What Are The Best Anime Like Full Metal Alchemist?

Couldn’t get enough of the Elric Brothers that you’ve watched both Full Metal Alchemist and Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood? Don’t worry, there are several other anime out there that just might satisfy your cravings.While there isn’t any other anime that hits like Full Metal Alchemist; here are ten recommendations that deliver the action and adventure that Full Metal Alchemist does.

10. Ao no Exorcist 

Ao no Exorcist Trailer

On a tragic day of his adoptive father’s death, Rin Okumura discovers he and his younger twin brother Yukio are the sons of Satan. However, Rin is the sole inheritor of his father’s powers. He later finds out that his guardian and Yukio have been keeping the knowledge away from him to protect him. Wanting to be useful and defeat Satan, Rin takes it upon himself to study and become an Exorcist at True Cross Academy.

The bond of brothers is something that kept us hooked with Full Metal Alchemist.In a lot of ways Rin and Edward share a lot similarities as older brother figures. Both are also extremely hot headed and have a tendency to lash out. They are both protective of their younger brothers despite their brothers being capable fighters and professionals. There is even a period where they are separated from their brothers (though handled differently in each series). If you love the tale of two brothers concept in Full Metal Alchemist then Ao no Exorcist is worth the watch.

9. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic/ Kingdom of Magic

Magi the Labyrinth of Magic Trailer

Aladdin, a young Magi sets out to explore the “outside” world and search for his king candidate. Along the way he encounters Alibaba and helps him conquer the labyrinth of Amon making Alibaba a king candidate able to harness the power of Djinns. Together they encounter friends and foes as they try to uncover the reason behind the dungeons. 

A good chunk of Full Metal Alchemist is about adventuring and finding out the secrets of creating a philosopher stone. In a similar way, Magi is also about exploring and unravelling the secrets of the dungeons. Both series do a great job in highlighting the importance of the journey. Through the journey they encounter people and events that ultimately influence the way our protagonists develop through the series.

8. The Ancient Magus Bride

The Ancient Magus Bride Trailer

With nowhere else to go, Chise Hatori, a Sleigh Beggy, sold herself at an auction. Elias Ainsworth, a magus who seems to be of fae or demon origin buys her for 5 million pounds. Chise now lives her days as an apprentice and future bride to Elias who searches for a way to extend her short life span.

While lacking the action element that Full Metal Alchemist has, The Ancient Magus Bride still has similar charm to the beloved anime. It’s set in 20th century London, a similar style setting where Full Metal Alchemist takes place. Magic and Alchemy themes are also present and the plot is also excellently written out. If you plan on giving this anime a shot, I suggest brushing up on your folklore knowledge. Chise encounters several fae and creatures alike in her new life.

7. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan Trailer

The world is now believed to be overtaken by titans—the only safe haven humanity has is inside the walls. The three walls serve as a barrier protecting the last of the human race. One day, the titans managed to breach the outermost wall and cause havoc in the town of Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert. After watching his mother get eaten by a titan, Eren swears to join the survey corps and get rid of the titans for good.

This is probably the most talked about series since the announcement of the final season. While it doesn’t seem like Full Metal Alchemist as it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world and has little room for humor, Attack on Titan still has similar themes. The role of the military is one. 

Both series show how big of a role the military plays. Both the protagonists enlist in their respective world’s military, Eren in the Survey Corps and Edward enlisted himself as a state alchemist. This is because by enlisting they’ll be closer to their end goals. Eren will be given access to the technology needed to fight off the titans while Edward will be granted the funding and access to do his research on the philosopher’s stone.

6. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion Trailer

Shinji Ikari is suddenly forced out of his mundane life to join his father’s organization. He is tasked to pilot the Evangelion Unit -01 and defeat the current threat of humanity—the Angels.

Similar to Full Metal Alchemist, Evangelion is another classic. Perhaps it’s due to the issues the anime have in common. Issues on philosophy, psychology and religion are all tackled respectively albeit handled differently in the anime. Hideaki Anno, the director of Evangelion even said the grand theme of his series included the nature of evolution and the existence of God; similar to Full Metal Alchemist—Edward has also made a reference to evolution, the existence of God and Monism when he talks about alchemy.

5. Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden Trailer

The Great War has left Violet Evergarden without her arms and the person she holds closest to her heart. Now that the war has finally ended, she begins her new life working at CH Postal Services. Due to this new change, she discovers more about the meaning of life and slowly starts to look at herself as a human more than a war doll.

The automail is not the only similarity these two anime have in common. Both shows take place in a post-war setting, where everyone is recovering from the trauma of war. Similar to Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye and Maes Hughes who still look back at what they had to do for their country, Violet faces her own struggles to move on from past events. 

4. Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer Trailer

While Tanjirou Kamado left his home to sell charcoal for some cash at a nearby town, his family gets attacked by a demon. He comes home only to be greeted by the sight of his family’s corpses and his sister Nezuko has turned into a demon.  Somehow, Nezuko manages to regain her sanity. Seeing this a sign of hope for his sister to recover, Tanjirou sets out to become a Demon Slayer to cure his sister.

Demon Slayer is another Dark Fantasy anime like Full Metal Alchemist. Both our protagonists set out on a journey to restore something that they have lost. In Tanjirou’s case he becomes a demon slayer to restore Nezuko’s humanity. For Edward he becomes a state alchemist so he can search for the fabled Philosopher Stone in order to get Alphone’s body back. Both anime deals with themes of loss and family.

3. Baccano!

 

 

Baccano! Trailer

Baccano! is told in a series of seemingly unrelated events that focuses on each of the characters background and how they ultimately cross paths and get involved with each other’s lives. The anime takes place in three eras: the 1700s, 1930s and 2000s. Through the series you get to see how the events of the past affect the present.

While Full Metal Alchemist is linear in terms of story-telling, Baccano!’s episodes are spread out and seemingly unrelated. Both anime however belong to the dark fantasy genre and deal with several similar themes. In Bacanno!, alchemy also plays a major role and the idea of immortality is also widely sought after. If you also enjoy strong characterization, something Full Metal Alchemist is known to have, then Baccano! is definitely worth the watch since several characters are being brought to the spotlight per episode. If you also like the idea of getting confused then Baccano! is the right anime for you. 

2. Made in the Abyss

Made in the Abyss Trailer

Made in the Abyss follows the story of Riko, the daughter of the White Whistle Lyza the Annihilator who went missing prior to the series. While roaming the uppermost layer of the Abyss she befriends a human-like robot who she names Reg. The two decide to venture further into the abyss to recover Reg’s lost memories and find Riko’s mother.

Though it looks light-hearted due to its cute art style, Made in the Abyss can get as dark and serious as Full Metal Alchemist. Through the series Riko and Reg deal with a lot of horrific encounters as well as the “Curse of the Abyss'' a fatal illness that affects those who venture in too deep of the abyss. Just like Full Metal Alchemist, they offset these problems with humor and light-hearted moments as our two protagonists are still very young. 

1. xxxHOLiC

xxxHOLiC Trailer

Kimihiro Watanuki who has the uncanny ability to see spirits and ghosts stumbles upon a powerful witch’s house. The owner of the house, Ichihara Yuko, immediately notices Watanuki’s power and offers to get rid of the curse for him. The catch? He has to work for her until he earns the equivalent value of his wish. Since the contract, Watanuki has had his fair share of miniscule everyday errands to jobs that require him to risk his life.

One thing we remember about Full Metal Alchemist is the law of Equivalent Exchange. In order to create something, something of equal value must be given up. We see the same law present in xxxHOLiC, Yuko, the shop owner has several clients who want their wish granted. In order for the clients to get their wish they must exchange something of equal value over to Yuko. As an added bonus, the main characters in both shows are easily bullied by everyone else. 

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