The Journey Begins

Drawn by Hiromu Arakawa, this short bonus installment reached readers only in Japan, given out as a perk to audiences attending the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film. Its cover skips a proper chapter name and shows just the familiar series logo, while labeling itself as a zeroth volume. That framing earned it the informal nickname Fullmetal Alchemist 0.

Fans regard it as the single genuine Volume 0, positioned to sit directly before the opening chapter of the main story.

The chapter follows a twelve-year-old Edward Elric right after he clears the State Alchemist examination, with military figures offering their congratulations. Having earned his certification, Edward then heads off alongside Alphonse to begin the travels that define the series.

A brief aside checks in on Shou Tucker, who does not pass the same exam this time around and resolves to make another attempt the following year.

Because it was distributed as promotional material tied to the film, this piece circulated far more narrowly than the standard volumes. Its numbering as a prequel volume is what cements its place at the very front of the reading order.

The chapter functions as a compact prologue, sketching the departure that the main narrative treats as already in the past.