Edward’s childhood friend Winry Rockbell knows the answer, even if it’s not a pleasant one. 3, October 11th is the day the Elrics set fire to their house and began their journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone. However, even as they embark on the journey, the destruction of their own home seems excessive. Winry probably won’t say much about it because it’s a sensitive topic. Fortunately, viewers have the rest of the series to contextualize the Elrics’ actions and see what leads them to make this choice.
What made the Fullmetal Alchemist Elric brothers leave home?
The first step to understanding the actions of the Elrics is to look at the events that led up to it. As children and aspiring alchemists, Ed and Al lived a blessedly peaceful life with their mother, Trisha. When Trisha died of an illness, the boys tried to use alchemy to resurrect her.
Unfortunately, Human Transmutation is a strictly taboo practice in the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, as it always has dire consequences. When the boys tried it, they each lost a part of themselves; Ed lost his left leg and Al lost his entire body. Ed used alchemy to transmute Al’s soul into nearby armor, which also cost him his right arm. Despite all they had lost, the thing that was supposed to be their reanimated mother turned out to be a mutilated abomination of flesh and blood. The boys learned from their folly, but still wanted their bodies to return to normal, so finding a solution to their newfound problem became their goal.
The Elrics’ opportunity comes in the form of an army. Appalled, yet impressed by Ed’s affinity for alchemy, Lt. Roy Mustang offered him the opportunity to try out to become the State Alchemist. Ed realized that if he joined the military, he could use their research materials to find a Philosopher’s Stone that could bypass the laws of alchemy. Edward took Mustang up on his offer, hoping to find the stone and use its power to restore himself and Alphonse.
Meaning 3 October 11 in Fullmetal Alchemist
This is where October 3rd comes into play. On this day in 1911 (or 1910 in the 2003 anime), the Elrics set fire to their old family home. The destruction of their old home, they said, symbolized their determination to leave the past behind and pursue their goal of rebuilding their bodies. That’s what Edward said, but there is another interpretation of the act: according to their father Hoenheim, Edward burned his house not to commit to the future, but rather to escape from the past. He believed that Ed had guilt and remorse for trying to turn Trisha, causing Alphonse to lose his body.
It is worth noting that the date changes by a year between FMA (2003) and FMAB (2010). The 2003 series has the year written as 1910, while in the 2010 anime and manga it is 1911. This change to the 2003 version reflects the changes made to the plot of this anime. In FMA (2003), Edward spent a year under Shou Tucker’s roof while training for the state alchemy exam, thus setting his own roof on fire the year before. In both FMAB and the manga, the house isn’t burned down until he passes the exam. This doesn’t change the determination of the Elrics, but it’s something to keep in mind when watching both series.
In any case, October 3rd clearly meant a lot to Edward, if not both of the Elrics. Moving forward with no way back is a difficult but important decision. Of course, there may also be some truth in Hoenheim’s word. It would certainly explain why Edward took this to be such a personal matter and how Winry knows what a sensitive subject it is. While October 3rd isn’t a happy memory for Edward, fans can still celebrate it as Fullmetal Alchemist Day while reminiscing about their own journey with the series.