Fullmetal Alchemist: The Most Powerful Alchemists

More and more people have come to realize that anime is a great storytelling medium, and it helps when series like Fullmetal Alchemist exist. The manga began in 2001, and it spawned two anime series, including the 2009 anime which covered the entire story. Many consider Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to be one of the best anime of all time because it features great action and an incredible story with fundamentally well-written characters.

The series revolves around Alchemy, a power system that is an ancient metaphysical science that allows individuals to manipulate and alter matter with natural energy. Alchemy has certain laws and restrictions, with Equivalent Exchange being paramount. It states that in order to create something, something of equal value must be destroyed and vice versa. Fans have seen several Alchemists in the series, but some are far more skilled than others.

Updated on October 27, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Fullmetal Alchemist mangaka Hiromu Arakawa getting another work of hers – Daemons of the Shadow Realm – slated for an anime adaptation, fans of Yuru’s adventure with his daemons might be intrigued how its story differs from Hiromu’s other popular story with the Elric Brothers. Whereas Daemons featured a unique take on psychics and supernatural abilities, the occultism presented by alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist brought a unique power system that was perfectly integrated with the story’s themes. And for theorycrafters out there, they might be intrigued just what the series’ most powerful alchemists may offer in terms of their overall powersets and abilities.

21 Julia Crichton

Mainly Uses Low-Tier Medical Alchemy

Julia Crichton was one of the protagonists of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, the movie that was released after the events of FMA: Brotherhood. It may not be part of the official canon, but Julia is still a noteworthy alchemist. She specializes in medical alchemy, which she can use to heal small wounds.

She is a strong-willed woman who wishes to restore her nation to its former glory, but she is not a fan of using the Philosopher’s Stone because it would involve sacrificing too many innocent lives. That being said, when she does use the Philosopher’s Stone, she can perform powerful alchemy which allows her to release lightning, water, ice, and earth. Julia is naturally athletic, but she is not much of a fighter without the stone. By the end of the movie, Julia helps to avenge her family, and her actions helped Milos become an independent nation.

Julia Crichton: Most Interesting Feats

Despite her focus on healing, Julia was a rather unremarkable alchemist at the start of The Sacred Star of Milos, possibly due to her participation in Black Bat and lack of overall practice. Julia reaches her height with the possession of the Philosopher’s Stone, as she seems capable of healing grievous wounds and even conjure powerful lightning and earth as well as water and ice. When she passes the Gate of Truth to save her brother, it’s implied that she received the ability to perform alchemy without transmutation circles. However, it’s not demonstrated how much the extent of her new alchemy was and what she traded to get this knowledge. Now that Milos has become an independent nation, Julia may have the time to properly practice the craft and potentially hone her healing alchemy.

20 Shou Tucker

A Talented Alchemist With No Offensive Gifts

Shou Tucker earned his State Alchemist license two years before the start of the series, and the only reason he was able to obtain it was because he created a chimera that was capable of speech. He specialized in Bio-Alchemy, which is why he was called the Sewing-Life Alchemist.

Advertisement

Related

Fullmetal Alchemist: Can A Human Chimera Transformation Be Reversed?

Can Nina’s transformation be reversed? Can a human chimera ever return to being a regular human?

Tucker was a terrible human being. He was manipulative, selfish, and delusional. He was not a fighter, but no one can deny the fact that he was a fairly talented alchemist. It is true that he sacrificed his wife and daughter to create his prized chimeras, but he was able to perform the advanced form of alchemy nonetheless. Tucker gets placed under house arrest once his horrible crime is revealed to Colonel Mustang. According to Liza Hawkeye, Tucker was going to be court-martialed for his actions, and his State Alchemist title was going to be revoked. Tucker was ultimately killed by Scar, so the trial never took place.

Shou Tucker: Most Interesting Feats

While not necessarily a remarkable alchemist (his abilities aren’t demonstrated), Shou makes up for his lack of skill with inhumane dedication to his research. As he was able to fuse animals and humans into Chimera with alchemy, it’s implied that Shou possesses an advanced degree of knowledge in both the craft as well as biology. In the 2003 anime, Shou seeks the Philosopher’s Stone to resurrect Nina, having turned into a Chimera himself due to his failed experiments. Although not achieving any success in this endeavor, Shou has seemingly improved his biological alchemy by creating an army of Chimeras who serve him as well as creating near-identical “copies” of Nina just waiting for a Philosopher Stone to bind her soul back in place.

19 Scar’s Brother

Had Great Alchemy Knowledge, But He Was A Devout Pacifist

Advertisement

Unlike most anime brothers, not much is known about Scar’s brother. In fact, no one even knows his real name. He was known for being a kind man with a thirst for knowledge, and that thirst led him down the path of Alchemy and Alkahestry.

His alchemy knowledge was so great that he discovered the unnatural flow of alchemy, and developed a reverse transmutation circle to fix the issue. Even Dr. Marcoh had difficulty understanding his research. Scar’s brother was a pacifist, so he did not use alchemy as a weapon. But during the Ishvalan war, he used alchemy to save Scar from one of Kimblee’s explosions. Before dying, he gives Scar his iconic right arm that he uses to kill State Alchemists. He believed that the arm was better suited for a warrior monk rather than a pacifist.

Scar’s Brother: Most Interesting Feats

The Brotherhood and original incarnation of Scar’s brother placed him more as a bookworm than an actual alchemist. His knowledge in the craft is so in-depth that he managed to decipher the Nationwide Transmutation Circle just by studying Amestris’ alchemy. The only trait similar between the 2003 and 2009 versions of Scar’s brother would be the placement of the alchemical tattoos of reconstruction (left) and deconstruction (right) – the latter of which becomes transplanted to Scar during the Ishval Civil War. However, Scar’s brother was more interesting is his 2003 iteration, wherein his attempt at human transmutation resulted in the birth of the Homunculus Lust and that he was able to fend off Solf Kimblee’s pursuit with his alchemy of unknown power levels.

18 Tim Marcoh

Not Much Of A Fighter, But Can Destroy A Philosopher’s Stone With A Touch

Dr. Tim Marcoh was known as the Crystal Alchemist, and he deserted the State Military because of the atrocities he committed during the war with Ishval. He was the lead researcher of a military project designed to create Philosopher’s Stones, and his research proved to be successful.

His method involved sacrificing a number of innocent lives, which explains why he suffers from PTSD. He possesses a unique transmutation circle on his right palm, and with it, he can deconstruct a Philosopher’s Stone with a single touch. This includes the Stone found in each Homunculus. Marcoh is by no means a fighter, but he can use his Alchemy in very creative ways. Before the series ends, Marcoh agrees to restore Mustang’s vision as long as the Ishvalan people receive proper care and independence.

Tim Marcoh: Most Interesting Feats

Despite his age, Tim Marcoh’s status as one of the oldest alchemists in the series places his knowledge incomparable to other practitioners. Although no longer able to use his alchemy in combat, his knowledge in alchemy and transmutations allow him to become an excellent healer and decoder of alchemical codes. Not only that, his knowledge of the Philiosopher’s Stone allowed him to not only create them but even destroy them with a single transmutation. This ability alone places Tim Marcoh in a position to destroy Homunculi with just a grasp.

17 Ashleigh Crichton

All Of His Power Came From A Philosopher’s Stone

Ashleigh Crichton is Julia’s older brother, and he serves as the main villain of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos. As a child, Ashleigh studied the alchemy notes that his parents made, and he stumbled upon his parents being killed by an attacker named, Atlas. Ashleigh survived the encounter, but he was left horribly disfigured.

The only reason he lived is that he swallowed the Sanguine Star, which was actually a Philosopher’s Stone. He assumed a different identity and became a high-ranking member of the Cretan military. He could control a unit of wolf chimeras, and if he had not been stopped, he would have destroyed the Milosians because of how they treated his family. All of Ashleigh’s power came from the stone, but it was still incredible power. Ashleigh receives a fatal injury from his sister during the movie’s final battle, but he manages to survive. He wakes up in a hospital and decides to re-enter the Cretan military.

Ashleigh Crichton: Most Interesting Feats

It was only thanks to a Philosopher’s Stone that Ashleigh Crichton actually survives and manages to use powerful alchemy. Ashleigh’s usage of the Philosopher’s Stone highlights its versatility, allowing him to heal grievous wounds and conjure powerful attacks. He’s seen able to create potent ice and lightning attacks, courtesy of alchemy developed by the Crichton family.

16 Isaac McDougal

A Former State Alchemist Who Could Freeze Almost Anything

Isaac McDougal is an original character who was introduced in the first episode of FMA: Brotherhood. He was once a State Alchemist, but he resigned from the military shortly after the Ishvalan Civil War. He was skilled with water-based Alchemy, and he would often freeze the water that he used, which is why he was named the “Freezing Alchemist.”

He could control large amounts of water, as well as any liquid source that possessed the essence of water. The ice he created could withstand Mustang’s flames, and if he touched someone, he could kill them by freezing or boiling the blood within their body. McDougal’s skill with ice was so great that he was able to immobilize all of Central Headquarters by himself. McDougal managed to escape the Elric brothers, but he immediately ran straight into Fuhrer King Bradley. He tried to put up a fight, but he was killed by a single attack. McDougal became a target because he somehow managed to discover the Homunculi and the Nationwide Transmutation Circle.

Isaac McDougal: Most Interesting Feats

Despite his early exit in the series, Isaac is the viewer’s first foray into the world of State Alchemists – a title not to be taken lightly with his early demonstrations of his abilities. Isaac can control water from virtually any source, transforming them into a variety of forms. He can transform them into weapons he can use to attack enemies, as create icy pathways, and even create vapor from an enemy’s own water as a smokescreen. Moreover, in a manner similar to Bloodbending, Isaac can boil or freeze the water in an enemy’s body to instantly kill them. Isaac’s most powerful technique involves summoning near-endless amounts of ice – with the destruction of his transmutation circles the only way to stop them.

15 Seraphy Royce

A State Alchemist Who Specialized In Creating Unique Chimera

Advertisement

Seraphy Royce appeared in Fullmetal Alchemist: Stray Rondo – a Game Boy Advance game that was released in 2004. He was a kind and caring person who participated in the Ishval Civil War when he was a State Alchemist. He was known as the Tuning Alchemist, and when he could not deal with the pressures of war, he was stripped of his certification.

This caused Seraphy to seek revenge against the military. While he was a State Alchemist, he specialized in medical alchemy, but when he left, he began focusing on bioalchemy. As a result, he created multiple Chimera that were bred for combat. He was able to create an Ultimate Chimera that could continuously regenerate, and he went on to merge with it—thus becoming a powerful hybrid that could withstand other alchemy-based attacks. When Seraphy attempts to fuse with his castle, he remembers that he was once a kind man, and he decides to destroy himself instead.

Seraphy Royce: Most Interesting Feats

Having received accreditation as a State Alchemist, Seraphy Royce’s healing alchemy is incredibly potent. However, his time as a fugitive allowed him to develop a more precise variant of alchemy known as bioalchemy. Through this discipline, Seraphy can create different types of Chimera designed specifically for combat. Interestingly enough, Seraphy seemed to have gained incredible power not through the help of a Philosopher’s Stone but by intentionally sacrificing his memories. Among his most interesting feats include the creation of a near-immortal Chimera, and being able to fuse himself with a castle to become a super-Chimera.

14 Giolio Comanche

An Experienced State Alchemist Who Can Hold His Own Against Scar

Giolio Comanche is arguably the oldest State Alchemist in the series, and he participated in the Ishvalan War. In fact, he was the only State Alchemist who smiled when the order to deploy was given. He goes toe-to-toe with Scar until the Ishvalan destroys his peg leg, which causes him to fall into a river. While in the water, Giolio was unable to use his Alchemy, and he was easily killed by Scar.

Related

Advertisement

Why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is Better Than the Original

Both Full Metal Alchemist anime offer something different, but Brotherhood stands out as the better adaptation.

Comanche was known as the Silver Alchemist because of his skill with metal, which he used to create weapons like swords, shuriken, and chained blades during battle. He had transmutation circles tattooed on the palms of his hands, as well as a number of alchemical markings tattooed on his fingers. Despite his age, Comanche was a capable fighter who could turn himself into a deadly spinning top.

Giolio Comanche: Most Interesting Feats

Despite his disability, Giolio Comanche has shown a remarkable agility and dexterity in combat. Outside alchemy, he’s shown a penchant for using bladed weapons – be it swords, throwing knives, or even chained weapons. This is tied to his alchemy, as Giolio is seen able to transmute different forms of metal. Whereas most other alchemists have their abilities tied to a force of nature, Giolio is seemingly a human arsenal capable of creating any bladed weapon he wished. Unlike other alchemists, Giolio has different transmutation circles and alchemical texts tattooed on his hands, ensuring he doesn’t have any need to draw transmutation circles to engage in combat.

13 Jack Crowley

Used His Knowledge Of Alchemy To Create Golems, Then Bound His Soul To Them

Jack Crowley is the main antagonist of Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir – a PS2 game that was released in the Fall of 2004. He lost his State Alchemist certification a long time ago. He was known as the Silver Bullet Alchemist, and he tried to bring his girlfriend back to life via Human Transmutation. This is the reason why he was able to perform Alchemy without Transmutation Circles.

Crowley used his Alchemy knowledge to create an army of Golems, and he used his soul-binding skills to bind his soul to some of those Golems. This allowed Crowley to stay alive. He was able to fight the Elric brothers on even ground for a time, and he was able to withstand Mustang’s flames. Crowley’s life was directly linked to the Crimson Stone, and his soul was finally defeated when Ed and Al destroyed it.

Jack Crowley: Most Interesting Feats

Even before his possession of a Philosopher’s Stone, Jack Crowley is immensely powerful – he knows alchemy well enough to have an army of Golems to fight on his behalf. Jack also knows a special technique called Soul Binding to ensure he was practically immortal, courtesy of a Golem body. Using a Philosopher’s Stone, Jack received a considerable power boost in his alchemical abilities, making him a force to reckon with. To top it all off, his capability of using alchemy without transmutation circles implies he’s already committed human transmutation.

12 Aston Martins

A Skilled Swordsman With Powerful Electrical Alchemy

Aston Martins is another State Alchemist who was introduced in Fullmetal Alchemist: Stray Rondo. He is pretty laid-back most of the time, but he becomes far more focused and ruthless during battle. Aston is very interested in the Samurai Code, which explains why he trained to become a skilled swordsman.

He is known as the Thunder Alchemist because of his fondness for electricity. He mainly combined his electrical alchemy with his sword skills. By doing this, he was able to enhance his sword’s cutting power. Roy Mustang knew how skilled Aston was, which is why he personally recommended him for a dangerous mission involving multiple chimera. His party ended up fighting a dangerous chimera that could constantly regenerate, so he decided to sacrifice himself. He overloaded the chimera with electricity, and while he did kill it, his body could not withstand the discharge either.

Aston Martins: Most Interesting Feats

Despite having a pun for a name on top of his gleeful personality, Aston Martins is no slouch in terms of alchemy. Being a State Alchemist, Aston is skilled enough in the craft that he can use his unique electricity-based alchemy to complement his melee-oriented playstyle. Known for his use of a sword, Aston can use electricity to boost the cutting power of his strikes. Not only that, Aston can charge attacks from his swords, unleashing blasts of lightning for long-ranged attacks while also electrocuting enemies when striking them up close.

11 Basque Grand

A High-Ranking State Alchemist That Excels In Hand-To-Hand Combat & Armaments

Basque Grand rose to the rank of Brigadier General, making him one of the highest-ranking State Alchemists. During the Ishvalan Civil War, he led Amestris forces to a number of victories on the Eastern battlefield. Years later, Basque Grand faces Scar in an alley. He believed that he had Scar cornered, but he quickly realized that he had cornered himself instead. Scar kills him very quickly.

He was known as the Iron Blood Alchemist because he utilized a pair of gauntlets with metallic plating and rings that had alchemical markings on them. When he slammed the gauntlets together, he created transmutation circles. He was a master of hand-to-hand combat, but he specialized in creating functional armaments and canons out of rock and stone.

Basque Grand: Most Interesting Feats

While Basque’s personality between the 2003 and 2009 anime versions differ, he remains quite the impressive State Alchemist in both iterations. Before his alchemical prowess, Basque Grand is able to hold his own in hand-to-hand combat. And when he does need to use his alchemy, the Iron Blood Alchemist enters the battlefield in style. At its core, his gauntlets are inscribed with alchemical symbols and texts that allow him to use them for alchemy just as much as they’re used for punching. Using his alchemy, Basque can transform large objects into complex structures. Basque likes using his alchemy in tandem with his knowledge of metallurgy, allowing him to create large structures featuring cannons and firearms to aid him in combat.

10 Mei Chang

The Most Skilled Alkahestry User In The Series

Mei Chang is one of the many princesses of the Xingese Empire, and she ventures to Amestris to learn about the Philosopher’s Stone. She does this because her father wishes to find the secret to immortality, and if she is successful, the Chang family will be elevated at the royal court.

Mei is capable of using Alkahestry, which is classified as a slightly different form of alchemy. Alkahestry focuses on the natural energy found in the world and living things. The term Chi is used to describe the flow of this natural energy, and it allows Alkahestrists like Mei to use advanced medical transmutations to heal people. She uses throwing knives to enhance the range of her attacks. Mei is considered an Alkahestry prodigy who can use Chi to track others, and she can use it to learn how their abilities work. Mei returns to Xing after the final battle with Father, and she meets up with Alphonse two years later. It appears as though they have become a happy couple.

Mei Chang: Most Interesting Feats

Before her alchemy, Mei Chang is already one of the most talented Xingese martial artists of her generation. Despite her size, Mei Chang can contend with foes twice her size thanks to her dexterity and acrobatics. Compared to the more upfront Amestrian alchemy, her knowledge of Alkahestry allows her to sense chi or energy in other living things – to the point where she can sense the intentions of others, track them, and even get to know her abilities. Thanks to her special knives, Mei Chang can extend the range of her Alkahestry – much like how the Fourth Hokage of Naruto needs his special kunai for his Flying Raijin Jutsu. Mei’s Alkahestry specializes in healing, making her among the most powerful healers in the series.

9 Alphonse Elric

An Alchemy Prodigy With His Own Gate Of Truth

Edward unintentionally caused a great deal of mayhem throughout the series, and his little brother was by his side for most of it. Alphonse lost his body when he and Ed tried to bring their mother back to life, but Ed was able to affix his soul to a suit of armor.

Related

Fullmetal Alchemist: Why The Elric Brothers Failed To Resurrect Their Mother

There’s actually a logical reason behind why this tragic human transmutation attempt failed as badly as it did.

Advertisement

Alphonse was brought before his Gate of Truth during this failed Human Transmutation attempt, and as a result, he gained the ability to perform alchemy without the need for transmutation circles. In terms of intellect, he is a prodigy like his brother, and his skill with Alchemy allowed him to take on Pride, the second-oldest Homunculus. Al gets his body back when Father is defeated, and he continues to study Alchemy. He even travels to Xing, so Mei Chang can teach him to use Alkahestry.

Alphonse Elric: Most Interesting Feats

Being trained by Izumi Curtis herself, Alphonse can use his massive size to engage foes in hand-to-hand combat before even having to resort to alchemy. Thanks to his armored body and lack of internal organs (literally), Alphonse demonstrates incredible durability. If he does have to use his alchemical skills, Alphonse transmutes with a keen speed and precision that works in tandem with his needs. On the offense, Alphonse can quickly transmute weapons to fight with. When defending, Al can also conjure barriers and constructs to defend himself. Unlike most alchemists, Alphonse doesn’t need to make contact with his transmutation circles to conjure his creations. While his alchemical style is similar to that of Ed’s, Alphonse’s is more creative and polished in nature – although he does lack the spur-of-the-moment talent of Edward in high-stakes situations.

8 Scar

Can Kill Any State Alchemist With His Right Arm

When Scar was first introduced, he was considered to be a villain because he was actively hunting down and killing State Alchemists in order to avenge his fellow Ishvalans, but he and Ed eventually ended up working together for the greater good. Scar was originally an Ishvalan warrior-monk, which explains why he is a competent hand-to-hand fighter.

Scar does not consider himself to be an alchemist, but he uses it nonetheless when he uses the Transmutation Array tattooed on his right arm. This type of alchemy is quite powerful and advanced, and it allows him to destroy anything that his arm touches via comprehension and deconstruction. He was able to fight Ed to a virtual standstill, and he managed to defeat Wrath—the Homunculus who possessed an all-seeing eye. Scar survives the final encounter with Father, but he collapses from his injuries not long afterward. After healing, he returns to Ishval with Olivier, and together they help to rebuild their nation.

Scar: Most Interesting Feats

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, transmutation in alchemy needs three steps to complete: understanding the matter involved (comprehension), destroying said matter (deconstruction), and turning it into the desired result (reconstruction). However, the Ishval Civil War left Scar with his brother’s tattoos that explain only until the second step – technically allowing Scar to destroy anything with a single touch. Scar in the 2003 series technically has the same tattoed arm, only this time it’s half of the transmutation array Ishval’s unique alchemical style known as the Grand Arcanum – which in the series is a soul-absorbing craft that makes its users into pseudo-Philosopher’s Stones. Near the end of the 2009 series, Scar is seen with another tattooed arm – revealing that he’s able to decipher his brother’s research and etch the alchemical texts for reconstruction, allowing Scar to now recreate things he destroys.

7 Alex Louis Armstrong

A High-Ranking Alchemist Who Can Fight A Homunculus

Major Alex Louis Armstrong is known as the Strong Arm Alchemist because he incorporates his physical prowess into his alchemy. This is a special type of combat alchemy that has been passed down through his family for generations, and he uses a pair of metal gauntlets that are marked with Transmutation Circles.

He transmutes objects by punching them, and he mainly uses this ability to create spikes, walls, and other objects when he hits the ground. He was able to fight Sloth, the most physically imposing Homunculus. Alex survived the encounter with Father, and he continues to serve in the Amestrian State Military.

Alex Louis Armstrong: Most Interesting Feats

Unlike other State Alchemists, Alex Armstrong is known for his incredible strength and fortitude. Alex is able to contend with equally skilled fighters such as Scar, with his durability allowing him to tank brutal attacks that could ordinarily kill others. This fighting style fits right into his alchemy, where symbols etched on his gauntlets allow him to launch various earth-based objects toward his targets with incredible speed. Alex is known to use this ability to create spikes powerful enough to pierce through Homunculi, and even turn boulders into high-speed artillery with the strength of his alchemically-boosted punches.

6 Kimblee

A Former State Alchemist Who Could Cause Powerful Explosions With His Hands

Advertisement

Kimblee, otherwise known as the Crimson Alchemist, was a recurring antagonist who served directly under King Bradley as a special agent. He is known for using a special type of combustion-based combat alchemy, and he was imprisoned for using it against civilians during the Ishvalan War.

He has transmutation arrays tattooed on his palms which allow him to create explosions that follow the law of equivalent exchange. If he has a Philosopher’s Stone, he can ignore the law and produce explosions that are far more powerful. The Stone also allows him to create explosions with just one hand instead of two. Kimblee suffered a fatal neck injury thanks to Heinkel, and he was absorbed by Pride afterward. When Pride’s soul is finally destroyed, Kimblee’s spirit is destroyed as well.

Solf Kimblee: Most Interesting Feats

Solf Kimblee’s twisted nature complements the nature of his alchemy perfectly. By joining his palms tattooed with special circles, he advertently creates a symbol capable of causing explosions. The nature of these explosions differ between the 2003 and 2009 anime. In the former, Kimblee’s alchemy transmutes the targets into a substance akin to gunpowder that explodes after extreme compression. Meanwhile, in the 2009 anime, Kimblee uses the contradictory nature of his tattoos to cause an energy imbalance that forces the things he touches to explode. With the Philosopher’s Stone, Kimblee is shown creating more massive explosions.

5 Izumi Curtis

An Alchemy Master Who Managed To Overpower A Homunculus Like Sloth

Everyone needs a teacher, including Edward and Alphonse, who were lucky enough to be trained by Izumi Curtis for six months. She is a skilled martial artist, but more importantly, she is a master alchemist who saw her Gate of Truth when she attempted a Human Transmutation of her own.

Advertisement

Related

10 Battle Shonen Anime With The Best English Dubs

Although many fans prefer watching anime with subs, these battle shonen shows have equally good English dubs.

Izumi may have lost most of her internal organs in the exchange, but she gained the ability to perform alchemy without Transmutation Circles. Her style of alchemy mainly focuses on her surroundings, which she uses to her advantage. She can produce metal during combat, and she can knock out an opponent by targeting the flow of ions in their nerves. She can take out multiple opponents at once, and she was able to briefly overpower Sloth. Thanks to Hohenheim, Izumi was able to survive one of Father’s massive attacks, and she goes on to live a pretty good life.

Izumi Curtis: Most Interesting Feats

Among alchemists in the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, Izumi is known best for her martial arts skills. Unfortunately, her only setback would be the painful vomiting of blood after strenuous actions after her failed human transmutation left her with an internal injury. While technically capable of using alchemy without a transmutation circle, Izumi’s own alchemy is left largely a mystery unless watched closely. When fighting, Izumi’s preference for martial arts seems to point towards an alchemical style that involves manipulating objects to her advantage. She likes creating structures to block attacks, restrain individuals by manipulating rock, and even disabling others by disrupting the flow of ions in their nerves. It seems Izumi taught Edward how to transmute metal weapons to use in combat.

4 Roy Mustang

The Top-Ranked State Alchemist Who Defeated Two Homunculi By Himself

Roy Mustang may be a side character, but he plays a major role in the story. He is Edward’s superior officer and a recognized war hero, but he is also an extremely powerful and dangerous alchemist. He is known as the Flame Alchemist because of his use of fire.

Mustang uses a pair of white cloth gloves which have flame-oriented Transmutation Circles embroidered onto them, and they allow him to alter the oxygen levels around him. He can create intense flames by snapping his fingers, flames that are able to severely damage Envy and kill Lust. After seeing his own Gate of Truth, Mustang can now perform Alchemy without the need of a Transmutation Circle. He can also perform various types of Alchemy now. Some time after Father is defeated, Roy gets his vision back courtesy of Dr. Marcoh.

Roy Mustang: Most Interesting Feats

Perhaps among the most iconic alchemists in the series, Roy Mustang is known for his snaps that can create large swaths of fire wherever he aimed his fighters. This is done courtesy of a special transmutation circle on his gloves, with the gloves themselves made of ignition cloth that sparks whenever Roy snaps his fingers. Roy’s flames are considered the most troublesome State Alchemist ability that the Homunculi encountered, and the state even acknowledged his alchemy as among the most powerful they encountered. Such was his skill in the craft that Roy can even use isolated pockets of water to separate oxygen and hydrogen into a combustible fuel that can create fire with the right reagent.

3 Van Hohenheim

The Oldest Alchemist In The World, His Alchemy Went Against Equivalent Exchange

Van Hohenheim is Edward and Alphonse’s father. He unintentionally became the first Human Philosopher’s Stone hundreds of years ago when he decided to trust a Homunculus who ended up destroying the kingdom of Xerxes. This is the reason behind Hohenheim’s immortality and the reason he can heal like a Homunculus.

He is the oldest alchemist alive, and his power is quite extensive. Not only does he not require Transmutation Circles, but he can also perform alchemy without even moving. He is able to perform biological transmutations that go against Equivalent Exchange, and he can use alchemy in multiple locations at the same time. After finally defeating Father and making amends with his sons, Hohenheim was finally able to rest. He died while resting at Trisha’s grave.

Van Hohenheim: Most Interesting Feats

Being the first man to have ever been taught alchemy and the first Philosopher’s Stone, Van Hohenheim’s greatest feat is the gift (or curse) of immortality. His age and knowledge in alchemy alone makes him a walking encyclopedia. As a being with more than 500,000 people powering his Philosopher’s Stone, Hohenheim can do feats never before imagined even by the most powerful alchemists of the modern times. Not only is Hohenheim able to transmute without a transmutation circle, he can do so without moving an inch. He can even perform biological transmutations without suffering any repercussions. However, while his 2009 version gave Hohenheim a more “obscure” take on his abilities, his 2003 variant provided him with an affinity towards light. In the 2003 anime, Van is often called ‘Hohenheim of Light” as he’s seen turning light into a physical construct.

2 Edward Elric

An Alchemy Prodigy Who Defeated A God

Edward Elric may be short-tempered, but his knowledge of alchemy and the physical world makes him one of the smartest shonen anime protagonists of all time. He is known as the Fullmetal Alchemist because of his automail arm and leg, but he often creates metal weapons for combat.

Advertisement

Related

28 Iconic Shonen Anime Protagonists, Ranked By Their Power

Shonen anime has featured some incredibly powerful protagonists, but who’s the strongest of them all?

He does not require Transmutation Circles to perform alchemy, instead, he simply claps his hands together. Thanks to his genius-level intellect, Edward is essentially a master of his surroundings, and best of all, he can incorporate his opponent’s style into his own, which means he can adapt to situations very quickly. Father was still a god when Greed weakened him, but Ed was able to beat him by punching a hole in his chest. Edward gave up the ability to use Alchemy in order to get Alphonse’s body back, but he gained a new family in the process. He goes on to marry Winry, and they have a son and daughter together.

Edward Elric: Most Interesting Feats

While his half-Automail body contradicts his Fullmetal moniker, Edward Elric is among the most gifted alchemists of his generation. As someone who can use alchemy without transmutation circles, Ed uses this with his genius-level intellect to adapt to various situations in combat – he can create large structures as platforms, create weapons to fight at any distance, and even turn his Automail arm into a blade. Such was Ed’s combat prowess that he can integrate combat styles of his opponents into his own, such as Scar’s offensive deconstructions, Alex Armstrong’s stone spikes, and Greed’s hardening mechanics. Ed’s knowledge and skill in alchemy even enabled him to transform into a pseudo-Philosopher’s Stone, allowing him to destroy Pride’s Philosopher Stone from the inside of its supposedly intangible body.