State Alchemist

Revision as of 07:14, 18 April 2021

A State Alchemist is a title and occupation that features in Fullmetal Alchemist.

History

State Alchemists (Japanese: 国家錬金術師, Hepburn: kokka renkinjutsushi) was a title and rank established among the alchemists of the nation of Amestris. They were assigned to the military where they helped ensure stability to the country and defended it against threats. In reality, the State Alchemist was used as a means of finding and selecting the sacrifices needed by Father who was the secret ruler of Amestris where he commanded it from the shadows. A notable event involving the State Alchemists was the Ishvalan Civil War that began in 1901 when an Ishavalan child was 'accidentally' shot by an Amestrian soldier. This resulted in protests that eventually erupted in open conflict between the two nations. After seven years of fighting, Führer King Bradley came to issue Order 3066 in 1908 which led to State Alchemists being sent on the frontlines to battle the Ishvalans. During the conflict, State Alchemists were deployed where they were used as living weapons against the Ishvallans. This culminated in the conquest of Ishval which became occupied by Amestrian soldiers and saw many of the surviving Ishvalans being displaced throughout the lands as refugees. After the war, many State Alchemists turned in their certifications as they refused to serve as living weapons anymore.

Overview

A State Alchemist watch.

In appearance, State Alchemist were identified by their Fuhrer-issued silver pocket watches and unique title assigned upon becoming a State Alchemist. Their title reflects the alchemy ability or some notable trait of the holder. Their knowledge of alchemy meant that they required a complete understanding of chemistry, physics and ancient alchemical theory. As such, they considered themselves closer to scientists than magicians or believers in religion. State Alchemists serve two prominet roles in Amestris: They are a driving force behind alchemic research and development, and they are expected to apply their unique alchemic abilities against enemies of the state in a time a war should they be mobilized to participate in such a war. The official motto for the State Alchemists is "Alchemist be thou for the people". They were at times referred to as the dogs of the military. Following their initiation, a State Alchemist was given a unique name and title. Since most practitioners believe that Alchemy should be used for the sake of common people, not for personal or institutional gain, alchemists who enlist themselves to be State Alchemist are often disgraced as "military dogs". This has only gotten worse by the fact that alchemists who work for the State often gain more privileges than other citizens, like big funds, military power and so on while they ostensibly contribute little to society. The use of State Alchemists, especially during the Ishval Massacre, only serves to further sully their reputation.

All State Alchemists in Amestris are admitted into the military with the rank of Major and can be promoted from there. Once they are accepted into the military, State Alchemists can be called on for several types of duty. Since State Alchemists have advanced knowledge in minerals and elements, they conduct inspections of land territories to determine whether or not the area has any valuable minerals. They also experiment with alchemic modifications and enhancements, which are usually utilized on the battlefield in times of war. But State Alchemists could be best thought of as an equivalent to the modern day special forces unit: an elite group deployed in combat with the express purpose of rapidly suppressing enemy uprisings to end or avoid a war. Colonel Roy Mustang perfectly captured the nature of Amestris' State Alchemists when he remarked that they were nothing more than human artillery the army called in when nothing else worked.

To be certified as a State Alchemist in Amestris requires a written test, verbal examination by three State Alchemists, a psychiatric examination,[1] and finally a demonstration of skill or presentation of research to a select group of high-ranking officers who judge the alchemists based on several criteria. Competition is fierce, and only one or two alchemists are accepted each examination cycle. In addition to their rank and state titles, certified State Alchemists gain access to information on alchemy in the National Library at Central (Amestris’ Capital), and gain access to state funding for experiments and research into alchemy. Some state alchemists are researchers, others have a more military role. Those involved purely in research do not necessarily wear military uniforms. State Alchemists who go into the military are automatically given the title of Major and can be promoted from there. This promotion seems to be without regard to age, accounting for the fact that Roy Mustang reaches the rank of Colonel by the time he is 29. Civilian State Alchemists cannot be promoted in military rank but are still regarded as holding the authority of a military Major, even by military personnel. Upon appointment, they were provided an envelope with a certificate of appointment and given a silver pocket watch that served as proof of their state certification. The watches and the silver chains worn by the alchemist served as an identifying feature for others to identify the State Alchemist. State certified alchemists were afforded a rank of major in the military.

Once a year, all State Alchemists must undergo recertification in order to remain State Alchemists, otherwise their titles are revoked and they are dismissed from the military. The recertification, like the practical skills portion of the State Alchemist entrance exam, can consist of either a practical demonstration of alchemic abilities or producing research results. State Alchemists may choose which of these two options they would prefer, and the results of their performance determine whether or not they meet the qualifications necessary to be recertified. Edward chooses to fight Roy Mustang as a demonstration of his skills as an alchemist when he comes up for his recertification, while Shou Tucker tries to produce research on intelligent chimeras by fusing humans and animals.

As alchemy was a powerful art, it's knowledge could be dangerous if misused. As such, alchemical research was always encrypted to prevent the knowledge from being abused. Thus, the advanced alchemical notes resembled like food recipes with them being decided by the alchemist that wrote them.

Despite all of their privileges, all the State Alchemist is doctrined to: 1. Loyal toward the military. 2. Not to transmute gold. 3. Not attempting to do human transmutations.

Doing these things will put the person responsible to face military trials, despite him being a civilian researcher or combat alchemist. All the doctrines is made up to ensure stability on Amestris. The "Loyal towards the military" doctrine was used to prevent instabilities caused by opposition toward the military government. The "Not transmuting gold" doctrine was meant to keep the economic stability. The "Not attempting to do human transmutations" doctrine is included, most people think, for moral and ethical reasons, as to prevent inhumane experiments on humans, but in reality it is included to stop anyone capable to do it to build his/her own private army, that might be able to overturn the State Military.

Members

• Roy Mustang : he was given the code name the Flame Alchemist.
• Edward Elric : he was given the code name the Fullmetal Alchemist.
• Shou Tucker : he was given the code name the Sowing Life Alchemist.
• Basque Grand : he was given the code name the Iron Blood Alchemist.
• Isaac McDougal : he was given the code name the Freezing Alchemist.
• Alex Louis Armstrong : he was given the code name the Strong Arm Alchemist.
• Zolf J. Kimblee : he was given the code name the Red Lotus Alchemist.

Notes

• State Alchemists were created by Hiromu Arakawa and featured in the setting of Fullmetal Alchemist.

In other media

Television

• In Fullmetal Alchemist, State Alchemists appeared in the anime television series adaptation where it made largely an original story to events compared to the manga.
• In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, State Alchemists appeared in the anime television series adaptation that followed the events of the manga.

Films

Video games

• In Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir, State Alchemists appeared in the setting of the PlayStation 2 video game. An original character by the name of Jack Crowley was introduced who was a State Alchemist who was known as the Silver Bullet Alchemist where he left the military after the death of his beloved and sought a means to resurrect her.

Appearances

• Full Metal Alchemist:

External Link

• Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki Entry

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