Broadcast and release
The animation studio Bones adapted the manga into a 51-episode anime series. It was directed by Seiji Mizushima, written by Shō Aikawa and co-produced by Bones, Mainichi Broadcasting System and Aniplex. Characters were designed by Yoshiyuki Itō. The anime premiered on MBS, TBS, and Animax in Japan from October 4, 2003; it ran until October 2, 2004, with a 6.8 percent television viewership rating.[11][12][13][14] During the making of the anime, Arakawa was present in meetings to advise the staff about the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, though she did not write for the television series.[15] The series has been released as thirteen DVDs from December 17, 2003, to January 26, 2005, in Japan by Aniplex.[13][16] During January 2009, Bones released a "DVD box archives" of the series. It includes the fifty-one episodes, the film, the CD soundtracks, and guidebooks from the series.[17]
The English dubbed version of the anime was produced by Funimation and debuted on Adult Swim in the United States on November 6, 2004.[18] Canada's YTV began airing it on March 3, 2006.[19] In the United Kingdom, the anime was broadcast by Rapture TV and AnimeCentral.[20][21] Animax Asia broadcast the series in the Philippines, India, and South Asia.[22][23][24]
Funimation Entertainment released the series as DVD volumes between February 8, 2005, to September 12, 2006.[25][26] Funimation later re-released the series into two DVD volumes in 2009 and again in 2010.[27] In the United Kingdom, MVM Films distributed the first eight volumes of the series; however, Funimation gave the rights over to Revelation Films.[28][29] Anime Limited now holds the rights in the UK, and they have released the series in both an ultimate and regular collector's edition Blu-Ray. There were plans for a UK DVD release, but these have been put on-hold as of June 2017. In Australia and New Zealand, Madman Entertainment originally released the series on 13 volumes, before re-releasing the series in two DVD volume collections,[30] and later on Blu-ray in a boxset.[31]
A series of five original video animations (OVAs) were also released. Most of these are side stories and do not expand on the plot. In March 2006, a DVD featuring these OVAs was released in Japan as Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium Collection.[16] Funimation acquired and dubbed the "Premium Collection" in late 2008 for English release.[32] The DVD was released in English on August 4, 2009.[33]
Funimation lost its home video and streaming rights for the Conqueror of Shamballa movie on March 31, 2016, and the anime on July 31, 2016.[34] As of October 2023, the anime was not available on legal streaming platforms.[4]
Film
A film sequel to the 2003 series, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, was produced by Bones and premiered in Japanese theaters on July 23, 2005.[35] The film follows Edward Elric's attempts to return to his homeworld, having lived for two years in our world—which exists in a universe parallel to his own—while Alphonse is equally determined to reunite with his brother. Funimation released the English DVD on September 12, 2006.[36]
Music and soundtracks
The music for Fullmetal Alchemist was composed and arranged by Michiru Ōshima[37] and recorded at Mosfilm by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra in Russia.[38]
