Perhaps one of the most significant and powerful works of Arakawa Hiromu was "Fullmetal Alchemist." The author worked on manga for 9 years - from 2001 to 2010. Sometimes I can’t believe that such a heavy, sometimes terrifying plot was invented by a charming girl.
Heroes come to life
Filmed for the first time in 2003, this series caused a storm of emotions, tears, joy, deep empathy for the heroes. Two years later, Bones made a full-length film, where the characters of Steel Alchemist went to our world, which survived the years of World War II. Incredibly saturated with non-trivial events, the plot does not weaken attention for even a second.
In 2009, a re-released series titled "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" was released. The characters here are depicted as older, and the plot is more substantially closer to the original. The story was completed by the second full-length film describing this universe - “The Sacred Star of Milos”, released in mid-2011.
The main plot
The main characters of The Steel Alchemist are the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elrica. Having studied the basics of alchemy, they set out to bring to life a mother who died from a serious illness, however, this turned out to be a serious disaster for them. According to the law of equal exchange, the alchemist must give in return something that is equally significant to him. So, with an unsuccessful attempt at a forbidden resurrection, Edward lost his arm and leg, and Alphonse lost his whole body. The brother managed to seal the soul of the younger Elric in knightly armor. His lost limbs were replaced by car dentures. To correct mistakes and, first of all, to return the body to Alphonse, the brothers went in search of a mysterious philosopher's stone.
Screen Features
The list of characters in the anime and manga "Steel Alchemist" varies somewhat. So, in the 2003 TV series, Arakawa Hiroma allowed the scriptwriters of the studio to change some plot twists, seeing how the events could be turned in a different way. All were definitely satisfied.
So, the main characters of the anime “Fullmetal Alchemist” are divided into friends close to Elric, State Alchemists, homunculi, foreigners and others, episodic heroes. Moreover, due to the difference in plot twists, some confusion may occur. For example, in the 2003 version there are a number of characters independent of the original and the 2009 series. Let's get to know some of them.
Characters "Fullmetal Alchemist"
First of all, these are the Elric brothers - Alphonse and Edward, and their powerful father Van Hohenheim. An important role in the manga is played by the girlfriend of young alchemists - the cheerful Winry Rockbell, as well as Elric's teacher - Izumi Curtis. Among others, State Alchemists and homunculi created artificially take part in the series. Consider the manga characters in more detail.
A family
Edward Elric is a young alchemist. A guy of medium height, with blond hair braided in a braid and yellow eyes. Very talented and smart. He does not like his father for leaving his family. Having lost his right hand and left foot while trying to resurrect his mother, he was forced to master auto prostheses. He loves his younger brother immensely and is ready for anything to return his lost body to him. Extremely violently reacts to humorous remarks about his growth. It is difficult to restrain emotions, therefore it often enters into thoughtless skirmishes. Loyal to loved ones, appreciates life. He became the youngest State Alchemist.
Alphonse Elric is Edward's younger brother. A fair-haired and fair-eyed young man, but above his closest relative. Because of this, Al was often perceived as an elder. Attached to the huge knightly armor, the guy’s soul became even more closed. The gentle character of Alphonse is manifested in love for his brother, friends, animals. Especially for cats. He also masterfully owns alchemy, and develops his skills in the course of events. Great in hand-to-hand combat. Elrics are inseparable in all adventures.
Van Hohenheim is the oldest alchemist and father of Ed and Al. The first homunculus called the Father was created from his blood (the character is present in the manga and anime produced in 2009). The latter taught Hohenheim literacy and alchemy. Their bodies are filled with the souls of the inhabitants of the ancient state of Xerxes, sacrificed for the sake of creating a philosopher's stone.
Close
Winry Rockbell is the same age as Edward. High cheesy blonde. Since childhood - a close friend of the brothers who lived in the neighborhood. Both were in love with her, however, she sympathizes with the elder. The girl is the hereditary creator of the auto-armor - mechanical prostheses, which for several generations were made by her family. Winry is strong enough physically. He has a responsive heart and eagerly helps those in need. He is very sensitive to his metal offspring and does not tolerate their damage. He is well versed in anatomy and often helps out heroes.
Izumi Curtis is a very talented alchemist and an incredibly beautiful woman - strong and formidable. She was a strict teacher of the Elrik brothers and taught them a lot. Once she tried to resurrect her dead child, but lost many of her internal organs. She experiences deep mental and physical pain, but she tries not to show it.
State Alchemists
Roy Mustang is a fiery alchemist. In the army of the state of Amestris, where the main events unfold, he has the rank of colonel. This is a handsome dark-haired young man with a gaze. Extremely restrained, trying not to show emotions. At the same time, he deeply experiences events during the war in the state of Ishwar, in particular, his own crimes against humanity. Only his closest friend and secret beloved Riza Hawkeye knows about his true feelings. Edward Elric serves under him.
Riza Hawkeye is Roy Mustang's assistant and personal bodyguard. A young woman with blond hair and dark eyes, athletic and very collected. Great with any kind of firearm. Experiencing because of the horrors of the civil war in Ishvara. However, he does not leave the army in order to prevent the recurrence of such a nightmare. To the depths of his soul he empathizes with Colonel Mustang, with whom he is also secretly in love.
King Bradley - Fuhrer Amestris. One of the oldest homunculi (Pride - in the 2003 series, Anger - in the 2009 version), created on the basis of a human being. A handsome dark-haired man wears a mustache and a blindfold covering his left eye. The body lends itself to aging. The hidden eye has the gift of absolute vision. Skillfully owns sabers. Her dream is to give real life to all homunculi. He has a wife and an adopted son. Humane enough, with a sense of humor.
Alex Louis Armstrong is a major in the army of alchemists with incredible physical strength. At the same time, the giant is extremely sentimental and kind-hearted, likes to grab handsome people in his arms and expose his torso, demonstrating the power of muscles. The Armstrong family is very ancient, and the strong alchemist is proud of him. Very attached to the Elric brothers.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Names of Homunculus Characters
- Envy - created by Van Hohenheim while trying to resurrect his son and Dante (2003). Looks like a pretty dark-haired young man with an evil grin. He hates people, in particular, his creator, who left him, and the Elrik brothers. Her dream is to become a man one day.
- Lust is an entity with a very beautiful and seductive feminine appearance. Brunette with a deep neckline. It was created by Scar's brother in an unsuccessful attempt to resurrect her lover. Very agile, cold and ruthless. Turns into deadly blades of fingers. He wants to become a man.
- Gluttony is an immense and eternally hungry homunculus. Able to eat anything. Mental development resembles a young child, driven only by instincts. The only weakness is Lust, to which it is attached, as to a mother.
- Sloth - a homunculus in the form of a beautiful woman - secretary of the Fuhrer (2003). Created by brothers Elric in an attempt to resurrect a mother. Turns hands into water lashes. According to the manga and anime of 2009, this is a huge black-haired homunculus digging a tunnel under Amestris. Extremely fast.
- Anger - see King Bradley (2009). In the first film adaptation - the essence that appeared after the resurrection of the child Izumi.
- Pride - see King Bradley (2003). In the manga and anime, King Bradley's son is Salim.
- Greed is a dark-haired rebel homunculus, turning the body into Absolute armor. In two adaptations, these are different characters of The Steel Alchemist.
Other characters
Scar is the brother of the alchemist who survived the Ishwari war, who gave him his hand with a tattoo of the alchemical circle. Revenge the military for the death of his people. On the face has a cruciform scar. The hero changes a lot as the plot develops.
Dante is a character present only in the 2003 version. An elderly woman who taught Izumi alchemy. More than 400 years ago, she was the lover of Van Hohenheim. Created a series of homunculi, so that they mined for her philosophical stones to extend life. Aging, moving to other bodies.
Of course, this is not a complete list of characters. “Fullmetal Alchemist” is full of bright original characters, unexpected turns of events, revealed in a new way by people and other entities of the described world. It is interesting to read about the ideas laid down by the mangaka in the storylines, as well as to observe alternative adventures that have come from the pen of other scriptwriters.
Without a doubt, in the anime “Fullmetal Alchemist” and “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, the list of characters is so multifaceted that every viewer will find a hero to his liking!