Emperor of Xing
CharacterThe unnamed Emperor of Xing rules the sprawling eastern nation as father to forty-three royal children, among them Ling Yao and May Chang. His failing health sets the entire Xingese thread of Fullmetal Alchemist in motion, driving his offspring west toward Amestris in search of immortality.
Appearance
The emperor is never given a name, and the story reveals little of how he looks beyond his advanced years and declining health. Commentary has noted that his face is drawn to evoke Qin Shi Huang, the first ruler to unify China, a monarch likewise obsessed with cheating death.
Personality
Through May Chang's eyes, her father comes across as a cold and grasping man. She is convinced that once he learned a Philosopher's Stone could be forged from living souls, he would slaughter any number of his subjects without hesitation to obtain one. That ruthlessness is later complicated, however. After repeated attempts on his life eroded his mind, the man who remained was a distortion of his true self, and once he was restored he was appalled by what he had become.
History
As emperor, he receives a concubine from each of the fifty clans that make up Xing, fathering a child by every one of them and thereby binding his bloodline to the whole nation. Word of his weakening health ripples outward, prompting both Ling and May to cross into Amestris in pursuit of the secret of eternal life, each hoping to lift the standing of their own clan. The deterioration of his sanity, brought on by plots against him, is eventually uncovered by Ling, and the emperor recovers his former mind. By 1917 he has stepped down, passing the throne to Ling, his twelfth son, a succession credited both to Ling's newfound Philosopher's Stone and to Ling having cured the poison that afflicted him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who becomes the emperor of Xing?
Ling Yao, the emperor's twelfth son, becomes the new Emperor of Xing by 1917, a succession credited to his newfound Philosopher's Stone and to his having cured the poison afflicting his father.
Is Xing based on China in Fullmetal Alchemist?
Xing is never explicitly identified as China, but the Emperor of Xing's design is noted to evoke Qin Shi Huang, the historical first emperor to unify China, who was likewise obsessed with cheating death.
How many children does the Emperor of Xing have?
The Emperor of Xing has 43 children, including Ling Yao and May Chang, fathered with a concubine from each of Xing's fifty clans.
How is May Chang related to the Emperor of Xing?
May Chang is one of the Emperor of Xing's 43 children, and like her half-brother Ling Yao she travels to Amestris hoping to raise the standing of her own clan.
What happens to the Emperor of Xing's mind in the story?
Repeated attempts on the Emperor of Xing's life erode his sanity, and the man he becomes is a distortion of himself until Ling Yao uncovers the plot against him and he recovers his former mind.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Emperor of Xing? 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.
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- Created byHiromu Arakawa
- Published bySquare Enix
- Animated byBones
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