Fate/Stay Night: Best Antagonists, Ranked

As a seasoned connoisseur of tales spun from the vivid imaginations of storytellers, I must say that the Fate/Stay Night series has always been a captivating journey through the realms of fantasy and conflict. Among its rich tapestry of characters, there are indeed some truly formidable villains who have left indelible marks on my memory.

Fate/Stay Night narrates the Fifth Holy Grail Contest, where seven masters obtain powerful spirits as servants, engaging in battles against each other to win the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact capable of granting any wish. The main character, Shirou Emiya, initially shuns involvement with the grail, but eventually gathers his courage to intervene and safeguard it from falling into evil hands.

Shirou’s concerns aren’t unfounded. An article of great power like the grail attracts people who would use it for selfish gains and their own goals, which often disregard the lives of others, if not outright harm them. Across his journey and the three routes, Shirou fights multiple antagonists, who threaten him or those he loves.

8 Medusa

A Loyal Servant To Shirou’s Enemies

Fate/Stay Night: Best Antagonists, Ranked

As a devoted admirer, allow me to share my take on this captivating character: I’m referring to the enigmatic Medusa, summoned in the Holy Grail War and serving under Shinji Matou, later shifting allegiance to Sakura Matou (depending on the narrative). This rider-class servant is a formidable combatant who doesn’t shy away from engaging in heated battles with Saber. Though Medusa isn’t inherently malicious, she more often than not finds herself at odds with Shirou.

The outcome of the confrontation with Medusa varies based on the chosen path: In Fate, the Saber eventually overpowers her through an extended fight by employing his noble phantasm. Conversely, in Heaven’s Feel, she allies with Shirou to rescue Sakura from despair, even joining forces as a protagonist.

7 Medea

The Ancient Spirit Devoted To Her Master

Fate/Stay Night: Best Antagonists, Ranked

Much like Medusa, Medea isn’t inherently wicked; instead, she harbors deep affection for her master, Souichirou Kuzuki. Their bond is unwavering, and it transcends the ordinary. However, as a participant in the Holy Grail War, Medea frequently confronts both Shirou and Saber, not out of malice but due to her obligations and allegiances.

One of Medea’s standout actions involves abducting Sakura Matou, which sets off a pursuit by Shirou and Rin. This demonstrates that despite her affectionate nature towards certain individuals, Medea is not hesitant to make difficult choices. She presents a hurdle for the heroes before she meets her end at Gilgamesh’s hands.

6 Dark Saber

A Twisted Reflection Of Saber

Typically, Saber, or Artoria Pendragon, isn’t villainous at all. In fact, she embodies nobility and selflessness, dedicating her strength to uphold justice and shield those under her protection. Yet, there is one significant instance where her narrative veers towards darkness – the Heaven’s Feel storyline.

In the heat of battle, I tragically lose Saber by my side. When she mysteriously reappears later, it’s heart-wrenching to see that she’s been taken over by Sakura Matou – not just mentally, but physically enslaved too. This new, dark version of Saber is now a ruthless enforcer for the corrupted Sakura, acting against her old allies without hesitation. This eventually leads us to a fateful confrontation, as I grapple with the bitter reality that my dear friend has become an adversary in this twisted game.

5 Shinji Matou

A Jealous Magus With A Twisted Streak

In all three storylines, Shinji Matou plays the role of an adversary, although the significance of this character can fluctuate, along with the amount of information disclosed about him. Shinji is the initial Rider’s master, striving to gain his grandfather Zouken’s approval. However, Zouken considers Shinji a disappointment and a weakling, which fuels Shinji’s resentment and jealousy.

In the Fate storyline, Shinji appears as a bold and overconfident master, clashing with Shirou. However, the other two narratives expose his darker side, revealing he teams up with Gilgamesh in Unlimited Blade Works, even willing to harm Rin, while in Heaven’s Feel, it is discovered that he had similarly mistreated Sakura, thus earning him a reputation as an abhorrent antagonist.

4 Sakura Matou

A Tormented Soul Lashing Out

In contrast to Saber, Sakura is usually not portrayed as an adversary. Instead, she functions as a kind and helpful friend towards Shirou. However, outside of the Heaven’s Feel route, she doesn’t get many opportunities to stand out. The Heaven’s Feel storyline delves into the distressing aspects of her past, where Sakura suffered abuse at the hands of Zouken and Shinji. This traumatic history causes her to rely heavily on Shirou’s affection.

A significant portion of the destruction is caused by the Shadow, born from Sakura’s subconscious mind. She doesn’t have control over it, but after defeating Shinji, she merges with this entity and transforms into Dark Sakura, seeking to unleash her anger upon the world following much suffering. However, her tenure as a villain is brief, as fortunately, Sakura manages to free herself from the darkness.

3 Zouken Matou

An Immortal Monster of a Mage

Shinji and Sakura’s repeated transgressions can often be linked to the way they were handled by Zouken Matou, a mage whose thirst for immortality has driven him for years. Zouken treated these children as mere instruments, revealing his self-centered and cruel nature. He employs a distinct form of Mato sorcery to maintain his existence.

In the Heaven’s Feel storyline, he primarily takes part, often engaging in conflicts and attempting to persuade Shirou to act against Sakura, thus assuming the role of the main adversary. Eventually, Zouken is ultimately destroyed, freeing the world from his manipulative influence.

2 Kirei Kotomine

The Manipulative Sociopath

In the story of “Fate/Stay Night”, Kirei is the primary villain who appears across all its routes. Previously, he had crossed swords with Shirou’s foster father, Kiritsugu Emiya, during a past Holy Grail War. Unlike most, Kirei finds little pleasure or contentment in ordinary things; instead, he derives satisfaction from witnessing the pain of others.

In Fate/stay night, I found myself drawn into the Holy Grail War by Kotomine, who seemed fascinated by me due to my connection with Kiritsugu. He could either become a formidable adversary for me to fight against, or a hesitant and temporary ally in the Heaven’s Feel route. Regardless of the path I took, Kotomine ultimately met his end.

1 Gilgamesh

The Cruel, Brutal King Of Heroes

Gilgamesh, in the Fate route, is initially portrayed as a complex character and later transforms into one of the primary adversaries in Unlimited Blade Works. He serves as an ally to Kirei Kotomine and remains from the Fourth Holy Grail war. Saber often encounters him as her main adversary throughout her journey, culminating in their final showdown at its end.

In the realm of Fate/stay night, I, Gilgamesh, am known for my unmatched strength and the terror I instill in others. My arrogance is legendary, and I have no qualms about asserting my dominion over Saber or meting out brutal punishment to those who dare oppose me. Despite my villainous nature, there’s no denying the captivating charisma that makes me a standout among the series’ most unforgettable antagonists.

2024-08-17 08:06