<p>I don't think there's a reason beyond the "Cool" factor.</p>

<p>はがね (Hagane) translates to "Steel" or "Metal", so I don't see a real reason.</p>

<p><em>Fullmetal</em>, refers to objects that are completely made of metal, that they aren't hollow or are composed of other, non-metallic materials.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-26T23:35:40.463Z
It's probably a play on the term ["full metal jacket"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_metal_jacket_bullet) which describes bullets that have a soft core (usually lead) and a hard metal outer layer. Or it could be a play on the movie title [*Full Metal Jacket*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093058/) (which the anime _Full Metal Panic_ is almost certainly parodying).
Mike DeSimone
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-15T18:32:31.173Z
Trivia: in the Hungarian dub of both series, Ed is always referred as "Acél Alkimista" which means "Steel Alchemist" translated to English.
Z..
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-20T13:12:55.307Z
2013-07-20T13:12:55.307Z
Madara's Ghost
<p>Why is Edward Elric known as the 'Fullmetal Alchemist' not simply as 'Metal Alchemist'? Is there any reason besides the names sounding better?</p>

<p>I've only watched the 2nd episode of FMA brotherhood.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-20T13:12:10.833Z
No one here will judge you (for what were we supposed to judge you anyway?).
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-20T13:42:46.747Z
i dunno.. maybe i missed something blatantly obvious :/
full-metal-wannabe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-20T19:51:31.867Z
maybe this is why people in the series get confused between him and his brother, who is a full metal suited knight :P
MichaelF
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-15T18:39:52.313Z
@full-metal-wannabe Off-topic, but your username is funny :D
Z..
<fullmetal-alchemist-series>
Why not simply "Metal Alchemist"?
# Why not simply "Metal Alchemist"?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-07-20
Why is Edward Elric known as the 'Fullmetal Alchemist' not simply as 'Metal Alchemist'? Is there any reason besides the names sounding better?

I've only watched the 2nd episode of FMA brotherhood.
**Tags:** fullmetal-alchemist-series
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: No one here will judge you (for what were we supposed to judge you anyway?).  
> **username_0**: i dunno.. maybe i missed something blatantly obvious :/  
> **username_2**: maybe this is why people in the series get confused between him and his brother, who is a full metal suited knight :P  
> **username_3**: @full-metal-wannabe Off-topic, but your username is funny :D  
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_1 on 2013-07-20. Score: 10 | Accepted answer
I don't think there's a reason beyond the "Cool" factor.

はがね (Hagane) translates to "Steel" or "Metal", so I don't see a real reason.

*Fullmetal*, refers to objects that are completely made of metal, that they aren't hollow or are composed of other, non-metallic materials.
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2013-07-26): It's probably a play on the term ["full metal jacket"](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_metal_jacket_bullet) which describes bullets that have a soft core (usually lead) and a hard metal outer layer. Or it could be a play on the movie title [*Full Metal Jacket*](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093058/) (which the anime _Full Metal Panic_ is almost certainly parodying).  
> **username_3** (2013-11-15): Trivia: in the Hungarian dub of both series, Ed is always referred as "Acél Alkimista" which means "Steel Alchemist" translated to English.  
---
