Name:
Maes Hughes
Name:
Maes Hughes
Birthday:
Age: Late twenties to early thirties as the series progresses
Hair: Black
Eyes: Yellow-green
Family: Wife, Gracia; daughter, Elysia
Status: Intelligence officer, Major, Colonel, Brigadier General
Quote:
Anime: Full Metal Alchemist
Voice: (English) Sonny Strait (Japanese) Keiji Fujiwara
History and Personality: Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes was a member of the Investigations Division and was good friends with Colonel Mustang. At the time of his introduction in the anime, Hughes held the rank of Major, and first met the Elrics while serving as a communications officer for General Hakuro. Hughes and Edward work together to help recapture a passenger train that had been hijacked by a rebel named Bald (Episode 5). Hughes was very devoted to his wife, Gracia, and was absolutely besotted with his little daughter Elysia. He comically shoved pictures of Elysia into other people's faces to their annoyance - but it was clear that his goofy behavior was usually a cover for the serious and depressing nature of his work. Though he can be a light hearted goofball, and truly does enjoy as muc hof life as he can, he is also very intelligent and good at his job. He was also very supportive of Mustang's plan to become Führer, doing whatever he could to, as he put it, "work below him and help push him to the top."
Hughes is especially kind to the Elric Brothers. In the anime, he invites them to his home to celebrate Edward's birthday, one of the few moments of domestic bliss enjoyed by the Elric Brothers. Both he and his wife Gracia continue to be kind towards the brothers, as well as to their friend Winry.
Hughes was assigned to the Investigations Division in Central, and because of this was more involved with police work than he was in actual battles. After receiving his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, Hughes was placed in charge of the Investigations Division. Hughes, while investigating the 5th Laboratory incident and the mysterious deaths of the officers involved with its experiments, found there was much to suspect about the Führer's secretary, Juliet Douglas. He was killed by Envy before he could relay his suspicions to Mustang. He died as he phoned Roy. His reason behind calling Roy directly was to give him information that "could send him to the top." (Episode 25).
He was promoted to Brigadier General posthumously and buried with full honors for dying in the line of duty. His death came as a shock to his friends and family, especially Sciezka and Mustang. While not an alchemist, Hughes was an expert in knife throwing, and carried 2 or 4 small push knives in both or either of his sleeves or in the back of his belt, which he used as protection in battle.
In the original manga, Ed shows Hughes some drawings of what he saw in the 5th Laboratory. Upon further research, Hughes realizes that the military is making a huge transmutation circle around the country. Hughes tries to phone Mustang with the crucial information. He is confronted by Lust, but manages to escape with only a flesh wound by throwing a knife into Lust's forehead. In the anime, he flees the building with Envy, disguised as Maria Ross, to contact Mustang from a public telephone booth, not trusting the military line. As Mustang is on a train to Central, Hughes is not able to contact him. Hughes then notices that the fake Ross is missing a mole under her left eye and slices Envy's throat with a knife. However, Envy recovers and transforms into Hughes' wife Gracia. Hughes hesitates, and Envy uses that opportunity to fatally shoot him. Hughes also participated in the Ishbal War in the manga alongside Roy Mustang and other State Alchemists.
In the Conqueror of Shamballa, the Hughes from the other world (our world) was a policeman and a member of the Nazi party. Unlike the Hughes Ed and Al knew, he was cold, stern and quite unfriendly. He was also in love with the innkeeper (Gracia's other-world equivalent), but was too afraid to speak to her. He ended up betraying Edward to the Thule Society, but ultimately redeemed himself later on.
In the Hagaren Kids OVA, there is a cop that resembles Hughes (more than likely a descendant of the one from Conqueror of Shamballa). He seems to act similar to the Hughes in the alchemy world because he helps Ed's grandchildren find an alternate path to Ed's home after they encountered a dog blocking their path.
In the manga, Hughes was not present on the train when General Hakuro was held hostage.
Relationships: Maes' closest relationships are obviously with his wife and daughter both of whom he adores. In addition to this Maes becomes half father half older brother to the Elrics and tries to make their lives as normal as possible. He is the only one who seems to understand that they still need moments in which to relax and be kids. He also becomes a friend to Winry, who stays with his family the first time she is in Central.
Maes closest friend and possible the most important relationship he has is with Roy Mustang. Maes is Roy's primary supporter and closest friend. Without Maes to push him Roy would have fallen into depression. In fact, Maes is the one who keeps Roy from committing suicide. Though the two are very different and Roy often finds Maes behavior annoying (especially the way he loves to talk... a lot...) it is his friendship with Maes that keeps him going when things are at their worst. Maes knows that Roy needs his light heartedness as a balance for his inner depression and so he behaves the goofball even when he is very worried. Maes is always looking out for Roy and Roy is devastated by his death. He even cries, though he tries to mask his loss by portraying anger.
Trivia: The English dubbers were actually very surprised by how attached their viewing audience was to Hughes and "dedicated" the disc on which he died to his memory.
Hughes last words: Manga - Hey, hey, give me a break. I've got a wife and kid waiting for me at home ... I can't afford to die yet! Anime - I hope you'll forgive me, but I have a wife and kid waiting back home.
Why we love him: He's adorable. The way he gushes over his wife and daughter, the way he pretends everything is okay even when he's seriously worried because he knows that he needs to be the balance for the others. And when he does get serious... wow.
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