Roy Mustang

The Flame Alchemist who burns away corruption to forge a new future for Amestris.

Roy Mustang is a fictional State Alchemist serving in Amestris' military under Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist. Known as the 'Flame Alchemist,' he uses ignition cloth gloves with transmutation circles to create and manipulate fire with pinpoint accuracy. Initially presented as an arrogant, womanizing careerist at age 29, Mustang is actually a strategic commander who deeply cares for his subordinates. His ambition to become the next leader of Amestris stems from the trauma of the Ishbal Civil War, where he was forced to use his power to kill. Driven by the murder of his best friend Maes Hughes by homunculi, he shifts his goal from climbing the ranks to overthrowing the corrupt military establishment.

Quick Facts

Series

Fullmetal Alchemist

First

Fullmetal Alchemist chapter 4, "Battle on the Train" (2001)

Creator

Hiromu Arakawa

Voice

Japanese:
Tōru Ōkawa (2003 anime)
Shin-ichiro Miki (Brotherhood)
English:
Travis Willingham

Portrayed by

Dean Fujioka

Lore & Background

Mustang's journey is defined by his transition from a ruthless careerist to a revolutionary leader. After Maes Hughes is killed, Mustang investigates in secret, faking the death of Maria Ross and engineering her escape after she was wrongly convicted. He kills the homunculus Lust during a break-in at a military laboratory and discovers that Führer King Bradley is also a homunculus. This revelation costs him his command; Bradley transfers Hawkeye to his own side and disperses Mustang's subordinates across Amestris. General Olivier Armstrong later contacts him to join an attack on Central City. In the manga, after learning Envy murdered Hughes, Mustang defeats the homunculus but is stopped by Hawkeye from killing him in revenge. During the final conflict, Mustang becomes a sacrifice for human transmutation, losing his eyesight but continuing to fight with Hawkeye guiding his attacks.

Reader's Guide

Mustang's primary ability is fire-based alchemy, requiring dry ignition cloth gloves with transmutation circles to spark flames by rubbing his fingers. He adjusts oxygen densities in the air to create or manipulate fire anywhere nearby, though wet gloves hinder this unless he has an alternative method to ignite. His character arc involves a shift from ambition for power to a resolve to protect society and seek revenge against those controlling the military. He is supported by subordinates like Riza Hawkeye, who acts as his adjutant and guide after he loses his sight. In the manga ending, former comrade Tim Marcoh offers to restore Mustang's eyesight using a Philosopher's Stone on the condition that he joins a movement to restore Ishbal; Mustang accepts and is appointed brigadier general in charge of the East region.

Did You Know?

Mustang appears second in every popularity poll for the Fullmetal Alchemist series.
In the manga, he loses his eyesight as part of a human transmutation sacrifice but continues fighting with Hawkeye's guidance.
Dean Fujioka portrayed Mustang in the live-action films, while Travis Willingham voiced him in English dubs.
Mustang faked Maria Ross's death to help her escape Amestris after she was wrongly convicted of Maes Hughes' murder.