Shonen anime is the most popular style of show in the world today. Huge hits like Naruto and One Piece are famous classics that everyone knows. Newer shows like Jujutsu Kaisen have also become major favorites for fans lately. Even with all these great options, one series is often called the greatest of all time. That show is Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood from 2009. It follows two brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric on a very personal mission.
The story starts when the brothers try a forbidden experiment that goes horribly wrong. They were trying to bring their dead mother back to life using alchemy. This failed attempt cost Edward his arm and leg while Alphonse lost his entire body. Now Alphonse exists only as a soul inside a giant suit of armor. They travel the world looking for the Philosopher’s Stone to fix their broken bodies. This legendary item is said to break all the normal rules of science.
In this world alchemy is a mix of hard science and magic. It allows people to break things down and rebuild them into something new. Most people have to study for years and draw special circles to make it work. Some alchemists work for the military while others stay independent. The biggest rule is that you can never try to create or revive a human. Doing so usually results in a terrible price that the person must pay.
The Philosopher’s Stone is a glowing red gem that seems to perform miracles. It can bypass the laws of nature and undo the damage the brothers suffered. However the history of the stone is actually very dark and bloody. A long time ago a civilization called Xerxes was completely destroyed to create one. A tiny creature in a jar tricked the king into a ritual that killed everyone. This event turned the brothers’ father into a living stone who can live forever.
Edward and Alphonse eventually find out the truth about how the stone is made. They realize that creating one requires sacrificing many human lives. This discovery leaves them feeling sick and horrified because they cannot use it. They refuse to get their bodies back if it means hurting other people. They decide to find a different way to fix their lives without being evil. Their journey becomes a fight against the villains who created the stone in the first place.
The brothers have to face off against dangerous monsters called Homunculi. These enemies are working on a massive plan that threatens the entire country. Edward joins the military as a State Alchemist just to get secret information. Even though he hates the government he needs their resources to help his brother. The story is a deep look at what it means to be human and what we owe to each other. It remains a masterpiece because of its heart and its amazing characters.