Fullmetal Alchemist fanboyism should really be banned. To be honest, I watched Fullmetal Alchemist as it was coming out and being subbed (more than an year ago, as far as I recall). It's disappointing at how cliche and popular it has become.
Fullmetal Alchemist is a good anime indeed, but what really makes it stand out is probably that it's good, regardless of having 51 episodes. Most animes stick with 26 episodes, and manage to unravel an interesting plot with that amount and (not so often) conclude it properly. Fullmetal Alchemist managed to present an interesting story in 51 episodes.
What Fullmetal Alchemist seems to portray pretty well, is the whole shocking/traumatic moments as a new hidden truth is unveiled. Hence, I'd categorize it as a good action-drama anime.
Also, I'd like to say that Fullmetal Alchemist while undoubtely being a good anime, it's got too much fanboyism around as of late, and therefore jumping on the "I LOVE FMA" bandwagon makes it a dangerously could-be-overrated anime.
And while I like FMA and uphold it as a good anime, I'd like to say the ending -just like many animes- was terribly open-ended and I'd have rather have had 10 more episodes than wait an year for a conclusion (Conqueror of Shambala) when the FMA feeling (for me) had already faded.
Lastly, to the person that kindly suggested the concept of "MANGA > ANIME", I'd like to point out that I fail to see how a colorless, motionless, musicless voiceless drawing can better convey anything as opposed to the anime.