Top 10 Best Fullmetal Alchemist Characters

Fullmetal Alchemist is a manga series that was adapted into two anime series in 2003 and 2009. The series is set in a world where alchemy is both an advanced scientific technique and a magical one.

The story follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are on a quest to find the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies.
The Top Ten
1 Edward Elric Edward Elric, commonly nicknamed Ed, is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

I can't even put into words how much I love him. His character is so beautiful, deep, complex, and real. I cry when he is sad, especially during the scene in the rain, when he's digging up the remains of what he and Al transmuted. The rain makes him woozy, yet he still keeps going, only to finally dig up the remains and realize... it's not even his mother. The thing he transmuted is not even his mother. My heart completely broke when he looked at Pinako, his voice shaking, and said, "Granny? Mom's hair was a light, chestnut brown. This is black!" I just wanted to break down and cry, while hugging him and telling him that he was going to be alright. I love him so much. He has my heart with his beautiful personality and how strong he is emotionally... I've fallen hard for the FullMetal Alchemist.

2 Roy Mustang Roy Mustang is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Next to Edward, Roy Mustang is my second favorite character. Why? Not only is he a badass, but he's also got the brains as well. He (alongside Riza) was able to outsmart many enemies throughout their encounters in the anime. For instance, using a personality quirk to fool Envy in Episode 53 or using a dummy to fake Maria Ross's death early in the anime. His main flaw is arguably vengeance, as he was trying to avenge a dead friend of his (Maes Hughes to Envy) and Scar (of all people) is the one to make him snap out of it.

Roy Mustang is actually my favorite character in the series. He has always been such a deep and complex character to me, and his goal to lead the country is not a selfish one, but one of love for his people. He wants to see Amestris succeed, and he wants to never have to take orders that could go against his beliefs ever again. He also has such a fierce determination to protect those he cares about. Roy Mustang is a true hero. I just wish he would buckle down and just ask Riza to marry him already.

3 Alphonse Elric Alphonse Elric, commonly called Al, is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

A really sweet guy with a big heart reserved for his brother. He's had it hardest but always seems to be able to keep pushing through it. He is Ed's balance, and if Ed didn't have Al by his side, then Ed would be well and truly dead by now, and we wouldn't have this awesome series!

Sorry, but I've got some negatives: I was shocked to find that in the 2003 version (pretty sure it's 2003, and maybe Brotherhood as well), in Japanese, Al is voiced by a girl!

Negatives aside, Al is the crazy cat guy that may only be in this world as a soul, but his armour is strong, and his calm and collected manner is what makes him loved by so many. A tribute to Alphonse Elric!

4 Riza Hawkeye Riza Hawkeye is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Riza is my favorite character. She is strong, calm, really professional, but at the same time, she is really warm, kind, loyal, selfless, and a protective woman. She has amazing skills with guns, and I can say that she really has Hawk's eyes. I ship her and Roy so much. They are perfect together. I love how she has to save him on rainy days, and how she manages to make him look stupid sometimes. The idea that her father was Roy's alchemy teacher, and her tattoo on her back with the secrets of flame alchemy make this ship even stronger for me. RoyxRiza.

5 Maes Hughes Maes Hughes is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

We all loved him before he died. The sweet, a bit over-caring for his daughter, and surprisingly intelligent man. However, his death really put the nail in the coffin for favorite character status. Amazing and very well done character who I'll never forget.

Maes is perhaps the funniest character in the series. I was so pissed off when they had to kill him off, especially by Envy (who, in my opinion, is the Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender). I really think that this character needs to at least be in the top 4.

6 Ling Yao Ling Yao is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Dudes, Ling Yao is the funniest and most badass guy on the planet (tying with Greed for me). And he can certainly rival Gluttony if Gluttony sticks to food alone (that means no bark from trees, or whole houses and cars). He is so hilarious to watch, and I'm hungry when he's hungry (don't worry Ling, I also eat everything off the room service menu). But when he's serious, he totally changes into a badass, don't-mess-with-me-or-I'll-kick-your-ass-all-the-way-across-Amestris kind of guy.

He's also the best in sword dueling and is actually very smart but likes to hide it in his goofy and idiot facade. In other words, PERFECT. I'm so sad when he didn't make it to the top ten. I mean, come on people!

7 Winry Rockbell Winry Rockbell is a main supporting character of the Fullmetal Alchemist series. A close childhood friend of Edward and Alphonse Elric since their young life in Resembool, she is almost like a sister to the two and essentially their only family. An amateur surgeon and mechanical repair specialist/enthusiast,... read more

Her friendship with the Elric brothers and her budding relationship with Edward was one of my favourite things about Brotherhood. I loved how she was feminine, yet intelligent and badass (delivering a baby, anyone?). At the same time, she also helped to humanize things in a show filled with alchemists and homunculi. I love her!

She's the most important character to the show. She's always there to provide moral support or to fix Ed's Auto-mail. Deep down, she really loves him.

I don't know why people hate her so much. She's cute, funny, and helps Ed and Al get back on their feet. Show her some love, people!

8 Greed

Dude, who can go wrong with Greed? I mean, he's awesome, cool, and so badass! I love everything about him, especially his arrogant attitude and his grin. Oh, his grin! He can make you feel unsettled and in love just by smirking at you. And the fact that he joined bodies with Ling (who ties with Greed as my most favorite character) just made this duo the best there is! I thought for sure Greed would've at least ended up in the top 3 or 4 or something. And where's Ling? Why isn't he in this list? Guys, he deserves it!

Definitely one of the best characters in the series. While he is, like all the other homunculi, a personification of a certain flawed human trait, the interpretation of his personification of greed as both good and bad is insightful into how our own emotions are both flaws and strengths. Arakawa has talent when it comes to showing humanity in those that are questionably human, similar to earlier cinematic displays such as Ridley Scott and Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner.

9 Van Hohenheim

He seems like a jerk on the surface, but he actually cares about his wife and sons. He defends Al against Pride and his nasty comments. He offers himself as a sacrifice to get Al's body back and shows through his actions just how much he loves Ed. He's a pretty fantastic character.

He's, in my opinion, the most badass, overpowered, mysterious, and deep character in a series full of badass, overpowered, sometimes mysterious, and deep characters. The episode where you got to see his past was one of my favorite episodes in the whole series.

10 Envy

His characterisation of the sin he was embodying was, simply put, perfect. Even though he did kill Hughes, I found it very hard to hate him, as his character was done so well. Despite being a villain, he has great character depth and you create a sort of sympathy with him. His death, though it made me sad to see him leave, was on spot. His lines, the meanings, how he tries to get them against each other, and then his frantic screaming at the end, just hit the spot. The voice actor in Japanese was really talented, and I must say it made me like the ending a lot more. I also love how all the people trying to kill him also had some emotional baggage towards him, and they all wanted their own revenge for their own different reasons. His death was one of the most satisfying I have ever seen in any anime.

The Contenders
11 Pride

I've always thought Pride was a pretty well thought out villain. While he is pretty evil, it's clear by the end of the anime that he did it all to make his 'Father' proud. Also I've always thought it was cute that he truly did care for his adopted mother.

Probably one of the only anime villains to ever give me chills.

Wrath (aka King Bradley) is the coolest character in the show and one of the best villains ever. The quotes he comes out with are brilliant, just listen to him talk about god to the Ishvaland. And he is so Badass. Not to mention all of his fights scenes are the best in the show, especially the one with Scar.

12 Scar Scar is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

He started as a badass, merciless serial killer, but not without compassion, and gradually evolves into a sympathetic, caring, yet brutal ally and protagonist. He was a key component in stopping Father's master plan and in helping rebuild Ishval, as well as reform Amestris. Brutal, hardcore, mysterious, and powerful character. I loved that he changed his perspective and found a common enemy in the homunculi with the other heroes. Also very wise and enlightened. Glad he survived the end. Deserves top ten status, or at least placement above Kimblee.

13 Olivier Mira Armstrong Olivier Mira Armstrong is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Awesome, take-no-prisoners, badass, and tough-as-nails woman. She is so kick-ass and her harsh, devoted, and loyal demeanor, coupled with her subtle compassion, make her one of the best anime characters of all time! Riza is more chill and sweet, but I love Olivier's intensity.

Ever since she was introduced in the manga, I loved her character. She's a tough, badass, cold (ha, get it?), and intelligent person. Definitely a personal favorite of mine.

She proves that a woman can rule and be badass without a man.

14 Izumi Curtis Izumi Curtis is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Has all of the good qualities of Olivia Armstrong plus being the mentor of the Elric brothers. She truly and deeply cares for them in a sort of tough love kind of way and understands their trauma on a very personal level. 10/10 beautifully written character that I wish we saw more of.

She's incredibly funny and scary. Best character because she's powerful but does have a clear weakness. She's a tough but very loving and protective teacher who sees the Elric brothers more as her sons than just students.

Plus, she threw Sloth like he was a paper ball, which neither of the Armstrongs could do, and eight soldiers tried to hold him back, but they all failed. Plus, she took on Fort Briggs soldiers and won. The look on the Armstrongs' face when Izumi tossed Sloth was priceless.

15 Alex Louis Armstrong Alex Louis Armstrong is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Any moment with him is hilarious and amazing. He seems really gay, yet he's tall, buff, and manly. I like how he strongly takes down stereotypes!

Let me show you the popularity that has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations.

I won't quit voting for him until he makes number 1. These votes have been passed down the Armstrong line for generations.

16 Father

Why isn't this number 1? He practically squashed everyone combined...

17 Lust

She was great, especially in 2003. I felt that out of all the Homunculi, she was the most complex, three-dimensional character.

Depends on if you're talking about 03 Lust or Brotherhood Lust. She's amazing in 03, but in Brotherhood, she has no personality.

Lust should be WAY higher! She was so awesome!

18 Solf J. Kimblee Solf J. Kimblee is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Kimblee wasn't just the typical psychopathic character that you see in fiction. He truly believed in seeing what side the world would choose and made character observations about the Elric brothers and Pride along with morality. Seriously underrated.

Sociopaths are way cool, bro. At least, if all sociopaths are like Kimblee. Which they totally should be. He stole the show every time he showed up.

Personally, I felt like Kimblee was overhyped. Sure, he massacred Ishbal, but every time he fought after that, he got his ass kicked. He was a pretty good character, though.

19 King Bradley King Bradley is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.
20 Lan Fan Lan Fan is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

Number 21?! Are you flipping kidding me? I guess she was just a background character. I still believed that she had amazing potential, but the writer kind of decided to chuck her away. But I'm not mad at the writer for not making her a main character, because if they had to make all the interesting characters main ones, then that means that the background ones would simply be boring. So he made background characters have good character as well, which was great.

So underrated, she had more than enough potential to be more than a background-type character. She's a kickass ninja with a strong will, who's also loyal and trustworthy, but with a soft spot for the people she cares about. She's also fairly funny, like when she's eating or when she glares, haha! Overall, a strong character with a ton of untapped potential, and that's why I love her!

21 May Chang May Chang is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa.

She crossed the desert, and she is only twelve. She is so independent, strong, and a brave alchemist. Also, she takes care of everyone who needs help, even when she did not know the person.

She is the best. While aiming to save her own people, she fought to the end to save a foreign country with humility and kindness. My favourite!

Definitely doesn't deserve to be this low. So cute and funny! Well-done, interesting character.

22 Jean Havoc

Oh man, do I love this guy! Jean is my favorite of Mustang's team! He is such a well-rounded character with some pretty heartbreaking moments. I just wish we could have seen his struggle with getting his legs healed. That would've been so good to flesh him out even more!

The 2nd Lieutenant should be up this list! He is the big-breasts-loving and always heartbroken person. Don't you agree, Jacqueline?

Who doesn't love a smoker for comic relief?

23 Basque Grand
24 Barry the Chopper

In the manga/2009 series - When he was first introduced, I hated his guts (not that he had any... Haha) for what he did to Al. But somehow, this ax-crazy serial killer eventually became really funny and almost endearing, when he wasn't out killing people. I was actually really sad when he died...

This sounds awkward, but I love this character who loves murder (it's so weird because I usually don't like characters who kill that much)!

He made me laugh so much! His death was the saddest, in my opinion.

25 Paninya

She really deserved a lot more screen time, she only stole in order to pay back Mr. Dominic who helped her get auto mail for her legs but thanks to Winry she's managed to turn her life around.

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