Alphonse Elric - Creation and Conception

Creation and Conception

In a prototype from the series, Alphonse's soul was sealed in a flying squirrel instead of an armor as a result of human transmutation. He appeared as the other protagonist's father searching for a way to recover their bodies. In order to fit with the readers from the manga magazine Monthly Shonen Gangan, the two characters were redesigned. Alphonse was given a huge armor in order to contrast Edward's low height. Since Alphonse appears most of the time with his armor, Arakawa tends to make various sketches of his human form so that she would not forget how to draw him. Various events from the Elrics brothers' lives are social problems she integrated into the plot. Their journey across the country to help people is meant to gain an understanding of the meaning of family. As Alphonse is mostly seen with his armor, during various chapters from the manga Arakawa was unable to draw him crying. During chapter 40, Arakawa saw his conversation with Edward as a way to let him express his feeling and to make him appear as he was crying. When comparing the two brothers during the time Alphonse obtained the ability to use alchemy without a circle like Edward, Arakawa stated nobody was better at alchemy as the two had different preferences in the same way as other alchemist appearing in the series. When making omakes, Arakawa tends to draw to Alphonse doing something comical to contrast the other appearing characters. She states that she does it as Alphonse may enjoy making fun of other people.

In the Japanese animated adaptations of Fullmetal Alchemist, Alphonse has been voiced by Rie Kugimiya. For the English version, Aaron Dismuke took the role for the first anime, Conqueror of Shamballa and the OVAs. He has found Alphonse to be his favorite character he has voiced, liking how he "sticks up for people". He also comments that he also "tries to be" like Alphonse when voicing him though he then added "I don't really see a lot of myself in him". In 'Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood he was replaced by Maxey Whitehead who was excited for the role owing the character's popularity.