Among Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood’s most iconic villains are the nefarious Homunculi – artificial beings embodying humanity’s seven deadly sins. Their names and personalities derive directly from the cardinal vices they each represent.
Fueled by philosopher’s stones, these artificial humans possess supernatural talents, making them frightening foes. Gluttony boasts an insatiable hunger, while Wrath lives up to his name with relentless attacks. Meanwhile, Lust, Envy, and more manipulate opponents with tricks channeling their signature sin.
Now, let’s talk about how these Homunculi kick the bucket. Fair warning, though – we’re diving into spoiler territory, so be prepared for some plot reveals!
Homunculus in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
1. Lust
It’s a bummer that Lust was the first Homunculus to bite the dust because she’s a fantastic villain, and some anime fans might even consider her a waifu.
Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is super strong and has this knack for blending into society, manipulating people, and then doing some cold-blooded killing. She takes on a sort of big-sibling role among the Homunculi, and the others usually follow her lead, making her quite the imposing figure.
Although it’s a downer that she kicked the bucket early, her death scene with Roy Mustang is one of the most iconic moments in the anime. So, at least she went out in style.
2. Sloths
Sloth, as a Homunculus in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, didn’t get as much screen time as some others since he was always busy digging tunnels.
His character doesn’t show much personality because his main trait is being sluggish and tired all the time. Understandably, he embodies Sloth, so he doesn’t say or do much, making it challenging for the audience to connect with him.
However, Sloth still left an impression. His catchphrase, “It hurts,” became memorable, and he engaged in epic battles with the Armstrong brothers. Plus, his design was quite impressive.
3. Gluttony
Gluttony is perhaps the most beloved among the Homunculi despite having scary moments, like when his stomach opens into a portal. Surprisingly, he looks cute, which contrasts with his badass nature.
He genuinely cares for his fellow homunculi and forms a touching friendship and brotherhood with all of them, especially with Lust. Gluttony usually acts based on what he believes his brothers want, resulting in epic fight scenes where he eats people alive.
His lack of independent thinking makes him somewhat less scary than other Sins.
4. Wrath
Unlike many Fullmetal Alchemist, characters who undergo significant growth, King Bradley stands out for his transformation from the seemingly ordinary Führer to revealing himself as the homunculus Wrath.
While lacking the self-healing abilities of the other Sins, he is arguably the most skilled fighter. He effortlessly defeated Greed in their initial encounter, and it took a whole battalion to impede his progress.
Despite his extreme violence, what adds depth to his character is his human side. He has a wife whom he openly admits to loving, making him more relatable than the other Sins.
5. Envy
Envy stands out as perhaps the most cruel and vengeful of all the sins in Fullmetal Alchemist. Despite their villainous nature, they often become fans’ favorite characters in the series. It’s intriguing to witness the extent of their wickedness, even when they commit significant acts, including killing the main character.
Envy’s ability to shift forms plays a crucial role in the Homunculi plot, and the revelation of their true form as a giant green monster leads to some of the most memorable fights in the entire series.
One of these battles ultimately results in Envy’s demise, and their death may be considered one of the most poignant moments in the story.
6. Pride
The revelation of Pride marks one of the most significant plot twists in the entire series. Although she doesn’t display her true form like the other Homunculi, she firmly establishes herself as the most intimidating despite her childlike appearance.
As the first-born Homunculus, Pride mastered the abilities of the other Sins. His strength and ruthlessness were such that he even devoured Gluttony to absorb his powers.
However, a poignant revelation shows that Pride was caring for his fake mother, leading to a tragic end for Pride as he transforms back into a harmless child by the conclusion of the series.
7. Greed
Greed in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood stands out as a unique character. Unlike other Homunculi, he’s more of an anti-hero than a pure villain. When we first meet him, he has been away from the Homunculi for about 100 years.
As his name suggests, Greed is arrogant and selfish, often doing not-so-nice things. However, he’s surprisingly likable and has a sense of morality compared to the other Homunculi.
In the end, Greed makes a significant sacrifice to save Amestris, leaving many characters in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood heartbroken. This is especially true for Ling, as his relationship with Greed is one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire anime.
