History YMMV / FullmetalAlchemist

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation:

** Although they only appeared in one episode, Nina and Shou Tucker are some of the most popular characters in the entire series. Nina is popular for being an [[{{Moe}} utterly adorable little girl]], her heartwarming friendship with the Elric brothers, and her utterly [[AndIMustScream ''tragic'' fate]]. Shou is "popular" for much different reasons, for being an utterly ''horrific'' example of an AbusiveParent and HateSink, so much so that it loops back around into making him popular in a LoveToHate way.

** Although they only appeared in one episode, Nina and Shou Tucker are some of the most popular characters in the entire series. Nina is popular for being an [[{{Moe}} utterly adorable little girl]], her heartwarming friendship with the Elric brothers, and her ''utterly'' [[AndIMustScream tragic fate]]. Shou is "popular" for much different reasons, for being an ''utterly'' horrific example of an AbusiveParent and HateSink, so much so that it loops back around into making him popular in a LoveToHate way.

** Although they only appeared in one episode, Nina and Shou Tucker are some of the most popular characters in the entire series. Nina is popular thanks to being an [[{{Moe}} utterly adorable little girl]], her heartwarming friendship with the Elric brothers, and her ''utterly'' [[AndIMustScream tragic fate]]. Shou is "popular" for much different reasons, being an ''utterly'' horrific example of an AbusiveParent and HateSink, so much so that it loops back around into making him popular in a LoveToHate way.

** Although they only appeared in one episode, Nina and Shou Tucker are some of the most popular characters in the entire series. Nina is popular thanks to being an [[{{Moe}} utterly adorable little girl]], her heartwarming friendship with the Elric brothers, and her ''utterly'' [[AndIMustScream tragic fate]]. Shou is "popular" for much different reasons, being an ''utterly'' horrific standout example of an AbusiveParent and HateSink, so much so that it loops back around into making him popular in a LoveToHate way.

** Father is rather divisive as the [[BigBad main villain]]. He is praised by some for being a genuinely threatening villain who [[spoiler:[[NearVillainVictory nearly succeeds]] in his goal to [[AGodAmI become the new God of the world]]]] and poses a serious threat to the protagonists, as well as for his [[HiddenDepths extensive and rich backstory]] with Hohenheim. However, he is criticized by others for a [[FlatCharacter perceived lack of personality]], arguably coming across as more of a GenericDoomsdayVillain than a fully realized character. Although it can be argued that this was [[IntendedAudienceReaction intentional]] as the other Homunculi are separated embodiments of Father's original personality in an attempt to "cleanse" himself of impurities, his original personality as the "Dwarf in the Flask" is [[NotSoStoic much more emotional]], and his Gate of Truth is completely blank when he's judged by Truth, meaning he learned nothing all this time, there's still debate over whether or not it actually mattered.

* PeripheryDemographic: While ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' is a shonen series (i.e. meant to be enjoyed by boys), it's fairly popular among female anime/manga fans too due to its well-written female characters; that it's a rare shonen series created by [[Creator/HiromuArakawa a woman]] is often cited as the reason. The women in the cast have as much focus, personality, and backstory as the men and aside from [[FemmeFatale Lust]], none are treated as [[MsFanservice eye candy]] either [[note]] if anything, the ''male'' characters tend to be gawked at more, especially Ed, Roy, and Armstrong [[/note]]. It's even been [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyLxZA6_424 cited]] as a positive counterpoint to the weak writing of many female characters in other shonen series.

* PeripheryDemographic: While ''Fullmetal Alchemist'' is a shonen series (i.e. meant to be enjoyed by boys), it's fairly popular among female anime/manga fans too due to its well-written female characters; that it's a rare shonen series created by [[Creator/HiromuArakawa a woman]] is often cited as the reason. The women in the cast have as much focus, personality, and backstory as the men and aside from [[FemmeFatale Lust]], none are treated as [[MsFanservice eye candy]] either. It's even been [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyLxZA6_424 cited]] as a positive counterpoint to the weak writing of many female characters in other shonen series.

** Solf J. [[http://ginnodangan.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/fma52-13.jpg Kimblee.]] Combined with his awesome sense of fashion, well-groomed appearance, and sophisticated tone, it's no wonder he has so many fangirls.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: The third Brotherhood episode adds in a scene where Cornello uses his Philosopher's Stone to bulk himself into a muscular giant...and Ed still beats him. It has no impact on the plot, and while Alchemy altering the body is common, it isn't established it can do something to that extreme.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: [[spoiler: Envy's last moments are portrayed in a [[CryForTheDevil somewhat sympathetic light]] after Roy [[KillItWithFire nearly burned them alive]] and Ed uncovered their hidden insecurities, driving them to suicide. However, given that they [[ForTheEvulz sadistically took pride in every single horrible thing they did]] and continued to act like a massive {{Jerkass}} till the very end, it's not hard to see why several fans don't exactly feel sorry for them.]]

** Father [[spoiler:after absorbing the Truth]] is a [[WalkingShirtlessScene completely topless]] {{Bishonen}}, yet it crosses over into FanDisservice when he talks, [[VocalDissonance revealing his voice is still that of an old man.]]

** Greed, who is introduced with [[TheCasanova two attractive women hanging on either arm]] and is quite TheCharmer on top of being TallDarkAndHandsome. His [[EvenEvilhasLovedOnes genuine care for his subordinates]] and [[NobleDemon sense of honor]] can even further this.

** Maes Hughes, the friendly competent BadassNormal [[spoiler: whose death becomes an important part of Roy Mustang]], still consistently scores very high in popularity polls, even 20 volumes later.

** Lan Fan is also very popular among the fandom, despite only being a secondary character, thanks to being a BadassAdorable and her UndyingLoyalty and ShipTease with Ling.
** Sheska, simply due to being very ''very'' {{Moe}}. Many fans greatly lament the [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome disappearance of in the manga]], where she simply goes "poof" plotwise.

** Greed is probably the most popular Homunculus behind Envy, thanks to being the TokenGoodTeammate of the Homunculi, his [[AffablyEvil likable personality]], and [[spoiler: having not one but ''two'' DyingMomentsOfAwesome.]] This is quite a feat considering how minor of a character the former is compared to the latter.

** Greed, who is introduced with [[TheCasanova two attractive women hanging on either arm]] and is quite TheCharmer on top of being TallDarkAndHandsome. His [[EvenEvilhasLovedOnes genuine care for his subordinates]] may even further this.

* EnsembleDarkHorse:
** Maes Hughes, the friendly competent BadassNormal [[spoiler:whose death becomes an important part of Roy Mustang]], still consistently scores very high in popularity polls, even 20 volumes later.
** Another is Jean Havoc, TheWoobie who can never get a girlfriend [[spoiler:who isn't a homunculus, and gets paralyzed before helping out the coup with supplies]].
** Lan Fan is also very popular among the Brotherhood fandom, despite only being a secondary character.
** Sheska, who many fans lament the disappearance of in the manga, where she simply goes "poof" plotwise. The fact that she looks like a female Kensuke Aida doesn't help matters at all.
** Being an EnsembleDarkhorse has been passed down the Armstrong line for generations!! Both the Major and his sister are definite favorites of the fandom.
** Amongst the bara fans, Darius and Heinkel are quite popular.
** Greed is probably the most popular Homunculus behind Envy, especially considering how minor of a character the former is compared to the latter.
*** In the manga poll, Greed I and II were ranked the 12th and 13th most popular characters respectively (the highest ranked Homunculus, only behind Envy). If they were both ranked as a single character (since they are the same person), then Greed would have scored higher, maybe even higher than Envy.
** Barry the Chopper has quite a fan following despite being a minor character who dies less than halfway through the series, mainly due to his AxCrazy and CrazyIsCool characteristics.

** Pride as well, thanks to being what's basically a LivingShadow EldritchAbomination and serving as TheDragon to Father. [[spoiler: And as Selim Bradley, he's [[CreepyChild surprisingly sinister in the guise of a child.]]]]

** Father is rather divisive as the [[BigBad main villain]]. He is praised by some for being a genuinely threatening villain who [[spoiler:[[NearVillainVictory nearly succeeds]] in his goal to [[AGodAmI become the new God of the world]]]] and poses a serious threat to the protagonists, as well as for his [[HiddenDepths extensive and rich backstory]] with Hohenheim. However, he is criticized by others for a [[FlatCharacter perceived lack of personality]], arguably coming across as more of a GenericDoomsdayVillain than a fully realized character. Although it can be argued that this was [[IntendedAudienceReaction intentional]] as the other Homunculi are separated embodiments of Father's original personality in an attempt to "cleanse" himself of impurities, his original personality as the "Dwarf in the Flask" is [[NotSoStoic much more emotional]], and his Gate of Truth is completely blank when he's judged by Truth, meaning he learned nothing all this time, there's still debate over whether or not it actually matters.
** Scar gets some of this over whether or not his [[HeelFaceTurn redemption arc]] was actually deserved. There are those who like him for [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone realizing the gravity of his crimes]] and turning over a new leaf by saving Amestris from Father and beginning to rebuild Ishval, seeing his [[TragicVillain tragic backstory]] and PetTheDog moments as making him worthy of redemption. However, there are those who hate him for being rather EasilyForgiven, even if Winry stated she didn't forgive him for killing her parents, and how he basically gets off [[KarmaHoudini scot-free]] for his actions of [[SerialKiller killing several alchemists]].

** Alphonse. Many admire him for being an AllLovingHero and NiceGuy who never fully breaks [[TheWoobie despite all that he goes through]], even [[spoiler: [[HeroicSacrifice attempting to sacrifice himself]] to stop Father and save his brother.]] However, there's a noticeable portion of the fanbase that finds him ''extremely'' annoying, mainly because his whining, even if it's for completely understandable reasons, can come across as {{Wangst}} at times.

** Father is rather divisive as the [[BigBad main villain]]. He is praised by some for being a genuinely threatening villain who [[spoiler:[[NearVillainVictory nearly succeeds]] in his goal to [[AGodAmI become the new God of the world]]]] and poses a [[KnightOfCerebus serious threat]] to the protagonists, as well as for his [[HiddenDepths extensive and rich backstory]] with Hohenheim, however he is criticized by others for a [[FlatCharacter perceived lack of personality]], arguably coming across as more of a GenericDoomsdayVillain than a fully realized character. Although it can be argued that this was [[IntendedAudienceReaction intentional]] as the other Homunculi are separated embodiments of Father's original personality in an attempt to "cleanse" himself of impurities, his original personality as the "Dwarf in the Flask" is [[NotSoStoic much more emotional]], and his Gate of Truth is completely blank when he's judged by Truth, meaning he learned nothing all this time, there's still debate over whether or not it actually matters.

** Alphonse. Many admire him for being an AllLovingHero and NiceGuy who never fully breaks [[TheWoobie despite all that he goes through]], even [[spoiler: [[HeroicSacrifice attempting to sacrifice himself]] to stop Father and save his brother.]] However, there's a noticeable portion of the fanbase that finds him ''extremely'' annoying, mainly because his whining, even if it's for a completely understandable reason, can come across as {{Wangst}} at times.

** Alphonse. Many admire him for being an AllLovingHero and NiceGuy who never fully breaks [[TheWoobie despite all that he goes through]], even [[spoiler: [[HeroicSacrifice attempting to sacrifice himself]] to stop Father and save his brother.]] However, there's a noticeable part of the fanbase that find him ''extremely'' annoying, mainly because his whining, even if it's for a completely understandable reason, can come across as {{Wangst}} at times.

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: [[spoiler: Envy's last moments are portrayed in a [[CryForTheDevil somewhat sympathetic light]] after Roy [[KillItWithFire nearly burned them alive]] and Ed uncovered their [[HiddenDepths hidden insecurities]], driving them to suicide. However, given that they [[ForTheEvulz sadistically took pride in every single horrible thing they did]] and continued to act like a massive {{Jerkass}} till the very end, it's not hard to see why several fans don't exactly feel sorry for them.]]

** Wrath [[spoiler: AKA Furher King Bradley]] is pretty much the living incarnation of badass, complete with an EyePatchOfPower, ImplausibleFencingPowers, and a really cool name. He even took down ''a tank. ''With a '''sword.'''

** Wrath [[spoiler:, or rather Furher King Bradley,]] is pretty much the living incarnation of badass, complete with an EyePatchOfPower, ImplausibleFencingPowers, and a really cool name. He even took down ''a tank. ''With a '''sword.'''

** Although "evil" may be [[AntiVillain too strong a term]], Scar could be seen as this [[HeelFaceTurn back when he was a villain]], being an alchemist SerialKiller and VigilanteMan with a [[TragicVillain sympathetic backstory]] and [[NobleDemon a sense of honor]] despite his ruthlessness.
** Fuhrer King Bradley, who's supposed to be the living incarnation of Wrath, but is more like the living incarnation of badass, complete with EyePatchOfPower, ImplausibleFencingPowers, and a really cool name. He even took down ''a tank. ''With a '''sword.'''
** Greed, despite being an AntiHero rather than actually evil, can definitely qualify, being an AffablyEvil CulturedBadass with InstantArmor, complete with a DyingMomentOfAwesome.
** Solf J. Kimblee: MadBomber meets BreakingSpeech and ThePhilosopher, all wrapped up in the height of [[BadassInANiceSuit 1920s fashion]]. That's without mentioning his [[EvilIsSexy appearance]], distinct fedora, badassery, and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome epic sendoff]].

** Greed, who is introduced with [[TheCasanova two attractive women hanging on either arm]] and is quite TheCharmer on top of being TallDarkAndHandsome.

** Although "evil" may be [[AntiVillain too strong a term]], Scar was certainly this [[HeelFaceTurn back when he was a villain]], being an alchemist SerialKiller and VigilanteMan with a [[TragicVillain sympathetic backstory]] and [[NobleDemon a sense of honor]] despite his ruthlessness.
** Fuhrer King Bradley, who's supposed to be the living incarnation of Wrath, but is more like the living incarnation of badass, complete with EyePatchOfPower, ImplausibleFencingPowers, and a really cool name. [[spoiler:He even took down ''a tank. ''With a '''sword.''']]

** Greed, who is introduced with [[TheCasanova two attractive women hanging on either arm]] and is quite TheCharmer on top of being MrFanservice.

** Greed, who is introduced with [[TheCasanova two attractive women hanging on either arm.]] However, he's more of an AntiHero rather than actually evil.

** Fuhrer King Bradley, who's supposed to be the living incarnation of Wrath, but is more like the living incarnation of badass, complete with EyePatchOfPower, ImplausibleFencingPowers, and [[AwesomeMcCoolName a really cool name]]. [[spoiler:He even took down ''a tank. ''With a '''sword.''']]

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