One small correction: Homunculi are made from breaking off a piece of Fathers stone, but only Wrath, and Greed-Ling are made by inserting into a living person. The others are their own entities with no connection to humans. Another great video overall; really glad I subbed after the first one.

Father is " All is Me, and Mine alone to manipulate" . A realization of Dark Enlightenment. If all in me, then if hurt you, I hurt me, but that is my decision . So therefore, hurting you is justified.

Alchemy is a great source of inspiration. With all those symbols, diagrams, hermetism, esoteric knowledge, and actual scientifically explained phenomena combined, it becomes a solid way to work on world building.

"If you've been listening passively..." Don't call me out like that.

Most alchemy breaks things down into three constituents: Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt. These three are different from the typical elements we think of when we consider the Periodic Table of Elements. Mercury was typically considered “spirit” and sulfur was the “soul” while salt was the body. The “salt” was what was left behind after the first stage of dilution, which involved taking a “spirit” and pouring it over the “body” of a plant or mineral. Say for example if you took the plant balsam fir and wanted to extract the “soul” from it (sulfur), you would pour the “spirit” over it in order to purify the plant “body” and then heat it over a furnace or fire source (fire being the most important primal element of alchemists and why Colonel Mustang was as powerful as he was and symbolically the leader of the group). The “spirit” that was poured over was burned off, leaving behind the salt “body” and the turpentine oil or “essence”/soul of the balsam fir would be collected in a drip flask. Alchemists would typically use red wine as the spirit (hence why alcohol is referred to as “spirits”) and that’s why it was believed the philosopher’s stone was red. There were three stages to the process of dilution, calcination, fermentation, etc. that were able to be observed if the results of the transmutation were successful. The first stage, and most immature, was a black materia where the substance would look burned (why “father” appears black but has a pale body). The white powder left behind (body) would have to be reintroduced back to purify it further with additional spirit.When that was done properly, the essence materia would turn white (“truth” is white). The next step would be to reintroduce the soul (sulfur) so that all aspects of the plant or material were purified separately and then placed back together (mind, body, soul). The end result was a red color materia (Edward’s coat, who is also uncoincidentally the son of Hoeinheim/Paracelsus). Real alchemy isn’t about the products in the glass. It’s about transmutating yourself into gold. It is the western take on Zazen essentially. That’s why Edward claps his hands like he’s praying. It’s also why “father” is so envious. He can never be human, therefore he can never create gold. And in the end, Hoeiheim realizes that in his search for gold, he had already made it by having children.

I literally re watched the WHOLE show after your first video. Super pumped for this!

Beautiful analysis. I love this idea that Father, the dwarf in the flask, is incapable of achieving his goal because of the very nature of existing as one. He wished to understand, to be god, to be better than god, and that very desire is derived from his physical personification. As such, to want it is to already fail, and yet in being destroyed, he achieved his wish because he returns to his original form: All. He was corrupted by being brought into existence, and it was this corruption that drove him back to balance. He couldn't understand what it was he wanted, he only understood he wanted, and thus walked the path he openly spurned without the capacity to understand the contradiction. And with each piece of himself he split off, he both was driven further from his ability to understand, and closer to his objective, but he would never be given the confirmation or satisfaction of being able to know why that was. By simply being, he was in a state of imbalance, and only by being destroyed did he achieve everything he worked for, but he would never get the satisfaction of knowing that because at that point, it wouldn't matter anymore. The crazy thing about this show is that nobody actually wins or loses, even though the author convinces the viewer that there's a separation of sides, opposing forces at work. Everything simply returns to the status quo, and even more so than the idea of love, I believe the biggest theme of this story is that of balance. Everything will work itself out in the end, and love is simply the capacity to appreciate your understanding of this knowledge.

I think you missed the importance of the blood used in Father's creation. Hoenhiem says at the end of the series that Father was him, made from his blood. What from what I postulate, Father wasn't Mercurius but merely a piece of him. Father was Prima Materia bonded with Hoenhiem's soul. This is why Father could be "evil". If Father was a Prima Materia, this would also explain why he didn't want to go back at the end, to lose his oneness to become part of all once again. It makes sense that Father is just Prima Materia because Mercurius is the blackness behind the Door. It is the void which exists between all things holding everything together. Which is why when represented in physically in the series, it dark hands that tear apart and construct reality. If I understand what you mean by your description of Mercurius I really do love this exporation you're doing. I had little understanding of actual Alchemy but your analysis is helping me to understand some of the themes in FMA that confused me.

12:39 That's actually not Hiromu Arakawa. That is actually Romi Park, the Japanese voice actor for Edward Elric, the main character of the seires

I actually love your notifications you give to “heighten your attention here if you’ve been listening passively.” I often have KZfaq videos like yours running in the background while gaming, so it’s honestly great to have you making sure I actually shift my attention more to listening during those parts.

This might be a stretch, however, the nothing/void being represented by the oroboros, a state of creation and destruction, mirrors what happens in the void of space, the "bubbleing" of matter, the spontaneous creation of particles and anti particles that nullify each other in a vacuum.

Strange you used the name Woden even thou Odin is way more known. However it makes perfect sense for the Romans to synchronize Odin with Hermes since Hermes was synchronised with Thot. All 3 Gods are described as Gods of Magic, Travel, Knowlege and Wisdom

On Father's symbolism: I believe that Father, along side Imu from One Piece, represents in some ways the symbols of the Dark Sun. Now the Dark Sun represents a lot of things depending on who you ask but in this case I'll focus on the following three: One) In some cases the Dark sun represents a bastardizing or dark reflection of the qualities of the Sun. To put it simply the sun represents life, natural order or in other words Moral Order, people living and letting others live. This in a way is represented in the golden (sun) eyed and golden haired Elric Brothers, two people who respect the rigths and lives of others, including those who used to be enemies and as alchemists study( shine ligth into...) the truth and reality of their world. The Dark Sun, Father, represents a twisted artificial version of order and a bastardization of life. Instead of an order maintain by morality/people living in harmony by choice he creates an order maintained by authoritarianism and violence, in other words a false artificial/man made "order" design and envisioned by him mainly for he's benefit. Second) the Dark Sun represents what one would call the hidden hand or the power behind the throne that actually controls all from the shadows. While the archetypal good king (that wears a crown representing the sun and it's rays) leads his people in the open, maintains peace and harmony and is the embodiment of Morality a dark/hidden ruler, like Father or Imu from One Piece, keeps himself in the shadows controling everything behind the scenes since he would know that in order to effectively control a population the last thing you would want is for everyone to know your face and thus the type of person you are in case they don't want to be ruled by you any longer. Better to have a front man or a bunch of somewhat benevolent kings/politicians that are easy to manipulate or take out and have the people focus on them. If they f'ck up, like Raven, all you have to do is replace them with someone more likeable and the people will be content and non the wiser. And third) in a way it represents the attempt of becoming some type of artificial/substitute god figure that replaces the idea of a universal life giving unseen god due to seeing themselves as a god, as a superior being or in other words, having a huge god complex. Both Father and Imu keep themselves hidden from the world. This gives themselves a sense of separation from the rest of humanity and increases their sense of superiority/godhood and since they are unseen when controling the rest of the nation/world it makes them feel like the unseen but ever present god that controls everything. The quote that extenuates all this factors is the one Father says when he's about to absor "God": "I will no longer be bound to you and your consequences" This means that he doesn't want to be bound and limited to the Natural/Universal/Moral Laws of life, of the universe. He sees himself as superior to all life and thus belives that he should be the one to decide the laws everyone obeys, the laws that control life, the laws theat decide what is Moral and immoral. He wants to be god and thus desires to eliminate the real God/the Truth/Morality, or in he's case absorbe Him, and become/substitute Him as a new false god.

well count me as getting my mind blown. now I could appreciate Arakawa's hidden genius even more. Her story is always worth reading.

One mistake you made, homunculus aren't made of humans, only wrath, and the second greed were made that way, we don't actually know how he created the others.

Lead(II) iodide synthesis may be related to the story of turning lead into gold... I once was taking a lab class where we were task to do this synthesis. In the end, the way in which the product was deposited at the bottom of the flask seemed to be gold powder. I remember telling the professor about the story of lead and gold in alchemy, to my (not) surprise of him not knowing about it.... Point is: although he could not confirm, it really looked like with made gold out of lead, as if we were some kind of alchemic tricksters

Full metal alchemist is what started me on my spiritual journey in life. So good job on pulling in people like me through them and other mainstream stuff

Dude, I love how you explain stuff, and how you stop right before an important information to remind us to pay attention. I’d love to know more about old alchemist, hope I found the channel for it!

I always appreciate your analytical breakdowns of the things people often ignore in media. It's impressive the amount of research you do for these videos. For FMA specifically, have you considered a video going over the various symbols and designs used in transmutation circles throughout the series?

That was awesome. Learned a lot about alchemy and some history in a fun and intuitive way. Definitely gained a new subscriber.

Great video. Really interesting and I like that you call attention to especially dense or important parts. Not enough content creators do that and it helps direct attention and really frame the topic.

Wow, Max! You are very well learned in matters of the Grand Mystery. It's cool to see these ideas presented so clearly as they're connected other works of art based on these concepts.

I liked this video more than your first one in the matter, glad you take more in depth analyze and explanation.

This is definitely a great contribution to the YT alchemy catalogue Most of them, (if they're not about the anime exclusively) are very boring to listen to, or actually believe in it like a religion. So thanks for this more grounded look at the subject, its very interesting and unexplored on the site.

This video was amazing thank you so much seriously this is extremely meaningful work

Brilliant, I’ve been patiently waiting. Thank u

All the while, "Bonds of Sea and Fire", fades out after the first couple of minutes. Interestingly nice touch. Great content, thanks for the info!

This is such a great series, I loved full metal alchemist and always wanted to learn about historical alchemy but didn't know where to start. I really liked your explanation of alchemy in the first video and found it really made me look at the show in a different way. Thanks for all your interesting content, the internet would be a worse place without you.

This channel deserves way more views. Keep up the great videos.🙏

Watched the first video and saw this one is out after I checked ur channel and subbed. You make some really awesome stuff, can’t wait for the next part!

These should be watched regularly for maximal effect. Second viewing here and not since all that long ago and there's so many layers to this. It's a trasmutative force.

Very good video again about FMA. I love your video series about the show. Keep going!

This was a great video, you explain the concepts wonderfully and even with my ADHD I could follow along easily, your voice also helps greatly. Also as I was listening to you talk about the prima material and the void, my mind started going into overdrive as in my own personal fantasy world that is currently trapped within my mind, I had basically ended up at the same idea you were describing in that moment while using a completely different set of logic and reasoning uninfluenced by any deeper understanding of Alchemy, and that alone just amazed me in a way that I rarely experienced. This video as well as your previous one on FMA's Truth has convinced me to subscribe now just to hear you explain more about alchemy and see if I had unknowingly paralleled any other Alchemical Concepts, and perhaps be able to use my newfound understanding to help me put my fantasy world to paper someday.

Keep this stuff up. I'm learning so much

Can't wait for another video on the subject!

Your videos are so good, im glad i found your channel.

This is an analysis long over due. Thank you.

I have very entry level knowledge on alchemy, and you my good sir, have blown my mind yet again with your extensive knowledge. Looking forward to seeing more from you

Thanks for another great video Max!

Less gooo, Keep them comming king

I always connected Father with the gnostic concept of Yaldabaoth, or at least in some gnostic traditions. A being conected to ONE that believes they are supreme to a delusional extent. Like I'm a writer at heart and the way I see Father is if you took Lucifer, Yaldabaoth, and (as I've just learned) Mercious and put them in a blender with some anime creepy eyeballs you'll get a tall glass of Father. Or as Ed would call this concoction I bet, "an ass smoothie!"

Very, very intriguing and insightful as always. So much to learn from these old animes. Wish more would be produced with that 'hidden message' of the past etc.

I appreciate the video’s on this topic

Love hearing that Xenogears score in the background... Inspiration to go replay Xenogears: ACHIEVED!

I like to imagine Arakawa watching these videos and just being like "Holy shit, I didn't know any of this, I'm a genius!" I don't believe that for a second btw, she definitely did her research, I just think it'd be funny

man how I love these videos

Absolutely love these videos.

This is FANTASTIC work! Would love a video dedicated to homunculi

I always find alchemy to be the most interesting subject. It represents both science and supernatural combine with its symbols and religion dealing against the elements of the world itself,and FMA is one of those things that brings the lore in alchemy.

Do more, I love how you tie this into the anime because I never understood some of the connections

As a character, I always appreciated his mindset. The Dwarf's entire mortal life was spent trying to escape from some kind of flask, be that an actual small glass bulb, the limitations of his stone and blood sourced body, or the confines and ignorance of the earth/universe/rotundum, an impossible task because of the whole one is all/all is one notion. He was basically philosophically claustrophobic as I see it.

If you will pardon the color theory of a highly tired rando, from an old anime con there was a book lecturing on the alchemical and symbolic relevance of Edward Elric, and this blew my mind. It is a HUGE SPOILER so you've been warned. Ed's colors. They are black, yellow, red, and white. That sounds like the the great work, the magnum opus. The TRUE philosopher's stone is actually Ed and from an alchemical and literary symbolism design standpoint. His ability to give more than is taken, I mean, he turned himself into a stone at one point to fight pride and used his life force to save his own life with the rebar but for Father it would be how he wants to get more than he gives. Perhaps it is that concept of giving which is the true alchemist stone.

Great video! Alchemy sounds so interesting.

Love the video just a point that I notice, my first reaction was, "Oh max must have reupload the video, by the title", it took me a second on the thumb nail, I love the ideas but maybe change the order of the tittle?

This is awesome! I just started researching alchemy and almost immediately hit a wall. Now here i am: taking notes and realizing its 3am and oh shite not again-

Man with your insight into alchemy and its history there's actually quite a bit of interesting stuff behind the scenes of alchemy inspired content, makes me wonder how well you would go with the stuff in Noita with all the mysteries the community hasn't solved.

we already are what father wants to be. "living truth"

Don't think I didn't notice that Morrowind song in the background :P Haha great video Max

Another great video. Outside of Fullmetal Alchemist, I'd love to see a video talking about Carl Jung and alchemy. There seems to be a lot of connections there and Jung seems to have studied the ancient alchemists, but from what I know of Jung's work I can't exactly figure out why... He was mostly a psychologist after all.

I love your channel, super interesting

Wow. Alchemy’s is filled with paradoxes. The prima materia is a void that holds everything together, but at the same time, it exists as a form of duality with ying and yang.

I'm loving this series that you made on FMAB, thank you so much for making it! You know, I actually believe that Father, rather than being the whole of Mercury, is just a piece of them, a tiny piece taken from the whole of the Prima Materia, hence why his flawed understanding of how what he was trying to accomplish could never be, like Truth tells him in the end. I would think the actual Mercury would understand that from the beginning. Father was probably trying to attain the form of the true Mercury (?)

"What is Father?" Is the single most unanswerable question about fma brotherhood. No one can give a straight answer.

Man it's been years since I watched FMA and I didn't even finish Brotherhood but this is just making me feel like I'm becoming an elevated being watching this. Like, how they got a bunch of things wrong but were sort of "scratching" at some kind of eternal truth - Theosophy also comes to mind here - it really fits with what you said in the first video, like especially with the Ouroboros and it's description reminds me a lot of the early universe and how the weak and electric forces were for a brief millionth of a second one and the same. A lot of the time religion and philosophy touched on things we'd discover to be true in more complicated or unexpected ways, despite us not possessing the means to truly analyse the universe back then. But because of the "As above, so below" effect, we still saw a lot of patterns and poked at inherent logical ideas that formed the "correct" part of this understanding. Wild that this happened alongside "Yeah whack off in some horseshit and you'll make a little dude".

I never meet an alchemist that shares their knowledge

Great job!

Father: Spirit in a basic shape Bill Cipher: Spirit in a basic shape Father: Secretly wants to escape his prison by rewarding Hohenheim with infinite knowledge Bill Cipher: Secretly wants to escape his prison by granting Ford Pines with infinite knowledge

Going with father's christian/devil themes: instead of the snake tempting eve with the fruit of knowledge which lead to man's fall into sin, father teaching xerxes the way of the philosopher's stone Also another christian legend is how lucifer and the fallen Angel's taught man war, sorcerers, divination, and yes alchemy

I kind of figured that the Dwarf in a Flask was connected to The Truth before you said they were like Yin and Yang. My theory was that one came from the other, which was why he had no body in the beginning because he was an element; he was the first material. His other half was so disappointed in him because instead of reaching from within for enlightenment because he was fundamentally enlightenment itself, he did it by taking from others.

This was a phenomenal watch Max, thanks for putting this together. For any fellow inquirers out there, do you know of any good, brief resources that detail common alchemical figures like Mercurius? I'd love to learn more about this.

These are great videos

Love these videos, I've never really researched alchemy before, but all this is fascinating. Btw could you list the background music you use? They feel familiar, but I can't quite remember where from, morrowind ost perhaps?

You're the first person in a long time, that tot me to thumbs up, when you brought up the law of equivalent exchange, it really got me think, I myself want to produce yt videos.

Very nicely done, your Fullmetal in my book.

Thank you for the lesson teacher

I suspect Alchemists nowadays will have adapted their theories according to modern scientific discoveries.

Thank you for your wonderfully digestible content

Speaking of alchemy, have you ever watched the movie “9”? There are many references of alchemy, and we get to see a version of the homunculi

Just thinking about it a particle accelerator is in the form of a circle 🤔 it's missing all the inner design bits, but still a circle

I really hope you'll do a video about Hawkeye's tattoo and Mustang's fire alchemy, I really enjoyed your videos so far!

neat =o this series is pretty cool. im hoping youll eventually continue it by touching on other series where alchemy is used or mentioned extensively. -glances over at symphogear as 1 example-

"For all that have been listening passively, you'd want to pay attention to THIS part of the video". You know what I do and I thank you for helping me understand what is happening even though my mind is wandering and focusing on other things at the same time.

I think father is more like truth’s shadow as in how your shadow is connected to you the same way he is part of truth

The legacy of main background music. I hope you go over the alchemical influences in that series.

Awesome!!!Big Like 😛💣💚

that dark souls 2 music towards the end...nice xD

Mmm that backing track from Morrowind underneath discourse on one of my favorite anime 👌🏻

You should go over the formula for creating a homunculus in the 2003 anime, as it’s quite a bit different. Though I would argue equally interesting.

Great video as always! Now I have to rewatch FMA with new aquired information in mind.^_^ Btw Two alchemy related games, with the second having an amazing OST as well, could be interesting for you to play: Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Amnesia Machine For Pigs. :) Oswald Mandus is a very interesting character.

this anime was what introduced me to mental alchemy. the concept of “equivalent change” had me curious and seeing as energy can only change form or be transferred, i always wondered it’s application in our current nature of reality

Awesome!

That’s really funny you talk about particle acceleration and alchemy I always said that too, the philosophers stone would simply hack the proton to proton cycle

Damn, Max really called me out at 5:37.

More... More... WE NEED MORE!!!

Been reading jungs psychology pieces for ages but I had no idea he also wrote about alchemy as well

Father wasn’t a villain. He is and does what he is and does

I don't know if the anime mentions it, but in the manga they mention that they would smash father's flask if he keeps being rude to the king, but he tells them that the alchemist that created him did it by acident.

very cool my dude

All this talk about Mercury reminds me about the alchemical sentence from hellsing "The bird of Hermes is my name eating my wings to make me tame"

I know this is obvious but it bares mentioning: Father's flask looks like it has devil horns.