In the anime/manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy is a technique used to transform one material into another (referred to as a transmutation). For most alchemists, performing a transmutation requires the use of a transmutation circle. In addition, all transmutations, except for those performed with the aid of the Philosopher's Stone, are subject to the Law of Equivalent Exchange. “Fullmetal” redirects here. ... Transmutation circles could be as simple as merely a square inscribed within a circle or as complex as this human transmutation circle. ... In the anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist, the Philosophers Stone is the central element that drives the plot, and the object of the Elric Brothers (the storys protagonists) search. ... In the fictional world of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, Equivalent Exchange ) is a version of the Antoine Lavoisiers law of conservation of matter, and the primary law that governs the practice of alchemy. ...

Alchemy

Alchemy in the Fullmetal Alchemist series, put simply, refers to a three-step process. The steps are analysis (to understand the structure and properties of the substance that is about to be transmuted), destruction/decomposition (to break the substance down to its rudimentary properties), and reconstruction/recomposition (to rebuild the substance into another form or with different properties). The first step is crucial because if the substance that an alchemist intends to transmute is unknown, an alchemic reaction will not occur.

Performing alchemy requires the usage of an appropriate transmutation circle. The Elric brothers Edward and Alphonse (in the manga and Conqueror of Shamballa, as well as late in the anime), their alchemy teacher Izumi Curtis, Hohenheim of Light, and Dante are capable of performing alchemy without using a transmutation circle of any sort as a result of seeing the Gate of Alchemy. In both the anime and manga, rather than being a method of manipulating forms via their accidents (the basis of historical alchemy, derived from Greek philosophy), it is essentially modern chemistry without a reaction medium. Full Metal redirects here. ... Alphonse Elric ) is the name of a character from Fullmetal Alchemist. ... Izumi Curtis in One is All, All is One Izumi Curtis ) is the name of a character from Fullmetal Alchemist. ... The Gate of Alchemy in the episode Untainted Child. ...

In the anime, the energy for alchemical reactions comes from the other side of the Gate, supposedly from the deaths that occur in this other side. In the manga, Dr. Tim Marcoh reveals that the source of alchemical power derives from the energy of the Earth's changing crust, the same energy which causes volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The equation for harnessing the energy was discovered 350 years prior to the story's beginning; legend tells that it was taught to the people of Amestris by a man from the east referred to as the "Eastern Philosopher". However, while this is accepted as truth by alchemists like Marcoh, Xingese alchemist Mei Chang disagrees because she finds the alchemic energy in Amestris, especially near Central City, to be highly unusual and unsettling-as if there were people trapped in it.^[1] Cleveland Volcano in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska photographed from the International Space Station For other uses, see Volcano (disambiguation). ... Global earthquake epicenters, 1963–1998. ... Flag of Amestris military government Amestris is the nation-state that serves as the principal setting of the anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. ...

Grand Arcanum(Anime only)

The Grand Arcanum is the Ishbalan version of alchemy. The name, meaning "Great Secret," refers to the fact that it has been passed along secretly for generations among the Ishbalan people, despite its having been declared heretical to the Ishbalan religion. While the Grand Arcanum is capable of any transmutation (so long as it obeys Equivalent Exchange), one particular Grand Arcanum array is of particular importance to the Fullmetal Alchemist anime. Its sole purpose is to create the Philosopher's Stone. Ishbal is a fictional region in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist. ... For other uses, see Alchemy (disambiguation). ... In the fictional world of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, Equivalent Exchange ) is a version of the Antoine Lavoisiers law of conservation of matter, and the primary law that governs the practice of alchemy. ... Transmutation circles could be as simple as merely a square inscribed within a circle or as complex as this human transmutation circle. ... In the anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist, the Philosophers Stone is the central element that drives the plot, and the object of the Elric Brothers (the storys protagonists) search. ...

Variation

The array first appears as a tattoo on the arm of Scar. This version of the array has 6 points, as is customary for many arrays in the series. Later, Edward Elric uses a version of the Grand Arcanum array expanded to contain 7 points. This technique is apparently unorthodox, and increases the array's power.
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Full Metal redirects here. ...

Rentan Jutsu (Manga Only)

In the manga, there are two known types of alchemy: the alchemy used in Amestris and the alchemy used in the empire of Xing, which lies in the far east. The Xingese refer to their own alchemy as "Rentan Jutsu" while the alchemy of Amestris is known as "Renkin Jutsu".

Rentan Jutsu's roots lie within medicine and derived from attempts to gain immortality (similar to Taoism and early Chinese medicine). Modern Rentan Jutsu is credited to philosophers from the west of Xing, who arrived and combined their knowledge of alchemy with the medical research the people of Xing had developed in their quest for immortality; as such, they are honoured by the Xingese as the "Western Sages".^[2] Taoism (or Daoism) is the English name referring to a variety of related Chinese philosophical traditions and concepts. ... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ...

Transmutation circles are referred to as "purification circles" or "formula circles" by the people of Xing. While similar to Amestris alchemy, the source of energy is different; Rentan Jutsu derives its energy from a power called "Lungmei" which exists everywhere on the earth, similar to Feng Shui. "Lungmei" is the flow of energy of the Earth itself, like the power for water to flow from a mountain to nourish the ground at the base of the mountain. Understanding of where this energy enters and exits the earth allows alchemists like Mei Chang to perform long range alchemy on almost any matter. The flow of energy also allows for the Xingese alchemist to use their abilities for medicinal purposes as the body's energy flow works very much in the same way.^[3] Fēng Shuǐ (風水 – literally, wind and water pronounced fung shuway), which may be more than 3000 years old, is the ancient practice of placement to achieve harmony with the environment. ...

Alchemist Mei Chang's own brand of alchemy allows her to use throwing knives to form two alchemy circles; one is created near herself and the other near the intended target. She performs alchemy on the circle nearest to her, and the result appears within the second circle. So far, no other characters have been shown to use Rentan Jutsu, save Scar on the basis that the tattoo on his right arm consists of an amalgamation of Renkin Jutsu and Rentan Jutsu. The following characters all play minor supporting roles in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series. ...

Common Origin

Both Xing and Amestris were taught the initial concepts of their versions of alchemy by mysterious figures from a foreign land-the Amestrians had the "Eastern Philosopher" (possibly Father), the Xingese had the "Western Sages" (possibly Van Hohenheim). The Great Desert that separates the two nations was once the land of Xerxes, which collapsed in a single night after it was used as a transmutation circle that ripped the souls out of all but two people (Father and Van Hohenheim) in the country. Therefore, all alchemy in the FMA world originated there. For many in both nations, it is the only thing they remember of the lost empire.^[4] Alchemy is closely tied to Amestris' growth and development-it is not known to what extent it has influenced Xing. Father healing Al, apparently ignoring the Law of Equivalent Exchange and using no alchemic array or hand movement. ... Hohenheim, in Hohenheim of Light. In the anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist, Hohenheim is the father of the protagonists, Edward and Alphonse Elric. ... Flag of Amestris military government Amestris is the nation-state that serves as the principal setting of the anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. ...

Some Alchemy Techniques

Edward Elric

• Handblade: Ed's automail arm gains a handblade. This is his signature technique.
• Lance: Ed summons a lance from the ground to use as a weapon that can gain more force through Alchemy.
• Sword: Ed summons a sword from the ground that can split into a daisho (a Japanese sword pair existing in a katana and wakizashi) through Alchemy.
• Hammer: Ed summons a hammer from the ground that can become an axe through Alchemy.
• Extended Handblade: After stepping in the red water, Ed lost control of his alchemy and his automail extended as a handblade (ignoring the Law of Equivalent Exchange)
• Arm Cannon: Ed transmutes his automail arm into a portable cannon that he can fire at will.
• Rockwall: Ed summons a wall of stone from the ground as a shield.
• Stonespikes: Ed summons a series of spikes made of stone from the ground.
• Rockfists: Ed punches the ground, summoning giant fists of stone from the ground.
• Rockfist Rain: Ed summons giant fists of stone from the ground that fly into the air, then shower down from the sky.
• Rockgrab: Ed summons a hand of stone to grab and immobilize the enemy.
• Machine Gun: Ed transmutes his automail arm into a portable machine gun which he can fire at will.
• Knucklespikes: Ed transmutes his automail making spikes come out of the knuckles.
• Armshield: Ed transmutes a portion of his automail making a shield come out of it.

An Edo-era daisho on its stand. ... For other uses, see Katana (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In the fictional world of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, Equivalent Exchange ) is a version of the Antoine Lavoisiers law of conservation of matter, and the primary law that governs the practice of alchemy. ...

Alphonse Elric

• Pillar Spin: Al summons a pillar from the ground, then grabs it and begins to spin, hitting the enemy.
• Tornado: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Al is able to summon a tornado.
• Soul Transfer: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Al is able to transfer a portion (or all) of his soul into a suit of armor (he is able to do this because his soul has been removed and reattached).
• Missile Rain: Al summons a series of missiles that shower from the sky.
• Rockfist Punch: Al summons a fist from the ground under the enemy punching them into the air.

Roy Mustang

All of Roy's flame alchemy requires him to snap his fingers to make a spark, then using the transmutation circle embroidered on his gloves, he manipulates the air to bring oxygen into the flame to allow it to spread. He is useless therefore in rain or in any other situation where his gloves are wet because they won't make a spark. Contrary to belief, Mustang is capable of causing combustion in the presence of water. Because water consists of oxygen and hydrogen, he can alchemically dissociate water molecules and ignite the hydrogen to create a massive bomb. He does this in volume ten of the manga in order to defeat the Homunculus, Lust. General Name, symbol, number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series nonmetals, chalcogens Group, period, block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) pale blue (liquid) Standard atomic weight 15. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ...

• Flame Burst: Roy snaps his fingers, causing an explosion of fire.
• Flame Barrage: Roy sends out a series of fireballs by snapping his fingers multiple times.
• Flame Pillars: Roy summons pillars of fire by snapping both his fingers pointing down and moving up.
• Flame Control: Roy touches the transmutation circle on his hand, causing any nearby fire to engulf the chosen target.
• Flame Dragon: Roy snaps his fingers, creating a dragon made of fire.
• Flame Wall: Roy snaps his fingers and brings massive amounts of oxygen into a "wall" to create a barrier between him and his enemy.

Alex Louis Armstrong

• Stonespikes: Armstrong punches the ground or the walls with his gauntlets on, summoning a series of stonespikes to assault his target
• Rockfists: Armstrong punches the ground or the walls, summoning giant fists of stone from the ground/wall.
• Reconstruction: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Armstrong punches the ground, transmuting an entire structure.
• Heads: In Conqueror of Shamballa, Armstrong punches the ground to make a sculpture of his head hitting the enemy.
• Self-portrait: Armstrong punches the enemy's weapon and turns it into a model of himself.
• Flying Spikes: Armstrong throws a rock, chunk of cement, or similar object into the air and punches it with his gauntlet as it falls in front of him, transmuting it into a huge, metal dart and propelling it toward his foe.

Zolf J. Kimblee

• Living bomb: Kimblee transforms elements in a living being's blood into combustible compounds, causing them to explode from the inside.
• Inanimate bomb: Kimblee transforms elements in a rock or piece of metal into a substance that reacts explosively with oxygen

Scar

• Decomposition: Scar uses his right arm to transmute an object and stops at the second step, decomposition, to break the object down into pieces.

Scar's Brother

• Right Arm: Deconstruction: Just like Scar, Scar's brother used his right arm to break down surrounding objects.

• Left Arm: Reconstruction: After destroying an object with his right arm, Scar's brother could then use his left arm to recontstruct it, completing the alchemical process.

Jack Crowley

• Earth Manipulation: Crowley uses the earth beneath his feet to create earth-based tendrils, launching them towards his opponent then forming them into blades when near the target. This power remains active as long as Crowley maintains contact with the ground and can be likened to a similar attack used by Dante when facing Ed.
• Golem Transmutation: Crowley uses ancient Lebisic alchemy to create Golems, living dolls made of soil that do his bidding without question. The Golems possess a number of powerful attacks and abilities, which they use to abduct and kill people for Crowley to transmute into the Crimson Stone.

Dante

• Deflect: Dante intercepts the object thrown and destroys it with alchemy.
• Summon the Gate: Dante can call the Gate to appear via a transmutation circle drawn on a baby
• Human Disconstruction: Dante can spilt a person into their three component parts; mind, body and spirit
• Rock Monsters: Dante summoned a series of rock-like monsters out of the ground to attack Hohenheim, she also uses a snake like variant of this to attack Ed later on
• Ouroboros Transmutation: Dante can rob a homunculus of it's mind using its tattoo as a transmutation circle
• Body Swap: using a Philosopher's Stone, Dante can move her soul into another body, in order to extend her own life. It is possible that the soul inhabiting the body she steals is placed into her old body. This technique does not guarantee immortality as Dante believes since it is limited by the Philosopher's Stone and with each body transfer, the soul is weakened and loses the energy to maintain a physical body, causing the body to decay more quickly than the previous one.

Hohenheim

• Icespikes: Similar to Ed's Stonespikes, Hohenheim summons a series of icespikes from the ground and ceiling.
• Ice Armor: Similar to Dante's Rock Monsters, Hohenheim summoned a series of armor that is carved in the likeness of Al's armor to counter Dante's transmutation.

Russell Tringham

• Crystallization: Russell is able to use an unspecified process to convert Red Water into Red Stone.
• Sword: Russell transmutes a sword from an electrical lamp.

Basque Grand

• Cannon: Grand transmutes his body into a tank, capable of firing multiple shots like that from a cannon.
• Steel Fist: Grand transmutes his right gauntlet into a steel fist.

Majhal

• Animated Dolls: Majhal transmutes souls of women into dolls to animate them.
• Sword: Majhal transmutes a tool into a sword.

Lyra

• Shockwave: Lyra gathers moisture in the air, condenses it, and launches it at a high velocity.

Color

The color of the light used in a transmutation is different among alchemists. This depends on their methods. White would seem to have something to do with the composition of organisms, given that the regenerative capacities of the Homunculi involve a white glow & Kimbley's color is also white. This specialization feature extends to other things, such as Mustang's orange flame-based alchemy & the Tringham brothers' green plant-based alchemy.

Purple occurs if the alchemist's circle is tattooed on their bodies. It also seems to have something to do with gate-based transmutations, since both the Elrics' & Huskisson's gate summoning transformed the light from yellow to purple. Alchemists who use it not in this sense include Psiren, Crowley, Camilla, & Eckhart.

Red comes from the usage of a Philosophers Stone. The only character who uses a red alchemical charge on a regular basis is Scar, due to the stone forming in his arm.

Blue occurs when an Alchemist has seen the "truth" beyond the Gate. Dante, Izumi, Ed, Al, Crowley, Wrath, & Hohenheim all use blue alchemy.

The last color is yellow. This is the normality of alchemy colors. Curiously, though Armstrong works consistently with stone, he hasn't developed any sort of specialty.

• Ed has used yellow after he saw the Gate and Crowley has used blue for every scene except that lone cutscene. These are most likely small continuity errors.

• For more complex transmutations & due to the type, arcs of different colors may appear. Examples include in Conqueror of Shamballa where Armstrong's attack had bits of blue & in the beginning of the series when flashes of white surrounded the new born Sloth.

• This trait cannot be observed in the manga, due to the fact that manga aren't typically drawn in color.

Notes