One of the most enjoyable aspects of anime is the fact that the lead isn't the only person you can root for. As a matter of fact, most anime comes equipped with several supporting figures that have protagonist potential. One of the most famous is Fullmetal Alchemist's own Roy Mustang, who is commonly listed as a favorite side character.
Mustang was a charismatic and competent leader who occasionally served as comedic relief. The Flame Alchemist was a skilled combatant that partook in some of the series' best battles. Therefore, it's no surprise that he always came through with impressive dialogue. Let's check out 10 of Roy Mustang's most awesome quotes from Fullmetal Alchemist.
10 "Killed in action and promoted two ranks for it."
"Killed in action and promoted two ranks for it. Brigadier General Hughes. You were the guy who was supposed to work below me and to push me to the top. Then you get yourself killed and surpass me in the ranks. I don't know what's more absurd, you or the State."
General Hughes' death was a tough one to stomach, but no one took it harder than Roy Mustang. This quote targeted the shift in ranks that occurred after Hughes died. It's a comment acknowledging that people never know what they have until it's gone. For instance, when a musician dies, their music sales spike abnormally and they receive more praise than when they were alive. A soldier dies and he suddenly gets promoted two ranks. Hughes would've also found it amusingly absurd.
9 "You're thinking on too large a scale there, kid."
"You're thinking on too large a scale there, kid. If we don't want to drive ourselves crazy, we can only deal with what's directly in front of us."
This wise quote is an excellent representation of Mustang's balanced state of mind. Shouldering too much at once, or stressing about issues beyond your immediate reach, is trivial and only leads to more headaches.
The best advice would be to remain realistic and take care of what can be managed at the moment. It's like a checklist where, instead of leaping to the most daunting and time-consuming task first, you handle the smaller obstacles that can be cleared in a reasonable manner.
8 "Nothing's perfect, the world's not perfect, but it's there for us, trying the best it can."
"Nothing's perfect, the world's not perfect, but it's there for us, trying the best it can. That's what makes it so damn beautiful."
Roy's perspective on the world around him was inspirational. He had the most positive take on its imperfections and realized that there was a beauty behind it.
Life isn't meant to be a walk in the park all the time, but the trials and tribulations can be overcome and you can continue doing the best you can, just like the rest of the world. It's a unifying life lesson that only someone as sensible as Roy Mustang could deliver.
7 "If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate."
Anger can lead to a daunting boost in strength and adrenaline, but it can just as easily negate itself to become a massive weakness. Further irritating an enemy with a bad attitude can effectively place you at an advantage. In the midst of fury, common sense goes out the window and anyone with a clear head can capitalize on that.
Who better to utter these wise words than Roy Mustang, who was as levelheaded and mild-tempered as an anime character could possibly be. It's a testament that he understood his opponents just as well as he knew himself.
6 "Dogs embody loyalty. They follow their master's commands above all else!"
"Dogs embody loyalty. They follow their master's commands above all else! Be a jerk to them and they don't complain and they never once beg for a paycheck! Trust me Fuery, they're the great servants of man! *singing* Loyal canine how we salute thee! *laughs maniacally*"
This was clearly one of Mustang's random comedic relief moments, but it was an unforgettable scene nonetheless. He also wasn't wrong; dogs are awesome. They're blindly devoted so, yes, you can be a jerk to them (if you have no soul) and even that wouldn't be enough to dismantle their loyalty. Loyal canine, we shall always salute thee.
5 "The power of one man doesn't amount to much."
"The power of one man doesn't amount to much. But, however little strength I'm capable of, I'll do everything humanly possible to protect the people I love. In turn, they will protect the ones they love. It seems like the least we tiny humans can do for each other."
Roy was obviously the king of astute observations and this was another one of his brilliant musings. No matter how insignificant or small you may feel, every ounce of love and protection that you offer makes a difference. Instead of resorting to negativity, Mustang always saw the potential for good tucked within humanity and never lost sight of it.
4 "My pawn. My bishop. My rook. My knight."
"My pawn. My bishop. My rook. My knight. My queen has been taken. But I still haven't been checkmated just yet."
This is an awesome quote for someone who has suffered from a string of bad luck, yet knows they can bounce back from it. Sometimes it feels like all the cards are stacked against you, but that doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel.
Roy was a remarkably resilient person who always had a backup plan, which only made him a more exceptional side character. He's definitely someone you want on your team to provide endless streams of confidence.
3 "Life that has been lost cannot be brought back again."
"Life that has been lost cannot be brought back again. That very truth is what shows us the meaning and value of living."
As ironic as it might be, nothing helps us appreciate life more than death itself. Sometimes we lose sight of what matters but are unexpectedly reminded of how short our time on Earth really is.
Mustang's words serve as a valid suggestion to cherish life and its value while you still can. He understood this better than anyone, especially since he regrettably took part in the Ishvalan War of Extermination and perpetrated the deaths of many civilians.
2 "You can call me Roy Mustang, or just Lieutenant Colonel."
"You can call me Roy Mustang, or just Lieutenant Colonel. Hell, you can call me the Flame Alchemist. Whatever you do, remember the pain."
This quote was equal parts intimidating and awesome. It was Roy Mustang at his most self-assured, which suited him well since he's one of the coolest characters in anime.
This statement came about after he displayed his Flame Alchemist abilities to an antagonist during the first season of the show. It was only a taste of Mustang's true power, but it left a lasting impression. The noteworthy moment still deserves an occasional re-watch for the sake of nostalgia.
1 "Any man who has the brains to think and the nerve to act..."
"Any man who has the brains to think and the nerve to act for the benefit of the people of the country is considered a radical by those who are content with stagnation and willing to endure disaster."
With a brilliant statement that's still relevant to this day, Mustang accurately pinpointed one of society's most prominent flaws. The herd mentality is so detrimental that when someone tries to step up and suggest a reasonable change, they're blasted by the general public (or Twitter).
Stagnation leads to blind compliance and it's the reason that the most unfavorable parts of history tend to repeat themselves.