Fate Zero

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Synopsis

Fate/Zero takes place 10 years prior to the events of Fate/stay night, detailing the events of the 4th Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. The War of the Holy Grail is a contest in which seven magi summon seven Heroic Spirits to compete to obtain the power of the "Holy Grail," which grants a miracle. After three inconclusive wars for the elusive Holy Grail, the Fourth War commences.

Founded by the Einzbern, Makiri, and Tohsaka families centuries ago, the Einzbern family is determined to achieve success after three successive failures, no matter the cost. As a result, they have elected to bring the hated magus killer, Kiritsugu Emiya, into their ranks, despite his methods and reputation as a skilled mercenary and a hitman who employs whatever he can use to accomplish his goals. Though Kiritsugu had once wanted to become a hero who could save everyone, he has long since abandoned this ideal upon realizing that saving one person comes at the cost of another's life. For the sake of humanity, he will ruthlessly destroy anything and anyone who threatens the peace of others.

However, Kiritsugu finds himself deeply torn between the love he has found for his new family—his wife Irisviel and their daughter Illya—and what he must do to obtain the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Kiritsugu's greatest opponent appears in the form of Kirei Kotomine, a priest who cannot find any sense of fulfillment in his life and sets his sights on Kiritsugu as the possible answer to the emptiness he feels.

Characters

Kiritsugu Emiya (衛宮 切嗣 Emiya Kiritsugu)

Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama (Japanese), Miyu Irino (Japanese, young), Matt Mercer (English), Marianne Miller (English, young)Kiritsugu is the main protagonist of the story. He is the Master of Saber, summoning her using Avalon, the holy sheath of Excalibur, as a catalyst. While a cynical and practical man, he wishes to find a way to end all conflict. Infamously known as the "Magus Killer" for his skills, he was hired by the Einzbern family to be their representative in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Believing that the Holy Grail could grant his wish for world peace, he decided to accept. An unconventional magus, Kiritsugu adopts a strategy of exploiting enemy magus' weak points using technology. His cynical views on life bring him into direct conflict with his Servant, and he has Irisviel appear in Fuyuki City as Saber's master in order to allow him to move more freely and to avoid contact with Saber as much as possible. He is the adoptive father of Shirou Emiya and the biological father of Illyasviel von Einzbern.

Irisviel von Einzbern (アイリスフィール・フォン・アインツベルン Airisufīru fon Aintsuberun)

Voiced by: Sayaka Ohara (Japanese), Bridget Hoffman (English)Irisviel is the main heroine of the story, the mother of Illyasviel von Einzbern and Kiritsugu's wife. She is a homunculus prototype created by the Einzbern family with the idea of giving birth to an ultimate homunculus. Like many of the Einzberns, she is skilled in alchemy. Irisviel serves as Saber's proxy Master, since Kiritsugu believes that he and Saber are incompatible. Her true purpose in the War is as the vessel of the Holy Grail itself. When six or more Servants are killed, she will manifest the Grail, losing her humanity and sense of self in the process. Despite this, she remains committed to Kiritsugu, believing that his goals are worth the sacrifice.

Saber (セイバー Seibā) - Arturia Pendragon (アルトリア Arutoria)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Kari Wahlgren (English)Saber's identity in life is the King of Knights, Arturia Pendragon, who became King of Britain upon obtaining the magical "Sword in the Stone". Servants of the Saber class are often seen as being the strongest. She typically maintains a high code of honor, viewing honor as more important than victory. Though she and Kiritsugu are Servant and Master seeking the same ultimate goal of peace, their differing ideological perspectives result in a strained relationship where Kiritsugu does not directly acknowledge Saber. Saber wanted to use the Grail to help save her country; however, over the course of the war, her wish changes. Coming to believe that the cause of the downfall of Britain was her ineffective leadership, her reason for seeking the Grail becomes wanting to undo her country's misfortunes and wishing for someone else more suitable and effective to lead Britain in her stead.