History Main / AlchemyIsMagic

** The ancient city of Xerxes, had its own form of alchemy that was the precursor to Amestrian alchemy and Xingese alkahestry. However, its application and power source is never fully explained.

Most commonly, alchemy is used to produce powerful potions, create acids and improvised explosives, mutate living things, or even [[{{Transmutation}} turn an object into something else completely]]. The holy grail of these alchemists is the PhilosophersStone, a substance attributed with any number of special attributes.

* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'': Harry uses alchemy occasionally, usually when his regular magic isn't enough (which happens more and more rarely as the series progresses). Making a potion involves eight ingredients; a base, and something to stand in for each of the five senses, mind and spirit. Then he performs a spell which makes the mess a potion.

** Potions are also frequently used in the series. Strangely, alchemy is a magical discipline in the HP world, represented across several media (you can even study it at Hogwarts in the final years, according to Pottermore) but how exactly it relates to Potions and Transfiguration is not discussed.

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' has some references to alchemy--at the end of Volume 21, ''Creator/KenAkamatsu'' [[ShownTheirWork shows his work]] with a quite detailed depiction of the history of alchemy and its relationship with the 1,000,000 drachma 'ixir'.

* ''Fanfic/WhenAPonyCalls'': Near the end, we learn that alchemy exists in Equestria as a form of magic all ponies can learn, as opposed to just the unicorns (and Princess Luna apparently specializes in it) and the human [[spoiler: [[BalefulPolymorph now pegasus pony]]]] Soren/[[spoiler: Silver Script]] swears to learn it and save [[spoiler: Pound Cake, who was TakenForGranite after an unfortunate run into a cockatrice]], leading into the stories sequel ''Fanfic/TheAlchemistsHeart''.

* ''Film/{{Jasminum}}'': Natasza is an alchemist specialising in perfumes -- her scents can [[LaserGuidedAmnesia make you forget]] or [[LovePotion fall in love]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': There exists [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sith_Alchemy Sith Alchemy]], a school of TheDarkSide that combines the Force teachings of the Dark Jedi with ancient Sith Sorcery. It involves transmutation of weapons and creatures, as well as {{necromanc|er}}y and (as mastered by Darth Plagueis) the ability to create life. It is considered by the Jedi to be the ultimate perversion of [[SentientCosmicForce The Force]].

* ''Literature/TheKingkillerChronicle'' actually has both alchemy and chemistry coexist in the same setting, even taught in the same University. The difference being that alchemy ''is'' magical, while chemistry is a hard science (although magic is rather analyzed in the setting, too), and scholars of neither are [[BerserkButton happy about being confused for the others]]. This is lampshaded in ''Literature/TheWiseMansFear'' when discussing a fireproofing ointment. When the protagonist Kvothe expresses his doubts as to what alchemy can do (specifically, that nothing becomes flammable when mixed with water), his alchemist friend Simmon responds by throwing some water into the substance, which promptly explodes, leaving the usually know-it-all Kvothe to admit: "I know nothing about alchemy".

* ''Literature/SzamankaOdUmarlakow'': Implied, where it's mentioned as one of the divisions of magic. It takes a backseat to plot's demon-hunting adventures, though.

* ''Series/MahouSentaiMagiranger'': All Magirangers have a specialty, and for Kai/Magi Red, it's alchemy (as in transforming matter into other matter).

* ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'': Old Maggoty has a talent for potions and brews and is apparently the inventor of wine in the World of Two Moons.

* In ''WebVideo/NullmetalAlchemist'', Ed is [[InsistentTerminology insistent]] on calling alchemy magic, and that he is Amestris's State ''Magician'', despite Al's protest.

UsefulNotes/{{Alchemy}} is often portrayed as [[MagicByAnyOtherName magical or fantastical in some way]]. In fictionland, you can use alchemy to produce powerful potions, create weapons, or even [[{{Transmutation}} turn an object into something else completely]].

This is a case of ScienceMarchesOn. Alchemy, after all, used to be an acceptable means of study. However, alchemy always had something occult-like to it, as evidenced by goals such as the ''{{panacea}}'' (cure-all) and the "Elixir of Life" (which grants immortality). It's somewhat justified, because when alchemy still was a legit way of study, belief in magic also was widespread, so both were equally "real". For more notes on this, visit our [[UsefulNotes/{{Alchemy}} Useful Notes on Alchemy]]. Alchemy would thus be better described as a proto version of Chemistry than just an older word for chemistry.

Compare ChemistryCanDoAnything.

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'': The 1711 immortals were originally alchemists. At one point, a couple of them are seen reciting from the Emerald Tablet. They used alchemy to summon a demon to achieve the Elixir of Life.

* ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'': Old Maggoty has a talent for potions and brews and is apparently the World of Two Moons inventor of wine.

[[folder:FanWorks]]

* ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina''. Egg Shen mentioned Taoist alchemy. This may be what he used to create the potion he had everyone drink to improve their abilities before the fight with David Lo Pan's forces.

* ''Film/TheLastWitchHunter'': Witches can create wide variety of potions, from ones that induce LotusEaterMachine, through aphrodisiacs to ones that work like AntiMagic. Most notable is probably plot-important memory potions, which induced {{flashback}}s.
* ''Franchise/StarWars'': There exists [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sith_Alchemy Sith Alchemy]], a school of TheDarkSide that combines the Force teachings of the Dark Jedi with ancient Sith Sorcery. It involves transmutation of weapons and creatures, as well as [[{{Necromancer}} necromancy]] and (as mastered by Darth Plagueis) the ability to create life. It is considered by the Jedi to be the ultimate perversion of [[SentientCosmicForce The Force]].
* Natasza in ''Film/{{Jasminum}}'' is an alchemist specialising in perfumes - her scents can [[LaserGuidedAmnesia make you forget]] or [[LovePotion fall in love]].

* ''Literature/FlyingDutch'': The alchemist Montalban developed the immortality potion that blighted the lives of [[FlyingDutchman Vanderdecker]] and his crew, and also routinely turns lead into gold--a technique he actually taught Vanderdecker to help make up for the immortality/horrible stench thing.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter''

* ''Literature/TheSalamanders'': Alchemy is a common part of life in the five cities and relied upon to make things like healing potions for hospitals and adventurers, or 'fire potions', a flammable liquid that is used for stoves and lamps (including street lamps). The main character, Micah, is also an alchemist.

* ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye'': This is true in a way, while one does not necessarily need to possess magical abilities to create a potion, having access to them allows the creation of more powerful varieties of regular potions and enables the alchemist to create certain potions one needs to cast a spell on.

** In early editions, alchemy was used to create magical potions and other one-use items. Permanent magic items were made by wizards and priests using different techniques.

* ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' has an Alchemy skill that was originally used for producing soap. There also used to be unintentional alchemy -- turning everything from platinum to [[spoiler:adamantine]] into iron goblets - but that is what we call a "bug".

* ''VideoGame/MapleStory'': Zigzagged. Alchemy is a profession that a character (not just a magic-using character) uses to make buff and healing potions, but also growth potions and transformation potions, which certainly seem magical. The quest line in the town of Magatia suggests it's related to magic at least; a logbook left by the alchemist claims he could not prolong his lifespan (his stated goal) using alchemy alone, and the reason the famed Alcaster could was because he was a wizard ''and'' an alchemist.

** ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'': Alchemy is a profession, although its primary use is in producing drugs -- I mean, restorative and buff potions. At higher levels, you can transmute gems into more valuable gems and metals into more valuable metals -- including, yes, iron into gold. Most of these transmutations may only be performed daily, and, yes, they demand an (also alchemist-made) Philosopher's Stone to perform. Considering the limited applications, iron is generally more valuable than gold anyway. And if sold to an NPC, a bar of gold is only worth [[JunkRare 10 silver coins]].

* ''Webcomic/AvasDemon'': The potion that Wrathia made certainly seems to imply this considering what it does. It binds their soul to the next being that is born in the universe upon the death of the drinker.

* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' is heavy on the alchemical symbolism - the symbols for antimony, bismuth, and lead, among others, make appearances.

* ''Literature/ImpracticalMagic'': Each court at the MagicSchool has its own magic system. The Summer court includes potion-making. In the Chapter ''[[https://impracticalmagic.org/2020/04/24/cal-3/ Cal 3]]'' one of the student's asks a professor about the partially filled glass bottle they didn't teach about in her lesson and gets this response:

* ''Literature/TrintonChronicles'' has some references to alchemy by Dan, an in-training alchemist who helps run an Alchemy shop.
* ''Literature/VoidDomain'': Downplayed, where alchemical potions can produce a broad variety of effects, but function by reacting with their users' innate magic; for {{Muggles}}, they're ineffective at best and toxic at worst.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Mage Meadowbrook is an earth pony, so she doesn't have any of the direct magical abilities that unicorns do. However, her expansive knowledge of healing and potions gives her enough ability to be considered a sorceress or mage.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'': In ''It's Magic, Charlie Brown'', the book of magic that Snoopy finds (at the public library, no less) has a chapter on alchemy, and he wears a wizard's outfit while studying it. (But only manages to blow up his lab doing so.)

* Many of the bindings and invocations concerning Alucard in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' are alchemical ("The Bird of Hermes Is My Name, Eating My Wings To Make Me Tame" is from the Ripley Scroll) in origin; however, it tends to focus on the "magic" and symbolic part and less the chemistry.
* The 1711 immortals of ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' were originally alchemists. At one point, a couple of them are seen reciting from the Emerald Tablet. They used alchemy to summon a demon to achieve the Elixir of Life.
* ''Literature/FateZero'', and by extension ''[[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Fate/stay night]]'', reveals that the Einzbern family specializes in alchemy, which is how they were able to produce homunculi and the Holy Grail's body itself.
* In ''Anime/FatePrototype: Fragments of Sky Silver'', the Caster of the story turns out to be Paracelsus, the father of modern alchemy. Berserker, on the other hand, is Dr. Jekyll, who created his exixir with alchemy that allows him to turn into Mr. Hyde.

* Downplayed in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' with Hidan. Part of his ritual involves drawing the famous "squaring the circle" rune on the ground, but it just serves as the base for his BloodMagic.
* Defied in ''LightNovel/SpiceAndWolf'': when Lawrence goes to a district for a town's alchemist, his guide tells him they just do experiments with acids and metal. This ends up holding true even after we find out [[spoiler:they have a god in human form like Holo living there.]]
* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' has Aureolus Izzard, one of Touma's early foes. Stiyl's explanations of alchemy mention many real-world alchemical pursuits, but the anime only shows one alchemical spell used: Izzard manages to set up ''Ars Magna'', which causes anything [[YourMindMakesItReal he thinks to become reality]], effectively making him a RealityWarper within its field of effect.
** The Light Novel shows a bit more (which was cut from the anime due to not really adding anything to the story): Izzard created a [[OurHomunculiAreDifferent homunculus]] double of himself which used the spell ''Limen Magna'', which uses a needle and chain to instantly transform anything it touches into molten gold.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', the feats that Daitokuji-sensei (called Dr. Lyman Banner in the dub) performed as his villainous alter-ego Amnael certainly seemed like magic. He created a homunculus duplicate of himself (much like a clone) to replace his dying body, and after defeating both Asuka and Manjyome in Shadow Duels, he was able to hold them captive in an extra-dimensional prison inside the Emerald Tablet he carried (a book with the Eye of Wdjat on it). His true goal was to obtain immortality, as he was dying from some curse. Interesting enough, the cards his deck used referenced terms used in historic alchemy, using monsters called "Alchemy Beasts" (which were based off common base metals and animals used in alchemy to transmute and refine gold), and Spell Cards named after the four most vital steps of ''magnum opus'', the path towards the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.
* Caro La Rushe of ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' has a spell called ''Alchemic Chain'' that summons iron chains. Since it's actually made of metal instead of being a magical construct, it's unaffected by [[AntiMagic anti-magilink fields]].
* ''Anime/WolfsRain'' has a form of magic called alchemy that does a whole lot of strange things: The titular wolves use it to project human illusions for disguise, Cheza was created from mixing flower and human DNA, and the nobility use a form of HermeticMagic that draws on [[GeometricMagic transmutation circles.]]
* [[ChildMage Shouta's]] father is apparently an alchemist in ''Manga/MissKobayashisDragonMaid'', though it's only mentioned as the reason why [[PrettyFreeloaders Lucoa]] can't offer endless riches to crash at their house.

* ''Manga/EdensZero'': "[[RedBaron The Dark Alchemist]]" Drakken Joe uses the Alchemist Ether Gear, which allows him to manipulate Ether in order to transmute ''anything'' into different materials or forms of matter, including his own body. [[spoiler:It's also the source of his longevity, as he uses alchemy to [[LifeDrinker transmute the life energy of others into his own]].]]

* During Creator/GrantMorrison's run on ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'', the Negative Man merged with his (female) therapist and became Rebis, the alchemical marriage of man and female. It then found immortality in a tree on the moon. [[WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs This is Grant Morrison we're talking about, people]].
* Old Maggoty in ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'' has a talent for potions and brews and is apparently the World of Two Moons inventor of wine.
* Used but eventually subverted in ''ComicBook/HackSlash''. The BigBad is a thousands-of-years-old villain with dark alchemical abilities, but in the end, his [[spoiler:ZombieApocalypse-creating potion]] turns out to have an antidote created by a modern chemist. In effect, alchemy sometimes ''includes'' magic, but the two are not the same.
* Being an alchemist allows Diablo from ''ComicBook/UltimateFantasticFour'' to use physical elements and magic in a way that makes him seem more like a sorcerer.
* The Sand Masters of ''ComicBook/WhiteSand'' can turn sand into water with their Mastery.
* In ''Comicbook/JohanAndPeewit'', magic potions are alchemy.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic ''Fanfic/HisRecipeForLove,'' one big advantage the Cupcake Bakers have over their [[AssholeVictim bandit]] victims is that they are alchemists, and arm themselves in advance with a variety of bombs and alchemical potions.
* In the ''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero'' fanfiction,''Fanfic/TheSteepPathAhead'', Alchemy is responsible for a [[SwarmOfRats swarm of]] [[RodentsOfUnusualSize giant rats]], a variety of [[ManEatingPlant giant plants]], a GiantSpider colony, and possibly the first Orcs in the setting. At this point, Saito hates being involved with Alchemists because he's had to put down so many of their creations in his time as an Adventurer.
* Near the end of ''FanFic/WhenAPonyCalls'', we learn that alchemy exists in Equestria as a form of magic all ponies can learn, as opposed to just the unicorns (and Princess Luna apparently specializes in it) and the human [[spoiler: [[BalefulPolymorph now pegasus pony]]]] Soren/[[spoiler: Silver Script]] swears to learn it and save [[spoiler: Pound Cake, who was TakenForGranite after an unfortunate run into a cockatrice]], leading into the stories sequel ''Fanfic/TheAlchemistsHeart''.

* In ''Franchise/StarWars'', there exists [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sith_Alchemy Sith Alchemy,]] a school of TheDarkSide that combines the Force teachings of the Dark Jedi with ancient Sith Sorcery. It involves transmutation of weapons and creatures, as well as [[{{Necromancer}} necromancy]] and (as mastered by Darth Plagueis) the ability to create life. It is considered by the Jedi to be the ultimate perversion of [[SentientCosmicForce The Force]].

* In ''Film/TheLastWitchHunter'', witches can create wide variety of potions, from ones that induce LotusEaterMachine, through aphrodisiacs to ones that work like AntiMagic. Most notable is probably plot-important memory potions, which induced {{flashback}}s.

* ''[[Franchise/HarryPotter JK Rowling's Wizarding World]]'': The much-mentioned but never seen Nicolas Flamel (who created the Philosopher's Stone) eventually appears in person in the prequel film ''Film/FantasticBeastsTheCrimesOfGrindelwald'', played by Creator/BrontisJodorowsky. And yes, he's a wizard, and the Stone can be briefly seen as a CallForward.

* In Creator/NealStephenson's ''Literature/TheBaroqueCycle'', the practice of alchemy is a major plot thread. Daniel considers it hogwash, Isaac studies it intensely and considers it just as valid as science, and a good many nobles dabble in it just because it's the cool thing to do. Enoch the Red is a famous alchemist with a scientific bent, [[spoiler:and then Enoch whips out some ''Elixir Vitae'' and brings Daniel and Isaac BackFromTheDead.]]
* There are alchemists in the ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}'', although Belgarath, the world's eldest sorcerer, is rather dismissive of it. As he puts it, "If you want gold so bad, why don't you dig it up?" Also, there's the small matter of sorcerers being able to conjure up gold if they really need to. However, Senji, an alchemist who discovered sorcery by accident (making him immortal), actually discovered how to turn lead to gold, but the process costs more than the resultant gold... and is quite dangerous. What's far more valuable is a process that someone else discovered, which was to essentially give glass the same properties as steel - which, as noted, would be worth far more, and considering that glass is just melted sand, cost far less.

* ''Literature/SzamankaOdUmarlakow'': Implied, where it's mentioned as one of the divisions of magic. It takes a backseat to plot's demon-hunting adventures, though.
* Albeit not too popular, alchemy is also practised on [[Literature/{{Discworld}} the Disc]]. Most of the time, though, Ankh-Morpork's alchemists merely blow up their guild house instead of achieving anything.

* Master Mandragora in ''Website/TheCrewOfTheCopperColoredCupids'' has all the trappings of a wizard, and is able to use alchemy to achieve such things as to bring half-dead monsters back to life, although his alchemy still seems fundamentally rooted in real-life alchemy, specifically in the associations of various concepts with specific metals. (Being a robot, he ought to know.)
* The ''Literature/GentlemanBastard'' series has alchemy as a low-magic practice that's seen like a science, setting it as a contrast to the more flashy high magic of the Bondsmagi of Karthain. Alchemical stoves that use water as a fuel source are commonplace, as are alchemical blends of fruit, liquor, and animals (such as a hawk with scorpion stingers for talons and an accompanying venom sac).

* The ''Literature/TheIronTeeth'', Magic in this story is done by mages who use crystals they create through chemistry or alchemy. A lot of education and knowledge is required to get the formulas right and bad things happen when you fail.
* ''Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel'': Starring Nicholas Flamel himself. In that world, some alchemists have indeed found immortality; Flamel and the Comte De Saint Germain among them. Flamel himself has found the way to create the Stone and the Elixir, though it requires a special formula from a certain magical book. The formula is in fact different every month the book reveals it; trying to use the same formula again is [[NoImmortalInertia dangerous]]. The book itself contains many other secrets, some which are far too dangerous, should they fall into the hands of the [[EldritchAbomination Dark Elders]], for Flamel to let the book out of his sight.
* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' has its own Alchemists' Guild (sometimes called the pyromancers), who claimed a magical pedigree back in the day but are basically viewed as charlatans and doddering old men in contemporary Westeros. They are feared and respected for one thing, however -- they know how to make [[GreekFire wildfire]] (or "alchemist's piss," as it's more colloquially known), which is basically what happens when napalm and GreekFire have an unholy spawning. It's also hinted that they might not be lying about the magical pedigree; one alchemist says to Tyrion that it's become much easier to produce wildfire for some reason, [[spoiler: that reason, unbeknownst to him, likely being the [[TheMagicComesBack reemergence of dragons]].]]

* Harry uses alchemy occasionally in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', usually when his regular magic isn't enough (which happens more and more rarely as the series progresses). Making a potion involves eight ingredients; a base, and something to stand in for each of the five senses, mind and spirit. Then he performs a spell which makes the mess a potion.
* In ''Sacre Bleu'' the Colorman uses the title pigment to extend his life for millennia.
* In Creator/TomHolt's ''Literature/FlyingDutch'', the alchemist Montalban developed the immortality potion that blighted the lives of [[FlyingDutchman Vanderdecker]] and his crew, and also routinely turns lead into gold--a technique he actually taught Vanderdecker to help make up for the immortality/horrible stench thing.
* ''Literature/TheRedLion'' is about this.
* This plays a major role in the later books of Lynn Flewelling's ''Literature/{{Nightrunner}}'' series. Because HealingMagicIsTheHardest in the setting, the Overlord of Plenimar engages a powerful alchemist to do some truly messed up BloodMagic in the hopes of obtaining a cure for his ailing son.
* Alchemy is the most common form of magic in the universe of Scott Lynch's ''The Lies of Locke Lamora'' due to sorcery being monopolized by a single guild of ''very'' expensive sorcerers.
* ''The Man Who Made Gold'', a novel written by Creator/HilaireBelloc and illustrated by his friend Creator/GKChesterton, depicts a round of panic and deceit after a young professor learns how to transmute metals from his dying, drug-addicted pupil. Notably Belloc uses atomic theory as a PhlebotinumDuJour: the transmutation is presented as a matter of knocking three electrons off the lead atom.
* In ''Literature/TheSecretOfPlatform13,'' the protagonists convince [[SpoiledBrat Raymond]] to come with them to the Island when Cornelius turns base metal into gold, promising him as much as he wants. He neglects to mention that, since any wizard worth his salt can do the same trick, on the Island, gold is [[WorthlessYellowRocks basically worthless]].

* ''Literature/TheKingkillerChronicle'' actually has both alchemy and chemistry coexist in the same setting, even taught in the same University. The difference being that alchemy ''is'' magical, while chemistry is a hard science (although magic is rather analyzed in the setting, too), and scholars of neither are [[BerserkButton happy about being confused for the others]].
** This is lampshaded in ''Literature/TheWiseMansFear'' when discussing a fireproofing ointment. When the protagonist Kvothe expresses his doubts as to what alchemy can do (specifically, that nothing becomes flammable when mixed with water), his alchemist friend Simmon responds by throwing some water into the substance, which promptly explodes, leaving the usually know-it-all Kvothe to admit: "I know nothing about alchemy".
* In ''Literature/TheSalamanders'' alchemy is a common part of life in the five cities and relied upon to make things like healing potions for hospitals and adventurers, or 'fire potions', a flammable liquid that is used for stoves and lamps (including street lamps). The main character, Micah, is also an alchemist.

* 1960's ''Series/{{Batman|1966}}'' series. Cassandra Spellcraft was an alchemist who created magical substances to use in her criminal pursuits.

* ''Series/{{Grimm}}'': Most magic in the setting is simply about brewing up potions from Wesen body parts and/or fluids. The rest is psychic talent, biological mutation, or spirit-related.

* Some settings of ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' sometimes include alchemy as a school of magic, such as with Lorwyn and Shadowmoor kithkin and the Innistrad [[{{Necromancer}} skaaberen]].

** In 1e, the flavor text tends to treat them as a combination of MadScientist, MadBomber, and ProfessorGuineaPig and, indeed, most of their class features involve making magical bombs, using poisons, permanently modifying their own bodies to add things like [[MultiArmedAndDangerous extra limbs]] or [[CombatTentacles tentacles]], and drinking PsychoSerum. At 20th level, the class culminates in the alchemist making a "grand discovery," among which are the secrets of eternal youth (making alchemists one of only two classes able to become TheAgeless without becoming undead -- and the other one requires being a specific race) or the process by which one makes the PhilosophersStone (which transforms large amounts of iron and lead into silver and gold and can be used to restore the dead to life). Notable is the fact that, although the rules text emphasizes that alchemist infusions are not spells, they otherwise are treated to the same rules as magic, including being subject to magic resistance. Mixing extracts is outright described as utilizing latent, untapped magical potential of the Alchemist, and thus [[MagicAIsMagicA are subject to the same rules as]] arcane magic.
** The 2nd edition, however, completely separates alchemy from magic. Even if the effects of alchemical items can seem magical to us, in the 2nd edition it's achieved through natural effects that happen on Golarion. The rule makes point of making alchemical items not having magical aura, nor they can be dispelled or dismissed. This makes 2nd edition Alchemy closer to ChemistryCanDoAnything, including, with right high-level talent, the ability to brew ''magical'' potions as nonmagical elixirs.
* ''TabletopGame/PrometheanTheCreated'' takes a ''whole'' lot from alchemy, turning the story of FrankensteinsMonster into an attempt to create the perfect human that instead created a half-finished human powered by the fire of the universe. Prometheans have humors based on the classical elements, pursue Refinements based on the seven metals (as well as cobalt, bronze, and phosphorus), and can create Athanors to further refine the fire that powers them.
** Second edition includes mortal alchemists as Promethean antagonists, seeking the fire that empowers Prometheans in order to pursue their alchemical workings and transform themselves into something more than human.
** ''Second Sight'' gives us alchemy as a prospective science for thaumaturgists (read: humans who know magic but haven't Awakened). It comes in external and internal flavors and is primarily useful for extending one's lifespan.
** ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' also makes use of alchemy as a sub-branch of Awakened magic. Any mage with a good knowledge of Matter can roll a spell into a salve/ointment for later use, and it's possible to [[{{Unobtanium}} perfect]] any one of the seven planetary metals.
** ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'' includes alchemy as a method of doing magic, with its most notable practitioners being the Solificati/Children of Knowledge Craft.

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. In early editions, alchemy was used to create magical potions and other one-use items. Permanent magic items were made by wizards and priests using different techniques.
** The 3.5 version of the D&D rules made the Craft (Alchemy) skill exclusive to spell-casting classes. Some of the substances created with this Craft skill are plausible products of mundane chemistry, but others are definitely fantastical in nature.
** Some settings, such as ''TabletopGame/{{Eberron}}'' or ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'', greatly expand on what alchemy is capable of, both in realistic and occult/supernatural forms.
** Averted in the 4th edition of TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons. The Alchemist theme does not have the Arcane power source.
** 5th Edition did their best to simplify the game, so there is no dedicated Alchemist class. The online Artificer class (which also has the Alchemist subclass) can use a list of spells but is flavored so that it does it using either technology or potions to replicate the effect (a Cure Wounds spell might be flavored as a healing potion, or, if the subject is unconscious, defibrillators).
* There's an alchemist PC class in the ''TabletopGame/{{Talislanta}}'' game, and several nations in that setting hold the secrets of specific magical formulas of that craft.
* The standard use of alchemy in ''TabletopGame/{{Talisman}}'' is to turn objects into gold by casting an alchemy spell, using the alchemist follower, or visiting the alchemist in the City board space. The Alchemist player character expands on this with the ability to turn gold into potions, which can then be used to heal, gain fate tokens, or draw spell cards. (While nothing prevents the Alchemist PC from casting the alchemy spell and using the alchemist follower all while visiting the alchemist in the City, there is no added benefit for doing so outside of player amusement.)
* In ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye'' this is true in a way, while one does not necessarily need to possess magical abilities to create a potion, having access to them allows the creation of more powerful varieties of regular potions and enables the alchemist to create certain potions one needs to cast a spell on.
* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' is generic enough to let you treat alchemy however you like, but that often means "magical". Settings such as that of ''TabletopGame/GURPSThaumatologyAlchemicalBaroque'' and ''TabletopGame/GURPSThaumatologyAgeOfGold'' make the point explicit.
* Subverted in ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}: The Book of Horn and Ivory'', [[AntiMagicalFaction Malachism]] does not count alchemy as magic, allowing the Malachist Anatolian Empire to advance significantly in artillery and explosives while other factions use wizards for the same purpose. However, the 1st edition ''Jadeclaw'' module "Loot the Burning House" featured the discovery of ancient Zhonggese alchemy used to produce steam power with what amounted to magical nuclear piles.

* Baron Alexander in ''VideoGame/AmnesiaTheDarkDescent'' practices an extremely disturbing form of alchemy, subjecting people to horrible tortures to extract mystical ''vitae'' from their bodies, to extend his life and fuel a process to open a portal between the worlds.
* This trope is a staple of the ''{{VideoGame/Atelier}}'' game franchise.
** Though interestingly, it's treated more like a scientific pursuit in the "original series" of five games, as there are schools and structured study of alchemy throughout, and a significant part of ''Atelier Elie'''s alchemy system is experimenting to make entirely new items.
** In ''VideoGame/AtelierTotoriTheAdventurerOfArland'', both Mimi and Marc suggest that alchemy is like magic, but Totori insists that it isn't.
** An actual magician later appears in ''VideoGame/AtelierAyeshaTheAlchemistOfDusk'' and points out that alchemists are mere copycats, or otherwise similar in some ways, but it's not actual magic.
** In an optional scene in ''VideoGame/AtelierLydieAndSuelleTheAlchemistsAndTheMysteriousPaintings'', Liane from ''VideoGame/AtelierFirisTheAlchemistAndTheMysteriousJourney'' starts asking the twins Lydie and Suelle if they've ever created certain things, such as a device to melt entire snowfields, or components for a ship/airship, all of which were things that Firis created during her journey in that game. Lydie and Suelle are very confused and come away with the idea that Liane has a very strange concept of alchemy, that it's some sort of magic.
* One of the later buildings available for purchase in ''VideoGame/CookieClicker'' are alchemy labs, where you can transmute all those WorthlessYellowRocks into more cookies!

* In ''VideoGame/{{Darklands}}'', there are no magical spells in the game [[spoiler: not counting demons, or the Black Magic spells that High Witches can use]], but characters can buy and trade alchemical recipes, obtain ingredients, and brew many, many potions. Alchemical potions can have many effects, from buffing allies to creating explosions, so an alchemist character is essentially a stand-in for the "wizard" archetype.
* ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'' has an Alchemy skill that was originally used for producing soap. There also used to be unintentional alchemy - turning everything from platinum to [[spoiler:adamantine]] into iron goblets - but that is what we call a "bug".
* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'', Alchemy is a magically classed skill portrayed as a type of scientific magic; when you [[PotionBrewingMechanic brew potions]], you're distilling the ingredients (using a mortar and pestle, retort, etc). However you appear to be extracting the "magic" from them rather than more mundane chemical compounds (some of the in-universe literature even uses this to justify the HealthFood trope; chewing certain foods releases their basic properties, but not as well as properly mixing them would).

* In the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'', Ivy Valentine practices alchemy, and this shows up in some of her most powerful moves (like her Critical Finish in ''IV'') in ways that resemble outright sorcery, conjuring up fiery portals to incinerate her enemies.

* In ''VideoGame/LostPig'', the mysterious place underground turns out to be the former home of a famous gnome alchemist. Some of his potions and other inventions are still lying around and are necessary to finish the game.
* In ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'', Sion is a "mental" alchemist. While she does comment on how traditional alchemy is derived from seeking higher and higher levels of the physical (lead into gold, the body into the body eternal), her branch of alchemy seeks higher and higher brain capacity.

* Alchemy in ''''VideoGame/ThreeTheHardWay works like a special branch of magic. Alchemical products are referred as "spells", and it functions just like standard offensive spells when used in battle.
* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' gives us the material known as Australium, which has similar effects. At first glance, it looks like an average gold bar (and indeed is speculated to be the material the Golden Wrench is made out of, which turns people to gold), but prolonged exposure to it instead gradually [[TestosteronePoisoning turns the wielder Australian, eventually growing a mustache, finding a taste for beer, growing gradually more muscular, and growing geographically-shaped chest hair.]]
** It's a bit more complex than that. Aside from making people more like stereotypical Australians, it simultaneously boosted their intelligence to GadgeteerGenius levels, leading to Australia (home to the largest deposit of Australium, directly beneath their feet) becoming some sort of CrystalSpiresAndTogas[=/=]RaygunGothic[=/=]{{Steampunk}} land of technological wonders ''in the 1800s alone''. Its state in the 1960s, when the game actually takes place, is unknown, but the country was responsible for most of the anachronistic aspects of the [=TF2=] universe like the Engineer's buildings. In fact, the [=BLU=] Engineeer's grandfather used some of the metal to build two life-extension machines (possibly three, but the location of the third remains a mystery [[spoiler: or at least it did until recently]]) bringing the whole thing full circle to immortality. [[spoiler:It's largely a moot point, anyway - the entire worldwide supply of the metal has been exhausted.]]
* Alchemy is also a profession in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft,'' although its primary use is in producing drugs -- I mean, restorative and buff potions. At higher levels, you can transmute gems into more valuable gems and metals into more valuable metals -- including, yes, iron into gold. Most of these transmutations may only be performed daily, and, yes, they demand an (also alchemist-made) Philosopher's Stone to perform.
** Considering the limited applications, iron is generally more valuable than gold anyway. And if sold to an NPC, a bar of gold is only worth [[JunkRare 10 silver coins]].

* Zigzagged in ''VideoGame/MapleStory'', where alchemy is a profession that a character (not just a magic-using character) uses to make buff and healing potions, but also growth potions and transformation potions, which certainly seem magical. The quest line in the town of Magatia suggests it's related to magic at least; a logbook left by the alchemist claims he could not prolong his lifespan (his stated goal) using alchemy alone, and the reason the famed Alcaster could was because he was a wizard ''and'' an alchemist.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series of games, Alchemy is one of four schools of magic along with Wizardry, Divinity, and Psionics.
* In ''VideoGame/ZorkNemesis,'' you encounter the disembodied spirits of four alchemists. They ask for your help to defeat their killer, Nemesis, who also murdered Alexandria, the daughter of one of the alchemists. [[spoiler:The alchemists killed Alexandria. She had been conceived and raised to be the key to eternal life. Nemesis was her boyfriend, who stopped the alchemists in the middle of the ritual. He kept their souls alive and tortured them to find out how to resurrect Alexandria.]]
* Alchemy in ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic'' can be used to create a variety of magical potions (including giving specific permanent magical enchantments to nonmagical items of high enough quality). This, presumably, is why the Might Hero for the Tower faction in [[VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic Heroes III]] was the Alchemist.
* In ''VideoGame/KamidoriAlchemyMeister'', "alchemy" seems to be a catch-all term for local technology. Most of the known results qualify as magical items.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'': The Chemist job class can learn the "Mix" ability that gives spell-like abilities to combinations of certain components.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'': Rikku can use various natural components stolen from fiends to cast equivalent spells (e.g. using an Antarctic Wind is the equivalent of Blizzara), and her Mix [[LimitBreak overdrive]] is an even bigger example. Basically, Component + Component = Big Spell (effects vary depending on the Components).
* ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'' has Alchemists who can create health and mana potions, make themselves a homunculus, plants in a bottle, and throw Molotov cocktails or acid (or both) at people. Ever more when [[PrestigeClass upgraded]] to Geneticist.
* In the ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series, alchemy is a powerful and little-understood branch of {{Magitek}}, used to create magical {{nanomachines}}, and, using them, "living metal" creations such as {{golem}}s, {{Artificial Human}}s, and the eponymous [[EmpathicWeapon ARMs]]. Its distinction from mere "industrial sorcery" is never made clear, but seems to relate to creating self-sustaining systems.
* In ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'', Alchemists are the game's {{Black Mage}}s.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLongestJourney'', the abilities of alchemists in Arcadia are magical in nature, but are of lower class than that of mages. However, mages are born while any human can become an alchemist through learning. The alchemist [[PlayableCharacter April]] meets and combats in the game, Roper Klacks, threatens [[CityOfAdventure Marcuria]] by rerouting the winds, thus preventing ships from coming and going. The army sent to stop him was wiped out by one of his spells. He lives in an OminousFloatingCastle anchored with a huge chain. April manages to defeat him with a math contest (she cheats by using a calculator which, for some reason, still works in Arcadia). When the angry alchemist tries to attack April with a spell, he is sucked into the calculator. [[VideoGame/DreamfallTheLongestJourney In the sequel]], April meets Klacks ten years later. He explains that he was trapped in the calculator for several years until he managed to escape by first learning advanced calculus. He had an epiphany and decided to change his ways, becoming a salesman of magical items, especially after the [[AntimagicalFaction Azadi Empire]] outlaws all magic.
* In ''VideoGame/TheSims3'' Supernatural, the Alchemy skill is basically a potion-making skill, used to brew elixirs from plants, gem powders, and other such things. Also, there exists a Philosopher's Stone which can be used to transmute small items into gold bars.
* ''VideoGame/AvencastRiseOfTheMage'' has alchemy classes at the WizardingSchool as well as a fetch quest to compose an alchemical potion.
* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'''s Goblin Alchemist is something of a misnomer: yes, he is a goblin who makes alchemical potions... riding around on an ogre, on of his potions being a combat drug. His other spells are a HollywoodAcid bomb, an area healing spell, and insta-killing an enemy by turning it into a gold statue of itself, getting you money for it.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Kritika}}'', the only reason most people are able to use magic to begin with is that an alchemist invented an item called the Mana Cell that allows {{Muggles}} to utilize magic.
* The very point of ''VideoGame/PotionMaker'' is creating magical potions, though the effects of most of them are pretty vague.
* Potions in ''VideoGame/NexusClash'' are made through an alchemy minigame that can be played and replayed to make your character more effective and efficient at it. Potions are phenomenally useful and having a good alchemist is essential to many a well-run [[GamingClan faction]].
* ''VisualNovel/WeKnowTheDevil'' features radios that are attuned to prayers and God (and that can also be used to channel elemental powers), charms that serve as house locks, and alchemical/planetary symbols for each of the main characters.
* ''VideoGame/OpusMagnum'', a game about Alchemical Engineering, [[DefiedTrope defies]] this in gameplay, with many of the items you're tasked with making fitting in line with the goals of real-life alchemists. It's also [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] in a piece of bonus dialog found in the settings menu.
-->'''Concordia:''' "I always thought alchemists liked to work in dark caves, illuminated by torchlight, or high atop a lone tower in some isolated place..."\\
'''Anataeus:''' "Hold on, are you thinking of ''wizards?'' Please tell me you're joking. Alchemy is a science. Wizards aren't even real! How could you compare them at all?"
* The Alchemystic class of ''VideoGame/FellSealArbitersMark'' is described as “blending science and mysticism” on the class change screen, and they use Soul Magic to give their allies various status buffs.

* In ''Webcomic/GiftsOfWanderingIce'' all tech of forgotten human civilization is marked by alchemical symbol of eternal life.
* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' is heavy on the alchemical symbolism - the symbols for antimony, bismuth, and lead, among others, make appearances.

* Alchemy in ''Webcomic/TrueVillains'' can produce potent supernatural effects, ranging from a FantasticNuke distilled from a rare flower to a potion that turns the drinker into mist. It also cooks up some [[MundaneUtility memorable recreational drugs]].
* Sealeen of ''Webcomic/TwoKinds'' has a form of alchemy. Since she has little magic skill, she can bottle spells as potions that the throws during battle to activate, so that spells that would otherwise take her hours to gather enough energy for can be used at a moment's notice.
* In ''Webcomic/YokokasQuest'', Pinky utilizes "weapon alchemy", a Metals elemental skill, to create a "[[WhipItGood Rose Whip]]" weapon for Mao using a [[BigCreepyCrawlies king centipede's]] fangs. Pinky and [[TheApprentice his apprentice]] Inky are shown doing this [[SideStoryBonusArt in a wallpaper]].

* In ''Literature/ImpracticalMagic'' each court at the MagicSchool has its own magic system. The Summer court includes potion-making. In the Chapter ''[[https://impracticalmagic.org/2020/04/24/cal-3/ Cal 3]]'' one of the student's asks a professor about the partially filled glass bottle they didn't teach about in her lesson and gets this response:
** “What, this?” Professor Mach lifted the bottle. “It’s perhaps my favorite potion, known for both causing and relieving headaches.” She uncorked it and took a swig. “It is commonly known as brandy, child.” She set the bottle down. “Dismissed."
* The game Sburb that appears in ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has... punch-card based alchemy. Granted, it's an immersive video game in a world where computer programming can affect the real world, and it doesn't really involve either gold or lead - but the way this works is, each object is assigned a 48-bit code and doing bitwise operations on these codes (and using the [[AppliedPhlebotinum weird machines]] to manufacture the result) will create an object that has the characteristics of both original codes. Of course, it costs "build grist" and other types of "grist" to make these things, too, and some objects have codes only readable by a special machine and some code combinations produce inappropriate objects, but it has been put to use for making better weapons for the kids.

* A RunningGag in ''WebVideo/NullmetalAlchemist'' is between Ed and Al fighting over whether they do alchemy or magic. Ed refers to himself as a magician whereas Al explains (in detail) why they do alchemy, Ed dismisses his arguments as "bollocks". It makes sense later when Ed's mother's dying words was telling him that referring to it as alchemy makes him sound pretentious, so ever since then, he's called it magic.

* Averted in ''WebVideo/SuburbanKnights''. Alchemy is treated as a stand-in precursor for [[MagicVersusScience science and is opposed to magic]]. The one example of alchemy [[spoiler:Ma-Ti's "Heart" ring]] acts as an AntiMagic weapon and otherwise seems to have no other powers.
* Downplayed in ''Literature/VoidDomain'', where alchemical potions can produce a broad variety of effects, but function by reacting with their users' innate magic; for {{Muggles}}, they're ineffective at best and toxic at worst.

* In the ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' special ''It's Magic, Charlie Brown'', the book of magic that Snoopy finds (at the public library, no less) has a chapter on alchemy, and he wears a wizard's outfit while studying it. (But only manages to blow up his lab doing so.)
* In ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' there is the legendary figure Mage Meadowbrook. Meadowbrook is an Earth Pony, so she doesn't have any of the direct magical abilities that Unicorns do. However, her expansive knowledge of healing and potions gives her enough ability to be considered a sorceress or mage, Unicorn or no.
* ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'' introduces the character Varian, originally described as 'some kind of wizard.' When asked about magic, he asserts that he works with alchemy, not magic, and proceeds to highlight this distinction for the rest of the episode.

*

UsefulNotes/{{Alchemy}} is often portrayed as [[MagicByAnyOtherName magical or fantastical in some way]]. In fictionland, you can use alchemy to produce powerful potions, create weapons, or even turn an object into something else completely.

* The tabletop RPG ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' features alchemists as a base class. The flavor text tends to treat them as a combination of MadScientist, MadBomber, and ProfessorGuineaPig and, indeed, most of their class features involve making magical bombs, using poisons, permanently modifying their own bodies to add things like [[MultiArmedAndDangerous extra limbs]] or [[CombatTentacles tentacles]], and drinking PsychoSerum. At 20th level, the class culminates in the alchemist making a "grand discovery," among which are the secrets of eternal youth (making alchemists one of only two classes able to become TheAgeless without becoming undead -- and the other one requires being a specific race) or the process by which one makes the PhilosophersStone (which transforms large amounts of iron and lead into silver and gold and can be used to restore the dead to life).
** Notable is the fact that, although the rules text emphasizes that alchemist infusions are not spells, they otherwise are treated to the same rules as magic, including being subject to magic resistance. Mixing extracts is outright described as utilizing latent, untapped magical potential of the Alchemist, and thus [[MagicAIsMagicA are subject to the same rules as]] arcane magic.

* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': The series mentions that the RealLife version of alchemy is simply how history records the subject with the more fantastical elements being [[SecretHistory kept from the general public]]. While the transmutation of lead into gold and creation of the the Philosopher's Stone are explicitly mentioned as having failed, the setting's alchemy did lead to the creation of the man-eating and near immortal monsters known as [[OurHomunculiAreDifferent homunculi]] and the kakugane, bulky hexagonal disks that give those that hold one a minor HealingFactor, and can transform into a powerful magical weapon or tool based on the wielder's personality and will to survive.

* In ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'', the feats that Daitokuji-sensei (called Dr. Lyman Banner in the dub) performed as his villainous alter-ego Amnael certainly seemed like magic. He created a homunculus duplicate of himself (much like a clone) to replace his dying body, and after defeating both Asuka and Manjyome in Shadow Duels, he was able to hold them captive in an extra-dimensional prison inside the the Emerald Tablet he carried (a book with the Eye of Wdjat on it). His true goal was to obtain immortality, as he was dying from some curse. Interesting enough, the cards his deck used referenced terms used in historic alchemy, using monsters called "Alchemy Beasts" (which were based off common base metals and animals used in alchemy to transmute and refine gold), and Spell Cards named after the four most vital steps of ''magnum opus'', the path towards the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.

* Used but eventually subverted in ''ComicBook/HackSlash''. The BigBad is a thousands-of-years-old villain with dark alchemical abilities, but in the end his [[spoiler:ZombieApocalypse-creating potion]] turns out to have an antidote created by a modern chemist. In effect, alchemy sometimes ''includes'' magic, but the two are not the same.

[[folder: Fan Works]]

* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has both the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' and ''Literature/DresdenFiles'' variants, though the latter is only really alluded to in passing. The former is described as being essentially the pinnacle of transfiguration and overlapping considerably with high-end science. While transfiguration is mainly manipulation of molecules, which is quite formidable enough, and transformations that don't stick, transmutation (permanent transformation of elements etc) is far more difficult, and far more dangerous. Given how dangerous transfiguration is to begin with, this is saying something. Among other things attributed to it are:
** The SuperSoldier Serum, and its various derivatives, including the Infinity Formula. The original serum is explicitly described as essentially alchemy, or at least alchemically derived, perhaps accounting for why the other versions don't work so well.
** Magically transmuting something straight out is described as being potentially very dangerous, as like with nuclear transmutation in RealLife, alpha particles are emitted, which can be very dangerous under the right circumstances. Consequently, a lot of effort goes into making sure they're either not emitted or neutralised. This is something that Wanda mentions in the first book, and Hermione is reprimanded for when she starts dabbling with using her newly developed [[spoiler: Chaos Magic]] to transmute things - while she's taught immediately to protect herself, she's not learned to protect others and is ignorant of the risks, causing Harry (who has dabbled with dangerous powers and suffered the consequences) to over-react.
** The Philosopher's Stone is described in the sequel as making transmutation quick and easy, avoiding the excess radiation problem. In the sequel, Doctor Strange nips back in time and steals and using it to transmute ''an entire mountain'' (specifically, a volcano created to wipe out [[spoiler: Hogwarts, Scotland, and then the entire planet,]] in roughly that order) into a mixture of [[spoiler: vibranium and mithril]] ore. The immediate reason is because they have a much higher thermal load than ordinary rock, though everyone else suspects (correctly) that he's got more planned.

[[/folder]]

** They have achieved all kinds of things when they've managed to put their goal of making gold aside for a few moments, such as film suitable for movie cameras. Cheery Littlebottom, the City Watch forensics officer, is a trained alchemist, but left the guild. Through the roof. Like others before them, the Disc alchemists have discovered you ''can'' turn lead into gold, but only at the expense of a lot more gold than you're going to end up with. They also tend to believe that pretty much ''anything'' contains the secret to eternal life: "An alchemist would cut his own head off if he thought it would help him live longer".
** However, Discworld alchemists are always very clear that alchemy is ''not'' magic, and they definitely aren't intruding on [[WizardingSchool Unseen University]]'s field of study. In ''Literature/MovingPictures'', the reason the alchemists leave Ankh-Morpork for Holy Wood is that even though they're quite clear that what they're doing ''isn't'' magic, they're pretty sure the wizards will complain about it encroaching on their turf ''somehow''. (Mostly Literature/{{Discworld}} alchemists are just chemists who've skipped a couple of steps in their pursuit of something impossible; their rare successes being more or less rooted in mundane chemistry. In this book however, they've [accidentally] tapped into the powers of the [[EldritchAbomination Things From the Dungeon Dimensions]], and are also using imps, which they insist isn't ''magic'', as such.)

** In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', the title stone belongs to Nicholas Flamel and has been used by him and his wife to keep them alive these many centuries. Neither of them appear in the book, but they are friends of Dumbledore. At the end of the book, they are mentioned as putting their affairs in order now that the stone is no more.

* This plays a major role in the later books of Lynn Flewelling's ''Literature/{{Nightrunner}}'' series. Because HealingMagicIsTheHardest in the setting, the Overlord of Plenimar engages a powerful alchemist to to do some truly messed up BloodMagic in the hopes of obtaining a cure for his ailing son.

* In ''Literature/TheSecretOfPlatform13,'' the protagonists convince [[SpoiledBrat Raymond]] to come with them to the Island when Cornelius turns base metal into gold, promising him as much as he wants. He neglect to mention that, since any wizard worth his salt can do the same trick, on the Island gold is [[WorthlessYellowRocks basically worthless]].

** This is lampshaded in ''Literature/TheWiseMansFear'', when discussing a fireproofing ointment. When the protagonist Kvothe expresses his doubts as to what alchemy can do (specifically, that nothing becomes flammable when mixed with water), his alchemist friend Simmon responds by throwing some water into the substance, which promptly explodes, leaving the usually know-it-all Kvothe to admit: "I know nothing about alchemy".

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

** The 2nd edition, however, completely separates alchemy from magic. Even if the effects of alchemical items can seem magical to us, in the 2nd edition it's achieved through natural effects that happens on Golarion. The rule makes point of making alchemical items not having magical aura, nor they can be dispelled or dismissed. This makes 2nd edition Alchemy closer to ChemistryCanDoAnything, including, with right high-level talent, the ability to brew ''magical'' potions as nonmagical elixirs.
* ''TabletopGame/PrometheanTheCreated'' takes a ''whole'' lot from alchemy, turning the story of FrankensteinsMonster into an attempt to create the perfect human that instead created a half-finished human powered by the fire of the universe. Prometheans have humors based on the classical elements, pursue Refinements based on the seven metals (as well as cobalt, bronze and phosphorus), and can create Athanors to further refine the fire that powers them.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}''. Alchemy is a branch of magic. In early editions it was a specific type of Enchanting used to refine raw materials into alchemical radicals (which have uses in creating other magic items).
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. In early editions alchemy was used to create magical potions and other one-use items. Permanent magic items were made by wizards and priests using different techniques.

** 5th Edition did their best to simplify the game, so there is no dedicated Alchemist class. The online Artificer class (which also has the Alchemist subclass) can use a list of spells, but is flavored so that it does it using either technology or potions to replicate the effect (a Cure Wounds spell might be flavored as a healing potion, or, if the subject is unconscious, defibrilators).

* In ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye'' this is true in a way, while one does not necessary need to possess magical abilities to create a potion, having access to them allows the creation of more powerful varieties of regular potions and enables the alchemist to create certain potions one needs to cast a spell on.

* In ''VideoGame/LostPig'', the mysterious place underground turns out to be the former home of a famous gnome alchemist. Some of his potions and other inventions are still lying around and are necessary to finishing the game.

* Alchemy is also a profession in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft,'' although its primary use is in producing drugs -- I mean, restorative and buff potions. At higher levels you can transmute gems into more valuable gems and metals into more valuable metals -- including, yes, iron into gold. Most of these transmutations may only be performed daily, and, yes, they demand an (also alchemist-made) Philosopher's Stone to perform.

* Zigzagged in ''VideoGame/MapleStory'', where alchemy is a profession that a character (not just a magic using character) uses to make buff and healing potions, but also growth potions and transformation potions, which certainly seem magical. The quest line in the town of Magatia suggests it's related to magic at least; a logbook left by the alchemist claims he could not prolong his lifespan (his stated goal) using alchemy alone, and the reason the famed Alcaster could was because he was a wizard ''and'' an alchemist.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series of games, Alchemy is one of four schools of magic along Wizardry, Divinity and Psionics.

* In ''VideoGame/TheSims3'' Supernatural, the Alchemy skill is basically a potion-making skill, used to brew elixirs from plants, gem powders and other such things. Also, there exists a Philosopher's Stone which can be used to transmute small items into gold bars.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Kritika}}'', the only reason most people are able to use magic to begin with is because an alchemist invented an item called the Mana Cell that allows {{Muggles}} to utilize magic.

* Sealeen of ''Webcomic/TwoKinds'' has a form of alchemy. Since she has little magic skill, she can bottle spells as potions that the throws during battle to activate, so that spells that would otherwise take her hours to gather enough energy for can be used at a moments notice.

* In ''Literature/ImpracticalMagic'' each court at the MagicSchool has its own magic system. The Summer court includes potion-making. In the Chapter ''[[https://impracticalmagic.org/2020/04/24/cal-3/ Cal 3]]'' one of the student's asks a proffesor about the partially filled glass bottle they didn't teach about in her lesson and gets this response:
** “What, this?” Professor Mach lifted the bottle. “It’s perhaps my favorite potion, known for both causing and relieving headaches.” She uncorked it, and took a swig. “It is commonly known as brandy, child.” She set the bottle down. “Dismissed."

* A RunningGag in ''WebVideo/NullmetalAlchemist'' is between Ed and Al fighting over whether they do alchemy or magic. Ed refers to himself as a magician whereas Al explains (in detail) why they do alchemy, Ed dismisses his arguments as "bollocks". It makes sense later when Ed's mother's dying words was telling him that referring to it as alchemy makes him sound pretentious, so ever since then he's called it magic.

* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has both the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' and ''Literature/DresdenFiles'' variants, though the latter is only really alluded to in passing. The former is described as being essentially the pinnacle of transfiguration and overlapping considerably with high-end science. While transfiguration is mainly manipulation of molecules, which is quite formidable enough, and transformations that don't stick, transmutation (permanent transformation of elements etc) is something else entirely. Among other things attributed to it are:
** The SuperSoldier Serum, and its various derivatives, including the Infinity Formula: the original serum is explicitly described as essentially alchemy, or at least alchemically derived, perhaps accounting for why the other versions don't work so well.
** In the sequel, Doctor Strange nips back in time and steals the Philosopher's Stone - which is described as making transmutation quick and easy, avoiding such petty things as worrying about excess radiation - and using it to transmute ''an entire mountain'' (specifically, a volcano created to wipe out [[spoiler: Hogwarts, Scotland, and then the entire planet,]] in roughly that order) into a mixture of [[spoiler: vibranium and mithril]] ore, because they have a much higher thermal load than ordinary rock.

* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'': The series mentions that the RealLife version of alchemy is simply how history records the subject with the more fantastical elements being [[SecretHistory kept from the general public]]. While the transmutation of lead into gold and creation of the the Philosopher's Stone are explicitly mentioned as having failed, the setting's alchemy did lead to the creation of the man-eating and near immortal monsters known as [[OurHomunculiAreDifferent homunculi]] and the kakugane, a bulky hexagonal disk that gives those holding it a minor HealingFactor and can transform into a powerful magical weapon or tool based on the wielder's personality and will to survive.

This is a case of ScienceMarchesOn. Alchemy, after all, used to be an acceptable means of study. However, alchemy always had something occult-like to it, as evidenced by goals such as the ''{{panacea}}'' (cure-all) and the "Elixir of Life" (which grants immortality). It's somewhat justified, because when alchemy still was a legit way of study, belief in magic also was widespread, so both were equally "real". For more notes on this, visit the UsefulNotes page on UsefulNotes/{{Alchemy}}. Alchemy would thus be better described as a proto version of Chemistry than just an older word for chemistry.

This is a case of ScienceMarchesOn. Alchemy, after all, used to be an acceptable means of study. However, alchemy always had something occult-like to it, as evidenced by goals such as the ''{{panacea}}'' (cure-all) and the "Elixir of Life" (which grants immortality). It's somewhat justified, because when alchemy still was a legit way of study, belief in magic also was widespread, so both were equally "real". For more notes on this, visit the UsefulNotes page on UsefulNotes/{{Alchemy}}.

* In ''Anime/FatePrototype: Pale Silver Fragments'', the Caster of the story turns out to be Paracelsus, the father of modern alchemy.

** The alchemy of Amestris uses the movement of the tectonic plates and geothermal energy to power the transmutations. Although in the 2003 anime, alchemy is [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the lives of those who died on the other side of the Gate]], which is [[spoiler:the real world.]]

* ''Manga/BusoRenkin'' is somewhat loosely based on alchemy; the title translates to "Arms Alchemy," but the transmutation of lead into gold and the Philosopher's Stone are explicitly mentioned as having failed.
** Although the Philosopher's Stone failed, immortality is still possible. all you have to do is use your own {{UsefulNotes/DNA}} as the basis for a homunculus and bond it with yourself. You have to eat humans now, but you won't age and have a HealingFactor.
** Furthurmore, the titular Buso Renkin themselves are a product of alchemy, and are pretty magical themselves. In addition to being able to be formed from kakugane (going from a disk the size of a CD to the user's WeaponOfChoice, [[BadassLongCoat no]] [[{{BFS}} matter]] [[BigBulkyBomb how]] [[HumongousMecha big]]) and being able to at least slow down the HealingFactor of Homunculi, each Renkin also has special properties that cannot be replicated by modern science.

* There are alchemists in the ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}'', although Belgarath, the world's eldest sorcerer, is rather dismissive of it: "If you want gold so bad, why don't you dig it up?" Senji, an alchemist who discovered sorcery by accident (making him immortal), actually discovered how to turn lead to gold, but the process costs more than the resultant gold... and is quite dangerous.

* Albeit not too popular, alchemy is also practiced on [[Literature/{{Discworld}} the Disc]]. Most of the time, though, Ankh-Morpork's alchemists merely blow up their guild house instead of achieving anything.

** However, Discworld alchemists are always very clear that alchemy is ''not'' magic, and they definitely aren't intruding on [[WizardingSchool Unseen University]]'s field of study.

** Potions are also frequently used in the series.
** Strangely, alchemy is a magical discipline in the HP world, represented across several media (you can even study it at Hogwarts in the final years, according to Pottermore) but how exactly it relates to Potions and Transfiguration is not discussed.

* In ''Literature/MovingPictures'', the reason the alchemists leave Ankh-Morpork for Holy Wood is that even though they're quite clear that what they're doing ''isn't'' magic, they're pretty sure the wizards will complain about it encroaching on their turf ''somehow''. (Mostly Literature/{{Discworld}} alchemists are just chemists who've skipped a couple of steps in their pursuit of something impossible; their rare successes being more or less rooted in mundane chemistry. In this book however, they've [accidentally] tapped into the powers of the [[EldritchAbomination Things From the Dungeon Dimensions]], and are also using imps, which they insist isn't ''magic'', as such.)

* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. In this universe, turning rocks into gold is a simple alchemic procedure, (albeit an illegal one, [[{{UsefulNotes/Economics}} due to the risk of shattering the economy from inflation]],) but the Philosopher's Stone, and immortality along with it, is still being sought. Of course, in-story it's firmly established as a science, with all the named characters operating via the periodic table, but it's still based on channeling energy through magic circles, and the classical elements are briefly mentioned as a valid option.
** There are three traditional methods of conducting alchemy, as well as a fourth method developed recently:
*** The alchemy of [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Amestris]] uses the movement of the tectonic plates and geothermal energy.
*** The ''alkahestry'' of [[FarEast Xing]] uses {{ley line}}s originating from mountains.
*** The alchemy of [[AndManGrewProud Xerxes]], an ancient city from before the founding of Amestris and Xing, was the precursor to Amestrian alchemy and Xingese alkahestry. Its power source is never fully explained, but given that Hohenheim was the one who taught Xing alkahestry, it is most likely related to that.
*** The most recently invented method of alchemy was that of [[spoiler:Ishval]], described as a combination of Amestrian and Xingese alchemy.
** In the [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist 2003 anime]], alchemy is [[PoweredByAForsakenChild powered by the lives of those who died on the other side of the Gate]], which is [[spoiler:the real world.]]
** It bears saying, though, that the ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' brand of alchemy is entirely different in methodology than real-life, especially Western, alchemy. In ''Fullmetal Alchemist'', the transmutations worked on the principle of [[EquivalentExchange exchanging equal values]] of energy and matter in order to power the rituals. In real life, many alchemists believed that primal matter would eventually progress to gold, the most pure form of matter. The goal of alchemical experiments, then, was to artificially speed up this process.
** Hiromu Arakawa (the author) has [[ShownTheirWork shown her work]]. ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' includes various alchemical symbols: the cross and snake on Edward's cloak, armor-Alphonse's left shoulder, and Izumi's left collarbone is called a flamel, named after the famous real world alchemist Nicholas Flamel; the {{Ouroboros}} tattoo the homunculi have, of the snake eating itself, in alchemy, represents [[UltimateLifeform perfect being]]; the {{Fiery Salamander}} on Roy Mustang's gloves; the Philosopher's Stone was the goal of many alchemists. Even Hohenheim's name was based on the famous alchemist Paracelsus.

** Hiromu Arakawa (the author) has [[ShownTheirWork shown her work]]. ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' includes various alchemical symbols: the cross and snake on Edward's cloak, armor-Alphonse's left shoulder, and Izumi's left collarbone is actually called a flamel (named after the famous real world alchemist Nicholas Flamel); the {{Ouroboros}} tattoo the homunculi have, in alchemy, represents the snake eating itself - the [[UltimateLifeform perfect being]]; the {{Fiery Salamander}} on Roy Mustang's gloves; as stated above, the Philosopher's Stone was also the goal of many alchemists. Hell, even Hohenheim's name was based on the famous alchemist Paracelsus.