Russell Tringham

Russell Tringham (ラッセル・トリンガム, Rasseru Toringamu) and his younger brother Fletcher are the sons of the famed alchemist Nash Tringham. Their characters are adapted to the 2003 anime from the light novel The Land of Sand, rather than the manga. Russell seeks to complete their father's research with a substance known as red water, a toxic liquid with alchemical properties. In order to do so, they impersonate the Elric brothers to gain access to resources and locations reserved for State Alchemists. While Fletcher is reluctant to do this, Russell pressures him into participating. They are almost executed towards the end of the anime for doing this, and after being saved they try to help Ed find out about the homunculi. The brothers are seen in the credits, still studying their alchemy. Although Edward and Russell bicker frequently, Fletcher and Alphonse get along. The two Tringham brothers specialize in alchemy involving plants.

Appearance
Russell appears to be in his mid-teens, with pale skin, grey irises, and blond hair. He wears a long-sleeved collared shirt with suspenders and dark pants.

Personality
Russell appears to have a cocky and headstrong demeanor, at one point challenging Edward Elric to a fight. This seems to be a façade: underneath this, his self-worth seems to be tied to his ability to replicate his father's research, and he is implied to have committed self-harm on at least one occasion. He can become so focused on his goals that he neglects his family, although he cares about them deeply.

Powers and Abilities
When in possession of a philosopher's stone derivative made from Red Water, Russell has the ability to make transmutation circles without the use of his hands. He loses this ability at the end of the episode when it shatters.

Trivia

 * Russell's design was based upon the appearance of the late film actor River Phoenix, as noted in the back of one of the light novels in which he makes his first appearance.
 * A small joke made in the series was that, despite the fact that he is a year younger than Edward, he was still noticeably taller.
 * The Tringhams are direct foils to the Elric brothers. Even though Al and Fletcher get along extremely well, Ed and Russell were initially hostile towards one another.  Though the two sets of brothers have similar personalities, they have different goals: while Al and Fletcher have softer, more tolerant personalities, Al idolizes his father and Fletcher dislikes the shadow Nash Tringham casts.  Ed and Russell both have cocky, brash personalities, but Ed dislikes his father and Russell idolizes his own.