A lively debate among fans of Fullmetal Alchemist continues, with fresh comments igniting discussions around the series' tragic character backstories. Since July 21, 2025, users on various forums are unraveling the impacts of these narratives on character development and motivations.
At the core of the debate is Trisha Elric's death and its profound effect on her sons, Edward and Alphonse. One user noted, โI wouldnโt say they would be regular kids. They would have still studied alchemy.โ This suggests that their paths would remain intertwined with alchemy regardless of Trisha's demise.
Others pointed out the nature of Trishaโs illness, indicating it may have stemmed from an epidemic. A commenter stated, โTrisha died in a summer epidemic of a disease. We can assume there were some competent doctors on the case.โ This perspective reinforces the idea that the time period's medical limitations played a crucial role in her death.
Opinions about the events in Amestris remain heated, especially regarding the Ishvalan War and Trishaโs timeline. A contributor emphasized, "Trisha died before the Rockbells returned. She passed in 1904, the Rockbells were killed in 1908." This correction has caused many to rethink the timeline's implications on character motivations.
"Epidemics breaking out from war is not an uncommon phenomenon," said one commenter, highlighting potential connections between the Ishvalan War and Trishaโs illness.
The community's discourse has highlighted several themes:
Death as a Motivator: Many fans argue that Trishaโs death was a pivotal catalyst for Ed and Alโs journey.
Medical Limitations: Discussions revolve around whether attempts to save Trisha could have realistically succeeded given the era's medical challenges.
Choices in Alchemy: Comments hint at a darker side of character motivations pertaining to human sacrifice, questioning the logic behind using non-volatile characters as sacrifices.
๐ โThey wouldnโt necessarily have been able to save her but we probably should have had a scene of them trying.โ
๐ Clarified timelines: Trishaโs death in 1904 raises critical issues about how this shapes the narrative.
โ โWould they have grown up tho?โ raises questions about the brothers' development without loss.
As the Fullmetal Alchemist fandom examines these themes, it is anticipated that more fan-created content will address darker character arcs. A potential rise in fan art, memes, and stories focusing on loss is predicted.
Interestingly, parallels drawn between Fullmetal Alchemist narratives and Japan's post-World War II recovery highlight resilience amid personal and collective tragedy. As fans explore these dimensions, questions about sacrifice and character growth will likely continue to shape their engagement, reflecting not just on fictional struggles but their own experiences as well.