While Fullmetal Alchemist has been recognized as an intense and dark series, it has some lighthearted moments.
Fullmetal Alchemist was the first adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s popular manga series of the same name. Unlike Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the first series deviated from the source material and created a new story from the seeds planted in the early chapters of the manga.
The series has a reputation for being darker than the manga or Brotherhood. The tone is grim, the story has more theological underpinnings, and there is more emphasis on the horrors that alchemy can create. On the contrary, there are some moments of brevity in the first half of the series.
10: Darkest: Night Of The Chimera’s Cry Is Infamously Disturbing
State Alchemist Shou Tucker’s decision to create a second talking chimera using his daughter Nina and her dog Alexander as ingredients is one of the darkest moments in Fullmetal Alchemist. This moment retains its shock value in all three iterations of the story. Shou was pressured to create a second talking chimera similar to the one he had two years ago.
When Ed and Al discover the chimera, they are suitably horrified and outraged, especially when they realize that it means Shou must have used his missing wife to create the first chimera. The new Nina and Alexander wander the streets of Central and come across Scar, who puts them out of their misery.
9: Easiest: The Alchemy Trial Has A Lot Of Softer Moments
The carefree nature of the previous episode is enhanced by “Night Of The Chimera’s Cry”. Before the state alchemy exam, Ed and Al are sent to live and study under Shou Tucker. Shou had yet to show his true colors. Lots of comedic moments ensue, from Nina’s adorable personality to everyone messing around when Gracia Hughes goes into labor. The most dramatic moment is when Al decides to give up becoming the state alchemist so that Ed can, but this does not become a source of conflict between the brothers.
8: Darkest: Created Human Sees Ed almost Make A Terrible Choice
The Elric Brothers’ investigation in Lab 5 covers episodes 19–22. A shocking revelation follows, the secret ingredient to creating the Philosopher’s Stone is human souls. The arc’s finale, “Created Human”, sees lust, gluttony, and envy driving Ed to use a prisoner to transform the Philosopher’s Stone. Al’s promise of restoration tempts Ed into mass murder. In the end, he decides against it.
7: Lightest: The Phantom Thief Is Pure Filler
Episode 10, “The Phantom Thief”, is a spin-off episode featuring an original character – an alchemical master thief named Psiren, also known as Clara. The episode’s logline could also be “The Elric Brothers vs Catwoman”. When he discovers Clara’s true identity, he appeals to Ed and Al by detailing the tragic events. He actually enjoys the thrill of the chase. Despite Ed’s frustration, Al’s crush prevents them from catching her.
6: Darkest: Reunion Of The Fallen Spotlights Lust
“Phantom Thief” writer Toshiki Inoue wrote one of the darkest episodes of the series. In Fullmetal Alchemist, Lust sticks around much longer than in the manga or Brotherhood. This makes him a much deeper character. “Reunion Of The Fallen” gives fans an in-depth look at her character through a series of flashbacks.
Flashbacks reveal that Lust saved Lujon’s village from the plague by teaching him. He then sets him on a path to find the Philosopher’s Stone. In the present, Lujon is in love with Lust and is looking for her. Unaware of her contempt for him, he meets a tragic end. This episode provides a defining moment for Lust as she asks, “Where did I come from and where am I going?”
5: Easiest: Fullmetal vs Flame is Easier Than You Think
As the title promises, “Fullmetal vs Flame” sees a battle between Ed and Colonel Roy Mustang. However, the episode is lighter than one might expect, as it features a clash between the main characters of the series. Despite Ed’s best efforts, Roy approaches the fight as friendly sparring. Second, Sergeant Fuery’s quest to find an owner for a stray dog serves as a subplot. Additionally, the character of Mustang provides comedic relief. He falls for the loyalty of dogs and infamously reveals his plan to make women in the military wear “little miniskirts” once he becomes Führer.
4: Darkest: Sealing The Homunculus/Goodbye Sees Ed Confront His Sin
The last parts of Fullmetal Alchemist deviate the most from the manga. “Sealing The Homunculus” sees Wrath murder Lust, who became the most sympathetic Homunculus after she turned on her brothers. The anime continued to alter the source material from there – revealing that Homunculus Lenh was created in Ed and Al’s attempt to revive their mother Trisha.
Ed is determined to kill Sloth to atone for the sin that set them on their journey, while Al is convinced that Sloth still has their mother’s soul inside him. Finally, Sloth admits that she wants the Elric brothers dead to remove her connection to Trisha. Unfortunately, Ed turns her into a couple. The following episode, “Goodbye”, opens with Sloth disappearing and showing a trace of Trish in her final moments telling her “sons” to take care of each other.
3: Lightest: Her Reason Is The Calm Before The Storm
The introduction of Elric alchemy teacher Izumi Curtis foreshadows the darker turn of Fullmetal Alchemist. The episode before the brothers meet their teacher is one of the last light-hearted episodes in the series. “Her Reason” focuses on Winry, who is upset after Ed used alchemy to win the Automail armwrestling competition in Rush Valley. Believing that Ed does not fully appreciate Automail or her mechanical genius, Winry escapes and meets Paninya, a triple amputee Automail user. Together, the two decide to teach Ed a lesson.
2: Darkest: Death Sees Ed Fall To Envy
It’s hard to think of a more appropriate title for the penultimate episode of FMA – it ends with our hero Edward Elric bleeding to death. Turned out to be the worst of the Homunculi, Envy does the deed. The episode reveals that Envy is the first Homunculus – created by Hohenheim and Dante transforming their dead son. Fortunately, the next episode follows “Death” and with the help of God, Ed survives. But what happens next doesn’t change the depressing note the episode ends on.
1: Lightest: The Flame Alchemist, The Bachelor Lieutenant And The Mystery of Warehouse 13 is a Comedy Trilogy
As the Elric Brothers and Winry travel to Ishval, the series takes a break from the drama and heads back to Central. This is the only episode where the Elric brothers are absent. Instead, Team Mustang takes center stage. Part 1, “The Flame Alchemist”, follows Lieutenant Havoc’s less-than-productive investigation into the internal affairs of Colonel Mustang. “The Bachelor Lieutenant” sees Major Armstrong trying to set up Havoc with his sister Catherine. In the finale, “Warehouse 13,” the Mustang team investigates a seemingly haunted warehouse.