Facebook
Reddit
Email
Who is Hohenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist? Explore his role in the series, relationship with the main characters, and final fate.
Fullmetal Alchemist is considered by many fans to be the best anime ever made, and a major reason for this is its complex cast. Hohenheim is one such character, captivating viewers through his enigmatic presence and generating a large following for his heroic actions. So, who is Hohenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist?
Van Hohenheim is the father of the Elric brothers and an immortal alchemist who is connected to the creator of the Homunculi, Father. His tumultuous life, filled with hurdles and inspiring development, ended in a satisfactory manner that solidified his legacy in the series. Here is a closer look at his character.
Who Is Hohenheim in Fullmetal Alchemist?
Hohenheim is a central figure of Fullmetal Alchemist who was originally the estranged father of Edward and Alphonse Elric. While he had earned the ire of most fans for his seemingly cold and uncaring nature, the story soon proved the notion wrong.
On the contrary, Hohenheim was an immensely layered character facing struggles unimaginable to any human. He was originally born over 450 years ago in Xerxes, working as the 23rd slave of the nation’s king. At this point, he met a mysterious Homunculus stuck inside a glass flask, which had been fed his blood as part of his master’s experiments.
As the two spent more time together, they became closer, with the Homunculus imparting all sorts of knowledge to Hohenheim. Unfortunately, it soon turned out that Homunculus’ intentions were far from noble. While it had been kept to help make the king of Xerxes immortal, it decided to betray him.
By making the entire nation a transmutation circle, the Homunculus absorbed the souls of all citizens and split them with Hohenheim. It then broke out of its container and took Hohenheim’s form, going on to be known as “Father.”
The real Hohenheim, distraught with this information, was plagued by the souls that gave him an immortal body. However, he soon picked himself back up and began conversing with each and every soul. After gaining a closer understanding with them, he found an iota of peace. While this spoke of his kindness and compassion, Hohenheim still saw himself as a monster for most of his life. Nevertheless, with the help of his loved ones, he was able to find some sort of normalcy.
Hohenheim’s Relationship With His Family
Hohenheim may not have been present in Edward and Alphonse’s life, but that does not reflect his feelings for them. On the contrary, over the course of his journey, Hohenheim had always remained afraid of forming connections due to his immortality.
Despite fearing the loss of loved ones due to humanity’s short lifespan, he eventually fell in love with Trisha Elric. This young woman encouraged him to make the most of their time together, taking life one day at a time. Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Hohenheim married her and had his children.
While this immortal alchemist continued facing inner turmoil when watching his sons grow older, he always loved them. He wished to end his own immortality while living and dying along with his family. However, upon finding that the nation of Amestris was set to become another transmutation circle like Xerxes, he had to leave his family to protect them from Father’s plans.
When Hohenheim met Edward and Alphonse later in the series, he tried his best to stop them from risking their lives. He willingly accepted their hatred, despite having left them for a greater cause. Thankfully, by the end of the story, the entire family has a touching reunion.
Hohenheim’s Strengths and Abilities
Having lived for centuries, Hohenheim is one of the smartest and strongest characters in Fullmetal Alchemist. He was a human philosopher’s stone containing multiple souls, allowing him to not obey the laws of Equivalent Exchange.
As a result, Hohenheim could perform alchemy without transmutation circles, had rapid regeneration, and could use potent techniques since he had an understanding with his souls. His abilities were capable of shielding the powerful energy blasts of Father.
In the 2003 anime version, Hohenheim could also manipulate light and control it remotely. This could be made into weapons and creatures, giving him the nickname “Hohenheim of Light.”
Most importantly, Hohenheim’s intellect is unparalleled in Fullmetal Alchemist. He had detailed knowledge regarding Alchemy, the Homunculi as well as his own research over centuries. He came up with the plan to counteract Father’s schemes, even showing the will to sacrifice himself for victory.
Hohenheim’s Final Fate in Fullmetal Alchemist
The majority of Hohenheim’s life may have been filled with tragedy, but thankfully his final fate in the series was beautiful and what he deserved. During the concluding battle against Father, Hohenheim sacrificed most of the souls in his Philosopher’s Stone, fending off the antagonist’s attacks.
However, he had also helped create an Umbral Circle, made to prevent the nationwide transmutation circle. At this point, Father lost most of his powers and was on the retreat. Edward, taking advantage of the situation, jumped in to deal the decisive blow on Father.
This didn’t mark the end, since Alphonse’s life still hung in the balance as he had transmuted his soul earlier to help his brother regain his arm. Hohenheim was resolved to sacrifice himself for the sake of bringing his son back, considering it his duty.
Edward swiftly rejected the proposition, tearfully calling him his father for the first time. Soon after this, Edward helped bring Alphonse back, resulting in the moving reunion between father and sons. By the end of the series, Hohenheim had visited Trisha’s grave and died in front of it with a smile on his face.
In a special chapter from the manga, he also reunited with his wife in the afterlife. The two of them jokingly spoke with each other about not keeping up their promise of growing old together. This marked the end of the tale of Hohenheim, a man who thought himself to be a monster but died as a happy human due to the love of his family.
Conclusion
Hohenheim’s character arc is one of redemption, sacrifice, and deep emotional complexity. Initially seen as an absent father, he is later revealed to be one of the most selfless characters in Fullmetal Alchemist. His selfless conquest to protect the world against Father’s schemes and bond with his family makes him one of the most beloved additions to the series.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!