In of well-developed characters, Edward Elric is one of the best, in both Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, and anime as a whole. His journey to restore his brother's body and his own arm and leg after committing the taboo of human transmutation has captivated countless viewers over the years.
Many emotional themes are woven into the narrative of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, from grief and self-loathing to forgiveness and redemption. Edward encapsulates all of these and more with his blend of humor, hard-headedness, and a heart of gold that's hidden underneath it all. The impact of his memorable lines lingers long after the final episode ends.
Classic Edward Elric
"Who's Little? Come Here And Say That To My Face, I Dare You!"
While searching for the Philosopher's Stone in Reole, Alphonse is mistaken for the Fullmetal Alchemist. When the townspeople realize it's actually Edward and comment on how short he is, Ed unleashes his fury on them.
One of the best aspects of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is how it balances serious issues with humor, and Ed often delivers these funny moments. Known as his "short rants," everyone learns not to comment on his height, lest they face his wrath. Not only is his reaction hilarious, it sets the tone for his personality and plants the seeds for literal and figurative character growth.
Tough Love
"Stand Up And Walk. Keep Moving Forward. You've Got Two Good Legs, So Use Them."
After Ed and Al expose Father Cornello for using alchemy to make people think he's performing miracles, devoted follower Rosé loses all hope of seeing her deceased fiancé again. On her knees, she begs Edward to tell her what to do.
Ed is familiar with the desire to bring someone back from the dead. He sacrificed an arm and a leg for it with failed results. To him, Rosé is able to do what he couldn't, get up under the power of her own two legs and decide where to go next. Bluntness from a place of caring is a hallmark of Ed's, and this profound moment cuts deep.
A Dream Turned Nightmare
"It Turns Out The Truth Is Too Dangerous To Hold."
Ed and Al have searched for the Philosopher's Stone for years, hoping it will help them restore their original bodies. So, when Dr. Marcoh's research notes reveal that creating a stone requires human sacrifice, their disgust and disappointment are palpable.
This quote speaks to Ed and Al's situation and is highly relatable. It's easier to ignore truths in life than to face them because they're often undesirable. In Edward's case, once he finds out, he can't just stand by. It propels him to start looking for "the truth within the truth," uncovering the government's involvement in creating stones, information that heavily impacts the rest of the story.
A Beautiful Reminder
"It's Your Hands – They Weren't Meant To Kill, They Were Meant To Give Life."
When Winry is faced with Scar, her parents' murderer, she's so distraught that she could kill him. However, despite having a gun in her hand, she just can't pull the trigger. After Scar leaves, she asks Ed why she couldn't do it.
In a deeply heartfelt moment, Ed lists all the noble reasons why Winry couldn't shoot Scar, ending with this line. Besides being exactly what Winry needed to hear, this is a side of Ed that's rarely seen. The gentle, caring place this quote comes from adds a new layer of depth to his character and is a wonderful introduction to Ed and Winry's friendship-to-romance arc.
His Promise
"The Next Time I Make You Cry, I Hope They'll Be Tears Of Joy!"
Winry is ready to return to Rush Valley after her ordeal in Central, and Ed and Al say goodbye to her while waiting for her train to leave. Ed mumbles this line as he walks away, then shouts it across the station when Winry asks him to repeat himself.
Edward is gutted that he made Winry cry again. His demeanor can be tough, but this proves his thoughtfulness and shows the depth of his love for Winry. It causes Winry to how he's always been there for her and she realizes that she's in love with him. This quote brings their romance front and center and sets up a sweet promise in the midst of chaos.
The Power Of Brotherly Love
"I Promise, Someday Soon, I'm Coming Back For You!"
Ed es through the Gate of Truth after escaping from Gluttony and finds Alphonse's body waiting for its soul. Ed tries to take the body with him but isn't allowed to. As he's dragged to his own reality, Ed punches back through his portal's door, declaring that he'll be back for Al.
The relationship between Edward and Alphonse is the heart of this shounen anime, and this scene literally packs an emotional punch. Ed manages t0 defy the Truth, just to tell Al's body that he'll bring it home. This exemplifies the extent of Ed's devotion to his brother, as well as his resolve. It's a reminder that his main objective hasn't changed. No force in existence can stop him from reaching and restoring Al.
What Humans Are Made Of
"When We're Beaten Down, When We Stray and Fall, We Face The Challenge Again And Again."
On their way to face Father, Envy tries to start a battle between Colonel Mustang, Lieutenant Hawkeye, Scar, and Ed, even though the latter three have just stopped Mustang from killing him. Ed realizes that the reason Envy looks down on them is that he's jealous of humans.
Edward highlights the tenacity of humans. He gets to the heart of human nature, making a powerful statement about the strength that all people have to adapt and grow. This line comes at a time when this kind of strength is crucial for survival, providing a moment of quiet reflection in contrast to the fight raging around them.
Not A God
"That's The Only Thing I've Ever Been – Just A Simple Human."
Al's soul has reunited with his body. Ed is about to give up his ability to perform alchemy in exchange for bringing his brother home, and The Truth tells him that without alchemy, he'll just be a normal human.
In this important scene, Ed acknowledges where he went astray. He knows that a life without alchemy is nothing compared to a life without his brother or the people he cares about. He never had any true power, other than the capacity that all humans have to love, change, and forgive. Alchemy couldn't save Nina or his mother, and giving it up will never mean lowering himself. He wasn't above anyone else to begin with.
The Best Way To Propose
"Equivalent Exchange! I'll Give Half Of My Life To You, If You Give Half Of Yours To Me!"
Ed is about to leave on a quest to prove the new principal of alchemy that he and Al have hypothesized. Winry sees him off, and he realizes that this is his last chance to state his intentions. He summons his courage and screeches out this proposal.
Edward handles proposing marriage the same way he does everything in life – by rambling about the laws of alchemy. Only he could pull it off, and it provides one last chuckle as Ed and Winry's romance is realized. Winry's exasperated response, telling him that she'll just give him her whole life, is equally funny yet charming and a perfect start to their future together.
The Ultimate Life Lesson
"You'll Find That You Now Have A Heart Strong Enough To Overcome Any Obstacle...Yeah, A Heart Made Fullmetal."
As Ed's train pulls out of the station, he reflects on his experiences. Acknowledging that sacrifice is necessary to obtain anything worthwhile, he comes to the conclusion that overcoming pain is what makes humans stronger.
After all Ed's been through – the taboo he committed, the battles he fought, the forgiveness he experienced – he realizes it's made him more resilient than he ever could've imagined. This line is the culmination of all his experiences. The agony was worth it because far more was gained than lost, and he'll carry that truth forever.
