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I was always confused with something in the original (2003) Fullmetal
Alchemist anime.

When Elric brothers have helped the Hughes' when Alicia was born, that
happened around the same time when Edward have become a State Alchemist. If I
know well, he was 12 in that time. It was in episode 6.

Most of the following episodes (Barry incident, the Chimaera, etc.) seems to
cover a relatively short time. However, later it was mentioned that Ed is
14-15 years old. And also, I'm absolutely sure that it was true at the time
when Hughes was murdered.

Which is the exact timeline order of the event in the episodes? First episode
is obviously an introducing one, and second is the beginning of everything,
and then?

Also, how is it possible that Edward looks totally the same in Episode 6
(where he was 12) and in Episode 50, for example (where he was 15)?


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fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-2003
How much time does the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime cover?


The series starts three years after Ed became state alchemist. That means he
was twelve when he became state alchemist and was around 15 or 16 when the
manga/anime starts. At the end of the main story, he was 18 and twenty in the
epilogue (when they start traveling around).

Here is a timeline for the 2003-anime:
<http://64supernintendo.deviantart.com/art/Fullmetal-Alchemist-anime-
timeline-321323200>


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**Please note: Much of this information does not apply to _Brotherhood_.**

* * *

The order of episodes goes something like this:

  * Episode 1 flashback 
    * Transmutation of Trisha
  * Episode 28 flashbacks 
    * Initial alchemy training under Izumi
    * Pre-automail for Edward
  * Episodes 3 through 9 
    * Barry the Chopper
    * Shou Tucker and Nina
    * Etc.
  * Episodes 1, 2, and 10 through 51 (not counting flashbacks) 
    * Main story
  * _The Conqueror of Shamballa_

I have missed a few brief flashbacks here, but this is the general idea. You
can use Edward's age, somewhat, as a marker of time passing. He is ~11 in the
flashbacks of their mother, 12 during his State Alchemist qualification, and
turns 15 prior to the main story (the incident in Lior, etc.). He is 18 during
_The Conqueror of Shamballa_. (This is shown by 14-year-old Al reverting to
being 10 years old, then aging to 13 when Eckhart starts breaking into
Amestris. Since he is one year younger, and would be 17, Ed is about 18.)

Here is a handy chart for a full comprehensive view of the series (click to
enlarge, or click
[here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuLMBJ50XqJRdGV0WVdvRUx2bHdxSjRfb2dWR3I4UlE&usp=sharing)
for the spreadsheet). _Note that Edward does have a birthday in the main
timeline, when he turns 16._

[![Fullmetal Alchemist 2003
timeline](https://i.stack.imgur.com/TtOMGl.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/TtOMG.png)  
_(Orange = pre-anime; yellow = flashbacks; green = anime series; blue = post-
anime)_

* * *

To address your point about Ed's appearance: Edward doesn't actually look the
same at 12 as he does at 15. At 12, his eyes are slightly larger and his face
is a bit rounder, save for his chin, giving him an overall slightly younger
and more innocent look. It's not generally noticeable in the more zoomed-out
shots, but it's there. (Also remember that, to perpetuate the "shorty"/"chibi"
jokes, he couldn't grow much, so all the changes are facially.)

![Comparison of 12yo and 15yo Edward](https://i.stack.imgur.com/9ukkm.jpg)  
_(Left: 12-year-old Ed, episode 4, 6:45; Right: 15-year-old Ed, episode 10,
13:50)_


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