Van Hohenheim

Van Hohenheim is a central character in the anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (the 2009 version, widely considered the definitive adaptation).

He is the father of Edward and Alphonse Elric and the estranged husband of Trisha Elric. Hohenheim appears as a tall, slender man with long blond hair (often tied back), golden eyes, and a calm, gentle face that makes him look much younger than his true age (he is over 400 years old due to his immortality).

In the anime, he is portrayed as quiet, polite, deeply remorseful, and burdened by guilt. He speaks softly and rarely raises his voice, often seeming detached or melancholic. Despite his kind and patient demeanor, he carries immense self-loathing for his past actions and the suffering he caused.

Hohenheim is a former human who became an immortal homunculus after a catastrophic alchemical experiment centuries ago in the ancient country of Xerxes. This immortality came at a terrible cost, tying him to the entity known as "Father" (the original homunculus). He spends most of the series traveling across Amestris, quietly working to atone for his role in Father's plan and to counter the nationwide transmutation circle that threatens the entire country.

He is voiced by Hidekatsu Shibata in Japanese (and John Swasey in English), with a deep, soothing voice that matches his weary, wise character. Hohenheim is one of the most emotionally complex figures in the series, known for his tragic backstory, self-sacrificing nature, and the profound impact he has on his sons' journey.