The Soul of Alphonse Elric

[@fulmetaltiger57]

I love Alphonse. His character, his evolution, his overall inner strength and hands down, his talent with alchemy. Not to mention, Arakawa could of made him into a raging jerk from his state altogether but chose to keep his kind heart of patience and self value. Even if at one point or another, his emotions were tested.

[@jiffy1553]

Dude ! I don't know if it's because you shifted into a more analytic type of content but it seems like your writing has been improving so much lately ! "It's as if he's forced to experience the world, while being robbed of the experience itself." I love this sentence

[@00Linares00]

Alphonse has a list of things he would like to eat :(

[@TimmyStreams]

And he finishes it :)

[@kumarsamaksha7207]

I Alphonse elric , have a dream

[@brb_herding_cats]

Truly taking the time to appreciate the horror of Al's existence is...heartbreaking

[@HidinginPublic]

Yeah, it really is

[@fluffy312hd5]

Not only that but also insightful to understand the wonders of a person. emotions, tempatrue, taste, sleep, Dreams!!!

[@williamjackson460]

Years later and we are are still talking about FMA that's how you know its important

[@HidinginPublic]

you know it

[@gateauxq4604]

Years later and Nina and Alexander are STILL TOO SOON, you know it will wreck new viewers.

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

@@gateauxq4604 Maes 😭

[@jlshootingstar333]

Alphonse Elric was my first love back when I was like around the same age as him and I feel like it was a character defining thing, for myself. In my mind he was perfect, even without a body. He's so kind and caring and strong and I still love him now when I think about it, but in a different kind of way.

[@youdonthavetolikemeiloveme3621]

lol me too I had a crush on a suit of armor

[@tesnacloud]

It also showcases his bond with Ed, that Ed wants nothing more than to let Al eat and sleep. Ed probably would stop the quest if they could get Al's body, but not Ed's arm or leg. Ed knows the depth of Al's suffering, and thus fights with everything he has to ease that suffering. And this is why Ed learns the lesson that the Truth had been trying to teach, because Ed becomes extremely empathetic to help Al, and thus understands the value of others when compared to the value of alchemy.

[@TimmyStreams]

I doubt Ed cares about his arm and leg at all, TBH.

[@jeefberky9101]

I always found Al's condition fascinating, the idea of living without things so integral and fundamental to us, like a sense of touch, it's just so dumbfounding, we're not equipped to be capable of imagining what that's like because those abilities are ones we were built with in mind. As someone who tends to be as logical as possible and tries to streamline everything, the idea of not being able to sleep sounds like a tempting thing were I offered, but I know I'd end up regretting it.

[@SariaBrightshell]

Awesome, as always. Al is definitely my favorite character across both FMA series, and this struggle he endures while staying the supportive, kind, and patient soul he is is precisely why.

[@HidinginPublic]

It is subtle, but easily makes Al one of the most engrossing characters in the series. Glad you liked the vid :)

[@rainyparadox6208]

I always felt so sad when Alphonse said that he made a list of food that he wanted to eat when he got his body back. As a person that enjoys cooking and eating food that I make, I can imagine how awful that would be. Btw have you read/watched Aku no Hana before?

[@spiritsofthesky]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought about the sleep thing. I would imagine it being like the worst case of insomnia ever. You can never feel any other state of alertness, or any other physical sense. The fact that Alphonse maintains his personality in this condition makes me regard him as stronger than the likes of Ed, Roy, or any other character. In a way, he is the foil to "Father".

[@corv1d770]

I think the thing that has stricken me hardest over all 10 watches of FMAB for me with Alphonse is how losing his entire body and all sensation aside from sight and hearing as a result of "wanting to feel his mother's embrace again" is symbolically significant. Truth took from him the means to feel ANY warmth from others, not even just his mother. He lost so many simple pleasures in life, he lost his security of identity, he questioned whether he really exists at all, he grappled with the bitter reality of his state, and yet he always came out on top of those obstacles. He remained kind, compassionate, patient, and even with his strength (even Ed admits Alphonse is the really talented fighter of the two) he relies on intelligence, wisdom, and philosophy more than his brute power. He so easily could have been a bitter, vengeful, and angry character, yet he wasn't. He felt these emotions at times as a human, but they never consumed him or overpowered his morality and philosophical beliefs, and that's powerful.

[@davidsepulveda5812]

gotta say as a FMA fan, I never realized how deep Alphonse character could go, great video :)

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks i'm really glad you got something from it :)

[@ZeldaWolf2000]

I love this video! I've always felt that Alphonse' character, especially the fact that he is a sore trapped in armor, is something that is, in the larger aspect, overlook the world. I'm glad someone finally did a video on this. I think I've only seen one other person do it. The only thing I thought was strange was the music that played when discussing the things that Alphonse lost while being so trapped in armor. It's a happy song, but you're discussing something very sad and hurtful to offer month. I don't like the music should've commented that, and that the choice of music was strange. Other than that though, really good video. Love it!

[@akilah9721]

Al has definitely got to be my favorite character. also, I'm not crying you're crying--

[@gateauxq4604]

Two things also worth mentioning are that Al continued to grow and learn mentally without his body or brain but I think the connection through Ed may have kept his body and mind ‘in the loop’ so to speak. When Ed and Al interact with Al’s body there is clearly a person there but he's kind of a reflection in a dirty mirror, not quite there yet still Al. I didn’t catch that Ed has been nourishing Al’s body until my most recent watchthrough and it broke my heart all over again. It actually made me like Ed a bit more 😆. The other thing is that Al missed several years of his body growing. That he went into the armor then back into his body and remained so well-adjusted and one of the kindest characters in the show makes me adore him all the further. The first time I saw Al smile in his body in Brotherhood I started bawling because he was the true heart of the show and always believed in everything.

[@MudanTV]

Uuuuh, your style is really coming along. Haha, you say at 6:55 that he can't emote because he's a suit of armor and how that's so deep while in the anime they chibify him at points and even make the face seem like it's alive with the cliche anime circle eyes or sweat drops. I get what you're going at but just thought it was a bit funny

[@HidinginPublic]

Yeah I originally had a bit in the script addressing that, but I felt like it sort of broke the pacing so I cut it. All the over the top comedy segments do a lot to animate his face, but all of the realistic parts where he's just sitting and havimg a convo with people, whether on a train or in the rockbell house, is just blank expression. It's spoopy. Glad you think my style is coming along, although idk where exactly it's going haha. Thanks for commenting

[@abraxis_602]

@@HidinginPublic it's impressive how much better you've already gotten

[@summerwells6229]

U r mean! I hate u

[@danielandrade7593]

I've literally just found out about this guy and now I've watched half of his videos. Love your work man, good luck for your future!

[@theebronks]

FMA is an anime that while I'm not personally a fan of I appreciate a lot of it's elements and love analysis of.

[@soph8189]

you know I thought about it a little bit and i decided that im going to be your hype man cause 1) I love anime 2) I love philosophy 3) i really really love your videos and I tend to relate to a lot of the emotions you analyze. Okay the last comment was embarrassing- I wasn't expecting you to reply LETS FORGET ABOUT THAT. Anyway you're doing amazing!!

[@HidinginPublic]

Well thanks, I need people on the front lines willing to get down and dirty in the name of hype. Also don't worry, I can pretend I don't remember your other comment.

[@levirichardosn9595]

ok first of all i’m binging tf out of your channel rn, i’m so glad i found you. but also, i remember the scene where alphonse looks to the sky and wishes he could feel the rain hitting his face as one of the most emotional scenes in anything i’ve watched

[@ty3nn]

I wish there was an origin story for that suit of armor

[@EmmanuelMarin07]

This is a criminally underrated channel; love your work and the work you put in. ❤

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks man, I'm glad you think so. Feels good to be appreciated.

[@anamariefalk3796]

okay, but about his face and expressions, or lack thereof, the character design still manages to portray his demeanor, he looks so soft and endearing, despite being a living suit of armor.

[@elquesopodrido]

Glad to have you back!

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks!

[@adlansan5187]

I didn't look at your subcount before watching the video, so after I finished watching it and was about to subscribe I thought: "Damn, how have I never come across one of this dudes videos yet, he probably has somewhere between 70-150k subs..." What I'm trying to say is you have way too little subs for the high level of content you put out, and if you don't have potential I don't know who has.

[@portablerefrigerator4902]

he's only 10k off

[@alexmc92]

I loved this video. I thought it was very well made. I look forward to watching more of you.

[@YayaIsSilly]

Such a beautiful analysis of the character’s experience of the world. I’m glad I found this channel 😁

[@HidinginPublic]

Thank you, I'm glad you found my channel as well. Hope you enjoy what's to come :)

[@adararelgnel2695]

Excellent video! I'm so glad you brought this up, it was really interesting!!

[@gonkdroid8279]

Awesome analysis! Would love to see more on FMA

[@anyaklum8757]

Beautiful. And I'm crying

[@johnlight-knight8060]

Man! You deserve many more views and likes! You describe so deep and well, and its all so interesting and within a good time span (meaning not too long video). All the best

[@sparklehorse10]

hey, man. I really like what you are doing here. The video's animation is good, your voice is good and the philosophical themes are great. keep doing it!!!

[@satanlover134]

2:30 the soul and the spirit are 2 interchangeable terms but if the question is what one is as the thing that takes hold of personality and memory ets I feel what one is should be applied to spirit and soul should be treated more like the shade of aincient greek myth. A connection to the world that wich is emotion and feelings

[@thesinglewayout]

*Ominous cult music plays* The Bag King has spoken. Souls for the Hiding god.

[@bestgirl2500]

The boy is back!

[@HidinginPublic]

Here I am

[@bestgirl2500]

@@HidinginPublic And I am so glad you are! :)

[@raihanfahim1558]

This us quality content and if u stay consistent 100k isn't looking too unlikely in the near future, I guess people just need to find out about this channel maybe do a few more collabs I found u on rant cafe.

[@youdonthavetolikemeiloveme3621]

Al has to walk on eggshells all the time he may disappear at any second( as his soul may be rejected by the armor), and his condition and existence is a mystery to him, yet he's still that strong rock and protector for all the other characters in the series. I understand those who get mad at his outburst towards edward at the beginning of the series- but it's only natural he would snap, and I found his existential crisis refreshing character development. Truly underappreciated as a character

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

Same

[@HououMinamino]

Speaking of personality and where it is stored, I have always found it fascinating how recipients of transplanted organs take on some of the traits or hobbies of the person from whom they got the organ.

[@diesteuerberatung2639]

You.....my dude....u really deserve every sub u got Keep it up

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks, really glad you think so. I will try to :)

[@raphaelhemery152]

I need to re-watch FMA Brotherhood. It has stayed my favorite anime ever since I watched it.

[@ace_dbz295]

This is one of my favorite videos

[@BlackPiniata]

This is a great video, I'm really sad I only got to see it now.

[@nvwest]

Every time I see video’s about topics as milked out as FMA analysis, I am a bit sceptical if it can add anything. But of course I’m still watching this That all can’t sleep seems better explored in FMA. Brotherhood was good too though, but the original had more of that loss. Also they kind of hinted at that Ed sleeps and eats more to maintain All. But I liked that they didn’t exhaust it too much. ‘Discovering’ it on your own has more impact and I’m happy they trust us to pick it up

[@HidinginPublic]

Well I hope you found something new and interestong regardless. I hadn't seen any videos lookg iat how the soul is portrayed in FMA so I hope that atleast was something more fresh

[@nvwest]

@@HidinginPublic Yeah it was! Thanks for commenting and for making the video. The first part I wrote before watching, but I liked the video. Just the topic of FMA analysis videos, in general, feels saturated, but maybe that's just me spending more time on watching video essays than I do on watching actual anime.

[@DeathAlchemist]

I would hug Al, but I don't think he would feel it sadly.

[@HidinginPublic]

That is a sad thought

[@DeathAlchemist]

@@HidinginPublic Yeah, it's horrible tbh.

[@LUC4Z3]

I was trying to add some philosophy at my rpg canpaing, and that combine verry well with the history. Thank you!

[@LUC4Z3]

A verry good video, by the way

[@HidinginPublic]

Sure! I'm happy you liked it.

[@jacopoarmini7889]

what I always failed to understand is how Alphonse manages to speak, as he has no way to manipulate air and produce sound. Plus... Who the hell wore that armor? It's definitely out of proportion for a normal human being.

[@eliseigmail5589]

Jacopo Armini Armstrong might be able to wear the armour

[@Ouchthathurt843]

It's probably just apart of this fantasy world, how Alchemist manipulate matter? Nobody knows, it's still magic even though the show says its science because it is science to them.

[@MegaShinobi2011]

IDK, it's a weird thing that gets overlooked, especially since he talks from his head but his soul is tied to the actual body of the armor. I was actually just thinking how weird it is that he can see from the eyes of the helmet as well. But it kinda begs the question as to the role if the body as well since there's definitely a soul that is responsible for gaining knowledge and experience, a brain, and an actual body

[@comradecameron3726]

Antonio Williams yeah but if you take his head off the eyes disappear but he can still see and talk. So no head is required just the blood seal.

[@GeoCreepypasta]

Was i the only one thinking that those two armors were for decor?

[@ici36]

Another awesome video! Keep up the great work :D

[@HidinginPublic]

Glad you think so, thanks man!

[@GeoCreepypasta]

A good video as always!

[@HidinginPublic]

Thank you :D

[@MaoNica]

Love your videos, share them with all my friends

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks, I'm glad you do

[@brokenlord3218]

JEEEEEEZZZZ i never thought of this god im so sorry for more then originally

[@shyrex9895]

That is one of the most known medical cases! A similar thing, but intentional, was made in the asylums. Through lobotomy the doctors attempted to "cure" the various pathologies with the only effect of turn the patients into "zombies" (they could actually understand and do simple task, but they developed cognitive issues similar to autism and mental retardation). Though, admitting the existence of the soul and the fact that the sense of happiness and grief is caused, in the end, by chemical reactions, would a being, made up of only soul, feel emotions? It's a question I can't answer honestly🤔

[@philip5273]

Just want to say I love your content, I only wanted to point out that I think you either misspoke about or misunderstood the Thomistic view of the soul. You mentioned Thomism as having a dualistic view of Soul-body as opposed to an 'Anglican' view. I disagree, Thomism does not teach a dualism of body and soul, but rather expresses how they are inextricably linked as a cohesive whole. Thomas would define a human as a body-soul composite, rather than the more dualistic platonic view which would say that a human is a soul living in (or using) a body like a 'vehicle'. It was Plato who said that a soul drives a body like a sailor sails a ship. Aquinas was far more like Aristotle than Plato in this regard. To Thomas (like Aristotle), all things consist of form and matter. Of Material and immaterial aspects, that are nonetheless united to make one single "thing". For example a ship is a ship because of it's matter (what it's composed of) and it's form (its "ship-ness" the qualities and functions that make it useful for being a ship). It's "dualist" only in the sense that it makes a distinction between the elements that compose a ship. It however does not claim that it's form (the "soul of the ship" if you will) is somehow separate from the matter or body of the ship. For it to be a ship, both form and matter must be present. To be fully human is to be a soul and body in union. In that regard I think the 'soul' in FMA was more dualistic and distinct from body than Thomas may have been comfortable with. Sorry for the essay haha.

[@Evangelionism]

The soul is the distinction between your mind and my own, from which *will* (or passion) can be exercised.

[@char-_]

This made me cry...

[@CrowUnTold135]

Something like that for a child to have to deal with for most of there life. Alphonse does not, have, or ever will deserve a life that can't be experienced yet he still does, had to, if I were in Al's place I would at some point go mad. Yet somehow al keeps his optimism unless that just a mask he puts on for his brother and friends because he doesn't want to see them worry about him but hiding it only increases his mental and emotional pain and yet he still keeps up the act of a happy and funny kid through the anime. After seeing this video, I now have the feeling that alphonse elric has been hiding his real emotions all for his friends and most of all his brother Edward elric

[@tryanything5473]

Thanks for this analyzis

[@josuemontes8389]

Great job

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks!

[@umberto1838]

Amazing vid!

[@NoOne-bi4kc]

I think what makes up a small part of a soul is memory

[@anishruban4319]

why the fuck am i crying?

[@aqua2949]

You're making my heart hurt more than it already did for him, I hate you and I love you

[@teoho55]

Track list please! Amazing video

[@adararelgnel2695]

Yes I was almost going to comment about the sleepless nights he spent all alone.

[@tomtatham5233]

The story of phineas should be taken with a pinch of salt. The guy got impaled with a fucking pipe and became permanently deformed. It’s a horrible life changing event to go through. Anyone would change after that

[@ArcTrooper269]

JHONNY TORRES, LA MEJOR VOZ DE ALPHONSE

[@signaltome]

Interesting topic. The link between the brothers (Ed eating/sleeping for both, being shorter that people his age etc.) is more than implied through Brotherhood. So I want to state something and I am sorry if this has come up in this coment section before, if so I haven't see n it. IF Edward had died, and there are many times throughout the series he has been close, maybe the closest fighting Kimblee in Baschool, would Alphonse die too? Yes, Ed tied Al's sould to the suit of armor with a circle but does that work independently of Ed or is that part of the two being linked, keeping Al in this world rather than being trapped with his body with Truth or just being dead. I have wondered about this for a while. It might be clearly stated somewhere and I just missed it, I have not read the manga and though Brotherhood is more true to it than the previous anime adaptation I am sure stuf have at the very least been omitted. Still, any thoughts?

[@junigearx7452]

I like your videos.

[@HidinginPublic]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@jamestitus472]

I'll watch this tomorrow morning. But if this doesn't mention Thomas Aquinas and hylomorphism, I'ma be rage poasting.

[@GenzaiYT]

Can I get a Barry the Chopper Full Character Analysis XDD

[@randomname8858]

Can someone please explain me how Al talks through the armor? I’ve always been curious about it, so if there is some explanation tell me

[@JAMGSoldat]

I dont understand how is the equivalent exchange present in the existence of alphonse, is a soul worth an arm?

[@TerrorOfTalos]

His soul was able attach to physical form which is only capable of thought and conscience/personality but none of the other aspects of the human body. Also his soul was just being held on to by the truth and the soul is just a part of a human being so a part of someone else (an arm) seems like a fair enough trade especially because the soul wasn't trying to be recreated.

[@stickyallover7016]

His body is still alive the armor is just a medium

[@summerwells6229]

I'm not the only one!

[@KINGGEORGEIO]

I got an ad on this that was the entire lego movie

[@HidinginPublic]

I am so sorry

[@joey.h14]

I’ve never watched the entirety of full metal alchemist, I get to something like episode 16 and just stop because it’s so, so sad. Like how the hell do at least 90% of you people watch this without crying. Like Jesus,

[@lyka.0k]

Amo a Al❤❤❤

[@holymacarony_8784]

Magic am i right

[@djsafft7215]

U wrote?

[@goldlink567]

I think this might be one of the most liked, percent wise, videos on youtube. Only 0.49% of people disliked this. 7 out of 1.4K. For a good reason too. 99.61% of people liked this. (As of watching, which is a year late.)

[@m5x808]

Id say the color red is a great description for the human soul, Al's eyes, the philosopher's stone, and the souls that left father

[@HenryCasillas]

🌻

[@anonmoose3734]

First bag man

[@comradecameron3726]

Yeah but a soul is still only worth an arm.

[@nick71790]

You probably won't see this, but I saw your tweet

[@HidinginPublic]

Cool

[@Falcon364]

I think he meant Christian rather than Anglican

[@HidinginPublic]

Anglican is a subset of christianity that believes the.soul and body's form are one, while catholisism and many other modern chrustians believe substance dualism, or that the soul and body are separate.

[@MW_FSmash]

😍

[@Piixiistiix]

Haha red eyes 🗿🔴🔴

[@zeuskronos2018]

Everyone that is watching I know the answer Anime Logic

[@bobcatethan8919]

Ag Ag

[@wdraws5359]

Flexing in public

[@FemboyDuck]

Flexing in public