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I have been recommended to watch _Full Metal Alchemist_. However, the person
who recommended this series to me can't remember the correct order. After
googling it, I'm confused as many people have posted different orders.

So what is the correct watching order of Fullmetal Alchemist?


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What is the correct watching order of Fullmetal Alchemist?


# The two continuities

As you may know, there are essentially two versions of the Fullmetal Alchemist
anime - the 2003 version, called simply "Fullmetal Alchemist", and the 2009
version, called "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood". The 2003 version deviates
from the manga part-way through, while the 2009 version sticks to the manga
all the way to the end. For more details, see [What's the difference between
the FMA and FMA Brotherhood
series?](https://anime.stackexchange.com/q/55/1908).

These two versions are unrelated to each other in the sense that it's not the
case that one is a sequel to the other, or anything like that. They're just
two separate continuities that happen to start in the same place.

This being the case, it's up to you which one you want to watch first. Some
people believe you should watch the 2003 version and then the 2009 version;
some people believe the opposite; and yet others believe that you should only
watch one and not the other. All these positions have their merits and
demerits; perhaps the most typical order is 2003 followed by 2009, if only
because that's the order in which they were made.

* * *

Within each continuity there are multiple entries. There _is_ a specific order
in which these entries within a single continuity should be watched.

# Within the 2003 continuity

You should watch in the following order:

  1. _Fullmetal Alchemist_ (the 51-episode 2003 TV series)
  2. _Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa_ (a 2005 movie)

_The Conqueror of Shamballa_ is a sequel to the 2003 TV series, so it makes no
sense to watch it at any time before finishing the show.

There is also something in the 2003 continuity called _Fullmetal Alchemist:
Premium Collection_. I have never managed to locate a copy of this, but it
probably makes the most sense to watch it only after you've completed the 2003
TV series.

# Within the 2009 continuity

You should watch in the following order:

  1. _Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood_ (the 64-episode 2009 TV series)
  2. _Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos_ (a 2011 movie)

Unlike _The Conqueror of Shamballa_ , _The Sacred Star of Milos_ isn't a
sequel - rather, it's a side-story taking place somewhere around episode 20 of
_Brotherhood_. You could, in principle, watch it at any time after episode 24
of _Brotherhood_ , but I would recommend leaving it until the end of the
series anyway.

There are also four half-episode-length specials that accompany _Brotherhood_.
You should watch these after you have finished _Brotherhood_.


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