Hey guys! Ever wondered who actually managed to snag the Holy Grail in the Fate universe? It’s a question that pops up a lot, given the complex storylines and multiple timelines. Let's dive into this fascinating topic and untangle some of the mysteries surrounding the Grail War. This article aims to explore the different scenarios and characters involved in the quest for the Holy Grail across various Fate series, clarifying who ultimately achieved this coveted prize.

Understanding the Holy Grail in Fate

Before we get into who nabbed the Holy Grail, let's quickly recap what it is and why everyone's so hyped about it. In the Fate universe, the Holy Grail is not just some shiny cup. It's a powerful artifact capable of granting wishes. This wish-granting ability is what fuels the intense battles known as the Holy Grail Wars, where mages and their summoned Heroic Spirits (Servants) fight to the death. The Grail selects a winner, and theoretically, grants their deepest desire. However, things are rarely that straightforward. The Grail is often corrupted or influenced by outside forces, leading to twisted or unintended outcomes. The mechanics and rules of the Holy Grail War can also vary depending on the specific timeline or setting within the Fate franchise, adding further complexity. Understanding these basics is crucial to appreciating the significance of who ultimately claims the Grail in each story. Now that we've set the stage, let's look at some of the key figures and events in the Fate series, focusing on those who came closest to obtaining the Holy Grail or actually succeeded.

Fate/stay night: A Multifaceted Outcome

Okay, so Fate/stay night is where a lot of us started our Fate journey, and it has multiple routes, each with its own winner (sort of). Let's break it down. In the Fate route, Saber (Artoria Pendragon) is the central figure. While she fights fiercely for the Grail, her main goal isn't necessarily to use its wish-granting power for herself. Instead, she wants to undo her past decision to become King of Britain, believing that her rule led to its downfall. However, by the end of the Fate route, Saber realizes the error in her thinking and accepts her past. Ultimately, she destroys the Holy Grail with Excalibur, preventing its corrupted power from being unleashed. So, in this route, no one truly claims the Grail; it's destroyed before a wish can be made. The Unlimited Blade Works route focuses on Rin Tohsaka and Archer (another version of Shirou Emiya from the future). This route delves into Shirou's ideals of becoming a hero of justice. By the end, Shirou confronts Archer and reaffirms his commitment to his ideals, despite understanding the immense sacrifices it entails. The Holy Grail is once again destroyed, this time by Shirou and Rin working together, preventing its use and averting a potential catastrophe. Again, no one successfully claims the Grail to fulfill a wish. Lastly, the Heaven's Feel route is the darkest and most complex of the three. It centers on Sakura Matou and her connection to the Holy Grail. Sakura becomes corrupted by the Grail's power and transforms into Dark Sakura, a destructive force. In this route, the focus shifts from winning the Grail War to saving Sakura from her fate. Ultimately, Shirou, with the help of his allies, manages to defeat Dark Sakura and destroy the Grail. While Sakura is arguably the closest to using the Grail in this route, it's a corrupted version, and the outcome is far from a traditional wish fulfillment. So, in Fate/stay night, the Holy Grail is more of a catalyst for character development and conflict resolution than a prize to be won. No one truly claims it in the conventional sense; it's either destroyed or its influence is overcome.

Fate/Zero: The Tragedy Unfolds

Now, let's jump into Fate/Zero, the prequel to Fate/stay night. This is where things get even more tragic. The Fourth Holy Grail War is a brutal affair filled with betrayal, despair, and shattered ideals. In this war, Kiritsugu Emiya, Shirou's adopted father, is the central figure. He's a ruthless pragmatist who believes in sacrificing the few to save the many. Kiritsugu wins the Holy Grail War, but his wish is twisted in the most horrifying way possible. He wishes for world peace, but the Grail, corrupted by Angra Mainyu (All the World's Evil), interprets this wish as the extermination of all but a few individuals. Kiritsugu witnesses a vision of countless people being slaughtered, realizing the futility and horror of his methods. The Grail then unleashes a torrent of curses and evil energy, causing a massive fire that destroys a large part of Fuyuki City. This event is what Shirou experiences as a child, leading to his adoption by Kiritsugu. So, in Fate/Zero, Kiritsugu technically wins the Holy Grail War, but his wish is twisted into a nightmare. He doesn't claim the Grail in the sense of achieving his desired outcome; instead, he becomes a victim of its corruption. The Holy Grail in Fate/Zero serves as a stark warning about the dangers of blindly pursuing ideals and the corrupting influence of power.

Fate/Apocrypha: A Different Kind of War

Fate/Apocrypha presents a different take on the Holy Grail War, with two factions battling for control of the Greater Grail. This war involves a large number of Servants and Masters, creating a chaotic and complex battlefield. In Fate/Apocrypha, Shirou Kotomine (Amakusa Shirou Tokisada) is the main antagonist. He seeks to use the Holy Grail to materialize everyone's souls into physical bodies, creating a world free from suffering and death. However, his methods are extreme and involve forcibly altering humanity's existence. Ultimately, Ruler (Jeanne d'Arc) and Sieg (a homunculus who becomes a Servant) team up to stop Shirou Kotomine. Sieg, using the power of the Holy Grail, transforms into a dragon and flies the Greater Grail to the Reverse Side of the World, preventing its use and foiling Shirou Kotomine's plan. So, in Fate/Apocrypha, Shirou Kotomine comes closest to claiming the Holy Grail, but his ambitions are thwarted. The Grail is ultimately removed from the world, preventing its misuse. While no one truly wins in the traditional sense, the world is saved from Shirou Kotomine's radical vision.

Fate/Grand Order: A Multiverse of Possibilities

Fate/Grand Order takes the Holy Grail concept to a whole new level, exploring multiple singularities and lostbelts across time and space. In this massive storyline, the Holy Grail appears in various forms and serves different purposes. The protagonist, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and their companions travel through these different timelines, resolving conflicts and preventing the destruction of humanity. In many of these singularities, the Holy Grail is a key element, either as a source of power, a catalyst for conflict, or a means of restoring order. However, the focus is less on claiming the Grail and more on using its power to fix the anomalies and save the world. In some cases, the Grail is destroyed, while in others, its power is harnessed for good. The concept of the Holy Grail in Fate/Grand Order is more fluid and adaptable, reflecting the game's episodic nature and vast scope. So, while the Holy Grail plays a crucial role in Fate/Grand Order, it's not always about who claims it. The emphasis is on how its power is used and the consequences of its use.

Conclusion: The Elusive Grail

So, who actually gets their hands on the Holy Grail in Fate? The answer, as you might have guessed, is complicated. In many cases, the Grail is destroyed or its power is averted before anyone can make a wish. In others, the Grail's power is twisted, leading to unintended consequences. And in some instances, the Grail is simply a means to an end, a tool to be used for a greater purpose. The Fate universe is all about exploring the complexities of human desires, the corrupting influence of power, and the sacrifices we make for our ideals. The Holy Grail is a symbol of these themes, a reminder that the pursuit of our dreams can sometimes lead us down dark paths. So, next time you're pondering who won the Holy Grail War, remember that the real victory might not be in claiming the Grail, but in overcoming its challenges and staying true to your beliefs. Whether it's Saber's acceptance of her past, Kiritsugu's tragic realization, or Shirou's unwavering commitment to his ideals, the Fate series teaches us that the journey is just as important as the destination. And who knows, maybe one day we'll see a Fate story where someone actually gets a happy ending with the Holy Grail. But until then, we can enjoy the drama, the action, and the endless possibilities of the Fate universe.