos'' (2011 film) }} {{Infobox animanga/Other | title = Live-action film | content = * ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' (2017) * ''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar'' (2022) * ''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Last Transmutation'' (2022) }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Fullmetal Alchemist'''''|鋼の錬金術師|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi|{{lit|Alchemist of Steel}}|lead=yes}} is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. It was serialized in Square Enix's {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga anthology magazine ''Monthly Shōnen Gangan'' between July 2001 and June 2010; the publisher later collected the individual chapters in 27 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is a widely practiced science, the series follows the journey of two alchemist brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, as they search for the philosopher's stone to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life via alchemy. The steampunk world of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' is primarily styled after the European Industrial Revolution.

''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has been adapted into various anime{{mdash}}two television series, released in 2003 and 2009, and two films, released in 2005 and 2011, all animated by Bones{{mdash}}as well as light novels. The series also includes original video animations (OVAs), video games, supplementary books, a collectible card game, and a variety of action figures and other merchandise. A live-action film based on the series was released in 2017, with two sequels in 2022. In North America, the manga was localized and published in English by Viz Media. Yen Press has owned the rights for the digital release of the volumes since 2014.

''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike and is considered one of the greatest manga series of all time. It has sold over 80 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. It received the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award for the {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} category in 2004, the UK's Eagle Award for favorite manga in 2010 and 2011, and the Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2011.

== Synopsis == === Setting === ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' takes place in the fictional country of {{Nihongo4|Amestris|アメストリス|Amesutorisu}}, in which the physical setting and political system is largely inspired by general European society at the turn of the 20th century. In this world, alchemy is one of the most-practiced sciences, and can largely be contexualized as magic which follows the rules of science. By drawing patterns called Transmutation Circles, alchemists have the ability to create or form almost anything from physical substances that already exist. Alchemists who are skilled enough to be recruited by the government are known as {{Nihongo4|State Alchemists|国家錬金術師|Kokka Renkinjutsushi}} and are given code names as an identifier based on their unique area of expertise. As per the rules of science, transmutation cannot be successful if used to attempt to create something without all parts present, which is a natural law called Law of Equivalent Exchange. The one taboo in alchemy is Human Transmutation, which is the attempt to create a human from the substances found in the human body. Under natural circumstances, human transmutation will always fail as there is no natural physical substance that equals a human soul. Any resulting transmutation is botched, and results in an incomplete human form that dies immediately after creation. Those who attempt human transmutation are confronted by {{Nihongo4|Truth|真理|Shinri}}, a pantheistic and semi-cerebral godlike being who appears as a reflection of the alchemist themselves, and is a divine entity that regulates all alchemy use. In order to rectify the attempted non-equivalent exchange, Truth often takes a part of the alchemist's own physical body as punishment for attempting to create something from nothing. The flesh parts in which Truth takes are often symbolic to what the alchemist values most in their life, or what they attempted to acquire through the botched transmutation.

Truth also shows these alchemists the {{Nihongo4|Gate of Truth|真理の扉|Shinri no Tobira}}, where they are shown all the information in the universe simultaneously. This experience often drives the alchemists mad, but those who survive with their minds intact, gain the knowledge to transmute without a circle. All living things possess their own Gate of Truth, and per the Gaea hypothesis, heavenly bodies like planets also have their own Gates of Truth. There is only one possible way to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange for human transmutation, and that's by using a philosopher's stone in place of a soul. A philosopher's stone is a substance that has been made by trapping thousands of human souls through alchemy. This substance can then be used to transmute fully functional artificial humans called Homunculi. Most Homunculi have numerous superhuman abilities like regeneration which is accomplished through them using the trapped souls inside their philosopher's stones as fuel for this ability. They typically do not age and can only be killed by destroying or exhausting the power of their philosopher's stone.

There are several cities throughout Amestris. The main setting is the capital of {{Nihongo4|Central City|セントラルシティ|Sentoraru Shiti}}, along with other military cities such as the northern city of {{Nihongo4|Briggs|ブリッグズ|Burigguzu}}. Towns featured include {{Nihongo4|Resembool|リゼンブール|Rizenbūru}}, the rural hometown of the Elrics; {{Nihongo4|Liore|リオール|Riōru}}, a city deceived into following a cult; {{Nihongo4|Rush Valley|ラッシュバレー|Rasshu Barē}}, a town that specializes in automail manufacturing—a procedure that provides prosthetic mechanical limbs; and Ishbal, a conservative, religious region that was annexed by Amestris and rejects alchemy. Ishbal suffered near-destruction in the Ishbalan Civil War, a genocide instigated after an Amestrian soldier shot and killed an Ishbalan child. Outside of Amestris, there are few named countries, and none are seen in the main story. The primary foreign country is Xing. Heavily reminiscent of China, Xing has a complex system of clans and emperors, as opposed to Amestris's government-controlled election of a Führer. It also has its own system of alchemy, called {{Nihongo4|alkahestry|錬丹術|rentanjutsu}}, which is more medical and can be bi-located using kunai; in turn, it is implied that all countries have different forms of alchemy.

=== Plot === {{See also|List of Fullmetal Alchemist characters{{!}}List of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' characters}}  Edward and Alphonse Elric lived in the small village of Resembool with their mother Trisha and father Van Hohenheim. For unknown reasons, Hohenheim abandoned them, and Trisha soon died from an illness. After finishing their alchemy training under Izumi Curtis, the Elrics attempted the forbidden alchemical practice of human transmutation to resurrect their mother. However, the transmutation backfired, and Edward lost his left leg while Alphonse lost his entire body. Edward sacrificed his right arm to retrieve Alphonse's soul, binding it to a suit of armor. Edward was invited by colonel Roy Mustang to become a State Alchemist and research a way to restore their bodies, undergoing a painful automail procedure. Edward became a State Alchemist, acquiring the title of "Fullmetal Alchemist". The Elrics spend the next three years searching for the philosopher's stone to restore their bodies.

The Elrics are eventually attacked by an Ishbalan serial killer known as Scar, who targets State Alchemists in revenge for his people's genocide in the Ishbalan Civil War. Returning to Resembool to have Edward's limbs repaired by their childhood friend and mechanic, Winry Rockbell, the Elrics meet Dr. Marcoh, who provides them with information revealing philosopher's stones are created from human souls. They investigate a laboratory in which the Stones were created, but are hindered by the Homunculi. The Elrics decide to visit Izumi, hoping to improve their alchemy. Mustang's friend Maes Hughes continues the Elrics' research and discovers government conspiracy, but is killed by the homunculus Envy. The Elrics learn that Izumi also performed human transmutation, having attempted to use alchemy to revive her stillborn child. Alphonse is captured by the homunculus Greed, but is rescued by Amestris' leader King Bradley. Bradley is revealed to be the homunculus Wrath and brings the captured Greed to the Homunculi's creator, Father. When Greed refuses to rejoin his fellow Homunculi, he is reabsorbed by Father.

After meeting the Xingese prince Lin Yao, who seeks a philosopher's stone to cement his position as heir to his country's throne, the Elrics return to Central City, where they learn of Hughes's murder. Lieutenant Maria Ross is framed for Hughes' murder, so Mustang fakes Ross's death and smuggles her out of the country. In encounters with the Homunculi, Mustang kills Lust. Lin captures Gluttony, who swallows Lin, Edward, and Envy into his void-like stomach. They escape from Gluttony's stomach after he takes Alphonse to meet Father, who makes Lin the vessel of Greed. Mustang tries to expose Bradley to the government but finds that the higher officials are complicit in Father's plans. The Elrics and Mustang are released, but warned not to oppose Father, who seeks to use them as "human sacrifices". Meanwhile, Scar heads north with the Xingese princess May Chang, former corrupt official Yoki, and a kidnapped Dr. Marcoh.

The Elrics head north as well, and reach Fort Briggs, commanded by General Olivier Armstrong. They confront the homunculus Sloth and learn that Father founded Amestris to amass a population large enough to create a massive philosopher's stone. With it, he plans to achieve godhood by absorbing the being beyond the Gate of Truth on the "Promised Day". Forced to work with Solf J. Kimblee, a murderous former State Alchemist and ally of the Homunculi, the Elrics turn on him and split up, joined by a reformed Scar, his group, Kimblee's chimera subordinates, and later Lin/Greed. Riza Hawkeye discovers that King Bradley's son Selim is the homunculus Pride. Hohenheim reveals that he was made an immortal when Father arranged the fall of {{Nihongo|Cselkcess|クセルクセス|Kuserukusesu}}{{efn|The name of the country was intended to be spelled as "Xerxes". Jason Thompson, who had worked for Viz Media as an editor on the first volumes of the manga, acknowledged that the English release spelling was incorrect, and stated that its original name was hard to transliterate from katakana.<ref name="JT-Ho1000M"/>}} four centuries ago and had been working since then to stop Father.

The Promised Day arrives, with Father planning to use a solar eclipse and 'human sacrifices'— alchemists who have performed human transmutation — to trigger his own transmutation. Wrath and Pride force Mustang to perform a human transmutation, and he is blinded as a result. The Elrics and their comrades battle Father's minions; Kimblee and all of the Homunculi, except Greed and Pride—the latter of whom is reduced to an infant by Edward—are killed. However, Father manages to activate the nationwide transmutation circle and absorbs the superior being. Hohenheim and Scar activate countermeasures, draining much of Father's absorbed souls, and rendering him unstable. The Elrics and their comrades face Father, who nearly destroys Alphonse's armor. Alphonse sacrifices his soul to restore Edward's right arm. Greed sacrifices his life to save Lin. Edward defeats Father, who is dragged into the Gate of Truth. Edward sacrifices his ability to perform alchemy to fully restore Alphonse, while Lin receives a philosopher's stone. Hohenheim goes to visit Trisha's grave, where he dies peacefully. The Elrics return home and then go their separate ways two years later to further research alchemy. Years later, Edward and Winry marry and have two children.

== Production == === Development === After reading about the concept of the philosopher's stone, Arakawa became interested to the idea of characters using alchemy in her manga. She began reading books about alchemy, which she found complicated because some books contradicted others. Arakawa was more interested with the philosophical aspects of alchemy than the practical ones.<ref name="new">{{cite journal|author=Wong, Amos|title=Equivalent Exchange|journal=Newtype USA|date=January 2006|volume=5|issue=1|publisher=A.D. Vision}}</ref> For the concept of {{Nihongo|Equivalent Exchange|等価交換|Tōka Kōkan}}, she was inspired by the work of her parents, who had a farm in Hokkaido and worked hard to earn money to eat.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://books.yahoo.co.jp/interview/detail/08249604/01.html|script-title=ja:インタビュー|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=April 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050713025020/http://books.yahoo.co.jp/interview/detail/08249604/01.html|archive-date=July 13, 2005|language=ja}}</ref>

Arakawa wanted to integrate social issues into the story. Her research involved watching television news programs and talking to refugees, war veterans and former yakuza.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Arakawa|first1=Hiromu|title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 15|date=December 18, 2007|publisher=Viz Media|location=San Francisco, CA|isbn=978-1-4215-1380-5|page=1}}</ref> Several plot elements, such as Pinako Rockbell caring for the Elric brothers after their mother dies, and the brothers helping people to understand the meaning of family, expand on these themes. When creating the fictional world of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', Arakawa was inspired after reading about the Industrial Revolution in Europe; she was amazed at the differences in culture, architecture, and clothes of the era from those of her own culture. She was especially interested in England during this period and incorporated these influences into the manga,<ref name="new"/> leading to the series having a steampunk setting<ref name="Barnes">{{cite web|last=Chiu|first=Kelly|title=The Perfect Manga Matches for 10 Studio Ghibli Movies|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/10-manga-for-studio-ghibli-fans/|website=Barnes & Noble|access-date=April 20, 2020|date=August 24, 2018|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625110222/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/10-manga-for-studio-ghibli-fans/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SyFy">{{cite web|last=Toole|first=Mike|title=Review: Fullmetal Alchemist steampunk brothers return as Brotherhood debuts online|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/review_fullmetal_alchemis|website=SyFy Wire|publisher=NBCUniversal|access-date=April 20, 2020|date=December 14, 2012|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201211634/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/review_fullmetal_alchemis|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=LaFevers|first=R. L.|title=A Steampunk Primer|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/03/a-steampunk-primer/|magazine=Wired|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=April 20, 2020|date=March 21, 2011|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922103416/https://www.wired.com/2011/03/a-steampunk-primer/|url-status=live}}</ref> (also described as dieselpunk).<ref>{{cite web|last=Folami|first=Oluwatokiloba|title=Best Dieselpunk Anime|url=https://gamerant.com/best-dieselpunk-anime/|website=Game Rant|access-date=May 12, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250808201052/https://gamerant.com/best-dieselpunk-anime/|archive-date=August 8, 2025|date=January 9, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ishbal region bears similarities to the Middle East, with the plot developments in Ishbal being influenced by invasions from Western powers that occurred in the region during the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Stuckmann|first=Chris|title=Anime Impact: The Movies and Shows that Changed the World of Japanese Animation|date=2018|publisher=Mango Media Inc.|isbn=978-1-63353-733-0|page=295|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dFxZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT295|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117143339/https://books.google.com/books?id=dFxZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT295|url-status=live}}</ref>

When the manga began serialization, Arakawa was considering several major plot points, including the ending. She wanted the Elric brothers to recover their bodies{{mdash}}at least partly.<ref name="animeland">{{cite journal|url=http://www.animeland.com/news/voir/4928/Interview-Hiromu-ARAKAWA|title=Interview : Hiromu Arakawa|journal=Animeland|issue=189|date=January 2013|publisher=Asuka Editions|language=fr|access-date=September 10, 2013|archive-date=October 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022231126/http://www.animeland.com/news/voir/4928/Interview-Hiromu-ARAKAWA|url-status=live}}</ref> As the plot continued, she thought that some characters were maturing and decided to change some scenes.<ref name="yahoo"/> Arakawa cited manga authors Suihō Tagawa and Hiroyuki Eto as her main inspirations for her character designs; she described her artwork as a mix of both of their styles. Arakawa found that the easiest of the series's characters to draw were Alex Louis Armstrong and the little animals. Arakawa liked dogs, so she included several of them in the story.<ref>{{cite book|last=Arakawa|first=Hiromu|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles|year=2006|publisher=Viz Media|pages=100–105|isbn=1-4215-0768-4}}</ref> She also made comedy central to the story because she viewed manga as being intended for entertainment, and she tried to minimize sad scenes.<ref name="yahoo"/>

=== Conclusion === When around forty manga chapters had been published, Arakawa said that as the series was nearing its end and she would try to increase the pace of the narrative. To avoid making some chapters less entertaining than others, unnecessary details from each of them were removed and a climax was developed. The removal of minor details was also necessary because Arakawa had too few pages in ''Monthly Shōnen Gangan'' to include all the story content she wanted to add. Some characters' appearances were limited in some chapters.<ref name="guide2">{{cite book|last=Arakawa|first=Hiromu|title=鋼の錬金術師パーフェクトガイドブック 2|year=2005|publisher=Square Enix|pages=168–172|isbn=978-4-7575-1426-3}}</ref> At first, Arakawa thought the series would make up 21 volumes, but the number increased to 27. Serialization finished after nine years, and Arakawa was satisfied with her work because she had told everything she desired to tell with the manga.<ref name="animeland"/>

During the development of the original anime, Arakawa allowed the anime staff to work independently from her and requested a different ending from that of the manga. She said that she would not like to repeat the same ending in both media, and wanted to make the manga longer so she could develop the characters. When watching the ending of the anime, she was amazed about how different the homunculi were from her original work and enjoyed how the staff speculated about the origins of the villains.<ref name="new"/> Because Arakawa helped the Bones staff in the making of the series, she was kept from focusing on the manga's cover illustrations and had little time to draw them.<ref name="guide2"/>

=== Themes and analysis === ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' explores social issues such as discrimination, scientific progress, political greed, brotherhood, family, and war.<ref>{{cite web|author=Johnston, Chris|date=October 2006|title=Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa|url=http://www.newtype-usa.com/reviews/index.php?itemid=314|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124041841/http://www.newtype-usa.com/reviews/index.php?itemid=314|archive-date=November 24, 2006|access-date=June 4, 2015|work=Newtype USA|publisher=A.D. Vision}}</ref> Scar's backstory and his hatred for the State Military appear to reference the Ainu people, whose land was seized by outsiders.<ref name="new" /> The series also examines the consequences of guerrilla warfare and the potential for unchecked militarization.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, David|date=March 18, 2008|title=Ten Things I Learned From Fullmetal Alchemist|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/18/ten-things-i-learned-from-fullmetal-alchemist?page=1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221223840/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/18/ten-things-i-learned-from-fullmetal-alchemist?page=1|archive-date=February 21, 2014|access-date=May 17, 2010|publisher=IGN}}</ref> Some of those who displaced the Ainu were originally Ainu themselves—an irony reflected in Scar's use of alchemy, forbidden by his religion, to kill alchemists.<ref name="new" /> The Elric brothers' orphanhood and adoption by Pinako Rockbell highlight societal responsibilities toward orphans, while the characters' dedication to their work underscores the necessity of labor for survival.<ref>{{cite book|last=Arakawa|first=Hiromu|title=Fullmetal Alchemist|volume=12|publisher=Viz Media|year=2007|isbn=978-1-4215-0839-9|page=185}}</ref> The series also delves into the principle of equivalent exchange—the idea that obtaining something requires sacrificing something of equal value. This concept governs alchemical transmutation and serves as a philosophical tenet for the Elric brothers.<ref name="animeland" /><ref name="JT-Ho1000M">{{cite web|author=Thompson, Jason|date=June 6, 2013|title=Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga – Fullmetal Alchemist|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2013-06-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821001500/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2013-06-06|archive-date=August 21, 2013|access-date=September 6, 2013|website=Anime News Network}}</ref>

== Media == === Manga === {{Main|List of Fullmetal Alchemist chapters{{!}}List of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' chapters}} Written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' was serialized in Square Enix's monthly manga magazine ''Monthly Shōnen Gangan''. Its first installment was published in the magazine's August 2001 issue on July 12, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|title="Fullmetal Alchemist" Official Fan Event to be Held on July 12|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/24-1/fullmetal-alchemist-official-fan-event-to-be-held-on-july-12|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=December 11, 2019|date=April 24, 2017|quote=...an {{sic|offcial}} fan event is confirmed to be held on July 12. Arakawa's original manga started its serialization in the August 2001 issue of Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan published on the same day of 2001.|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211121019/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/04/24-1/fullmetal-alchemist-official-fan-event-to-be-held-on-july-12|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:『鋼の錬金術師』20周年記念特番が7月12日に配信。初解禁情報や、声優・朴璐美さん＆釘宮理恵さんが“ハガレン”の思い出を振り返る企画も|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202107/06226073.html|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706033912/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202107/06226073.html|archive-date=July 6, 2021|language=ja|date=July 6, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The series concluded with the 108th installment in the July 2010 issue of ''Monthly Shōnen Gangan'', published on June 11, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-06/fma-irie-confirms-animating-manga-end-in-2-months|title=FMA's Irie Confirms Animating Manga's End in 2 Months|website=Anime News Network|date=May 6, 2010|access-date=May 7, 2010|archive-date=May 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509094811/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-06/fma-irie-confirms-animating-manga-end-in-2-months|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:月刊少年ガンガン：「鋼の錬金術師」最終回の７月号完売ネットオークションで定価の６倍以上|url=https://mantan-web.jp/article/20100617dog00m200002000c.html|website=Mantan Web|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=ja|date=June 17, 2010|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217231659/https://mantan-web.jp/article/20100617dog00m200002000c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:少年ガンガン9月号に「鋼の錬金術師」最終回を再掲載へ、7月号が完売続出で読めなかった人多数発生のため|url=http://gigazine.net/news/20100621_gangan_hagaren_final/|website=Gigazine|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=ja|date=June 21, 2010|archive-date=March 8, 2026|archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0308-1015-25/gigazine.net/news/20100621_gangan_hagaren_final/|url-status=live}}</ref> A side-story was published in the same magazine on September 11, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-07/fullmetal-alchemist-special-side-story-manga-in-september|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Special side story manga in September|website=Anime News Network|date=August 7, 2010|access-date=August 25, 2010|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112202020/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-07/fullmetal-alchemist-special-side-story-manga-in-september|url-status=live}}</ref> In the July 2011 issue, the prototype version of the manga was published.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-11/fullmetal-alchemist-prototype-manga-to-run-in-gangan-magazine|title=Fullmetal Alchemist 'Prototype' Manga to Run in June|website=Anime News Network|date=April 11, 2011|access-date=September 10, 2011|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115081709/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-11/fullmetal-alchemist-prototype-manga-to-run-in-gangan-magazine|url-status=live}}</ref> Square Enix compiled the chapters in 27 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes, released from January 22, 2002, to November 22, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757506206/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師 1巻|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627060029/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757506206/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lastvoljap">{{cite web|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757530546/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師（27）（完）|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626051848/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757530546/|url-status=live}}</ref> A few chapters were re-released in Japan in two "Extra number" magazines and ''Fullmetal Alchemist, The First Attack'', which features the first nine chapters of the manga and other side stories.<ref name="franchise"/> Square Enix republished the series in 18 {{Transliteration|ja|kanzenban}} volumes from June 22, 2011, to September 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757532793/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師完全版 1|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626090616/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757532793/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757537293/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師完全版 18（完）|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626040053/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757537293/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In North America, Viz Media licensed the series for an English language release in North America and published the 27 volumes between May 3, 2005, and December 20, 2011.<ref name="Viz 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-1/product/399|title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207063239/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-1/product/399|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Viz 27">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-27/product/2592|title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 27|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626115656/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-volume-27/product/2592|url-status=live}}</ref> From June 7, 2011, to November 11, 2014, Viz Media published the series in an omnibus format, featuring three volumes in one.<ref name="Viz 3in1vol1">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-3-in-1-edition-volume-1/product/2782|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207063643/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-3-in-1-edition-volume-1/product/2782|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Viz 3in1vol9">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-3-in-1-edition-volume-9/product/3180|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 9|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626025127/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-3-in-1-edition-volume-9/product/3180|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2014, Yen Press announced the rights for the digital release of the volumes in North America,<ref>{{cite web|title=Yen Press Releases Digital Manga Worldwide|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/advertorial/yen-press-worldwide-digital-release|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 11, 2019|date=April 29, 2014|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211132956/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/advertorial/yen-press-worldwide-digital-release|url-status=live}}</ref> and on December 12, 2016, released the series on the ComiXology website.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|title=ComiXology Digital Platform Adds Yen Press Manga|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-12/comixology-digital-platform-adds-yen-press-manga/.109787|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 11, 2019|date=December 12, 2016|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520082615/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-12/comixology-digital-platform-adds-yen-press-manga/.109787|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fullmetal Alchemist|url=https://www.comixology.com/Fullmetal-Alchemist/comics-series/85376?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113051320/https://www.comixology.com/Fullmetal-Alchemist/comics-series/85376|archive-date=January 13, 2017|publisher=ComiXology|access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> Viz Media published the 18-volume {{Transliteration|ja|kanzenban}} edition, as ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition'', from May 8, 2018,<ref>{{cite web|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 1|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-fullmetal-edition-volume-1/product/5509|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625153348/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-fullmetal-edition-volume-1/product/5509|url-status=live}}</ref> to August 23, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 18|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-fullmetal-edition-volume-18/product/7155|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 25, 2022|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925060120/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/fullmetal-alchemist-fullmetal-edition-volume-18/product/7155|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other English localizations were done by Madman Entertainment in Australasia and Chuang Yi in Singapore.<ref name="Madman Manga">{{cite web|url=http://www.madman.com.au/periodicals/home/29/fullmetal-alchemist-manga|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)|publisher=Madman Entertainment|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728233219/http://www.madman.com.au/periodicals/home/29/fullmetal-alchemist-manga|archive-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Chuang English Manga">{{cite web|url=http://www.chuangyi.com.sg/new2/ecatalogtitle.php?title=FullMetal+Alchemist|title=Available Issues for FullMetal Alchemist|publisher=Chuang Yi|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220152849/http://www.chuangyi.com.sg/new2/ecatalogtitle.php?title=FullMetal+Alchemist|archive-date=December 20, 2010}}</ref> A full-color Webtoon version, reformatted for the platform's vertical-scroll format, launched on May 7, 2025, with new chapters released twice a week.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cho|first=Wonhee|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Comes to Webtoon in Full Color Starting on May 7|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-05-05/fullmetal-alchemist-manga-comes-to-webtoon-in-full-color-starting-on-may-7/.224156|website=Anime News Network|access-date=May 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505171703/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-05-05/fullmetal-alchemist-manga-comes-to-webtoon-in-full-color-starting-on-may-7/.224156|archive-date=May 5, 2025|date=May 5, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Alverson|first=Brigid|title=Webtoon Week: Webtoon Adds 'Fullmetal Alchemist,' 'Old Country Bumpkin'|url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59894/webtoon-week-webtoon-adds-fullmetal-alchemist-old-country-bumpkin|website=ICv2|access-date=June 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250626141641/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/59894/webtoon-week-webtoon-adds-fullmetal-alchemist-old-country-bumpkin|archive-date=June 26, 2025|date=June 25, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

The series has been also localized in Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Korean.<ref name="Polish">{{cite web|url=http://www.jpf.com.pl/szablon_tytuly.php?id=fullmetal_alchemist|title=Tytuły/Fullmetal Alchemist|language=pl|publisher=Japonica Polonica Fantastica|access-date=July 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014234509/http://www.jpf.com.pl/szablon_tytuly.php?id=fullmetal_alchemist|archive-date=October 14, 2007}}</ref><ref name="French">{{cite web|url=http://www.kurokawa.fr/shonen/fiche/16/fullmetal-alchemist-t1|title=Fullmetal Alchemist T1|publisher=Kurokawa|language=fr|access-date=July 16, 2008|archive-date=July 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715124219/http://www.kurokawa.fr/shonen/fiche/16/fullmetal-alchemist-t1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Portuguese">{{cite web|url=http://mangasjbc.uol.com.br/titulos/fullmetal-alchemist|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Editora JBC|language=pt|publisher=Editora JBC|access-date=July 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908063008/http://mangasjbc.uol.com.br/titulos/fullmetal-alchemist|archive-date=September 8, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Italian">{{cite web|url=http://www.paninicomics.it/web/guest/collane_dettaglio?id=1184|title=Fullmetal Alchemist|language=it|publisher=Panini Comics|access-date=March 31, 2009|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317092600/http://www.paninicomics.it/web/guest/collane_dettaglio?id=1184|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Korean">{{cite web|url=http://www.haksanpub.co.kr/comics/comics_prod_view.asp?prod_code=C0000441&vol_code=26|script-title=ko:강철의 연금술사 26권|access-date=September 5, 2013|publisher=Haksan|language=ko|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102002157/http://www.haksanpub.co.kr/comics/comics_prod_view.asp?prod_code=C0000441&vol_code=26|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Anime series === {{Main|Fullmetal Alchemist (TV series){{!}}''Fullmetal Alchemist'' (TV series)|Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood{{!}}''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood''}} ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has been adapted into two separate anime television series: a loose anime adaptation with a mostly original story, titled ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', aired from 2003 to 2004, and the second adaptation, which faithfully adapts the original story of the manga, titled ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'', aired from 2009 to 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Egan|first=Loo|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed|title=New Fullmetal Alchemist TV Anime Series Confirmed|website=Anime News Network|date=August 20, 2008|access-date=August 20, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821122420/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="storyenglishrel">{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-09/manga-uk-adds-new-fullmetal-alchemist-sengoku-basara|title=Manga UK Adds New Fullmetal Alchemist, Sengoku Basara|website=Anime News Network|date=February 9, 2010|access-date=February 10, 2010|archive-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210211147/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-09/manga-uk-adds-new-fullmetal-alchemist-sengoku-basara|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Theatrical films === ==== Animated ==== {{Main|Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa{{!}}''Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa''|Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos{{!}}''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos''}} Two feature-length anime films were produced; ''Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa'', a sequel and conclusion to the 2003 series, and ''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos'', featuring an original story set during the time period of ''Brotherhood''.<ref name="film-release">{{cite web|title=Japanese Box Office|website=Anime News Network|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-27/japanese-box-office|date=July 27, 2005|access-date=April 2, 2009|archive-date=April 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411100722/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-27/japanese-box-office|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-14/fullmetal-alchemist/brotherhood-film-teaser-streamed|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Movie Teaser Streamed|website=Anime News Network|date=November 14, 2010|access-date=November 15, 2010|archive-date=November 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116083611/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-11-14/fullmetal-alchemist/brotherhood-film-teaser-streamed|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Live-action ==== {{Main|Fullmetal Alchemist (film){{!}}''Fullmetal Alchemist'' (film)}} A live-action film based on the manga, ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', was released on November 19, 2017. Directed by Fumihiko Sori,<ref name="live-action">{{cite web|author=Chapman, Paul|date=March 30, 2016|publisher=Crunchyroll|title=Live-Action "Fullmetal Alchemist" Film Works Its Magic in 2017|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/03/29-1/live-action-fullmetal-alchemist-film-works-its-magic-in-2017|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331104153/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/03/29-1/live-action-fullmetal-alchemist-film-works-its-magic-in-2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the film stars Ryosuke Yamada as Edward Elric, Tsubasa Honda as Winry Rockbell and Dean Fujioka as Roy Mustang.

The sequels {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar''|鋼の錬金術師完結編復讐者スカー|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Kanketsu-hen Fukushūsha Sukā}} and {{Nihongo|'' Fullmetal Alchemist: The Last Transmutation''|鋼の錬金術師完結編最後の錬成|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Kanketsu-hen Saigo no Rensei}} were released on May 20 and June 24, 2022, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-03-01/fullmetal-alchemist-anime-leads-narrate-live-action-sequel-films-special-trailer/.183157|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Anime's Leads Narrate Live-Action Sequel Films' Special Trailer|website=Anime News Network|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302140511/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-03-01/fullmetal-alchemist-anime-leads-narrate-live-action-sequel-films-special-trailer/.183157|url-status=live}}</ref> They became available on Netflix on August 20 and September 24, 2022, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|date=2022-07-24|title=Netflix Adds Fullmetal Alchemist The Revenge of Scar Live-Action Sequel Film on August 20|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-24/netflix-adds-fullmetal-alchemist-the-revenge-of-scar-live-action-sequel-film-on-august-20/.187947|access-date=2022-10-02|website=Anime News Network|archive-date=August 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804061402/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-24/netflix-adds-fullmetal-alchemist-the-revenge-of-scar-live-action-sequel-film-on-august-20/.187947|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|date=August 26, 2022|title=Netflix U.S. to Release Fullmetal Alchemist The Final Alchemy on September 24|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-08-26/netflix-u.s-to-release-fullmetal-alchemist-the-final-alchemy-on-september-24/.189021|access-date=2022-10-02|website=Anime News Network|archive-date=October 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005004133/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-08-26/netflix-u.s-to-release-fullmetal-alchemist-the-final-alchemy-on-september-24/.189021|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Light novels === {{Main|List of Fullmetal Alchemist light novels{{!}}List of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' light novels}} Square Enix has published a series of six ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' Japanese light novels, written by Makoto Inoue and illustrations{{mdash}}including covers and frontispieces{{mdash}}by Arakawa.<ref name="japnovels">{{cite web|url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/|publisher=Square Enix|script-title=ja:原作/荒川弘著者/井上真|language=ja|access-date=April 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305051659/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/|archive-date=March 5, 2008}}</ref> The novels were licensed for an English-language release by Viz Media in North America, with translations of the first five by Alexander O. Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=383|publisher=Viz Media|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel series)|access-date=April 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017162024/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=383|archive-date=October 17, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=537638|publisher=SimonSays.com|title=Fullmetal Alchemist, Under the Faraway Sky (Novel)|access-date=April 18, 2008|archive-date=December 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218133356/http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=1&pid=537638|url-status=live}}</ref> The novels are spin-offs of the manga series and follow the Elric brothers on their continued quest for the philosopher's stone. The first novel, ''Fullmetal Alchemist: The Land of Sand'', was animated as episodes eleven and twelve of the original anime series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/novel1.html|publisher=Square Enix|script-title=ja:小説｢鋼の錬金術(1) 砂礫の大地｣原作/荒川弘著者/井上真|language=ja|access-date=April 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416063549/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/novel1.html|archive-date=April 16, 2008}}</ref> The fourth novel contains an extra story about the military called "Roy's Holiday".<ref name="militar">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6638|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011235927/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=6638|archive-date=October 11, 2007|publisher=Viz Media|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Novel): Under the Far Away Sky|access-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref> Novelizations of the PlayStation 2 games ''Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel'', ''Curse of the Crimson Elixir'', and ''The Girl Who Succeeds God'' have also been written, the first by Makoto Inoue and the rest by Jun Eishima.<ref name="japnovels"/> Two Wii games, ''Prince of the Dawn'' and ''Daughter of the Dusk'', were also novelized in one volume by Sōji Machida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757528666/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 暁の王子-黄昏の少女|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=November 1, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=November 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101071412/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/top/comics/detail/9784757528666/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Audio dramas === There have been two series of ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' audio dramas. The first volume of the first series, {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1: The Land of Sand''|砂礫の大地|Sareki no Daichi}}, was released before the anime and tells a similar story to the first novel. The Tringham brothers reprised their anime roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/comiccd1.html|publisher=Square Enix|script-title=ja:コミックCDコレクション｢鋼の錬金術師偽りの光、真実の影｣|language=ja|access-date=April 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510101751/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/novels/comiccd1.html|archive-date=May 10, 2008}}</ref> {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 2: False Light, Truth's Shadow''|偽りの光真実の影|Itsuwari no Hikari, Shinjitsu no Kage}} and {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 3: Criminals' Scar''|咎人たちの傷跡|Togabitotachi no Kizuato}} are stories based on different manga chapters; their State Military characters are different from those in the anime.<ref name="japnovels"/> The second series of audio dramas, available only with purchases of ''Shōnen Gangan'', consists of two stories in this series, each with two parts. The first, {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Ogutāre of the Fog''|霧のオグターレ|Kiri no Ogutāre}}, was included in ''Shōnen Gangan''{{'s}} April and May 2004 issues; the second story, {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Crown of Heaven''|天上の宝冠|Tenjō no Hōkan}}, was issued in the November and December 2004 issues.<ref name="japnovels"/>

=== Video games === Video games based on ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' have been released. The storylines of the games often diverge from those of the anime and manga, and feature original characters. Square Enix has released three role-playing games (RPG)—''Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel'', ''Curse of the Crimson Elixir'', and ''Kami o Tsugu Shōjo''. Bandai has released two RPG titles, {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Stray Rondo''|鋼の錬金術師迷走の輪舞曲|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Meisō no Rondo}} and {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Sonata of Memory''|鋼の錬金術師想い出の奏鳴曲|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Omoide no Sonata}}, for the Game Boy Advance on March 25 and July 22, 2004, respectively, and one, ''Dual Sympathy'', for the Nintendo DS. They also released an action game, {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood''|鋼の錬金術師背中を託せし者|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Senaka o Takuseshimono|{{lit}} Fullmetal Alchemist: The Person Entrusted with his Back}} for the PlayStation Portable in Japan on October 15, 2009, and in Australia and Europe on June 17 and July 1, 2010, respectively. In Japan, Bandai released an RPG {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist: To the Promised Day''|鋼の錬金術師 Fullmetal Alchemist 約束の日へ|Hagane no Renkinjutsushi Fullmetal Alchemist Yakusoku no Hi e}} for the PlayStation Portable on May 20, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/246/246896/|script-title=ja:罪を背負いし兄弟の物語がRPGに! PSP｢鋼の錬金術師FA 約束の日へ｣|trans-title=The Tale of Brothers Burdened with Sin Gets an RPG! PSP ''Fullmetal Alchemist: To the Promised Day''|publisher=ASCII Media Works|date=March 19, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2010|language=ja|archive-date=July 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701231955/http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/246/246896/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bandai also released a fighting game, ''Dream Carnival'', for the PlayStation 2. For the Wii, {{Nihongo3|{{lit}} ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Prince of the Dawn''|暁の王子|''Akatsuki no Ōji''}} was released in Japan on August 13, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST -暁の王子-|url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M761300|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001221423/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M761300|archive-date=October 1, 2023|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref> A direct sequel of the game, {{Nihongo3|{{lit}} ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Daughter of the Dusk''|黄昏の少女|''Tasogare no Shōjo''}}, was released by Square Enix on December 10, 2009, for the same console.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/102/1024189p1.html|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Continues on Wii|access-date=October 29, 2008|author=Gantayat, Anoop|date=September 14, 2009|publisher=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923102459/http://wii.ign.com/articles/102/1024189p1.html|archive-date=September 23, 2009}}</ref> For the 20th Anniversary of the series, Square Enix released ''Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile'' for iOS and Android devices on August 4, 2022;<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile Game's 1st Promo Video Reveals Summer 2022 Launch|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-17/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-1st-promo-video-reveals-summer-2022-launch/.180719|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2021|date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228185827/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-12-17/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-1st-promo-video-reveals-summer-2022-launch/.180719|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hazra|first=Adriana|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile Game Launches on August 4|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-30/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-launches-on-august-4/.188190|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 30, 2022|date=July 30, 2022|archive-date=July 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730161515/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-30/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-launches-on-august-4/.188190|url-status=live}}</ref> the game ended service on March 29, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile Game Ends Service on March 29|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-27/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-ends-service-on-march-29/.205996|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228021203/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-27/fullmetal-alchemist-mobile-game-ends-service-on-march-29/.205996|archive-date=December 28, 2023|date=December 27, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the twelve games made in Japan, ''Broken Angel'', ''Curse of the Crimson Elixir'', ''Dual Sympathy'', and ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'' have seen international releases.

Arakawa oversaw the story and designed the characters for the RPG games, while Bones{{mdash}}the studio responsible for the anime series{{mdash}}produced several animation sequences. The developers looked at other titles{{mdash}}specifically Square Enix's action role-playing game ''Kingdom Hearts'' and other games based on manga series, such as ''Dragon Ball'', ''Naruto'' or ''One Piece'' games{{mdash}}for inspiration. The biggest challenge was to make a "full-fledged" game rather than a simple character-based one.<ref name="IGN interview">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/515/515365p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220233442/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/515/515365p1.html|archive-date=December 20, 2008|title=E3 2004: Fullmetal Alchemist – Interview|access-date=May 27, 2008|author=Alfonso, Andrew|date=May 13, 2004|publisher=IGN|pages=1–3}}</ref> Tomoya Asano, the assistant producer for the games, said that development took more than a year, unlike most character-based games.<ref name="IGN interview2">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/550/550507p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220233447/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/550/550507p1.html|archive-date=December 20, 2008|title=TGS 2004: Fullmetal Alchemist Q&A|access-date=May 28, 2008|author=Gantayat, Anoop|date=September 24, 2004|publisher=IGN}}</ref>

Funimation licensed the franchise to create a new series of ''Fullmetal Alchemist''-related video games to be published by Destineer in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-06/funimation-announces-series-of-fullmetal-alchemist-games|title=Funimation Announces Series of Fullmetal Alchemist Games|website=Anime News Network|date=June 16, 2006|access-date=April 17, 2008|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115061557/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-06/funimation-announces-series-of-fullmetal-alchemist-games|url-status=live}}</ref> Destineer released its first ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' game for the Nintendo DS, a translation of Bandai's ''Dual Sympathy'', on December 15, 2006, and said that they plan to release further titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/pressrelease.php?id=1764|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Video Games coming from Destineer|website=Anime News Network|date=June 6, 2006|access-date=August 5, 2006|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530032012/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-06-06/fullmetal-alchemist-video-games-coming-from-destineer|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 19, 2007, Destineer announced the second game in its ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' series, ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game'', based on the trading card game of the series, which was released on October 15 of that same year for the Nintendo DS, in North America only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/fullmetalalchemistds/news.html?sid=6120244|title=Fullmetal Alchemist DS-bound|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=September 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217124228/http://uk.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/fullmetalalchemistds/news.html?sid=6120244|archive-date=December 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/1st/game/index.html|title=Fullmetal Alchemist video games|language=ja|publisher=Sony|access-date=August 5, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626202301/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/1st/game/index.html|archive-date=June 26, 2008}}</ref><ref name="tcg_ds"/>

The 2D side-scrolling MMO video game ''MapleStory'' received special in-game items based on ''Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'' in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/03/21/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-makes-its-way-into-maplestory/|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Makes Its Way Into MapleStory|date=March 21, 2010|access-date=March 21, 2010|author=Ishann|publisher=Siliconera|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061316/http://www.siliconera.com/2010/03/21/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood-makes-its-way-into-maplestory/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Art and guidebooks === ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has received several artbooks. Three artbooks called {{Nihongo|''The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist''|イラスト集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST|Irasuto Shū Fullmetal Alchemist}} were released by Square Enix; two of them were released in the US by Viz Media.<ref name="art">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/product?id=5339|title=The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=April 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112180649/http://viz.com/product?id=5339|archive-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/product?id=6668|title=The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist 2|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112180902/http://viz.com/product?id=6668|archive-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref> The first artbook contains illustrations made between May 2001 to April 2003, spanning the first six manga volumes, while the second has illustrations from September 2003 to October 2005, spanning the next six volumes.<ref name="franchise">{{cite web|url=http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/lineup/|script-title=ja:鋼の錬金術師 BOOKS|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=April 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822181635/http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/lineup/|archive-date=August 22, 2008}}</ref> The last one includes illustrations from the remaining volumes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757532205.html|script-title=ja:荒川弘イラスト集 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 3|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=September 21, 2011|archive-date=November 15, 2011|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115072613/http://www.square-enix.com/jp/magazine/top/introduction/detail/9784757532205.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The manga also has three guidebooks; each of them contains timelines, guides to the Elric brothers' journey, and {{Transliteration|ja|gaiden}} chapters that were never released in manga volumes.<ref name="franchise"/> Only the first guidebook was released by Viz Media, titled ''Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/product?id=6040|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles (manga)|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=April 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112135529/http://viz.com/product?id=6040|archive-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref> A guidebook titled {{Nihongo|''Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle''|鋼の錬金術師 CHRONICLE}}, which contains post-manga story information, was released in Japan on July 29, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hlj.com/product/enx53249|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle|publisher=Square Enix|language=ja|access-date=August 9, 2011|archive-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110194436/http://www.hlj.com/product/enx53249|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Merchandise === Action figures, busts, and statues from the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' anime and manga have been produced by toy companies, including Medicom and Southern Island. Medicom has created high end deluxe vinyl figures of the characters from the anime, which were exclusively distributed in the United States and UK by Southern Island.<ref name="medi_si">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-06/mediacom-fullmetal-alchemist-figures-available-from-southern-island-this-month|title=Mediacom Fullmetal Alchemist Figures Available from Southern Island This Month|website=Anime News Network|date=January 6, 2007|access-date=April 13, 2008|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115080154/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-06/mediacom-fullmetal-alchemist-figures-available-from-southern-island-this-month|url-status=live}}</ref> Southern Island released its own action figures of the main characters in 2007, and a 12" statuette was scheduled for release the same year. Southern Island has since gone bankrupt, and the statuette was not released.<ref name="si_bank">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-28/anime-collectible-maker-southern-island-goes-bankrupt|title=Anime Collectible Maker Southern Island Goes Bankrupt|website=Anime News Network|date=November 28, 2007|access-date=April 13, 2008|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115070119/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-28/anime-collectible-maker-southern-island-goes-bankrupt|url-status=live}}</ref> A trading card game was first published in 2005 in the United States by Joyride Entertainment.<ref name="joyride">{{cite web|website=Anime News Network|title=Fullmetal Alchemist TCG Announced|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-03-15/fullmetal-alchemist-tcg-announced|date=March 15, 2005|access-date=April 16, 2008|archive-date=January 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122094626/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-03-15/fullmetal-alchemist-tcg-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> Six expansions were released before the card game was withdrawn on July 11, 2007.<ref name="tcg_retired">{{cite web|title=R.I.P. 'FMA TCG'|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11000.html|publisher=ICv2|date=July 31, 2007|access-date=April 16, 2008|archive-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110190504/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Destineer released a Nintendo DS adaptation of the game on October 15, 2007.<ref name="tcg_ds">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=180428|title=Fullmetal Alchemist: Trading Card Game product page|publisher=Gamestop.com|access-date=October 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315035445/http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=180428|archive-date=March 15, 2008}}</ref>

== Reception == === Popularity === In a survey from Oricon in 2009, ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' ranked ninth among the manga that fans wanted to see adapted into live-action films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-03/survey/slam-dunk-manga-is-no.1-choice-for-live-action|title=Survey: Slam Dunk Manga is #1 Choice for Live-Action (Updated)|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 12, 2009|date=May 3, 2009|archive-date=November 30, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130114423/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-03/survey/slam-dunk-manga-is-no.1-choice-for-live-action|url-status=live}}</ref> The series is also popular with amateur writers who produce {{Transliteration|ja|doujinshi}} (fan fiction) that borrows characters from the series. In the Japanese market Super Comic City, there have been over 1,100 {{Transliteration|ja|doujinshi}} based on ''Fullmetal Alchemist''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/15-11/ff_manga?currentPage=all|title=Japan, Ink: Inside the Manga Industrial Complex|publisher=Wired|access-date=September 10, 2013|date=October 22, 2007|author=Pink, Daniel|archive-date=March 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316045411/http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/15-11/ff_manga?currentPage=all|url-status=live}}</ref> Anime News Network said the series had the same impact at Comiket 2004, as several female fans were seen there writing {{Transliteration|ja|doujinshi}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2013-10-25/interview-bones-studio-president-masahiko-minami|title=Interview: BONES Studio President Masahiko Minami|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 25, 2013|date=October 25, 2013|author1=Kemps, Heidi|author2=Lamb, Lynzee|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601011938/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2013-10-25/interview-bones-studio-president-masahiko-minami|url-status=live}}</ref> On TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series, ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' ranked ninth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title=TV Asahi Announces Top 100 Manga Voted on By 150,000 Readers|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-05/tv-asahi-announces-top-100-manga-voted-on-by-150000-readers/.168145|website=Anime News Network|access-date=March 8, 2026|date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126212008/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-05/tv-asahi-announces-top-100-manga-voted-on-by-150000-readers/.168145|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sales === The series has become one of Square Enix's best-selling properties, along with ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Dragon Quest''.<ref name="general">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist|last=Crocker|first=Jeremy|website=Anime News Network|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Episodes 1–30|date=May 11, 2004|access-date=April 17, 2008|archive-date=April 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422023655/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist|url-status=live}}</ref> By the time the final volume was released, the manga had sold over 50 million copies in Japan.<ref name="50million">{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Manga: Over 50 Million Served|date=October 25, 2010|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-25/fullmetal-alchemist-manga/over-50-million-served|website=Anime News Network|access-date=November 14, 2010|archive-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129052745/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-25/fullmetal-alchemist-manga/over-50-million-served|url-status=live}}</ref> By January 10, 2010, every volume of the manga had sold over a million copies each in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 28 – January 10|date=January 13, 2010|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-13/japanese-comic-ranking-december-28-january-10|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 15, 2010|archive-date=January 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118061358/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-13/japanese-comic-ranking-december-28-january-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Square Enix reported that the series had sold 70.3 million copies worldwide by April 25, 2018, with 16.4 million of those being outside Japan.<ref name=square>{{cite web|title=Businesses|url=http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/index.html|publisher=Square Enix|access-date=December 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329074523/http://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/group/index.html|archive-date=March 29, 2019}}</ref> By July 2021, the manga had 80 million copies in circulation worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|website=Dengeki Online|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/86720/|script-title=ja:20周年の『鋼の錬金術師』に新展開!? 朴璐美、釘宮理恵が出演する記念特別番組の配信が決定!|date=July 6, 2021|access-date=July 6, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=July 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706020132/https://dengekionline.com/articles/86720/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series is also one of Viz Media's best sellers, appearing in "BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels" list and the "USA Today Booklist".<ref>{{cite web|title=BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for March|publisher=ICv2|date=April 2, 2008|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12330.html|access-date=April 8, 2008|archive-date=March 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312094352/http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/12330.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-24/manga-back-on-booklist|title=Manga Back on Booklist|website=Anime News Network|date=November 4, 2006|access-date=April 5, 2008|archive-date=December 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231102945/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-24/manga-back-on-booklist|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-13/september-3rd-booklist|title=September 3 Booklist|website=Anime News Network|date=September 13, 2006|access-date=April 5, 2008|archive-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503005255/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-13/september-3rd-booklist|url-status=live}}</ref> It was featured in the Diamond Comic Distributors' polls of graphic novels and ''The New York Times'' Best Seller Manga list.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual—December 2007|date=January 21, 2008|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11940.html|publisher=ICv2|access-date=August 3, 2009|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109024922/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11940.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New York Times Manga Best Seller List, July 19–25|date=August 1, 2009|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-01/new-york-times-manga-best-seller-list-july-19-25|website=Anime News Network|access-date=August 3, 2009|archive-date=November 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115074635/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-01/new-york-times-manga-best-seller-list-july-19-25|url-status=live}}</ref> The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel of 2005.<ref name="icvone">{{cite web|title=ICv2 2005 Manga Awards—Part 1|date=March 22, 2008|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8013.html|publisher=ICv2|access-date=January 3, 2006|archive-date=January 5, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105074302/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/8013.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, volumes 19 and 20 sold over a million copies, ranking as the tenth and eleventh best-selling manga volumes in Japan respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #1–25|date=December 19, 2008|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-19/2008-yearly-japanese-comic-ranking-no.1-25|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 19, 2008|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203154047/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-19/2008-yearly-japanese-comic-ranking-no.1-25|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first half of 2009, it ranked as the seventh best-seller in Japan, having sold over 3 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Series: 1st Half of 2009|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-15/top-selling-manga-in-japan-by-series/1st-half-of-2009|date=June 15, 2009|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201040334/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-15/top-selling-manga-in-japan-by-series/1st-half-of-2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Volume 21 ranked fourth, with more than a million copies sold and volume 22 ranked sixth with a similar number of sold copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 1st Half of 2009 (Updated)|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-15/top-selling-manga-in-japan-by-volume/1st-half-of-2009|date=June 15, 2009|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 15, 2009|archive-date=December 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226191302/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-15/top-selling-manga-in-japan-by-volume/1st-half-of-2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Producer Kouji Taguchi of Square Enix said that the initial sales of the first volume were 150,000 copies; this grew to 1.5 million copies after the original anime aired. Prior to ''Brotherhood''{{'}}s premiere, each volume sold about 1.9 million copies, then increasing to 2.1 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Producer: No Square-Enix Anime Lost Money in 8 Years|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-09/producer/no-square-enix-anime-lost-money-in-8-years|date=October 9, 2009|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 9, 2009|archive-date=November 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122133937/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-09/producer/no-square-enix-anime-lost-money-in-8-years|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response === ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' has been met with widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Though the first volumes were thought to be formulaic, critics have said that the series grows in complexity as it progresses. Jason Thompson named Arakawa one of the best at creating action scenes and praised the series for having great female characters despite being a boys'-targeted manga. He also noted how the story becomes dark by incorporating real-world issues such as government corruption, war and genocide. Thompson finished by stating that ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' "will be remembered as one of the classic shonen manga series of the 2000s."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2013-06-06|last=Thompson|first=Jason|website=Anime News Network|title=Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga – Fullmetal Alchemist|date=June 6, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403075335/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2013-06-06|url-status=live}}</ref> Melissa Harper of Anime News Network praised Arakawa for keeping all of her character designs unique and distinguishable, despite many of them wearing the same basic uniforms.<ref name="comedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist-gn-1-3|last=Harper|first=Melissa|website=Anime News Network|title=Fullmetal Alchemist G. Novel 1–3 – Review|date=November 11, 2006|access-date=April 6, 2008|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504102730/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fullmetal-alchemist-gn-1-3|url-status=live}}</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s Hilary Goldstein wrote that the characterization of Edward balances between being a "typical clever kid" and a "stubborn kid", allowing him to float between the comical moments and the underlying drama without seeming false.<ref name="balance">{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/598/598355p1.html|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 Review|author=Goldstein, Hilary|publisher=IGN|date=March 5, 2005|access-date=March 23, 2008|archive-date=June 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615080731/http://comics.ign.com/articles/598/598355p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime praised the development of the characters in the manga and their beliefs changing during the story, forcing them to mature.<ref name="ActiveAnimeReview">{{Cite web|url=http://activeanime.com/html/2007/03/03/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-11/|title=Fullmetal Alchemist (Vol. 11)|last=Ellingwood|first=Holly|date=March 4, 2007|work=activeAnime|access-date=March 14, 2011|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115080155/http://activeanime.com/html/2007/03/03/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mania Entertainment's Jarred Pine said that the manga can be enjoyed by anybody who has watched the original anime, despite the similarities in the first chapters. Like other reviewers, Pine praised the dark mood of the series and the way it balanced humor and action scenes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-01_article_82075.html|title=Mania Entertainment: Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 1)|author=Pine, Jarred|publisher=Mania Entertainment|date=June 8, 2005|access-date=August 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209142436/http://mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-01_article_82075.html|archive-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> Pine also praised the development of characters who have few appearances in the original anime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. #6|author=Pine, Jarred|url=http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-06_article_82580.html|publisher=Mania Entertainment|date=July 25, 2007|access-date=July 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155421/http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-06_article_82580.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> In a review of the fourteenth volume, Sakura Eries{{mdash}}also of Mania Entertainment{{mdash}}liked the revelations, despite the need to resolve several story arcs. She also praised the development of the homunculi, such as the return of Greed, as well as their fights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-14_article_83814.html|title=Mania Entertainment: Fullmetal Alchemist (VOL. 14)|author=Eries, Sakura|publisher=Mania Entertainment|date=March 6, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917155049/http://www.mania.com/fullmetal-alchemist-vol-14_article_83814.html|archive-date=September 17, 2009}}</ref>

=== Awards and accolades === ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' was one of the Manga Division's Jury Recommended Works at the 8th and 11th installments of the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2004 and 2007, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=FULLMETAL ARCHEMIST {{!}} Jury Selections {{!}} Manga Division {{!}} 2004 [8th] Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2004/manga/works/08mj_FULLMETAL_ARCHEMIST/|access-date=August 28, 2022|website=Japan Media Arts Festival|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207185545/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2004/manga/works/08mj_FULLMETAL_ARCHEMIST/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Fullmetal Alchemist {{!}} Jury Selections {{!}} Manga Division {{!}} 2007 [11th] Japan Media Arts Festival Archive|url=http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2007/manga/works/11mj_Fullmetal_Alchemist/|access-date=August 28, 2022|website=Japan Media Arts Festival|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203182125/http://archive.j-mediaarts.jp/en/festival/2007/manga/works/11mj_Fullmetal_Alchemist/|url-status=live}}</ref> Along with ''Yakitate!! Japan'', the series won the 49th Shogakukan Manga Award for the {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} category in 2004.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞:歴代受賞者|publisher=Shogakukan|language=ja|access-date=August 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html|archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> It won Eagle Award's public poll for "Favourite Manga" in 2010 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/category/previous-winners/2010/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314223212/http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/category/previous-winners/2010/|archive-date=March 14, 2012|title=Previous Winners: 2010|publisher=eagleawards.co.uk|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/category/previous-winners/2011/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314223719/http://www.eagleawards.co.uk/category/previous-winners/2011/|archive-date=March 14, 2012|title=Previous Winners: 2011|publisher=eagleawards.co.uk|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> The series won the "Shonen Tournament 2009" by the editorial staff of the French website ''Manga News''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tournoi Shonen 2009 - Tournoi Manga News|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/tournoi/Tournoi-Shonen-2009|access-date=August 28, 2022|website=Manga News|language=fr|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121045112/https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/tournoi/Tournoi-Shonen-2009|url-status=live}}</ref> It was nominated for the 10th Sense of Gender Award's Grand Prize in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ja:2010年度第10回Sense of Gender賞 The 10th Sense of Gender Award in 2010｜ジェンダーSF研究会|url=https://gender-sf.org/sog/2010/|access-date=August 28, 2022|website=gender-sf.org|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228041148/https://gender-sf.org/sog/2010/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also received the 42nd Seiun Award for best science fiction comic in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/list.html|script-title=ja:日本SFファングループ連合会議: 星雲賞リスト|access-date=October 20, 2012|language=ja|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010165758/http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The series earned Arakawa the New Artist Prize at the fifteenth Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-02/15th-tezuka-osamu-cultural-prize-winners-announced|title=15th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Winners Announced|website=Anime News Network|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=June 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615020650/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-02/15th-tezuka-osamu-cultural-prize-winners-announced|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asahi.com/special/tezuka-anniv20th/2011/|script-title=ja:��15回 2011｜手塚治虫文化賞２０周年：朝日新聞デジタル|publisher=Asahi Shimbun|language=ja|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703065248/https://www.asahi.com/special/tezuka-anniv20th/2011/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' ranked third on the first annual Tsutaya Comic Awards' All-Time Best Section in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:みんなが選ぶTSUTAYAコミック大賞2017 結果発表！|url=https://tsutaya.tsite.jp/feature/book/campaign/comic-awards/2017/index|website=Tsutaya|publisher=Culture Convenience Club|access-date=February 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318195823/https://tsutaya.tsite.jp/feature/book/campaign/comic-awards/2017/index|archive-date=March 18, 2022|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also == {{Portal|Anime and manga|Japan}} * List of Square Enix manga franchises * List of Square Enix video game franchises

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} {{Wikiquote}} * {{Official website|https://www.ganganonline.com/title/586|Official website at ''Gangan Online''}} {{in lang|ja}} * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323162242/https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/gangan/hagaren/|title=Official website at Square Enix}} {{in lang|ja}} * {{Official website|https://www.viz.com/fullmetal-alchemist|Official website at Viz Media}} * {{Anime News Network|manga|2565}}

{{Fullmetal Alchemist}} {{Navboxes|list1= {{Hiromu Arakawa}} {{Monthly Shōnen Gangan}} {{Shogakukan Manga Award - Shōnen}} {{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}} {{Seiun Award - Best Comic}} {{Seven Deadly Sins}} }}

Category:Fullmetal Alchemist Category:2010 comics endings Category:Adventure anime and manga Category:Anime and manga about revenge Category:Anime and manga set in fictional countries Category:Comics set in fictional countries Category:Coming-of-age anime and manga Category:Dark fantasy anime and manga Category:Dieselpunk anime and manga Category:Fiction about alchemy Category:Fiction about genocide Category:Fiction about government Category:Fiction about prosthetics Category:Gangan Comics manga Category:Light novels Category:Madman Entertainment manga Category:Manga adapted into films Category:Military anime and manga Category:Philosophical anime and manga Category:Seven deadly sins in popular culture Category:Shōnen manga Category:Square Enix franchises Category:Steampunk anime and manga Category:Viz Media manga Category:Viz Media novels Category:War in anime and manga Category:Winners of the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen manga Category:Winners of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (New Artist Prize) Category:Works about brothers Category:Yen Press titles