Image: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - The Pursuit of Happiness
Plot
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood takes place in a world where alchemy is widely used. The story follows the journey of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who commit a forbidden act in alchemy by attempting to bring their dead mother back to life.
As a result, Edward loses his right arm and left leg, and Alphonse loses his entire body. To try and regain their lost body parts, the brothers set out to find the Philosopher's Stone, a mythic object with immense power.
Throughout their journey, the brothers encounter a diverse group of characters, both friendly and hostile, and get trapped in a complicated web of political intrigue and treachery.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood touches on themes of family, sacrifice, morality, and the consequences of power. With its magnetic characters and intricate plot, the series has become a classic of the anime genre.
Elric Brothers
The Elric brothers are the main characters of FMA. Edward Elric is the older brother, and Alphonse Elric is the younger.
After they attempt to revive their mother, Edward lost one leg and Alphonse lost his body. Immediately, Edward notices the loss of Alphonse and makes another alchemy, the “Soul Transmutation”, and loses his arm to bind Alphonse’s soul in armor.
At this moment, they embark on a journey to find the Philosopher's Stone to restore their original bodies.
Elric brothers are complex characters who are defined by their determination, compassion, and their love for each other.
Edward is older, with a quick temper. He is loyal to his family and friends and has an unshakable determination. He is pushed by a need to fix his past mistakes and live well with the consequences of his actions.
Alphonse, on the other hand, is more introspective. Despite being the younger, he often takes on a more mature role in their adventures. He is deeply empathetic and kind, with a strong desire to help others and make the world a better place.
Edward and Alphonse are flawed and imperfect, but they possess a deep sense of empathy and a fierce commitment to doing what is right. They are the heart and soul of the series and serve as an example of the power of love, friendship, and brotherhood to overcome any kind of obstacle.
The Philosopher’s Stone
The Philosopher's Stone is a powerful artifact with incredible powers, including the ability to ignore the laws of equivalent exchange and perform alchemy without a transmutation circle. The stone is also believed to give eternal life.
As the series progresses, it becomes clear that the Philosopher's Stone is not what it seems. Its true nature is revealed to be much darker and more sinister than anyone could have imagined, and the search for the stone becomes a key point in the series.
Homunculus
Homunculus are a type of artificial human created through alchemy by the mysterious figure known as the Father.
The Homunculi are initially introduced as the main antagonists of the series, as they plot to use the power of the Philosopher's Stone to gain immortality and complete control over the world.
Each Homunculus is named after one of the Seven Deadly Sins - Lust, Gluttony, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, and Pride - and embodies the characteristics and personality traits associated with that sin.
The Homunculus are nearly invincible, possessing incredible regenerative abilities and superhuman strength and agility. They are also highly intelligent and skilled in combat, making them formidable opponents for the Elric brothers and their allies.
As the series progresses, the true nature and origins of the Homunculus are revealed, as well as their connection to the larger plot surrounding the Philosopher's Stone and the mysterious figure known as the Father.
Homunculus Against Humans
The Homunculus’ motivation for starting a war against humanity is tied to their quest for the Philosopher's Stone. They are immortal as long as they have access to the stone's power.
The Homunculus believe that they are superior to humans and that they have the right to rule over them. They seek to acquire the Philosopher's Stone to consolidate their power and achieve their goal of world domination.
To obtain the Philosopher's Stone, the Homunculus manipulate events and people, often using violent and ruthless means. They are willing to sacrifice innocent lives to achieve their goals, which puts them at odds with the protagonists of the series, including the Elric brothers and their allies.
Pursuit of Happiness
The Elric brothers' pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone is linked to their pursuit of happiness, but it also raises important questions about what true happiness is.
For the Elric brothers, the journey to obtain the Philosopher's Stone is as important as the objective itself. They are driven by a desire to restore their bodies. They see the Philosopher's Stone as a means to an end - a way to reclaim their lost bodies and restore their lives.
However, as they embark on their journey, they encounter a vast range of characters who challenge their preconceptions and force them to confront difficult moral and ethical questions.
They are forced to make difficult choices and deal with the consequences of their actions, as well as the consequences of the actions of others.
As the series progresses, the Elric brothers begin to question whether their pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone is worth the cost.
They begin to realize that true happiness cannot be found in the acquisition of money or power, but rather in the relationships they have with the people around them and the connections they forge along the way.
Finally, the Elric brothers discover that the true value of their journey lies not in the destination but in the connections they have made and the lessons they have learned along the way.
They come to understand that true happiness is not something that can be obtained through a single achievement, but rather is something that must be continually pursued and cultivated through meaningful connections and a sense of purpose.
Existentialism
There is a strong connection between existentialism and the series. Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the individual's existence and freedom, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and the need to confront difficult ethical and moral questions.
Elric's journey is one of self-discovery and self-realization. They must confront difficult ethical and moral dilemmas, and they are forced to question the nature of their existence and the meaning of their lives.
The show's themes of identity, purpose, and the struggle for meaning all reflect key existentialist ideas.
The philosopher Martin Heidegger has a big connection with FMA; in his work, you learn about the belief that the search for meaning and purpose in life is central to human existence.
He argued that humans are fundamentally defined by their awareness of their mortality and their search for meaning in the face of this reality.
The Elric brothers' quest for the Philosopher's Stone can be seen as a metaphor for this search for meaning.
They are driven by a desire to restore their bodies to their original forms, but as they travel and encounter new people and situations, they begin to question the nature of their existence and the meaning of their lives.
In addition, the show's exploration of identity and the nature of the self also reflects Heidegger's ideas. Heidegger argued that our sense of self is not fixed or predetermined, but is constantly being shaped and redefined by our experiences.
This is reflected in the way that the Elric brothers' sense of self evolves throughout the show as they encounter new challenges and confront difficult ethical and moral questions.
Overall, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is deeply rooted in existentialist themes and can be seen as a reflection of key ideas from Martin Heidegger and other existentialist philosophers.
The series' exploration of identity, purpose, and the search for meaning makes it a rich and thought-provoking work of art.
Reciprocity and Gratitude
Another line of philosophy we can find in FMA is "reciprocity and gratitude", as the characters frequently help others and recognize the value of working together to achieve their goals.
The anime teaches that helping others is not only a duty but also a means of finding happiness and satisfaction.
The concept of reciprocity can be found in Aristotle's idea of "virtue ethics." According to Aristotle, living a virtuous life involves developing good habits and acting by reason and moral principles.
One of the key virtues he identified was "justice" which involves treating others fairly and giving them what they deserve.
In the context of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, this means that characters are often rewarded for their good deeds and punished for their bad ones, emphasizing the importance of acting with integrity and compassion towards others.
The anime also teaches the importance of gratitude, as the characters frequently express appreciation for the help and support they receive from others.
For example, Edward and Alphonse are deeply grateful for the help they receive from their friends and allies, and they frequently express their thanks in heartfelt ways.
This theme is particularly evident in the final episodes of the show when the characters come together to fight against the forces of evil and support one another in their respective journeys.
Overall, the lessons of reciprocity and gratitude are central ideas, and they help to create a sense of community among the characters. Helping others is not only the right thing to do but also a means of finding happiness and purpose in life.
At the end of the story, viewers are left with a sense of hope and satisfaction, as the characters have all grown and developed through their experiences and interactions with one another.
The Lesson
“So many different people from so many different places helped us be happy. And that's why I feel like it's our turn to give back. If we received 10 and gave 10 back, everything would be the same. If we receive 10, we add an extra and give back 11.”
This quote highlights they are grateful for the support they receive and strive to give back in whatever way they can.
The idea of giving back more than you receive is common in the work of Aristotle, especially with the concept of "the golden mean". Giving back more than you receive is an example of a virtuous act.
The lesson is "reciprocity and gratitude are the real power". We see how much the characters can accomplish when they work together and support each other. And we learn that giving back more than you receive is not only a virtuous act but also a path to true happiness and realization.