Fate/Zero: The Fourth Holy Grail War

The Holy Grail War, a bloody tournament that revolves around an all-powerful treasure that will grant its wielder a miracle, the Holy Grail. To be granted the right to wield it, seven magi must each summon their own heroic spirit and engage in a battle royal to eliminate the unworthy and become the last man standing. ­­

● Introduction

The Holy Grail War, a bloody tournament that revolves around an all-powerful treasure that will grant its wielder a miracle, the Holy Grail. To be granted the right to wield it, seven magi must each summon their own heroic spirit and engage in a battle royal to eliminate the unworthy and become the last man standing.

This is the story of the 4th Holy Grail War, 10 years prior to the events of Fate/Stay Night.

● Characters

Saber's Master. A merciless magus that excels in assassinating other magi. Employed by the Einzbern family to compete in the Holy Grail War. Irisviel's husband and Ilyasviel's dad.

Kiritsugu's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in close-range combat. This is the same Saber that participated in the 5th Holy Grail War in Fate/Stay Night. Also known as the Warrior King.

A homunculus created by the Einzbern family. Kiritsugu's wife and Ilyasviel's mother. She is paired with Saber and acts as her Master due to the fact that Kiritsugu and Saber have conflicting ideals when it comes to combat.

Kiritsugu's assistant. Acts all professional which makes her the perfect partner for him.

Kiritsugu and Irisviel's daughter. A homunculus of the Einzbern family.

Archer's Master. Aoi's husband, Rin and Sakura's father. He decided to give Sakura away to the Matou family because he only needed Rin to be his heir. Due to his close relationship to the Kotomine Church, he arranged Kirei to become his apprentice who in return aids him in the Holy Grail War.

Tokiomi's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in long-ranged combat by firing projectiles at the enemy. This is the same as the rogue Servant from Fate/Stay Night. In possession of most legendary weapons and artifacts throughout history. Also known the the Hero King.

Tokiomi's wife, Rin and Sakura's loving mother. She was depressed about her husband's decision to give Sakura away but still accepts it as a magus's wife.

Aoi and Tokiomi's daughter. The heir to the Tohsaka family. How come Sakura doesn't have a character entry? Ask the official website, they seem to have forgotten about her even though she appears in Berserker's CM.

Berserker's Master. Aoi's childhood friend and admirer. He became angry at Tokiomi for allowing Zouken to adopt his own daughter, Sakura, knowing what cruel fate awaits the little girl at the old man's hands. Aims to win the Holy Grail War to free Sakura from the Matou family, despite not having the potential and formal training to become a magus.

Kariya's Servant. A heroic spirit that is granted enormous strength at the cost of sanity. This Servant-class is the hardest to manage as it requires a lot of magical energy to maintain. He can wield anything he touches as his own weapon.

Rider's Master. A member of the Magus Association, Keyneth's apprentice and future El-Melloi II. He stole his mentor's catalyst for summoning so he could summon the Servant himself and join the Holy Grail War to prove himself and for his genius to be acknowledged by the Magus Association.

Waver's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in riding a mount to attack its target. Also known as the Conquest King. He commands a whole army of lower-class Servants and could dispatch them at will.

Caster's Master. A serial killer with no magical potential. He managed to summon a Servant by murdering a family of magus and used their blood as an offering for a ritual. He have no knowledge of the Holy Grail War and simply observes Caster to relieve his boredom.

Ryunosuke's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in the use of ancient magical arts and rituals. He can summon demons from another realm and seems to know Saber's true identity, though he could be mistaken.

Lancer's Master. Engaged to Sola-Ui though a strategical marriage arrangement. Waver's mentor.  A member of the Magus Association and hailed as a genius. He originally intended to summon Rider by using a catalyst but after Waver stole the item, he summons Lancer instead.

Kayneth's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in the use of spears and lances. Dual-wields two spears at once; One prevents regeneration while the other severs magical enchantment and contracts.

Lancer's secondary Master, she's the one who supplies him with magical energy. Engaged to Kayneth through a strategic marriage arrangement and though he loves her, she doesn't feel the same way to him. Develops an affection towards Lancer but it could be due to his curse.

Assassin's Master. Risei's son and Tokiomi's apprentice. He assists Tokiomi in his quest for the Holy Grail and follows his every command. This is the same priest from Fate/Stay Night, only 10 years younger. 

Kirei's Servant. A heroic spirit that specializes in stealth missions and silent assassinations. He has the ability to multiply into each of his own split personality.

Kirei's father, Tokiomi's friend and the moderator of the 4th Holy Grail War.

● Music

The opening song is titled "Oath Sign" performed by LiSA while the ending song is titled "Memoria" performed by Aoi Eir. The soundtrack will be composed by Kajiura Yuki who also did the music for .hack//SIGN, My-HiME, My-Otome and the Kara no Kyoukai movies.

● Promo Video

● Additional Information:

The anime production company Aniplex of America announced on Tuesday that it will stream the Fate/Zero television anime series, subtitled in eight languages, worldwide via the Niconico Live and Niconico Channel services. The free streaming will begin on October 1 at 8:30 a.m. PDT, and each episode will be online for one week only. The subtitles will be in Korean, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Sources: Fate/Zero Official Website, Anime News Network

Posted in: Anime,Fate/Zero,Type-Moon