State Alchemist
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In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, State Alchemists are alchemists employed by the State Military. To be certified as a State Alchemist in Amestris requires a written test, verbal examination by three State Alchemists, and finally a demonstration of skill or presentation of research to a select group of high-ranking officers who judge the alchemists based on several criteria. Competition is fierce, and only one or two alchemists are accepted each examination cycle. In addition to their rank and state titles, certified State Alchemists gain access to information on alchemy in the National Library at Central (Amestris’ Capital), and gain access to state funding for experiments and research into alchemy. Some state alchemists are researchers, others have a more military role. Those involved purely in research do not necessarily wear military uniforms. The lowest rank giving to a State Alchemist after certification is the rank of "Major" or the equivalent of the rank, depending on the person's career.
Once they are accepted into the military, State Alchemists can be called on for several types of duty. Since State Alchemists have advanced knowledge in minerals and elements, they conduct inspections of land territories to determine whether or not the area has any valuable minerals. They also experiment with alchemic modifications and enhancements, which are usually utilized on the battlefield in times of war. But State Alchemists could be best thought of as an equivalent to the modern day special forces unit: an elite group deployed in combat with the express purpose of rapidly suppressing enemy uprisings to end or avoid a war. Colonel Roy Mustang perfectly captured the nature of Amestris' State Alchemists when he remarked that they were nothing more than human artillery the army called in when nothing else worked.
Once a year, all State Alchemists must undergo recertification in order to remain State Alchemists, otherwise their titles are revoked and they are dismissed from the military. The recertification, like the practical skills portion of the State Alchemist entrance exam, can consist of either a practical demonstration of alchemic abilities or producing research results. State Alchemists may choose which of these two options they would prefer, and the results of their performance determine whether or not they meet the qualifications necessary to be recertified. Edward chooses to fight Roy Mustang as a demonstration of his skills as an alchemist when he comes up for his recertification, while Shou Tucker tries to produce research on intelligent chimeras by fusing his daughter Nina with the family dog Alexander.
[edit] State Alchemists in the Anime and Manga
- Edward Elric: the Fullmetal Alchemist
- Roy Mustang: the Flame Alchemist
- Alex Louis Armstrong: the Strong-Arm Alchemist
- Basque Grand: the Iron Blood Alchemist (assassinated by Scar)
- Shou Tucker: the Sewing Life Alchemist (assassinated by Scar in the manga; in the anime, he is nominally executed but actually forced to work in Lab 5, and later reinstated as a State Alchemist by Frank Archer)
- Zolf J. Kimblee: the Crimson Alchemist/The Mad Bomber (dismissed for killing one of his superior officers, but in the anime he is reinstated by Archer and assassinated later by Scar in Lior)
- Dr. Tim Marcoh: the Crystal Alchemist (abandoned the military; he was killed by Lust and eaten by Gluttony in the anime; in the manga he is alive but imprisoned by the Homunculi and "Father")
- Giolio Comanche: the Silver Alchemist (exclusive to the manga; assassinated by Scar)
[edit] State Alchemists from the Video Games
- Aston Martins: the Thunder Alchemist
- Lincor (Seraphy Royce): the Tuning Alchemist
- Jack Crowley: the Silver Bullet Alchemist
- Cravis Fagott: the Death-Bringing Alchemist
| Fullmetal Alchemist | |
|---|---|
| Common characters: | Edward Elric • Alphonse Elric • Roy Mustang • Maes Hughes • Winry Rockbell • Scar • Izumi Curtis • Hohenheim • Minor characters of Fullmetal Alchemist |
| Anime-only characters: | Dante • State Military • Homunculi • Minor anime characters |
| Manga-only characters: | Father • State Military • Homunculi • Ling Yao • Minor manga characters |
| 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 |
