Summary
- Fullmetal Alchemist fans looking for similar anime titles should check out Code Geass, Blue Exorcist, and D.Gray-man for similar stories and themes.
- These anime titles feature complex stories, well-written characters, and immersive worlds, just like Fullmetal Alchemist.
- From military themes and government conspiracies to supernatural elements, many anime titles capture the essence of Fullmetal Alchemist in their own unique ways.
For fans of Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it may seem like there is no other anime title out there that reaches the same heights. After all, while the franchise may not have revolutionized the genre, it certainly delivers an unforgettable experience that has yet to be replicated, which is why it still stands out among its peers.
There is plenty to enjoy about Fullmetal Alchemist, ranging from its complex and surprisingly dark story to the intriguing, well-written characters and immersive worldbuilding. While no other title perfectly captures the same experience, there are quite a few stories out there that manage to feel familiar, resembling certain elements of Fullmetal Alchemist, which fans of the title are likely to enjoy.
10 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
Original Anime Produced by Sunrise
The critically acclaimed Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion follows the story of the titular Lelouch Lamperouge, the exiled prince of Britannia, a dictatorial nation that conquered Japan. Seeking revenge against his father, the Britannian Emperor, he assumes the identity of Zero and uses his newfound “Geass” power to lead a rebellion, hoping to create a better world for his sister. Although the title’s setting is quite different from that of Fullmetal Alchemist, thanks to its mecha twist, they are rather similar in of story and underlying concepts, as they both feature military themes and government conspiracies, as well as characters who seek to expose the truth and fight against oppression.
9 Blue Exorcist (2011)
Produced by A-1 Pictures and Based on the Manga by Kazue Kato
The setting of Blue Exorcist is split into two worlds: Assiah, where humans reside, and Gehenna, which is ruled by Satan, the Demon King. Hoping to conquer Assiah, Satan creates Rin Okumura, but his plans are foiled as Rin instead chooses to become an exorcist alongside his brother, Yukio, and defend the place he considers home. Similarly to Fullmetal Alchemist, this title also prominently features the themes of identity and family, as it revolves around the bond of two unusual brothers who fight together against all odds, overcoming various obstacles along the way. Moreover, both stories are largely defined by their supernatural elements.
8 D.Gray-man (2006)
Produced by TMS Entertainment and Based on the Manga by Katsura Hoshino
D.Gray-man is set in a world threatened by the mysterious Millennium Earl, who has the ability to trap the souls of the dead into Akuma, artificial creatures forced to follow the Noah family. The only ones who are able to stand against them are the exorcists of the Black Order, who use weapons powered by Innocence, also known as the “Crystals of God.” From the unusually dark settings to the troubled backstories that define the protagonists, as well as the special organizations they belong to, there are plenty of similarities between this title and Fullmetal Alchemist. Fans may even find that certain characters resemble each other to a surprising extent.
7 Attack on Titan (2013)
Produced by Wit Studio and MAPPA and Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama
Much like Fullmetal Alchemist, Attack on Titan is hailed as one of the best shonen anime ever, and rightfully so. The story starts out on a small scale, introducing viewers to a world wherein humans are forced to hide behind walls out of fear of being attacked by gigantic Titans, man-eating monsters who have but one weakness that only the highly-trained of the Survey Corps can exploit. However, it gradually grows in scope, revealing itself to be much more complex and unpredictable than anyone could have anticipated. Beyond featuring common themes such as revenge, the military, and corruption, both Fullmetal Alchemist and Attack on Titan are recognized as masterpieces for a reason.
The final season recently finished airing, wrapping up an epic saga.
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6 The Seven Deadly Sins (2014)
Produced by A-1 Pictures and Based on the Manga by Nakaba Suzuki
The Seven Deadly Sins refers to a group of strong warriors, who were framed and sent away by the Holy Knights of the Kingdom of Liones. With the Deadly Sins now out of the picture, the Knights stage a coup d’état and take over the throne after assassinating the king. It is now up to Elizabeth Liones, the princess, to seek the legendary warriors and request their aid in reclaiming her rightful throne. Besides the similar action-driven epic story, both this title and Fullmetal Alchemist also feature characters named after the deadly sins, although they have different roles in the story.
5 Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (2012)
Produced by A-1 Pictures and Based on the Manga by Shinobu Ohtaka
In the world of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, the titular Magi are magicians meant to select king candidates and help them build their desired countries. Beloved by Solomon's Rukh, Magi are able to summon dungeons ruled by Djinns and conquer them together with their elected kings, obtaining great riches and power as a result. The story revolves around Aladdin the Magi and Alibaba Saluja, the one chosen by Aladdin, as they embark on an epic journey across the world. Similar to Fullmetal Alchemist, this title features protagonists who share a brotherly bond, going on a grand adventure in search of a seemingly impossible goal and growing along the way.
4 Soul Eater (2008)
Produced by Bones and Based on the Manga by Atsushi Ohkubo
The events of Soul Eater take place around the Death Weapon Meister Academy, whose heaster is the Grim Reaper himself, where meisters and demon weapons train and evolve together. When they aren't spending their time collecting souls from evil humans, they are protecting their city from various dangerous monsters. Besides being produced by the same studio as Fullmetal Alchemist, which is noticeable thanks to the familiar art style, these titles also share a similar focus on advancing the story through action-packed scenes. Moreover, despite being mostly serious, they both feature occasional moments of comedic relief as well.
3 Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Produced by Madhouse and Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi
Hunter x Hunter revolves around the titular Hunters, licensed individuals who have proven themselves strong enough to fight dangerous mysterious monsters and explore uncharted lands in search of ancient relics. Becoming a Hunter is no easy task, however, as few are able to the notoriously difficult exam. Yet for Gon Freecss and his future allies and enemies, even the possibility of death is insignificant compared to their personal motivations. It is difficult not to draw comparisons between this title and Fullmetal Alchemist, as they are both acknowledged as two of the best mature shonen titles, featuring complex stories, intricate characters, and similar themes of friendship, ambition, and identity, among others.
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2 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019)
Produced by Ufotable and Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a boy whose entire family, save for his sister, was slaughtered by a demon. Determined to avenge his family and protect his little sister, who was turned into a demon herself, Tanjiro s the Demon Slayer Corps, training and fighting to become strong enough to achieve his goals. There are numerous similarities between this title and Fullmetal Alchemist, which are noticeable from the very beginning. Both feature pairs of sibling protagonists, whose epic journeys are triggered by family tragedies. Moreover, they both follow organization who are tasked with traveling the country and fighting various enemies.
Demon Slayer includes multiple seasons as well as a record-breaking movie.
1 Baccano! (2007)
Produced by Brain's Base and Based on the Light Novel by Ryohgo Narita and Katsumi Enami
Baccano! tells a number of stories set in different times and locations, which may make it seem confusing. However, everything comes together eventually, revealing that the seemingly unrelated events were all part of a complex and thought-provoking tale. Though Baccano! focuses more on the mystery, while Fullmetal Alchemist is more concerned with presenting an adventure, the two are more similar than one may assume, as they both share the same central themes of alchemy and immortality, with homunculi playing an important role in the story. Moreover, neither makes any attempt to hide just how dangerous alchemy can be, showcasing the unintended consequences of seeking immortality.
