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Edward Elric
Fullmetal Alchemist character
File:Edward-elricfma1.jpg
Edward Elric by Hiromu Arakawa
First appearanceFullmetal Alchemist manga chapter 1
Fullmetal Alchemist anime episode 1
In-universe information
AliasFullmetal Alchemist
RelativesAlphonse Elric (brother)
Van Hohenheim (father)
Trisha Elric (mother)

Edward Elric (エドワード・エルリック, Edowādo Erurikku), commonly nicknamed Ed, is a fictional character and the main character of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime and manga series created by Hiromu Arakawa. Edward, titled Fullmetal (鋼, Hagane), better known as the "Fullmetal Alchemist" (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no Renkjutsushi), is the youngest State Alchemist in the history of the fictional country of Amestris. His left leg was mystically severed in a failed attempt to resurrect his dead mother, his right arm taken in the exchange for his brother's soul. His missing limbs have been replaced with sophisticated prosthetics called automail; he and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric, scour the world in search of the Philosopher's Stone in the hopes of restoring their bodies. Ed has appeared in other media from the series, including video games, original video animations (OVAs) and light novels.

Numerous publications in various media have been written on the subject of Edward's character. Reviewers praised Edward as a balance between the typical clever kid and the stubborn kid persona. Additionally, his comedic moments have been celebrated as the best moments in the series. His Japanese and English voice actors, Romi Park and Vic Mignogna, have both been praised for their performances as Edward Elric and have won several awards for their work. Numerous pieces of merchandise have been released bearing Edward's likeness, including key chains and action figures.

Creation and conception

Author Hiromu Arakawa integrated several social problems into the plot, such as the way Edward and Alphonse live as brothers after the death of their mother, Trisha. She also looks at how the brothers help people all over the country to gain an understanding of the meaning of family.[3] Arakawa has noted that Edward is one of her favorite characters from the series, although she denied having the same personality as him when one of her assistants mentioned it.[4] Although she claims she has not thought of the characters' birthdates, Arakawa noted that she decided Edward's birthdate during the series' serialization. During a chapter in which it was mentioned that Edward was about to be 16, winter was about to begin in Hokkaido, Arakawa's birthplace, so it was decided Edward's birthdate would be in winter.[5] The director of the first anime series, Seiji Mizushima, says that in the development of the story Edward "evolves and devolves"; Mizushima comments that Edward is continuously overcoming inner struggles in order to determine how to grow up. The appearance of his automail in the anime is used to symbolize the intangibles of his character, making viewers note that Edward lost something important.[6]

In the Japanese version of Fullmetal Alchemist's anime adaptations, Edward has been voiced by Romi Park. In the English version, the role has been played by Vic Mignogna.[2] Mignogna has stated that performing Edward may be his biggest voice acting achievement since fans do not compare him with Park, noting that their voices are not similar and that he did not plan to sound like her.[7]

Appearances

Edward Elric is the youngest State Alchemist to be selected by the State Military of the country, thus receiving the title of "Fullmetal Alchemist" shortly thereafter from military head, King Bradley. He and his younger brother, Alphonse, seek to obtain the legendary Philosopher's Stone in order to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy. Edward was born in a small town named Resembool, where he lived with Alphonse, and of his parents, Trisha Elric and Van Hohenheim. After Hohenheim left the family on a journey early in his son's life, and Trisha died of an illness several years later, the two young boys were watched over by their neighbor, and father's friend, Pinako Rockbell. During that time, the brothers concentrated on studying alchemy in the hopes of bringing their mother back to life, and trained with a skilled alchemist named Izumi Curtis.[8] Upon their return from their training, they proceeded to perform the greatest taboo of alchemy, the art of human transmutation. The attempt failed, costing Edward his left leg, and Alphonse his entire body. Edward then performed a second transmutation, sacrificing his own right arm to bind Alphonse's soul to a nearby suit of armor.[9]

His father's early disappearance, the death of his mother, and a failed attempt at human transmutation all play pivotal roles in Edward's story. Edward's motivation stems from a love for his brother, Alphonse, whom he is desperately seeking to restore to human form after their mistake. He often feels that their situation is his fault, and thus is his responsibility to solve.[10] Edward also behaves in a childish manner when confronted about his short height, tending to overreact to any negative comment regarding the subject, usually attacking people in a fit of rage.[11] Despite all of the obstacles that Edward tackles in the story, he still displays a childish personality regarding things he despises, such as needles and milk.[12] He is extremely idealistic, and strongly believes in the alchemical concept of "Equivalent Exchange," which states that every outcome requires an equal payment. Edward also uses "Equivalent Exchange" as his own personal philosophy. Despite his occasional bouts of immaturity, he has been shown to be a selfless, strong, independent, and mature young adult who gains a reputation as a "hero of the people."[13]

Edward's automail limbs were designed by his childhood friend, Winry Rockbell, and her grandmother, Pinako. Edward often fights by transmuting a section of his right forearm into an automail blade.[14] Winry is often kept busy repairing Edward's automail, as he regularly breaks and damages the machines during heavy bouts. In both the anime and manga, Winry is shown to be an extremely important person to Edward. In the first anime series, romantic feelings are hinted at, but are never explicitly stated. In the manga and second anime series, Winry admits to being in love with him, while Edward exhibits similar feelings toward her, although he constantly denies it until the series' end in which he confesses to her.[15]

Unlike regular alchemists who use transmutation circles, Edward has the ability to create alchemical currents in his body simply by connecting his hands. This is a direct result of seeing the Gate of Truth, the source of all alchemical knowledge, while attempting to resurrect his mother in the failed human transmutation.[16] In the manga, this knowledge is great enough to save his own life, as he heals a would-be fatal wound.[17] In addition to his alchemical abilities, Edward is a formidable fighter as a result of his training with Izumi, who had extensively trained both brothers in martial arts when they became her apprentices after the death of their mother.[9]

During their search for the Stone, they become the targets of Scar, a vengeful Ishbalan, and the homunculi.[18] When Edward and Alphonse discover that the homunculi and the Philosopher's Stone are related, they work together with Lin Yao and Roy Mustang in order to find them.[19] However, after the Elric brothers meet the first homunculus, "Father," they are forced to keep working with the military by high-ranking officials who are secretly using their friends from Resembool as hostages.[20] Unable to protect their friends, Ed and Al travel to the northern area of the country in order to request help from Olivier Mira Armstrong.[21] Shortly after their arrival, the State Alchemist Solf J. Kimblee takes Winry to the north as a hostage, unknown to Winry, in order to force Edward to continue his work.[22] When the brothers are ordered to capture Scar, they decide to ask him to help move Winry to a safe place.[23] Upon their success, Edward begins working with the reformed homunculus Greed, who has taken over the body of Lin, and learns that Father plans to make a human transmutation circle out of the entire country. Edward, Alphonse, and their allies thus unite in an effort to bring down Father.[24] They make their way into the underground complex where Edward is to be used as a sacrifice for Father's transmutation. While battling Father, Edward loses his automail arm, rendering him unable to perform alchemy. Alphonse, on the brink of death due to damage to his blood seal, transmutes his soul in order to restore Edward's original flesh-and-blood arm. After defeating Father, Edward manages to restore Alphonse to his original body by sacrificing his own ability to use alchemy. Soon after, Edward decides to research alchemy by heading out west.

First anime series

Although Edward has the same background and characteristics in the manga and anime, Edward meets different people and fights against variable enemies. In the first anime, Edward learns the secret to destroying a homunculus during his encounter with Greed, whom he kills in an effort to save Alphonse.[25] When he learns of Scar's creation of a Philosopher's Stone, Edward saves the people of Lior from being sacrificed for its creation.[26] Alphonse is kidnapped by Dante and Edward seeks him out. During his fight against the homunculi, Edward is killed by Envy, but Alphonse uses the power of the Philosopher's Stone to successfully heal Edward's body and restore his soul. In doing so, however, Alphonse's armor is used up and he disappears. After being revived, Edward sacrifices his own life to bring back his brother in exchange. As a result, Edward finds himself on the other side of the Gate, a parallel world, while Alphonse recovers his original body. Determined to return to Alphonse, Edward becomes involved in rocketry research in Germany, with the intention of using that technology to return to his home world.[27] In the feature film, Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, set two years after the end of the anime, Edward has been living in Germany and looks for a way to return to his world. At the film's end, he decides to stay in the parallel world along with Alphonse so that they may try to protect both worlds.[28]

In other media

Edward also appears in almost all the Fullmetal Alchemist original video animations (OVAs). In the first OVA he appears as a super deformed version of himself at the movie's wrap-up party; in the second, he appears shortly as an old man living in modern-day Tokyo; and in the third OVA, he plays a part in the battle against the first anime's homunculi.[29] As the series' titular character, Edward is playable in all Fullmetal Alchemist video games. The three games for the PlayStation 2 – Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel, Curse of the Crimson Elixir and Kami o Tsugu Shōjo – feature exclusive stories in which the Elrics keep searching for the Philosopher's Stone.[30][31][32] In the Nintendo DS game, Fullmetal Alchemist Dual Sympathy, he and Alphonse replay the first anime series. He is also featured in the Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Card Game.[33] There are two character CDs featuring tracks based on Edward's character. The first is named Hagaren Song File – Edward Elric (Hagaren Song File – エドワード・エルリック) and the second Theme of Edward Elric. Both albums were performed by Ed's Japanese voice actress, Romi Park.[34][35] He also appears in each light novel written by Makoto Inoue which continue Ed and Al's search for the Philosopher's Stone and at the same time feature different stories from the ones appearing the manga and the anime.[36][37]

Reception

Vic Mignogna won the American Anime Awards in the category "Best Actor" for voicing Edward.

Vic Mignogna, who performs the voice of Edward in the English dub, was the winner in American Anime Awards in the category "Best Actor" for voicing Edward.[38] Edward won the Twenty-sixth Annual Animage Readers' Poll in the "Favorite Male Character"; Romi Park, who voices Edward in Japanese, won in the "Favorite Seiyu" category.[39] Edward maintained a high place in the next year's poll in the same category.[40] In the July 2009 issue of Newtype, Edward ranked at the top of the survey Male Character Rankings.[41] In the August 2009 issue his rank changed to fourth.[42] In a Newtype poll from March 2010, Edward was voted as the fourth most popular male anime character from the 2000's.[43] Edward's character was well received by manga readers; in each of the popularity polls made by Monthly Shōnen Gangan he has ranked first.[44][45] Several pieces of merchandise have been released in Edward's likeness, including plush toys,[46] action figures,[47] and key-chains.[48] In the Anime Awards 2006 from About.com, Edward won in the category "Best Lead Character – Male".[49] He was also seventh in IGN's Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time with writer Chris Mackenzie saying, "[Edward] and his kid brother Al make one of the best action-comedy teams in recent memory".[50]

Several publications for manga, anime, and other pop culture media have provided both praise and criticism on Edward's character. IGN writer Hilary Goldstein praises Edward as the perfect balance between the typical clever kid and the stubborn kid persona, explaining that this allows the character to "float between comical moments and underlying drama without seeming false."[51] Additionally, Melissa Harper from Anime News Network praises Edward's facial expressions as some of the most humorous highlights of the series, including also the moments in which he reacts quite violently to comments about his small stature. They also praise him for not being a stereotypical shōnen character as it is noted that he has "very real skills, relationships, and personality".[52] Samuel Arbogast from T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews also comments that the interaction between the Elric brothers as they travel is interesting, and praises their humor scenes as they help to balance the dark parts of the series.[53] Judge Joel Pearce from DVD Verdict commented on Edward's journey, considering it very complex morally because he is trying to do good within a morally questionable organization.[54] Lydia Hojnacki from Manga Life listed Ed as one of the reasons she likes Fullmetal Alchemist, noting the progression of the character's personality throughout the series, from simple maturity to a deeper sensitivity.[55]

References

  1. ^ Director: Seiji Mizushima (October 4, 2003). "太陽に挑む者". Fullmetal Alchemist. Episode 1. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
  2. ^ a b Director: Seiji Mizushima (November 6, 2004). "Those Who Challenge the Sun". Fullmetal Alchemist. Cartoon Network.
  3. ^ "Equivalent Change". Newtype USA. A.D. Vision. 2006. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles. Viz Media. pp. 100–105. ISBN 1-4215-0768-4.
  5. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2007). Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 12. Viz Media. p. 184. ISBN 978-1-4215-0839-9.
  6. ^ Newtype USA. A.D. Vision. 2006. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Jeng, Way (April 19, 2005). "Interview with Vic Mignogna". Mania Entertainment. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  8. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). "Chapter 21". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 5. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0175-8.
  9. ^ a b Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). "Chapter 23". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 6. Viz Media. pp. 61–63. ISBN 978-1-4215-0319-6.
  10. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Chapter 15". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 4. Viz Media. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-59116-929-1.
  11. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Omake". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-59116-920-8.
  12. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Chapter 14". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 4. Viz Media. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-59116-929-1.
  13. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Chapter 4". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-59116-920-8.
  14. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Chapter 2". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 1. Viz Media. p. 82. ISBN 978-1-59116-920-8.
  15. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2007). "Chapter 58". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 15. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1380-5.
  16. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2005). "Chapter 6". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 2. Viz Media. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-59116-923-9.
  17. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2009). "Chapter 77". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 19. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-2568-6.
  18. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). "Chapter 24". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 6. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0319-6.
  19. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2007). "Chapter 45". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 11. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-0838-2.
  20. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2007). "Chapter 57". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 14. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1379-9.
  21. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2008). "Chapter 67". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 17. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-2161-9.
  22. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2008). "Chapter 69". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 17. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-2161-9.
  23. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2009). "Chapter 73". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 18. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-2536-5.
  24. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2009). "Chapter 83". Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 20. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-3034-5.
  25. ^ Director: Seiji Mizushima (November 5, 2005). "Theory of Avarice". Fullmetal Alchemist. Episode 34. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Director: Seiji Mizushima (January 14, 2006). "His Name Is Unknown". Fullmetal Alchemist. Episode 42. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Director: Seiji Mizushima (March 18, 2006). "Laws and Promises". Fullmetal Alchemist. Episode 51. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Mizushima, Seiji (Director) (July 23, 2005). Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shambala (Motion picture). Japan: Bones.
  29. ^ Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection. Funimation. 2009. {{cite AV media}}: |format= requires |url= (help)
  30. ^ "Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel official website". Square Enix. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  31. ^ "Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir official website". Square Enix. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  32. ^ "Fullmetal Alchemist 3: Kami o Tsugu Shōjo official website". Square Enix. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  33. ^ "Fullmetal Alchemist Booster Box". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
  34. ^ "Hagaren song file – Edward Elric – Single Maxi Soundtrack" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  35. ^ "Theme of Edward Elric by The Alchemists Maxi" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  36. ^ Inoue, Makoto (2007). Fullmetal Alchemist: Under the Faraway Sky. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1397-3.
  37. ^ Inoue, Makoto (2007). Fullmetal Alchemist: The Ties That Bind. Viz Media. ISBN 978-1-4215-1431-4.
  38. ^ "American Anime Award Winners". ICv2. February 26, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2008.
  39. ^ "Animage Awards". Anime News Network. May 12, 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
  40. ^ "第26回アニメグランプリ　2005年6月号" (in Japanese). Animage. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  41. ^ "NT Research". Newtype, Issue 8. Kadokawa Shoten. 2009. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  42. ^ "NT Research". Newtype, Issue 9. Kadokawa Shoten. 2009. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  43. ^ "NT Research". Newtype, Issue 4. Kadokawa Shoten. 2010. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  44. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2006). Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles. Viz Media. p. 5. ISBN 1-4215-0768-4.
  45. ^ Arakawa, Hiromu (2009). 鋼の錬金術師 キャラクターガイド. Square Enix. p. 3. ISBN 9784757525740. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "Full Metal Alchemist Edward Elric Plush GE-6934". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  47. ^ "Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric Play Arts Action Figure". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  48. ^ "Keychain (PVC): FullMetal Alchemist: Edward#2 (Stand)". Japanimation. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  49. ^ Luther, Katherine. "Best Lead Character – Male". About.com. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  50. ^ Mackenzie, Chris (October 20, 2009). "Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time". IGN. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  51. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (March 5, 2005). "Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  52. ^ Harper, Melissa (November 11, 2006). "Fullmetal Alchemist gn 1–3". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  53. ^ Arbogast, Samuel. "T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews: FullMetal Alchemist Review". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  54. ^ Pearce, Judge Joel (July 28, 2005). "Fullmetal Alchemist: Equivalent Exchange (Volume 3)". DVD Verdict. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  55. ^ Hojnacki, Lydia (December 31, 2008). "Three Reasons Why I Love Fullmetal Alchemist". Mangalife. Retrieved July 15, 2009.

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