Netflix will begin streaming Fullmetal Alchemist: The Founder's Scars on July 4th. The series, previously a Crunchyroll exclusive, focuses on the ancestors of the Elric brothers.

The July 4th migration from Crunchyroll to Netflix

Netflix has officially announced that it will integrate Fullmetal Alchemist: The Founder's Scars into its content library starting July 4th. As the report says, the series was originally positioned as a Crunchyroll exclusive, making this transition a significant shift in distribuiton strategy for one of the most anticipated spin-offs in the franchise.

This move highlights the fluid nature of streaming rights in the current market. While Crunchyroll typically maintains a tight grip on its exclusive titles, the transition of this specific series to Netflix suggests a new arrangement between the platforms or the production committee.

Yuru and Asa's clash between steampunk and modern society

The narrative of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Founder's Scars departs from the familiar setting of the original series to explore the early lives of the Elric brothers' ancestors. According to the source, the story centers on siblings Yuru and Asa, who navigate a world that bridges the gap between a traditional steampunk aesthetic and a modern reality.

The plot introduces a sharp contrast in environments: Yuru resides in a tranquil, low-tech village, while Asa hails from a society that mirrors the real world. This disparity leads to a violent confrontation when Asa attacks Yuru's home, creating a deep rift between the siblings. To survive and navigate this modern civilization, Yuru is aided by Daemon protectors known as Left and Right.

A 24-episode first season produced by Studio BONES

The animation for the series is handled by Studio BONES, which has maintained an art style consistent with Hiromu Arakawa's original manga . the first season is expected to consist of approximately 24 episodes, providing a substantial amount of content for new viewers joining the series on Netflix.

The series first premiered its debut episode in April, establishing a world that differs significantly from the one inhabited by the Elric brothers. By securing the rights to a BONES production, Netflix continues to bolster its prestige anime offerings with high-production-value titles.

The battle for anime supremacy between Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max

The acquisition of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Founder's Scars is a tactical move in a broader "streaming war" involving Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Crunchyroll. While Crunchyroll remains the primary specialist for anime enthusiasts, Netflix's massive global subscriber base often makes it the most-watched destination for the medium.

The source describes the series as one of 2026's biggest new anime, suggesting that its arrival on Netflix is intended to capture a wider audience than a niche platform could provide. This trend of "big-tent" platforms acquiring niche exclusives indicates that reach is becoming more valuable than strict exclusivity.

Hiromu Arakawa's ongoing manga and the prospect of Season 2

Because creator Hiromu Arakawa is continuing to release new chapters of the manga, the 24-episode limit of the first season likely will not cover the entire story. This creates an open question regarding whether Netflix has secured the rights for future seasons or if the current deal is limited to the initial run of episodes.

Furthermore, it remains unclear why Crunchyroll relinquished exclusivity so quickly after the April premiere . Whether this was a financial decision or a strategic partnership remains unverified, as the report does not provide statements from Crunchyroll regarding the loss of the exclusive.