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The Japanese adult visual novel Fate/stay night features a number of characters created by Type-Moon, some of whom are classified as Servants with special combat abilities. The characters listed have appeared mainly in two anime television series adaptations ( Fate/stay night and Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works ) with a movie trilogy adaptation ( Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel ) produced by Studio Deen and Ufotable respectively. A Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works animated film was released prior to its TV series.
Kinoko Nasu wrote only one Fate/stay night in college intending Shirou and Saber to be the only couple. [1] In his early drafts, Fate's heroine Saber was a man, and the protagonist was a girl with glasses. [2] This early draft was later embodied in the short original video animation (OVA) Fate/Prototype, which was released with the final volume of the Carnival Phantasm OVA series. [3] Nasu set aside the project and went on to found Type-Moon with artist Takashi Takeuchi. After the success of their first visual novel Tsukihime in 2000, Type-Moon transitioned from a dōjin soft organization to a commercial organization. In the beginning, Nasu was worried that because the main character was a girl, the story might not work as a bishōjo game. Artist Takeuchi suggested switching the protagonist's and Saber's genders to fit the game market. [1]
The novel Makai Tensho influenced Nasu to write a fantasy story in which famous heroic personalities from all over the world would take part. [4] The original idea was limited to the prototype of the Fate arc, where the main characters were the female master and her Servant Saber (the embodiment of King Arthur as a man). [5] According to Nasu, this version contained elements of 1980s romance and ideas of transformations to world order, while the final version focuses on changes within people and has other purposes for using the Holy Grail. [6] About a third of the scenario of the future Fate arc (up to the battle with Sasaki Kojiro) was completed at that time, but for several personal reasons, Nasu could not write further for more than ten years. [4] Scenes from the original visual novel that show Shirou having sexual intercourse with the heroines are commonly censored. According to the website Kotaku , Shirou's intercourse with Sakura has become an Internet meme that replaced Sakura's nudity with multiple images. [7]
Writer Gen Urobuchi was pitched a prequel of Fate/stay night by Takeuchi, Nasu was amazed by Urobuchi and had predicted in 2002 while unable to work on Fate/stay night due to illness that Urobuchi would write an interesting story. Ideas like Saber being lectured by Gilgamesh and Alexander the Great gave him a bigger impact. When starting the project for Fate/Zero, Nasu decided to give Urobuchi complete freedom for Kiritsugu's characterization. [8] In Fate/stay night, Saber explains she had brief interactions with Kiritsugu Emiya which led to the creation of the character of Irisviel. As Kiritsugu's wife, Irisviel plays the role of facilitating communication between these two, who do not talk to each other. The distanced and ultimately dark relationship between Kiritsugu and Saber caused by the former's actions in the story led Urobuchi and Nasu to change some early drafts in the story, including the addition of Kiritsugu adopting Shirou. These changes were to create a more coherent relationship between Saber and Shirou Emiya in the original visual novel. [9] Urobuchi had no issues writing the main characters' ideologies. [10]
The visual novel noted that such use of the heroes of the legends of antiquity could also encourage acquaintance with their original sources. [35] eviewers considered Shirou's behavior and his attitude to his own ideals as the most interesting and well-developed part of the whole novel. [36] [37] Uno Tsunehiro from Kyoto University compared Shirou's traumatic background in regards the city's fire to survivors from the September 11 attacks while also showing different ways the Japanese society used to take care of their lives in such time. As a result, Tsunehiro views Shirou's change in each route as a way to recover from the trauma, grow up and become an independent person. [38] A large number of sudden deaths, coupled with a sharp effect of losing control over the situation, according to the authors of the monograph, gave the gameplay an additional emotional coloring and motivated players to continue playing the game, aided by well-developed plot twists. [39] In his analysis of the magical system and details of the personalities of the characters, Makoto Kuroda sees in the idea of Shirou to become a “champion of justice” a direct analogy with the traditional view of the life of bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, seeking to save other people at the cost of their own efforts and suffering. [40] In Kuroda's view, Buddhist concepts are opposed to the elements of Christian ethics contained in the plot through the opposition of Shirou and Kirei Kotomine in the form of the main character's rejection of the interpretation of Angra Mainyu as a creature who accepted the sins of others in the name of salvation. [41]
The images of Rin, Saber and Sakura received conflicting ratings. Thus, many reviewers recognized that the psychologically deepest arc is "Heaven's Feel", which is largely due to the sharp and versatile disclosure of the image of Sakura Matou, [42] [43] and her romantic line with Shirou is the most "adult" among all the heroines. [43] [44] Some reviewers commented on Shirou's relationship with Saber and on his growth in Studio Deen's anime that improves their personalities and adds romance to their relationship as the plot progresses. [45] [46] [47] [48] Scenes from the original visual novel that show Shirou having sexual intercourse with the heroines are commonly censored, leading to memes. [49]
There was also commentary about the Fate/Zero cast. Kirtisugu's relationship with Kirei was the subject of praise. [50] [51] The Fandom Post and Blu-ray enjoyed Shirou's characterization in the film, in which his ideals contrast with those of Archer and Kiritusgu, making him notably mature in the story. [52] [53] The Fandom Post enjoyed the handling of Waver's past persona during the dream sequence he has, as he reflects on his past when interacting with Iskander. [54] Anime News Network writers Theron Martin and Michelle Liu listed El-Melloi II as the best anime character of 2019 due to his style when dealing with enemies. Liu regarded him as one of the best LGBTQ+ character, something she found that while it might come across as controversial, both Waver's younger persona from Fate/Zero and Lord El-Melloi II was often commented by writers and him to have developed romantical feelings for Iskandar, something which Iskandar was famous in real life. [55] [56]
Beside the main Fate series, critics focused on spin-off incarnations. During his debut in Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!!, Shirou earned praise from Thanasis Karavasilis of MANGA.TOKYO, who said his heroic actions make his first appearance the highlight of the episode. [57] His role in the fighting scenes in the series were well received by Karavasilis, but he received criticism for being overpowered. [58] [59] For the film Oath Under Snow, response to Shirou's protection over Miyu were received positive response, [60] [61] while his characterization also earned praise despite similarities with previous incarnations. [62] [63]
Fate/stay night is a Japanese visual novel developed by Type-Moon and originally released as an adult game for Windows on January 30, 2004. A version of Fate/stay night rated for ages 15 and up titled Fate/stay night Réalta Nua, which features the Japanese voice actors from the anime series, was released in 2007 for the PlayStation 2 and later for download on Windows as a trilogy covering the three main storylines: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel. Réalta Nua was also ported to the PlayStation Vita, iOS and Android. The plot focuses on a young mage named Shirou Emiya who becomes a warrior in a battle between "Servants" known as the Holy Grail War. Shirou bonds with a heroine through each route and confronts different adversaries participating in the war.
Saber, whose real name is Artoria Pendragon, is a fictional character from the Japanese 2004 visual novel Fate/stay night by Type-Moon. Saber is a heroic warrior who is summoned by a teenager named Shirou Emiya to participate in a war between masters and servants who are fighting to accomplish their dreams using the mythical Holy Grail. Saber's relationship with the story's other characters depends on the player's decisions; she becomes a love interest to Shirou in the novel's first route and also serves as that route's servant protagonist, a supporting character in the second, and a villain called "Saber Alter" in the third route.
Kiritsugu Emiya is a fictional character first introduced in the Fate/stay night visual novel by Type-Moon and further explored later in the light novel prequel Fate/Zero by Gen Urobuchi. Kiritsugu is introduced as the recently deceased adoptive father of a teenager named Shirou Emiya whom he met after he saved him from a fire. Before he died, Kiritsugu taught the child basic magecraft and divulged his dreams of becoming a hero. While Shirou and the player know more about Kiritsugu in the story, the light novel reveals him to be a fighter from the Fourth Holy Grail War, a conflict between mages from Fate/Zero. Kiritsugu participates in the Fourth Holy Grail War a decade before Fate/stay night, supporting his spouse Irisviel von Einzbern and his Servant Saber. Kiritsugu has also appeared in multiple spin-offs based on the Fate franchise.
Rin Tohsaka is a fictional character introduced in the 2004 visual novel Fate/stay night by Type-Moon. Rin is a high school student who becomes the master mage of Archer, a spirit warrior. Together they participate in a war between other mages and warriors known as the Holy Grail War. In all routes of the visual novel, she meets and allies with rookie mage Shirou Emiya, two of them then form a romantic relationship in the novel's second route, Unlimited Blade Works, in which Rin is the main heroine. Outside the visual novel, Rin has appeared in printed and animated adaptations. She is also present in the prequel Fate/Zero, a series of light novels written by Gen Urobuchi, and multiple video games based on the Fate/stay night series.
Sakura Matou is a fictional character who was first introduced in the visual novel Fate/stay night by Type-Moon from 2004. Sakura is introduced as a friend of the main character Shirou Emiya, on whom she has a crush but remains a minor character in the first two routes of the novel. In the third route "Heaven's Feel", where she serves as the route's heroine, Sakura reveals her darker characterization and bonds with Shirou. Sakura is a participant of the Holy Grail War, a battle between mages who fight alongside warriors known as Servants. She is corrupted through a mysterious shadow and Shirou must decide whether or not he should kill her. Besides Fate/stay night, Sakura has appeared in the sequel Fate/hollow ataraxia, the prequel light novel Fate/Zero and multiple spin-offs and adaptations of Type-Moon works.
Fate/hollow ataraxia is a 2005 PC visual novel video game developed by Type-Moon, and the sequel to Fate/stay night. The word "ataraxia" in the title is a Greek term for "tranquility", giving the title the combined meaning of "empty tranquility".
Fate/Zero is a Japanese light novel written by Gen Urobuchi, illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi, and is a prequel to all routes in Type-Moon's visual novel, Fate/stay night.
Fate/tiger colosseum is a 3D fighting video game based on the visual novel Fate/stay night, released for the PlayStation Portable by Capcom and Cavia in cooperation with Type-Moon. The characters are all rendered in a super deformed style. A sequel, Fate/tiger colosseum Upper, was released on August 28, 2008.
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya is a Japanese manga series by Hiroshi Hiroyama, serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine from 2007 to 2008. It is an alternate universe spin-off of the Fate/stay night visual novel by Type-Moon, with Illyasviel von Einzbern as the protagonist. Various other characters from Fate/stay night and its sequels and spin-offs also appear. A second manga series titled Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei was serialized from 2009 to 2012. A third manga series titled Fate/Kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! began serialization in 2012.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is a 2010 Japanese animated fantasy action film directed by Yūji Yamaguchi. Unlimited Blade Works covers the events of the second route of the visual novel Fate/stay night by Type-Moon. The film primarily focuses on two young mages, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, and their servants, who participate in a conflict known as the Holy Grail War. During the fights, Shirou often crosses paths with Rin's servant, Archer, who seeks his death despite being an ally.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is an anime series produced by Ufotable. It is based on the visual novel Fate/stay night produced by Type-Moon. The narrative is primarily based on the Unlimited Blade Works storyline in the visual novel, and follows Shirou Emiya, a high school student and amateur magus living in Fuyuki City, Japan. Shirou is unexpectedly brought into the Fifth Holy Grail War, a secret magical tournament in which seven participants, known as "Masters", and their "Servants", reincarnated personifications of legendary historical heroes, fight in a battle royale for the Holy Grail, an omnipotent magical chalice that can fulfill any wish or desire for its victor. When Shirou and his Servant Saber are forced to team up with Rin Tohsaka, another Master in the Holy Grail War, Shirou finds himself earning the strong dislike of Rin's mysterious Servant Archer, whose motivations are unknown.
Shirou Emiya, also written as "Shiro Emiya" in Fate/unlimited codes, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the 2004 visual novel Fate/stay night, published by Type-Moon. Shirou is a teenager who accidentally participates in the "Holy Grail War" alongside six other mages looking for the eponymous treasure, an all-powerful, wish-granting relic. Shirou was the sole survivor of a fire in a city and was saved by a man named Kiritsugu Emiya who inspired him to become a hero and avoid killing people during fights. While fighting alongside the servant Saber, Shirou develops his own magical skills and, depending on the player's choices; he forms relationships with the novel's other characters. He also appears in the visual novel sequel Fate/hollow ataraxia, the prequel light novel Fate/Zero, and printed and animated adaptations of the original game.
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower is a 2017 Japanese anime fantasy film produced by Ufotable, directed by Tomonori Sudō, written by Akira Hiyama and featuring music by Yuki Kajiura. The film is the first installment in a trilogy of films adapting Heaven's Feel, the third and final route of the visual novel Fate/stay night. As in previous routes, the story focuses on a teenage mage named Shirou Emiya who takes part in a conflict known as the Holy Grail War to protect his city. However, this time Shirou encounters not only other mages and Servant warriors, but also a mysterious shadow killing most of the participants.
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Vow in the Snow is a Japanese animated fantasy film prequel of the manga Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya by Hiroshi Hiroyama, released on August 26, 2017. The film stars multiple voice actors including Noriaki Sugiyama, Kaori Nazuka, Rikiya Koyama, Natsuki Hanae and Noriko Shitaya for the main characters. The plot follows a teenager named Shirou Emiya who becomes involved in the mage conflict known as the Fifth Holy Grail War to protect his foster sister, Miyu Satsuki, from being used as a sacrifice by the Ainsworth clan.
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly is a 2019 Japanese anime fantasy film produced by ufotable and directed by Tomonori Sudō. The second installment in the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel trilogy, it premiered in Japan on January 12, 2019 and in the United States on March 14, 2019.
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel is a Japanese anime film trilogy produced by Ufotable, directed by Tomonori Sudō, written by Akira Hiyama, and featuring music by Yuki Kajiura. The trilogy adapts Heaven's Feel, the third and final route of the Fate/stay night visual novel. It focuses on Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou who are affected by a conflict between mages known as the Holy Grail War.
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. spring song is a 2020 Japanese anime fantasy film produced by ufotable and directed by Tomonori Sudō.
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