Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most popular shonen manga and anime series of all time. Whether you prefer the original anime adaptation or the more popular follow-up, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it is undeniably a must-see for anyone who considers themselves an anime fan. The series is about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who were raised by their mother in the country of Amestris.
But after their mother dies, the boys try to bring her back using alchemy and the result comes with horrific consequences. The series follows the boys' search for the Philosopher's Stone to undo the damage they created. We're ranking the most powerful alchemists in the series, specifically those in the military.
10 Shou Tucker
Tucker was a Major in the State Military and capable of creating chimera capable of human speech, or so they say. He is adept at bio alchemy which is what brings him into the series. Edward and Alphonse track him down in the hopes they might be able to find a clue pointing them in the right direction towards the Philosopher's Stone.
Roy Mustang is the one who suggests Tucker might be the man who can assist them. Of course, most fans of the series probably know Tucker best for the devastating and horrific episode where it is discovered he forcibly turned his daughter into a chimera by binding her with the family dog.
9 Tim Marcoh
Tim Marcoh is an important character in the series as both a doctor and a Crystal Alchemist. He was part of the Amestrian State Military for many years, presumably as a Major, before he eventually deserted. But his studies were pivotal in the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. He is also one of the oldest-known alchemists in the series.
He was given the knowledge of the Philosopher's Stone by the homunculi. It was Marcoh that learned how the homunculi could be destroyed. However, he is not able to use alchemy in combat in the show due to his elderly status but is adept at healing.
8 Giolio Comanche
Despite being elderly, it would be a mistake to underestimate the abilities of Giolio Comanche, a State Alchemist and a Major in the military. He is known as the Silver Alchemist due to his abilities to create weapons and use them in combat. He has a preference for crafting shuriken.
His abilities are somewhat similar to Solf J. Kimblee's in that he also has the runes tattooed on his hands. However, he doesn't actually need to put his hands together in order to begin his transmutations. He has a peg leg and is able to move with high agility and was even able to hold his own against Scar for a while.
7 Isaac McDougal
McDougal is an alchemist capable of using freeze alchemy. He was not a character in the manga series and was created specifically for the 2009 anime series. He specializes in liquid-based alchemy and is capable of using his transmutation circle to create ice which can then be utilized in combat.
Isaac is able to freeze essentially any source of water, even if it's not a body of water but a being that has water inside of them. But he can also boil water, which is particularly creepy when you realize he is able to freeze or boil water inside of a human being until they die.
6 Basque Grand
Technically, Basque Grand should rank higher on this list because he was a legend in the Civil War and a high-ranking officer. That said, he was unfortunately murdered by Scar early on in the series and didn't get to reach his full potential. Basque as known as the Iron Blood Alchemist.
He uses two elaborate gauntlets with rings inscribed with alchemical markings. He is able to transmute by slamming his fists together while wearing the gauntlets and he can transform large objects into weapons. He has been shown turning a building into weapons like cannons and Gatling Guns.
5 Solf J. Kimblee
Solf J. Kimblee was a notable, sadistic, antagonist in the series. He worked willingly for King Bradley and was even imprisoned for a while after being involved in the Ishval Civil War where he used his alchemy on people outside of the government's jurisdiction.
While he is no longer in the military, he was a former State Alchemist and continues using his deadly alchemy in the series. Kimblee has the ability to create explosions through the usage of his alchemy. His transmutation circles are tattooed on his palms so he can put them together and initiate the deadly attack.
4 Alex Louis Armstrong
Despite his overwhelming stature, Alex is a gentleman and caring commander. He is also the brother of another powerful military member in the series, Olivier Mira Armstrong, although she is not an alchemist, her reputation as a deadly Ice Queen is not to be underestimated. As for Alex is a formidable opponent, both with hand-to-hand combat and alchemy.
Alex is well-versed in the Armstrong style of alchemy that transmutes kinetic energy of his fighting style into alchemical energy. He uses two gauntlets in order to generate his power, they're inscribed with a special trio of runs that allows him to generate the energy necessary to fight.
3 Jack Crowley
Jack Crowley is a State Alchemist you may not actually be familiar with as he was created exclusively for the Playstation 2 video game known as Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir. He was the main antagonist in the game and therefore very powerful.
He was both a human and a Golem. While in his Golem form, he even has wings. He is incredibly gifted at alchemy despite being stripped of his ranking. He was known as the Silver Bullet Alchemist. Like Ed, he has the rare ability to transmute without needing to create a circle.
2 Roy Mustang
As a Flame Alchemist, Roy is one of the best in the military. He is an officer that has been promoted through the ranks of the military from Lieutenant Colonel all the way to General. Even among other elite alchemists, Mustang's abilities are notable.
He is highly skilled with his fire-based alchemy and has special gloves he can use to create sparks and manipulate the oxygen around him to use in fights. Roy can even use both hands at once to conduct two totally different flame effects. He is not even completely weakened by water as he is able to separate oxygen from water atoms.
1 Edward Elric
He is one of the main characters of the series and also one of the most powerful alchemists in the State Military. Ed was able to pass through the Gate and witness the Truth meaning he doesn't actually have to draw a Transmutation Circle in order to perform alchemy, this makes him stronger than any of the other alchemists within the State Military.
His ability allows him to create energy with his own will instead of the runes. He can use alchemy to its fullest potential through combat and incredibly talented with his gifts. Unfortunately, at the end of the series, he loses his gift in exchange for returning Alphonse to his body.