For over a decade, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has maintained its position at the top of the anime world, hailed by fans as the pinnacle series on MyAnimeList, a leading anime database and social network.
Although there has been occasional skepticism about the authenticity of the votes—allegations of bot activity and artificially inflated ratings—the dedication to keeping 2009's Fullmetal Alchemist remake alive of Hiromu Arakawa at its peak is undeniable. However, this long-standing authority was suddenly overthrown by a new face from the Fall 2023 anime season.
Fantasy drama Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has risen to the top, claiming the No. 1 spot on MyAnimeList after its first season finale, surpassing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood with a superior average of 9.39, pushing Brotherhood down to the top. second place with a score of 9.09.
Although Brotherhood has been momentarily defeated before—most notably with the spring 2023 launch of Oshi no Ko, which briefly surpassed it before scoring an 8.68—its displacement never forever.
The outpouring of acclaim for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End may just be a fleeting phenomenon, potentially setting the stage for the Brotherhood to reclaim its crown.
We laughed and we cried, but in the end we still smiled. What is your favorite episode of Frieren? ????
Source: https://t.co/rTzDrLjGFU pic.twitter.com/3EfkZvTZCv
– MyAnimeList (@myanimelist) March 26, 2024
Yet Frieren's appeal is undeniable throughout its two-episode run, captivating audiences with the poignant story of the elven wizard Frieren, who shares centuries of wisdom with his apprentice your human, Fern. This gripping story made Frieren the most pirated TV show of the year.
Interestingly, MyAnimeList isn't the only platform where Frieren outperforms Brotherhood. Anime News Network currently lists Frieren as the top anime with a score of 9,247, surpassing Brotherhood, which holds a score of 9,071.
Both Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are available to stream on Crunchyroll, giving anime fans the opportunity to explore the series that shaped modern anime.
