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Questions tagged [fullmetal-alchemist-series]

Use this tag for all entries in the Fullmetal Alchemist ("Hagane no Renkinjutsushi") franchise, including the manga by Hiromu Arakawa and both related anime series (Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood (2010)).

FMA characters, from front to back: Edward Elric, Alexander Louis Armstrong, Alphonse Elric, Roy Mustang, Winry Rockbell, Riza Hawkeye, and Scar

This tag should be used for questions about the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, movies, light novels, and both anime series (Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood). In your question, specify which medium your question is about (per these meta posts: 1 and 2).

214 questions
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Why is Wrath so human?

As we know, the homunculi can heal themselves and don't age because of the philosopher's stone. However, Wrath doesn't seem able to heal and he gets older, despite being a homunculus. I always thought that's because he is a human who was turned…
looper
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How did the birds come back to life when Envy arrived?

After Cornello had been eaten by Gluttony, the townspeople search for him but find a lot of dead birds. Envy arrives as Cornello and passes off a miracle and claims that the Cornello who had been "conning" everyone was sent by the devil while "he"…
Memor-X
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How did Homunculus come into being?

In FMA, the being that became Father, the one known originally as Homunculus or the Dwarf in the Flask, seemed to have been created by Van Hohenheim's master using some of Van Hohenheim's blood. Is the creation ever explained in any greater detail?
kuwaly
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How similar is Hohenheim (FMA) to the real Hohenheim?

Hohenheim in FMA is based on a real person also named Hohenheim. How similar are the character from anime and the real person, and how do they diverge?
xjshiya
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What are the transmutation circles in Fullmetal Alchemist based on, if anything?

The transmutation circles in Fullmetal Alchemist always looked familiar to me, but I could never place my finger on why. What, if anything, are they based on?
getynge
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How do alchemists draw transmutation circles?

In FMA, alchemists draw transmutation circles that are made up of perfect circles and regular polygons. Is it ever show how they make perfect circles and entirely equal angles? I know that it is difficult to free-hand draw things like that. Is…
kuwaly
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What's the difference between Father, Van Hohenheim, and the main Homunculi?

After rewatching most of FMA: Brotherhood, I'm a bit confused. In Episode 40, Van Hohenheim explained that he's a humanoid form of the Philosopher's Stone. What difference does it make from the main Homunculi (Pride, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, and…
Z..
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How did Alphonse recover his pre-gate memories?

In FMA: Brotherhood, Alphonse recover the memories he lost after going through the Gate, by having Martel's blood spattered over his own blood seal (the one that binds his soul to his armor), and is, henceworth, able to use the knowledge inherent to…
Eric Wu
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Why did Edward not wear a uniform?

As far as I know, Edward Elric is the only State Alchemist who doesn't wear a uniform. Why was he treated differently? Did he have a special rank or something? This is Edward current 'Uniform' These are some state alchemist, all of them wearing a…
Darjeeling
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Why can't The Dwarf leave the flask?

The Dwarf in the Flask, of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is seen trapped within a flask during his first appearance. At one point in the series, The Dwarf states that his greatest wish is to leave the flask (from FMA Wikia): Being a homunculus…
Cattua
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How did the characters learn alchemy?

How did the characters gain their power to perform alchemy in FMA:Brotherhood? Is it genetic, or is it something that can be learned? After all, not everyone in the series can use alchemy.
Darjeeling
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What does the "503 day" refer to?

In multiple fanarts and fanfic websites of Full Metal Alchemist, I have seen mentions of the "503 day". Here's an example: I did read and watch Full Metal Alchemist and Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood and I do not remember any mention of such a…
Ikaros
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How does binding a soul to an armor suit allow the suit to move?

We know a couple of characters whose souls are bound to armor suits, e.g. Alphonse or Barry the Chopper. It was explicitly shown that the armor suits have nothing inside - which means they are just pieces of metal with an rune that binds the soul to…
SingerOfTheFall
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Why does Major Armstrong sparkle?

I don't remember seeing any reasoning behind why Major Armstrong sparkles (although I've only ever seen the first anime series; I haven't read the manga nor seen the Brotherhood anime series). Also, when we meet other members of his family, they…
Danalog
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How can alchemy be used in another dimension?

At one point, Ed, Al, and Ling end up in a battle involving Gluttony. Then, Ed, Ling, and Envy are swallowed by Gluttony, which lands them in another dimension. It is also stated more than once that alchemists use the energy from the movement of…
Cattua
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