Anime Fans Are Heartbroken One of The Biggest Series Isn’t Streaming Anywhere

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With so many streaming options today, it’s easy to find both classic and new anime. Services like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu offer a huge selection, but one popular anime is surprisingly unavailable. Fans are disappointed that the acclaimed series produced by BONES isn’t available on any streaming platform, especially as a new version is being released. Many are now using social media to campaign for the original story of the Elric brothers to be brought back online.

Despite how popular Fullmetal Alchemist is, the very first anime series isn’t available on any major streaming platforms. You can find Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Netflix and Crunchyroll (along with the live-action films), but the original version is missing. The first anime and Brotherhood differ quite a bit – the original actually had to create its own ending because the manga wasn’t finished when the anime was being made. Luckily, Brotherhood followed the manga’s story much more closely. If you’re interested in bringing the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime back to streaming, you can support the fan campaign linked below.

there is no legal way to watch 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist… we are losing the ancient texts!!!!!!!!

— ¡tortilla-117! (@Tortilla_Senpai) May 3, 2026

Like why aren’t they available on 4k bluray??? It’s infuriating

— GNARFIELD (@Nintendont_64) May 4, 2026

I highly recommend checking this out if you get the chance. It’s my favorite installment in the Fullmetal Alchemist series, and the story really picks up towards the end – it diverges quite a bit from the original manga. I’ve got mine stored inside a special sculpture, so I might just have to watch it again soon!

— PopcornComet (@PopcornComet) May 4, 2026

The Legacy of Fullmetal Alchemist

It’s still unclear why the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime hasn’t been available for streaming in North America, but it will be returning thanks to Amazon in Japan. Starting next month, Amazon Prime Video will offer the original series in Japan, along with the remake and the franchise’s movies. The anime will be available on Amazon Japan from May 8th, and fans are hoping this means the original series will eventually become available in Western regions as well.

Even though the original anime version of Edward and Alphonse’s story isn’t currently available, Hiromu Arakawa’s other works are still being adapted into animation. Earlier this year, Studio BONES brought Arakawa’s newest story, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, to life, creating a world very different from the one the Elric brothers inhabit. While the plot of “Left and Right” differs significantly from Arakawa’s alchemy-based world, her distinctive art style is still recognizable. The manga began in 2021 and continues to release new chapters, suggesting that if Studio BONES continues adapting it, we can expect years more anime. Viewers are currently enjoying this daemon-filled series, so it will be interesting to see if fans consider the Shadow Realm a worthy follow-up to the alchemic story that came before.

What are your thoughts on the original Fullmetal Alchemist not being available for streaming in North America? Share your opinion in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-05-05 20:13