edward elric app for guysandolls
PLAYER
[journal] lavaliere
[age] 25
[previous characters previously Rolo Lamperouge and Alphonse Elric
[character journal] n/a
CHARACTER
[series] Fullmetal Alchemist (Series 1 + Conqueror of Shamballa film)
[full name] Edward Elric
[age] 18
[gender] Male
[canon point] Mid-Conqueror of Shamballa, before breaking into the Thule Society
[reference] Wiki 1, Wiki 2, Wiki 3, tv tropes (for fun)
[personality]
There are many defining aspects of Edward's personality that make him the well known character he is today. But to understand his attributes, one must also understand his background. Both are closely tied, having a strong impact on how he develops throughout the series. And there are many facets to Edward Elric, making him a complex and well-rounded protagonist.
First and foremost, Edward Elric is stubborn. He is hardheaded, determined, and unlikely to back down, regardless of how bleak things may seem. He is even well known for it, the aspect of his personality being probably the most well known for those who have met or heard of him. This part of Ed was formed early on, as young as his childhood even. The death of his mother is what sets everything off for the Ed and his younger brother Al. Feeling lonely and empty without her, the Elric brothers decide to bring her back using alchemy and through Ed's steely determination, they're able to gain a teacher. And this teacher only enforces Ed's stubbornness by sending him and Al through what can only be described as training from hell. As Edward grows and ages, this stubbornness helps drive him in everything he does, especially his primary goal of returning Al to the body he'd lost after their failed attempt at reviving their mother.
Ed's stubbornness manifests in many ways seen throughout the series. The first, of course, being his determination to gain him and Al a teacher in alchemy. The second is seen in his determination to return Al to his body and the fact that to do that, after losing his right arm and his left leg, he had to equip himself with automail limbs. While most adults might scream in pain at receiving automail, Edward never did, something that is made note of in series because of how intense the pain can be. And yet, in sheer stubbornness and determination, Edward clenches his teeth, refraining from screaming because he believes the pain Al must feel, being nothing but a soul bound to a suit of armor, has to be worse. This same determination also leads Ed to take the State Alchemist Exam at the young age of twelve, and then to pass, being the youngest in history to do so. And even Ed's nickname as a State Alchemist is a testament to his hardheadedness. The name "Fullmetal Alchemist" that he is given means two things: The "fullmetal" is both a reference to his automail limbs as well as his determination. In Japanese, the term "fullmetal" (or "hagane") is coined from the movie Full Metal Jacket, meant to indicate a the strength of a person's heart.
Of course, as time passes, events occur that might make any normal person wish to give up their quest, especially one considered so "taboo" in Ed's world. But even events like learning that the Philosopher's Stone is created through the sacrifice of living people or the death of young girl named Nina whom Ed considered like a little sister, only makes Ed more determined to learn more about alchemy in order to save people like her but also to ensure he can restore Al. When facing the homunculus that Edward and Alphonse created who looks exactly like his mother, Edward is focused and refuses to give up, no matter how much it hurts to see his mother's face on something he created. Even after being trapped in another world, forced to live without alchemy and separated from his brother, Edward never gives up trying to find a way home. Such is Edward's determination and stubbornness.
But stubbornness is not the only trait Ed has. Some traits make him seem childish at times, such as his strong dislike for milk, and his near-Napoleonic complex. Edward detests being called short, despite how true it is. Edward is often much shorter than the people in his life, including Al and when attention is drawn to this, Edward often reacts far more than what was necessary for the occasion. Over-blowing and exaggerating comments about his height, Edward must sometimes be held back by Alphonse, to prevent him from harming others in his rage. While this is often played for laughs, it is a common aspect of Edward that he is often known for.
The Fullmetal Alchemist's close relationships can also be demonstrations of his sometimes childish behavior. With Winry, his childhood friend, and with his brother, Edward is often impish and quick to crack sarcastic remarks. Often arguing with Winry, Edward is known to continue banter with her for extended periods of time (which often end in being hit on the head with one of Winry's wrenches). Edward's childish antics are often also displayed in how his transmutations are formed. Frequently, even while in the heat of battle, Edward transmutes the elements around him into comical and expressive forms or even into caricatures of himself. While these transmutations serve their purposes in battle, they are often amusing in their own right, displaying the same hairstyle, eyes, or even expressions that Edward often gives his enemies.
Combining his stubbornness with this childish side and the result is Edward's reactions to the people around him and even his superiors. He has no fear for using inappropriate language around people of higher rank than him, like with Colonel Mustang, whom he often calls "that bastard colonel". He doesn't hold back in letting people know just what he thinks, even if it's insulting or even if it means getting his ass kicked (by those like his teacher, Izumi). And a common phrase often uttered from Edward's lips is "Fuzake n Na" (a very informal and masculine way of saying "Fuzukeru" or "joke", "tease", "lie", etc.), a phrase that in English can be translated as anything from "Don't mess with me!" to "Don't fuck with me!", depending on the emotion and context.
Edward is often aware of this childish side to himself and sometimes uses it to make a point. It's not uncommon for Ed to make himself seem like quite a jerk, if only to push people away in order to prevent them from getting hurt. Other times, he'll treat people rudely because he doesn't want to know how worried he is.
Ed's style of speech is always gruff and often times rather crass. When angered enough, Edward relies on cursing to express himself. And though he uses less vulgar, but still somewhat offensive words in everyday language, he can manage to be polite with the occasion calls for it. But more likely than not, Edward does not hold back, even with family or close friends. His father, Hohenheim of Light, is often referred to as "that old man" or "that bastard". Even Winry's grandmother, "Auntie Pinako" is sometimes called an "old hag."
These less graceful aspects of Edward might make him seem a bit off-putting and at times, he is. But Ed is not all gruffness and rough language or just a stubborn, hot-headed young man. Ed is capable of great sacrifice for others and can be a very caring individual. He often takes on the burdens of others around him as well as his own. As early as the very beginning of the series, Ed takes on the task of bringing down a fraudulent minister who was manipulating his people for the sake of a girl named Rose. That is, at least, how Al supposes it. Ed also sets things right in the towns of Youswell and Aquroya. It's due to these tasks that Ed is eventually given the title of "The State Alchemist of the People." And to individuals, Ed is often friendly and kind, such as the many people he and Al meet on their journeys.
Ed is also far wiser than he often seems. It's not uncommon for Ed to seem more mature than what his age or height might suggest. He may sometimes comes across as broody, thoughtful, or even quite philosophical. This becomes more and more evident as Ed becomes aware of the truth behind alchemy and the consequences of his and his brother's mistakes. Edward's approach to life becomes sometimes more cynical. He considers himself damned or a sinner, admits that he's often selfish, and even comments that he's given up believing in "god" because god would only "send him back down." But he still has hope for humanity and for the world. He may act like a jerk to others, such as Rose or the people of Youswell, but Ed portrays himself as a "bad guy" only as a method to set things right. To make others see for themselves the truth behind the lies they've been living. Without having to point it out directly to them. However, he isn't afraid to be blunt either. All of this is shown when he tells the antagonist of the film, who comes from the other side of the Gate to destroy Edward's world, that all humans are humans regardless of which world they come from. Ed explains that all humans live, die, laugh, and cry like they would anywhere else.
Even when he begins to see the darker part of humans and how they respond to hope or the lack of it, Ed remains strong and frequently mature. Events such as the death of Nina, the destruction of Lior (which Edward thought he had saved), the death of Lieutenant Hughes being hidden from him, the rape of his friend Rose, the discovery of the true ingredients of the Philosopher's Stone, being forced to take lives, and the discovery that his own father's former lover (Dante) was pulling the strings behind all the treachery in his country, have left Edward a bit bitter and a bit more worldly, but these never make him stop believing that there is hope for the world and that everything in it follows the law of Equivalent Exchange. He is able to realize that despite the four years that he and Al had spent trying to live for themselves and trying to push away the world in order to simply regain what they needed, he and Al are part of the world, regardless of which world it is. And therefore, they have the duty to take care of it.
Of course, while in Germany, Edward goes through many changes. No longer does he react as rashly or as openly as he once had to comments about his height or the like. Rarely does he make the kind of snide comments that he once did, though that bite in his tone is still sometimes there. Edward's respect for others is stronger too, starting from as early on as the closing of the anime. Instead of mocking or provoking his superior officer, Edward acknowledges him as an equal, taking off with a slight brush of a hand to show that they are no longer opponents or even rivals. And while Edward still refers to his father as "the old man", he holds more respect for the man than he once did. By the time Hohenheim dies in the film, Edward's grief is palpable over losing him. He also becomes less friendly than he is normally. There, he withdraws from others and doesn't form close relationships, despite spending two years there. Even his roommate, a young man named Alfons Heiderich who looks remarkably like Ed's brother Al, notes that Edward tends to daydream frequently and tells stories of another world, refusing to grow close to other people. But through all this, he is also still very much Edward Elric, capable of gruff language and stubborn behavior.
Even after the development he experiences through the film, Edward is by no means less stubborn or less easily provoked. He even has the same brash, coarse style of speech that includes a variety of off colored words. Edward also manages to overreact to comments about his height in Alphonse's presence. Edward still pouts or makes faces at people who mock or tease him, even his own close friend, Alfons. It's only that these ways of reacting become fewer and far between as time passes in the anime and film, especially as more dangerous and heavier events begin to take over the plot.
Naturally, no matter how stubborn or strong Ed might be, he can still be vulnerable. There will always be parts of his world that still shock and surprise him, no matter how worldly he becomes. The discovery that Envy was the homunculus of his father's first son (making Envy a half-brother), shocks Edward so much that Envy is able to deliver a fatal blow (obviously, he got better). Being thrown into a new world and even into someone else's body sends Edward reeling at first, especially when he discovers he can no longer use alchemy. Finding that world to be full of alternate versions of people from his world surprises Edward too. Learning that the souls of the deceased of the alternate world feed the energy for transmutations in his world also shocks Edward, possibly more than anything else he'd experienced up until that point. But nothing shocks Edward more than finding out his own brother gave up his whole life to bring him back.
It is a credit to Edward's personality and his strength that he is able to work past these events. No matter how grim the situation may be and no matter how much Edward sees the world in a darker view, he still fights to protect his brother and to make things right. He is still able to soldier on, despite being thrown into a new world, by learning the new world's sciences and taking up the new things he's learned in hopes of finding a way back home. He is still able to fight against the Thule Society that threatens to create unbalance between the two worlds. And Edward is still able to live, even without knowing for sure if his transmutation to bring Alphonse back to life was successful and being forced to live with a mirror image of his brother who isn't and never will be the Al he grew up with.
Between the hardships of his life, the relationships with those around him, and the decisions Edward makes, it's clear Ed is by no means a simple character. It his stubbornness, his charm, his determination, his strength, and his intelligence that allows him to conquer the evils of his world. But more importantly, these traits also make him the recognizable protagonist from a well known series that he is today.
[orientation]
Unknown.
Unlike his manga counterpart, who eventually marries his childhood friend Winry, Edward of the first anime shows no interest in any particular gender. Often times, he treats females the same as he does males, willing to fight them with full force. When confronted with concepts of relationships, Edward often brushes off the conversations or the topic, reacting with either embarrassment or frustration. The main reason for this is that Edward's focus throughout the series is centered on his goal of returning his brother's soul to his original body. Later, in the film, this goal shifts to protecting his world from intruders. Thus, Edward spends no time reflecting on relationships or romance and gives no indication of attraction to any particular gender.
[appearance]
Despite having grown quite a bit since his introduction in the first anime, Edward has not grown enough to escape his infamy of being petite. It's this shorter stature (only 4'11" at the end of the anime and maybe pushing 5'2" in the film) that is often remarked on and significant for a young man at the age of eighteen. Why Edward is short is never truly explored in the anime, save for hints that his automail limbs may be stunting his height a little and that his distaste for milk keeps him from growing like he should (in the manga, it's revealed that the cause for Ed's stature is due to his keeping Al's body alive within the Gate; whether this applies to Ed of the anime as well is unknown). But short jokes aside, Ed's height is not the only part of him that is striking.
As the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward is known for not only his stature, but also his vivid golden hair and eyes. These features, rare among Amestrians, are notable enough to be remembered in many places as well as being the trademark of the Elric brothers. Edward keeps his golden hair long, often braiding it, though by the time of the movie, he begins to keep it back in a simple ponytail. And it's not just his hair or eyes that gets him noticed. Edward tends to wear a vibrant red coat with the Flamel sign (a mark important for destroying homunculi) over dark black clothing. The coat is memorable enough for it to be remembered in the movie when Alphonse wears it, leading to people mistaking Al for Ed. But since Al has the coat in the movie, and Edward is trapped on the other side of the Gate, Edward resorts to wearing the same styles and fashions as are typical for 1920s Germany. The coat, vest, slacks, and shirt are all of subdued hues, many being brown or gray.
Beneath the clothing, however, is what makes Edward truly remarkable and ultimately what gives him the name of "Fullmetal". After the tragic accident that occurred when he and Alphonse attempted to revive their mother, Edward was fitted with automail or prosthetic limbs of advanced technical capabilities. These limbs, which are wired to human nerves, work very much like regular arms or legs. But automail is made of steal and sometimes chrome, making the limbs quite heavy at times and a strain on the body. Edward insisted on having these installed at the young age of eleven and continues to wear them to this day. During the movie, however, his arm is replaced with a different style of prosthetic, something his father made due to the lack of automail technology available in 1920s Germany. These limbs, while still fairly mobile (and sometimes mistaken as real) are just as extraordinary with special joints and a false skin.
Because of the strain that automail can have on a body, and also due to a doctrine Edward learned while training under his alchemy teacher, Edward also maintains a strict regime of sparring. This, and regular exercise, has given Edward a rather toned physique, something one would not expect on someone of Edward's height. However, he is in good shape and keeps it up, making him something terrifying to encounter should one ever come between him and his goals.
I would like to note that though the technology for Edward's limbs in Conqueror of Shamballa seems highly advanced for the era, this is not entirely true. All the pieces of his limbs, as well as built in motor, are made from material and technology already existing in the 1920s. The only thing that makes them advanced for their time is the ports in which they are fitted, connecting Ed's nerves to the wiring inside and allowing him to move the fingers and toes to some degree. Because of this, I would like (if possible) to have Ed keep his limbs rather than be fitted with ball-joint prosthetic. Not to mention the removal of the ports would be extremely painful for Ed, due to their connection to his nerves.
But if this isn't feasible, I'm totally okay with it. \o/
[wish] To ensure that his younger brother, Alphonse, is not only alive, but also returned to his human body, rather than the steel armor he'd been attached to for four years.
[requested house] Iki Household. Or Komainu. (Waremono is fine too)
[misc notes] Edward is capable of preforming Alchemy, or the changing of one substance to another using the laws of Equivalent Exchange. Of course, this would be suppressed by a jade bracelet.
SAMPLES
[sample 1#]
[ Equivalent Exchange... it's the only explanation for what the hell is going on. Edward's never been the type to rely on stupid things like religion or demons or whatever the hell that was at the crossroads. And he's still pretty sure this is some kind of fucked up dream because, none of it makes sense. Except for one part: Pay off a debt and make his goal a reality. And that's the one part that has kept him from beating the shit out of the people in this new place. That and the sheer exhaustion he feels in his body.
He's only partially paying attention to the way he's being dressed, checking the mirror in front of him only once in a while, pausing only when what the hell? He's being dressed in girls' clothes! Rather, they look like girls' clothes, with all the flowers and embroidery and crap. And he's definitely never seen anything like this before because there's so much fabric.
This has to be some kind of special hell, and he'd thought that was the adequate title for Germany, being separated from Al and stuck without knowing whether his transmutation succeeded. But Germany doesn't compare; this place is definitely more messed up. His shoulder still burns from the new tattoo and his whole body aches. These strangers know shit about how to take care of auto-mail ports. And damn, if he isn't tired. Not that this seems to bother any of the damn attendees helping him dress.
And suddenly there's a stray hand brushing close to the ports where his auto-mail used to be, the delicate nerves reacting and making him jump. ]
O-Oi! What the hell are you doing?!
[ Of course they don't respond and just continue about their business as if his personal comfort was unimportant. He feels ready to scream and start beating in heads, but the fatigue in his muscles prevents him. And the attendees are still speaking in that language he doesn't understand.
Yep, this has to be some kind of hell. Especially if the whole dream shit about getting kissed (Ed's cheeks flush at the memory and he shakes his head to dispel the embarrassment) and making a wish was true. If it is, that damn woman (man? what the hell was that?) better keep up their end of the deal. That's how Equivalent Exchange works. If he has to pay off this stupid debt, he will, especially if it'll make sure Al's all right. ]
Oh, hell no! There's no way you're putting that in my hair!
[ His thoughts are broken again by the appearance of some dangly, flowery thing that the attendees try to put in his hair. Yanking out of their grip, he snarls and begins braiding his hair in its usual manner. And as the attendees try to restyle his hair again, he continues to pull out of their reach until they're forced to give up and leave the braid as is. Serves them fucking right. And now he can get back to focusing on more important things. Like how the hell he's going to be able to move around in this huge, fancy robe type... thing. ]
[sample 2#]
[ Naturally, it takes a good couple minutes for Ed to figure out how to use the device, henceforth dubbed as "damn piece of shit!" It's a bit beyond his time, being used to less advanced radios and telephones, but he does figure it out, after some experimenting (and some frustrated poundings on the floor). So as the black and white screen flickers on, Ed peers close until he realizes that such proximity is unnecessary.
Now to make the announcement. Naturally, Ed's expression is a bit annoyed with a tad bit of embarrassment that he tries to play off with an arrogant expression. ]
Equivalent Exchange, right? We pay off this damn debt and that broad makes our "wish" come true, or some bull shit. Well, I gotta make sure mine's paid off quick, so...
[ He trails off a little, scowling to himself as he reaches to scratch the back of his head. ]
I'm not saying it 'cause you all should already know. Just let me know if you wanna... you know. Whatever.
[journal] lavaliere
[age] 25
[previous characters previously Rolo Lamperouge and Alphonse Elric
[character journal] n/a
CHARACTER
[series] Fullmetal Alchemist (Series 1 + Conqueror of Shamballa film)
[full name] Edward Elric
[age] 18
[gender] Male
[canon point] Mid-Conqueror of Shamballa, before breaking into the Thule Society
[reference] Wiki 1, Wiki 2, Wiki 3, tv tropes (for fun)
[personality]
There are many defining aspects of Edward's personality that make him the well known character he is today. But to understand his attributes, one must also understand his background. Both are closely tied, having a strong impact on how he develops throughout the series. And there are many facets to Edward Elric, making him a complex and well-rounded protagonist.
First and foremost, Edward Elric is stubborn. He is hardheaded, determined, and unlikely to back down, regardless of how bleak things may seem. He is even well known for it, the aspect of his personality being probably the most well known for those who have met or heard of him. This part of Ed was formed early on, as young as his childhood even. The death of his mother is what sets everything off for the Ed and his younger brother Al. Feeling lonely and empty without her, the Elric brothers decide to bring her back using alchemy and through Ed's steely determination, they're able to gain a teacher. And this teacher only enforces Ed's stubbornness by sending him and Al through what can only be described as training from hell. As Edward grows and ages, this stubbornness helps drive him in everything he does, especially his primary goal of returning Al to the body he'd lost after their failed attempt at reviving their mother.
Ed's stubbornness manifests in many ways seen throughout the series. The first, of course, being his determination to gain him and Al a teacher in alchemy. The second is seen in his determination to return Al to his body and the fact that to do that, after losing his right arm and his left leg, he had to equip himself with automail limbs. While most adults might scream in pain at receiving automail, Edward never did, something that is made note of in series because of how intense the pain can be. And yet, in sheer stubbornness and determination, Edward clenches his teeth, refraining from screaming because he believes the pain Al must feel, being nothing but a soul bound to a suit of armor, has to be worse. This same determination also leads Ed to take the State Alchemist Exam at the young age of twelve, and then to pass, being the youngest in history to do so. And even Ed's nickname as a State Alchemist is a testament to his hardheadedness. The name "Fullmetal Alchemist" that he is given means two things: The "fullmetal" is both a reference to his automail limbs as well as his determination. In Japanese, the term "fullmetal" (or "hagane") is coined from the movie Full Metal Jacket, meant to indicate a the strength of a person's heart.
Of course, as time passes, events occur that might make any normal person wish to give up their quest, especially one considered so "taboo" in Ed's world. But even events like learning that the Philosopher's Stone is created through the sacrifice of living people or the death of young girl named Nina whom Ed considered like a little sister, only makes Ed more determined to learn more about alchemy in order to save people like her but also to ensure he can restore Al. When facing the homunculus that Edward and Alphonse created who looks exactly like his mother, Edward is focused and refuses to give up, no matter how much it hurts to see his mother's face on something he created. Even after being trapped in another world, forced to live without alchemy and separated from his brother, Edward never gives up trying to find a way home. Such is Edward's determination and stubbornness.
But stubbornness is not the only trait Ed has. Some traits make him seem childish at times, such as his strong dislike for milk, and his near-Napoleonic complex. Edward detests being called short, despite how true it is. Edward is often much shorter than the people in his life, including Al and when attention is drawn to this, Edward often reacts far more than what was necessary for the occasion. Over-blowing and exaggerating comments about his height, Edward must sometimes be held back by Alphonse, to prevent him from harming others in his rage. While this is often played for laughs, it is a common aspect of Edward that he is often known for.
The Fullmetal Alchemist's close relationships can also be demonstrations of his sometimes childish behavior. With Winry, his childhood friend, and with his brother, Edward is often impish and quick to crack sarcastic remarks. Often arguing with Winry, Edward is known to continue banter with her for extended periods of time (which often end in being hit on the head with one of Winry's wrenches). Edward's childish antics are often also displayed in how his transmutations are formed. Frequently, even while in the heat of battle, Edward transmutes the elements around him into comical and expressive forms or even into caricatures of himself. While these transmutations serve their purposes in battle, they are often amusing in their own right, displaying the same hairstyle, eyes, or even expressions that Edward often gives his enemies.
Combining his stubbornness with this childish side and the result is Edward's reactions to the people around him and even his superiors. He has no fear for using inappropriate language around people of higher rank than him, like with Colonel Mustang, whom he often calls "that bastard colonel". He doesn't hold back in letting people know just what he thinks, even if it's insulting or even if it means getting his ass kicked (by those like his teacher, Izumi). And a common phrase often uttered from Edward's lips is "Fuzake n Na" (a very informal and masculine way of saying "Fuzukeru" or "joke", "tease", "lie", etc.), a phrase that in English can be translated as anything from "Don't mess with me!" to "Don't fuck with me!", depending on the emotion and context.
Edward is often aware of this childish side to himself and sometimes uses it to make a point. It's not uncommon for Ed to make himself seem like quite a jerk, if only to push people away in order to prevent them from getting hurt. Other times, he'll treat people rudely because he doesn't want to know how worried he is.
Ed's style of speech is always gruff and often times rather crass. When angered enough, Edward relies on cursing to express himself. And though he uses less vulgar, but still somewhat offensive words in everyday language, he can manage to be polite with the occasion calls for it. But more likely than not, Edward does not hold back, even with family or close friends. His father, Hohenheim of Light, is often referred to as "that old man" or "that bastard". Even Winry's grandmother, "Auntie Pinako" is sometimes called an "old hag."
These less graceful aspects of Edward might make him seem a bit off-putting and at times, he is. But Ed is not all gruffness and rough language or just a stubborn, hot-headed young man. Ed is capable of great sacrifice for others and can be a very caring individual. He often takes on the burdens of others around him as well as his own. As early as the very beginning of the series, Ed takes on the task of bringing down a fraudulent minister who was manipulating his people for the sake of a girl named Rose. That is, at least, how Al supposes it. Ed also sets things right in the towns of Youswell and Aquroya. It's due to these tasks that Ed is eventually given the title of "The State Alchemist of the People." And to individuals, Ed is often friendly and kind, such as the many people he and Al meet on their journeys.
Ed is also far wiser than he often seems. It's not uncommon for Ed to seem more mature than what his age or height might suggest. He may sometimes comes across as broody, thoughtful, or even quite philosophical. This becomes more and more evident as Ed becomes aware of the truth behind alchemy and the consequences of his and his brother's mistakes. Edward's approach to life becomes sometimes more cynical. He considers himself damned or a sinner, admits that he's often selfish, and even comments that he's given up believing in "god" because god would only "send him back down." But he still has hope for humanity and for the world. He may act like a jerk to others, such as Rose or the people of Youswell, but Ed portrays himself as a "bad guy" only as a method to set things right. To make others see for themselves the truth behind the lies they've been living. Without having to point it out directly to them. However, he isn't afraid to be blunt either. All of this is shown when he tells the antagonist of the film, who comes from the other side of the Gate to destroy Edward's world, that all humans are humans regardless of which world they come from. Ed explains that all humans live, die, laugh, and cry like they would anywhere else.
Even when he begins to see the darker part of humans and how they respond to hope or the lack of it, Ed remains strong and frequently mature. Events such as the death of Nina, the destruction of Lior (which Edward thought he had saved), the death of Lieutenant Hughes being hidden from him, the rape of his friend Rose, the discovery of the true ingredients of the Philosopher's Stone, being forced to take lives, and the discovery that his own father's former lover (Dante) was pulling the strings behind all the treachery in his country, have left Edward a bit bitter and a bit more worldly, but these never make him stop believing that there is hope for the world and that everything in it follows the law of Equivalent Exchange. He is able to realize that despite the four years that he and Al had spent trying to live for themselves and trying to push away the world in order to simply regain what they needed, he and Al are part of the world, regardless of which world it is. And therefore, they have the duty to take care of it.
Of course, while in Germany, Edward goes through many changes. No longer does he react as rashly or as openly as he once had to comments about his height or the like. Rarely does he make the kind of snide comments that he once did, though that bite in his tone is still sometimes there. Edward's respect for others is stronger too, starting from as early on as the closing of the anime. Instead of mocking or provoking his superior officer, Edward acknowledges him as an equal, taking off with a slight brush of a hand to show that they are no longer opponents or even rivals. And while Edward still refers to his father as "the old man", he holds more respect for the man than he once did. By the time Hohenheim dies in the film, Edward's grief is palpable over losing him. He also becomes less friendly than he is normally. There, he withdraws from others and doesn't form close relationships, despite spending two years there. Even his roommate, a young man named Alfons Heiderich who looks remarkably like Ed's brother Al, notes that Edward tends to daydream frequently and tells stories of another world, refusing to grow close to other people. But through all this, he is also still very much Edward Elric, capable of gruff language and stubborn behavior.
Even after the development he experiences through the film, Edward is by no means less stubborn or less easily provoked. He even has the same brash, coarse style of speech that includes a variety of off colored words. Edward also manages to overreact to comments about his height in Alphonse's presence. Edward still pouts or makes faces at people who mock or tease him, even his own close friend, Alfons. It's only that these ways of reacting become fewer and far between as time passes in the anime and film, especially as more dangerous and heavier events begin to take over the plot.
Naturally, no matter how stubborn or strong Ed might be, he can still be vulnerable. There will always be parts of his world that still shock and surprise him, no matter how worldly he becomes. The discovery that Envy was the homunculus of his father's first son (making Envy a half-brother), shocks Edward so much that Envy is able to deliver a fatal blow (obviously, he got better). Being thrown into a new world and even into someone else's body sends Edward reeling at first, especially when he discovers he can no longer use alchemy. Finding that world to be full of alternate versions of people from his world surprises Edward too. Learning that the souls of the deceased of the alternate world feed the energy for transmutations in his world also shocks Edward, possibly more than anything else he'd experienced up until that point. But nothing shocks Edward more than finding out his own brother gave up his whole life to bring him back.
It is a credit to Edward's personality and his strength that he is able to work past these events. No matter how grim the situation may be and no matter how much Edward sees the world in a darker view, he still fights to protect his brother and to make things right. He is still able to soldier on, despite being thrown into a new world, by learning the new world's sciences and taking up the new things he's learned in hopes of finding a way back home. He is still able to fight against the Thule Society that threatens to create unbalance between the two worlds. And Edward is still able to live, even without knowing for sure if his transmutation to bring Alphonse back to life was successful and being forced to live with a mirror image of his brother who isn't and never will be the Al he grew up with.
Between the hardships of his life, the relationships with those around him, and the decisions Edward makes, it's clear Ed is by no means a simple character. It his stubbornness, his charm, his determination, his strength, and his intelligence that allows him to conquer the evils of his world. But more importantly, these traits also make him the recognizable protagonist from a well known series that he is today.
[orientation]
Unknown.
Unlike his manga counterpart, who eventually marries his childhood friend Winry, Edward of the first anime shows no interest in any particular gender. Often times, he treats females the same as he does males, willing to fight them with full force. When confronted with concepts of relationships, Edward often brushes off the conversations or the topic, reacting with either embarrassment or frustration. The main reason for this is that Edward's focus throughout the series is centered on his goal of returning his brother's soul to his original body. Later, in the film, this goal shifts to protecting his world from intruders. Thus, Edward spends no time reflecting on relationships or romance and gives no indication of attraction to any particular gender.
[appearance]
Despite having grown quite a bit since his introduction in the first anime, Edward has not grown enough to escape his infamy of being petite. It's this shorter stature (only 4'11" at the end of the anime and maybe pushing 5'2" in the film) that is often remarked on and significant for a young man at the age of eighteen. Why Edward is short is never truly explored in the anime, save for hints that his automail limbs may be stunting his height a little and that his distaste for milk keeps him from growing like he should (in the manga, it's revealed that the cause for Ed's stature is due to his keeping Al's body alive within the Gate; whether this applies to Ed of the anime as well is unknown). But short jokes aside, Ed's height is not the only part of him that is striking.
As the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward is known for not only his stature, but also his vivid golden hair and eyes. These features, rare among Amestrians, are notable enough to be remembered in many places as well as being the trademark of the Elric brothers. Edward keeps his golden hair long, often braiding it, though by the time of the movie, he begins to keep it back in a simple ponytail. And it's not just his hair or eyes that gets him noticed. Edward tends to wear a vibrant red coat with the Flamel sign (a mark important for destroying homunculi) over dark black clothing. The coat is memorable enough for it to be remembered in the movie when Alphonse wears it, leading to people mistaking Al for Ed. But since Al has the coat in the movie, and Edward is trapped on the other side of the Gate, Edward resorts to wearing the same styles and fashions as are typical for 1920s Germany. The coat, vest, slacks, and shirt are all of subdued hues, many being brown or gray.
Beneath the clothing, however, is what makes Edward truly remarkable and ultimately what gives him the name of "Fullmetal". After the tragic accident that occurred when he and Alphonse attempted to revive their mother, Edward was fitted with automail or prosthetic limbs of advanced technical capabilities. These limbs, which are wired to human nerves, work very much like regular arms or legs. But automail is made of steal and sometimes chrome, making the limbs quite heavy at times and a strain on the body. Edward insisted on having these installed at the young age of eleven and continues to wear them to this day. During the movie, however, his arm is replaced with a different style of prosthetic, something his father made due to the lack of automail technology available in 1920s Germany. These limbs, while still fairly mobile (and sometimes mistaken as real) are just as extraordinary with special joints and a false skin.
Because of the strain that automail can have on a body, and also due to a doctrine Edward learned while training under his alchemy teacher, Edward also maintains a strict regime of sparring. This, and regular exercise, has given Edward a rather toned physique, something one would not expect on someone of Edward's height. However, he is in good shape and keeps it up, making him something terrifying to encounter should one ever come between him and his goals.
I would like to note that though the technology for Edward's limbs in Conqueror of Shamballa seems highly advanced for the era, this is not entirely true. All the pieces of his limbs, as well as built in motor, are made from material and technology already existing in the 1920s. The only thing that makes them advanced for their time is the ports in which they are fitted, connecting Ed's nerves to the wiring inside and allowing him to move the fingers and toes to some degree. Because of this, I would like (if possible) to have Ed keep his limbs rather than be fitted with ball-joint prosthetic. Not to mention the removal of the ports would be extremely painful for Ed, due to their connection to his nerves.
But if this isn't feasible, I'm totally okay with it. \o/
[wish] To ensure that his younger brother, Alphonse, is not only alive, but also returned to his human body, rather than the steel armor he'd been attached to for four years.
[requested house] Iki Household. Or Komainu. (Waremono is fine too)
[misc notes] Edward is capable of preforming Alchemy, or the changing of one substance to another using the laws of Equivalent Exchange. Of course, this would be suppressed by a jade bracelet.
SAMPLES
[sample 1#]
[ Equivalent Exchange... it's the only explanation for what the hell is going on. Edward's never been the type to rely on stupid things like religion or demons or whatever the hell that was at the crossroads. And he's still pretty sure this is some kind of fucked up dream because, none of it makes sense. Except for one part: Pay off a debt and make his goal a reality. And that's the one part that has kept him from beating the shit out of the people in this new place. That and the sheer exhaustion he feels in his body.
He's only partially paying attention to the way he's being dressed, checking the mirror in front of him only once in a while, pausing only when what the hell? He's being dressed in girls' clothes! Rather, they look like girls' clothes, with all the flowers and embroidery and crap. And he's definitely never seen anything like this before because there's so much fabric.
This has to be some kind of special hell, and he'd thought that was the adequate title for Germany, being separated from Al and stuck without knowing whether his transmutation succeeded. But Germany doesn't compare; this place is definitely more messed up. His shoulder still burns from the new tattoo and his whole body aches. These strangers know shit about how to take care of auto-mail ports. And damn, if he isn't tired. Not that this seems to bother any of the damn attendees helping him dress.
And suddenly there's a stray hand brushing close to the ports where his auto-mail used to be, the delicate nerves reacting and making him jump. ]
O-Oi! What the hell are you doing?!
[ Of course they don't respond and just continue about their business as if his personal comfort was unimportant. He feels ready to scream and start beating in heads, but the fatigue in his muscles prevents him. And the attendees are still speaking in that language he doesn't understand.
Yep, this has to be some kind of hell. Especially if the whole dream shit about getting kissed (Ed's cheeks flush at the memory and he shakes his head to dispel the embarrassment) and making a wish was true. If it is, that damn woman (man? what the hell was that?) better keep up their end of the deal. That's how Equivalent Exchange works. If he has to pay off this stupid debt, he will, especially if it'll make sure Al's all right. ]
Oh, hell no! There's no way you're putting that in my hair!
[ His thoughts are broken again by the appearance of some dangly, flowery thing that the attendees try to put in his hair. Yanking out of their grip, he snarls and begins braiding his hair in its usual manner. And as the attendees try to restyle his hair again, he continues to pull out of their reach until they're forced to give up and leave the braid as is. Serves them fucking right. And now he can get back to focusing on more important things. Like how the hell he's going to be able to move around in this huge, fancy robe type... thing. ]
[sample 2#]
[ Naturally, it takes a good couple minutes for Ed to figure out how to use the device, henceforth dubbed as "damn piece of shit!" It's a bit beyond his time, being used to less advanced radios and telephones, but he does figure it out, after some experimenting (and some frustrated poundings on the floor). So as the black and white screen flickers on, Ed peers close until he realizes that such proximity is unnecessary.
Now to make the announcement. Naturally, Ed's expression is a bit annoyed with a tad bit of embarrassment that he tries to play off with an arrogant expression. ]
Equivalent Exchange, right? We pay off this damn debt and that broad makes our "wish" come true, or some bull shit. Well, I gotta make sure mine's paid off quick, so...
[ He trails off a little, scowling to himself as he reaches to scratch the back of his head. ]
I'm not saying it 'cause you all should already know. Just let me know if you wanna... you know. Whatever.