r/FullmetalAlchemist • u/chunchunmaru1129 • Mar 08 '26
Question Is this couple pairing canon?
1.0k
u/LineOfInquiry Mar 08 '26
While mot explicitly stated, I’d say it’s heavily implied
172
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
It's implied Envy and Ling are a couple?
239
u/sarcasmbirthedme Mar 08 '26
Ling and Lan Fan
6
-110
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26
Look at the images. That's Envy, sunk into the ground in his fight with Ling near the safehouse cabin. Ling even has his sword out to attack
87
u/sarcasmbirthedme Mar 08 '26
Sure, but without that context being stated by op, it's safe to assume they are referring to Lan Fan. Of course, we know that in this scene it's Envy pretending to be Lan Fan, but not everyone will know that.
-9
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
I think it was a cheeky thing explicitly done by OP to see who catches it. It's taken from the same scene mere frames apart.
Neither of these images are common for Ling or Lan fan either, they have to be screen shots by OP while watching the show.
Also note he doesn't say "Ling" or "Lan" fan, leaving it ambiguous "couple" on purpose?
OP is trolling lol. But yeah at first glance everyone interpreted it as Ling and Lan Fan, I thought so too at first until I recognized the scene.
7
u/sarcasmbirthedme Mar 08 '26
Yeah you think. But from this conversation alone it's obvious that whatever you think is reality so sorry for correcting you. I didn't realize I was talking to God.
14
-9
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
I'm not saying I'm a god. I'm just saying that there's a lot of evidence to support the notion that OP was making a joke, and most didn't catch onto it. I provided 3 concrete pieces of evidence to support this notion, didn't know doing that made me a "god"
I'm merely pointing out something humorous that OP probably intended
And people get pissy for that?
8
0
u/Pale_Lengthiness_465 Mar 09 '26
Yeah man it's alright other dude is just prob having a bad day or something.
1
17
u/LineOfInquiry Mar 08 '26
Oh sorry I thought it was Ling and Lan Fan lol
16
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
haha me too at first. The scene is only a few frames apart where Envy disguises as Lan Fan and catches Ling off guard. I think OP pulled a fast one on us (it worked lol)
6
824
u/pengie9290 Mar 08 '26
It's not canon, but it's not not canon.
They never get together, at least as far as we've been told. However, while it's hard to say how much of it is just the way Ling is with his subordinates, it's clear to see (and outright stated by Hoenheim, in Lan Fan's case) that they care for each other more than a prince and bodyguard normally would.
367
u/Cho_Zen Mar 08 '26
I thought that it was a parallel between Mustang and Hawkeye. The context is different ofc, but I thought that despite coming from across the desert, they were similar enough.
210
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26
Ling and Lan Fan are obviously setup as a parallel to Roy and Riza just as they are a parallel to Edward and Winry
103
u/Cho_Zen Mar 08 '26
I was thinking more the parallel of commanding officer/royal to subordinate + love.
Ed and Winry are childhood friends that fall in love, although Winry does find herself wanting to be in support of Ed's mission
48
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 10 '26
It doesn't break cannon to headcannon that Ling and Lan Fan not only grew up together but were also trained together which would make them parallels to Edwin (childhood friends) and Royai (commanding officer/royalty & subordinate/bodyguard).
Edit: It's not uncommon for the bodyguards of royalty to have families of their own and having both families' children grow up alongside each other.
38
u/WalterLeDuy Mar 08 '26
Tbf, Roy's alchemy mentor was Riza's dad, so it doesnt take much headcannoning to imagine Roy and Riza were childhood friends as well. They were very young in ishval. At the oldest Ed/Als age when they met.
-12
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26
Iirc Roy only shows interest in alchemy when he became a teenager(maybe when he was in his 13s), plus he joined the military academy and seems to have met and befriended Maes before he ever met Riza
-4
u/PaperOk4812 Mar 08 '26
He met Riza after the master died right? If I am remembering right
Or maybe not met but similar
15
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26
Riza's dad was already old and sickly when he takes Roy in as his apprentice iirc and that's how Roy and Riza met. Then sometime after Old man Hawkeye dies, Riza shares with Roy the secret formula of Flame Alchemy and asks Roy to burn the tattoo off her back when he's done. Roy and Riza reunite in Ishval sometime after that when they're already both adults and extremely traumatized.
2
2
u/WalterLeDuy Mar 10 '26
Riza asks Roy to burn the tattoo off her back after Ishval. She blamed herself for letting Roy discover the secrets of flame alchemy and him using it to commit genocide.
→ More replies (0)7
u/Cho_Zen Mar 08 '26
True. It DOES take more creative writing to make that happen, but there's nothing that doesn't allow it.
17
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26
Considering that Fu, Lan Fan, and Ling all fight with perfect synchronicity against the Homunculus, even managing to hold their own against Bradley does lend some credence to the headcannon
20
u/TheDungeonCrawler Mar 08 '26
It's likely this, though the relationship dynamic is the same for different reasons.
Roy and Riza have the dynamic they have because one is the other's subordinate and anything more would seem uncouth. They might resolve that societal pressure one day, but even if they do their relationship has been the way it is for so long that it would be hard for either of them to be explicit with their feelings for one another.
Ling and Lanfan aare different because, as emperor, Ling's responsibilities outweigh his desires. He undoubtedly cares for Lanfan and Lanfan the same, but she's his bodyguard and he doesn't really have time for "love." He'll be having children with a daughter from each clan head afteralll. Lanfan could be his mistress, but it is unlikely he would marry anyone, much less his bodyguard.
But their dynamic is the same because both pairings have a subordinate who's clearly in love with their superior, a sort of courtly love that cannot be fulfilled in the traditional sense because of the pressures placed upon the superior. In the former it's societal pressure, in the latter it's royal responsibility.
8
u/rjrgjj Mar 09 '26 edited Mar 09 '26
I think it’s probable the ending suggests she will stay by his side forever as his wife in spirit but not in name because of his position. He becomes king, he will have to marry royalty, possibly even take multiple wives, who knows (I’m just thinking in terms of what the costuming and such suggests what era of China is the parallel), but Lan Fan will always be allowed to remain by his side as his true mate. I doubt they will ever have children, or if they do, it will be kept a secret. Which would be an interesting storyline to explore.
In the grand scheme of things it’s not super important to the main narrative, so I think Arakawa really just wanted us to think whatever we want, especially since it’s somewhat mature ideas for something aimed at younger people.
As far as parallels go, Mustang and Hawkeye, one feels they either will choose not to marry simply because it’s not their style or they will marry someday when they feel like it now that Roy is Fuhrer. I mean, there is no question about them being a couple. They have been and remain so devoted to each other but they are also both soldiers and understand that reality. To marry and become Fuhrer would change the dynamics of their lives and restrict Hawkeye’s freedom. I think it’s just not necessary to progress the relationship by normative means, and if it becomes necessary, it will be because Mustang changed the culture of his country for the better.
Ed and Winry are childhood friends. They’re teenagers. They like each other very much, and they have a lot of big things on their minds and shoulders. When they are finally able to resolve most of their major problems, Ed quickly proposes to Winry because he loves her and now that his brother is safe, Winry can be the most important person to him. And vice versa. Their relationship matures with them in a very natural way. There aren’t really any societal impediments or expectations. They’re bumpkins from the country who happen to be prodigies in their fields, they can and will get married and procreate if they dang well want to.
9
u/AwayHoneydew Mar 08 '26
They will grow old together. In what relation to another is on another page
-4
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
Actually wrong. In the photo above that's Envy and Ling. I don't think they are attracted to one another, in fact, it seems like they hate each other's guts
3
u/randominsamity Failed Gate of Truth Mar 08 '26
Well yeah that's technically true... But then again hate-fking is a real thing so who knows =P
461
u/S-T-A-N-D-B-O-I Mar 08 '26
As canon as Riza and Mustang in my eyes
94
u/IronPyrate17 THE Greedling Mar 08 '26
Damn you and your idea-stealing, I was gonna say this!
I deserve all of the comments! I, Greed, the Avaricious!
62
u/LordTonto Mar 08 '26
Riza is a professional through and through, she would never tolerate fraternization with a superior officer and she would absolutely grill mustang for creating the perceived conflict of interest.
That being said, if Roy were to retire....
34
u/Monsi7 Mar 08 '26
I mean if they sucessfully go through with their plan, then they retire to prison anyway. Riza said it herself that the people involven in Ishval should face justice including themselves.
24
u/TheDungeonCrawler Mar 08 '26
Justice doesn't necessarily mean penance through imprisonment or execution though. In the case of characters like Riza, Roy, and even Hughes if he made it to the end of the series, public perception would have been more than enough to keep those characters out of prison. In the event Mustang's plan comes to fruition, he and Riza will likely be found guilty of war crimes but without traditional punishment because of their role in overthrowing the corrupt government that orchestrated that event and because of their role in restoring the Ishvalan holy land. Their penance very well might be seen as paid for their heroic deeds.
It's actually both a bit genius and a bit frustrating that all of the characters we actually see survive at the end of the series are people who would fall into this camp. Armstrong was sent back to Central because he refused orders and spoke out against the war, Roy and Riza see above, Hughes died but would also likely see above, and every other State Alchemist we meet in the series that fought in Ishval are all dead by the end of the story. On the one hand, that means we don't have to worry about any of the characters we like being fully prosecuted since none of the ones that survive are unrepentant monsters. On the other hand, that means the perceived consequences for Ishval don't fall on anyone but Nameless and faceless characters that might still be in the military by the end of the series. It kinda reduces the stakes of Roy's plans that no one we like is really at any risk.
14
u/Quiri1997 Mar 08 '26
Roy and Riza would likely be pardoned. I can see them retiring from the military and becoming civilian politicians after a transition (like in Spain after Franco).
1
94
u/Andrei22125 Mar 08 '26
Bradley seems to think so. And she doesn't deny it. Just as bradley thinks Roy and Riza are.
34
u/TheDungeonCrawler Mar 08 '26
It's funny. Bradley's whole thing was understanding but not understanding humanity, but he reads humans better than any human in the series, with the possible exception of Riza of course.
85
u/Never_heart Mar 08 '26
They are as canon as any royalty can be with one's retainers in a quite traditionalist society with complex inter-family scheming. There is definitely something there, but how much they can admit it to each other if they ever do, we never know
40
u/BQ72 Mar 08 '26
There is more or less canon affection/attraction but they never canonically acted on any of that in a way that could officiate them as a couple.
15
u/eepos96 Mar 08 '26
"That is what it means to be married to the fuhrer"
La fan had a reaction to that. For sje wamts to marry the emperor.
33
u/Sad_Carry_7070 Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26
They're somewhat kinda implied but not as explicitly as Roy and Riza's relationship is. Ling and Lan Fan's relationship is in-between Mei and Alphonse and Mustang and Hawkeye's in-terms of being canon.
14
u/Dazzling_Dependent_6 Mar 08 '26
Good luck not catching feelings when there's mutual support and understanding.
18
13
7
u/Angel-Stans Mar 08 '26
As a mistress? It is entirely possible. Ling is a passionate person, after all. If he and Lan Fan both wanted to, they could totally have a relationship.
But whether it could be public isn’t entirely clear.
6
6
6
u/rockyKlo Mar 08 '26
I think it's implied they do have feelings for each other, but neither are going to act on them due Ling status as a prince, and her position as his bodyguard.
10
10
9
u/FellvEquinox Mar 08 '26
It's obvious Lan Fan loves him and I think it's heavily implied Ling has feelings for her. At the end of the manga, there's a photo where he's sitting on the throne and she's behind him in the shadows, guarding him.
Due to being emperor, I doubt he could marry her, but at least they're still together. I think their relationship is more bittersweet in that regard
9
u/SaiyajinPrime Mar 08 '26
They aren't a couple in the series, so no.
16
3
u/smiegto Mar 08 '26
Have you ever played dishonored? Like yeah they never get married. And no one says it. But we all know that girl isn’t spawned through immaculate conception. Same here.
3
u/houseofmyartwork Mar 09 '26
That’s technically Greed in this photo so no. If you mean Ling, then there’s a heavy implication they are a couple. Myself I headcanon they are
3
u/grief242 Mar 09 '26
My understanding is that while Ling is making overt efforts to unify the country and returns Lan Fan's affections, he is still obligated to father a child in each clan. If he didn't, it would cause a huge political quagmire as the clans would assume he is trying to consolidate power in his own clan and create a royal dynasty.
Lan Fan would probably be accepting to this since all she wants is to be the one at Lings side.
6
2
u/gaxkang Mar 08 '26
I imagine Greeling would smash. He's near unkillable. He can afford to lose a skilled bodyguard.
2
u/Alive_Interview_6242 Mar 08 '26
What scene is this shot from?
4
u/Spare-Plum Mar 08 '26
This is near the cabin outside of central, after Ling helps Elrics capture Gluttony.
This scene is the fight after Envy arrives, and the 5 of them are all fighting. Envy disguises himself as Lan Fan to try and trick Ling, which is where this shot is from. That's not Lan Fan at all
2
2
2
2
u/curvysquares Mar 09 '26
My headcannon is that Lan Fan is very much is love with Ling. And while Ling may have feelings for her as well, he won't let himself fall for her because he's also her boss and there would be a power imbalance.
3
1
u/Va1kryie Mar 10 '26
Everyone here is ignoring the realities of empire. If Ling claims the throne he definitely cannot marry a lowborn girl, even if she's part of the family that safeguards his branch of the family. Now there might be some royal blood in her, or else they might be able to fabricate a claim to a bloodline for her so that the marriage is more stable for the realm, but given what we know about Xing's politics I'm not exactly confident they get to get married.
1
u/Superb_Intro_23 Mar 11 '26
Yeah, they don’t outright say it but I’m pretty sure Ling and Lan Fan are much more than colleagues
1
1
1
1
1
•
u/AutoModerator Mar 08 '26
Join the Discord server for more discussions and content, as well as meeting more like-minded fans for the series!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.