Kirei Kotomine
A priest without faith who seeks the void within his own soul.
Kirei Kotomine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of Fate, a dark fantasy series created by the Japanese developer and publisher Type-Moon. He was introduced in the first Fate game as the appointed overseer of the 5th Holy Grail War and later appears as a participant in the 4th Holy Grail War in the prequel Fate/Zero. He forms a contract with Assassin and works together with his mentor, Tokiomi Tohsaka, during the 4th Holy Grail War. Later, he would betray and kill Tokiomi and form his own contract with his servant, Gilgamesh. Prior to the 5th Holy Grail War, he confiscates the contract of Lancer when he deals a fatal wound to Bazett Fraga McRemitz. He is an expert practitioner in Bajiquan, and has numerous Command Seals.
- Role
- Antagonist / Master
- First Appearance
- Fate/stay night (Visual Novel)
- Servant Class
- Master
Lore & Background
Kirei Kotomine was conceived by Kinoko Nasu as the overarching antagonist of the Fate franchise. In an interview with Alain Mendez and Mitsuru Uehira of Anime News Network, Japanese writer Gen Urobuchi stated that Kirei's height in the original Fate/Stay Night visual novel was revised for Fate/Zero. Urobuchi regarded Kirei as the "last boss" of Fate/Stay Night. While Nasu had said that his strength came from his tenacity and numerous Command Seals. Urobuchi expressed that he got a headache from trying to come up with ideas for Kirei in the final climactic battle between him and Kiritsugu. He also explained that he had difficulties when writing about Kirei's Bajiquan. In Japanese, Kirei was voiced by the Japanese voice actor Jouji Nakata, while in the series' English dub, Kirei was voiced by Crispin Freeman. In an interview, Nakata noted that the scene in Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower where Kirei ate mapo tofu at a Chinese restaurant "had an impact on fans of the original work" who "loved" the character.
In Their Own Story
In Fate/Stay Night, which takes place in 2004, Kirei is depicted as the selected overseer of the Holy Grail War; which is a battle between two groups of mages known as Masters and Servants. He serves Tokiomi Tohsaka, who is the father of Rin Tohsaka. He also appears in Fate/Extra and Fate/Grand Order, among others.
Reader's Guide
Kirei Kotomine is a man defined by his lack of inner peace, serving as a dark mirror to the heroic ideals of others. His role shifts from a seemingly helpful mentor to a manipulative orchestrator who pulls strings across multiple timelines. His primary power lies not in magic, but in psychological manipulation and his unique ability to command the Servant Assassin without a traditional contract. He possesses a rare skill that allows him to perceive the inner thoughts of others, making him an unparalleled strategist who exploits the weaknesses of his enemies with surgical precision. Defining moments include his revelation as the true master behind the war's chaos and his confrontation with Shirou Emiya. In some paths, he achieves his goal of feeling 'evil,' while in others, he meets a tragic end that forces him to confront the emptiness he sought to fill.
Did You Know?
- Kirei was conceived by Kinoko Nasu as the overarching antagonist of the Fate franchise.
- In the Type-Moon 10th Anniversary Character Poll taken in 2012, Kirei ranked at number eight.
- In a Manga Tokyo poll from 2018, he was voted the seventh most popular Fate character behind Illyasviel von Einzbern and Gilgamesh.
- In a July 2015 poll, his rivalry with Kiritsugu was voted as the 11th best in the anime series.
- Kirei's voice actor Jouji Nakata noted that the scene in Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower where Kirei ate mapo tofu at a Chinese restaurant 'had an impact on fans of the original work' who 'loved' the character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kirei Kotomine?
Kirei Kotomine serves as the priest of the Fuyuki Church branch and acts as the primary antagonist in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Unlike other Masters, he lacks genuine faith and instead seeks to understand his own inner emptiness by manipulating events from the shadows.
What powers or role does Kirei Kotomine have?
As a Master, he summons the Servant True Assassin (Kai Chisato) and utilizes Command Spells to control her during battle. His true strength lies in his psychological manipulation of other participants rather than raw magical power.
How does Kirei Kotomine's story end?
His fate varies by timeline; he is killed by Shirou Emiya in the Fate route but survives to continue his manipulations in the Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel routes. Ultimately, his journey concludes with a tragic realization of his own nature depending on which path the protagonist takes.
Why is Kirei Kotomine important to the plot?
He is the mastermind who orchestrated the Fifth Holy Grail War to force a confrontation that would allow him to finally feel something beyond his hollow existence. His actions drive the central conflict and directly challenge Shirou Emiya's ideals throughout the narrative.
Does Kirei Kotomine have a Servant?
Yes, he is the Master of True Assassin, who appears as a small girl named Kai Chisato in most adaptations. This Servant specializes in assassination and stealth, perfectly complementing Kirei's strategy of operating unseen.
More in Characters & Servants
Elsewhere in the Fate Stay Night universe
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