TheFateseries has captured the imaginations of many fans worldwide through its cross-media storytelling. Whether it’s through fighting games, visual novels, anime adaptations ormobile gacha titles, fans can’t get enough Fate. One of the most compelling facets of the series is its use of real-world historical figures and mythology to augment its cast.
These characters may be small, low-ranked cameos exclusive to mobile titles, or extensively reimagined incarnations, but one thing is for sure: they are part of what makes Fate such a popular series. Here are some characters with whom art imitates life - and sometimes surpasses it.
10Jeanne D’Arc
Ruler
In real life, Jeanne d’Arc - known as Joan of Arc in her anglicized name - was a military leader who defied gender roles to become a symbol of hope for France during the Hundred Years' War. Much like her real-life counterpart, Jeanne d’Arc takes on the leader’s role.
A Ruler Class character, she appears briefly in Fate/Zero before taking on a major role as the arbiter of theGreater Grail War. Given how quickly matters go awry, Jeanne is forced to take on a more involved role.
9Hans Christian Andersen
Caster
Though he has yet to appear in a major role, Hans Christian Andersen has featured in both Fate/Grand Order and Fate/Extra CCC. He is based on the real-life Danish storyteller of the same name, often considered one of the greatest fairy-tale authors.
In the Fate video games, HC Andersen appears as a blunt but loyal Servant who is quick to point out flaws in others, including his own Master. Though he is not particularly powerful on his own in Fate/Grand Order, he can be a useful support unit thanks to his Noble Phantasm.
8Spartacus
Berserker
Spartacus' reimagined character in the Fate series is a rather pitiable version. Like his real-life counterpart, he is devoted to fighting against injustice, but consistent brainwashing has rendered him mostly incoherent. He is easy to manipulate and outmaneuver, being among the first Servants to be defeated in the Greater Grail War.
As his Berserker class indicates, Spartacus is all brawn and little brains, fighting without giving much thought even to who he’s raising his sword against. This renders his role in the anime adaptations decidedly minor, but memorable.
7Artoria Pendragon
Saber
The mascot of Fate and the central character of Fate/Stay Night, Artoria Pendragon, is based on the British folk hero King Arthur. Given the exaggerated legends appearing about him from the 12th century onwards, the general consensus now has it that King Arthur was not a real person, but instead arose out of a fusion of Welsh mythology andEnglish folklore.
Either way, the ancient king was reimagined as a female fencer in the Fate series. Her gender forms a core part of Fate/Stay Night’s story, where she challenges characters surprised that the mythic king is a woman. The character has retained a strong presence throughout the Fate series.
6Siegfried
In German and Scandinavian literature, Siegfried - also known as Sigurd - is a folk hero responsible for slaying the dragon Fafnir. He forms interesting parallels to both King Arthur and Achilles, in that he is part of a royalist sect of invulnerable heroes that met their downfall at the hands of a single weakness.
In Fate, Siegfried gives Sieg one half of his life as well as one half of his name - despite his early demise in Fate/Apocrypha, he forms a core part of the homunculus' power.
Lancer
Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is one of the most interesting figures in Romanian history. Famed for his brutal punishments that earned him his self-evident nickname, he inspired the character ofDraculaand remains a fixture in historical storytelling of the darker variety.
Vlad is an interesting character because his real-life fame parallels his status in the Fate series, particularly in Fate/Apocrypha. A national hero in Romania but reviled in other countries, Vlad’s powers adjust according to the beliefs of the people around him. As Fate/Apocrypha largely takes place in his homeland, Vlad enjoys a greater degree of power there.
4Jack The Ripper
Assassin
The Whitechapel district of London is condemned to infamy for its 19th-century serial killings, perpetrated by a mysterious individual dubbed Jack the Ripper. Though based on historical fact, the killer has never been found, and so his media depictions rely largely on imagination.
In the Fate series, Jack the Ripper is portrayed as a brutal and deadly Servant who is considered a wild card. She does not care much for victory, and never properly joins her side in Fate/Apocrypha. Most of her efforts are focused on continuing her killing sprees.
3William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare needs no introduction as he has ubiquitous fame as the greatest English playwright, compulsively haunting literature classes to this day. In the Fate series, he takes on a supporting role, preferring to weave stories about the conflict rather than seek the Holy Grail himself.
Amusingly - and unsurprisingly - the character of Caster, based on the playwright of the same name, is given to dramatic turns of phrase. He is able to trap his enemies in illusions borne of their hopes and his vivid imagination. Shakespeare remains an enigma to the end, much like his real-life counterpart.
2Achilles
Rider
Though his role in The Iliad verges on antagonistic, as expected with the poetHomer’s layered storytelling, Achilles is the most popular and beloved champion of the Trojan War. The actual historical basis of Troy is murky, but the character of Achilles captures everyone’s imaginations nonetheless.
The Fate series expands Achilles' characterization by deeming him the pupil of Chiron, a Greek centaur. The two fight an honourable duel in Fate/Apocrypha, with Achilles emerging the victor, at the expense of having his weak point - the ever-irksome heel - exposed and his immortality vanquished.
1Astolfo
Astolfo’s popularity has given impetus to academic studies investigating how pop culture reincarnations can surpass the fame of actual historical figures, with the phenomenon being dubbed the Astolfo effect. This is due to the character’s explosive popularity following the airing of the Fate/Apocrypha anime series.
A fictional knight in the French king Charlemagne’s service, Astolfo’s anime reimagining retains his characteristics of loyalty and kind-heartedness. He is Sieg’s first friend and remains one of his closest allies throughout the Greater Grail War.
