Can anyone be an alchemist?

Answered by Jason Smith

In the parody series Fullmetal Abridged, it is humorously emphasized that despite the fact that anyone can theoretically become an alchemist, alchemy is not an integral part of daily life for everyone. While the show takes a lighthearted approach, it raises an interesting question about the accessibility and prevalence of alchemy in the fictional world.

In the Fullmetal Abridged universe, alchemists are portrayed as a select group of individuals who possess the knowledge and skill to perform alchemy. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that every single person in that world actively practices or even has a basic understanding of alchemy. This concept can be extrapolated to our own world, where certain professions or skills may be open to anyone, but not everyone chooses to pursue or engage with them.

It is important to note that the concept of alchemy in Fullmetal Abridged is fictional and not applicable to our reality. However, we can draw parallels to real-life scenarios. For example, in our world, anyone can technically become a chef by learning culinary skills, but not everyone chooses to pursue a career in cooking or even develop their cooking abilities beyond basic necessities.

Factors such as personal interest, cultural context, and individual circumstances play a significant role in determining whether someone becomes an alchemist or engages with alchemy in the Fullmetal Abridged universe. Similarly, in real life, people’s career choices and interests are influenced by a variety of factors, including personal passion, educational opportunities, and societal norms.

It is also worth considering that becoming an alchemist or engaging with alchemy may require certain resources or access to knowledge that not everyone possesses. In Fullmetal Abridged, we see characters like Edward and Alphonse Elric, who come from a family with a history of alchemy and have access to the necessary resources and education to become skilled alchemists. On the other hand, characters like Mustang and Armstrong also demonstrate proficiency in alchemy, but it is not explicitly stated how they acquired their skills.

In our world, access to resources and educational opportunities can greatly influence one’s ability to pursue certain professions or skills. Factors such as socioeconomic status, geographical location, and cultural background can create barriers or provide advantages in accessing the necessary training and knowledge.

To summarize, while anyone in the Fullmetal Abridged universe can technically become an alchemist, alchemy is not part of daily life for everyone. This humorous depiction in the parody series mirrors the reality that not everyone chooses to pursue or engage with certain professions or skills, even if they have the potential to do so. Factors such as personal interest, access to resources, and individual circumstances all play a role in determining whether someone becomes an alchemist or engages with alchemy in the fictional world. In our own reality, similar factors influence people’s career choices and interests.