For Edward Elric and his brother, Al, regaining their original bodies was a major motivator in Fullmetal Alchemist. So, why did Edward not get his leg back in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Ending Explained
What started as a personal quest for the Elric brothers soon took epic proportions with implications for the entire world. When the brothers were finally presented with the opportunity to get their original bodies back, they both chose something beyond themselves.
During the final battle, Edward's prosthetic arm got destroyed. Al, who has lived in a suit of armor for the entirety of the show, sacrifices his chance to regain his body in exchange for giving Edward his real arm -- and a fighting chance.
Following that, Edward gives up his gate and his alchemy in exchange for Al's life and goes on to keep his prosthetic leg.
This has perplexed some fans of the series because the Truth associated with Edward's gate proclaims that Edward has won and can take everything he wants.
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Why Did Edward Not Get His Leg Back?
By the end of the shounen anime, Edward is no longer trying to get his leg back. He claims that he has decided to keep his prosthetic leg as a punishment for committing human transmutation in the past.
To understand Edward's choice, we should consider what the Truth really meant, as well as the setting's rules and Fullmetal Alchemist: Bortherhood's overall themes.
A core element of Fullmetal Alchemist is the concept of equivalent exchange. This means that in order to gain something through alchemy, something else of equal value must be lost.
Edward giving up his leg wouldn't have been an appropriate loss, so he sacrifices his gate for a chance to save his brother, in order for them to have a life together.
However, saving Al's life most likely means that he couldn't also get something else.
Edward's Gate of Truth Explained
In that sense, the Truth's words would probably translate to "take what you came for," namely Al's life, rather than meaning that Edward can magically fix everything he was lacking.
At that point, having found a way to keep Al alive, Edward wouldn't ask for more.
Already, his old attempt to undo his mother's death has ended in tragedy, and his quest for a cure has been deconstructed through the revelation of the philosopher stones' true nature.
In writing practice terms, Edward spends much time believing that what he wants (to regain his original body) was synonymous with what he needs.
In truth, he needs to focus on something larger than himself and move on from his past mistakes, along with his brother.
Moving past his original misconception is where his character development lies.
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