Character Profile: Riza Hawkeye

First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye always appears calm and collected, as of yet she has only lost her temper one time: when Ed and Alphonse were on the train to Central, and Hughes was telling Roy that his baby might be born any day. Riza seems to be the most sensible adult in the series, knowing right from wrong. In the manga, she also lost her temper in volume 10, chapter 39, when Lust infers that Mustang is to be a sacrifice.

Her main strive is to follow Roy Mustang to the top, no matter what. A few times she makes this clear, and other times she hides it slightly. She also has the ability to talk back to Roy without him snapping at her. Riza tends to save his life a lot, when he's not thinking. Case in point, Scar and Roy face off... Roy holds out his hand, Riza calls to him but he ignores her. Scar takes a step back and then, right before Roy snaps his fingers, Riza pushes him down. He asks what's wrong with her, and she calmly says "Your flame won't work in the rain!"

Riza's relationship with the Elric brothers is almost non-existent, but she is very kind to them. When Al would ask her a question, she would kindly answer. If Ed was being an idiot, she'd somewhat kindly set him straight before Roy would. Yet, her relationship with anyone else is somewhat checkered, because she can be pegged as a loon, like her superior Roy. Case in point, when her dog Black Hayate peed on the wall, she shot circles around him. And in volume 10, Riza seems very upset when Lust implies that Mustang maybe dead.

Mustang and Riza's relationship is hinted at in the anime but it is very clear that there is something between them in the manga. For instance, in volume 9 when Riza gets ambushed by Gluttony, Mustang clearly speeds to her rescue. In the August 2006 issue of Beckett Anime Insider there is a section called anime amour in which Riza and Mustang's relationship is discussed. They say "Their relationship might be subtle but it's there, they prove a relationship doesn't have to be lovey dovey to be strong." It also says "Roy and Riza share a level of intimacy that goes beyond words. They never say I love you but it is clear that they do love each other. Roy and Riza are not simply lovers but also friends and companions in the journey toward completing Roy's goals."

Riza is sometimes called crazy for her actions, and crazy as they may be, they are highly effective.

Riza Hawkeye is a Lieutenant for the state, a bit strict but also friendly. She's unlike most other Lieutenants and is the only female First Lieutenant (Maria Ross, another female, is a Second Lieutenant). Riza Hawkeye is a kinda quiet military personnel. She is very good with guns usually has one with her to protect the Colonel. Riza is one of perhaps the only girls in the military. She is usually seen with Colonel Mustang "protecting" him, though everyone but them thinks they like each other! She acts sort of smart to Mustang, possibly to hide her feelings.

Riza Hawkeye is no dumb blonde! She is pretty smart and quick, which you have to protecting the Colonel. Riza Hawkeye is one of the best Military personnel, which is pretty hard being with the Colonel! Also, she dislikes mini-skirts a lot

In the last episode of the series it shows Riza peeling and cutting up apples for Roy while he is sitting in bed with his eye patch on, and Riza feeds him a slice of apple. I think this, along with the fact that she has stuck with him and protected him through all of him being an idiot, shows that she loves him.