Ling Yao

Ling Yao, also known as Prince Ling, Young Lord, Master Ling, Idiot Prince, Xingese Prince, Squinty Eyes, Greed, Greedling, Greed's Host Body, Young Master and Thin-Eyes, is a character from the Fullmetal Alchemist series.
== Charactah Account ==
Ling Yao is a member of the Xing Royal Family and is well-trained in martial arts and swordsmanship as a result. He comes to Amestris seeking the Philosopher's Stone so his clan can triumph over the country's Succession Crisis.
On the surface, Ling comes off as a rather silly and lighthearted person, frequently engaging in comical behavior and retaining his oft-present grin even while making threats. He displays a childlike amusement for new situations whether or not they prove adverse or even potentially fatal, has a penchant for wandering off on his own only to collapse in the middle of a street, and is infamous in the Elric brothers' minds for having a voracious appetite despite never carrying enough cash to feed himself. Even with all these idiosyncrasies, he is extremely personable and his particularly complimentary nature easily gains him the friendship and trust of those surrounding him.
Of course, these aspects belie the complex and determined young man underneath. On the reverse side of his frivolous nature is his considerable shrewdness, which makes him quite capable of reading people and situations in order to manipulate them to his liking. He is particularly observant, taking into consideration even the smallest details of his surroundings in order to better understand and deal with challenges and, despite his lofty position, is not above using cheap tricks or questionable tactics to ensure his own survival. Being singularly ambitious, Ling also has a remarkably tenacious will that allows him to overcome virtually insurmountable obstacles and accept inhuman burdens for the sake of his ultimate goal. He has considerable pride that will not stand for having his humanity insulted or condemned by his enemies, but he is also capable of shelving his pride if it becomes something that will stand in the way of his objective.
== Appearance ==
=== Anime ===
* Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
* Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 4-Koma Theater
=== Manga ===
* Fullmetal Alchemist
=== Video Games ===
* Crash Fever
* Divine Gate
* Full Bokko Heroes X
* Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
* Knights Chronicle
* Monster Strike
== Trivia ==
* Ling's prison processing tag number was W1582.
* Having once shoved a grenade into Gluttony's mouth, he is one of few people to have had a limb in Gluttony's mouth without losing it.
** Though after becoming Greed's vessel, Ling did lose that arm briefly (as Greed's philosopher's stone regenerated it) when Gluttony made a surprise attack.
* Ling closely parallels Greed, even before becoming him.
** Almost immediately after he is introduced, Ling asks Ed about immortality and Ed notes that Greed had been asking the same thing not long ago; he later shows interest in transferring his soul to a suit of armor, just as Greed had.
** Ling looks similar to Greed, even before the creation of Greed-Ling.
** Ling develops a grudge against Wrath when he badly injures Lan Fan, not unlike the hatred that Greed holds towards Wrath for killing his friends. Additionally, Envy quickly comes to dislike Ling in a way that is reminiscent of its original hatred for Greed. Finally, Ling is similarly avaricious and protective of his friends and subordinates, something Greed also comments on later.
** After Greed's death, Ling notes that his avarice rubbed off on him; Ling had promised May that he would protect all the clans of Xing, which she noted was way too greedy.
* Ling also mirrors King Bradley/Wrath in a number of ways.
** Both are in positions of high status in their respective countries.
** Ling is the 12th son of the Emperor, and Wrath started out life as the 12th candidate for Führer.
** Both become the only human-based homunculi in the series.
** Their ideas on what it means to be a leader are at complete odds with each other.
** In the process of becoming Wrath, Bradley's struggle against the invasive substance burned out all but one soul in his Philosopher's stone, possibly including his original soul. In contrast, Ling willingly accepted the Philosopher's stone and was able to maintain his individuality amongst the stone's numerous souls.
* It's noted Wrath was unable to reproduce since becoming a human-based Homunculus; it remains unconfirmed if Ling's time as Greed's vessel has left him with the same problem.
* Ling is a very popular character and he ranks high in the character popularity polls. In the latest fan poll Ling got ranked to the 9th most popular character in the series. The second Greed (Ling as Greed) came in 13th place while the original Greed himself came in 12th.
* Ling appears to be sensitive about his eyes, as he is aware that they look 'shifty'. He tries to keep up a smile to counteract with this so he may give off a more pleasant demeanor to others.
* Ling shares the same Japanese and English voice actors as Death the Kid, a character from the anime series Soul Eater. Both are extremely skilled in martial arts, and the two are capable of sensing human souls. They also have a ridiculous yet polite personality, and are assisted by women.
* Ling has two theme songs from the Brotherhood CD. The first is called "Number One" and the second is called "Hikari no Sasu Basho." Both are performed by his seiyu, Miyano Mamoru.
* In the original 2003 anime series, at the beginning of the Ishval Extermination Campaign, a State Alchemist who looks remarkably like Ling can be see heading toward the front lines with the rest of the human weapons. This is considered to be a cameo appearance.
* The Fullmetal Alchemist Chronicle Guidebook states Ling becomes emperor of Xing the same year he returns to his country at the end of the series.
* The journey of Ling has similarities to the Prince of Persia from the Sands of Time trilogy. Both are in line to inherent their respective thrones, have advanced skill in swordsmanship, and work closely with and have strong feelings for a female protagonist (Lan Fan and Farah respectively). They also later share a body with a darker personality who periodically takes over involuntarily (Greed and Dark Prince).
== Gallery ==
File:Ling Yao Render 01.png
File:Ling Yao Render 02.png
File:Ling Yao Render 03.png
File:Ling Yao 01.png
File:Ling Yao 02.png
File:Ling Yao 03.png
File:Ling Yao 04.png
File:Ling Yao Fan Art 01.png
File:Ling Yao Fan Art 02.png
== External Links ==
* Ling Yao at Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki
Category:Characters
Category:Males
Category:Fullmetal Alchemist