| NOTE: This page is only about the manga and Brotherhood version of Van Hohenheim as the 2003 anime version of Van Hohenheim was not voted Pure Good, and thus only the manga and Brotherhood version of Van Hohenheim's info should be put here. |
| “ | Who am I? I'm a philosopher's stone, in the form of a man. That's what I am. | „ |
| ~ Van Hohenheim. |
| “ | IT'S TIME YOU REMEMBERED YOUR PLACE, DWARF IN THE FLASK! | „ |
| ~ Van Hohenheim to Father. |
Van Hohenheim is the overarching protagonist of the manga series Fullmetal Alchemist and its anime adaptation Brotherhood. He is an alchemist and a living Philosopher's Stone who shares a tragic past and connection with Father, the main antagonist of the series.
He is the husband of the late Trisha Elric and the estranged father of Edward and Alphonse Elric.
In Japanese, he was voiced by the late Unshou Ishizuka. In English, he was voiced John Swasey.
What Makes Him Pure Good?[]
- Holds a compassionate and pacifistic nature, quick to help and praise others while remaining humble and never taking any compliments for himself.
- He taught the people of Xing alchemy, shaping their culture and allowing them to create their own branch of alchemy.
- Spoke with the souls of 536,329 people trapped inside him, spending lots of time talking to each one of them to help them overcome their madness. His actions helped all of those people regain their sanity and put an end to their suffering.
- He even formed his plan of the Promised Day with those souls of Xerxes to stop Father from absorbing God's power to its fullest by forming his own Transmutation Circle via tracing the path of the moon's shadow to create a lunar eclipse to counteract Father's own Transmutation circle.
- He loves Trisha and their sons: Eldward and Alphonse.
- Even though they never married, he and Trisha have no problems of being in a cohabitation relationship and truly love each other.
- After learning of Father's plot to use the nation of Amestris to create a nationwide transmutation circle, left his family to begin his plans to counter the transmutation circle and save the nation.
- He helps Ed and indirectly let him know that the corpse they created with human transmutation was not really Trisha, allowing Ed to be released from the guilt of believing he'd brought his mother back and caused her agony.
- Ed would inform Izumi of this, also helping her by making her realize she didn't make her child suffer twice.
- Helps Izumi by rearranging her organs to create a better flow of blood.
- Though he did abandon his family, it was only done in order to save Amestris, as part of his plan for many years even before he met Trisha, and even then, he fully understood the animosity Ed held towards him and accepts responsibility for his absence in their lives.
- He helps reconstruct the city of Reole to atone for his actions and out of admiration for the work ethic of the Reole citizens.
- Is very grateful for Alphonse's forgiveness and willingness to still view Hohenheim as his father.
- Upon being told Trisha's final words by Ed, he cries knowing that she died before him and that he couldn't keep his promise to her.
- Joins Ed and the others to assist in stopping Father and the rest of the homunculus.
- Confronts Father himself and attempts to settle things peacefully.
- After Father initiates the nationwide transmutation circle, Hohenheim reveals his own transmutation circle he'd prepared for the event, returning the souls of everyone in Amestris back to their original bodies, subsequently saving their lives and the horrifying fate of becoming a Philosopher's Stone.
- When Father fires a blast of energy at Izumi and Edward, Hohenheim shields them both with his body, saving their lives.
- In the anime, after everything that Father had done and all the people he'd killed, upon hearing his desire to be free, Hohenheim is shocked and saddened with his death, sympathizing with him and remembering how Father had helped Hohenheim craft his identity.
- Offers up his body to be used by Edward in order to bring Alphonse back from the Gate.
- Sincerely apologizes to Ed for abandoning him, saying that he only wants his sons to be happy and how much he loves both of them, and upon seeing his son cry, he nearly breaks down himself and once again apologizes to his son, begging for his forgiveness.
- When Armstrong informs him that his sons are being treated but are still healthy, he sincerely thanks him and leaves in tears of gratitude.
- He expresses happiness that Ed finally called him his father.
- While sitting at Trisha's grave, he thanks her for what she did for him and giving him a reason to love life.
- He even compliments Ed for his creative way of retrieving his and Al's full bodies, admitting he was able to think of an idea he never thought of, showing how he admires his son for the Alchemist he worked to become.
- Despite his serious streak, he keeps the story lighthearted.
Trivia[]
- Only the manga and 2009 anime adaptations of Van Hohenheim is Pure Good, while the 2003 anime version, although redeemed, commits acts on par with the main villain of the 2003 series, making him too heinous to be here.
- He and his son, Alphonse, are the only two characters in the manga and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to be Pure Good.
External Links[]
- Van Hohenheim on the Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki
- Van Hohenheim on the Heroes Wiki
- Van Hohenheim on the Ultimate Good Wiki