Roy Mustang

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.

In Their Own Story

In the first anime adaptation, Mustang's backstory diverges: he executed Winry Rockbell's parents on military orders during the Ishbal War due to their work as doctors aiding anyone. This act drove him to depression and nearly led to human transmutation until Hughes snapped him out of it. In the present timeline of this version, after Hughes' death, Mustang suspends his investigation despite Sheska providing clues about Hughes' research. He later realizes the full extent of the military's corruption involving Juliet Douglas. Unlike the manga, he stays in Central rather than pursuing the Elrics northward. He confronts Bradley only after Selim brings the Führer's original skull to weaken him. Escaping the mansion, Mustang is shot by Frank Archer, losing his left eye before Hawkeye saves him and kills Archer. In the movie Conqueror of Shamballa, he resigns as an alchemist but returns to command forces against a parallel universe invasion, helping Edward leave permanently.

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.
• He wears gloves made from 'ignition cloth' containing transmutation circles to create sparks and flames.
• 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.