Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, or in Japanese, Haganeno Renkinjutsushi: Furumetaru Arukemisuto aired in the years 2009-10 and with it's advent made home in the hearts of every anime lover.
Strong characters like Edward, Winry, Riza, Mustang are a source of inspiration and much cosplay. The characters are simple and regular although, this alternate world story by manga artist Hiromu Arakawa is a sharply-defined tale of very human emotions and childish simplicity that leads to a world of pain and learning for two brothers who learn that the first law of alchemy applies to life as well, that - “Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange.”
This quote by the younger brother, Alphonse Elric, presents not only life lessons but also the premise for the entire story. And a person who learns this lesson in a brutal manner is one Roy Mustang, to whom this article is dedicated.
Roy Mustang displays an air of superiority and arrogance as a high-ranking military officer and the famed “Flame Alchemist” since his alchemistry involves producing fire on command. He is an incorrigible ladies' man and spends most of his time avoiding paperwork required to do. He is a hailed hero and a genuine person.
All that Roy seems to be is just that, a front. Roy Mustang is a character that most come to love from the first scene where he is introduced till the very end where he loses something precious to him, briefly, as pawn of the archenemy of the series. The plan thankfully is thwarted by the our heroes to save the world, eventually.
What is defining about this character is his clueless act and intense brain that works behind the scene with a group of his most trusted men and women. He values and respects those who follow him.
In this path of righteousness, Roy loses his best friend and almost loses his second-in-command, Riza Hawkeye, with whom he seems to share a stronger bond. Roy's character develops fantastically over the series as he goes from a naive military officer trying to change the world to an intelligent leader who realizes that the world needs a government that is robust and it is up to him to make that happen. He hardens over time and establishes a bond with Edward Elric. Mustang succeeds in his dream of becoming the Führer and presumably initiating a changing government.