In the animated series “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood“, the Elric brothers confront a malevolent entity known as homunculi. These artificial humans are created from numerous tormented human souls and the detachment of human feelings from the primary Homunculus, “Father.” Despite their hatred for humanity due to its frailty, as the story unfolds and each homunculus is vanquished, a new portrait emerges. These beings fashioned from humans prove to be remarkably like us, even though they may not always appear so. When a narrative repeatedly emphasizes the human traits of these beings, it becomes apparent that there’s only one possible conclusion.
Throughout the series, we witness the transformation of Greed from a solitary entity into a fully developed character with human traits. Greed frequently clashes with his family and sometimes acts independently or even against them. Interestingly, Greed allows Ling, his human host, to take charge of their shared body in various situations. Together, Ling and Greed collaborate effectively, and even in his final moments, Greed contributes significantly to the victory of the protagonists before departing.
What It Means to Be Greedy
The core essence of his character portrays unceasing greed and self-importance, yet when he encounters Edward Elric’s principles, he seems to stumble while maintaining a pretense. Greed often implies to the protagonists and the audience that his concern for others and things is merely possessive. However, from the outset, when Greed and the Elric brothers engage in conflict with him and his companions, it becomes evident that his followers stand by him unwaveringly. If Greed truly viewed these allies as mere possessions, it seems unlikely they would hold him in such high regard, even going so far as to consider him a friend. But this bond between Greed and his allies is short-lived following his capture by his sibling, Wrath, and being reduced back to his fundamental form.
In a subsequent turn of events, the character known as Ling Yao, who shares Greed’s greedy nature, inherits the homunculus named Greed. Ling Yao is not just selfish, but he is also power-hungry to govern effectively and safeguard his people. As Greed inhabits Ling’s body, he encounters an old companion who he fails to recognize due to being “erased.” Upon slaying this friend, Greed feels a profound sense of loss and acknowledges the people he cherished have been taken away from him. From then on, Ling and Greed collaborate to foil Father’s schemes and those of the homunculi. Over time, it becomes apparent that they share similar thought processes, leading to an alliance between Greed, Ed, and their companions.
What It Means to Be Human
Through Greed and Ling, we viewers are invited to reevaluate our perspective on the homunculi. These two characters challenge their claims of being distinct from humanity, as their composite nature indicates otherwise. They represent fragments of human ego and emotions, and like any emotional beings, they have the freedom to choose their actions. Envy and Wrath serve as compelling illustrations of this truth. Bradley, who was molded into Wrath, the Fuhrer, despite his military upbringing, found himself reminiscing about the humanity in his life, such as his wife, in his final moments. Conversely, Envy, upon recognizing that he envied humans who should hate each other, instead of harboring hatred, chose to destroy his Philosopher’s Stone.
Reflecting on this, it’s evident to the audience that the antagonists in the story weren’t inherently evil but rather individuals who made choices leading to violent actions. The soldiers of Amestris might have seemed monstrous, yet they were as complex and multi-dimensional as our characters in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. These villains possessed free will, demonstrating that they were human to the core, capable of cruelty just like any other person. Like well-crafted characters, they were rich in depth and their choices were nuanced. Greed, their brother, exemplified this by showing that it’s acceptable to feel emotions but not to let them control one’s existence. “Ah, I’ve had my fill. Yes, that’s all I need. They gave me everything I ever wanted. Heh heh heh… thank you, and goodbye, my friends.
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2025-04-21 02:09