Fullmetal Alchemist Goes Full Color and Vertical on WEBTOON—Fans Are Losing It

by

Summary

  • Fullmetal Alchemist is debuting on WEBTOON in color and vertical format on May 7, 2025.
  • WEBTOON continues to expand its lineup with classic titles and rising fantasy series.
  • The introduction of Fullmetal Alchemist on WEBTOON offers a new reading experience for fans.

Unexpectedly, Fullmetal Alchemist will be premiering on WEBTOON starting May 7, 2025, in a vibrant, vertically reoriented format. This legendary shōnen powerhouse is one of two prominent series joining the digital comics platform this month, as WEBTOON welcomes both the renowned Elric brothers and the emerging fantasy tale From Rustic Peasant to Master Swordsman. This collaboration signifies another substantial growth in WEBTOON’s collection of international IP collaborations and is a strategic step towards merging traditional manga with the widely beloved scroll-based webcomic style.

The iconic manga series ‘Fullmetal Alchemist,’ created by Hiromu Arakawa, has been a legendary part of manga history since it was published from 2001 to 2010. With its unique blend of advanced alchemy, political drama, and deeply moving narratives, the story revolves around Edward and Alphonse Elric, who embark on a quest for the Philosopher’s Stone after losing their bodies in an unsuccessful alchemical experiment. The manga has inspired multiple anime adaptations, films, and live-action versions, but until now, it hasn’t been offered as a webtoon. Now, ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ is available on WEBTOON, offering fans both old and new a fresh, exciting reading experience.

WEBTOON’s Latest Manga Partnership Expands Its Lineup

A New Format for Timeless Classics like Fullmetal Alchemist

Starting on May 7th, WEBTOON has teamed up with Square Enix and Yen Press to bring “Fullmetal Alchemist” to English-speaking readers. The series will be presented in a fresh, mobile-friendly format with full coloring and vertical scrolling. This addition strengthens WEBTOON’s collection of popular intellectual properties which already includes brands like DC Comics, Archie, IDW’s “Sonic the Hedgehog”, and titles from Hybe’s webtoon division (the company behind global K-Pop phenomenon BTS). Yongsoo Kim, WEBTOON Entertainment’s Head of Global, expressed that this series is one that leaves a lasting impression, describing the new release as an exciting way to rediscover this classic story.

The tale of Fullmetal Alchemist, be it from the source manga, the animated series, or discovered through its worldwide enthusiastic fanbase, leaves an indelible mark on those who encounter it.

Kim Yongsoo

Joining the Party: From Country Bumpkin to Rising Fantasy Star

Additionally, WEBTOON introduced “From Rustic Farmer to Master Swordsman: My Former Pupils Haunt Me Now,” a series that has garnered growing popularity since its anime adaptation debuted on Amazon Prime Video in April 2025, joining the ranks of the widely acclaimed “Fullmetal Alchemist.

The comic book series, inspired by Shigeru Sagazaki’s light novel and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima’s illustrations, focuses on Beryl Gardenant, a dojo master in middle age who finds himself unexpectedly guiding the kingdom’s top warriors after his previous students seize power. Though some might question the name, it has struck a chord with fans of fantasy that unfolds gradually and centers around character development. Starting May 2nd, its WEBTOON publication expands its reach, making it easy for mobile users to read in chunks.

I’ve found myself utterly captivated by the surge in popularity of vertical scrolling comics! Titles such as “True Beauty,” “Lookism,” and “The God of High School” have gone viral, and it’s fascinating to see how they’ve transitioned into successful anime adaptations. It seems that manga publishers are paying close attention, with WEBTOON emerging as the premier platform for digitalizing cherished series for a modern audience. With an impressive 160 million monthly users worldwide, WEBTOON boasts unmatched global reach. Classics like “Fullmetal Alchemist” offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce timeless storytelling to new generations of readers.

Read More

2025-05-03 23:25