Fullmetal Alchemist

10 Best Episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist

Two young brothers are raised as alchemists, but when they are severely injured trying to perform a forbidden act, they begin searching for the one thing that can save them; the fabled philosopher's stone.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 22, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E6

#15 - The Alchemy Exam (Season 1 - Episode 6)

Ed and Al finally arrive in Central City. Needing a place to stay, Mustang places the boys under the supervision of 'Sewing-Life Alchemist' Shou Tucker. Awed by Tucker's mansion and vast library of Alchemy books, the brothers spend some happy days of study and good fun. All their work leads up to one event -- the Alchemy Exam.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 203 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E47

#14 - Sealing the Homunculus (Season 1 - Episode 47)

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Ed discovers Sloth and Al at Tucker's research lab. He tries to convince Al that the Homunculus is not their mother, and not to be trusted, but Al is pretty sure that it'll be fine. So Ed has to do things his way. He reveals the pieces of his mother's corpse that he dug up in Rizenbul, stunning Sloth, and giving him a chance to seal her forever. Lust had drawn a sealing transmutation circle with her claws, so it could not be destroyed, and Ed lured Sloth into it. The deal was almost done, when Al in his infinite wisdom decided that he was going to save the homunculus, so he threw the box containing a piece of his mother out the window, thus freeing Sloth. Lust held her at bay while Ed went to get the box, but Wrath was waiting outside, and decided to absorb the box into himself so Ed couldn't get it back. More and more it became clear that the brothers would not win this battle so easily, especially with Al helping out the Homunculus. Sloth freed herself from the circle, and while Ed chased Sloth, who was now controlling Al's body from the inside, Wrath and Lust squared off. Lust is easily destroyed though, as Wrath found her locket and used it to stop her on the transmutation circle. Wrath killed Lust and headed off to find Sloth. Fortunately for the brothers, who were not in great shape at this point, Wrath was a bit inexperienced, and foolishly merged himself with Sloth. Having the box inside of him, this stopped them both and gave Ed his chance to destroy his creation, Sloth, once and for all.

The episode was rated 8.10 from 130 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E43

#13 - The Stray Dog (Season 1 - Episode 43)

Now that Al has actually become the Philosopher's Stone, the brothers are forced to flee, knowing well that the Homunculus would soon be after them. The Fuhrer, in turn, places orders for the brothers to be captured. Mustang takes this responsibility, knowing that if they are captured by anyone else, they would surely not get the opportunity to explain themselves. Winry and Seska have gone to Rizenbul to lay low for a while after their scare at the military base. To their surprise, the mysterious stranger on the train turned out to be none other than Hoenheim, the Elric's father. They receive word of the hunt of Ed and Al, and the two go to try to help. Ed and Al, for unclear reasons, are hurrying back to their hometown, knowing that the military would surely be there, but they are not dissuaded, and trouble brews as Mustang's soldiers get closer and closer.

The episode was rated 8.11 from 130 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E34

#12 - Theory of Avarice (Season 1 - Episode 34)

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The battle to rescue Al is in full force, as Major Armstrong takes to the sewers to fight off Greed's men while Ed remains on the surface in a showdown with Greed and the Military. As Ed and Greed face off, Ed must make the ultimate decision: is he willing to take someone's life to save his brother?

The episode was rated 8.12 from 137 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E20

#11 - Soul of the Guardian (Season 1 - Episode 20)

The battle in the Fifth Laboratory continues. Separated, each now face a formidable foe: Ed faces off with Number 48 while Al deals with the insane Number 66. After an exchange with Number 66, though, Al soon comes to question his very existence.

The episode was rated 8.12 from 153 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E22

#10 - Created Human (Season 1 - Episode 22)

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Ed reaches the heart of the Fifth Laboratory and learns that it was used as a biological research facility for the military. There, he is nearly fooled into doing an unspeakable act. He manages to escape, but then discovers that Envy has taken Al hostage. Meanwhile, Hughes has ordered Armstrong and the others to find out what is going on in the Laboratory.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 151 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E3

#9 - Mother (Season 1 - Episode 3)

Ed and Al grew up at a time when their country was at war. While news from the front devastated friends and neighbors, their mother was a pillar of strength. She made them feel safe in an uncertain time, and encouraged their gifts of Alchemy. When she died, Ed and Al were determined to bring her back. They believed they had nothing left to lose, but they didn't know how wrong they were.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 276 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E15

#8 - The Ishbal Massacre (Season 1 - Episode 15)

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As the Strong Arm Alchemist holds off Scar, he realizes that the killer is from Ishbal. Meanwhile, as Ed, Al and Doctor Marcoh make their way through the village, the Doctor recounts the Ishbal Rebellion and how he and the other State Alchemist were ordered to level the entire city using the Red Stones. The events still haunt Marcoh, Mustang, and Armstrong to this day.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 161 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E41

#7 - Holy Mother (Season 1 - Episode 41)

At the brink of another civil war, Scar justifies his intentions for Lior to Ed. However, after learning from Lyra what Scar intends to do to the Military, he sends an urgent message to Mustang to stay out of the city. Meanwhile, back at Regional Headquarters, Al ponders Martel's warning as the Military gets ready for battle.

The episode was rated 8.23 from 128 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E40

#6 - The Scar (Season 1 - Episode 40)

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Ed confronts Scar in Lior and learns his objective for being in the city. When arguing against the plan doesn't work, Ed finds himself battling Scar yet again. In the midst of the battle, though, they are interrupted by Lust and Gluttony. After stopping them, they are again interrupted by two more people from Ed's past who persuade Ed to listen to Scar's story. Meanwhile, Marta and Al are captured by Kimbley and taken back to Regional Headquarters.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 129 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E51

#5 - Laws and Promises (Season 1 - Episode 51)

It is the very end, what will become of Ed and Al? Will the dark plot of the villians finally be realized? It all comes down to the wire in the final instalment of the FMA anime.

The episode was rated 8.30 from 145 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E50

#4 - Death (Season 1 - Episode 50)

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Ed now joins his father on the other side of the gate which seems to be a lot like our world but what will Ed do there and how will he get back to the world he knows?

The episode was rated 8.41 from 134 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E42

#3 - His Name is Unknown (Season 1 - Episode 42)

Al’s body has been transmuted into a bomb by Kimblee just before his death, and Scar, in a fit of compassion, prepares Al to be saved by turning him into the Philosopher’s Stone. Scar sacrifices his right arm, melding it with Al, and making Al a container waiting for the army’s invasion of the city. Ed manages to fight off the two homunculi and with Ryla and Rose, they escape, but Ed knows he has to go back, and returns to the city. Mustang, using information gathered by Armstrong in his mock service of Archer, goes down to Tucker’s research room to put a stop to the madness. They are beset by chimeras and though they have little trouble fighting them off, Archer gets away. Before anyone can stop him, he sends the army into Lior. There Scar sacrifices himself to transmute the army into Al’s body, making him the Philosopher’s Stone.

The episode was rated 8.42 from 134 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E25

#2 - Words of Farewell (Season 1 - Episode 25)

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Ed announces that he and Al have decided to stop searching for the Philosopher's Stone. Boarding a train headed South, they leave Central to visit their old teacher. Meanwhile, Hughes has discovered the truth behind the Fifth Laboratory -- a truth that could topple the Government.

The episode was rated 8.43 from 146 votes.

Fullmetal Alchemist - S1E7

#1 - Night of the Chimera's Cry (Season 1 - Episode 7)

Now that Edward is an official State Alchemist, the brothers can begin their quest to restore their bodies. However, something about Tucker's chimera experiments begin to trouble Ed. As he investigates, Ed begins to see a sinister side to alchemy. Now he and Al must stop a friend from committing the unthinkable.

The episode was rated 8.51 from 196 votes.

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