The Journey Begins
Manga ChapterHanded out to moviegoers as a special reward, this brief bonus chapter rewinds the clock to the moment the Elric brothers first set out. It carries no ordinary title on its cover, instead branding itself as a zeroth volume that slots ahead of everything else.
Summary
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.
Key Events
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.
Notes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a prequel to Fullmetal Alchemist?
Yes, The Journey Begins functions as an unofficial Volume 0, a short bonus chapter that sits directly before the opening chapter of the main Fullmetal Alchemist story.
What is The Journey Begins in Fullmetal Alchemist?
The Journey Begins is a short bonus chapter drawn by Hiromu Arakawa and given out as a perk to audiences attending the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film. Its cover skips a proper chapter name and labels itself a zeroth volume, earning it the nickname Fullmetal Alchemist 0.
What happens in Fullmetal Alchemist: The Journey Begins?
The chapter follows a twelve-year-old Edward Elric right after he clears the State Alchemist examination, with military figures congratulating him before he heads off alongside Alphonse to begin their travels.
Does Shou Tucker appear in The Journey Begins?
Yes, a brief aside in The Journey Begins checks in on Shou Tucker, who does not pass the State Alchemist exam this time around and resolves to try again the following year.
When was The Journey Begins released?
The Journey Begins reached Japanese readers on December 1, 2017, distributed as a bonus for theatergoers of the live-action Fullmetal Alchemist film.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on The Journey Begins? The Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, manga, and official materials. Fullmetal Alchemist was created by Hiromu Arakawa, published by Square Enix, and animated by Bones. All rights to Fullmetal Alchemist and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHiromu Arakawa
- Published bySquare Enix
- Animated byBones
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