Fullmetal Alchemist Complete Filler Guide for Beginners

Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime packed with action and comedy while discussing an important debate on science vs. religion. But more so, it’s riddled with fillers and anime-exclusive episodes. That’s why I made this quick watch order guide. 

The original anime was produced while the manga (source material) was ongoing. Unfortunately, this led to several pacing issues as the production company had to step in and make dozens of filler episodes so the anime wouldn’t outpace the manga.

The original Fullmetal Alchemist anime produced 51 episodes with 3 filler episodes and 28 anime-exclusive episodes. With a 61% filler percentage, the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime is only 39% canon, despite the production team’s best efforts.

So, should you watch FMA? Well, that’s a question you should answer for yourself. In my personal onion, you HAVE to watch FMA Brotherhood. And after that, you can give the original anime a go if you have the time. 

Quick List

Type	Episodes
Manga Canon	1-3, 6-7, 9, 13-15, 17-20, 23-28, 34
Filler Episodes	4, 10, 37
Anime Exclusive Episodes	5, 8, 11-12, 16, 21-22, 29-33, 35-36, 38-51

Episode List: Fullmetal Alchemist

#	Title	Type	Watch?	Air Date
1	Those Who Challenge the Sun	Canon		10/04/2003
2	Body of the Sanctioned	Canon		10/11/2003
3	Mother	Canon		10/18/2003
4	A Forger’s Love	Filler	Skip	10/25/2003
5	The Man with the Mechanical Arm	Anime Ex		11/01/2003
6	The Alchemy Exam	Canon		11/08/2003
7	Night of the Chimera’s Cry	Canon		11/15/2003
8	The Philosopher’s Stone	Anime Ex		11/22/2003
9	Be Thou for the People	Canon		11/29/2003
10	The Phantom Thief	Filler	Skip	12/06/2003
11	The Other Brothers Elric: Part 1	Anime Ex		12/13/2003
12	The Other Brothers Elric: Part 2	Anime Ex		12/20/2003
13	Fullmetal VS Flame	Canon		12/27/2003
14	Destruction’s Right Hand	Canon		01/10/2004
15	The Ishbal Massacre	Canon		01/17/2004
16	That Which Is Lost	Anime Ex		01/24/2004
17	House of the Waiting Family	Canon		01/31/2004
18	Marcoh’s Notes	Canon		02/07/2004
19	The Truth Behind Truths	Canon		02/14/2004
20	Soul of the Guardian	Canon		02/21/2004
21	The Red Glow	Anime Ex		02/28/2004
22	Created Human	Anime Ex		03/06/2004
23	Fullmetal Heart	Canon		03/13/2004
24	Bonding Memories	Canon		03/20/2004
25	Words of Farewell	Canon		03/27/2004
26	Her Reason	Canon		04/03/2004
27	Teacher	Canon		04/10/2004
28	All is One, One is All	Canon		04/17/2004
29	The Untainted Child	Anime Ex		04/24/2004
30	Assault on South Headquarters	Anime Ex		05/01/2004
31	Sin	Anime Ex		05/08/2004
32	Dante of the Deep Forest	Anime Ex		05/15/2004
33	Al, Captured	Anime Ex		05/29/2004
34	Theory of Avarice	Canon		06/05/2004
35	Reunion of the Fallen	Anime Ex		06/12/2004
36	The Sinner Within	Anime Ex		06/19/2004
37	The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant & The Mystery of Warehouse 13	Filler		06/26/2004
38	With the River’s Flow	Anime Ex		07/03/2004
39	Secret of Ishbal	Anime Ex		07/10/2004
40	The Scar	Anime Ex		07/17/2004
41	Holy Mother	Anime Ex		07/24/2004
42	His Name is Unknown	Anime Ex		07/24/2004
43	The Stray Dog	Anime Ex		07/31/2004
44	Hohenheim of Light	Anime Ex		08/07/2004
45	A Rotted Heart	Anime Ex		08/21/2004
46	Human Transmutation	Anime Ex		08/28/2004
47	Sealing the Homunculus	Anime Ex		09/04/2004
48	Goodbye	Anime Ex		09/11/2004
49	The Other Side of the Gate	Anime Ex		09/18/2004
50	Death	Anime Ex		09/25/2004
51	Laws and Promises	Anime Ex		10/02/2004

How much of Fullmetal Alchemist can you skip?

Filler episodes are mostly a nuisance in anime that doesn’t make sense. Nevertheless, they sometimes reveal crucial plot points regarding the main storyline, and it is only later that we realize we made a mistake by not watching the episode.

However, the situation is very different regarding this particular anime.

There are only a handful of canon episodes in the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime, so you must watch some fillers and anime-exclusive episodes to properly understand the storyline. You can only skip 2 out of 31 filler episodes: A Forger’s Love (Episode 4) and The Phantom Thief (Episode 10).

Should I watch FMA 2003 or Brotherhood?

Both Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are fantastic anime series but offer different experiences.

I might’ve confused you with the word “fantastic,” but it’s true. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) is a good anime if you disregard how badly they butchered the ending. It’s actually very Death Note in that sense. 

So, what should you do?

Technically, you can watch Fullmetal Alchemist, but you shouldn’t skip any anime-exclusive content, or the story won’t make any sense. Either way, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is arguably the better adaptation and a must-watch regardless of whether you watch FMA.

If you ask me, I watched both. But only because I didn’t have this guide back in the day! I just assumed FMA is season 1, and FMAB is season 2. Boy, I was disappointed.

Here are some pros and cons of watching Fullmetal Alchemist (2003):

Pros:

• Deep character development, especially for the Elric brothers.
• A darker and more emotional tone.
• A unique story that sets it apart from the manga and Brotherhood.

Cons:

• The original story diverges from the manga, leading to a different ending.
• Some fans find the pacing slow in the latter half.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood depends on what you want in an anime.

If you value deeper character exploration and a darker tone and are okay with diverging from the manga’s path, the 2003 version might be your cup of tea.

On the other hand, if you prefer a complete and action-packed journey that stays true to the manga, then Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the way to go. Whichever path you choose, you’re in for an alchemical treat!

About Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is a manga-based anime written by Hiromu Arakawa. It was first published in Monthly Shonen Gangan. The story is about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse.

Both of them gifted with the powers of alchemy. While trying to bring their mother back to life, they fail and are left with severely damaged bodies. They then begin their quest for the philosopher’s stone, which is the only thing that would save them.