Top 10 Best Fullmetal Alchemist Characters

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

The story follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are on a quest to find the Philosopher's Stone in order to restore their bodies.

The Top Ten

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. He is a State Alchemist who searches for the Philosopher's Stone to restore his brother's body after a failed alchemical experiment... read more

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.
Roy Mustang

Roy Mustang is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its anime adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is a State Alchemist with the title of Flame Alchemist due to his ability to create fire using alchemy. Mustang is a high-ranking officer in the military and plays a key... read more

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 ask Riza to marry him already.
Alphonse Elric

Alphonse Elric, commonly called Al, is a fictional character from the manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is the younger brother of Edward Elric and plays a central role in the series. Alphonse's soul is bound to a suit of armor after a failed alchemical experiment, which... read more

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. He is Ed's balance, and if Ed didn't have Al by his side, 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 who may only be in this world as a soul, but his armor is strong, and his calm and collected manner is what makes him loved by so many. A tribute to Alphonse Elric!

I love both brothers, but Alphonse is such a sweetheart. His kind and loving nature, his innocence, and willingness to help others are so charming and likable.
I will say that in the original series, Al was a very melodramatic character, and his existential crisis was more dragged out, ultimately becoming very annoying. I will also say his voice in the English dub of Brotherhood is far more dynamic and less irritating, fitting his innocent and soft demeanor well. Overall, the Elric Brothers are the best boys.
Riza Hawkeye

Riza Hawkeye is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its various adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is known as a loyal and skilled sharpshooter who serves as the trusted adjutant to Colonel Roy Mustang. Her character is central to the series' themes of duty, loyalty... read more

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, makes this ship even stronger for me. RoyxRiza.

One of my favourite characters in FMA, as well as my favourite female anime character of all time. What I love most about Hawkeye is that she is very loyal to her peers, especially to Mustang, as she is his right-hand woman for eternity.
Apart from that, she is very skilled and professional in her position within the military and always shows a level of kindness and heart towards others.
This woman right here is the definition of badass.
Ling Yao

Ling Yao is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations. He was created by Hiromu Arakawa. Ling is the twelfth prince of Xing and is known for his quest to find the Philosopher's Stone to secure his clan's future.

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 behind his goofy and idiot facade. In other words, PERFECT. I'm so sad he didn't make it to the top ten. I mean, come on, people!
Envy

His characterization of the sin he embodied was, simply put, perfect. Even though he did kill Hughes, I found it very hard to hate him because his character was done so well. Despite being a villain, he has great depth, and you develop a sort of sympathy for him.
His death, though it made me sad to see him go, was spot on. His lines, their meanings, how he tries to turn them against each other, and then his frantic screaming at the end, just hit the spot. The Japanese voice actor 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 had some emotional baggage toward him, and they all wanted their own revenge for different reasons. His death was one of the most satisfying I have ever seen in any anime.
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 on 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.
Maes Hughes

Maes Hughes is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and anime series, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Amestrian military and works in the Investigations Division. Known for his deep devotion to his family and close friendship with Roy Mustang, Hughes plays... read more

We all loved him before he died. He was a 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.
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.
Winry Rockbell

Winry Rockbell is a main supporting character in the Fullmetal Alchemist series. She is a childhood friend of Edward and Alphonse Elric and has been close to them since their early years in Resembool. She is considered like a sister to the brothers and is one of their few remaining family connections.... read more

Her friendship with the Elric brothers and her budding relationship with Edward was one of my favorite 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 is the most important character to the show. She is 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 is cute, funny, and helps Ed and Al get back on their feet. Show her some love, people!

The Newcomers

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Bido
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Jerso

The Contenders

Pride

I've always thought Pride was a 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. I also 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 Ishvalan. He is so badass. Not to mention all of his fight scenes are the best in the show, especially the one with Scar.
Olivier Mira Armstrong

Olivier Mira Armstrong is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series by Hiromu Arakawa. She also appears in its anime adaptations, including Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Known for her strict leadership and military prowess, she is the commanding officer of Fort Briggs.

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 have loved her character. She is 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.
Scar

Scar is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is an Ishvalan warrior who seeks revenge against the State Alchemists for the genocide of his people. Scar becomes a complex antihero throughout the series, often clashing with the... read more

He is the character who has grown the most in the anime. Starting as a serial killer with only hatred in his mind, he ended up helping to save the people around him and changing the country he initially hated.
He had his reasons (very consistent, to say the least) to seek revenge, but ended up understanding those around him, listening to them, changing his mind, and selflessly fighting to bring down the common foe. He is the kind of tough, strong-minded, and true guy this world misses a lot. I'd say he had a fullmetal heart since the very beginning.

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.
Izumi Curtis

Izumi Curtis is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is the teacher of the main characters, Edward and Alphonse Elric. Izumi is known for her strict discipline, powerful alchemy skills, and tragic backstory.

Izumi has all of the good qualities of Olivier Armstrong plus being the mentor of the Elric brothers. She truly and deeply cares for them in a 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. She's the best character because she's powerful but has 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. Eight soldiers tried to hold him back, but they all failed. She also took on Fort Briggs soldiers and won. The look on the Armstrongs' faces when Izumi tossed Sloth was priceless.
Solf J. Kimblee

Solf J. Kimblee is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its anime adaptations created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is known as the Crimson Alchemist and is infamous for his explosive alchemy techniques. Kimblee is a complex villain, admired for his philosophical views and dangerous... read more

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.
Alex Louis Armstrong

Alex Louis Armstrong is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and anime series created by Hiromu Arakawa. He holds the title of State Alchemist and is known as the Strong Arm Alchemist due to his powerful physique and combat abilities. Armstrong is both a skilled alchemist and a loyal... read more

Any moment with him is hilarious and amazing. He seems really gay, yet he is 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.
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 is amazing in 03, but in Brotherhood, she has no personality.

Lust should be WAY higher! She was so awesome!
May Chang

May Chang is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is a young alchemist from the eastern nation of Xing who uses alkahestry, a variation of alchemy. May travels to Amestris with her pet panda, Shao May, and becomes involved in the larger conflict... read more

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 does 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 favorite!

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

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

Lan Fan is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa. She serves as a loyal bodyguard to Prince Ling Yao of Xing. Lan Fan appears in both the 2003 and 2009 anime adaptations of the series, playing a significant role in several key story arcs.

Number 21?! Are you 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. 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 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, she's a strong character with a ton of untapped potential, and that's why I love her!
Gluttony

Why is Gluttony not at the top? He is an amazing, adorable character.
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 higher on 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?
King Bradley

King Bradley is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. In the story, he serves as the Führer of Amestris and is revealed to be one of the Homunculi. Bradley is known as Wrath in the 2009 anime adaptation Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood... read more

The least pathetic, the wisest, the most humble. Wrath is a great example of a complex and interesting villain with personal motive that honestly is debatable.

The most human of the homunculi and the most interesting and likeable.
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 do not like characters who kill that much!

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