History Awesome / FULLMETALALCHEMIST

-->"Now I see. You're ''jealous''. You're jealous of humans, aren't you? We humans, according to you, we're supposed to be nothing when compared to Homunculi. And yet, when we're beaten down, when we stray and fall, we face the challenge again and again. Our loved ones are always there to pick us back up. And you're jealous. [[ArmorPiercingResponse You]] ''[[ArmorPiercingResponse envy us]]'' [[ArmorPiercingResponse because of that.]]"

-->"You helped a woman give birth in Rush Valley, and saved her and her baby. You gave me an arm and leg so I could stand again. Your hands aren’t meant for killing people. They’re for helping them live."

** And goes GunsAkimbo to Envy (emptying two handguns and a rifle clip) while Envy can't do a shit about this. Envy can only [[IncrediblyLamePun turn the table]] by using his [[CombatTentacles tentacle]] to pull SuperRugPull.

-->'''Izumi''': When people ask, I say [[CatchPhrase "I'm a housewife!"]]. It does make sense. But today, I've shed that particular disguise. [[BadassBoast I AM AN ALCHEMIST]]!!

*** Best part of that moment? Alex's line immediately after doing it (at least in ''Brotherhood''): "This artistic muscular and artistic alchemic collaboration..." And at this point we expect him to say the ever famous [[CatchPhrase "Has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations!"]] But no, he ''instead'' follows it up with: "...is excellent and elegant!" In other words, that technique ''hadn't'' been passed down the Armstrong line for generations, Alex was just badass enough to trash Sloth with his own power, skill, and ingenuity. Truly awesome.

** Hohenheim destroys Father's container by letting Father absorb some souls from him. How did that destroy Father's container? Hohenheim [[http://video.adultswim.com/fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood/tortured-souls.html had gotten to know each and every person within his body.]] ''All 536,329 of them.'' Whereas Father saw the Philosopher's Stone only as a bundle of energy, Hohenheim like Al saw that the Philosopher's Stone contained people. Who were really pissed off at Father for ripping their souls out of their body and stuffing them in Hohenheim for over 500 years. The souls then rip Father apart from the inside. [[HopeSpot Too bad]] Father no longer needed his container.

* The Truth's morality is certainly questionable, but no denying that it's TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Father was awesome. It tells him that he's the same as when he when he was inside the flask and that he's no better than humans, that he was a fool to assume that casting aside parts of his emotions would elevate him above humanity, and that all he's done is steal power from others.

** Even better is Lan Fan's fight with Envy, totally cut from the anime. Envy tries his very best to attack Lan Fan, who manages to evade and counterattack. He can't even lay a finger on her as she totally outclasses him. Later, Ling shows up and they fight until dusk. The only thing that stops the fight after consecutive ''hours'' is [[TheCameo Pride]] echoing through the streets for the homunculus to stop. Even better, this occupies Lust's allies as Mustang takes her out.

** He pulls off the most awesome of Awesome Moments near the end: he pulls Alphonse out from the Gate, malnourished but alive and whole, with no new injuries to either himself or Al. Everyone in the world [[BeyondTheImpossible considered this impossible]] without either the help of a Philosopher's Stone. How did he do it? He offered up something that even The Truth considered an Equivalent Exchange for Human Transmutation: '''[[ItWasWithYouAllAlong the ability to perform alchemy]].'''
*** The entire conversation between The Truth and Ed during this moment has to count, too. In the anime, the nonchalant, fair, and sometimes cruel in-universe God even laughs in joy about Ed's offer.

* It's a much quieter awesome in the face of a series full of sheer balls-out badassery, but let's just look at what Mrs. Bradley had been through since Chapter 89. Her husband goes missing, she's taken hostage only to find out that Central command is perfectly willing to let her be a collateral casualty, her son goes missing, then it turns out that both he and her husband are inhuman monsters who've been using her since the beginning of their 'family'. Then her husband is killed, and her son is returned to her as a broken shell. With full knowledge of how deeply she's been tricked, of what her son really is, and with ''everyone'' left at the top of the military telling her it would be best to get rid of any lingering threats, what does she do? Takes Selim home and raises him into a kind, polite child who worries about injured birds, on nothing but willpower, love, and good parenting. ''And'' helps Grumman cement his position as Fuhrer while doing it. Best mom.

* From the 4koma theater, we have the entire Bradley family, ''including [[NeverMessWithGranny the Fuhrer's wife]]'', teaming up to fight Greedling. Mrs. Bradley even says that Wrath and Pride wouldn't know anything about fighting without her.

* Even the [[TeamPet panda]] gets a moment of awesome in Father's lair during the finale! May was injured and unconscious, and the next time she's seen she's waking up in a healing circle with Shao May hovering. ''Shao May healed her!''

* Major Armstrong and Sig Curtis instantly bonding and tag teaming on Sloth. [[RatedMForManly A manlier scene has not been seen in anime since]] ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar''.

* Doesn't the author herself, Hiromu Arakawa, deserve a mention for her story-telling? She took the concept of revenge, and clearly defined it, something that Masashi Kishimoto is still working on in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', and shows it through Roy Mustang and Scar as the story progresses.

* And what about the time Winry kicked two soldiers, two chimeras, and a ''homunculus'' out of her room? Ed's expression in the anime was [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments priceless]], and even her Dog, Den, looks stunned.

** What's even better that bad guys ''realised'' that, but they couldn't do anything! And despite King Bradley survived, they still had a big setback.

---> '''Ed''': Nah, that's bad idea. Unless you're ready to '''lose a whole army'''.

'''Manga and ''Brotherhood'''''

----

[[folder:2003 Anime Version]]

* Ed has a bevy of moments:
** The first time he performs alchemy without a transmutation circle.
*** The above skill leads to him saving several lives and passing his alchemy exam all in one go and creating a shower of petals that falls onto a delighted Al and Nina.
** His statue pwnage of Cornello in the second episode, showing for the first time just how powerful he really is.
** The way he defeated Slicer by using ''Scar's'' alchemy technique.
*** There's also the PreAssKickingOneLiner. Since Slicer is actually the souls of two murderer brothers bound to one suit of armor (Ed defeats one by knocking off the head containing the blood seal, but his brother, whose seal is on his body, simply picks it up and replaces it). The second brother, moving in for the killing blow, yells "This is for my brother!" Ed, injured and with his automail failing, almost gives up, but then he thinks of Al (who will be stuck forever as a suit of armor if Ed dies here) and enters his HeroicSecondWind with a shout of "And ''this'' is for ''mine''!" [[HilarityEnsues Asskicking ensues.]]
** His entire battle with Greed: "Let's start!" "Let's ''finish''!"
** Countering Scar's destruction alchemy by subtly changing the composition of his automail.
* Al, of course, isn't without his moments:
** When he gets pissed and charges down Wrath.
** When he outsmarts and defeats Kimblee. "Devious bastard", indeed.
** In the final episode, using his own Philosopher's Stone body to fuel the world's first successful human resurrection.
** How about in the fifth episode, on the train to Central where the would-be hijackers turn around. Never has the word "Welcome" been more sinister or amazing.
** He gets another great ShutUpHannibal moment (Al's good at these) in the final episode when he basically tells Dante to shove it when she tries to stop him from using his Philosopher's Stone to bring Ed back to life: "Stay back! You can't tell me what to do!"
* Roy vs. Pride: "I don't know how long you've lived, Fuhrer, or how many times you've cheated death, but not anymore. It's the end of the line." Badass incineration ensues.
* The Ed vs Mustang fight in Episode 13.
* Ed and Alphonse making their way up to Dietline Eckhart's ship in Conqueror of Shamballa movie.
* Ed revealing his Automail to Rose and Cornello in the first episode.
-->'''Ed:''' "IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? (Ed ''[[TheCoatsAreOff rips off his coat]]'') ''[[WhamLine LOOK!]]''"
* Despite mainly being a FauxActionGirl in the adaptation, Hawkeye gets one when she ''trips'' Mustang to stop him from inadvertently getting himself killed against Scar.
* Scar versus murderous biker gang. Let's just say flying limbs are involved.
* Scar's dispatching of Basque Grand is pretty awesome too. Gran is a feared hand-to-hand combatant and, when they meet, is in possession of Dr. Marcoh's powerful Philosopher's Stone copy, which previously has enabled Grand to transform into a human buttkicking machine. Scar, however, eliminates him as easily as if he's blowing his nose.
* Scar's [[DyingMomentOfAwesome final appearance]], in an episode (#42) flooding with awesome altogether.
* In his fight with Wrath and Sloth at the factory, Ed does what we've all been waiting for the entire series and transmutes a BUNCH of guns onto his automail. To quote Bruce Willis, "Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho." Also counts for a [=CMoA=] for Wrath, who one-ups Ed almost immediately by transmuting many more guns into ''his'' arm and starts shooting.
* King Bradley is stalking after a (relatively innocent) chimera, who tries to hide (at Al's suggestion) in Al's armor. Bradley walks up, sword drawn, [[TranquilFury a wide smile on his face]], and greets him: "Good morning, Alphonse!" ''While sliding his sword down Al's neck.'' He pulls the sword out and walks away, leaving Alphonse dripping blood through the seams in his armor. KickTheDog made into an art form.
* Izumi Curtis taking on ''the entire military'' including the powerful alchemist [[ColonelBadass Alex Armstrong]], at the same time, in order [[MamaBear to get Wrath back from them]] [[OneManArmy and almost succeeding]] was extremely badass.
** The fact that Armstrong was nursing the wrong side of himself suggests he at least threw the fight. Doesn't make it any less badass.
*** Heck, the fact that he threw the fight could be considered a subtle [=CMOA=] on its own. He ''knows'' he's supposed to be keeping Izumi out, but is willing to risk letting her get Wrath back anyway.
* Ed's FinalBattle with Greed is one of the best animated sequences in the show, and is very often cited when people discuss favorite anime fight scenes.
* Envy gets one in the final episode. Almost everyone is terrified of going into the Gate, where all sorts of mysterious, flesh-eating creatures dwell. However, when Envy finds out Hohenheim is on the other side of the Gate, he just strides through it like he owns the place and tells the Gate-creatures to fuck off, 'cause he's got a papa to kill.
* [[CoolVersusAwesome Wrath versus Mutated!Gluttony]]. In particular, after eating some Red Stones, Wrath proceeds to '''kick ass'''.
* Rose manages to get a surprisingly awesome moment when Ed is cornered by Sloth and Wrath. She [[CallBack echoes some advice]] Ed gave her before, telling him to "get up and move" when Sloth is about to take him out, which gives him all the motivation he needs to do exactly that. Ed even thanks her for it afterward, pointing something out that makes it even better: Rose managed to get her voice back, after being mute due to trauma for months, just to try and help him. It's both awesome and a SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment|s}} ''at the same time''.
* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwgSMHU8vxg non canon OVA special]] where all of the homunculi are pitted against all of the state alchemists is just pure hilarity mixed with over the top awesomeness. If you thought the TV series was lacking in CoolVersusAwesome, then this should scratch that itch. Even Kimblee and Cyborg Archer get in on the fun on the good guy side of all things.
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*** And it was solid enough to fool the villans so that they still thought Roy had "killed" their framed murderer, thus allowing Maria to escape from Amerstria.

** Scar’s brother’s awesomeness doesn’t stop there. Remember that most Transmutation Circles and Arrays allow the user to perform a particular kind of specialized alchemy (Like Mustang’s Flame Alchemy or Kimblee’s Explosion Alchemy). Those circles and arrays themselves usually take years of research, study and passed down knowledge to be created. However, by studying and combining Alchemy and Alkahestry, Scar’s brother managed to create a set of tattoos that allow their user to, theoretically, perform any kind of transmutation in the same way Ed and other clapping alchemists do, provided they possess the knowledge behind said transmutations. And the guy did it '''all by himself''', just by reading and researching whatever book he managed to lay his hands on, while living in a society that shunned those studies and practices, and everything without ever leaving the commodity of his home. Scar’s brother truly deserves to be a candidate for the title of the smartest character in the story.

** Scar’s brother’s awesomeness doesn’t stop there. Remember that most Transmutation Circles and Arrays allow the user to perform a particular kind of specialized alchemy (Like Mustang’s Flame Alchemy or Kimblee’s Explosion Alchemy). Those circles and arrays itselves usually take years of research, study and passed down knowledge to be created. However, by studying and combining Alchemy and Alkahestry, Scar’s brother managed to create a set of tattoos that allow their user to, theoretically, perform any kind of transmutation in the same way Ed and other clapping alchemists do, provided they possess the knowledge behind said transmutations. And the guy did it '''all by himself''', just by reading and researching whatever book he managed to lay his hands on, while living in a society that shunned those studies and practices, and everything without ever leaving the commodity of his home. Scar’s brother truly deserves to be a candidate for the title of the smartest character in the story.

** Scar’s brother’s awesomeness doesn’t stop there. Remember that most Transmutation Circles and Arrays allow the user to perform a particular kind of specialized alchemy (Like Mustang’s Flame Alchemy or Kimblee’s Explosion Alchemy). Those circles and arrays itselves usually take years of research, study and passed down knowledge to be created. However, by studying and combining Alchemy and Alkahestry, Scar’s brother managed to create a set of tattoos that allow their user to, theoretically, perform any kind of transmutation in the same way Ed and other clapping alchemists do, provided they possess the knowledge behind said transmutations. And the guy did it '''all by himself''', just by reading and researching whatever book he managed to lay his hands on, while living in a society that shunned those studies and practices, and all without leaving the commodity of his home. Scar’s brother truly deserves to be a candidate for the title of the smartest character in the story.

** Scar’s brother’s awesomeness doesn’t stop there. Remember that most Transmutation Circles and Arrays allow the user to perform a particular kind of specialized alchemy (Like Mustang’s Flame Alchemy or Kimblee’s Explosion Alchemy). Those circles and arrays itselves usually take years of research, study and passed down knowledge to be created. However, by studying and combining Alchemy and Alkahestry, Scar’s brother managed to create a set of tattoos that allow their user to, theoretically, perform any kind of transmutation in the same way Ed and other clapping alchemists do, provided they possess the knowledge behind said transmutations. And the guy did it '''all by himself''', just by reading and researching whatever book he managed to get his hands on, without leaving the commodity of his home. Scar’s brother truly deserves to be a candidate for the title of the smartest character in the story.