Someone’s Showing A Bit Of Character: Roy Mustang

Though Full Metal Alchemist has an entire cast of endearing characters and my personal favourite of the lot is Maes Hughes, Roy Mustang is probably the most popular in the show (at the very least for the fangirls) and with good reason.

Except for a few (key) moments in the show, Mustang is always the calm, cool, collected type. Emphasis on cool. When not constrained by his superiors, he goes about everything in a completely non-chalant manner; many are envious of his ability to pick up women without so much as a second look. He also has the uncanny ability so few possess of inspiring and gaining comrades who are willing to follow and even die for him. Hughes himself said he was going to push Mustang to the top (i.e Fuhrer) because he believed in him and thought he could change the way the war-mongering country of Amestris worked. As Fuhrer rather than thinking “kill them all and see what happens”, he’d be the man standing for truth, justice and the mini-skirt way.

Then there’s unique and deadly fighting style. You’d think that fighting by clicking your fingers wouldn’t be considered the most manly weapon in battle, yet Mustang easily shows himself as a force to be reckoned with. Though perhaps that’s more to do with the fact he can burn you to a crisp in the space of 5 seconds. Unless it’s raining. In which case he’s useless.

Although Mustang occasionally disobeys military orders for the sake of his comrades, he’s an example of someone working within the military to aspire to a greater goal. He’s constantly biting his tongue and adopting his actions to suit the needs of corrupt superiors and his ambition to pierce the heavens get to a position where he doesn’t need to bullshit half the time to save people is definitely admirable. He’s been to the frontlines of war and seen the horror (as well as done some quite unsavoury things himself), but rather than slowly become a sick f*cker like Kimbley or a heartless asshole like Basque Gran, he retains his humanity (with a little help from Hughes) and decides  on a path to power for the good of others.

Mustang’s treatment of the Elric brothers (and specifically Ed)  is always entertaining to watch. Though Ed sees him as an irritation and a hindrance (at leat throughout most of the series) we realise that no matter how hard he may be on them like a true mentor he always has their best interests at heart.

Roy Mustang’s not just awesome because he’s fangirl bait. His actions, ambitions and attitude just make it impossible not to respect the guy.

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