Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most tragic and heartwarming stories in the history of the medium. It's spawned multiple live-action movies, with one releasing later in 2022, multiple anime, and a long-running manga that's kept fans intrigued for decades.
Given its prominence and the love fans hold for the series, many die-hard fans have looked over Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood countless times over the years, picking it apart to find all the little secrets that the series might hold. Fortunately, there are many.
Ed's Growth
Ed will likely always be remembered as one of the strongest anime protagonists of all time, but he's also often regarded as one of the shortest — in both temper and height. But, while often thought of as a "pipsqueak", Edward Elric does actually grow throughout the series, and not just in the metaphorical sense.
In a way that isn't particularly highlighted by the anime, Ed's height slowly increases over the course of the series, as he ages. He has a particularly large spike after his injury in his fight with Kimblee. It's just another little detail that really adds some realism to the story and makes Ed feel a lot more relatable.
Human Transmutation Is The Reason Ed Is Short
But, if his height is meant to make Ed relatable, the cause certainly isn't. Though fans may have assumed it was simply Ed refusing to drink his milk that kept him from growing, the real reasons were much darker.
As another tragic element of their experiment with human transmutation, Ed's body was unable to grow because of his relationship with Alphonse and his automail. Because Ed and Al had one of the best friendships in Fullmetal Alchemist, Ed was always happy to claim that he was eating for both of them, and he really was. Ed was fueling Al's body from beyond the Gate and helping to keep him alive. Additionally, the heavy weight of Ed's automail meant his body couldn't grow as easily. It was only when Winry decreased the percentage of chrome in the automail that Ed could really grow.
Timeline of the Series
The timeline of Fullmetal Alchemist isn't always explained in detail, so it can be hard to comprehend. Fortunately, die-hard fans have run through the show enough times to figure out the gist. With Trisha Elric dying in 1904, the brothers attempted to resurrect her six years later, and the final battle with the Sins ends in 1915.
This means that every event shown in the series takes place over the course of only 11 years, and the vast majority of the show's content occurs over only five. It's a heartbreakingly short amount of time, and it made fans realize just how much of the brothers' childhood was dedicated to rewriting the wrongs of the past.
Ed's Handedness
In one of the scariest moments in anime, Ed lost his right hand to bring his brother back and fuse his soul into a suit of armor. What many fans don't know is that, prior to losing his arm, Ed was originally right-handed. In the year between Ed meeting Roy Mustang and becoming a State Alchemist, he had to do more than just train and get used to his alchemy. Ed also had to learn to become ambidextrous.
It's less of a tragedy than most other aspects of the human transmutation, but Ed's handedness is just another sharp reminder of the cost the two boys paid to try — and fail — to bring their mom back.
Two Movies On The Way
Many fans may not know it, but Fullmetal Alchemist actually has two more films on the way, with one set to premiere on May 20th and another intending to premiere on June 24th, 2022. The films are intended to showcase the Elric brothers' fights with Scar and the final battle against the Sins.
With the movies ready to showcase some of the best fights from Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, it's likely that they'll have some fun content and interesting drama for fans to enjoy.
Izumi Cameos Early in Brotherhood
In the ninth episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the esteemed teacher of the Elric brothers actually appears in the background of a scene with her husband by her side. When Winry steps off the train in Central and shouts for Major Armstrong, the two spouses walk behind her.
While it's a fun cameo, it does add a bit of a layer to the terrifying teacher. Was she in Central, looking after rumors of the Fullmetal Alchemist? Was she trying to do some sleuthing of her own? Did she hear about a human transmutation attempt made by State Alchemists? It's a great moment, and it adds a lot of questions and intrigue to the character.
The Original Anime's Ending
Whereas Brotherhood ends with the brothers restoring their bodies and stopping the Homunculi for good, the finale of the 2003 anime doesn't have quite the same happy ending. Instead of restoring Alphonse to a teenage body, Ed actually only manages to bring Alphonse back as a 10-year-old without any of the memories of his time in the armor. Ed is also sent to a world without alchemy as an equivalent change for bringing Alphonse back.
It's a strange choice of endings, and there's a reason many fans have elected to overlook it in favor of the alternative the manga and Brotherhood offer. However, it's also considerably more tragic, and for fans looking for a more devastating ending, the 2003 anime offers it.
The Purpose of Brotherhood
Often regarded as one of the best anime for beginners, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was created in response to the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime, as a way to stay more true to the source material. Since the manga had not been finished prior to the original series concluding, it became obvious that there would need to be a second version of the story told.
Given that fan reception to the original series has been chilly, compared to Brotherhood, it seems that the decision was a huge success and likely a direct cause of the series' return to prominence.
The Long-Term Cost of Getting Their Bodies Back
While the long-term cost of human transmutation was particularly apparent in Alphonse's case, Ed didn't exactly see his arm return without consequence. While Ed's left arm has always been extremely muscular, thanks in no small part to his sparring with Alphonse, his restored arm is considerably diminished comparatively.
The human transmutation itself was one of the worst mistakes in anime history, but the lasting effects only compound the tragedy. While Ed can try to rebuild muscle in his arm, it's just another reminder of the impact his childhood mistakes had on their lives.
An Early Warning
In the first episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the boys face off against an antagonist created to help reintroduce fans to the series. But Isaac the Freezer serves another purpose: To warn fans about the Fuhrer before the Elrics can figure out his intentions.
In his introduction, Isaac reveals that the entire city can serve as a transmutation circle, and he also warns the Elrics numerous times about the military's intentions and evils in the wake of the Ishvalan Conflict. Though the Elrics didn't understand, Isaac provides considerable dramatic irony and necessary foreshadowing that makes subsequent events in the seasons considerably clearer.