Family/friends: Alphonse Elric aka Al(younger bro.), Winry Rockbell(childhood friend), Tricia Elric(mother, deceased from unknown illness), father(whereabouts unknown), Nina and Alexander(Nina's pet dog)

Allies: Roy Mustang?, Louis Alex Armstrong, Hudges, Riza Hawkeye, basically the whole military.

Rivals: Roy Mustang and Russell

Enemies/foes: Scar, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Tucker (Nina's dad), and other random bad guys.

Other facts: Ed HATES milk, loves steak, became a State Alchemist at age 12, writes and eats with his left hand.

[Name Meaning]

Edward: Means "rich guard", derived from the Old English elements ead "rich, blessed" and weard "guard". Saint Edward the Confessor was the king of England shortly before the Norman Conquest. Because of his popularity this name remained in use after the conquest (most other Old English names were replaced by Norman ones), and was even the name of eight subsequent kings of England. Edward is also one of the few Old English names to be used throughout Europe.

Elric: From either the Old English name Ćlfric meaning "elf ruler" or the Old English name Ćđelric meaning "noble ruler". Both of these names were rarely used after the Norman conquest.

Fair warning, MAJOR SPOILERS ahead!!

[The "Full Metal" title:]

Ed is the good guy, the hero, the #1 star of our team. Ed's great, even if he can't punch a guy who's taller and younger than him. He's still the loveable teddy bear we all know became a National Alchemist at age 12. Ed even recieves a cool pocket watch from Colonel Roy Mustang. This pocket watch recognizes Ed as a National Alchemist. It's like a official license! Ed is a genius Alchemist. Perhaps the youngest Alchemist known to pass the National test. He is able to do Alchemy without a "transmutation circle". Apparently this is ver y useful and he can kick alot of butt very easily. Not a problem for our master Alchemist! He got the title " Full Metal" because of his metal arm and leg, which they're called "automail." Every State Alchemist gets a codename like Roy's is "Flame."

[The "Dog of the military" title:]

This is a what State Alchemists are called, "The Dog of the Military. They work for the military and are under the Furher's command.

[Anime Ed VS. Manga Ed:]

We both love Ed in the TV series and the Manga. But is there any differences?

Manga Ed: Edward seems to be more evil-like. I don't mean Ed is a bad person when I say "evil-like." With that toothy grin, he does seem more "sneaky." He appears to have a very sly personailty in the manga which he's always scheming. He makes a big fool of his foes. That explains it with that big grin of his. Heh. Even the art style is slighty different. He's more chibi-like (Sorry Ed). His face expressions seem to be more expressive and often expresses them alot more in the manga, almost more than the TV series.

Anime Ed: The TV series, he doesn't have that "sneaky" attitude. Not like in the manga. He still has a few tricky moves up his sleeves but doesn't have as many slyful thoughts rolling around in that head of his. Ed's still a hot-headed guy who hates being called "small." He always walks around with a big toothy smile. If anythings different, Ed is more the brainy type. I mean that in a good way. He intends to put his mind to hard work and spend long hours thinking and solvoling puzzles.

[The Alchemist duo, The Elric Bros!:]

Ed and Al always travel together and always help each other out. Even when they were kids, they got along well and had fun praticing Alchemy together *They're so cute!* Anyways, since they stick side by side in anything, they both faced harsh punishments for doing their little game of "being god." Al, the younger brother appears to be very calm and trusting to most. Ed, is the hot-headed and energetic brother. Very little do they argue, sometimes Ed gets mad at Al, but Al hardly even raises his voice. Both of them make a good team in most situations. Each brother has one goal, but they want to use that goal for 2 different reasons. Ed wants to find a way to get Al's body back, Al wants to find a way to get Ed's arm and leg back.

[Personality:]

Ed is known for his "shortness," which is why everyone who sees him calls him a "shrimp" or "short". Ed hates when people make fun of his height, and with his temper, we find him usually cursing at them. At times, with his funny face expressions, including the twitching anger mark. Ed's temper can be so out of control it comes to the point where Al has to hold him back. It's quite funny when Ed has steam coming out of his head, mad eyes, and of course, screaming, "don't call me short!" everytime someone insults him. This is what makes Ed the way we know him today. But in that small body is a heart of gold. Ed, when he's not mad, often has a cheerful grin on his face and appears to love to show his teeth. That's the face we see under that temper of his. Even with Ed's bad temper, he intends to hide his feelings for other people. Deep down, Ed truly loves his younger brother, even though he may not show it. In other situations, Ed's feelings begin to show. Like in epiosde 6, when Ed and Al meet a little girl named Nina. It turns out the 3 become good friends. Later, Ed was hurt tremendously to find out that Nina and her dog, Alexander were murdered. At that time he felt useless and ashamed that he couldn't even save one litle girl. Most of the time Ed may seem like he doesn't care, but deep down, really does. His tough and bad temper make him seem strong, but with his smile and good heart, he's stronger than anyone will ever know. Ed also appears to be sneaky and mischeavious and that little smirk proves it. In that head of his, Ed always seems to be scheming a plan. For what ever reason it may be, his plans tend to always work. He makes bad guys seem like bigger idiots than they are.

[How and why can Ed use alchemy without a transmutation circle?:]

After episode 29 and reading volume 6 of the manga, it explains what happened to Ed when he lost his right arm and left leg during their mother's revival. He was surrounded by a array of light. Ed was being attacked by creepy zombie-like hands, than the next thing he knew, he was facing a huge gate. Inside the gate were faces of many unknown beings. They were mysrtious and could not be identified. Ed screamed and wondered what was happening. The massive doors of the gate closed shut. The cries of his younger brother, Al could be heard from what seemed like a faraway distance. Al's body was suddenly pulled into the gate. Just than, a bright flash blinded Ed for a split second. There he saw his mother's face. Ed called for her but was dragged by the unknown zombie-like hands. As he was being hawled back, his left leg was slowly eaten away. Somehow Ed returned back home where he faced the transmutation circle. In the center of that circle was a figure. It moved and Ed galnce at it only to find it wasn't human. It wasn't mother...he screamed in a terrifying voice.

Also, this explains how Al became the the way he is now in a little more detail. After Ed saw what was in the center of the transmutation circle, he crawled to a armor suit and knocked the helmet off. He marked inside the suit with his blood a small transmutation circle. Ed also drew a circle on his right arm. Desprate to return his younger brother, he did a small transmutation to bring Al's soul back and place it in the armor suit. And the law says "you can't gain something without sacrificing something else of the equal value." This is called the "equivalent trade." Luckily, Ed succeed in retreiving Al's soul and placing it in the armor. In return for Al's soul, Ed lost his right arm.

To answer the question, Ed discovered the "truth" in the world, that he is everything. He discovered this after approaching the gate. Ed than lost his left leg after seeing the truth. After seeing the "truth" he is able to use alchemy without using a transmutation circle. Al did not see the truth and therefore cannot use alchemy without a transmutation circle. It appears Al thought Ed's ability was amazing and powerful. But Ed knew Al didin't know the truth behind all truths, for Al doesn't fully understand Ed's power and how he gained it. Ed truly feels this is all his fault. It may or not be true, but he is determined to fix all of this.

We also learn in Volume 6 of the manga, how and why Izumi, Ed and Al's sensai also can use alchemy without a transmutation circle. And that is because the same reason as Ed. She also saw the truth. Izumi tried to perform a human alchemy just like Ed and Al did. She was trying to bring her baby back to life. Of course she lost something and it happens to be she couldn't have children anymore. She was pregnant during ths time. She lost her "uterus" and suffers intense coughing to the point she spits out blood.