A number of popular fantasy action animated shows have made a name for themselves among Western viewers, and one of them is the steampunk action series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It's the story of sin and redemption, the cost of ambition, the dual light and dark nature of humanity, mad science, and grand conspiracy. But this series also makes time for intimate moments.
Anime fans love to see their favorite pairings on-screen, and they'll create all kinds of fanon pairings for themselves, too, with just about anyone. In the case of Fullmetal Alchemist, the two best couples are Edward/Winry, and Roy/Riza Hawkeye. Both pairs are adorable together, but now, the time has come to decide which is the best pairing of all, based on their compatibility, best moments, and more.
10 Edward/Winry: Childhood Friends
Ed and Winry are good childhood friends, and Alphonse is a good friend of Winry's, too. They made for adorable neighbors as kids in Resembool, and they got used to seeing each other's friendly faces. That's a great start for a friendship that turns more serious.
Ed and Winry have all kinds of friendly banter with each other, and they know all the inside jokes and interpersonal dynamics that make for a solid friendship and later, a different kind of relationship.
9 Roy/Riza: Utmost Loyalty
Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye are both officers of the Amestris military, and that means they see each other all the time. As disciplined officers, they are ready and willing to back each other up, but for them, this isn't just about duty.
They have a strong personal connection too, and Riza is willing to violate order so she can rush to Roy's side and protect him. And Roy will go to extraordinary lengths to shield Riza from harm, even at the risk of his own life.
8 Ed/Winry: Mechanic Work
Ed and Winry are staying together for a cool reason: Winry is Ed's mechanic, and she is the only person in all of Amestris who can keep Ed's high-tech arm and leg in good working shape. She's like an auto mechanic and doctor put together.
It's so much fun to see Winry and Ed arguing about how or whether to fix Ed's automail arm and leg, and Winry sometimes get carried away or Ed pesters her while she's trying to work. There's no other relationship like this in Fullmetal Alchemist.
7 Roy/Riza: Keeping Roy Honest
More than once, Riza Hawkeye had to keep Roy's hot temper in check, and it's so amusing and touching whenever it happens. Riza doesn't hit Roy over the head with a fan or anything, but she knows how to handle him.
More than once, Riza strongly urged Roy to leave a tricky battlefield to protect him, and she cautions him to watch his attitude when he talks to the obnoxious Maes Hughes. Everyone needs a Riza Hawkeye in their lives.
6 Ed/Winry: Ed Grows Up
Ed gets a lot of teasing for being a short little guy, but that doesn't last forever. Winry implores Ed to drink milk, and he refuses, but he starts to grow up all the same. At some point, when Ed is tough and confident in front of Winry, he marches off, and Winry wonders to herself about when Ed's shoulders had become so broad.
Better yet, Ed actually does grow taller during the series, and based on his older look, better clothes, and more mature attitude, he actually starts to resemble his father. No doubt Winry is ecstatic about her good friend becoming a proper man she can adore.
5 Roy/Riza: Vision
These two officers have a shared theme of vision vs blindless, and that makes them quite interesting. Roy has an ambitious vision t0 become the ruler of Amestris, and Hawkeye is ready to support him.
On the Promised Day, Roy lost his eyesight as the price of opening the portal of Truth, and Riza was there to guide him to victory in the following battle, including correcting his aim while using alchemy. Together, they can see anything.
4 Ed/Winry: Getting Flustered
Part of what makes a budding couple so endearing is their shared moments of getting flustered and awkward about it. It's all completely normal, and everyone has had experiences like that. Ed and Winry sure get their share of it.
In more than one hospital scene, the spotlight shines right on their relationship, and Ed nearly loses his mind and tries to change the subject. And they have all kinds of romantic tension in the rest of their scenes, too. Someday, they'll get the hang of things.
3 Roy/Riza: Riza Saved Roy's Humanity
Roy Mustang charged in head-first to fight Envy (to avenge Maes Hughes), and Riz Hawkeye was ordered to stay back. But they fought Envy together anyway, and Envy was soon helpless on the floor in his tiny, true form.
By now, Roy was ready to evaporate Envy for good, but Riza stopped him, since she couldn't accept the hatred and rage in Roy's eyes. She saved him from going on a dark path of revenge and destruction (like Scar), and this proves again how vital Riza is for Roy's career and humanity.
2 Ed/Winry: Happy Family
Not everyone got a "happily ever after" in Fullmetal Alchemist, but many characters did, from Scar to prince Ling to Hohenheim. And Ed and Winry got the best ending of all, as this photograph during the credits shows.
They properly married (after a touching engagement scene), and they started their very own family, posing in a happier version of Hohenheim and Trisha's family photo. Ed and Winry couldn't have asked for more.
1 Roy/Riza: Chess Queen
Roy Mustang doesn't operate alone. His ambitious plan requires that he have powerful players by his side, and he likens himself to a chess king. Officers like Jean Havoc, Falman, and Furey are his rook, knight, and bishop, but there's one more piece he needs.
The queen! Roy had no trouble naming Riza Hawkeye as his chess queen, since she is so skilled and deeply trusted. The queen is the strongest piece, and it was gratifying to see the normally self-absorbed Roy place such a high honor on Hawkeye. She has sure earned it.