Summary
- Fate/Samurai Remnant introduces a hidden war in the Edo Period of Japan, with players controlling swordsman Miyamoto Iori as he battles other Master-Servant pairs for the ultimate prize.
- The game continues the Fate tradition of a deeper narrative, exploring the motivations and relationships between Masters and their Servants, while also incorporating the excitement of speculating Servant identities.
- The article presents fan theories on the identities of specific Servant Classes in the game, such as Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Assassin, Berserker, Caster, and the new category of Rogue Servants.
A different look into the Edo Period is revealed in Fate/Samurai Remnant, with the Waxing Moon Ritual beginning a secret conflict in Japan with the ultimate wish on the line. Players of Fate/Samurai Remnant take control of swordsman Miyamoto Iori as he’s plunged deep into this hidden war, with his status as the Master of the mysterious Saber forcing him to fight six other Master-Servant pairs also eyeing the prize.
The game hints at continuing the Fate tradition of a deeper narrative involving not just the motivations of Masters but their relationships with their Servants. Moreover, the Type-Moon title doesn’t skip out on one of the more exciting parts of a Grail War before the release of the Fate game - in that speculating Servant identities has become just as exciting as unraveling the plot itself. Thankfully, Fate fans covered this mystery with theories about which historical or mythical figures hide behind their Servant Class.
9 Saber Theory: Yamato Takeru
The Saber Class in Samurai Remnant not being an immediate Saberface is a surprise for Type-Moon fans, but subtle Saberface-esque traits such as the ahoge (exaggerated cowlick) and the tomboyish attitude still exist in her design. If the Saber in this Fate game isn’t an immediate visual lookalike of the original Saber, Artoria Pendragon, then perhaps her identity is that of a close equivalent? This reasoning led to the theory of Yamato Takeru as the one bearing the mantle of the Saber Class.
After an enemy gives Prince Takeru the name that translates to “The Brave of Yamato,” the hero embarks on various adventures throughout ancient Japan. He’s the notable wielder of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, an Excalibur-esque sword of legend previously owned by Sun Goddess Amaterasu and originally found inside the serpent Yamata-no-Orochi by Storm God Susanoo.
8 Archer Theory: Hou Yi
Established to be more “master-of-arms” and not just the bow, the Archer Class in the Fate games have comprised of both traditional archers and its fair share of weapon masters. Fans surmise that the new Fate game’s Archer may be a traditional hunter of Chinese origin with a lunar theme based on the trailer.
In Chinese mythology, this is a role fitting for Huo Yi. Known as “Lord Archer,” Huo Yi is known for shooting down nine suns to stop them from scorching the Earth. While proclaimed as a hero-king, Huo Yi became a tyrant to the first people. To stop Huo Yi from being cruel to others for eternity, his wife Chang’e, who became the Goddess of the Moon, drank an elixir of immortality meant for Huo Yi.
7 Lancer Theory: Claude Des Armoises
In the lore, it was the selflessness of Jeanne d’Arc and her mannerisms as a Saint that proven her worthy of the special Ruler Class that ordinarily presided over the Holy Grail War. After Jeanne’s historic death, a grieving Gilles de Rais used the Holy Grail to create his own version of Jeanne filled with vengeance and a hatred for god and humanity, resulting in the edgier Jeanne Alter of the Avenger Class.
Interestingly, eagle-eyed fan have already noticed things amiss with the Fate game’s Lancer, who on the surface looks suspiciously like Jeanne Alter. Aside from missing the ahoge that defined Jeanne as a Saberface, the Lancer’s more “human” appearance versus Jeanne Alter’s iconic smug ghost-pale look implies there’s more than meets the eye. Fans surmised Lancer Jeanne could be Claude deds Armoises, one of the women who impersonated Jeanne d’Arc after her death.
6 Rider Theory: Takeda Shingen
The Rider Class in the Fate franchise pertained to two types of people: a notable “rider” of a vehicle, or someone known for their unwavering conviction. Such is the type of Servant that the likes of Yui Shosetsu needs, as this Master in the upcoming Fate game may be the same historical scholar-ronin who led the failed Keian Uprising that led to his death - the occurrence of which may happen in the events of Samurai Remnant’s Waxing Moon Ritual.
Aside from following-through with the trend of a normal-looking Berserker and a rather edgy tank of a Rider, the obvious inclusion of the Takeda emblem may have this Heroic Spirit as Takeda Shingen, one of the greatest warlords in the Sengoku Period. However, others state that a twist might be on the way, as Shingen is known for wearing red armor and not black. If this visual detail is correct, then an alternate consideration could be Takeda Katsuyori, Shingen’s successor.
5 Assassin Theory: Koga Saburo
It’s the presence of Dorotha Coyett, the Master of the unnamed Assassin Class Servant, that may prove the Mage’s Association’s interest in Japan’s Waxing Moon Ritual. However, despite fans knowing Dorothea is a part of the Clock Tower branch of the Association, not much is known about Assassin except for on-brand ninja garb, extendable limbs, and an association with Yamata-no-Orochi. However, Fate fans may only need this information to theorize Koga Saburo as the likely alter ego of Assassin.
Known as the hero of the Koga region, Koga Saburo overcame various trials after being trapped in a cave by his jealous brother. Upon leaving the cave, he was transformed into a snake and would’ve stayed like this forever had it not been for divine intervention. Where Koga Saburo becomes interesting is how the Mochizuki Clan refers to him as their founder, with him being the very warrior who taught them the unconventional fighting methods that would become ninjutsu. And in like with how Dorothea represents the deeper Fate meta-narrative, Koga’s ability that transforms him into a snake may have been the very “curse” possessed by Mochizuki Chiyome, also an Assassin in Fate/Grand Order.
4 Berserker Theory: Miyamoto Musashi
It’s no surprise that a game set in Sengoku Period Japan like Samurai Remnant would include Miyamoto Musashi, perhaps the most iconic swordsman to ever exist. However, certain things startle fans of Fate games with this reveal. First, Miyamoto Musashi’s skill with the blade almost always associates her with the sword-toting Saber Class. Secondly, after her heroic sacrifice at the events of the Atlantic Lostbelt (Lostbelt 5), she technically couldn’t be summoned in a Holy Grail War anymore.
Thanks to her Heavenly Eye, Miyamoto can look at “possibilities” and focus on a singular outcome, an ability that lets her travel worlds. On that note, Miyamoto Berserker could be an example of an Innocent Monster, a phenomenon where Servants manifest as rumor-empowered versions of themselves. Miyamoto could be a Berserker due to rumors of his ruthlessness in real life, just like how rumors of Antonio Salieri being a killer turned him into an Avenger.
3 Caster Theory: Ikkyu Sojun
With only a silhouette and nothing else to go on, Fate enthusiasts think Caster of Samurai Remnant may fulfill the stereotype of being one of the eventual main antagonists in the Waxing Moon Ritual. The Caster silhouette bearing some resemblance to existing Rider Taigong Wang might hint at another Class variant, courtesy of the historical figure having a number of aliases.
The trend of Caster being military strategists could also point towards other notable Chinese tacticians such as Lu Xun or Jia Xu. It’s also speculated that Caster may be Ikkyu Sojun, an eccentric Zen Buddhist monk known for his anti-celibate stance on the religion. Some state Caster may be Jigoku Dayu or Hell Courtesan, a student of Ikkyu’s who also became the inspiration of Kiara Sessyoin, the Master of Caster in Fate/Extra CCC.
2 Rogue Berserker Theory: Samson
The newest Fate/Samurai Remnant trailer reveals yet another slate of Servants called Rogue Servants, quite unike other titles such as Fate/Grand Order but more similar to multiple Servant rosters like in Fate/Apocrypha. While not much is revealed about this Rogue Berserker and his role in the story, fans immediately theorized this Servant as Samson due to his overall design motif.
The man possesses long green hair, a rather jacked body, and prevalent fisticuffs. These design elements all point towards Samson, an Israelite judge from the Book of Judges known for his immense strength that would only be lost by cutting his long hair. Such was his strength that he’s often compared to Gilgamesh of the Sumerians as well as Hercules of the Greeks.
1 Rogue Saber Theory: Minamoto Yoshinaka
Accompanying Cu Chulainn (Rogue Lancer), Arjuna (Rogue Archer), and Tamamo Aria (Rogue Rider) is this Rogue Saber who is adamant in chasing a demon throughout the Waxing Moon Ritual. Fans speculate that his penchant for the sunburst motif may imply some connection to Minamoto Yoshinaka.
Already a fabled samuruai, Yoshinaka also stars in "The Tale of Heike," which studies the philosophies of the samurai and the buddhist in a tale of war. Part of the theory-crafting towards Yoshinaka is partly due to the chosen aesthetic, as predominantly white armor and red details is also a motif this Servant shares with the Tomoe Gozen, who historically served under Yoshinaka and appears in Grand Order as a Servant under the Archer Class.
Fate/Samurai Remnant is slated for an international release on September 29, 2023, for the PS4, PS5, Steam, and Nintendo Switch