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 by the anime from the light novel The Land of Sand, not the manga. They seek to complete their father's research with a substance known as "red water", a toxic liquid with alchemical properties. To help them in this endeavor they impersonate the Elric brothers to gain access to resources and locations reserved for State Alchemists. While Fletcher is reluctant to do this, Russell insists that nobody will mind. 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 fight near constantly, Fletcher and Alphonse are able to get along. The two Tringham brothers tend to utilize alchemy involving plants.

Trivia

 * Russel'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.
 * Even though Fletcher and Alphonse get along extremely well (due to their kind, soft demeanor.) Russell and Ed were initially hostile towards one-another (due to their cocky, headstrong deameanor.) Which results in the Tringham's and Elric's mirroring each-other.
 * Russell and his brother are 2003 anime-exclusive characters and never appeared in the manga nor brotherhood.