Both Fullmetal alchemist and its reprint series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has some of the best openings in all of anime. This is because of the incredible animations and incredible music that accompanies them. However, despite their excellent quality, some stand out more than others.
It can be a bit difficult to rank these types of openings because some may have great animation but the song is lackluster and vice versa. Additionally, since this list is looking at the opening arcs of both Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, multiple installments may have wildly different plot elements and characters. However, this list will not evaluate the differences between the two series. Instead, it will measure how well each opening sets the mood for the arcs they frame, and how well the animation and music work together to create a greater whole . Below are all of the Fullmetal Alchemist openings ranked from worst to best.
The first Fullmetal Alchemist opening is iconic, but when compared to many other OPs in the series it’s unremarkable. While the song “Melissa” by Porno Graffitti is one of the best in the series, the OP’s animation is unfortunately static, mostly featuring a series of shots of the characters looking into the distance. This makes it a nice introduction to the various important characters at the beginning of the series, but it’s a bit bland when compared to the much more dynamic and action-packed openings that would be suitable. suitable for future series.
The second opening of the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime is one of the most popular in the series largely because the song “Ready, Steady, Go” by L’arc-en-Ciel makes it so enjoyable. The opening also features Ed smirking at the viewer right from the start, which perfectly captures his subversive personality. The running scene in the middle of the opening also makes it more lively compared to the first OP. However, it’s still mostly made up of static character shots, making it visually boring compared to other openings in the series.
While this opening may not be as iconic as the previous two OPs on this list, the more dynamic transitions and more interesting character shots put it above them. Sukima Switch’s “Golden Time Lover” isn’t as good as many of the other openings, but it fits Ed’s more depressed mood in this one. Additionally, his accusations against the assembled homunculi of the Brotherhood at the outset perfectly emphasize his commitment to his cause despite his feelings of powerlessness. Unfortunately, despite these great moments, the opening doesn’t quite stack up against some of the other OPs in the series.
Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s third opening, the series’ second OP also features a less iconic song, this time “Hologram” by NICO Touches the Walls. However, the upbeat tone matches the tone of the arc, and the bright colors of the OP also match this. Also, unlike most of the previous openings on this list, this OP actually has some pretty great action scenes, showing off an extremely fluid fight between Ling and Bradley as well as Ed confront Envy and Gluttony. All of this elevates it a bit compared to previous entries on this list despite its lackluster music.
In many ways, the third opening of Fullmetal Alchemist mirrors the second opening of Brotherhood mentioned above. Unlike the first two openings of the original series, this opening actually has some pretty dynamic transitions and shows off some pretty interesting battles. The relationships between Ed, Al, Greed and his subordinates are especially great. It also features several scenes of Ed and Al hanging out together, highlighting how much they care for each other. This opening actually surpasses the previous opening on this list which was the song “Undo” by Cool Joke, which is a better overall melody while also fitting the mood of this section.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s fourth prologue perfectly captures the grand scale of the series. Not only does it show Edward and Alphonse’s experimentation with alchemy as children, but it also shows how far they’ve come by highlighting all the lives of the people they met and helped. Brief action sequences provide viewers with visual stimulation while also highlighting the many fronts of conflict between the alchemists and Father’s homunculi. The way Chemistry’s accompanying song “Period” builds throughout the OP also shows how big the show’s plot has become. All of this makes Period easily one of the series’ best OPs, coming in only fourth on this list due to some stiff competition.
Fullmetal Alchemist’s fourth opening plays a similar role to Brotherhood’s fourth OP, highlighting how large and exciting the conflict is. However, there are two elements that elevate this opening above the last. First is the epic battle scene between Ed, Al and Homunculi in a giant lake. This scene still surpasses many modern-day anime fight scenes in its complexity and animation versatility. The second is the iconic song “Rewrite” by the legendary band Asian Kung-Fu Generation. While this is easily Fullmetal Alchemist’s best OP, Brotherhood actually has two excellent openings that somehow surpass it.
This opening serves as an emotional introduction to the final installment of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and it fits that role perfectly. After a great transition at the beginning showing the homunculi all Transforming each other, the opening is largely static shots of the characters, which probably makes its place on this list Seems odd compared to the first few entries. However, the still shots here take place in the quiet moments between or after the battle, implying that a major battle is taking place while also showing its impact on the characters. The rain that ties all these shots also shows how the conflict has truly escalated on a nationwide scale, with the fate of every character in the series at stake. This combined with SID’s powerfully tender song “Rain” really makes this an emotional tour de force that wraps up the series beautifully.
One of the most iconic anime openings of all time, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s first OP deserves to be at the top of this list. The prologue expertly condenses a large amount of information into a short time frame, covering Edward and Alphonse’s tragic past as well as their current conflicts. Every shot of this OP features beautiful animation, from simple clips of characters walking in fields to epic alchemy battles. Paired with Yui’s deservedly iconic song “Again,” this OP provides an unforgettable viewing experience before the show begins and is perfectly suited to open a show of Fullmetal Alchemist’s caliber: Brotherhood.
No matter how the individual openings stack up against each other, each opening is better than the openings of most other anime. It’s a testament to the high quality of both versions of Fullmetal Alchemist that fans have enjoyed these incredible openings and will stick with them long after the show ends. So while these Fullmetal alchemist openings can be ranked from worst to best, but each opening is still a great representation of the series that fans can cherish.