In a steampunk alternate universe, two unprepared brothers try to bring their mother back from the dead using alchemy, with disastrous consequences: Ed sacrifices his arm and leg, while his brother Al loses his entire body. They spend the rest of their time trying to get their bodies back.
This anime is about the relationship between brothers and how easily families are torn apart, and it can be really sweet. But it's also about military corruption, wars, genocide, and really deranged psycho killers, and it gets quite dark.
The characters of Ed, Al, and of course Roy, the military captain who has to keep his young charges in line, make this one of the best anime. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is better than just plain FMA, though, with more backstory, more explanations, and more plot. If you have to choose between them, go with Brotherhood. But you can enjoy both!
