A great work of fiction is one with a highly diverse cast of characters, heroes and villains, and everything in between. This allows any reader to find someone to identify with, and that is the case for Hiromu Arakawa's hit anime/manga franchise Fullmetal Alchemist. It's an action fantasy series, but it also has a strong human element to it, including humor and drama.

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There are a number of ways to categorize the characters in any work of fiction, from the Dungeons & Dragons moral alignment chart to the MBTI® personality types to astrological horoscope signs. Meanwhile, there is also the Chinese Zodiac, which is made up of twelve different animals to represent just about any type of person. How well do the characters of Fullmetal Alchemist mesh with the zodiac? Let's find out.

12 Year Of The Rat: May Chang

May Chang is one of several Chinese-style characters in Fullmetal Alchemist, but that's not the real reason she got a spot on the list. Rats are not underhanded or dirty; they are resourceful and quick-witted, and tend to be kind and flexible, too.

These are admirable traits, and they are embodied in the Xingese girl known as May Chang. She can use alkahestry on the fly to escape any situation, and she is quick to support the people whom she likes (such as Scar). Her adaptable ways make her quite the Rat.

11 Year Of The Ox: Alex Armstrong

Alex Armstrong flexing his muscles in Fullmetal Alchemist.

Major Alex Armstrong is the little brother of Major-General Olivier Armstrong, and he is a credit to the uniform. Unlike some of his peers, Armstrong is compassionate and supportive of others, making him a good friend to anyone.

But he's also hardworking and dependable, and strong-willed as well. These make Alex the Ox of the zodiac, which embodies those traits exactly. He's not a genius, but he's tough and reliable.

10 Year Of The Tiger: Edward Elric

Edward shares some traits with the year of the Rat, since he is a flexible and resourceful alchemist on the road. But in terms of personality, he is really more like the Tiger of the zodiac.

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Like a proper Tiger, Edward is competitive, and is quick to accept any challenge. He wants to prove himself, and he's quite brave and confident in his abilities as well. A Tiger could do no less.

9 Year Of The Rabbit: Alphonse Elric

Alphonse Elric

Now it's time for the other Elric brother, and he couldn't be more different. As opposed to the hotheaded Edward, Alphonse is gentle and kind, and he gets along easily with just about anyone. He's a people person.

This agreeable personality makes Alphonse the Rabbit of the zodiac, which is known not for cowardice, but for being elegant, kind, and responsible. Those are good traits for anyone to have.

8 Year Of The Dragon: Roy Mustang

Now it's time for one of the most exciting animals of the Chinese zodiac: the year of the dragon. Dragons may not be real animals, but they are pretty consistent in how art and literature depict them, in terms of behavior and attitude.

Roy Mustang, like the zodiac's Dragon, is highly intelligent, enthusiastic, and confident in his abilities. He's got an ambition to become the next ruler, and he'll stop at nothing to do it. A dragon wants to be king.

7 Year Of The Snake: Van Hohenheim

Hohenheim from fullmetal alchemist

The year of the Snake isn't about the negative connotations of snakes, but rather, the more positive aspects of these creatures in mythology. A Snake is not a schemer or a liar, but rather, a Snake is enigmatic, wise, and quite intelligent.

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So, any sage-like figure can qualify as a Snake, and in this case, it's Hohenheim. He knows just about everything, and most people have no idea what they're dealing with when they meet him.

6 Year Of The Horse: Prince Ling

Prince Ling Yao from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

Next up is the year of the Horse, which is roughly similar to the Leo astrological sign. A Horse, according to the zodiac, is quite energetic, lively, and animated. These people need to see and do everything and have fun all the while.

This could describe prince Ling, who never seems to sit still for long. He's always got to make a new friend, visit a new restaurant, and find a new lead on the Philosopher's Stone. He's also blunt and aggressive when it comes to getting what he wants.

5 Year Of The Goat: Trisha Elric

trisha elric fma

She was Alphonse and Edward Elric's mother, and she tragically died of an illness when her sons were young. But until then, she was an outstanding parent, and the flashbacks make that clear.

Trisha was a caring and doting mother, who could work her way into anyone's heart and make warm connections with them. So, she is like the Goat of the zodiac, known for being gentle, calm, and sympathetic. A Goat is a very soothing sort of person.

4 Year Of The Monkey: Olivier Armstrong

This may sound odd at first. How can the fearsome ice queen of Briggs be like a goofy monkey? Appearance can be deceiving, though, and Olivier isn't just tough and scary; she is also smart and sharp-witted.

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So, she is like the Monkey of the zodiac, renowned for its sharp wit, curious mind, and overall intelligence. Olivier is always looking for new ways to keep her fort safe, and she will ask people for long explanations on history or technology so she can find something of use. She never stops looking for the newest innovations.

3 Year Of The Rooster: Riza Hawkeye

riza hawkeye is talking happily in fullmetal alchemist

Now it's time for the year of the Rooster. This animal isn't as flashy as the Tiger or Dragon, but it is no less important, and a Rooster is quite a dependable person, such as in a military setting.

Riza Hawkeye embodies the Rooster, since she shows traits of being hardworking, courageous, and observant, too. She's smart, tough, and tireless, which is what makes her such a great companion for Roy Mustang.

2 Year Of The Dog: Izumi Curtis

izumi and edward fullmetal alchemist

The second to last sign is that of the Dog, and Dogs are noted for being prudent (they plan for the future), honest with the people they care about, and quite charming and lovable, too.

Izumi Curtis is something of a Dog herself, given her strong sense of family and her uncompromising honesty (always for the benefit of others). She is almost like a foster mother for the Elrics.

1 Year Of The Boar: Winry Rockbell

The final animal of the zodiac is the Boar, and this sign is another charmer, not unlike the Dog and the Rabbit. Anyone born as the Boar should be compassionate to others, diligent and hardworking, and of a generous spirit.

All that makes Winry a tailor-made Boar, given her kind and gentle disposition and her tireless work in fixing and improving Edward's automail. All these traits also make her popular in Rush Valley. Her skills and personality alike won everyone over.

NEXT: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Anime's 10 Most Hated Characters, Ranked