15 Best Shows Like Full Metal Alchemist Update 03/2024

Shows Like Full Metal Alchemist

Attack on Titan or Baccano might be worth checking out if you’ve finished Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and are looking for something new to watch.
Anime series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, based on Hiromu Arakawa’s award-winning manga Fullmetal Alchemist, is considered one of the best ever made. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a shining example of what great shounen anime can be, thanks to its impressive world-building, thrilling action, well-developed characters, and emotionally resonant story.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s only drawback is that, once you’ve seen it, you’ll be on the lookout for something to take its place. Nothing will ever match Brotherhood in terms of quality, but if you’re looking for some great anime to satisfy your craving, here are 10 suggestions. Avatar: The Last Airbender deserves mention because of the controversy surrounding whether or not it should be classified as an anime.

Louis Kemner’s April 1st, 2020 update: Here are some of the themes that make Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood a great anime after more consideration. With a steampunk setting and themes about humanity’s best and worst sides, as well as philosophical questions about what it means to be human, this film has it all. As a result, we’ve chosen five more excellent anime series that deal with at least one of these important themes.

15. The Magnificent KOTOBUKI

The Magnificent KOTOBUKI

If Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s steampunk setting appealed to you, you won’t want to miss this short but exquisitely rendered cel-shaded series. Animes tend to be more dieselpunk than steampunk, but this one doesn’t stray too far from the mark.

These women are all accomplished fighter pilots who will accept any position that offers a competitive salary and benefits. While the setting is dusty and desolate, the action takes place in a Wild West style setting filled with colorful characters and cutting-edge technology.

14. Fairy Tail

To be fair, it doesn’t have the same clout as the Shonen Jump “Big Three,” but it’s not far behind. Fantasy fans will enjoy this series about the Fairy Tail guild and its brave agents who will take on any challenge.

All the elements of a great series are present in this one: thrills, danger, magic, romance, tragedy, and dark conspiracies to either conquer or destroy the entire world. It also has a visual style that isn’t dissimilar to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

13. The Ancient Magus Bride

The Ancient Magus Bride

Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will enjoy this series because of its emphasis on folklore, mystery, early 20th-century settings, and lofty themes and plots.

True, The Ancient Magus Bride takes place in a modern setting, but the characters also travel to more rural and remote regions of the world, giving you the impression that you’ve gone back in time. You’re in for a surprise!

12. Dr. Stone

Those who enjoyed Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will be right at home in Dr. Stone after just a single episode! Even though there are some thrilling action sequences in this show, the focus is on scientific advancement and humanity’s potential. Do you recognize that?

It stars Senku Ishigami, a high school student with a brilliant future plan to bring humanity out of this new stone age using the might of science. He has a few detractors, but he’s a stubborn individual who comes up with some truly amazing inventions. Light bulbs in a stone-age world are even re-invented by him!

11. Plastic Memories

Plastic Memories

Even though this sci-fi anime series has bright, shiny animation, don’t be fooled by it. Plastic Memories is more complex than it appears, delving into issues like facing one’s own mortality, what it means to be human, and whether or not an artificial intelligence qualifies as a real person.

As you can see, Isla is a robot girl who helps her company retire other robots who are nearing the end of their lives. While he has to deal with the ticking clock of his plastic girlfriend, Tsukasa (pictured on the left) is her all-too-human friend and, eventually, lover. In addition to being a tearjerker, the film raises a slew of thought-provoking philosophical issues throughout the process.

10. Attack On Titan

It’s no secret that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has a lot to do with the military. Fans of the series, and even those who haven’t, will recognize the Amestrian Army’s signature blue uniforms. The anime Attack on Titan, which is similar to Brotherhood and features soldiers dressed in cool military uniforms, is well worth checking out if you haven’t already.

Post-apocalyptic military and supernatural anime follows three young heroes who have dedicated their lives to fighting the human-eating Titans and reclaiming humanity’s vengeance. Of course, each of them is motivated by individual motives, which adds interest and human relatability to the story. For those looking for a story set in a steampunk-like universe with interesting characters and a plot full of surprises, this is the book for you.

9. Neon Genesis Evangelion

If you liked Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s treatment of psychology, philosophy, and religion, you might enjoy an anime that goes much deeper into these subjects. Neon Genesis Evangelion is a 1995 anime series that, as you may or may not know, was produced by the infamous Gainax studio and directed by the even more infamous Hideaki Anno.

The plot of Evangelion appears to revolve around teenage pilots battling giant monsters in a post-apocalyptic world with giant robots they built themselves. To be sure, the story Anno wants to tell is about growing up, dealing with depression, social anxiety, sexuality/intimacy, and other philosophical, psychological, and religious issues like the Hedgehog Dilemma and others. However, Evangelion’s mind-numbingly depressing story will not leave you satisfied in the same way that Brotherhood’s tragic story did. If you want well-developed characters and an engaging story, Evangelion is a good choice.

8. Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann

Because Gurren Lagann was created by the same people who brought us Neon Genesis Evangelion, it’s no surprise that it’s completely out of control. However, unlike Evangelion, Gurren Lagann will not leave you emotionally scarred. Gurren Lagann is, for the most part, a rousing action film with a lot of heart.

But don’t be deceived by the bright hues. Even though this anime appears to be simple, there are some heartbreaking elements to be found throughout. For this reason, fans of Brotherhood may enjoy this film’s blend of comedy and drama. The plot of Gurren Lagann is straightforward: two best friends board a giant robot to battle the oppressive Spiral King. In this story, friendship and growth are highlighted as well as challenges overcome and grief dealt with. It’s also told in an outrageous manner that never lets you get bored.

7. Made In Abyss

Even though it has a cute art style, this 2017 anime is filled with enough nightmare fuel to keep you up at night. It is set in a town that surrounds the Abyss, a mysterious, enormous hole in the ground. Riko and Reg, our protagonists, set out to find Riko’s mother and some much-needed information about the Abyss. There are many risks involved in venturing into the Abyss, including being afflicted with “Curse of the Abyss,” which can cause life-threatening illness.

A looming sense of dread will overtake you as you watch these beloved characters endure harrowing events in this show, causing emotional turmoil. Similarly to Brotherhood, Made in Abyss intersperses its dark moments with bits of pure adventure and good humor. Because of the excellent world- and character-building, Made in Abyss is a rare find.

6. Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden

Remember, Violet Evergarden and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood share more than just their “automail” arms.

Violet Evergarden is a 2018 anime film produced by Kyoto Animation about a young woman who returns to society after a long time spent fighting in the war. We follow Violet, a former student turned Auto Memory Doll who now writes letters for others, as she tries to find a new direction in life and make sense of her professor’s parting words, “I love you”.

Fullmetal Alchemist has a section on war and the fallout. We feel the pain of Mustang and Hawkeye because of what they’ve done in the name of their country. In Violet Evergarden, we empathize with Violet’s plight as she tries to move on from the horrors of war. Give Violet Evergarden a try if you’re interested in this subject. Brotherhood has more action, but this film excels at evoking strong emotions.

5. Steins;Gate

From afar, a sci-fi anime about a self-described mad scientist who unintentionally discovers time travel and sets off a chain of events no one could have predicted does not sound like something a Brotherhood fan would be interested in. The similarities between these two anime become apparent once you realize that by altering the timeline, the mad scientist Okabe saved the life of the girl he would later fall in love with while also signing the death warrant for his childhood friend.
Much like Ed and Al, who are trying to figure out how to get their original bodies back without harming anyone else, Okabe is trying to figure out how to save his best friend without sacrificing anyone else. In the second half of the show, tensions rise as Okabe grows increasingly desperate when confronted with what appears to be an inevitability in his life. Steins;Gate is a must-read if you want to be moved to tears by a story.

4. My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia is the perfect show for fans who want a short protagonist with big dreams who gets by by punching things. However, jokes aside, My Hero Academia is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a current shounen anime that offers more than your standard fight of the week.
When compared to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it lacks the depressing and mind-numbing sadness. However, it does have well-written characters with interesting story lines, a narrative that is consistently entertaining, and exciting battle scenes created by the same studio that made Brotherhood’s animation. My Hero Academiais about a normal-looking boy named Deku who aspires to be a hero like his idol, All-Might, in the manga and anime series of the same name. When Deku unexpectedly inherits All-quirk, Might’s he enrolls in the elite University Academy to begin his training as a superhero. It’s an adventure filled with old and new friends, battles with evil and growth as a hero. The diverse cast of supporting characters is just as interesting, with lots of quirky traits and interesting personalities to get to know. If you’re missing the Elric brothers’ unwavering optimism in the face of insurmountable odds, consider giving Deku a try.

3. Baccano!

One of the most original, bizarre, and entertaining anime you’ll ever watch is Baccano!. Non-linear narrative tells the story of a group of seemingly unrelated characters in the early decades of the twentieth century. Storylines collide and intertwine to highlight the story’s inherent mayhem and its quirky characters, which run parallel to one another. The large cast of characters makes the story even more interesting because everyone has a role to play and gets to be the protagonist at some point.
Anime series Alchemy features alchemy, immortality, homunculi, and the philosopher’s stone, all of which are sure to grab your attention from the very beginning and keep it until the end. Baccanoappeal !’s extends beyond alchemy for fans of Brotherhood. Additionally, there’s an exhilarating soundtrack, a visually arresting opening, intriguing characters, an engaging plot, and a lot of humor.

2. Death Note

Death Note

For any anime fan, Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s Death Note manga/anime, which has garnered critical acclaim and widespread popularity, is a must-see. While world-class detective L does everything in his power to uncover and stop Kira’s crusade, protagonist Light is a self-assured high school student who decides to use his intellect and the Death Note to cleanse the world of evil under the name Kira.
While reading this riveting, suspenseful thriller, you’ll find yourself contemplating important moral issues. Those who liked Brotherhood’s philosophical debates on humanity will enjoy Death Note’s discussions on moral relativity, good and evil, as well as the balance between them in the world. It’s also a joy to watch the characters develop because the writing is so rich and complex. The soundtrack, graphics, and animation, as well as the story, are all top-notch.

1. Silver Spoon

If the style of the art reminds you of anything, it’s because Silver Spoon is written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, the same person who worked on Fullmetal Alchemist. As soon as Arakawa finished Fullmetal Alchemist, he began writing Silver Spoon, the story of a young man named Yuugo Hachiken, who has had enough of living up to the high standards set by his family and decides to attend a rural agricultural high school in Hokkaido to get away from the pressures of his home life.
As a result of Hachiken being pushed to the limit, a slew of absurd events occur. If you enjoyed Fullmetal Alchemist’s comedic elements, you’ll enjoy Silver Spoon’s as well. To be precise, the brand of comedy popularized by Hiromu Arakawa. The story is also heartwarming, educational, and constantly entertaining, just like its spiritual predecessor. Silver Spoon has all of that and more.