10 Must-Watch Anime for Fans of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is widely regarded as one of anime’s finest achievements, bringing together memorable characters, intricate worldbuilding, philosophical questions and a satisfying conclusion. Its balance of action, humour and emotional storytelling has made it a benchmark for fantasy anime. Few series manage to deliver such a complete experience, but several other titles excel in areas that the Elric brothers’ adventure explores less extensively.
Some anime delve deeper into psychological manipulation and moral ambiguity, while others focus on the passage of time, the consequences of war or the complexities of human relationships. Rather than replacing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, these series offer different strengths that may appeal to viewers looking for similarly ambitious storytelling. Here are 10 anime worth watching if you admire FMAB and want to explore other exceptional stories.
While Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood explores the consequences of ambition and the dangers of treating human life as a means to an end, Monster takes a more grounded approach to these questions. Its characters operate in a world where the distinction between right and wrong can become increasingly difficult to maintain.
Johan is particularly unsettling because his influence often comes through psychological manipulation rather than physical strength. The series gradually examines how trauma, ideology and personal choices can shape individuals.
For viewers who appreciate FMAB’s moral complexity, Monster offers a slower, more psychologically detailed experience that keeps difficult ethical questions at the centre of its narrative.
The story explores memory, grief and the importance of relationships through a journey that unfolds long after the original adventure has ended. Its quieter moments often carry as much emotional weight as its magical battles.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the series combines imaginative worldbuilding with meaningful character development. However, Frieren places greater emphasis on how people experience time differently and how seemingly ordinary moments acquire significance as years pass.
Its parallel storytelling also allows supporting characters to develop alongside Frieren, enriching the world beyond the protagonist’s immediate journey.
Food initially provides much of the comedy, with the party learning how to prepare unusual creatures they encounter along the way. Yet these meals also reveal how the dungeon works and how its inhabitants survive. Gradually, the series develops into a more complicated story involving sacrifice, relationships and the consequences of interfering with the natural order.
Like Edward Elric's determination to restore Alphonse's body, Laios's mission gives the adventure a strong emotional foundation. Both series use a personal goal to lead their protagonists into conflicts that gradually become larger than expected.
Delicious in Dungeon distinguishes itself through its imaginative ecology, unpredictable developments and ability to shift between comedy and darker fantasy without losing its identity.
Initially driven by revenge, Thorfinn becomes trapped in a cycle of anger and brutality. His experiences force him to confront the emptiness of violence and question what it means to live a meaningful life.
Both Vinland Saga and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood examine war, loss and the damage caused by human ambition. However, Vinland Saga approaches these subjects through a more grounded historical setting, where violence has lasting physical and psychological consequences.
The relationship between parents and children is also important to both stories. While FMAB incorporates family relationships into its wider fantasy narrative, Vinland Saga places Thorfinn's grief and emotional development at the heart of its story.
Its willingness to question revenge and redefine strength makes it particularly rewarding for viewers who appreciate anime with substantial emotional depth.
The series builds its mystery through unsettling discoveries about power, social control and the treatment of those considered different. What initially appears to be a carefully organised society slowly reveals a much darker foundation.
Like FMAB, the anime examines the ethical consequences of scientific and social systems that place certain lives above others. However, From the New World takes a more unsettling approach, exploring how fear and the desire for stability can justify cruelty.
Its gradual revelations and morally complicated worldbuilding make it a strong choice for viewers who prefer dark fantasy with psychological and dystopian elements. The story raises uncomfortable questions without offering easy answers.
The anime explores the conflict between accepted doctrine and evidence, showing how the pursuit of truth can demand extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Rather than treating knowledge as a convenient plot device, the series makes it the foundation of its central conflict.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood also examines the relationship between knowledge, power and responsibility through alchemy. However, Orb focuses more directly on the struggles of people attempting to understand the world despite institutional opposition.
Its historical setting and interconnected stories create a thoughtful examination of conviction, scientific progress and the price of challenging authority.
For viewers who appreciate FMAB's philosophical themes, Orb offers a more concentrated exploration of how ideas can shape societies and change the course of history.
The series uses its futuristic setting to explore questions about identity, consciousness, artificial intelligence and the relationship between humans and machines. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, the distinction between the physical self and digital existence becomes more complicated.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it examines the consequences of scientific progress and the ethical questions surrounding extraordinary abilities. However, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex places greater emphasis on politics, surveillance and the social effects of technological change.
Its combination of investigative storytelling and philosophical discussion gives it a distinctive identity. Viewers interested in the more intellectual aspects of FMAB may appreciate how the series examines the meaning of humanity in an increasingly connected world.
Rudeus is a deeply imperfect protagonist. His behaviour and personal shortcomings can make him difficult to support, but these flaws are central to the series' approach to character development. His journey is not simply about becoming stronger; it also involves confronting the consequences of his actions and learning to handle relationships more responsibly.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the series features detailed worldbuilding, unexpected developments and family relationships that influence the broader story. However, Mushoku Tensei spends more time following its protagonist through different stages of life.
Its emphasis on gradual change and the complexities of personal growth makes it an interesting choice for viewers who prefer character-driven fantasy, although some of its content and treatment of relationships may not appeal to every audience.
Unlike action-focused fantasy series, Mushishi often tells self-contained stories about people whose lives have been affected by these supernatural phenomena. The episodes explore loneliness, grief, nature and the consequences of living alongside forces that humans cannot fully understand.
The series shares FMAB's interest in the relationship between humanity and the supernatural, but its storytelling is quieter and more contemplative. Rather than building towards one enormous conflict, it allows individual encounters to reveal different aspects of its world.
Its measured pacing, atmospheric visuals and reflective tone create a distinctive viewing experience. For those who enjoy FMAB's philosophical side, Mushishi offers a more understated examination of life and the limits of human understanding.
The premise initially suggests a light-hearted romantic drama, but the story gradually reveals a much darker side of the family's relationships. Emotional abuse, trauma, isolation and unhealthy expectations shape the lives of several characters, giving the series considerable emotional depth.
While Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood focuses on a fantasy adventure driven by alchemy and political conspiracies, Fruits Basket concentrates on the consequences of family dysfunction and the process of emotional healing.
Tohru's empathy becomes an important force in the lives of those around her, although the story also gives other characters room to confront their own pain and make difficult choices.
Its combination of romance, humour and serious emotional themes makes Fruits Basket a worthwhile choice for viewers who appreciate the human drama behind FMAB's larger adventure.
Some anime delve deeper into psychological manipulation and moral ambiguity, while others focus on the passage of time, the consequences of war or the complexities of human relationships. Rather than replacing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, these series offer different strengths that may appeal to viewers looking for similarly ambitious storytelling. Here are 10 anime worth watching if you admire FMAB and want to explore other exceptional stories.
1. Monster Explores the Darkest Corners of Human Psychology
Written by Naoki Urasawa, Monster is a psychological thriller that examines morality, responsibility and the capacity for human cruelty. The story follows Dr Kenzo Tenma, a gifted surgeon whose decision to save a young boy leads him into a disturbing chain of events involving the enigmatic Johan Liebert.While Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood explores the consequences of ambition and the dangers of treating human life as a means to an end, Monster takes a more grounded approach to these questions. Its characters operate in a world where the distinction between right and wrong can become increasingly difficult to maintain.
Johan is particularly unsettling because his influence often comes through psychological manipulation rather than physical strength. The series gradually examines how trauma, ideology and personal choices can shape individuals.
For viewers who appreciate FMAB’s moral complexity, Monster offers a slower, more psychologically detailed experience that keeps difficult ethical questions at the centre of its narrative.
2. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Examines the Value of Time
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End approaches fantasy from an unusual perspective by following an elf whose lifespan greatly exceeds that of the humans around her. After the defeat of the Demon King, Frieren begins to understand how little she appreciated the time spent with her former companions.The story explores memory, grief and the importance of relationships through a journey that unfolds long after the original adventure has ended. Its quieter moments often carry as much emotional weight as its magical battles.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the series combines imaginative worldbuilding with meaningful character development. However, Frieren places greater emphasis on how people experience time differently and how seemingly ordinary moments acquire significance as years pass.
Its parallel storytelling also allows supporting characters to develop alongside Frieren, enriching the world beyond the protagonist’s immediate journey.
3. Delicious in Dungeon Turns Food Into a Part of Its Worldbuilding
At first glance, Delicious in Dungeon appears to be a light-hearted fantasy adventure about preparing meals from monsters. The story follows Laios and his companions as they venture into a dangerous dungeon to rescue his sister, Falin.Food initially provides much of the comedy, with the party learning how to prepare unusual creatures they encounter along the way. Yet these meals also reveal how the dungeon works and how its inhabitants survive. Gradually, the series develops into a more complicated story involving sacrifice, relationships and the consequences of interfering with the natural order.
Like Edward Elric's determination to restore Alphonse's body, Laios's mission gives the adventure a strong emotional foundation. Both series use a personal goal to lead their protagonists into conflicts that gradually become larger than expected.
Delicious in Dungeon distinguishes itself through its imaginative ecology, unpredictable developments and ability to shift between comedy and darker fantasy without losing its identity.
4. Vinland Saga Delivers a Powerful Examination of War and Revenge
Vinland Saga is a historical drama that explores the consequences of violence through the life of Thorfinn, a young warrior whose childhood is shaped by the death of his father.Initially driven by revenge, Thorfinn becomes trapped in a cycle of anger and brutality. His experiences force him to confront the emptiness of violence and question what it means to live a meaningful life.
Both Vinland Saga and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood examine war, loss and the damage caused by human ambition. However, Vinland Saga approaches these subjects through a more grounded historical setting, where violence has lasting physical and psychological consequences.
The relationship between parents and children is also important to both stories. While FMAB incorporates family relationships into its wider fantasy narrative, Vinland Saga places Thorfinn's grief and emotional development at the heart of its story.
Its willingness to question revenge and redefine strength makes it particularly rewarding for viewers who appreciate anime with substantial emotional depth.
5. From the New World Builds a Disturbing Dystopian World
From the New World, also known as Shinsekai Yori, presents a society where humans possess extraordinary psychic abilities. The story follows Saki and her companions as they gradually uncover disturbing truths about the seemingly peaceful world in which they live.The series builds its mystery through unsettling discoveries about power, social control and the treatment of those considered different. What initially appears to be a carefully organised society slowly reveals a much darker foundation.
Like FMAB, the anime examines the ethical consequences of scientific and social systems that place certain lives above others. However, From the New World takes a more unsettling approach, exploring how fear and the desire for stability can justify cruelty.
Its gradual revelations and morally complicated worldbuilding make it a strong choice for viewers who prefer dark fantasy with psychological and dystopian elements. The story raises uncomfortable questions without offering easy answers.
6. Orb: On the Movements of the Earth Explores the Cost of Knowledge
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth centres on the pursuit of scientific knowledge in a society where established religious beliefs hold enormous authority. Characters who investigate controversial ideas risk persecution, making intellectual curiosity a dangerous act.The anime explores the conflict between accepted doctrine and evidence, showing how the pursuit of truth can demand extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Rather than treating knowledge as a convenient plot device, the series makes it the foundation of its central conflict.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood also examines the relationship between knowledge, power and responsibility through alchemy. However, Orb focuses more directly on the struggles of people attempting to understand the world despite institutional opposition.
Its historical setting and interconnected stories create a thoughtful examination of conviction, scientific progress and the price of challenging authority.
For viewers who appreciate FMAB's philosophical themes, Orb offers a more concentrated exploration of how ideas can shape societies and change the course of history.
7. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Combines Science Fiction and Philosophy
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex follows Public Security Section 9, a specialist unit investigating cybercrime, political corruption and threats in a technologically advanced society.The series uses its futuristic setting to explore questions about identity, consciousness, artificial intelligence and the relationship between humans and machines. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, the distinction between the physical self and digital existence becomes more complicated.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it examines the consequences of scientific progress and the ethical questions surrounding extraordinary abilities. However, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex places greater emphasis on politics, surveillance and the social effects of technological change.
Its combination of investigative storytelling and philosophical discussion gives it a distinctive identity. Viewers interested in the more intellectual aspects of FMAB may appreciate how the series examines the meaning of humanity in an increasingly connected world.
8. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Focuses on Imperfect Character Development
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a man who is reincarnated into a fantasy world as Rudeus Greyrat. Given an opportunity to begin again, he attempts to build a different life while learning magic, forming relationships and navigating unfamiliar circumstances.Rudeus is a deeply imperfect protagonist. His behaviour and personal shortcomings can make him difficult to support, but these flaws are central to the series' approach to character development. His journey is not simply about becoming stronger; it also involves confronting the consequences of his actions and learning to handle relationships more responsibly.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the series features detailed worldbuilding, unexpected developments and family relationships that influence the broader story. However, Mushoku Tensei spends more time following its protagonist through different stages of life.
Its emphasis on gradual change and the complexities of personal growth makes it an interesting choice for viewers who prefer character-driven fantasy, although some of its content and treatment of relationships may not appeal to every audience.
9. Mushishi Offers a Meditative View of the Supernatural
Mushishi follows Ginko, a travelling specialist who investigates mysterious life forms known as mushi. These organisms exist alongside humans but operate according to unfamiliar rules, sometimes causing strange and dangerous effects.Unlike action-focused fantasy series, Mushishi often tells self-contained stories about people whose lives have been affected by these supernatural phenomena. The episodes explore loneliness, grief, nature and the consequences of living alongside forces that humans cannot fully understand.
The series shares FMAB's interest in the relationship between humanity and the supernatural, but its storytelling is quieter and more contemplative. Rather than building towards one enormous conflict, it allows individual encounters to reveal different aspects of its world.
Its measured pacing, atmospheric visuals and reflective tone create a distinctive viewing experience. For those who enjoy FMAB's philosophical side, Mushishi offers a more understated examination of life and the limits of human understanding.
10. Fruits Basket Explores Trauma Beneath a Gentle Exterior
The 2019 adaptation of Fruits Basket follows Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted teenager who becomes involved with the Sohma family and discovers their connection to the Chinese zodiac.The premise initially suggests a light-hearted romantic drama, but the story gradually reveals a much darker side of the family's relationships. Emotional abuse, trauma, isolation and unhealthy expectations shape the lives of several characters, giving the series considerable emotional depth.
While Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood focuses on a fantasy adventure driven by alchemy and political conspiracies, Fruits Basket concentrates on the consequences of family dysfunction and the process of emotional healing.
Tohru's empathy becomes an important force in the lives of those around her, although the story also gives other characters room to confront their own pain and make difficult choices.
Its combination of romance, humour and serious emotional themes makes Fruits Basket a worthwhile choice for viewers who appreciate the human drama behind FMAB's larger adventure.
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