Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is considered by most anime fans to be a mandatory watch, and it’s easy to see why this is the case. The stories of the Elric brothers as they try to get their body back after a botched human transmutation serves as a brilliant setup for a show that is full to the brim with some truly unforgettable and legendary moments that anime fans still look back on fondly to this day… barring one particular horrible moment that has become infamous in pop culture.
A big part of what makes Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood such an immensely watchable series is the fact that the series is full to the brim with some of the best and most memorable characters in anime history, with the main cast itself being an absolute treat to witness in every sense of the word. The character arcs of these people end up driving both their own personal stakes as well as the overarching plot itself, although one has to admit that some arcs are simply better than others.
Keeping this in mind, here are all the main characters of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood ranked in terms of how compelling their character arcs really are.
Mei Chang
It’s a testament to the brilliant writing of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood that even a character who’s at the very last position on this list still ends up being a highly captivating individual… even though she may only be a mere idealistic child.
That being said, Mei still ends up being a rather charming addition to the cast when she’s introduced, with her over-the-top personality and her goofy actions leading to some of the more light-hearted moments in the series.
Lin Yao
Another goofy personality who actually ends up hiding a far more sinister side as the series progresses, Lin Yao is an intriguing character who certainly adds a ton of flavor to the proceedings of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
From becoming a receptacle for Greed in order to become immortal to realizing the hubris of his own actions and becoming the new emperor of Xing, Lin Yao certainly came into his own as a character with the progression of the series.
Winry Rockbell
The automail expert of the series is also one of the kindest characters on the entire show who always had a soft spot for Edward Elric, before eventually marrying him by the end of the series.
The manner in which Winry’s character manages to evolve on her own terms without having to be tied down by the constraints of the plot is truly one of the best parts of her character, with her appearances always coming off as a breath of fresh air every time she takes center-stage.
Alphonse Elric
The younger Elric brother is the one who eventually ends up losing his body after a botched human transmutation, but it’s the manner in which he powers through as a suit of armor without dwelling on his past too much that ultimately cements Alphonse Elric as a brilliant character.
While his kind-hearted nature remains pretty consistent for a majority of the series, one has to admit that he doesn’t really develop much as a character aside from a heartwarming moment or two. The bulk of the character development in between the Elric brothers ends up going to the elder one, instead.
Izumi Curtis
The woman who ended up teaching the Elric brothers all the basics of alchemy also pretty much led them down a line she’d already gone through before when she herself tried to revive her stillborn son through the method of human transmutation.
This failed alchemical experiment ultimately led to the removal of her reproductive organs and a weakened body that would serve as the bane of her existence… until she met Van Hohenheim during her travels and had her internal organs rearranged in order to prevent her body from coughing up blood any more.
Van Hohenheim
The father of the Elric brothers was missing for the longest time from before the beginning of the series, for reasons that were unknown for a while. However, as the truth of Van Hohenheim was finally revealed to the Elric brothers and the viewers, everyone realized the burden he had been carrying for so long.
It was his attempt to place the shards of the Philosopher’s Stone all over Amestris that ultimately thwarted Father’s plan and ultimately allowed Van Hohenheim to die peacefully at Trisha’s grave.
Father
At a glance, Father might seem like nothing more than a cliched villain who only seeks power for the sake of it, but it’s the manner in which he justifies that diabolical plan that truly makes him one of the best antagonists in anime history.
The bond he forms with Van Hohenheim and the manner in which he hatches his plot following a host of events is truly remarkable and serves as one of the highlights of the series.
Roy Mustang
Roy Mustang is easily one of the coolest characters on the entire show by a mile, in no small part due to his amazing fire alchemy that is very much a trademark of this character.
Of course, only identifying Roy Mustang through his alchemical powers would be doing a huge disservice to a character who has gone through a ton of powerful personal moments in the series, with the death of his friend Maes Hughes being a massive turning point in this regard.
Scar
Out of all the main characters in the series, one can argue that Scar was the one who truly went through the most strife in the series, with the mark on his face serving as a reminder of all the trials and tribulations he faced early on.
From the injustices he faced at the hands of Major Kimblee to the manner in which he was misunderstood by the Elric brothers — Scar’s tale is a tragic one indeed and serves as one of the most compelling narratives in the entire show.
Edward Elric
It was only a given that a character who is considered by many to be one of the greatest protagonists in anime history would also have the most compelling character in Fullmetal Alchemist — a show that is technically named after Edward as well.
Edward and Alphonse’s journey throughout the series is one that is truly compelling for all the right reasons, with each major chapter in the series serving as a challenge for Edward’s train of thought and allowing him to grow as an individual in a manner seldom seen in most anime.
Fullmetal Alchemist is considered by many to be one of the greatest shows of all time, and Edward Elric is a major reason for this.
