Hey, Fate fans! Ever wondered who actually got their hands on the Holy Grail in the Fate universe? It's a question that sparks a lot of debate, given the multiple timelines and different outcomes across the Fate series. Let’s dive into the specifics and break down exactly who managed to snag the Grail, and under what circumstances. Buckle up, because this is going to be a wild ride through the intricacies of the Fate storyline.

Understanding the Holy Grail War

Before we jump into who won, let's quickly recap what the Holy Grail War is all about. The Holy Grail War is essentially a battle royale among mages, each summoning heroic spirits (Servants) to fight for them. The ultimate prize? The Holy Grail, a wish-granting device that can fulfill any desire. Of course, things are never that simple, and the Grail often turns out to be more trouble than it’s worth. The Fate series, originating from the visual novel Fate/stay night, presents multiple routes, each with its own winner and unique ending. This means that the question of who obtains the Holy Grail doesn't have a single, straightforward answer. Instead, it depends heavily on which story you're looking at. Understanding this context is crucial before we delve into specific characters and scenarios. The Grail's corrupted nature, its capacity for both immense power and catastrophic consequences, adds layers of complexity to each narrative, making the pursuit of the Grail a high-stakes gamble for all involved. Each route explores different facets of the Grail's influence and the moral compromises characters make in their quest for ultimate power. This makes the Fate universe so compelling—it's not just about winning, but about the cost of victory.

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works

In the Unlimited Blade Works route, the story focuses heavily on Shirou Emiya and his complex relationship with Archer, who is essentially a future version of himself. The ending of this route sees Shirou choosing his own ideals and path, separate from the corrupted desires associated with the Grail. Rin Tohsaka, his ally and romantic interest, plays a crucial role in supporting Shirou's decisions. Instead of any character truly 'claiming' the Holy Grail, it is ultimately destroyed, preventing its corrupting influence from affecting the world. Shirou realizes that the true value lies not in the Grail's power, but in the journey and the bonds formed along the way. This decision marks a significant turning point for Shirou, as he consciously rejects the lure of easy solutions and embraces the arduous path of a hero who saves people through his own strength and conviction. Rin's presence is pivotal, acting as both a grounding force and a source of encouragement, helping Shirou navigate the moral complexities of their situation. The destruction of the Grail in Unlimited Blade Works symbolizes a victory over the flawed system that perpetuates the Holy Grail Wars, emphasizing the importance of individual agency and moral responsibility. The Unlimited Blade Works route deviates from the other narratives by prioritizing personal growth and the rejection of corrupt power, highlighting the themes of identity, purpose, and the consequences of one's choices.

Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel

The Heaven's Feel route takes a darker turn, focusing on Sakura Matou and her deep connection to Shirou. In this route, the Holy Grail is heavily corrupted, manifesting as Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of all the world's evil. Sakura herself becomes a vessel for this corruption, turning into a dangerous and tragic figure. The route explores themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Unlike other routes where the Grail is a prize to be won, in Heaven's Feel, it becomes a source of immense suffering and destruction. Illyasviel von Einzbern plays a crucial role in the final confrontation, ultimately sacrificing herself to stop the corrupted Grail. Her sacrifice is pivotal in preventing Angra Mainyu from fully manifesting and destroying the world. Shirou, with the help of Rider, fights against Sakura, trying to save her from the darkness consuming her. The Heaven's Feel route diverges significantly from the other routes, presenting a complex moral landscape where the characters are forced to make impossible choices. The story delves into the psychological trauma and emotional burdens of its characters, showcasing the devastating impact of the Holy Grail War on their lives. The focus shifts from winning the Grail to surviving its consequences and finding a way to alleviate the suffering it causes. This route challenges the traditional heroic ideals, presenting a nuanced perspective on the nature of good and evil.

Fate/stay night: Fate

The Fate route, also known as the Saber route, centers around Shirou Emiya's bond with Saber (Artoria Pendragon). In this route, the Holy Grail is not truly obtained by anyone in a satisfying way. While Saber does destroy the Grail at the end, it's more of a bittersweet resolution rather than a triumphant victory. The Grail is revealed to be tainted and incapable of granting wishes without causing harm. Saber's primary goal is to undo her own past actions and prevent her kingdom from falling, but she ultimately realizes that her wish cannot be granted without causing further suffering. The destruction of the Grail marks the end of her contract with Shirou, allowing her to return to her own time and find peace. This ending underscores the futility of seeking salvation through external means and emphasizes the importance of accepting one's own history. Shirou's role in this route is to support Saber and help her come to terms with her past, rather than to pursue the Grail for his own desires. The Fate route explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the burden of leadership, highlighting the emotional toll on Saber as she grapples with her legacy. The relationship between Shirou and Saber is central to this route, showcasing the power of companionship and mutual support in overcoming personal struggles. The tainted nature of the Grail serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking shortcuts to happiness and the importance of confronting one's own flaws and regrets.

Fate/Zero: The Prelude to Disaster

Fate/Zero, a prequel to Fate/stay night, sets the stage for the events of the original series. In this story, the Holy Grail War is even more brutal and morally ambiguous. At the end of Fate/Zero, the Grail is not obtained in a usable state. Instead, it becomes corrupted and spills out a torrent of evil, setting the stage for the events of Heaven's Feel. Kiritsugu Emiya, Shirou's adoptive father, attempts to use the Grail to create world peace but is horrified by the twisted way it grants wishes. The Grail's corruption is fully revealed, showing that it can only grant wishes through destruction and sacrifice. Kiritsugu is forced to destroy the Grail, but not before it contaminates the world with its evil. This failure deeply affects Kiritsugu, shaping his ideals and ultimately leading to his death. The events of Fate/Zero highlight the dangers of blindly pursuing ideals without considering the consequences. The corrupted Grail becomes a symbol of the flawed system of the Holy Grail Wars and the impossibility of achieving true salvation through external means. The story explores themes of despair, disillusionment, and the loss of innocence, showcasing the devastating impact of war on its participants. The characters in Fate/Zero are driven by their own desires and motivations, but they are ultimately trapped by the corrupting influence of the Grail. This prequel adds layers of complexity to the Fate universe, providing context for the events of Fate/stay night and exploring the deeper themes of the series.

Other Fate Series and Spin-offs

The Fate universe extends far beyond the original Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero, with numerous spin-offs and alternate timelines. In many of these stories, the Holy Grail appears in different forms and contexts, with varying outcomes. For example, in Fate/Apocrypha, the Holy Grail War is a grand-scale conflict between two factions, each with seven Servants. The Grail's fate is tied to the ambitions of the various Masters and Servants involved, leading to a complex and unpredictable conclusion. In Fate/Grand Order, the player travels through different singularities to correct anomalies in history, often encountering corrupted versions of the Holy Grail. These singularities present unique challenges and require the player to assemble a team of Servants to restore order. The concept of the Holy Grail is constantly reinterpreted and reimagined in these spin-offs, reflecting the diverse and ever-expanding nature of the Fate universe. Each story explores different aspects of the Grail's power and its potential for both good and evil. The characters in these spin-offs are often faced with difficult choices and moral dilemmas, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions. The Fate series continues to evolve and captivate fans with its intricate lore, compelling characters, and endless possibilities.

So, who actually gets the Holy Grail in Fate? The answer isn't so simple. It depends on which route or series you're looking at. Sometimes it's destroyed, sometimes it's corrupted, and sometimes it's used in ways that are far from what anyone intended. The Fate universe is all about exploring these different possibilities and the complex moral choices that characters face when confronted with ultimate power. Keep exploring, Fate fans, and you'll find that the journey is just as rewarding as the destination!