Edward Elric- Fullmetal Alchemist's main protagonist: Edward Elric is the “Fullmetal Alchemist”. His nicknamed is Ed. He has a prosthetic automail arm and leg, is short (a very touchy subject for him; if he hears anyone call him short, he flares up and starts reciting insults the person never said), and is known for being the youngest State Alchemist.

Alphonse Elric- Alphonse, often nicknamed Al, is Fullmetal Alchemist's secondary protagonist; he is Edward's younger brother. For most of the series his soul is trapped in a large suit of armor, causing other characters throughout the series to confuse Al for the "Fullmetal" Alchemist. Alphonse is the calmer of the two brothers, and steps in to help Edward see a better way of dealing with things.

Winry Rockbell- Winry is a mechanical expert who is a childhood friend of the Elrics. She, along with her grandmother Pinako, built Edward's automail, and she also helps maintain the automail when it gets broken. Her parents served as impartial doctors during the Ishval rebellion, but were killed. In the anime, they were killed by Colonel Roy Mustang, however in the manga they were killed by Scar. It is left to speculation whether the military would have murdered them due to a dialogue between Kimbley and one of his men.

Izumi & Sig Curtis- Though her methods are often confusing, Izumi Curtis has taught the Elric Brothers well. Desperately ill, she hides her pain to give Ed and Al the skills they will need to survive and to fulfill their mission. Her gentle giant husband, Sig, not only watches over his sick wife, he also helps take care of the young Elric Brothers.

Colonel Roy Mustang - Roy Mustang is known as the Flame Alchemist. His gloves are made of a special material, called ignition cloth, which allows him to create a spark by snapping his fingers. He then uses alchemy to change the oxygen density in the air with the help of transmutation circles on his gloves, causing a controlled explosion. He is Edward's direct superior officer in the military, but has his own goals and intentions in mind. His main goal is to become the Fuhrer, the leader of the military.

Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes - A member of the Investigations Division and a good friend of Colonel Mustang and the Elric brothers. He wishes to push Mustang up to Fuhrer by working closely under him. Hughes loves his wife, Gracia, and is overly enthusiastic regarding his love for his daughter Elicia.

Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye- Lt. Hawkeye is a hard-working member of the state military, and a loyal, capable aide to her superior officer, Roy Mustang. She also spends a great deal of time making sure that Colonel Mustang does his paperwork. She is especially proficient in the use of firearms.

Alex Louis Armstrong- Major Armstrong aka, The Strong Arm Alchemist is a gentle giant type of figure who is very protective of Ed and Al. He is a powerhouse of an Alchemist. The gauntlets he wears can break apart boulders, or crack open the ground. And lets not forget the all important sparkles that are always present when he strikes a pose.

Jean Havoc- 2nd Lt. Havoc provides us with a large amount of comedy relief. He does seem to have some girl troubles too first the Colonel makes him move to Central right after he finds a girl friend and later he finds dates with people he really shouldn't be dating.

Heymans Breda- Despite his powerful appearance 2nd Lt. Breda is skilled at intelligent planning. He also simply cannot stand dogs.

Vato Falman- Cool as a cucumber, Warrent Officer Falman is gifted with an encyclopedic knowledge of just about everything.

Kain Fuery- Gentle Hearted Master Sgt. Fuery excels at repairing communication radios and just about anything else on the base that clicks, ticks, or clinks.

Maria Ross- 2nd Lt. Ross is dedicated to her job, sometimes at the expense of her own personality. She can be tough or timid depending on which side of her personality is more in control at any given time.

Denny Brosh- Sergeant Brosh is just one of those guys that everyone wants to be around. His aura of calm helps keep his fellow soldiers mellowed out even when the going gets tough.

Scar- One of the few surviving Ishvalians. His real name is not known, but he is referred to as "Scar" because of the X-shaped scar on his forehead. Scar's right arm, which is covered in an elaborate alchemic tattoo, was given to him by his brother shortly before he died. He believes himself to be an instrument of God, and kills State Alchemists by using alchemy to destroy their bodies from the inside, and can also use this power on inanimate objects as well.

King Bradley- Known as the Fuhrer King Bradley, he is the military dictator of Amestris, holding the official political title of president (King is his first name). Although he seems to be quite easy-going and perhaps a little eccentric, he has the mind of a steel trap, and maintaining Amestris is his chief priority at all times. He is also renowned as an exceptional swordsman. In the anime he is the sin known as Pride in the manga he is the sin known as Wrath.

Lust- Sultry and cool-headed, she is the first of the Homunculi encountered in the series. She has the power to extend her fingers into lances in the blink of an eye to use as a weapon.

Gluttony- An overweight figure who eats anything he can get his hands on, including humans and inanimate objects. He latches on to Lust like a child to his parent.

Envy- Sarcastic, sadistic, and cold-hearted, Envy has the ability to change appearance. He hates mankind, viewing them as pitiful and weak.

Greed- His name says it all he loves money, power, women, booze and he wants it all. His greed was so strong he betrayed the other homunculi in favor of achieving his own goals.

Wrath- In the anime Wrath is the little boy with Ed's limbs who is always looking for a mother figure and eventually leashes onto Sloth. He is also the failed transmutation of Ed and Al's teacher’s son. In the manga Wrath is the Fuhrer King Bradly. The only homunculus who is able to age.

Sloth- Sloth in the anime is the Fuhrer's secretary and the failed transmutation of Ed and Al's mother. In the manga sloth is seen in one panel in what appears to be some underground place in chains. Not much is known about Sloth in the manga as yet.

Pride- In the anime Pride is the Fuhrer King Bradly. In the manga we haven't been introduced to Pride as yet so much is left to learn.