Summary
- In Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy operates under the Law of Equivalent Exchange, which states that something cannot be created from nothing and that in order to create something, something of equal value must be exchanged and lost.
- Human transmutation is considered taboo in the world of alchemy, as reviving the dead is impossible without sacrificing something of infinite value. This act causes a rebound that exacts a heavy toll on the alchemist responsible.
- The use of a Philosopher's Stone allows for human transmutation without causing a rebound, as the stone is composed of multiple souls. However, the creation and use of a Philosopher's Stone is unethical, and the protagonists refuse to exploit it, even if it means instant success.
In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the practice of alchemy stands at the pinnacle of science. It allows its practitioners to alter the composition of matter through the process of transmutation, a skill that is useful both in combat and everyday life. Despite its many uses though, alchemy is a science, and as such is subject to the laws of the FMA universe.
That said, the core principle of alchemy revolves around the Law of Equivalent Exchange. While it may seem complicated, the simple concept is absolute: something cannot be made from nothing. In order to create something, another thing of equal value must be exchanged and is then lost. The Law of Equivalent Exchange limits alchemy's infinite potential, and the show explores why that's actually a good thing.
Updated on October 19, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist is easily one of the greatest manga stories ever told. That said, the sheer complexity of the concepts involved pales in comparison to the intricate character interactions that take place in every single episode of the FMA: Brotherhood anime, which thankfully covers the original manga narrative. Since the Law of Equivalent Exchange is the most important guiding principle in the story, we've updated this feature with some more information.
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FMA's Law Of Equivalent Exchange Limits Alchemy
The Law of Equivalent Exchange is a fictionalized version of the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. Light can become heat, electricity can become sound, and so on. In Fullmetal Alchemist, Equivalent Exchange is based on two fundamental laws: the Conservation of Mass and the Conservation of Providence.
The Law of Conservation of Mass dictates that an object cannot be created from nothing and, if deconstructed, the said object will be reduced to components whose sum is equal in mass. For example, an object with a mass of one gram can only be transmuted into an object with mass equaling one gram. If a one-gram object is deconstructed, the process will yield components whose sum equals the same weight.
The Law of Natural Providence states that objects composed of a particular material or element can only be transmuted into objects of similar composition. For instance, stone objects can be transmuted into other stone objects, but not into objects primarily composed of water. In other words, lead cannot become gold. However, there are a few notable exceptions to this rule.
The Three Laws of Alchemy
- Do not transmut gold
- Do not act against the government
- Do not attempt Human Transmutation
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Alchemy's Taboo: Human Transmutation, Rebound, And Truth
Alchemy, while capable of performing miraculous feats, is not without its limits. Reviving the dead through the process of human transmutation is impossible, and an act considered taboo in the world of alchemy. In order to revive one who has passed on, both their soul and original body must be transmuted, with Alphonse Elric stating that a wandering soul can only return to its original body and vice-versa. This is why his soul begins to reject the suit of armor, as it's not his proper vessel.
Fullmetal Alchemist establishes that the value of a human soul is unquantifiable, and as something cannot be created without an object of equal value being lost, something possessing infinite value can never be equally exchanged for. This doesn't stop alchemists from trying though, as sometimes the pain of losing a loved one overrides logic. If human transmutation is performed, the alchemist responsible pays a heavy price, as bartering for a soul of infinite value with materials of finite value causes the alchemic equation to be thrown off balance, causing a rebound.
Rebounds exact a toll from the committer of the taboo in order to rebalance the exchange: Alphonse loses his body and Edward loses a leg when attempting to revive their mother, Edward also loses an arm when bonding Alphonse's soul to the suit of armor. In an unrelated case, Izumi Curtis is robbed of numerous organs after attempting to revive her baby. The toll will be exacted even if the taboo is committed unintentionally or against one's will, as Roy Mustang is robbed of his sight despite being forced to perform human transmutation by Father and the Homunculi.
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The Law Of Equivalent Exchange Can Be Subverted With A Philosopher's Stone
The punishment for human transmutation is severe, not just because it goes against the Law of Equivalent Exchange, but also because defying this law means that a human has effectively attempted to play God — and God in Fullmetal Alchemist is none other than Truth. Any who attempt human transmutation are teleported through their own personal Gate of Truth (which allows one to perform alchemy) and brought before the being after whom the gate is named. Truth is God in the sense that it possesses infinite knowledge, including that of alchemy, world history, and much, much more. When thrust through the Gate of Truth, this infinite knowledge is displayed to and absorbed by the targeted alchemist. Along with this knowledge, entry into Truth's domain also allows the alchemist to perform alchemy without the use of a Transmutation Circle (the basic Law of Equivalent Exchange still applies).
How a Philospher's Stone Factors Into Human Transmutation
The use of a Philosopher's Stone is the only way to perform Human Transmutation without causing a rebound. This is because Philosopher's Stones are comprised of multiple souls, allowing their contents to be exchanged equally while performing human transmutations. However, while technically possible, the morality of this act is questionable due to the creation and use of a Philosopher's Stone being unethical to begin with. This is also why Ed and Al blatantly refuse to exploit a Philosopher's Stone to subvert the Law of Equivalent Exchange, even if it means reaching their goals in an instant.
The Power Of Alchemy Itself Can Be Exchanged
The only other instance of successful human transmutation in Fullmetal Alchemist is Edward Elric's final transmutation, in which he offers Truth his own Gate of Truth, and thus his ability to use alchemy, in exchange for Alphonse's soul and body. As the values at hand are incalculable to begin with, whether this satisfies the Law of Equivalent Exchange can be left to speculation. However, it is undeniable that in this moment Edward sacrifices absolute power, an idea that if realized holds infinite value, in favor of saving his brother.
Truth is an all-knowing being as well as the mirror image of the alchemist in front of it, and as such can discern what that person holds most valuable. For Edward, alchemy is what makes him who he is, and is undoubtedly his most prized possession. His willingness to sacrifice that which held the most value to him was more than enough to satisfy Truth, thereby fulfilling the Law of Equivalent Exchange.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
TV-14
Action
Adventure
Drama
Fantasy
Original title: Hagane no renkinjutsushi.
When a failed alchemical ritual leaves brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric with severely damaged bodies, they begin searching for the one thing that can save them: the fabled philosopher's stone.
- Release Date
- April 9, 2009
- Cast
- Romi Pak , Rie Kugimiya , Shinichirô Miki , Fumiko Orikasa
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
