Watch either series first and you’ll be fine, but most fans who plan to see both recommend starting with the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist and then watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood afterward, since they’re separate stories that diverge fairly early on and hit differently when viewed in that order.

The short answer

  • If you only want one series and a complete adaptation of the manga: start with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
  • If you want the “full experience” like long‑time fans: watch Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) first, then Brotherhood later with a break in between.

Both shows are considered masterpieces in fan discussions, and there is no truly “wrong” order; the choice is about what kind of experience you want first.

Why many say “2003 first”

Fans who suggest starting with 2003 usually argue that its slower, more personal opening arcs and character work make certain emotional reveals land harder the first time you see them. Those reveals are covered more quickly in Brotherhood , so watching Brotherhood first can make parts of 2003 feel like you are just rewatching a less polished version of events you already know.

Another common point is that 2003 has a smaller, more grounded tone , while Brotherhood goes bigger in scope and spectacle; people tend to like “escalating” from intimate to epic rather than the other way around. Viewers who followed release order (2003 then Conqueror of Shamballa , then Brotherhood) often recommend that pattern so you experience the same trajectory they did.

Arguments for “Brotherhood first”

Some fans strongly prefer Brotherhood and feel it is so tight, exciting, and faithful to the manga that anything after it will feel like a step down for a first‑time viewer. These people often say they watched Brotherhood first and then dipped into 2003 out of curiosity, treating it like an alternate‑universe take rather than a main course.

There is also the practical angle: Brotherhood is the one that regularly shows up on “best anime of all time” lists and new‑viewer watch guides, so casual viewers who only plan to watch one series usually get pointed straight to it.

If you want a full watch order

For someone who wants to go deep and see everything, a commonly suggested path on forums looks like this:

  • Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) – Episodes 1–51
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa – Movie epilogue to 2003
  • Break if you want a palate cleanse
  • Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episodes 1–64
  • Optional: Brotherhood OVAs around the mid‑30s episodes, plus side movies if you’re still hungry

Fans also stress not to mix and match episodes between the two series on a first watch, because they are distinct canons and cross‑cutting them can cause confusion and undercut themes in both.

Simple recommendation

If your question is literally “which Fullmetal Alchemist should I watch first?” and you do plan to watch both, a safe, widely liked answer is:

Start with Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) , then watch Conqueror of Shamballa , then watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on its own later.

If you are only going to commit to one long series and you care most about seeing the “definitive” manga story, go straight to Brotherhood and you won’t miss out on the core plot.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.