Summary and Basics of Alchemy

Alchemy (錬金術 or Renkinjutsu in Japanese) is the fictional science of manipulating matter by harnessing energies that pervade the world of Fullmetal Alchemist. The act of performing Alchemy is known as a Transmutation, and it can be used for a variety of means, most commonly changing the shape and composition of an Alchemist's surroundings as they see fit. Alchemy plays an incredibly important role in the story of Fullmetal Alchemist, serving as the main power system, the source of many of the protagonists' hopes, struggles, wishes and fears, and even as a pillar of the history and lore of the world the characters inhabit.

Note that Alchemy behaves in a somewhat different way in the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime, which is its own unique story and canon and should not be confused with the original.

The Laws of Alchemy

Alchemy follows one unbreakable rule: The Law of Equivalent Exchange^[1]: "To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost." This law is most commonly seen in its most basic form: The matter transmuted by alchemists will no longer exist in its original state, and to create structures the ground from underneath them will be made thinner^[2], but it can take on a more metaphysical meaning: Alchemists can draw upon their own life force to perform impossible feats^[3], or even their own ability to perform Alchemy. There are two laws that descend from this one, The Laws of Conservation of Mass and Natural Providence, which state, respectively, that nothing can be truly created or destroyed but simply transformed, and that objects can only be transmuted into ones with a similar atomic makeup. In other words, something like water can only be transmuted into things composed of hydrogen and oxygen.

There are three main steps to Alchemy^[4]:

• Analysis: The Alchemist must have a deep understanding of whatever they're attempting transmutation on^[5], including its composition, as an attempted Transmutation will fail if they have the wrong material in mind^[6]. A transmutation failure can even cause a "Rebound^[7]", where the failed transmutation is reflected back to the one who attempted it, potentially to terrible results.
• Deconstruction: Alchemy then proceeds to break down the matter on the atomic level. The process can be halted at this point, to destroy whatever the Alchemist wishes^[8], a tactic most commonly but not exclusively^[9] by Scar.
• Reconstruction: The alchemist finally reconstructs the matter into whatever they wish to make^[1].

To perform Alchemy, most Alchemists also need to use specific circles with runes and specific shapes inscribed in them, Transmutation Circles. These can be simplified to the point of being drawn rapidly for the sake of combat^[8][10], and Alchemists who expect to find themselves in battle often draw them upon their equipment, as seen with Roy Mustang's gloves^[11] and Solf J. Kimblee's very own palms^[12]. Transmutation Circles do not need to be drawn: They can also be etched in one's flesh^[13] or even cast by circular shadows^[14] or mere gestures^[15].

Finally, Alchemy must draw from a greater energy: For Alchemists that come from the Eastern country of Xing, it is the Dragon Pulse, a power that flows through the ground, while for those from Amestris, the country in which most of the events of Fullmetal Alchemist take place, it is a sea of souls trapped underneath the crust of the Earth^[16].

Abilities inherent to alchemy include:

• Matter Manipulation, Transmutation, Energy Manipulation and Elemental Manipulation
• Minor Air Manipulation, Light Manipulation and Vibration Manipulation (Transmutation can cause strong gusts of wind^[1], bright flashes of light^[17] and even shockwaves strong enough to destroy clothing^[6], all as a side effect of the Transmutation itself)
• Deconstruction (The second key step of alchemy is to break down the matter that is to be transmuted^[4], and the process can be halted at that point to destroy whatever the alchemist wants)

Variations of Alchemy and Alchemists

Various alchemy specializations and techniques exist: Alex Louis Armstrong's Combat Alchemy passed down through the Armstrong family line for generations, which sees him transmuting debris with a punch, turning it into dangerous weaponry that flies towards the enemy at high speed^[4], or Roy Mustang's terrifying Flame Alchemy, a secret technique that allows him to transform the air around his target and set it ablaze^[11].

Another style alien to Amestris is Xing Purification Alchemy, or Alkahestry, which as previously stated harnesses a different amount of energy and can be used at range^[18], and to heal wounds^[19]. Amestrian healing alchemy also exists.

Speaking of which, various kinds of Alchemists exist. There are the basic Alchemists, whose degree of skill in the subject can range from an amateur interest in it to true mastery, as shown with Izumi Curtis. Then, State Alchemists, ones officially recognized by the country of Amestris who are considered parts of the army, with a rank equal to that of Major. Various kinds of Alchemists are enrolled by the state: researchers such as Dr. Marcoh, The Crystal Alchemist, and Shou-Tucker, The Sowing-Life Alchemist, took non-combat roles and instead studied specific subjects such as Philosopher's Stones or Chimeras, with the former also being a healer^[10], while others such as Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist, and Solf J. Kimblee, The Crimson Lotus Alchemist, are used as powerful weapons in the near-constant expansion wars that Amestris wages on its neighbours.

A more metaphysical separation among alchemists splits the majority from the few who have attempted the capital sin of Alchemy: Human Transmutation. While the laws of Amestris also punish the transmutation of gold, Human Transmutation is forbidden by the rules of nature itself; any attempt will inevitably fail, no matter the skill of the alchemist, and they will be subject to a particularly deadly Rebound^[15]: Their organs, sight, limbs or even their entire body may be taken away from them as they unwillingly open a portal to Truth, the god-like being that represents and rules over alchemic transmutations.

While this is a very undesirable event, and the reason that Human Transmutation is taboo, gazing upon the Gate of Truth bestows upon the alchemist some sort of mysterious knowledge that allows them to transmute with a clap of their hands, without the need of any Transmutation Circle, as their own body can replace it^[15].

Abilities that can be achieved with Alchemy provided the alchemist knows how to include:

• Earth Manipulation (One of the most basic uses of alchemy is creating objects, most commonly spikes^[4] or barriers^[13], out of the ground, which is something that even non-combatants such as Dr. Marcoh have shown the capability to do^[10])
• Weapon Creation (Alchemy can be used to make various sorts of weapons^[1][20])
• Life Manipulation and Soul Manipulation (Alchemists can sacrifice part of their life span to perform otherwise impossible feats^[3]. Edward could use alchemy to bind his brother's dying soul to a suit of armor^[21]. Alchemists can also use parts of their soul as ingredients for alchemic feats^[15], absorb many for the creation of Philosopher's Stones^[7] and even remove other people's souls from their bodies^[22]. While human transmutation is doomed to fail, it might briefly give life to a human^[23], albeit a horrifically mangled one. Alchemy can also be used to create artificial beings^[2], homunculi)
• Limited Sealing (Alchemy can bind souls to objects^[21]. While the real souls will reside in a different plane^[23], the consciousness of whoever is being bound will be bound to the object)
• Fire Manipulation and Air Manipulation (Mustang's fire alchemy works by creating sparks with his gloves, then changing the concentration of the oxygen in the air to favor the fire's expansion^[11])
• Explosion Manipulation (Fire Alchemy can cause explosions^[24]. Solf J. Kimblee also specializes in causing explosions)
• Fusionism (Shou Tucker could create chimeras by fusing two beings together^[11]. Other state alchemists were even more successful during the civil war^[25], although it is unknown if they had access to Philosopher Stones)
• Healing (Marcoh can heal people with alchemy^[10]. State alchemists healed wounded soldiers while turning them into chimeras^[25], though this might have been through the use of Philosopher's Stones. Xing Purification Alchemy can be used for the sake of healing as well)
• Non-Physical Interaction (Alchemy can be used to affect gases such as the air^[11], liquids such as water^[26] and even souls^[21])
• Portal Creation and Dimensional Travel (Those who attempt human transmutation will be taken to meet^[15] Truth when it inevitably fails)
• Teleportation (A State Alchemist summoned the sacrifices needed for Father's great plan to his location against their will^[27])
• Transformation and Soul Manipulation (Edward Elric turned himself into a Philosopher Stone^[27], aka an object powered by his own soul)
• Vibration Manipulation (Scar can cause shockwaves with his deconstruction alchemy^[28])
• Forcefield Creation (Eastern Alchemy can create protective circles^[14])
• Ice Manipulation, Water Manipulation and Temperature Manipulation (Isaac McDougal can control water and rapidly alter its temperature, which also allows him to create ice as well as instantly kill people by freezing or boiling the blood in their veins^[29])
• Blood Manipulation (McDougal can also control liquids that are mostly composed of water such as his own blood^[29])
• Smoke Manipulation (McDougal can create smokescreens with steam, and even use it to cause explosions^[29])

Creations of Alchemy

Chimeras

While the creation of living creatures is thought to be impossible by conventional alchemy, there are work-arounds: by fusing two living beings, Chimeras can be created. Even this is an incredibly difficult task, with most attempts at creating chimeras being babbling, unintelligent messes^[11], or worse. However, unbeknownst to any but the highest-ranked members of the military, during the south border war against Ishbal many wounded soldiers were secretely experimented upon to turn them into animal-human hybrids^[25]. Most of the Chimeras seen in Fullmetal Alchemist have the intelligence of humans, but more animalistic fusions between two animals are also seen^[1].

Abilities that are seemingly inherent to successful chimeras include:

• Superhuman Physical Characteristics (Chimeras are far stronger than normal humans, although still only comparable to some of the stronger human fighters in the series)
• Transformation (Human Chimeras can transform from their human appearance to their monstrous forms^[30])
• Enhanced Senses (Chimeras seemingly inherit the senses of their animal matrix, as seen by Heinkel, a lion chimera, being able to locate his enemy by smelling the enemy's position through snow too thick to see through^[31] and see and fight another enemy in complete darkness^[32])
• Minor Extrasensory Perception (A chimera's animal instincts can warn them^[33] against threats, and even locate those threats in the darkness^[32])
• Natural Weaponry (Chimeras typically inherit their matrix's attributes such as claws and fangs, with their effectiveness sometimes being greatly increased compared to the abilities of any normal animal^[34])

Philosopher's Stone

A Philosopher's Stone is a red substance, sometimes encountered in the form of a stone, but also in those of a fluid or powder^[31]. It is an extremely rare object sought after by most alchemists, as it allows one to ignore the Law of Equivalent Exchange, effectively creating and reshaping matter as they see fit^[1]. The secret behind the creation of Philosopher Stones is fiercely protected by the state, which has produced many, and for good reasons: to create a Philosopher's Stone the lives of many people must be sacrificed, as it is a concentration of their souls and the great energy they produce^[7]. Amestris gave Philosopher Stones to State Alchemists in the war of Ishbal to curb-stomp its resistance, and plans to use them for even more nefarious purposes. Note that this pool of energy is finite if enormous, and as such can theoretically be completely exhausted.

Abilities that can be achieved with Philosopher's Stones include:

• Energy Manipulation, Creation and Enhanced Transmutation (The energy of a Philosopher's Stone can be used to ignore the Law of Equivalent Exchange and create more matter from nothing but the Stone itself^[1])
  • In practice, this greatly increases the abilities of any alchemist, allowing them to easily dwarf their previous limits and perform much more impressive Transmutations. They also no longer need Transmutation Circles.
• Enhanced Fusionism (Can be used to create dangerous chimeras^[1] even in the hands of relatively inexperienced alchemists)
• Enhanced Weapon Creation (Even normal objects can be turned into dangerous weapons^[21])
• Enhanced Healing and Biological Manipulation (Hohenheim, whose body is effectively a living Philosopher stone, could change someone's body structure^[35])
• Light Manipulation (Can be used to create flashbang grenades^[36], although it's likely the same can be done without a Philosopher's Stone)
• Enhanced Portal Creation and Dimensional Travel (With a Philosopher Stone, Alchemists can perform human transmutation on themselves to open the Gate of Truth without paying the toll they normally would^[7])

Homunculi

Thought to be impossible by most Alchemists, Homunculi are artificial humans, created and fueled by Philosopher's Stones. Only seven Homunculi exist, all of them created by Father, who removed one of his sins and put it into each of them. Pride was the first Homunculus to be created, and Wrath was the last.

The personality, intelligence and powers of Homunculi vary wildly among them, but there are some common traits:

• Limited Inorganic Physiology (A Homunculus' "real", core body is a Philosopher's Stone)
• Immortality (Type 2 and 3) and Regeneration (At least High-Mid, possibly Low-High. Homunculi such as Lust have shown the ability to regenerate their whole body from their Philosopher's Stones^[26]. While Philosopher Stones are known to take on a variety of forms^[31], such a solid, gelatinous, powdery or liquid, it is unknown if a solid one could still function after being reduced to those states. Note that Homunculus regeneration speed varies among them: Gluttony healed from Scar's deconstruction of his organs basically instantly^[37] and could close and heal himself immediately after being bisected^[13], while Sloth's regeneration is much slower^[38])
  • A Homunculus' regeneration is reliant on their Philosopher's Stone, and can be eventually depleted^[13].
• Longevity (Homunculi can live for hundreds or thousands of years^[25], although not forever, as they are still limited by the finite if huge supply of souls within their Philosopher's Stones)
• Minor Aura (Homunculi emanate a menacing presence^[39], although Riza Hawkeye was the only one to ever pick up on it)
• Multiple Selves (Type 1 and 2: As Philosopher's Stones are made by absorbing the souls of hundreds or more people, Homunculi have that many souls within them^[7], still conscious and screaming in agony^[40])
  • Supernatural Willpower (All Homunculi remain sane among the storm of souls in the Philosopher Stone, which would annihilate any normal man's individuality^[41]. In addition to this, Homunculi^[22] have^[26] shown^[26] incredible^[42] pain tolerance^[38])
• Minor Absorption (Various Homunculi have shown the ability to absorb other Philosopher's Stones^[43][44])
• Alchemy: Almost all Homunculi are innately capable of performing Alchemy on themselves, modifying their own bodies to fight. Some examples are Lust growing her fingers into sharp blades^[21], Envy's shapeshifting^[8] and Greed's ability to transform his skin into an impenetrable carbon shield^[45]. The two exceptions to this are Pride, who instead uses alchemy to control shadows, although those are an extension of his body anyway, and Sloth, who has shown no abilities of the sort.

Note that while King Bradley is a Homunculus, the different method behind his creation means he does not have access to any other Homunculus' inherent abilities.

References

All references are from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga unless otherwise specified

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