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Resurrecting the Dead: Fullmetal Alchemist's Powerful Message
Did you realise the unconventional way Fullmetal Alchemist conveys the value of human lives, using the resurrection of life instead of taking someone's life?
Let's explore!
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190 reads
Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange
The first law of alchemy states that humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return; to obtain something of equal value, something must be lost.Ā
However, there is no equivalent exchange in human lives, as illustrated by these characters:
The Elric brothers
- Edward lost his legs
- Alphonse was close to death
Izumi Curtis
- She lost part of her organs while trying to resurrect her stillborn child
This shows the value of life is priceless. One can try and save a life by alchemy, only to realise nothing could ever be close to a life.
6
139 reads
The Value of Pain and Sacrifice
The law also implies that a lesson without pain is meaningless because no one can gain anything without sacrificing it.
In the character arc of Roy Mustang, we witness that he suffered and felt the pain.
Roy Mustang
He learned the painful lesson of the cost of power and the use of alchemy as a weapon that caused complete destruction and suffering during the Ishvalan Civil War and the pain of losing his best friend.Ā
He was motivated to overhaul the military system and rebuild the country after the incident, which is a sign of humanity in his character development while suffering great pain.Ā
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121 reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
CURATOR'S NOTE
Understanding the values of human lives and its growth
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