Edward Elric, as presented in the opening episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is a fifteen-year-old with a small but distinct appearance. He has blond hair tied in a braid, golden eyes, and is notably short for his age, a fact about which he is extremely sensitive. His small stature is a source of constant frustration, and he reacts with explosive anger whenever someone makes a remark about his height, often attacking them without thinking. He wears a black jacket and trousers beneath a long red coat, which bears a symbol resembling a serpent on a cross. Most significantly, his right arm and left leg are prosthetic, made of a complex metal known as automail, a constant physical reminder of a past mistake.

Edward is a prodigy, recognized as the youngest State Alchemist in his nation's history, a title he earned at the age of twelve which grants him the nickname the Fullmetal Alchemist. He possesses a brilliant, analytical mind, capable of performing complex alchemical calculations. However, he is also defined by his impatient, hot-headed, and straightforward personality. He tends to act on instinct rather than overthinking a situation, which often leads him into trouble but also demonstrates his unyielding determination. He is deeply principled and courageous, driven by a strong moral compass that compels him to protect others, even as he pursues his own goals.

His primary and all-consuming motivation is to restore his younger brother, Alphonse Elric, to his original human body. In a desperate attempt to revive their deceased mother through a forbidden human transmutation, Edward lost his left leg. In a subsequent act of sacrifice, he gave up his right arm to bind Alphonse's soul to a large suit of armor, preventing his brother's complete loss. This shared trauma is the foundation of their journey. Edward carries an immense burden of guilt and responsibility for Alphonse's condition, which fuels his relentless quest for the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary alchemical artifact they believe is the only way to undo their mistake. He also harbors a deep resentment towards his father, Van Hohenheim, who abandoned the family years earlier.

At the start of the story, Edward's role is that of a dedicated but reckless seeker, traveling from town to town with Alphonse. He uses his authority as a State Alchemist, a position he joined despite his personal dislike for the military, to access restricted information. His most important relationship is with Alphonse, the calm and gentle anchor to his fiery nature. While he is the older brother, Al is often the more sensible and level-headed of the two, and Ed values his brother's counsel above all else. His history with his childhood friend and automail mechanic, Winry Rockbell, is also established early on, as she is the one who maintains his critical prosthetics. Though their interactions are often argumentative, the deep trust and care between them are evident.

In these early episodes, Edward's development is shown through flashbacks that reveal his tragic past and his transition from a curious boy to a driven young man. His primary notable ability is performing alchemy without a transmutation circle. After seeing the truth of alchemy during his failed human transmutation, he gained the power to deconstruct and reconstruct matter by simply clapping his hands together, making his alchemy incredibly fast and versatile in combat. He typically transmutes his right automail arm into a blade or creates other weapons from the ground around him. While a formidable fighter, his temper and his protective instincts for his brother are his most defining traits, making him both a dangerous opponent and a steadfast hero.