King Bradley is the Führer, the supreme leader and commander-in-chief of the Amestrian military, who is publicly known as a charismatic and formidable ruler. His true identity, however, is that of Wrath, the homunculus representing the sin of anger, making him one of the primary antagonists. His existence is unique among his kind. Unlike other homunculi who were created directly from the Philosopher's Stone, Bradley was once a human. As an orphan with no name, he was raised from infancy as Prospective Führer Candidate Number 12, part of a secret government program designed to create the perfect leader for Amestris. He was subjected to rigorous training in politics, military strategy, and swordsmanship. When he reached his physical prime, he was injected with a Philosopher's Stone infused with Father's own wrath. Of all the candidates, he was the only one who survived the process, as his powerful soul managed to suppress and absorb the countless other souls within the stone, leaving its power his own. This fusion granted him the abilities of a homunculus but, uniquely, allowed him to age, a fact that helped maintain his human disguise.

In public, King Bradley presents himself as a laid-back, friendly, and somewhat eccentric family man who is deeply respected by his citizens and soldiers alike. He is often seen making humorous, offhand remarks that contrast sharply with his imposing position as Führer. This facade, however, conceals a brutal, cynical, and cold-hearted core. As the embodiment of Wrath, he harbors a deep-seated hatred for humanity and views emotions like love and compassion as foolishness. He is a ruthless pragmatist who will commit any atrocity, including orchestrating wars and massacres, to achieve the objectives set by his creator, whom he calls Father. He adheres to a philosophy of the strong ruling over the weak, a principle he embodies without hesitation or regret.

Bradley’s role in the story is to serve as the public face and enforcer of Father’s grand plan to create a nationwide Philosopher's Stone. As Führer, he has absolute control over the military and the State Alchemists, allowing him to manipulate the country’s geopolitics for decades. He instigates brutal conflicts, such as the Ishval Civil War, to create the "Crests of Blood" required for the nationwide transmutation circle. For much of the series, his true nature remains a secret, allowing him to observe and manipulate the Elric brothers and other protagonists from a position of absolute power. His identity as a homunculus is revealed gradually, turning him from a seemingly benevolent leader into a terrifying and personal threat.

Despite his immense power, Bradley has a few key relationships that define him. He holds absolute loyalty to Father, serving as his most trusted and effective subordinate. His adopted son, Selim Bradley, is another homunculus, the powerful Pride, assigned to watch over him, though Bradley appears to be genuinely unaware of Selim’s true nature. In one of the few genuine choices of his life, he married his wife, Mrs. Bradley, a woman he felt met all the qualities he desired. His relationship with her appears to be one of true affection, a rare glimpse of his remaining humanity amidst his monstrous actions. His primary opponents include the Elric brothers, Scar, and Roy Mustang, all of whom he outmatches in personal combat due to his incredible abilities. He views them as obstacles to be eliminated, though he respects their tenacity.

Bradley’s primary ability is the "Ultimate Eye," hidden behind his eyepatch. This eye grants him superhuman perception, allowing him to instantly analyze and predict an opponent’s movements, effectively see through any attack or defense, and find the optimal path of action in any situation. It allows him to dodge bullets, slice through incoming fire, and navigate collapsing structures with ease. This power, combined with his masterful swordsmanship and peak physical conditioning, makes him one of the most dangerous close-quarters combatants in the series. He wields his saber with blinding speed and precision, capable of cutting through nearly any material. However, as a homunculus created from a single dominant soul, he notably lacks the regenerative abilities of his siblings, such as Lust or Envy. Any wound he suffers is permanent, making him, in terms of durability, the most "human" and vulnerable of the homunculi, though his skill and speed make him incredibly difficult to hit.

Throughout the story, Bradley remains a fixed point of overwhelming power and unwavering conviction. He does not undergo a significant personal transformation or redemption. His development is instead revealed through the peeling back of his layers: the friendly leader gives way to a calculating mastermind, which in turn gives way to a ferocious warrior who genuinely enjoys the thrill of combat. He meets his end in a final, brutal duel against the Ishvalan warrior Scar. Despite suffering fatal wounds, including the loss of an arm, his unyielding Wrath drives him to continue fighting until the very end. He dies not as a homunculus, but with a sword in his hand, having been defeated by a human, a testament to his unique nature.