Fullmetal Alchemist TCG

Fullmetal Alchemist TCG is the English-market adaptation of the Square Enix manga during its 2003-2006 first-anime run, when the Elric brothers' quest for the Philosopher's Stone was peak Cartoon Network/Adult Swim anime programming.

The game

Released in 2005 by Joyride Entertainment, Fullmetal Alchemist TCG is a two-player duel where each player builds a deck around Edward, Alphonse, Mustang, Hughes, or Homunculi villains (Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Pride, Sloth, Wrath). The Transmutation mechanic lets a player spend matched-type cards to conjure alchemy-based effects, tying gameplay directly to the source material's power system.

The context

Joyride Entertainment held licensed-CCG rights for multiple Viz Media anime properties in the mid-2000s. Fullmetal Alchemist was the biggest Bones anime adaptation of the 2000s and the TCG was pitched at the manga/anime cross-audience. It shipped simultaneously with the Cartoon Network broadcast of the show, giving it a strong launch window.

The collector angle

Blood and Water, Fight or Flight, Hammer of the Gods, and Stone of Sanctuary are the main English expansions. Foil rares of Edward, Alphonse, Mustang and the seven Homunculi are the chase pulls. Because the 2009 Brotherhood anime adaptation brought the franchise back to prominence without a corresponding TCG release, the Joyride 2005-2006 cards have become the canonical Fullmetal Alchemist card game in English and prices have drifted up as the IP's modern popularity outstrips the supply.