Fritz Lang

Lang is eccentric, observant and intensely interested in material that might be useful for filmmaking. Edward's sudden ambush barely unsettles him; instead, he becomes interested enough in the young man to recruit him into his search for a supposed dragon.

He is also politically aware but initially detached. Lang knows about the growing Nazi movement and recognizes the danger surrounding it, yet prefers to observe events as a filmmaker rather than intervene directly.

Edward strongly challenges this detachment. Their arguments force Lang to confront the limitations of treating looming political violence merely as material to be observed and recorded.

Lang possesses no alchemical or supernatural abilities. He is an ordinary human on Earth and is surprised by phenomena connected to Amestris and the Gate.

His practical skills are those of a filmmaker and resourceful civilian. He has access to film studios, vehicles and aircraft and demonstrates enough nerve to enter dangerous situations despite having none of Edward's combat abilities.

Lang also has considerable knowledge of Germany's political and cultural environment. He provides Edward with context about the Nazi movement and helps him navigate a society whose politics Edward only partially understands.

Edward notices Lang driving through Munich and immediately mistakes him for Bradley because the two men look almost identical. After stopping his car, Edward discovers that Lang is a filmmaker rather than the Amestrian Führer.

Lang is searching for a dragon he hopes to use as inspiration for a movie and convinces Edward to accompany him to an abandoned castle. The "dragon" turns out to be Envy, who crossed the Gate in that form. Members of the Thule Society raid the castle and capture Envy for their experiments.

Lang later meets Edward at the UFA studios and discusses the increasingly dangerous political situation in Germany. He ultimately becomes more directly helpful, rescuing Edward from Nazi supporters and later flying him over the Thule Society's facility so Edward can infiltrate it and attempt to stop the opening of the Gate.

Edward Elric initially mistakes Lang for Bradley because of their identical appearance. The misunderstanding develops into an unusual alliance, with Lang helping Edward investigate the Thule Society and later assisting his attempt to stop it.

King Bradley is the Amestrian figure Lang resembles. The 2003 continuity presents Lang as the Earth counterpart of the human from whom Bradley's Homunculus form was derived, explaining their physical similarity.

Karl Haushofer is acquainted with Lang and is present when the Thule Society raids the castle where Lang and Edward search for the supposed dragon.

Envy is the creature Lang initially believes to be the dragon he wants for cinematic inspiration. Seeing Envy gives him material for a more convincing creature design in his film work.

Dietlinde Eckhart leads the Thule Society whose activities draw Lang and Edward into the struggle surrounding the Gate.

Alfons Heiderich belongs to Edward's Munich circle and works on the rocket technology that becomes entangled with the Thule Society's plans.