Fullmetal Alchemist by Zeryo9 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Not a criticism, here, but the title should be 'Fullmetal', not 'full metal'; 'Fullmetal' is a whole word, meaning to have powerful resolve and determination, and unbreakable convictions.

Bradley named Ed the 'Fullmetal Alchemist' because he recognised what Ed's ability to perform Alchemy without a transmutation circle meant - that Ed had performed Human Transmutation at such a young age, which would take not only great skill but also deep conviction, and the toll claimed by God would be something equally-great (in Ed's case, his limbs); in this way it both was a reference to his Automail, and also because Bradley could see Ed's obstinate stubbornness, hence his comment that Ed could not yet see that the world was bigger than Ed seemed to think.