Origin
Riza Hawkeye had a very difficult childhood. Her father was obsessed with alchemy, specifically flame alchemy. He didn’t want anyone to learn his secrets about the topic, so he tattooed the transmutation circle and it’s runes on Riza’s back. A few years later, Roy Mustang became his apprentice and learned his secrets. Soon after he learned everything about flame alchemy, Mustang decided to join the military’s State Alchemists. Riza’s father died only a few days after he passed the test.
Creation
Riza Hawkeye (????????, Riza H?kuai) is a supporting character of the Fullmetal Alchemist series that was created by Hiromu Arakawa. The series first began serialization in Enix’s (later known as Square Enix after 2003) Monthly Shonen Gangan on August 2001.
She first appears in Fullmetal Alchemist Volume 1, Ch. 4 “Battle on the Train”.
Riza’s last name is based on an airplane called the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye. This is a common theme where Arakawa has named many characters based off machines. Also, her last name, Hawkeye, refers to her excellent sniping abilities with the sharp eyes of a hawk. There is some speculation behind the meaning of Riza, because in Hungarian it means “guardian”. It fits her role of guarding to the secrets of the flame alchemy, and her role of protecting Roy Mustang.
Character Evolution
Major Story Arcs
Adventures in the East
Powers & Abilities
Marksmanship
Riza Hawkeye is one of the most remarkable sharpshooters in the nation of Amestris. She has remarkable skill with all forms of firearms. From handguns, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Primary weapons are a pair of semi-automatic pistols she keeps in her rear uniform holster.
Weapons & Equipment
Riza keeps a variety of firearms with her, and she adapts her arsenal to the requirements of any mission.
Other Media
Anime
Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
The Fullmetal Alchemist series is the first anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s original manga. It’s produced by BONES and first began airing in October 4, 2003. It lasted for fifty-one episodes, and ended in October 2004. The series first began by following much of the original manga story, but would often change events of the continuity. It would eventually diverse from canon to tell its own story. This is partly due to the fact that while the manga was published monthly, the anime was being aired weekly.
Riza’s first anime appearance is in Fullmetal Alchemist – Episode 5 “The Man With the Mechanical Arm”, which aired on November 4, 2003. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Michiko Neya, and the U.S. dub produced by FUNimation is done by Colleen Clinkenbeard.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)
The Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood animated series is the second anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s original manga. However, the series was only known in Japan as simply Fullmetal Alchemist (? ?????, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi). The “Brotherhood” subtitle was only added on for the Western audience to better differentiate it from the first 2003 series. FMA: Brotherhood was designed from its inception to be the true animated adaption of Arakawa’s work. It was even set to end only a month after the final chapter of the manga was originally released in June 2010. It’s produced by BONES and first began airing in April 5, 2009.
Riza’s first appearance in this series was in in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood – Episode 1 “The Fullmetal Alchemist“. Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Fumiko Orikasa, and the U.S. dub produced by FUNimation is done by Colleen Clinkenbeard.