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In a move no one saw coming,Fullmetal Alchemistis officially making its debut on WEBTOON in a full-color, vertically reformatted version launching May 23, 2025.The classic shōnen juggernaut is one of two high-profile titlesbeing added to the digital comics platform this month, with WEBTOON rolling out the red carpet for both the iconic Elric brothers and the rising fantasy seriesFrom Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman. This partnership marks another significant expansion of WEBTOON’s growing list of global IP collaborations, and it’s a major play in bridging traditional manga with the ever-popular scroll-based webcomic format.
Fullmetal Alchemist, created by Hiromu Arakawa, originally ran from 2001 to 2010 and cemented itself as one of the most revered titles in manga history. With its signature mix of high-concept alchemy, political intrigue, and emotionally charged storytelling, the series follows Edward and Alphonse Elric as theysearch for the Philosopher’s Stoneafter a failed alchemical ritual costs them their bodies. The manga inspired two anime adaptations, a handful of movies, and even live-action attempts—but until now, it’s never been available in a webtoon format. The arrival ofFullmetal Alchemiston WEBTOON presents an entirely new reading experience for both loyal fans and newcomers.
WEBTOON’s Latest Manga Partnership Expands Its Lineup
A New Format for Timeless Classics like Fullmetal Alchemist
On May 2, WEBTOON announced its latest partnership with Square Enix and Yen Press, confirming thatFullmetal Alchemistwould be available to English-speaking audiences on May 7 in a new mobile-optimized edition. Fully colored and reformatted for vertical scrolling, the series joinsWEBTOON’s expanding roster of heavyweight IPsthat now includes names like DC Comics, Archie, IDW’sSonic the Hedgehog, and titles from Hybe’s webtoon division (the companybehind global K-Pop sensation BTS). WEBTOON Entertainment’s Head of Global, Yongsoo Kim, described the series as one that “stays with you for life,” calling the new release “a new way to enjoy this story” that’s “easier than ever to fall in love with all over again.”
Fullmetal Alchemistis the kind of story that stays with you for life — whether you’ve read the original manga, watched the anime, or found it through its passionate global fandom.
Kim Yongsoo
Joining the Party: From Country Bumpkin to Rising Fantasy Star
AlongsideFullmetal Alchemist, WEBTOON also launchedFrom Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman: My Hotshot Disciples Are All Grown Up Now and They Won’t Leave Me Alone—a sleeper hit that’s been gaining attention since its anime adaptationpremiered on Amazon Prime in April 2025.
The series, based on the light novel by Shigeru Sagazaki and illustrated by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima, follows a middle-aged dojo master named Beryl Gardenant who unexpectedly becomes the mentor of the kingdom’s elite warriors after his former students rise to power. While the name might raise eyebrows, the story has resonated with fans of slow-burn, character-driven fantasy. Its WEBTOON release on May 2 brings the series to a broader audience, repackaged for binge-reading on mobile.
Vertical scrolling comics have exploded in popularity thanks to viral hits likeTrue Beauty,Lookism, andThe God of High School—many of which have made the leap to successful anime adaptations. Manga publishers are taking notice, andWEBTOON has positioned itself as the go-to space for digitizing beloved seriesfor a new generation of readers. With over 160 million monthly users across its portfolio, WEBTOON offers unparalleled global reach, and classic titles likeFullmetal Alchemistare perfect candidates to introduce legacy storytelling to fresh eyes.
