Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)
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In the anime/manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is a technique used to transform one material into another (referred to as a transmutation). For most alchemists, performing a transmutation requires the use of a transmutation circle. In addition, all transmutations, except for those performed with the aid of the Philosopher's Stone, are subject to the Law of Equivalent Exchange.
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[edit] Alchemy
Alchemy in the Fullmetal Alchemist series, put simply, refers to a three-step process. The steps are analysis (to understand the structure and properties of the substance that is about to be transmuted), destruction/decomposition (to break the substance down to its rudimentary properties), and reconstruction/recomposition (to rebuild the substance into another form or with different properties). The first step is crucial because if the substance that an alchemist intends to transmute is unknown, an alchemic reaction will not occur.
In the anime, the energy for alchemical reactions comes from the other side of the Gate, supposedly from the deaths that occur in the world on the other side of the Gate. In the manga, the source of alchemical power is still unknown to both the main characters and the readers. In both versions, rather than being a method of manipulating forms via their accidents (the basis of historical alchemy, derived from Greek philosophy), it is essentially modern chemistry without a reaction medium.
[edit] Grand Arcanum
The Grand Arcanum is the Ishbalan version of alchemy. The name, meaning "Great Secret," refers to the fact that it has been passed along secretly for generations among the Ishbalan people, despite its having been declared heretical to the Ishbalan religion. While the Grand Arcanum is capable of any transmutation (so long as it obeys Equivalent Exchange), one particular Grand Arcanum array is of particular importance to the Fullmetal Alchemist anime. Its sole purpose is to create the Philosopher's Stone.
[edit] Variation
The array first appears as a tattoo on the arm of Scar. This version of the array has 6 points, as is customary for many arrays in the series. Later, Edward Elric uses a version of the Grand Arcanum expanded to contain 7 points. This technique is apparently unorthodox, and increases the array's power.
[edit] Rentan Jutsu
In the manga, there are two known types of alchemy: the alchemy used in Amestris and the alchemy used in the empire of Xing, which lies in the far east. The Xingese refer to their own alchemy as "Rentan Jutsu" while the alchemy of Amestris is known as "Renkin Jutsu".
Rentan Jutsu's roots lie within medicine and derived from attempts to gain immortality (similar to Taoism and early Chinese medicine). Transmutation circles are referred to as "purification circles" or "formula circles" by the people of Xing. While similar to Amestris alchemy, the source of energy is different. Rentan Jutsu uses the power called "Lungmei" which exists everywhere on the earth.
Rentan Jutsu is employed by Mei Chan. Mei's own brand of alchemy allows her to use throwing knives to form two alchemy circles; one is created near herself and the other near the intended target. Then, she performs alchemy on the circle nearest to her, and the result appears within the second circle. So far, no other characters have been shown to use Rentan Jutsu, save Scar on the basis that the tattoo on his right arm consists of an amalgamation of Renkin Jutsu and Rentan Jutsu.
[edit] Some Alchemy Techniques
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[edit] Edward Elric
- Handblade: Ed's automail arm gains a handblade. This is his signature technique.
- Lance: Ed summons a lance from the ground to use as a weapon that can gain more force through Alchemy.
- Sword: Ed summons a sword from the ground that can split into two swords through Alchemy.
- Hammer: Ed summons a hammer from the ground that can become an axe through Alchemy.
- Rockblocker: Ed summons a wall of stone from the ground as a shield.
- Stonespikes: Ed summons spike of stone from the ground.
- Rockfists: Ed punches the ground, summoning giant fists of stone from the ground.
- Rockfist Rain: Ed summons giant fists of stone from the ground to fly then shower down from the sky.
- Rockgrab: Ed summons a hand of stone to grab and immobilize the enemy.
[edit] Alphonse Elric
- Pillar Spin: Al summons a pillar from the ground then he grabs it and begins to spin, hitting the enemy.
- Tornado: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Al is able to summon a tornado.
- Soul Transfer: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Al is able to transfer a portion (or all) of his soul in suit of armor.
- Missile Rain: Al summons a series of missiles shower from the sky.
[edit] Roy Mustang
All of Roy's flame alchemy requires him to snap his fingers to make a spark, then using the transmutation circle embroidered on his gloves, he manipulates the air to bring oxygen into the flame to allow it to spread. He is useless therefore in rain because the air has too much moisture to create a spark.
Contrary to belief, Mustang is capable of causing combustion in the presence of water. Because water consists of oxygen and hydrogen, he can alchemically dissociate water molecules and ignite the hydrogen to create a massive bomb. He does this in volume ten of the manga in order to defeat the Homunculi, Lust.
- Flame Burst: Roy snaps his fingers, causing an explosion of fire.
- Flame Barrage: Roy sends out a series of fireballs by snapping his fingers multiple times.
- Flame Pillars: Roy summons pillars of fire by snapping both his fingers pointing down and moving up.
- Flame Control: Roy touches the transmutation circle on his hand, causing any nearby fire to engulf the chosen target.
- Flame Dragon: Roy snaps his fingers, creating a dragon made of fire.
- Flame Wall: Roy snaps his fingers and brings massive amounts of oxygen into a "wall" to create a barrier between him and his enemy
[edit] Zolf J. Kimblee
- Living bomb: Kimblee transforms elements in a living being's blood (usually a human) into combustible compounds, causing them to explode from the inside.
| Fullmetal Alchemist | |
|---|---|
| Common characters: | Edward Elric | Alphonse Elric | Winry Rockbell | Scar | Izumi Curtis | Hohenheim | Minor |
| Anime-only characters: | Dante | State Military | Homunculi | Minor |
| Manga-only characters: | Main | State Military | Homunculi | Minor |
| Media: | Anime (Episode list | Voice casts) | Manga | OVAs | Conqueror of Shamballa | Video games (characters) | Trading cards |
| Items/Concepts: | Alchemy | Automail | Chimera | Equivalent Exchange | Gate of Alchemy | Philosopher's Stone | State Alchemist | Transmutation circle |
| Locations: | Amestris | Ishbal | Lab 5 | Lior |
