TV-Series
Description
In the anime Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, the Servant summoned under the class of Assassin is an anomalous figure, both in terms of his origin and his role in the Holy Grail War. His true name is Sasaki Kojirou, a legendary Japanese swordsman, though he is, in fact, an "imaginary heroic spirit." He is not a true hero from the Throne of Heroes but rather a wraith, an anonymous master swordsman who perfectly fits the legend of Sasaki Kojirou and was summoned to fill that role. His summoning is highly irregular, performed not by a human Master, but by another Servant, Caster, who exploited a loophole in the Holy Grail War's rules. The catalyst used was the gate of the Ryuudou Temple, which binds him to that location, forcing him to act as its permanent guardian. He cannot leave the temple's immediate vicinity, a restriction that defines his entire participation in the conflict.
In terms of appearance, Assassin is a tall, lean man standing at 176 centimeters with a notably handsome and refined countenance, often described as one of the most beautiful characters in the series. He has long, dark blue hair tied into a high ponytail with a purple ribbon. He wears a traditional Japanese outfit consisting of a purple kimono and a sleeveless, dark blue coat over it, along with matching purple arm guards and shin guards. He is almost always seen carrying his primary weapon, a nodachi (a very long Japanese greatsword) named Monohoshi Zao, which is over 150 centimeters in length and nearly as tall as he is.
Assassin's personality is a study in sharp contrasts, perfectly befitting his class and his unorthodox nature. He is consistently calm, reserved, and almost eerily stoic, rarely showing any signs of distress, pain, or excitement. This composure stems from his lifelong dedication to the way of the sword, having achieved a state of mental clarity known as "透化" (Vitrification), which grants him a heart as clear and unmoved as a still lake, immune to mental interference and the chaos of emotion. He is a man of great aesthetic appreciation, finding deep pleasure in the beauty of flowers, birds, wind, and the moon, often speaking in a refined, poetic manner. He is a true samurai at heart, valuing honor, fair combat, and the art of the duel above all else. Despite his Assassin class, which implies stealth and underhanded tactics, he despises such methods and almost always challenges his opponents to a direct, face-to-face fight. This is reflected in his low rank of "Presence Concealment," which is not for sneaking but is rather a spiritual technique of blending into his surroundings, a byproduct of his martial arts mastery.
His motivations are refreshingly simple and pure within the complex scheming of the Holy Grail War. He has absolutely no interest in the Holy Grail itself or in granting a wish. His sole driving desire is to test his sword against worthy opponents. Having spent his entire life in solitude, perfecting his technique, he craves the thrill of a serious duel with a fellow master of the blade. He sees his role as a gatekeeper not as a chore, but as a perfect opportunity to encounter and battle powerful warriors. His relationship with his summoner, Caster, is one of tense mutual utility rather than partnership. He openly dislikes her, referring to her sarcastically as a "vixen," and he frequently disobeys or mocks her commands. In turn, she treats him as a disposable asset, a tool to guard her base, and punishes his insolence with magical torture. He is far more loyal to his self-imposed duty as the gate's defender than to his actual Master.
Within the story of Unlimited Blade Works, Assassin's role is that of a formidable obstacle. Stationed at the gates of the Ryuudou Temple, he serves as the first and most persistent line of defense for Caster's stronghold. He successfully repels multiple Servants who attempt to infiltrate the temple, most notably engaging in a legendary sword fight with Saber. This duel is a highlight of the narrative, as it is a pure clash of ideals and skill between two master swordsmen, which Assassin enjoys immensely. He is a supporting antagonist whose primary function is to demonstrate the peak of human martial prowess, separate from the magical powers and Noble Phantasms that define most other Servants. His development is subtle but poignant; he never undergoes a radical change in personality but instead finds a form of quiet fulfillment. His final confrontation with Saber, where his sword is bent and he is defeated, is not a moment of tragedy but of peaceful acceptance. He has fought his ultimate duel and, having lost, fades away with a calm sense of satisfaction, his purpose fulfilled.
Assassin's key relationships are few but significant. His dynamic with Caster is one of antagonistic dependency. He holds a deep, silent respect for Saber, recognizing her as a kindred spirit and a truly worthy adversary. Their mutual respect is palpable, and she is one of the few opponents who can match his skill. He has no proper Master to anchor him, making his existence reliant on the temple gate and, by extension, Caster's continued presence. He also holds a detached curiosity about other powerful Servants like Lancer and Archer, hoping to test his blade against them as well.
Assassin's true power lies not in a legendary armament or magical energy, but in the sheer, impossible peak of his swordsmanship. He is an anomaly among Servants as he possesses no true Noble Phantasm. Instead, his ultimate technique, the "秘剣・燕返し" (Hiken: Tsubame Gaeshi, or "Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal"), is a skill that has reached the realm of True Magic through relentless, inhuman dedication. This technique is a three-dimensional "multi-refraction phenomenon" that allows him to strike the same target from three different angles simultaneously, effectively creating a cage of sword slashes that is impossible to block or evade through normal means. It was originally devised to cut down a swift swallow in flight, surpassing the limitations of speed and physics to achieve three perfectly concurrent strikes. His parameters reflect his focused nature, with an exceptional rank of A+ in Agility and A in Luck, but very low ranks in Endurance (E) and Mana (E), highlighting his nature as a glass-cannon duelist. His other skills, such as "心眼 (偽)" (Eye of the Mind, False) at rank A, grant him a near-precognitive sixth sense in combat, and "宗和の心得" (Mun'enori no Kokoroe) ensures that his attacks never become predictable, no matter how many times an opponent faces him. He is, without question, one of the most terrifyingly skilled pure swordsmen in the entire Holy Grail War, a man who defied the gods and reality itself through the sheer force of his mortal will.
In terms of appearance, Assassin is a tall, lean man standing at 176 centimeters with a notably handsome and refined countenance, often described as one of the most beautiful characters in the series. He has long, dark blue hair tied into a high ponytail with a purple ribbon. He wears a traditional Japanese outfit consisting of a purple kimono and a sleeveless, dark blue coat over it, along with matching purple arm guards and shin guards. He is almost always seen carrying his primary weapon, a nodachi (a very long Japanese greatsword) named Monohoshi Zao, which is over 150 centimeters in length and nearly as tall as he is.
Assassin's personality is a study in sharp contrasts, perfectly befitting his class and his unorthodox nature. He is consistently calm, reserved, and almost eerily stoic, rarely showing any signs of distress, pain, or excitement. This composure stems from his lifelong dedication to the way of the sword, having achieved a state of mental clarity known as "透化" (Vitrification), which grants him a heart as clear and unmoved as a still lake, immune to mental interference and the chaos of emotion. He is a man of great aesthetic appreciation, finding deep pleasure in the beauty of flowers, birds, wind, and the moon, often speaking in a refined, poetic manner. He is a true samurai at heart, valuing honor, fair combat, and the art of the duel above all else. Despite his Assassin class, which implies stealth and underhanded tactics, he despises such methods and almost always challenges his opponents to a direct, face-to-face fight. This is reflected in his low rank of "Presence Concealment," which is not for sneaking but is rather a spiritual technique of blending into his surroundings, a byproduct of his martial arts mastery.
His motivations are refreshingly simple and pure within the complex scheming of the Holy Grail War. He has absolutely no interest in the Holy Grail itself or in granting a wish. His sole driving desire is to test his sword against worthy opponents. Having spent his entire life in solitude, perfecting his technique, he craves the thrill of a serious duel with a fellow master of the blade. He sees his role as a gatekeeper not as a chore, but as a perfect opportunity to encounter and battle powerful warriors. His relationship with his summoner, Caster, is one of tense mutual utility rather than partnership. He openly dislikes her, referring to her sarcastically as a "vixen," and he frequently disobeys or mocks her commands. In turn, she treats him as a disposable asset, a tool to guard her base, and punishes his insolence with magical torture. He is far more loyal to his self-imposed duty as the gate's defender than to his actual Master.
Within the story of Unlimited Blade Works, Assassin's role is that of a formidable obstacle. Stationed at the gates of the Ryuudou Temple, he serves as the first and most persistent line of defense for Caster's stronghold. He successfully repels multiple Servants who attempt to infiltrate the temple, most notably engaging in a legendary sword fight with Saber. This duel is a highlight of the narrative, as it is a pure clash of ideals and skill between two master swordsmen, which Assassin enjoys immensely. He is a supporting antagonist whose primary function is to demonstrate the peak of human martial prowess, separate from the magical powers and Noble Phantasms that define most other Servants. His development is subtle but poignant; he never undergoes a radical change in personality but instead finds a form of quiet fulfillment. His final confrontation with Saber, where his sword is bent and he is defeated, is not a moment of tragedy but of peaceful acceptance. He has fought his ultimate duel and, having lost, fades away with a calm sense of satisfaction, his purpose fulfilled.
Assassin's key relationships are few but significant. His dynamic with Caster is one of antagonistic dependency. He holds a deep, silent respect for Saber, recognizing her as a kindred spirit and a truly worthy adversary. Their mutual respect is palpable, and she is one of the few opponents who can match his skill. He has no proper Master to anchor him, making his existence reliant on the temple gate and, by extension, Caster's continued presence. He also holds a detached curiosity about other powerful Servants like Lancer and Archer, hoping to test his blade against them as well.
Assassin's true power lies not in a legendary armament or magical energy, but in the sheer, impossible peak of his swordsmanship. He is an anomaly among Servants as he possesses no true Noble Phantasm. Instead, his ultimate technique, the "秘剣・燕返し" (Hiken: Tsubame Gaeshi, or "Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal"), is a skill that has reached the realm of True Magic through relentless, inhuman dedication. This technique is a three-dimensional "multi-refraction phenomenon" that allows him to strike the same target from three different angles simultaneously, effectively creating a cage of sword slashes that is impossible to block or evade through normal means. It was originally devised to cut down a swift swallow in flight, surpassing the limitations of speed and physics to achieve three perfectly concurrent strikes. His parameters reflect his focused nature, with an exceptional rank of A+ in Agility and A in Luck, but very low ranks in Endurance (E) and Mana (E), highlighting his nature as a glass-cannon duelist. His other skills, such as "心眼 (偽)" (Eye of the Mind, False) at rank A, grant him a near-precognitive sixth sense in combat, and "宗和の心得" (Mun'enori no Kokoroe) ensures that his attacks never become predictable, no matter how many times an opponent faces him. He is, without question, one of the most terrifyingly skilled pure swordsmen in the entire Holy Grail War, a man who defied the gods and reality itself through the sheer force of his mortal will.