Den
CharacterDen is the faithful mixed-breed dog kept by the Rockbell family in Resembool, recognizable by the automail front leg that stands in for the one she lost while shielding Edward and his friends from a road accident.
Appearance
Den is a mixed-breed dog whose most notable feature is a metal front leg. She lost her left foreleg in a traffic accident before the series began, and Resembool's automail craft supplied a prosthetic to replace it. Her sex has been a point of confusion: Japanese guidebooks and the Chuang Yi translation confirm her as female, while the VIZ manga and both Funimation dubs treat her as male.
Personality
Fierce devotion is Den's defining quality, enough that Pinako has dubbed her the finest guardian in Resembool. She also shows a gentle, caring streak, nuzzling up to comfort Pinako after Winry departs for Rush Valley to train at Atelier Garfiel. Her instincts run sharp as well: the eerie aura surrounding Van Hohenheim unsettles her so badly that she nearly has to be held back from lunging at him.
History
Den lives out the story as a fixture of the Rockbell home, a small but steady presence through the brothers' comings and goings; Edward once grumbled that she had eaten Alphonse's cake. In the final chapter she is startled and overjoyed to find Alphonse restored to his flesh, barking wildly at the returning brothers. A bonus side story shows her gently carrying off Al's helmet to cradle a family of hatchling birds. Her name traces back to Densuke, a dog once owned by creator Hiromu Arakawa, itself a word for a prized variety of Japanese watermelon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of Winry's dog?
Winry Rockbell's dog is named Den, a mixed-breed dog kept by the Rockbell family in Resembool. Den is recognizable for the automail front leg that replaced the one she lost in an accident.
How did Den lose her leg?
Den lost her left foreleg in a traffic accident before the events of the series began, and automail craftsmanship from Resembool supplied a prosthetic replacement.
Is Den male or female?
Den's sex has caused some confusion across adaptations. Japanese guidebooks and the Chuang Yi translation confirm Den as female, while the VIZ manga and both Funimation English dubs refer to her as male.
Where does Den's name come from?
Den's name traces back to Densuke, a dog once owned by Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa, which is itself a term for a prized variety of Japanese watermelon.
How does Den react to Van Hohenheim?
Den reacts to Van Hohenheim with sharp unease, sensing an eerie aura around him so unsettling that she nearly has to be held back from lunging at him.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Den? The Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Fullmetal Alchemist anime series, manga, and official materials. Fullmetal Alchemist was created by Hiromu Arakawa, published by Square Enix, and animated by Bones. All rights to Fullmetal Alchemist and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHiromu Arakawa
- Published bySquare Enix
- Animated byBones
All rights belong to their respective owners.
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