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Contestants of the Holy Grail War
General Tropes
- Battle Harem: It's a Foregone Conclusion that all of the girls will end up with Shirou, and pooling their power together, they could probably take over a whole nation with their combined battle prowess.
- World of Badass: Just about every individual involved in the Grail War has at least some ability to kill another of the combatants.
Masters
The various masters of the Fifth Holy Grail War...And also the first half of Shirou's harem to be. Shirou Emiya
Shirou Emiya, Master of Saber
The master of servant Saber, and possibly the most inept of the seven original masters in the Grail War.- Clueless Chick-Magnet: Sakura's been pining for him for years, and so has Rin, but he hadn't caught onto that until recently. In fact, he still hasn't quite realized that most of the main cast want him.
- Covert Pervert: For someone who is such a gentleman, Shirou can have some pretty perverted thoughts. Again, this does not make him any less of a gentleman.
- Healing Factor: Avalon heals the wounds he gets from fights from time to time, manifesting itself as blue threads weaving back and forth across said wounds.
- Martyr Without a Cause: His mentality of going through hell to save everybody without a care for his own being has caused worries to his allies, both for his physical and mental wellbeing.
- Nice Guy: This is Shirou Emiya we are talking about. He's nice to practically everyone he meets.
- The One Guy: Iri setting up the Grail War as a way for him to get a harem means that this trope is enforced with extreme prejudice. While Shinji, Zouken, Kirei, and Gilgamesh are still involved initially, Zouken ends up dead within minutes due to his own stupidity, Kirei and Gil aren't that involved at the moment, and Shinji is hiding in house to avoid Sakura and Rider's wrath.
- Really Gets Around: He's so far had sex with five different girls, some two at a time, and this is only going to go up as the story progresses. An omake shows that sleeping with so many girls so often is absolutely exhausting him.
- Wide-Eyed Idealist: He wants to see the Holy Grail War end without anyone being killed. Fortunately for him, Iri pulled strings to ensure that this can happen.
Rin Tohsaka
Rin Tohsaka, Master of Archer
The last of the Tohsaka family, and the Second Owner of Fuyuki.- A-Cup Angst: Rin is very sensitive over how lacking in size her chest is. She's especially jealous that her servant has huge boobs, and it's implied that Luvia being more well-endowed than her is another reason for her rivalry with the Edelfelt girl.
- Awesomeness by Analysis: After coming face to face with Caster, Rin managed to quickly deduce her identity as Medea. What's more, she deduced a method to defeat Medea's final familiar, the Colchian Draken, in extremely short order.
- Broken Ace: Rin is an extremely talented magus and exceptional person overall, but the years of having to uphold certain expectations have taken a toll on her. Drake outright tells her that she needs to let go of her issues, or she will break under stress.
- Cannot Spit It Out: She's been crushing hard on Shirou for years, but her pride and desire for Sakura to hook up with him caused her to keep quiet about it. She has an Aborted Declaration of Love with him at one point, telling him that Saber and Sakura need him but stopping just before she admits that she needs him as well.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Rin does not like other girls getting close to Shirou, especially not Luviagelita Edelfelt. She throws a Death Glare at the Finnish girl when the latter flirts with Shirou. The only exception to this is her sister Sakura, who Rin is trying to get Shirou to hook up with.
- Foil:
- To her servant, Francis Drake who may actually be Queen Elizabeth. Rin tries to act as both a Proper Lady and an ideal magus while Drake does whatever she wants and was a privateer in life. Rin tries to live up to the expectations placed upon her while Drake is implied to have discarded her past life to forge her own destiny. And while Rin has moments where her demeanor slips and she gets very emotional, which are often Played for Laughs, Drake only once drops the carefree personality to gives Rin a serious pep-talk in one of the sweetest moments in the story.
- Also to her rival Luviagelita Edelfelt. Rin has lived her whole life in Fuyuki while Luvia only recently arrived from Europe. Rin has been preparing for the Grail War for practically her entire life while Luvia only showed up because of intervention on Iri's partnote . Luvia is fabulously wealthy while Rin's family lost most of its wealth due to deliberate mismanagement by Kirei. Luvia has a younger sister who she loves while Rin has an incredibly strained relationship with Sakura. The two also have a Red Oni, Blue Oni dynamic, with Rin being the more emotional and aggressive while Luvia is calmer and more collected, with both having the colored outfits to match. Both also have a relationship with their servant where one drives the other up the wall, but while Rin has to put up with Drake pushing all of her buttons, Luvia is the one pushing Medea's buttons. Finally, Luvia is mostly interested in Shirou just because of his looks and doesn't have much emotional connection with him while Rin has been nursing a crush on him for years but never brought it up both due to pride and because she wanted him to hook up with Sakura.
- Irrational Hatred: Her dislike of Luvia borders on this at times. Archer has to tell her point blank that she needs to let go of this before she breaks.
- Last of Her Kind: Her mother is implied to have passed away a few years before the story started, her father died in the previous Grail War, and Sakura was adopted into the Matou family, making Rin the last of the Tohsaka line.
- LGBT Awakening: It's implied that Drake deciding to kiss Rin's hand to prove that [Drake] knows how to be a noble makes Rin flustered in a less than pure manner. This would match up with canon, where it took Rin having a threesome with Shirou and Saber to realize she was interested in girls.
- Shipper on Deck: Rin very bluntly wants Shirou to be with Sakura (even if she also wants him). Whenver Rin get's angry at another girl for getting close to Shirou, it's due to both jealousy and because she's mad at them for getting between him and Sakura. Notably, when Drake insinuates that Rin views Shirou as her "boy toy", Rin almost immediately says that Shirou is Sakura's "boy toy".
- Tsundere: She's the Page Image and Trope Codifier. This is a given. In story, she jumps between being cold to Shirou and being embarassed when he compliments her practically at the drop of a hat.
Bazett Fraga McRemitz
Bazett Frag McRemitz, Master of Lancer
A member of the Church's Enforcers, and one of Clocktower's selected representatives for the Fifth Grail War.- Broken Pedestal: Her mental image of the Knights of the Round takes a permanent dent after Shielder (Galahad) reveals how they acted when they were alive.
- Dramatic Irony: Due to Iri's intervention, she never figures out that Kirei tried to kill her and still treats him as a friend.
- Healing Factor: Thanks to her Rune magic, she can shrug off and recover from being impaled.
- Spared by the Adaptation: It's implied that no matter what timeline the Fifth Grail War occurs in (excluding the one where it is replaced by the Grand Grail War, Bazett is killed by Kirei at the beginning of the Grail War (specifically, Kirei cuts off her arm to steal her Command Spells before leaving her to die, and she presumably expires from blood loss). Here, Iri's intervention stops Kirei from killing her, and a canon omake confirms she makes it well past the Grail War.
Sakura Matou
Sakura Matou, Master of Rider
Adopted heir of the failing Matou family and blood sister to Rin.- Adaptational Badass: Sakura can use minor spells and fire blasts of darkness. In the source material, she had not been taught how to use magic at the beginning of the war and could only use darkness when under a lot of stress, only gaining control and getting instruction when the war was over.
- Childhood Friend Romance: Of the Masters in Shirou's harem, she was the closest to him (not even Taiga shared the same bond with Shirou) and ends up being the first to confess to and sleep with him.
- Lovable Sex Maniac: Has quite a voracious appetite when it comes to sex.
Luvia Edelfelt
Luvia Edelfelt, Master of Caster
Heir of the prestigious Edelfelt family and self-proclaimed rival to the Tohsakas.- Noblewoman's Laugh: Retains her signature "O~hoho!" laugh.
Ayako Mitsuzuri
Ayako Mitsuzuri
Head of the Homurahara Academy Archery club and Rin's best friend, drawn into the Holy Grail War by pure chance.- Badass Normal: Is the most 'normal' out of all the Masters, but she can still defend herself when needed.
Illyasviel von Einzbern
Illyasviel von Einzbern, Master of Berserker
Heir of the Einzbern family and daughter of Kiritsugu Emiya, as well as the vessel of the Lesser Grail.- Spell My Name With An S: Is her nickname 'Ilya' or 'Illya'? The author mostly uses the former but at times has also used the latter.
- Yandere: Has quite a unhealthy love for her adopted brother, initially ordering Raikou to kill 'the skanks who are trying to steal her onii-chan'. Lampshaded by her mother.
Caren Hortensia
Caren Hortensia, Master of Shielder
Exorcist of the Holy Church and assistant overseer of the Grail War, as well as daughter of Kirei Kotomine.- Excellent Judge of Character: She's the only person to see through Kirei's facade, as despite barely knowing him, the fact he is her father yet pretty much abandoned her to her mom's family for no good reason gave her plenty of insight on him.
- Troll: Has a habit for messing with other people.
Taiga Fujimura
Taiga Fujimura, Master of Ruler
Shirou's legal guardian and teacher at Homurahara Academy.- Butt-Monkey: Is quite often picked on due to her immaturity despite her age.
- Wife Husbandry: Discussed - when she finally gives Shirou a Love Confession and The Big Damn Kiss, she references The Tale of Genji and admits that she feels like the titular character (who is perhaps the Ur-Example of the trope).
Angelica Ainsworth
Angelica Ainsworth, Master of Avenger
Representative of the Ainsworth family, with a bone to pick with their old rivals: the Einzberns.- Emotionless Girl: While not as bad as her canon counterpart, she's still a rather stoic person. The author even compares writing her to Nano Eiai.
- Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: She's not evil, being neutral at worst. But she has some bafflement on Shirou's desire of saving everyone, being a far cry from a typical magus who'd usually have little reason to be kind.
Miyu Sakatsuki
Miyu Sakatsuki, Master of Temptress
Only survivor of the Fuyuki Sakatsuki Clan and last 'child of god' of their line.- Age Lift: Miyu was ten in Prisma Illya. In this story, she's around the same age as Sakura.
- Shrinking Violet: She's a quiet, lonely girl who barely leaves her own house, which contrasts her Attention Whore Servant.
Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia
Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia, Master of Gunner
Representative of the alliance of family's known as Yggdmillennia and heir to their coalition's power.- Handicapped Badass: Being a cripple hasn't made her any less badass than any of the other magi Masters, with her capable of attacking and moving around with her Mystic Code.
Servants
The Servants summoned by the Holy Grail to fight in the Holy Grail War... for Shirou's affections. Arturia Pendragon
Arturia Pendragon, Servant Saber
The Once and Future King, and Shirou's servant for the Grail War.- Adaptational Badass: The release of the Servants' Character Sheets sees her with her Parameters stronger than what she would usually have as having Shirou for a Master, closer to her FGO counterpart's or having Rin for a Master.
Word of God in the thread says it's because Irisviel is pumping her with extra mana so her stats won't be lowered. - Covert Pervert: Saber may be a prim and proper embodiment of nobility, but behind closed doors, she can display some very raunchy thoughts and actions.
- Little Miss Badass: She's notably shorter than many of her adversaries, but still gives them a tough fight.
- Not So Above It All: When Shirou decides to accept Luvia's invitation to dinner (which everyone else assumes is a trap), Saber has no problem going along with Rin's plan of action, which involves getting very touchy-feely with Shirou.
- She Is the King: The King of Knights, at that. Even though this Saber is a girl (and yes, there is a version of her in the multiverse that is male), she's always referred to as a King.
Francis Drake
Francis Drake, Servant Archer
One of the most well known privateers in history, bane of the Spanish Armada, and Rin's servant.- Combat Pragmatist: She only cares about victory in a fight, so she uses all kinds of dirty tricks like firing her gun through her jacket so her opponent doesn't see it coming and kicking Nobunaga in a wound during a Blade Lock.
- Foil;
- To her Master, Rin — Drake is an extremely wild, happy go lucky person, while Rin is more rigid and uptight. Drake has no cares for societal norms while Rin tries to be the perfect Magus. Rin prefers to use magic while Drake wields guns. Appearance wise, Rin dresses modestly while Drake, while not wearing anything indecent, leaves little to the imagination. Rin is afflicted with A-Cup Angst while Drake has huge breasts. Finally, Rin is normally very cautious while Drake is perfectly willing to pull a Leeroy Jenkins.
- Also to Saber — Archer is a known individual from relatively recent history while Saber originates from old English mythology. Saber wields a sword while Archer, again, prefers to use guns. Saber is a Proper Lady while Archer is a carefree pirate. Saber is short, petite, and rather flat while Archer is one of the taller servants, more muscular, and as previously stated, very well endowed. If Drake is actually Queen Elizabeth, then this even extends to their backstories, as while Saber's reign ended in the demise of Camelot, Elizabeth's reign set the stage for the dawn of the British Empire.
- Hidden Depths: Drake is perfectly capable of being proper and showing class, she just normally doesn't want to. The only time she has done so in-story is when she point blank tells Rin that her rivalry with Luvia is unhealthy and if she keeps obsessing over the Finnish girl, she's going to break.
- Historical Gender Flip: Francis Drake was a man in Real Life, but per Fate/EXTRA, Drake is a woman here. That being said, Extra does hint that Drake might actually be Queen Elizabeth I of England and that she switched places with the real Drake, making this a subversion.
- I'm Not a Hero, I'm...: Whenever someone calls her out on using dirty tricks unbecoming of a hero, she says she's a pirate, not a hero.
- Noodle Incident: Apparently she once got so drunk that she lost her pants. Rin doesn't even want to know what happened.
- Pirate: This trope comes with the territory of being a privateer.
- Privateer: Drake is the most famous privateer to have ever lived.
Scathach
Scathach, Servant Lancer
The Queen of the Land of Shadows and one of the greatest trainers of heroes of all time, Bazett's Servant.- Deadpan Snarker: Snarks a reply when Jeanne Alter asks for her identity.Avenger: Who the hell are you?!Lancer: Well, I'm throwing spears at you. So clearly I must be Archer.
- The Gadfly: Teases her Master Bazett from time to time.
- Sexy Mentor: Is one hell of an attractive woman, and is historically known for teaching students that have the making of a hero.
Medusa
Medusa, Servant Rider
The dreaded Gorgon of Greek myth and a goddess in her own right, Sakura's Servant.- Meganekko: Wears special glasses that cancel her petrifying gaze in her civilian attire.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Chastises Shirou for his Martyr Without a Cause complex, saying that while selflessness is admirable, there's also a point too far if he ignores his own well being and causes the other to worry of him.
Medea (Lily)
Medea Lily, Servant Caster
The younger (and less bitter) Princess of Colchis, Luvia's Servant.- Adaptational Badass: Caster can summon and control the dragon from her legend. In canon, she could summon it, but refuses to because she fears it and has no control over it.
- Berserk Button: As she's Medea, she's not particularly fond of any mention of cheating or stealing someone's significant other.
- Squishy Wizard: As she says herself, she's lacks physical strength and is not good with physical fights. She makes up for it with her repertoire of magecraft from the Age of Gods.
- White Mage: While she's still capable of attacking with spells, she's not as proficient as her older self is with offensive spells, instead being a lot better at being a healer.
Hassan of Serenity
Hassan of Serenity, Servant Assassin
The legendary Poison Girl who held the title of Hassan-i Sabbah, Ayako's Servant.- Honey Trap: Has a pretty face suited for seducing her targets of assassination.
- Poisonous Person: Her main repertoire for assassination. She can even turn her poison acidic to melt what she touches.
- Stealth Expert: Has Rank A in Presence Concealment, making her capable of not being noticed by anyone, even Servants, until the moment she readies an attack.
Minamoto-no-Raikou
Minamoto-no-Raikou, Servant Berserker
Famous demon slayer of the Genji clan and 'brother' of the dreaded Ushi Gozen, Ilya's Servant.- The Ace: She's very likely the strongest summoned Servant, capable of fighting 3 other Servants at the same time, not to mention being a Man of Kryptonite to many of her enemies and being able to summon 4 clones with her NP.
- Honorary Aunt: Ilya calls her 'Auntie'.
- Man of Kryptonite: Her Mystery Slayer (A) makes her into this to many Servants. Theoretically, it also turns her into one of the most effective counters against Gilgamesh.
Sir Galahad
Sir Galahad, Servant Shielder
The Knight of the Shield and chosen of the Holy Grail, Caren's Servant.- Barrier Warrior: She can use her Noble Phantasm, Lord Camelot, to tank a heavy hit (such as Drake's own NP Golden Wild Hunt).
- Composite Character: She's essentially Mash in personality and appearance, but with the identity of Galahad.
- Hair Color Dissonance: In-Universe case. Her hair has been referenced as both silver and pink in the story.
- Meganekko: She wears glasses in her civilian attire.
Saint Martha
Saint Martha, Servant Ruler
Saint of the Waterfront who tamed the sorrowful dragon, Tarasque, Taiga's Servant and arbiter of the Holy Grail War.- Good Old Fisticuffs: She can use Jacob's Limbs to fight in hand-to-hand combat like her spar with Taiga. It isn't limited to unarmed combat though, as she can use it with her staff as seen during her spar with Raikou.
- Too Kinky to Torture: She had a rather...questionable reaction after getting electrocuted by Raikou, leading to some awkward silence for everyone.
Jeanne d'Arc (Alter)
Jeanne d'Arc Alter, Servant Avenger
The Dragon Witch of France and the dark doppelganger of Joan of Arc, Angelica's Servant.- Card-Carrying Villain: Is the most villainous of the summoned Servants, and she's all for it.
- The Power of Hate: Being in an Avenger class, she gets stronger the angrier she is. Unfortunately though because of her Servant Class, she's in a perpetual state of anger, being annoyed at the minimum.
- Tsundere: After the Grail, she settles on being this. Far more 'tsun' than 'dere' compared to Rin, though this is mostly since she's constantly being influenced by her class.
Elizabeth Bathory
Elizabeth Bathory, Servant Temptress
The young and innocent (and impressively selfish) form of the legendary Blood Countess, Miyu's Servant.- Attention Whore: She likes being the center of attention, often acting like an idol.
- Super-Scream: She still has her destructive scream. And Word of God says being in the Temptress class makes it even more powerful.
- Vampiric Draining: Her Character Sheet references this as Bloodsucking (C) as one of her abilities (though it's normally done through bathing in her case). Since she hates her future self, she'd rather not use it.
Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga, Servant Gunner
Demon King of the Sixth Heaven and first of the great unifiers of Japan, Fiore's Servant.- Birds of a Feather: She strikes up a truce with Drake after their fight since she sees their similarities as being marks(wo)men referred to as demons.
- Genki Girl: The girl's full of energy and wackiness, even Drake called her nuts.
Others
Kiritsugu Emiya
Kiritsuvu Emiya
Adoptive father of Shirou, biological father of Ilya, and husband of Irisviel.- Poor Communication Kills: Never told Shirou about his biological daughter Ilya due to not wanting to put even more guilt on the boy. It hurt Ilya a bit because of her mother giving her an unrealistic expectation.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: The savvy, sane man to his wife's Genki Girl, being the voice of reason to his wife's many crazy ideas and making sure they don't get too out of control.
Irisviel von Einzbern
Irisviel von Einzbern
Biological mother of Ilya and wife of Kiritsugu.- I Want Grandkids: Wants loads of them, hence the reason why all the Servants and Masters (sans Gilgamesh and Kirei, who came from the previous War) are female.
- Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl: The Genki Girl to Kiritsugu's savvy guy, being the one with the crazy ideas just so she could have grandchildren.
- Shipper on Deck: Shirou with...just about every female characters involved in the current Grail War (which is pretty much everyone sans two male contestants from the previous one).
