Solf J. Kimblee is a former war criminal and a veteran of the Ishbal War. Known as the "Crimson Alchemist," his title refers to his ability to transmute the sulfur in the human body into explosive compounds, turning people into living bombs.
In contrast to his more overtly malevolent Anime counterpart, the Manga's Kimblee exhibits a subtler, more polite form of evil. He played a significant role in the Ishbalan Extermination Campaign and was one of the few, if not the only, State Alchemists to fully harness the power of the Philosopher's Stones manufactured at Lab 5. His personality appears to be split; he can be courteous and straightforward, even rational and "civilized." He showed respect for Winry's parents due to their dedication to their duty. However, during battles, he adopts an eerie and ominous demeanor, reveling in destruction and damnation. He once reprimanded Riza and others for failing to accept their roles as soldiers and killers, despite the many lives they took. Kimblee demonstrated his destructive powers by using one of his own subordinates as an example. His abilities are similar to those depicted in the Anime but with the added capability of transmuting and detonating from a distance, utilizing the ground as a conduit for massive explosions, likely due to the power of the Philosopher's Stone.
Initially, Kimblee was given a Philosopher's Stone made from Ishvalan souls. When the military attempted to confiscate it after the war, he swallowed it whole. Throughout the series, he is seen regurgitating it to examine it closely.
Kimblee is 'killed' in a confrontation involving Al, Heinkel, and Marcoh against him and Pride. Before succumbing to his injuries, Pride 'consumes' him, integrating both Kimblee and his Philosopher's Stone into himself.
