The WORST episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist

Every episode of Fullmetal Alchemist ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.

Last Updated: 3/20/2024Network: AnimaxStatus: Ended
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The Other Brothers Elric (2)
star
7.63
394 votes

#1 - The Other Brothers Elric (2)

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/20/2003

When Ed and Al discover the source of the strange disease that has stricken Xenotime, they also find out the history behind the Tringham Brother's father and his involvement with the red water. This news does not please Mugear, who had commissioned the Tringham Brothers to make the Philosopher's Stone. He is determined to stop the real Elric Brothers from interfering with his work, and with the red water he may be able to do it.

Directors: Masakazu Amiya
The Phantom Thief
star
7.81
412 votes

#2 - The Phantom Thief

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/6/2003

Not wanting to face Mustang with the news that they still have no new information about the Philosopher's Stone, Ed and Al decide to visit a small tourist town on the pretext of learning more about the Stone. While there, they become involved in the manhunt for a "Robin Hood"-like thief. While Ed has his doubts about her true agenda, does she have any real knowledge about the Stone's whereabouts?

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A Forger's Love
star
7.83
559 votes

#3 - A Forger's Love

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/2003

While traveling to Central City to become State Alchemist, Ed and Al learn of a man named Majihal living in a nearby town. They remember that this Alchemist had written to their father about ways to create human life. Eager to learn more, Ed and Al travel to the town to meet Majihal. When they get there, however, they learn that the town is being hunted by a ghostly woman who is taking the souls of young girls. Majihal banishes the ghost, but is he hiding something more sinister?

Directors: Kentaro Nakamura
The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant, and the Mystery of Warehouse 13
star
7.86
356 votes

#4 - The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant, and the Mystery of Warehouse 13

Season 1 - Episode 37 - Aired 6/26/2004

Under orders from Internal Affairs to investigate Colonel Mustang, Second Lieutenant Havoc compiles a journal on the Colonel's activities. As he, Breda, Falman and Fuery follow Mustang and discover more about him then they expected. Meanwhile, Sciezka finds an opportunity to further her own investigation into Hughes death.

Directors: Shingo Kaneko
The Man with the Mechanical Arm
star
7.89
546 votes

#5 - The Man with the Mechanical Arm

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/1/2003

When the train the brothers are taking to Central is hijacked by terrorists, Ed and Al learn that General Haruko and his family are also on board. Bald, the leader of the terrorists, threatens to kill the hostages unless their demands are met. Ed meets the challenge to free everyone, but he soon discovers that he and Bald have something in common; an Automail arm.

Directors: Shigeru Ueda
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Destruction's Right Hand
star
7.91
441 votes

#6 - Destruction's Right Hand

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/10/2004

Following Mustang's tip, Ed and Al travel to Marcoh's village to ask him about the Philosopher's Stone. However, before they are able to learn more about the Stone from the Doctor, they are interrupted by the arrival of Brigadier Basque Gran, who arrests the doctor for desertion during the Eastern War. Ed chases after the General's car, determined not to let the General get away with another cover up. They are all surprised, however, when the car is stopped by the sudden appearance of the Scarred Man.

Directors: Tarou Iwasaki
Writer: Sho Aikawa
Bonding Memories
star
7.92
421 votes

#7 - Bonding Memories

Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/20/2004

Still troubled by the uncertainty of his own existence, Alphonse runs away from Ed and Winry. Searching for the truth, he meets two boys who lead him to the hidden Ishbalen Encampment, where survivors of the Ishbal Massacre have been living. There, he finds a recovering Scar. Unfortunately, mercenaries arrive and slaughter many of the Ishbalens. Al finds himself helping Scar as they defend the Encampment and the rest of the survivors.

Directors: Yoshinori Odaka
Reunion of Fools
star
7.94
357 votes

#8 - Reunion of Fools

Season 1 - Episode 35 - Aired 6/12/2004

In the aftermath of the battle between Ed and Greed, Lust finds herself pondering the meaning of life: Where did she come from? And where will she go when she dies? As she questions herself, she is surprised to see a familiar face; a man whom she met two years earlier. She had helped him use alchemy to save a town that was plagued by a strange illness. Meanwhile, Ed and company search for an Ishbalan outpost in hopes of finding the more information about the Philosopher's Stone.

Directors: Masahiro Ando
Writer: Toshi Inoue
The Other Brothers Elric (1)
star
7.97
427 votes

#9 - The Other Brothers Elric (1)

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/2003

Following a rumor, Ed and Al travel to Xenotime where they hope to find the two alchemists who are creating the Philosopher's Stone. When they reach the village, however, they discover two boys masquerading as the Elric Brothers. Who are these boys, and what is this 'red water' they are creating?

Directors: Kazuki Kakuda
The Alchemy Exam
star
7.98
443 votes

#10 - The Alchemy Exam

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/8/2003

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.

Directors: Johei Matsuura
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The Sinner Within
star
7.98
349 votes

#11 - The Sinner Within

Season 1 - Episode 36 - Aired 6/19/2004

Ed, Al, and Winry continue on their travel to Ishbal in hopes of finding out how they made the fabled philosopher's stone without alchemy. Along the way the trio uncovers more and more about the truth of the Ishbal war. But are Ed and Al ready to hear it? Meanwhile Winry receives a startling revelation about the death of her parents.

Writer: Sho Aikawa
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Goodbye
star
8.03
321 votes

#12 - Goodbye

Season 1 - Episode 48 - Aired 9/11/2004

The army’s camp in the north, led by Armstrong and headed by Havoc posing as Mustang, starts a military coup. This distracts the attention of the Fuhrer and his minions, while the real Mustang plots his attack on the Fuhrer in Central. Al has been abducted by Envy. Sensei and Ed are forced to pursue the only lead they have on the Homunculi, the Fuhrer himself. They assault the headquarters to find the Fuhrer has gone home early, but they are fortunate in their timing, and are able to help the Tringham brothers (imposter Elrics) escape from prison there. Ed goes off to fight the Fuhrer while sensei battles with the new and improved Frank Archer.

Writer: Sho Aikawa
Watch Now:Amazon
That Which Is Lost
star
8.05
436 votes

#13 - That Which Is Lost

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/24/2004

Injured from their latest battle, the brothers decide to return to Risembool for repairs. They make plans to meet up with Winry, but along the way a mixup occurs and Al vanishes from one of the train stations. Now Al must make a detour to find him, and in the process question his deepest held belief.

Writer: Sho Aikawa
Watch Now:Amazon
Marcoh's Notes
star
8.07
416 votes

#14 - Marcoh's Notes

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/7/2004

Ed is overjoyed to be back in Central, and can't wait to begin his search for Marcoh's notes in the Central Library's First Branch. Unfortunately, they learn that the First Branch was completely destroyed the night before. To add to their troubles, witnesses had seen Scar in the vicinity before the fire. Now, coupled with a new pair of guards (one of whom is insistent that they go somewhere safer) the brothers must find another way to discover the secret of the Philosopher's Stone.

Directors: Atsushi Ootsuki
House of the Waiting Family
star
8.07
440 votes

#15 - House of the Waiting Family

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/31/2004

The Elrics finally reach their childhood hometown of Risembool. As the brothers bide their time while Winry and her grandmother make their repairs, they sort through the ashes of their old home. But as Ed makes a visit to their mother's grave, Al comes to a disturbing realization about himself.

Directors: Kazuki Kakuda
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Heart of Steel
star
8.08
426 votes

#16 - Heart of Steel

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/13/2004

Ed and Al once again find themselves in a hospital. Winry has traveled to Central to make repairs, but is angered when the brothers don't want to share their experiences with her. As they recuperate, Al ponders his existence and hammers Ed with questions. Who is he? Is his memories of being human real, or is it all a lie?

Directors: Kenji Yasuda
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Fullmetal vs. Flame
star
8.09
408 votes

#17 - Fullmetal vs. Flame

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/27/2003

The annual Alchemy Assessment is fast approaching, and Ed still has not have much success with his search for the Philosopher's Stone. Tired of Mustang's constant rebuke, and with nothing substantial to show for his Assessment, Ed comes up with a solution to settle both problems: Challenge the Colonel to a duel -- The Flame Alchemist against the Fullmetal Alchemist.

Directors: Masahiro Ando
Writer: Sho Aikawa
Watch Now:Amazon
Body of the Sanctioned
star
8.09
657 votes

#18 - Body of the Sanctioned

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/11/2003

Ed and Al discover the truth behind Father Cornello's miracles. However, if they reveal this truth, they will destroy the hopes and dreams of Rose and the other citizens of the city. Would it be more compassionate to withhold the truth and allow them to continue to live comfortably in the deception? First, though, they must survive Father Cornello's Alchemy before they can make that decision.

Directors: Kenji Yasuda
Writer: Sho Aikawa
Her Reason
star
8.09
387 votes

#19 - Her Reason

Season 1 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/3/2004

Rush Valley: the Automail capital of the world. Here the sight of metal limbs is commonplace. While browsing through the village, Ed, Al and Winry meet a tough girl named Paninya. With her right arm and legs made of a special automail, she can hold her own in a fight. Watching her, Winry asks herself a tough question: Why stick with Ed if he doesn't seem to care about her?

Directors: Tarou Iwasaki
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Human Transmutation
star
8.09
314 votes

#20 - Human Transmutation

Season 1 - Episode 46 - Aired 8/28/2004

Al has gone to meet Tucker, and having seen Nina's lifeless body, agreed to help him so that Tucker will teach Al to use the Philosopher's Stone. Tucker is too eager to try to resurrect Nina, though, and Al is used as a component in the transmutation. Ed learns more of Dante's past as he and Sensei mill about her old mansion and talk about their experiences with her. Sensei discovered a love letter from Hohenheim to Dante which was dated nearly 400 years ago. Ed goes back to his room to find Al gone, and Lust and Wrath waiting for him there. An unlikely alliance occurs though, as Lust's mistrust of Dante leads her to cooperate with Ed in hopes that he will make her human again. They rush off to find Al at Tucker's old research lab. They are still on their way when Sloth arrives though, and tensions are high as the episode ends showing Al''s body corroded by Tucker's transmutation.

Directors: Shigeru Ueda
Writer: Sho Aikawa
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Those Who Challenge the Sun
star
8.10
846 votes

#21 - Those Who Challenge the Sun

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/4/2003

On their hunt for the Philosopher's Stone, Ed and Al come upon a strangely prosperous city in the middle of the desert. They find that the leader is a priest who preforms miracles and resurrections, much to the delight of the citizens. Are these Acts of God, as Father Cornello claims, or is he using the power of the Philosopher's Stone to boost his Alchemy? Ed and Al investigate to find the truth.

Directors: Kazuki Tsunoda
Writer: Sho Aikawa
Be Thou for the People
star
8.10
392 votes

#22 - Be Thou for the People

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/29/2003

Mustang sends Ed on assignment to inspect a small mining colony out in the East provinces. Once there, he and Al are mistaken as tourists and are greeted by the local hotel owner. However, once they learn Ed is a State Alchemist, he is attacked and tossed out of the hotel. Ed quickly learns why; the town is being taxed beyond its limits by a crooked lieutenant and his Alchemist. Will Ed do what is right and save the colony from this tyrant?

Directors: Atsushi Ootsuki
Secret of Ishbal
star
8.14
343 votes

#23 - Secret of Ishbal

Season 1 - Episode 39 - Aired 7/10/2004

As Ed, Al and Marta continue their journey to Ishbal, they discuss the history and events that led up to the Isbalan Civil War. Through Marta, the brothers learn the truth behind the conflict. Meanwhile, Archer arrives at Lior to quell the new civil war.

Directors: Kazuki Tsunoda
Writer: Sho Aikawa
The Philosopher's Stone
star
8.17
392 votes

#24 - The Philosopher's Stone

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/22/2003

Angered over the events at the Tuckers, Edward resigns his position as a State Alchemist. Meanwhile, Winry arrives in the city for a visit and to congratulate Ed on his commission. With a serial killer still on the loose, and Hughes still at a lost for viable leads, will Winry become his next victim?

Directors: Yoshito Hata
Writer: Sho Aikawa
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With the River's Flow
star
8.19
345 votes

#25 - With the River's Flow

Season 1 - Episode 38 - Aired 7/3/2004

After crashing the vehicle Winry left them, Ed and Al are forced to continue their journey to Ishbal on foot. The brother's tempers flare and they end up separated in a small town. Meanwhile, back at Central, Winry and Sciezka join forces to find the cause behind Hughes death.

Directors: Tarou Iwasaki
Watch Now:Amazon