Alphonse Elric

Few characters in Modern Age comics carry as much emotional weight as Alphonse Elric, who made his debut in Viz's Fullmetal Alchemist #1 in 2005 — part of the landmark English-language release of Hiromu Arakawa and Akira Watanabe's celebrated manga. Published across a rich run stretching to 2011, Alphonse anchors the series alongside the unforgettable Edward Elric, and their shared adventures across Fullmetal Alchemist and the collected 3-in-1 Edition volumes have made this one of the most beloved titles Viz has ever brought to Western readers. With 28 catalog appearances to his name, Alphonse is a character whose presence resonates deeply throughout every volume he graces — a testament to just how central he is to one of the defining manga series of his era. If you haven't followed his journey alongside Edward through the pages of Fullmetal Alchemist, you owe it to yourself to start.