The Fullmetal Alchemist anime and manga series feature an extensive cast of fictional characters created by Hiromu Arakawa. The story is set in a fictional universe within the 20th Century in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man. Although the story in the first anime and the manga basically start the same, the first anime, midway through its run, begins to differ greatly from the manga; characters that are killed early on in the manga survive to the end of the first anime and vice versa. The second anime's (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) events, however, follow the ones from the manga.[1]
The story follows the adventures of two alchemist brothers named Edward and Alphonse Elric. While trying to revive their mother, the brothers lost parts of their bodies, with Alphonse's soul being contained in a suit of armor, and Edward replacing his right arm and left leg with two sets of automail, a type of advanced prosthetic limb. Advised by Roy Mustang, an alchemist from the State Military, Edward becomes a State Alchemist, and starts traveling with Alphonse through the country of Amestris in order to find a way to recover their bodies. In their search, they hear of the Philosopher's Stone, a powerful alchemy artifact that the brothers can use to recover their bodies. However, after becoming a State Alchemist, Edward discovers that several members of the military are also attempting to get the stone, most notably humanoid creatures known as homunculi, who start chasing the Elric brothers.
When creating the series, Arakawa took her inspiration from several experiences in her childhood, including her parents' jobs and the manga she used to read. Several types of merchandising have also been released based on the characters from the series. Reviewers from manga, anime, and other media have also commented on the characters. Most of them have praised their development in the story as well as Arakawa's artwork.
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The author Hiromu Arakawa integrated several social problems into the story after talking to people who had suffered and lived through them, such as refugees, war veterans and former yakuza, or simply by watching news concerning those issues. Several plot elements expand on these themes, such as Pinako Rockbell caring for the Elric brothers after the death of their mother, and the brothers helping people all over the country to gain an understanding of the meaning of family. Many characters of the series differ from the manga to the first anime, the homunculi being the most notable, which was because Arakawa wanted the first anime to have a different ending from the manga's, to avoid repeating the same events in both series.[2]
Arakawa said that she became attracted by the idea of using alchemy in the manga after reading about the philosopher's stone. She liked it so much that she started reading books of alchemy, which she found very complicated because some books contradicted others.[2] Director from the first anime series, Seiji Mizushima, mentions that he has a definite aversion to the kind of character growth. He explains that while characters can evolve during the story, they also devolve with for example Edward, as Mizushima comments he has a continuous struggle overarching inner struggle to determinate how to grow up. To symbolize the intangibles in the story, the first anime staff use physical phenomena, such as making their body rot.[3]
In the making of the characters' designs, Arakawa has commented that the manga authors Suihō Tagawa and Hiroyuki Eto are her main inspirations, and she also mentions her artwork is a mix of both of them. When drawing the series characters, Alex Louis Armstrong and the little animals are the easiest for her to draw. Due to the fact she likes dogs, Arakawa added several of them in the story.[4] She also adds various muscles to most of the characters fearing that otherwise they may look much too thin to the point they could look unhealthy. Despite being requested several times by fans to show the characters' birthdates, Arakawa has claimed that she never thought of them.vol. 12, omake
In the two animated adaptations of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, the characters have been voiced by famous voice actors such as Romi Park and Rie Kugimiya who portray Edward and Alphonse, respectively, in Japanese. In the second adaptation most of the voice actors were replaced with the exception of a few, which includes Park and Kugimiya that reprised their roles.[5] On the other hand, most of the English voice actors of the first anime reprised their roles for Brotherhood with the exception of a few such as Aaron Dismuke (Alphonse) and Dameon Clarke (Scar) who are replaced by Maxey Whitehead and J. Michael Tatum, respectively.[6]
Edward Elric (エドワード・エルリック Edowādo Erurikku), the "Fullmetal Alchemist," is the youngest State Alchemist in history. He and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric, scour the world in search of the Philosopher's Stone (賢者の石 Kenja no Ishi), in the hopes of restoring their bodies. Edward lost his left leg in a failed attempt to revive his mother,Trisha Elric using Alchemy, and lost his right arm in exchange for attaching Alphonse's soul to a suit of armor. Edward now employs the use of metal prosthetics, known as automail (機械鎧(オートメイル) ōtomeiru), as replacement limbs. Edward harbors a sharp sensitivity to his short height; a recurring gag in both anime series and the manga is for Edward to overly react to people that call him short.ch. 2 Romi Paku and Vic Mignogna voice him in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.ep.1ep.1
Alphonse Elric (アルフォンス・エルリック Arufonsu Erurikku), is the younger brother of Edward Elric. Together, he and Ed scour the country in search of the Philosopher's Stone in the hopes of restoring their bodies. Unlike Edward, who lost one of his legs in the failed attempt to revive the brothers' mother, Al lost his entire body. At the last moment, and at the cost of one of his arms, Ed sealed Al's soul in a giant suit of armor, making Al almost invulnerable.ch. 2 Rie Kugimiya voices him in the Japanese series, Aaron Dismuke in the first English series ep.1ep.1, and Maxey Whitehead in the second English series.[7]
Father (お父様 Otō-sama) is the creator of all homunculi using flawed aspects of his personality, serving as the main antagonist in the series.ch. 31 He was originally known as "Dwarf in the Flask" (フラスコの中の小人 Furasuko no Nakano Kodomo) or "Homunculus" (ホムンクルス Homunkurusu), a shadow-like creature created eight centuries ago in Xerxes under the commission of its king to obtain the knowledge of cheating death.ch. 74 Confined within a flask where it can thrive, Homunculus formed an attachment to the young slave boy whose blood had been used in his creation, naming the lad Van Hohenheim and enabling him to raise up the social hierarchy. However, playing on King Xerxes' desire, Homunculus tricked the king into creating a country-wide transmutation circle. Once activated, Homunculus ensured that he and the unaware Hohenheim were in the center, absorbing the souls of the population from Xerxes between them. During the process, Homunculus used Hohenheim to create a husk body to serve as his mobile vessel before parting ways.ch. 75
Searching for the nearest area closest to the center of the world, Father found Amestris and taught alchemy to its people for the sake of his master plan: Engineering every war in the country's history to bring it into the form of a perfect circle with sites of bloody carnage at all the cardinal points—the necessary configuration for the transmutation of another Philosopher's Stone and repeat his actions in Xerxes on a higher scale to open the Gate and become a "perfect being" with absolute freedom. In order to do this, Father uses his homunculi to gather "sacrifices", alchemists of notable skill who committed human transmutation and survived.ch. 100 As an additional precaution against alchemists, Father stationed himself underground above the tectonic plates so that he can negate any form of alchemy that derives its power from tectonic energy.ch. 54
Eventually, Father's plans come to fruition on the "Promised Day," an astronomical alignment that would ensure Father's plan succeeds. Father manages to restrain his sacrifices so he can gather enough souls into his body from Amestris's people to absorb the entity behind the Gate, labeled as "God". From there, Father creates a new youthful body with his powers increased to the point of defying natural order. However, Hohenheim's transmutation circle restored the Amestrians' souls to their bodies with Father starting to lose control over his new powers.ch. 104, 107 Furthermore, Father is weakened by both the alchemists and the military. After Edward manages to pierce Father's chest to free the trapped souls, allowing "God" to turn Father inside out, dragging him before the gate. There Father, now reduced back to his original form, confronts the force that calls itself the Truth before the gate drags him back into it.ch. 108 He is voiced by Iemasa Kayumi in Japanese and by Kent Williams in English.
Solf J. Kimblee (ゾルフ・J・キンブリー Zorufu Jei Kinburī) — the "Red Lotus Alchemist" or "Crimson Alchemist" — is a psychopath who delights in, what he considers, "artful destruction." He earned fame during the Ishbalan Civil War for his ruthless commitment to the Ishbalan Extermination, killing thousands of people without remorse through his unique brand of explosive alchemy. Using transmutation circles tattooed into the palms of his hands, Kimblee can make a bomb out of anything he comes into contact with after clapping his hands. Because of his effectiveness in wiping out the Ishbalans, Kimblee was given an imperfect Philosopher's Stone in order to increase his alchemical abilities. With it, he killed Scar's family. After the war ended, Kimblee, wishing to keep the Stone for himself, killed the superior officers who had given it to him, and was thus sentenced to prison for his crimes.ch. 61
In the manga, Kimblee is released from prison so he can aid the homunculi. He is then sent to retrieve the escaped Tim Marcoh and kill Scar, though his missions fail thanks in part to interference from the Elric brothers. Kimblee is also instructed to start a bloody conflict in the north that is reminiscent of Ishbal. As such, he tricks the leaders of Drachma, the nation to the north, into believing he is a military defector, and leads them to launch a full-scale attack on the fortress of Briggs, resulting in the slaughter of the outgunned Drachmanian forces.ch. 79 He later breaks the homunculus Pride out of the dirt dome that Hohenheim trapped him in. After being severely injured by a chimera in the ensuing fight, Kimblee is swallowed by Pride's shadow.ch. 93 However, Kimblee manages to maintain his sense of self instead of becoming lost among the souls within Pride's body, and briefly manifests himself to taunt the homunculus as he is defeated by Edward.ch. 106
In the first anime, Kimblee escapes from prison and joins the homunculus Greed and his chimera lackeys. Later on, Kimblee betrays Greed, and ends up re-enlisting in the military.ep.33 He later infiltrates the city of Lior to instigate an uprising against the military. Kimblee encounters Scar while destroying the city, and, after a failed effort to blow the Ishbalan up, he is killed. In his final moments, Kimblee turns Alphonse into a bomb, which prompts Scar to give the boy the Philosopher's Stone.ep.42 Kimblee is voiced by Yuji Ueda in the first Japanese series, and by Eric Vale in the English adaptation.ep.22ep.22 His voice in the second anime series is provided by Hiroyuki Yoshino.ep.22
Dante (ダンテ) is the main antagonist of the first anime adaptation. She is the former lover of Hohenheim, and has used Philosopher's Stones to transfer her soul to new bodies for around four hundred years. She leads the homunculi, either creating them herself, or finding them after they are created, and uses them to create conflicts in the hope of having a desperate alchemist create a new stone for her. She first appears as an elderly woman, who is the former alchemy teacher of Izumi Curtis. She fakes her death at the hands of Greed, and later reveals herself to have transferred her soul to the body of her student Lyra (ライラ Raira), a young girl who had wished to become a State Alchemist.ep.45ep.32 She is eventually killed by Gluttony, whom she reduced to a feral state to further her own purposes.ep.51 She is voiced by Kazuko Sugiyama in the Japanese series, and by Cindee Mayfield in the English series. As Lyra, she is voiced by Yumi Kakazu in the Japanese series, and by Monica Rial in the English series.ep.22ep.22
Homunculi (ホムンクルス Homunkurusu) serve as the main antagonists in Fullmetal Alchemist. They are a group of artificially created humans who seek to fulfill their leader's goals of creating a Philosopher's Stone. Each homunculus is named after one of the seven deadly sins, and can be identified by their bearing of the mark of the Ouroboros somewhere on their body. They also possess a heightened regenerative ability, rendering them nigh indestructible, though not invincible. Aside from this, the concept of the homunculi varies drastically between the manga and first anime series.[2]
In the manga, the homunculi were created by or are at the discretion of Father, being a manifestation of one of his traits: his greed, his lust, and so on.ch. 53 Father would later reveal that he ultimately created the homunculi for the sole purpose of purifying himself of his personal flaws.ch. 97 Each homunculus has a Philosopher's Stone somewhere in his or her body which fuels their regenerative ability, and were created at the same time as their respective Philosopher's Stone. While the first six were originally created from Father's own being, both Wrath and the second Greed are humans who accepted a Philosopher's Stone. The only way to kill a homunculus is by expending all of the power in their Philosopher's Stone, leaving them unable to revive themselves once they have been killed.ch. 39
In the first anime, homunculi are the result of a human transmutation, and closely resemble the deceased human intended to be revived. These homunculi are led by Dante, and feed on incomplete Philosopher's Stones to fuel their powers; they are susceptible to death once these stones are regurgitated. The homunculi of the first anime possess an additional weakness: a remnant of their original bodies (a bone, hair, etc.), which weaken and immobilize them when they come in contact with them.ep.34
Lust (ラスト Rasuto), the "Ultimate Spear",ch. 31 appears as the first homunculus in the series as a shapely woman who primarily works in the shadows, acts as envoy for her leader in both iterations, and encourages humans down her desired path. She can extend her fingers to great lengths, which are capable of cutting through virtually any substance.ch. 2 In the manga, after leading an effort to capture Barry the Chopper, her plans backfire when Roy Mustang infiltrates the homunculi's secret lair.ch. 38 Mustang repeatedly blasts Lust with flames, ultimately killing her after depleting the power of her Philosopher's Stone.ch. 39
In the first anime, Lust was created when Scar's brother tried to revive his deceased lover.ep.40 Though originally largely the same as her manga counterpart, Lust begins to develop a strong desire to regain her humanity as the series progresses. This ultimately leads to her defection from the homunculi, and to her aiding Edward Elric if he promises to help make her human. Wrath eventually catches up to them before he paralyzes her using a locket filled with the hair from her original form and kills her.ep.47 In Japanese, she is voiced by Yūko Satō in the first series and by Kikoku Inoue in the second.ep.1ep.3 She is voiced by Laura Bailey in English.ep.1
Gluttony (グラト二ー Guratonī), the second homunculus introduced in the series, typically appears in the company of Lust. He is an obese, simple-minded homunculus whose thoughts rarely stray far from eating. He has powerful jaws and acidic saliva, and can and will eat almost anything. He particularly likes eating people, and the only way he can find enjoyment in a battle is if he can eat his opponent afterwards.ch. 2
In the manga, Gluttony is the failed product of Father's attempts to create a Gate of Truth. When activating this portal, Gluttony's stomach opens up, revealing a large eye at its center. His ribs spread out to act as a border for the gate and double as large extensible teeth that can consume everything in his eye's field of vision in an instant.ch. 49 Anything Gluttony consumes is transported to a realm within himself, which is littered with artifacts from centuries before the start of the series.ch. 51 In the ensuing battles, the energy in Gluttony's Philosopher's Stone is exhausted, leaving him unable to revive himself.ch. 56 Father later restores him and sends him and Pride to capture the Elrics.ch. 86 When his Philosopher's Stone nears depletion in the attempt, Pride eats Gluttony to gain his abilities.ch. 87
The first anime explains Gluttony's origins as a way to produce imperfect Philosopher's Stones, the souls of the people he eats being condensed into red stones. After learning of Lust's death, Gluttony becomes deeply depressed. To stop his incessant crying, Dante transforms him into a mindless eating machine, an act that ultimately backfires when he eats her.ep.51 He appears again in Conqueror of Shamballa, having transformed into a large, multi-limbed monster since his appearance in the first anime. He exclusively attacks Wrath during the movie, the battle leading to Alphonse Elric sacrificing the two upon Wrath's demand, in order to open the Gate to Earth so that Edward can return home.[8] Yasuhiro Takato voices him in the first Japanese series, and Tetsu Shiratori in the second.ep.22ep.3 Chris Cason is his English voice actor.ep.22
Envy (エンヴィー Envī) is the third homunculus to appear in the series. Envy is depicted as a genderless being who can assume any appearance it wishes. When not in disguise, Envy prefers the form of an androgynous young teenager. Because of its ability, Envy usually acts as infiltrator for the other homunculi, often assuming another's identity in order to gain sensitive intelligence.ch. 6 Envy enjoys violence between humans, having shot an Ishbalan child, sparking the resulting civil war.ch. 51
In the manga, Envy's natural form resembles that of an enormous demonic creature, composed of citizens of Xerxes.ch. 53 After Lust's death, Envy replaces her as the homunculi's messenger. While on a mission to personally capture Dr. Marcoh, all of the souls composing Envy's true form are destroyed in the ensuing battle, reducing Envy to a tiny parasitic creature that is revealed to be Envy's actual original form.ch. 79 Envy is then handed over to May Chang in a mason jar for her to take back to Xing, but Envy instead convinces her to return to Central,ch. 80 allowing Envy to recreate its body by absorbing several super-soldiers powered by Philosopher's Stones. Soon after, Mustang confronts Envy and, upon learning that Envy was Maes Hughes' murderer, incinerates Envy until it is rendered to its parasitic form once more.ch. 94 After Edward sympathizes with Envy over the jealousy it feels towards the strength of humans, Envy commits suicide by tearing out the Philosopher's Stone at its core.ch. 95
In the first anime, Envy was the first homunculus and the only one with no desire to become human, and served as Dante's right hand. Throughout the series, Envy expresses a vendetta against the Elric brothers that is later clarified in his origins: Envy was created in Hohenheim's attempt to revive the dead son he had with Dante long ago. When his father left him and Dante to start another family, Envy began to hate Hohenheim and transferred that loathing towards his two half brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, even successfully killing Edward after revealing to him the truth of their relationship.ep.50 After learning Hohenheim is still alive and on the opposite side of the Gate, Envy, leaping at the chance to personally kill his father, forces himself through while assuming the form of a giant serpentine dragon.ep.51 In Conqueror of Shamballa, Envy has lost his power of transformation and remains stuck in his dragon form. He is captured by the Thule Society and Hohenheim is given to him as a human chew toy before being used as a sacrifice to open the Gate linking the two worlds.[8] Envy is voiced by Mayumi Yamaguchi in the first Japanese series, and by Minami Takayama in the second.ep.22ep.8 Envy's voice in the English adaptation is provided by Wendy Powell.ep.22
Greed (グリード Gurīdo) is a rogue homunculus who craves money, women, and other worldly possessions above all else. Because of this, he betrays the homunculi in both anime series and the manga, as working for them would deprive him of his greedy desires. He has the ability to rearrange the carbon atoms in his body to create a shield he calls the Ultimate Shield (最強の盾 Saikyō no Tate), which is as hard as a diamond and coats his body. Greed is introduced when he sends some of his chimera subordinates to capture Alphonse Elric so he can obtain the secret of immortality from him and Edward.ch.27 The State Military soon raids their location to rescue Al, and Greed's fate, from that point further, differs between adaptations.ch. 29
In the manga and second anime, King Bradley repeatedly kills Greed to finally subdue him, taking him back to Father.ch. 30 Unwilling to rejoin them, Greed is melted down to his Philosopher's Stone and is consumed by Father.ch. 31 Later, Lin Yao, in his search for immortality, offers to become the new Greed. Greed is given complete control of Lin's body after Lin willingly relinquishes control, believing this to be the only way to gain immortality.ch. 56 Though this Greed initially has no recollections of his actions as the former Greed, Bido's death brings back the memories of all his loyal subordinates.ch. 82 Angry with Bradley for killing his "possessions," and further provoked by Lin, the new Greed defects from the homunculi once more, eventually joining forces with Edward Elric during their fight against Father though he had ulterior motives to take Father's place on the Promised Day.ch. 83 However, during the final battle, Greed comes to a realization his true desire is friendship.ch. 107 To that end, Greed sacrifices himself to aid Edward by transferring himself from Lin's body into a weakened Father, using his abilities to render Father's shell extremely fragile before being extinguished.ch. 108
In the first anime, Greed escapes the raid, fleeing to Dante's mansion. Dante, having created Greed when attempting to revive her dead lover, still retains the bones from his original body, which left him severely weakened. Edward kills Greed soon after he is made to believe that Greed killed Dante, though not before leaving with the valuable knowledge of how to kill the homunculi.ep.34 He is voiced by Junichi Suwabe in Japanese, and Chris Patton in English.ep.33ep.33 For the second series, his voice is provided by Yuichi Nakamura in Japanese;ep.13 in English, Patton reprises his role for the first Greed, while the second Greed is portrayed by Troy Baker.
Sloth (スロウス Surōsu) differs greatly in the first anime and in the manga. In the manga, Sloth is a large, muscular, dim-witted man who believes everything to be pointless and tiresome. Despite his lazy nature, he is very strong physically, and is the fastest of the homunculi.ch.92 He is tasked with digging a gigantic transmutation circle beneath Amestris to be used in turning the country into a Philosopher's Stone. Though he is briefly impeded in this job when he runs into the Elric brothers at Briggs' Fortress, he is allowed to continue his work. After finishing the circle,ch. 78 Sloth serves as Father's bodyguard and fights off Mustang and Olivier's troops when they invade Central.ch. 92 He is eventually killed through the combined efforts of the Armstrong siblings and Izumi and Sig Curtis.ch. 96 He is voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki in Japanese and Patrick Seitz in English.ep.34
In the first anime, Sloth is the product of the Elric brothers' attempt to revive their mother, Trisha Elric, found by Dante and fed incomplete Philosopher's Stones until she assumes her original form's likeness. She is given the alias "Juliet Douglas" (ジュリエット・ダグラス Jurietto Dagurasu) and appointed as King Bradley's personal secretary, allowing her to serve as the homunculi's direct contact within the State Military. She is able to transform her body into a watery composition, which she uses to drown others by grabbing hold of them.ep.42 Sloth constantly suffers from memories of Trisha raising the Elric brothers and, determined to prove to herself that they are not her memories, longs to be able to kill the brothers as their real mother would never do such a thing. She develops a mother-son relationship with Wrath, and the two stick together during the second half of the first anime. During her final battle with the Elric brothers, Wrath, having merged with Trisha's remains earlier, merges with Sloth's body so that he would never have to be separated from her. This leaves Sloth paralyzed, allowing Edward Elric an easy opportunity to convert the water in her body into ethanol, which then evaporates into the atmosphere.ep.47 Yoshino Takamori is her seiyu, and Lydia Mackay her English voice actress.ep.3ep.3
Wrath (ラース Rāsu) differs greatly in the first anime and in the manga. In the manga and second anime, Wrath is the true identity of King Bradley, the leader from Amestris' military.ch. 29
The first anime shows the origins of Wrath in Izumi Curtis's attempt to revive her infant child. Her effort failed, and the infant's body was taken beyond the Gate of Truth. There, the child, Wrath, grew up. When Edward Elric later lost his arm and leg while trying to revive his mother, Wrath took both for himself, which allowed him to use alchemy and escape to Amestris.ep.31 Because of his ability to perform alchemy, Wrath can assimilate any sort of material or object into his body. Since the remains of his former body were used in his creation, Wrath lacks the weaknesses of the other homunculi, though both the Gate of Truth and the cries of a child have similar psychological effects on him.ep.42 After joining the homunculi, Wrath develops a mother-son relationship with Sloth. When he unknowingly helps to kill her (having absorbed the remains of her original body) he becomes distraught, realizing the truth behind Dante and Envy, as the former takes Ed's limbs from him to keep him quiet when he attempted to revive Sloth himself. He is later given automail replacements by Winry Rockbell.ep.51 He appears again in Conqueror of Shamballa, in which he battles against Gluttony so that Alphonse Elric can use them both as sacrifices to open the Gate of Truth. Al does so and is able to reunite with Ed, while Wrath is able to reunite with the spirit of Izumi.[8] The first anime Wrath is voiced by Nana Mizuki in the Japanese series, and by Luci Christian in the English dub.ep.28ep.28
Pride (プライド Puraido) differs greatly in the first anime and in the manga. In the manga, his identity is a mystery until during the later half of the series;ch. 70 Pride was created in Father's original image, and thus appears as a dark blob with many eyes.ch. 78 He can destroy or manipulate anything that this shadow comes into contact with, and can gain the traits of whomever he eats (such as Gluttony's appetite and sense of smell).ch. 87 Taking on a host body in Selim Bradley (セリム・ブラッドレイ Serimu Buraddorei), the adoptive son of King Bradley, Pride can only exist within a given area: the area surrounding his body and the underground transmutation circle running throughout Amestris. He needs a light source in order to be able to use his shadow, and his shadow can similarly be "killed" if the light becomes too bright or he is surrounded by darkness.ch. 88 He is very dedicated to the homunculi's cause, and does not allow anyone to get in his way. He does, however, have some attachment to his adoptive human mother. Edward destroys Pride's body in battle, reducing him to his true form: a minuscule, fetus-like creature.ch. 106 After the battle with Father ends, the now powerless Pride is brought to his adoptive mother and raised all over again. Two years later, Selim is shown to have grown into a much more compassionate young child.ch. 108
In the first anime, Pride represents the true identity of King Bradley, while Selim is a normal human child who briefly appeared in the end of the series, playing an unintentional role in King Bradley's death at Mustang's flames, but not before the Führer strangles him to death in his rage. In the first anime, Makoto Tsumura voices Selim in the Japanese version, and Zarah Little in the English dub.ep.51 His voice in the second series is provided by Yuko Sanpei in Japanese, and by Brittney Karbowski in English.
King Bradley (キング・ブラッドレイ Kingu Buraddorei) is the head of the State Military and King of Amestris, having the title of Führer. Though initially portrayed as a kindly ruler, he is later revealed to be a homunculus. Though his identity as a homunculus differs between the manga and first anime series, his weapon of choice is the sword, which he wields with great proficiency. His deadly swordsmanship is further augmented by the "Ultimate Eye" (最強の眼 Saikyō no Me) a clairvoyant eye that bears the Ouroboros seal, which is usually covered by an eyepatch. The eye gives him the foresight to see all possible outcomes of a given situation, allowing him to predict the moves of any opponent before they happen, along with being able to see things the normal human eye can not, such as air currents.ch. 29ch. 51 In both storylines, because homunculi cannot reproduce, Bradley is given a family to keep up appearances: his son, Selim Bradley, and a wife he personally chose.ch. 80 Bradley is voiced by Hidekatsu Shibata in the Japanese versions, and by Ed Blaylock in English dubs.ep.6ep.6
Prior to the events depicted in the manga, Bradley was raised and trained along with other children to become Amestris' ideal leader. Once they had reached a specific age, the State began injecting a Philosopher's Stone directly into their blood system. Bradley, the first successful subject of the experiment, became Wrath and the King of Amestris. Wrath ages with time because of his human lineage, a trait that irritates him because his ailing body cannot keep up with the speed of his eye's predictions.ch. 53 After receiving various wounds while fighting against Father's resistance, Bradley fights Scar but is mortally wounded in battle. Upon his death, Bradley concludes that he had a good life despite being a homunculus.ch. 105
In the first anime, Bradley is Pride, what Dante considers her greatest creation due to his ability to age like humans. When Roy Mustang discovers his identity as a homunculus, Bradley entrusts Selim with the skull of his original body. During his battle with Mustang, Bradley is severely weakened by its presence, when Selim unknowingly brings the skull back to him, and Bradley strangles Selim out of anger. In his weakened state, Mustang is able to defeat Bradley by repeatedly setting him on fire, reducing him to ashes.ep.51
Fullmetal Alchemist presents alchemists as people who have learned how to manipulate matter. Through the use of transmutation circles, they can reform one object into another that shares a similar molecular make-up to its original form. In Amestris (アメストリス Amesutorisu), alchemists can become certified by the State Military, earning a unique title, rank of major, and funding for personal research.ch. 1 In the manga and second anime series, the people of Xing have a technique similar to alchemy, called alkahestry, that focuses on healing wounds.ch. 32
Alex Louis Armstrong (アレックス・ルイ・アームストロング Arekkusu Rui Āmusutorongu), the "Strong Arm Alchemist," is a large and comically emotional State Alchemist who will burst into tears or joyous praise, given the right situation, and embraces others in an effort to console them. Because he is an extremely strong character, this usually causes great personal injury to others. Armstrong is very proud of his strength and of his muscular physique, frequently taking off his shirt so that he can flex for the benefit of others. As a final element of his comedic properties, he has the tendency to "sparkle"; when first appearing in a scene or taking off his shirt, pink stars radiate from his body.ch. 4 Despite his humorous tendencies, Armstrong can be very serious when the situation calls for it. He is not fond of violence and will try to end conflicts peacefully, and will break down and cry if an innocent person is killed.ch. 29
Armstrong comes from a wealthy family of aristocrats who have earned renown in most professions. He has mastered many of his family's talents for himself, and when displaying such a talent, he brags and remarks it to have been "passed down the Armstrong line for generations." His alchemical skills also represent a remnant of his family's history; by using a unique kind of cestus, Armstrong can reshape any solid object that he punches.ch. 7 Armstrong is a valuable ally of Roy Mustang and the Elric brothers, even if they are not always happy to be in his emotional company. He takes his honor as a soldier and as a leader seriously, and always looks out for his peers' and subordinates' best interests.ch. 20 Kenji Utsumi voices him in the Japanese series, and Christopher R. Sabat in the English adaptation.ep.14ep.14
Izumi Curtis (イズミ・カーティス Izumi Kātisu), born Izumi Harnet, the teacher of Ed and Alphonse Elric, agreed to train the brothers to hone their alchemical abilities after their mother died. She expands their training with a regimen of philosophy, martial arts, and living off the land.ch. 20 Her methods are derived from her own alchemy training: in the manga and second anime, she was forced to survive in the northern region surrounding Briggs Fortress for a month (although it turns out she succeeded by stealing supplies from the northern fortress), whereas in the first anime she was taught by Dante. She thinks of the Elrics as her own sons, and although she severs her student-teacher ties with them after learning of their attempts with human transmutation (and similarly Ed's joining the State Military), she continues to do all she can to help them.ch. 28 She can be quite violent when punishing or sparring with the Elric brothers, so they tend to be deathly afraid of her.ch. 25 Her claim "I'm a housewife!" while confronting Greed became one of Arakawa's favorite scenes.[4] Izumi and her husband Sig Curtis (シグ・カーティス Shigu Kātisu) were expecting a child years before the start of the series; however, their son was stillborn. Izumi tried and failed to revive the child through human transmutation (an act that created Wrath in the first anime). The failed attempt took some of her internal organs, resulting in her inability to ever again be pregnant, and to periodically cough up blood. Izumi could thereafter perform alchemy without a transmutation circle after seeing the "truth."ch. 44
In the manga, Izumi attracts the attention of the State Military for having survived the failed human transmutation. As she and her husband travel around Amestris in order to avoid the military, they eventually meet Ed and Al's father Van Hohenheim. He rearranges her insides to ease the blood flow, and persuades her to help collaborate in bringing down the State Military.ch. 76, 95
Throughout the first anime, she tries to get close to Wrath in order to repent for the creation of him. She dies between the end of the first anime and Conqueror of Shamballa, but, during the movie, her spirit reunites with Wrath in the afterlife.[8] She is voiced by Shoko Tsuda in Japanese and Christine Auten in the English dub.ep.26ep.26
State Alchemist Roy Mustang (ロイ・マスタング Roi Masutangu), the "Flame Alchemist," holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the State Military at the start of the series, and was promoted to Brigadier General by the end of the first anime series. He aims towards becoming the next Führer of Amestris, heavily relying on the support of his loyal subordinates to propel him along that path.ch. 5, 61 Mustang would find this path interrupted by the murder of his best friend and confidant, Maes Hughes, afterwards, beginning an almost behind-the-scenes investigation into finding the true culprit.ch. 16 Toru Okawa and Travis Willingham voice Mustang in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.ep.3ep.3 In the second anime series, he is voiced by Shinichiro Miki.ep.1
Van Hohenheim (ヴァン・ホーエンハイム Van Hōenhaimu) is the father of Ed and Alphonse Elric with a keen knowledge of alchemy processes. He left them and his wife Trisha several years before the start of the series.ch. 68 It is later revealed that Hohenheim is several centuries old, though the means of his immortality differ between the manga and the first anime series. He is voiced in the first series by Masashi Ebara in Japanese and by Scott McNeil in the English dub.ep.43ep.43 In the second series, he is voiced by Unshou Ishizuka in Japanese and John Swasey in the English dub.ep.19
Originally a slave from the Kingdom of Xerxes under the designation "Slave Number 23", Hohenheim was used for experiments by his superiors, using his blood to create a shadow-like creature known as Homunculus.ch. 74 In thanks to his birth, Homunculus gave the slave the name Van Hohenheim and taught him how to read, write and perform alchemy. As years went on, Hohenheim's status improved and was soon close to the king. When Homunculus taught King Xerxes how to obtain immortality, he instead gave it to Hohenheim and himself, sacrificing the citizens from Xerxes. Possessing half of the Xerxes's citizens inside him, Hohenheim escaped in horror and tried communicating with them.ch. 75 After discovering that Homunculus (now known as "Father") was going to sacrifice the inhabitants from Amestris, Hohenheim left his family to travel around the country to leave shards from his Philosopher's Stone.ch. 68 When confronting Father, Hohenheim's plans succeed as he uses the shards to annul Father's attempt to transmute the people from Amestris.ch. 105 However, after Father's defeat, Hohenheim dies in front of Trisha's grave, happy that he was able to meet her and have his sons.ch. 108
In the first anime, where he is referred to as Hohenheim of Light (光のホーエンハイム Hikari no Hōenhaimu), Hohenheim has used the power of a Philosopher's Stone for hundreds of years to switch from body to body, prolonging his life. He was originally Dante's lover, and left her years before the series's start. Meeting Trisha, Hohenheim decided to remain in his current body until his death occurred. However, as his body started deteriorating, he left his family. After learning of Dante's actions, Hohenheim confronts her but is transported to through the Gate of Alchemy to a parallel world based on the real world.ep.50 Working for Winston Churchill, Hohenheim is captured in Conqueror of Shamballa by the Thule Society to be used as a catalyst for the portal to Amestris. Hohenheim ultimately sacrifices himself to return Edward home and is killed by Envy, a homunculus that was based on his own deceased son with Dante.[8]
Tim Marcoh (ティム・マルコー Timu Marukō), formerly the "Crystal Alchemist," was the leading researcher in the military's Philosopher's Stone creation project. After sacrificing a number of innocent Ishbalans during the Ishbal Civil War in order to create new stones, he fled the military with some imperfect stone samples. He settled down in a small country town where he uses his stones to heal the sick. He is later found by the Elric brothers, and he directs them to some of the research he left behind in Central to help them in their search for the Philosopher's Stone.ch. 8 Marcoh is then captured by the homunculi, and is kept locked up deep below Central. While there, he is found by Scar. Seeing Scar as a means to an end, he tells Scar of his involvement in the Ishbalan War in the hopes of being killed in vengeance. Scar instead disfigures Marcoh's face beyond recognition as a disguise, kidnaps him, and forces him to help in bringing down the homunculi.ch. 62 After Father's defeat, Marcoh offers to restore Mustang's eyesight in return of allowing the surviving Ishbalans to return to their homeland with him placed there as a doctor.ch. 108
In the first anime, he is soon afterwards taken into military custody, only to be killed by the homunculus Gluttony.ep.50 Kouji Totani voices him in the Japanese series, while Brice Armstrong voices him in the English dub.ep.14ep.14 Masayuki Omoro voices him in the second anime, while Jerry Russell voices him in the English dub.ep.6
Russell Tringham (ラッセル・トリンガム Rasseru Toringamu) and his younger brother Fletcher (フレッチャー・トリンガム Furecchā Toringamu) are the sons of the famed alchemist Nash Tringham. Their characters are adapted by the first anime from the light novel The Land of Sand, not the manga. They seek to complete their father's research with a substance known as "red water," a toxic liquid with alchemical properties. To help them in this endeavor, they impersonate the Elric brothers to gain access to resources and locations reserved for State Alchemists. While Fletcher is reluctant to do this, Russell insists that nobody will mind.ep.12 They are almost executed towards the end of the first anime when they are mistaken for the real Elric brothers, who are wanted for treason, and, after being saved, they try to help Ed find out about the homunculi. Although Edward and Russell fight near constantly, Fletcher and Alphonse are able to get along. The two Tringham brothers tend to utilize alchemy involving plants.ep.49 Russell is voiced by Kosuke Okano in the Japanese series, and Justin Cook in the English adaptation. Fletcher is voiced by Minako Arakawa in Japanese, and by Avery Williams in the English adaptation.ep.12ep.12
Shou Tucker (ショウ・タッカー Shō Takkā), the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," is famed for creating a chimera that could talk, but refused to eat and died shortly after its creation. After meeting Tucker, the Elric brothers discover that the talking chimera was actually his wife fused with another animal as they discover it after Tucker fused his daughter, Nina, with his pet dog, Alexander, in order to maintain his position as State Alchemist. Tucker, while held under house arrest for his actions, is killed by Scar soon afterwards.ch. 5
In the first anime series, Shou is recruited to perform classified research in creating Chimeras in the clandestine 5th Laboratory, after being initially reported to have been executed by the State. Tucker eventually becomes a Chimera while experimenting to revive his daughter, gaining the appearance of a man crucified upon the back of a large dog. Though Tucker succeeds in recreating Nina's body, he loses what little sanity he possessed when he discovered that the Nina doll was without a soul.ep.48 Tucker is voiced by Makoto Nagai and Chuck Huber in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.ep.6ep.6
The State Military is Amestris' primary mode of offense and defense. Throughout the history of the country, it has existed to put down uprisings and annex surrounding hostile countries into its borders. It is led by King Bradley, and uses a ranking system common of most real-world militaries.ch. 1 In the manga, the State Military is basically just the puppet force called upon to further the homunculi's plans.ch. 67 Many of the soldiers' names are taken from the makers of fighter aircraft and airplanes.p.176
Frank Archer (フランク・アーチャー Furanku Āchā) is a character exclusive to the first anime, introduced as Maes Hughes' replacement. He is cool, calm, and collected, with a love for violence and war. He dreams of becoming a hero on the battlefield, viewing it as a way to rise up the ranks of the military. To this end, he does whatever is necessary to please his superiors, and always ensures that his actions earn him some publicity.ep.28 As the series progresses, Archer develops an interest in the military's various projects, such as the homunculi, chimeras, and the Philosopher's Stone. Archer loses the left half of his body when the Philosopher's Stone is created in Liore, and receives automail modification in order to regain his mobility. After the operations left him mentally unstable, Archer rages through Central, carrying out King Bradley's ordered executions. Riza Hawkeye shoots Archer down while he tries to kill Roy Mustang.ep.51 He is voiced by Show Hayami in the Japanese series, and by Troy Baker in the English dub.ep.28ep.28
Olivier Milla Armstrong (オリヴィエ・ミラ・アームストロング Orivie Mira Āmusutorongu) is the older sister of Alex Louis Armstrong. She is charged with leading Briggs' Fortress, and protecting the country from the neighboring country of Drachma. Unlike her brother, who is cheerful and kindly to all around him, Olivier distrusts everyone when she first meets them, and has no patience for formalities or idle conversation. She is also, similarly, a firm believer in survival of the fittest. This has earned Olivier a reputation within the military, and in Drachma, as one who should not be crossed, though her subordinates hold her in high regard. Because she readily joins them in hostile situations and disregards the orders of superiors if she disagrees, her subordinates will answer only to her. She always carries a sword at her side, and is proficient enough to be able to defeat her brother with it.ch. 65, 83 Her Japanese voice actress is Yōko Sōmi.ep.33 Her English voice actress is Stephanie Young.
Olivier crosses paths with the Elric brothers when they arrive at Briggs' Fortress. After Sloth infiltrates Briggs, she is able to convince them to tell her about the homunculi that control the military.ch. 67 To help the Elric brothers combat the corrupt higher ups, Olivier goes to Central to work her way into King Bradley's inner circle. Once she learns of plans to create an army of immortal super soldiers, Olivier fights against the homunculi. Although she has no direct control of Briggs, her subordinates still operate it under her wishes, eventually sneaking into Central to help Olivier take control of the government.ch. 95, 97 Her most loyal soldiers include Miles (マイルズ Mairuzu), who is a quarter Ishbalan, remaining in the military with the hope to someday change the country's perception of Ishbal; and Buccaneer (バッカニア Bakkania), a large, heavyset man who has been shown with two different pieces of automail in the series.ch. 65 Buccaneer fights Bradley together along with the resistance, but he dies in battle.ch. 100
Heymans Breda (ハイマンス・ブレダ Haimansu Bureda) is one of Roy Mustang's most trusted subordinates. He was recruited by Mustang for his high level of intelligence, indicated by his talent with chess and other strategy games. Despite his intelligence, he still has an irrational fear of dogs. Breda is usually tasked by Mustang with jobs that require he travel abroad. He is transferred to Western Headquarters when Mustang's group is broken up by the homunculi.ch. 61 In the manga, he eventually defects from the military so that he can help Mustang overthrow King Bradley. Tomoyuki Shimura voices him in Japanese, and Josh Berry in English.ep.13ep.13 In Brotherhood, he is voiced by Biichi Satou in Japanese, and Jeremy Inman in English.
Denny Brosh (デニー・ブロッシュ Denī Burosshu) and Maria Ross (マリア・ロス Maria Rosu) are introduced when they are assigned to protect Edward Elric.ch. 10 While Brosh is rather nosy and lazy, Ross is serious with her job. In the manga, Ross is framed by the homunculi for the death of Maes Hughes.ch. 30 Roy Mustang stages a prison break and then fakes her death, giving her a chance to flee to Xing. Before leaving, she asks that her family and Brosh not be told that she is alive so as to keep the secret from getting out.ch. 41 To repay Mustang for saving her life, Ross later returns to Amestris and helps him wage an assault on Central.ch. 89 In the first anime, Brosh and Ross later appear in the rebellion against King Bradley, saving various characters from execution. Brosh is voiced by Masao Harada in the Japanese version of the first series, Yuki Hayashi in the second, and Jim Foronda in the English dubs of both series.ep.18ep.18 Ross is voiced in Japanese by Mitsuki Saiga in the first series and Kaori Nazuka in the second, and by Meredith McCoy in English.ep.18ep.18
Sheska (シェスカ Shesuka) was a librarian at the First Branch of the Central City library. Because she spent all day reading the many documents stored there, instead of doing her job, she was fired. She has a photographic memory and can remember and reproduce anything she has ever read, with word-for-word accuracy. Because of this, after the library burns down, the Elric brothers seek her out to see if she can remember any research papers by Tim Marcoh. She transcribes the entirety of his research for them, earning enough pay to last her a year for her troubles. When Maes Hughes learns of how she helped the Elrics, he hires her to help recreate the criminal records that were destroyed in the fire.ch. 10 In the first anime, after Hughes' death, Sheska helps Winry Rockbell discover the identity of Sloth. Naomi Wakabayashi voices her in the first anime, and Gwendolyn Lau in the English dub.ep.18 Her voice in the second series is provided by Chika Fujimura.ep.7
Vato Falman (ヴァトー・ファルマン Vatō Faruman) is one of Roy Mustang's most trusted subordinates. He was recruited by Mustang for his innate ability to remember almost every detail, allowing him to act as a sort of recording device that does not leave any physical evidence. Because his intellect is his area of expertise, he does not have much experience in the field, causing him to make rookie mistakes when in a combat situation. He is overly formal, causing some of his comrades to wish he would lighten up. Falman does not play a large role in the first anime, only being another of Mustang's subordinates.ch. 61 In the manga, Falman is transferred to Northern Headquarters when Mustang's group is broken up by the homunculi. He is subsequently transferred again, this time to Briggs' Fortress where he is given what amounts to janitorial duties. There, he reunites with the Elric brothers, and helps them and Briggs' forces plan against the homunculi.ch. 23, 65 He is voiced by Takehiro Murozono in Japanese, and by Kyle Hebert in English.ep.5ep.5 In the new series, he is voiced by Kenji Hamada.ep.13
Kain Fury (ケイン・フュリー Kein Fyurī) is one of Roy Mustang's most trusted subordinates. He is overly kind in nature, both to people and to animals. He was recruited by Mustang for his technological expertise. As such, he primarily helps Mustang with communications, both in creating secure lines and tapping into others. He is transferred to Southern Headquarters when Mustang's group is broken up by the homunculi. In the manga, he eventually defects from the military so that he can help Mustang overthrow King Bradley.ch. 61 His seiyu is Tetsu Shiratori, and his English voice actor is Kevin M. Connolly.ep.13 In the new series, he is voiced by Tetsuya Kakihara.ep.13
Jean Havoc (ジャン・ハボック Jan Habokku) is one of Roy Mustang's most trusted subordinates. He is usually seen smoking a cigarette, something that Arakawa developed prior to the series' start to help Mustang to create fire to fight homunculus Lust.[9] He was recruited by Mustang for his loyalty and general sincerity, as well as his above average shooting skills. Because working for Mustang requires moving frequently and a complete dedication of time, Havoc has very little free time, and cannot maintain a relationship with a woman for very long.ch. 61 In the manga, he unknowingly dates Lust, who tries to extract information about Mustang from him.ch. 38 She is unsuccessful, and eventually reveals her true identity to him. In the course of the attempt to kill her, Havoc is severely injured when Lust stabs him through the spinal cord, leaving the lower half of his body completely paralyzed.ch. 41 Havoc is then encouraged to find another way to help their cause and later provides his support by supplying Mustang with whatever supplies they may need from his family's store.ch. 89 In the second anime, he is healed by Marcoh's Philosopher's Stone. Yasunori Matsumoto is his Japanese voice actor, and Mike McFarland his English voice actor.ep.13ep.13 In the new series, his voice is provided by Yuji Ueda.ep.13
Riza Hawkeye (リザ・ホークアイ Riza Hōkuai) is Roy Mustang's most trusted and dearest subordinate. She often carries out many of the tasks he is too lazy to do, acts as his personal assistant, and protects him from danger.ch. 4 She also doubles as his voice of reason, keeping cool in heated situations, and scolding him when he allows his emotions to get in the way. Riza and Roy seem to share a close relationship as she identifies him as her most precious person.ch. 39 Riza specializes in firearms, particularly sniper rifles, and can hit nearly any target with lethal accuracy.ch. 7 In the series, she adopts a dog named Black Hayate (ブラックハヤテ Burakkuhayate) that she raises with stern discipline; when Hayate urinates indoors, she fires a number of warning rounds at the wall around the dog to reinforce that doing so is against established protocol.vol. 3:Gaiden
While Riza does not extend far past the role of Mustang's subordinate in the first anime, she takes on a more central role in the manga. In the form of a tattoo on her back, Riza bears the final notes to her father's work on Flame Alchemy, and his legacy as an alchemist and Mustang's teacher. After seeing what Mustang was capable of during the Ishbal War, Riza begs Roy to burn the tattoo, fearing the damage another flame alchemist could cause.ch. 61 Riza is reassigned as King Bradley's personal assistant to be used as a hostage when Mustang learns the homunculi control the State.ch. 52 When she discovers that King Bradley's adopted son, Selim, is a homunculus as well, she sends her discovery to Mustang in code as soon as she can. She eventually defects from the military to help Mustang overthrow King Bradley.ch. 74 She is voiced by Michiko Neya in Japanese and by Colleen Clinkenbeard in English.ep.5ep.5 In the second anime series, she is voiced by Fumiko Orikasa.ep.1
Maes Hughes (マース・ヒューズ Māsu Hyūzu) is an old friend of Roy Mustang's. He works in the military's intelligence division, but spends much of his time using the military phone lines to brag to Mustang about his family. After his daughter, Elicia, is born, he fawns about how cute and talented she is and bombards others with pictures of her when he sees them. Despite his over-the-top comical tendencies, Hughes is a valuable ally to Mustang's goal of becoming Führer, supplying whatever classified intelligence that may be beneficial. He has also been shown to be a capable fighter, skilled with throwing knives. His general understanding of others' emotions and desire to help them similarly gains the affection of the Elric brothers and their friend Winry Rockbell, as he always offers advice or hospitality to them when they need it.ch. 14 During one of his attempts to help the Elrics, Hughes learns of the homunculi's control over the country. However, he is shot and killed by Envy, disguised as Hughes' wife, Gracia.ch. 15 This leads Mustang to further investigate the truth for himself, in hopes of finding the one responsible for Hughes' death.ch. 16 His death as described by Arakawa was the moment where "everyone who read it cried" and so she had to apologize to readers and her assistant for such an event.[4] In the Japanese series he is voiced by Keiji Fujiwara, and in the English dub by Sonny Strait.ep.5ep.5
Yoki (ヨキ) is, when first introduced, a corrupt member of the military who imposes heavy taxes on the town of Youswell, bankrupting its citizens. When the Elric brothers arrive in town, they trick Yoki into giving up ownership of the town and promptly report his actions to the military.ch. 2 He is stripped of his rank and lives as a homeless person on the outskirts of Central, where he meets the fugitive Scar. In the first anime, Yoki alerts the military to Scar's location to regain his position and, in the subsequent raid to apprehend Scar, is killed by Lust. In the manga, Yoki is forced to work for Scar under the threat of death. Though he tries to convince those they encounter that Scar is his servant, Yoki does as Scar commands and calls him "master." Since he has started following Scar around the country, Yoki has assumed a role as comic relief, often having pain inflicted upon him when he tries to seem superior to others.ch. 33 Kazuki Yao voices him in Japanese, and Barry Yandell in English.ep.9ep.9
A chimera (合成獣(キメラ) kimera) is an alchemical fusion between two or more beings.ch. 1 While the vast majority of chimera seen in Fullmetal Alchemist are a cross between two animals, some are humans that have been crossed with an animal. These experiments, performed in secret by the State Military to dispose of injured soldiers or those that have taken part in secret missions, endow the human with abilities reminiscent of the animal.ch. 27
A group of chimeras work for the homunculus Greed during the series. Bido (ビドー Bidō) was crossed with a lizard, allowing him to sneak around and climb surfaces with ease. Because of this, he is tasked primarily with intelligence gathering and relies on others to defend him.ch. 25 In the first anime, he is killed during the military's attempt to capture Greed. In the manga, he encounters Lin Yao, the new Greed, who, having no recollections of Bido, kills him.ch. 82 Dolcetto (ドルチェット Doruchetto, "Dorochet" in the first English anime) was crossed with a dog, giving him an enhanced sense of smell and an unwavering loyalty to Greed. Roa (ロア, "Law" in the first English anime and "Loa" in the English manga) was crossed with a bull, giving him greater strength and allowing him to transform into a humanoid bull. He and Dolcetto are killed by the homunculi while trying to defend Greed. Martel (マーテル Māteru, "Marta" in the first English anime) was crossed with a snake, and thus can stretch and contort her body to great effect. She uses this ability during her introduction to infiltrate Alphonse Elric's hollow armor body and control it from the inside. She remains in Al's body for much of her role in the series, the most prominent reason being that she is safe while in there. In the manga and second anime, Martel is killed during King Bradley's attempt to capture Greed, while being inside Alphonse.ch. 30 In the first anime, Martel survives this raid and accompanies Al in his various endeavors. She is ultimately killed by Bradley in much the same way as in the manga, though not before informing Al that Bradley is a homunculus.ep.40
A total of four chimeras are introduced in the manga and the second anime series as Solf J. Kimblee's bodyguards. However, they decide to defect from Kimblee and join the Elrics to stop Father. Zanpano (ザンパノ, "Zampano" in the anime) and Jelso (ジェルソ Jeruso, "Jerso" in the anime) are tasked with capturing Scarch. 72, and can transform into a humanoid porcupine who has the ability to fire spines from his back and a humanoid frog-like creature who has the ability to fire sticky globs of mucus, respectively.ch. 73 Darius (ダリウス Dariusu) and Heinkel (ハインケル Hainkeru), who are first instructed by Kimblee to help him fight and apprehend Edward Elric,ch. 77 can transform into a humanoid gorilla and lion, respectively.ch. 76
The Ishbalans (イシュヴァール人 Ishuvāru-jin, "Ishvalans" in the second anime) are a religious people, characterized by their brown skin and red eyes. The majority of their population were slaughtered by the State Military during the Ishbalan Civil War. The few survivors live as criminals and refugees in various slums across the country, usually leaping at the opportunity to fight against Amestrians.ch. 7 In the manga, with the help of Ishbalan refugees, the corrected transmutation circle was activated by Scar and helped return powers to the Alchemists.ch. 105 Mustang and his team work to rebuild Ishbal in the end.ch. 108 In the first anime, the reformed Amestris give the Ishbalan people their land back after King Bradley's death.ep.51
Scar (スカー Sukā), also known as the "Scarred Man" (傷の男 Kizu no Otoko), is one of the survivors of the Ishbalan Extermination Campaign.ch. 6 Depicted in the manga as an Ishbalan warrior priest, Scar was a capable fighter who desperately tried to save whomever he could from the State Military onslaught. However, Kimblee's enhanced alchemical attacks were too much. Scar's brother, who had been researching Amestrian alchemy and Xingese alkahestry in an attempt to gain power against the State, gives Scar his right arm in order to save his life.ch. 61
Xing (シン国 Shin-koku), a country far away from Amestris, is introduced in the manga and the second anime series. Its people are Asian in appearance, and are split into fifty clans under the rule of a single emperor. The emperor has fathered a prince or princess for each of the fifty families. In the current storyline, the emperor is in failing health, and his children, whose families are not in good standing, seek to earn his trust in his final days. Two of his children, Prince Lin Yao and Princess May Chang, go to Amestris in separate attempts to find the fabled Philosopher's Stone and gain immortality, hoping that doing so will convince the emperor to make them his successor.ch. 32
Fu (フー Fū, "Who" in the Japanese manga[10]) is one of Lin Yao's bodyguards. He is an older man and the grandfather of Lin's other bodyguard, Lan Fan. Though committed to his duties and stern in nature, he cries for his granddaughter after learning that she sacrificed her arm for their prince. He leaves his prince's side for an extended period of time when helping Maria Ross escape to Xing, and again when taking Lan Fan to get automail surgery.ch. 41 Despite this, Fu remains deeply loyal to his prince and is determined to bring back to Xing, Lin and the immortality he has gained.ch. 63 He is killed by Bradley while trying to protect Lin from the homunculus.ch. 99 He is voiced by Katsunosuke Hori in Japanese and Kenny Green in English.ep.15
Lan Fan (ランファン Ranfan, "Ranfun" in the Japanese manga[11]) is one of Lin Yao's bodyguards. She is the granddaughter of Lin's other bodyguard, Fu, and is implied by Lin to be younger than Lin is. She is a skilled fighter despite her age, and can keep up with or defend against seasoned warriors. She is fiercely protective of her prince, and instantly attacks anyone who speaks poorly of him.ch. 34 This makes for a weakness in battle; by insulting Lin in some way, her opponent can break her usually perfect battle form and leave her open to attack. While protecting Lin, Lan Fan is severely injured by King Bradley, having to amputate her arm in order to escape. After regaining consciousness, she and her grandfather leave Lin so that she can get automail surgery to replace her arm.ch. 63 The moment her surgery is complete and she has recovered to the point of being able to move (though not to the point of having complete control of her new arm), she rushes to Lin's side to start protecting him once again.ch. 87 Her Japanese voice actress is Nana Mizuki and her English voice actress is Trina Nishimura.ep.15
Lin Yao (リン・ヤオ Rin Yao, "Ling Yao" in the first Viz's volumes and the second anime) is the twelfth prince of Xing, and represents the Yao Clan. He meets Edward Elric soon after arriving in Amestris, whom he aggravates by being both younger and taller than him. He also tends to leave Edward with pricey dinner bills before quietly slipping away. Despite his laid-back, goofy, and undignified personality, Lin is a skilled swordsman who keeps a cool head in hostile situations.ch. 33 His major ambition is to replace his father as Xing's new emperor, and as such operates under the belief that power can not be obtained without the people's support. He is very close to his bodyguards, Lan Fan and Fu, often showing greater concern for their safety than finding immortality and becoming emperor.ch. 46 Throughout the series, Lin's ongoing search for immortality in Amestris results in numerous encounters with the homunculi, whom he can sense like other Xingese characters. He eventually becomes a homunculus himself so as to become immortal, relinquishing his body to Greed without any resistance.ch. 54 However, they eventually come to an agreement to the point where Lin can take control when he feels it is necessary.ch. 86 During the final battle, Greed is separated from Lin's body and following his defeat, Lin returns to Xing and becomes the new emperor, uniting all the nation's segregated clans under his rule.ch. 108 He is voiced by Mamoru Miyanoep.15 in the Japanese version and Todd Haberkorn in English.
May Chang (メイ・チャン Mei Chan) is the seventeenth princess of Xing who represents the Chang clan. Unlike Lin Yao, she comes to Amestris without any bodyguards, only having her small pet panda, Xiao Mei (シャオメイ Shao Mei, "Shao May" in the anime) that had gotten a disease to keep her from growing, keeping her small, to keep her company. May is particularly skilled in alkahestry (鍊丹術 rentanjutsu), a technique developed in Xing chiefly for medical purposes, but very similar to alchemy; by using throwing knives to create two transmutation circles, one at her intended target and one near herself, she can manipulate matter at a distance. She is somewhat imaginative in nature; when first hearing of Edward Elric's alchemical skills, she pictures him as a tall, handsome young man.ch. 32 When this is proven to be false upon actually meeting him, she proclaims that he intentionally misled her, and later falls in love with Alphonse Elric, also picturing his real form as a handsome man.ch. 62 Soon after arriving in Amestris on her search for immortality, May teams up with Scar, assisting him on his travels. For a time, she also unknowingly fights the Elric brothers before eventually teaming up with them as well to fight the homunculi in hope of finding the way obtain immortality.ch. 80 After Father's defeat, she returns to Xing alongside Lin and Lan Fan.ch. 108 Her Japanese seiyu is Mai Goto and her English voice actress is Monica Rial.ep.15
Barry the Chopper (バリー・ザ・チョッパー Barī za Choppā), a serial killer, earned infamy in Central for his butchering of many innocent people. In the manga and the second anime, he is captured sometime before the start of the series. In the first anime series, his spree is brought to an end by the Elric brothers. Though reported to have been executed, Barry's soul is actually removed from his body and bound to a suit of armor in one of the military's experiments. Labelled Number 66, he is subsequently assigned to guarding the 5th Laboratory, where he encounters the Elric brothers once again.ch. 12 When the 5th Laboratory is destroyed Barry flees and is then convinced to work with Roy Mustang. Arakawa remarks she enjoys drawing Barry and although she originally thought he would die in 5th Laboratory's explosion, she wanted to expand his character more.[9] While helping with drawing out the homunculi, Barry comes across his old human body, with the soul of an animal having been bound to it. Barry tracks it to the 3rd Laboratory and, to fulfill his dreams of butchering himself, he tries to kill his body, though his armor is destroyed by Lust before he can do so. While Barry is able to survive this, his original body destroys what is left of him by scratching through the seal that is connecting his soul to his armor.ch. 39 In the first anime, he becomes a mercenary and is ultimately killed by Scar.ep.24 Kentaro Ito voices him in the Japanese series, and Jerry Jewell in the English adaptation.ep.24ep.24 Hideyuki Umezu voices him in the new series.ep.7
Trisha Elric (トリシャ・エルリック Torisha Erurikku) is the deceased mother of Edward and Alphonse Elric. Her husband Van Hohenheim leaves her and their two sons behind to find a way to escape his immortality and achieve this goal.ch. 68 Trisha tries to last until his return, though she ultimately dies of an illness.ch. 85 Ed and Al attempt to revive her with human transmutation, but instead create a malformed entity that dies within moments of being created.ch.23 Hohenheim would later plant the suggestion that the creature was not the actual Trisha, leading to the conclusion it was Alphonse possessing a body shortly after losing his own.ch. 43, 45 In the first anime series, the failed creation becomes the homunculus Sloth.ep.42 Her seiyu is Yoshino Takamori, and her English voice actress is Lydia Mackay.ep.2ep.2
Rosé (ロゼ Roze, "Rose" in the English anime) is a young woman introduced at the very start of the series. She is a devout believer in her town's local faith, believing that serving the church would bring her dead boyfriend back to life. The Elric brothers' arrival in town opens Rosé's eyes to the church's corruption and forces her to realize her boyfriend cannot be resurrected.ch. 2 In the manga, she helps to rebuild the town, eventually reuniting with Alphonse Elric.ch. 80 In the first anime, she instead becomes the mute "Holy Mother" of the townspeople, giving them a symbol of guidance as they rise up against the State Military. Rosé loses her voice after being captured by a soldier of the military; it is strongly implied that she has been assaulted and raped by the soldiers, as she now has a baby.ep.41 She is later captured by Dante, whose purpose is to take over Rosé's body, but is later freed by Edward. Her voice actress in Japanese is Houko Kuwashima in the first series, and Satsuki Yukino in the second.ep.3 Colleen Clinkenbeard voices her in the English series.ep.1
Winry Rockbell (ウィンリィ・ロックベル Winrii Rokkuberu), a childhood friend of Edward and Alphonse Elric, lives in Resembool with her grandmother, Pinako Rockbell, who raised her after the death of her parents during the Ishbal War.ch. 9,24 In the manga series, her parents were killed by Scar in a blind rage, while in the first anime, they were executed by a younger Roy Mustang under Military order. Winry is a practicing and gifted automail mechanic, following in her grandmother's footsteps, continually designing and maintaining Edward Elric's automail prosthetics. In the manga, Winry is often used as an unwitting hostage by the homunculi to ensure the Elrics' subservience to the State.ch. 56 She is voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi and Caitlin Glass in the Japanese and English versions, respectively.ep.3ep.3 In the second series, she is voiced by Megumi Takamoto in Japaneseep.2, and Glass reprises her in the English version.
Action figures, busts, and statues from the Fullmetal Alchemist anime and manga have been created by leading toy companies, primarily Medicom and Southern Island. Medicom has created high end deluxe vinyl figures of the characters from the anime.[12] Other merchandise includes plushes, key-chains, straps and pins.[13][14][15] Apparels from the characters include the State Alchemists watches, necklaces and earrings.[16][17][18] Characters are also featured in a trading card game that was first published in 2005 by Joyride Entertainment.[19] Video games from the series also feature the characters, although in most of them the Elric brothers are the only playable characters.[20]
Several publications for anime, manga, and other media have provided praise and criticism to the characters from the series. Though the initial volumes were felt to be formulaic, Melissa Harper from Anime News Network noted that the series and characters grows in complexity as it progresses. She praised Arakawa for making all the characters designs unique and distinguishable, despite many of them wearing the same basic uniforms. Additionally, she liked the comedy of the characters, remarking that "Ed's facial expressions are probably the humorous highlight of the series."[21] Lori Lancaster from Mania Entertainment praised the designs from the anime as well as the facial expressions from the characters. He also added that their interactions are very entertaining, praising the way how Edward deals with his opponents and his friends, giving the anime a good balance between action and comedy.[22] Hilary Goldstein from IGN noted that the characterization of the protagonist Edward balances between being a "typical clever kid" and "a stubborn kid", successfully allowing him to float between the series more comical moments and its underlying drama without seeming false.[23]
Samuel Arbogast from T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews comments that the interaction between the Elric brothers as they travel is interesting, since humor is quite frequent rather than the constant grimness of many series. He also praises the fact that all the characters have distinct designs, even though some of them had the same uniforms.[24] Anime Boredom praised the characters for having a good balance between action, comedy and deep moments and remarked the emotional core of the development of the two main characters.[25] Maria Lin from Animefringe.com criticized the large number of sentimental scenes in the series, considering them "an abuse to make the viewers cry". She also mentioned that the characters had lack of development, such as Edward having the same beliefs during all the anime as he once again tried to revive people using alchemy. However, she noted the anime "has some of the freshest and most vibrant character designs since Naruto".[26]
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