The Thule Society was a real German occultist group that believed in the existence of Shamballa. In the film, they try to harness alchemy and open the gate to Earth to bring about a "master race." A key antagonist, Dietlinde Eckhart (voiced by Laura Bailey in English), is a fictional Thule Society member who seeks to use the gate to launch a world war.

For fans of anime, few titles carry the weight and critical acclaim of Fullmetal Alchemist . While Brotherhood is often cited as a masterpiece, the 2003 series—directed by Seiji Mizushima—offered a darker, more melancholic take on the Elric brothers’ journey. That series concluded with a cliffhanger that left millions reeling. The answer to that cliffhanger came in the form of a feature film: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa .

The film picks up two years after the series finale. Edward Elric is stranded in Munich, Germany, in 1923—a world without alchemy, resembling our own real-world history. He is searching for a way back to his own world, relying on rocketry and science. Meanwhile, Alfons Heiderich, a young physicist who looks strikingly like Alphonse, helps Ed cope with his exile. Back in Amestris, Alphonse Elric is searching for a way to reunite with his brother.