List of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works episodes
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is an anime television series primarily based on the Unlimited Blade Works storyline in the Fate/stay night visual novel, in which Shirou Emiya, a high school student and amateur mage living in Fuyuki City, Japan, is dragged into the Fifth Holy Grail War, a secret magical tournament. In it, seven participants, known as "Masters", and their "Servants", reincarnated personifications of legendary heroes of history, fight in a battle royale for the Holy Grail, an omnipotent magical chalice that can fulfill any wish or desire for its victor. Shirou and his Servant Saber, are forced to team up with Rin Tohsaka, another Master in the Holy Grail War, but Shirou finds himself earning the strong dislike of Rin's mysterious Servant Archer, whose motivations are unknown.
The anime series is jointly produced by Aniplex, Notes, and Ufotable, the same studios that co-produced the 2011–12 anime adaptation for Fate/Zero. It is directed by Takahiro Miura, with music composed by Hideyuki Fukasawa; character designs by Tomonori Sudō, Hisayuki Tabata, and Atsushi Ikariya, based on the original designs by Takashi Takeuchi; and art, 3D, and photography directions by Koji Eto, Kōjirō Shishido, and Yūichi Terao, respectively. The first season ran from October 5 to December 28, 2014. The second season ran from April 5 to June 28, 2015.[1] An advanced screening online premiered ahead of the televised broadcast on September 28, 2014, in several countries across the world, including Japan, the United States, France, Germany and South Korea.[2] The series made its cable broadcast premiere on AXS TV in the United States on February 13, 2025, as part of Web3 company Azuki's Anime.com Hour programming block.[3]
For the first season: the opening theme song is "Ideal White" performed by Mashiro Ayano, while the ending theme song is "Believe" performed by Kalafina. A cover version of "This Illusion" from the original visual novel was used as the ending theme for episode 12, performed by Lisa. For the second season: the opening theme song is "Brave Shine" performed by Aimer, while the ending theme song is "Ring Your Bell" performed by Kalafina. A remix of "Ring Your Bell", titled "Ring Your Bell (In the Silence)", was used as the ending theme for episode 15. "Last Stardust", performed by Aimer, was used as an insert song for episode 20.
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 13[a] | October 5, 2014 | December 28, 2014 | |
| 2 | 13 | April 5, 2015 | June 28, 2015 | |
Episodes
Season 1 (2014)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [4][5] | Directed by [4] | Written by [4] | Animation directed by [4] | Original release date [6] | English air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | "Prologue" Transliteration: "Purorōgu" (Japanese: プロローグ) | Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato | Tomonori Sudō & Hisayuki Tabata | October 5, 2014 | February 13, 2025[3] | |
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Rin Tohsaka awakens from a dream about her late father, Tokiomi. Arriving early at school, she realizes her clocks were mistakenly set an hour ahead. At school, she interacts with several students and staff, including Ayako Mitsuzuri, Sakura and Shinji Matou, Taiga Fujimura, Issei Ryūdō, and Shirou Emiya. That night, Rin prepares for the Fifth Holy Grail War and successfully summons the Servant Archer. Though initially dissatisfied with Rin, Archer is bound into absolute obedience by a Command Seal that Rin impulsively uses, which actually earns her Archer's respect. He also reveals he has no memory of his identity. The next day, Rin skips school to show Archer around the city, revealing she has no wish for the Holy Grail, only a desire to win. The following night, Rin detects a magical barrier forming at school. While attempting to destroy it, she's attacked by the Servant Lancer, prompting Archer to engage him in battle. Archer identifies Lancer as the Irish hero Cú Chulainn. A student witnesses the fight, and Lancer fatally wounds him. Rin discovers the victim is Shirou and revives him with magic. Knowing Lancer will retaliate, Rin and Archer rush to protect Shirou, but are attacked by Saber. | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | "Winter Days, a Fateful Night" Transliteration: "Fuyu no Hi, Unmei no Yoru" (Japanese: 冬の日、運命の夜) | Takuya Nonaka | Kazuharu Sato | Tetsuto Satō & Takayuki Mogi | October 12, 2014 | February 27, 2025 | |
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Shirou is awakened by his friend Sakura and shares breakfast with her and his legal guardian, Taiga. At school, Shirou fixes a heater for Issei. Issei praises Shirou's helpfulness but also warns him about being used by others. On his way back home, Shirou encounters Illyasviel von Einzbern, who urges him to summon a Servant. The next day, Shirou notices a bruise on Sakura's hand and suspects Shinji is abusing her. Ayako notes Shinji's recent aggression, while other students discuss an unrelated murder of a family of four. While visiting the crime scene, Shirou recalls being rescued by Kiritsugu Emiya during a fire a decade earlier. Inspired by Kiritsugu's ideals, Shirou devoted himself towards becoming a hero of justice. That evening, Shirou stays late at school and confronts Shinji, who denies harming Sakura but manipulates Shirou into staying to clean the school's archery dojo. That evening, Shirou witnesses Archer and Lancer fighting. Lancer spots Shirou and fatally stabs him with Gáe Bolg, but Rin revives him. When Lancer attacks him again at his home, Shirou flees to his shed and unknowingly summons Saber. She drives Lancer off, but clashes with Archer until Shirou halts the fight just as Rin reappears. | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Curtain Goes Up" Transliteration: "Kaimaku no Toki" (Japanese: 開幕の刻) | Directed by : Takashi Suhara Storyboarded by : Keiichi Sasajima | Kazuharu Sato | Miyuki Ishizuka, Takuya Aoki & Shizuka Fujisaki | October 19, 2014 | March 13, 2025 | |
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Rin informs Shirou that he has been chosen as a Master in the Holy Grail War and explains the basics of the conflict. When Shirou struggles to grasp the situation, Rin takes him to meet Kirei Kotomine, her legal guardian and the overseer of the war. At a church, Kirei explains that once selected, Masters cannot withdraw. Shirou learns that four previous Holy Grail Wars have occurred, with the most recent ending in tragedy a decade ago. Kirei recounts how an evil Master touched the Grail, triggering the devastating fire that Shirou survived. He also reveals that a good Master had initially won but was rejected by the Grail for refusing to fight, illustrating that noble intentions alone aren't enough. Though hesitant at first, Shirou accepts his role as a Master and agrees to fight alongside Saber in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Meanwhile, Archer advises Rin to attack now that Shirou is a legitimate Master. However, Rin, still feeling indebted to him for saving her life, decides to let him and Saber return home in peace. Their reprieve is however short-lived, as they're soon confronted by Illya, who is revealed to be the Master of the powerful Servant Berserker. | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The First Battle" Transliteration: "Shosen" (Japanese: 初戦) | Directed by : Kei Tsunematsu Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato & Tatsuki Ichinose | Tomonori Sudō & Atsushi Ikariya | October 26, 2014 | March 20, 2025 | |
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Illya introduces herself. Rin and Archer evaluate Berserker before Archer moves to a farther position so he can attack Berserker from a distance. Berserker attacks Saber, who is overwhelmed by his brute strength and agility. Archer and Rin attempt to provide support for Saber, but Berserker is unaffected by their strikes due to his Noble Phantasm, God Hand, which grants him automatic resurrection and immunity from lower-level attacks. Rin orders Shirou to run, but he remembers his agreement with Saber and follows them. As the fight progresses, Kirei is visited by Gilgamesh, as they both proclaim their intentions to witness the materialization of the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Saber and Berserker's fight moves through a forest and into a local cemetery, where Rin tries to kill Illya, but Illya counters with several bird-shaped homunculi. Rin is rescued by Archer's attacks. While running towards Saber, Rin runs into Shirou. They watch as Saber eliminates Berserker, but he suddenly resurrects and regenerates himself using God Hand. Archer projects and fires a sword-shaped arrow at Berserker, which engulfs him in a massive explosion but also has no effect. Illya, impressed by Archer's strength, withdraws Berserker and flees. Moments later, Shirou suddenly begins vomiting blood. | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Finding the Will to Fight" Transliteration: "Sen'i no Arika" (Japanese: 戦意の在処) | Takuya Nonaka | Kazuharu Sato | Tetsuto Satō | November 2, 2014 | March 28, 2025 | |
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Shirou awakens uninjured at home, with Rin sitting beside him. Before departing, Rin warns that they'll become enemies the next time they meet. Shirou finds Saber in the dojo, where she explains that his self-healing magic accounts for his lack of injuries. She also outlines the structure of the seven Servants and the strategic value of concealing their true identities. Given his inexperience as a mage, Shirou agrees to not ask for her true name. The next morning, Shirou and Saber walk to school to deliver lunch for the archery club. Saber explores the grounds and has a tense encounter with school instructor Souichirou Kuzuki before Shirou intervenes. Ayako approaches Shirou and encourages him to return to the archery club. On their way back home, Shirou explains that Saber will be living with him temporarily. Taiga approves on the condition that she also stays, while Sakura becomes distressed by the arrangement. Meanwhile, Rin and Archer investigate a building reported to have a gas leak, discovering that it's the work of the Servant Caster, who absorbed the life force of those inside. Believing Caster resides at Ryuudou Temple, Rin prepares to act and tells Archer she'll kill Shirou if he interferes. | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Dancing After School" Transliteration: "Hōkago ni Odoru" (Japanese: 放課後に踊る) | Directed by : Toshiyuki Shirai & Kenji Takahashi Storyboarded by : Toshiyuki Shirai | Kazuharu Sato | Toshiyuki Shirai | November 9, 2014 | April 4, 2025 | |
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Five years ago, Kiritsugu told Shirou about his dream of becoming a hero of justice. Shirou promised to fulfill that dream in his place, and Kiritsugu later died content. In the present, Shirou insists on going to school alone, despite Saber's objections. At school, Issei informs him that Ayako has gone missing and was last seen arguing with Shinji, who is now absent and unreachable. After school, Rin confronts Shirou and attacks him, demanding he surrender his remaining Command Seals. Before she can escalate, a scream interrupts them. They find an unconscious student whose mana has been drained. As Rin treats her, Shirou shields her from an incoming attack by the Servant Rider. He chases Rider into the woods but is nearly killed before Rin arrives and drives Rider off. Rin tends to Shirou's wounds and calls off their battle, taking him to her home to discuss the situation. There, they agree to form a temporary alliance to locate Rider and her Master. That night, Rin becomes furious after learning about Shirou's unconventional magical training. She criticizes Kiritsugu for raising Shirou as a father first rather than adhering to proper magecraft traditions, reflecting their differing values and approaches to magic. | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Mirage" Transliteration: "Shinkirō" (Japanese: 蜃気楼) | Takuro Takahashi | Akira Hiyama | Yasuhisa Katō | November 16, 2014 | April 11, 2025 | |
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On his way home, Shirou senses Archer following him. Archer surprises Shirou by expressing no desire for the Holy Grail, claiming Servants are merely tools and that he died without any regrets. After Archer leaves, Shirou returns home and learns from Taiga that Ayako was found alive and unharmed. He discusses the truce with Rin to Saber, which she approves of. The following day at school, Shirou detects a sigil in the library, which Rin disables. They investigate and discover multiple sigils enhancing a magical barrier over the school. As they prepare to leave school, Shinji confronts Shirou and reveals himself to be Rider's Master and the creator of the barrier. Declaring the Matō family's mage lineage, Shinji offers an alliance, but Shirou declines while also promising to stay silent. That night, Shirou awakens to find himself bound at Ryuudou Temple. Caster appears and admits to causing the city's "gas leaks" by draining people's life force, infuriating Shirou. Saber senses Shirou's absence and rushes to the temple, only to be stopped by the Servant Assassin, who reveals himself as swordsman Sasaki Kojirō, challenging her to a duel. Before Caster can steal Shirou's Command Seals, Archer intervenes, ready to battle her. | ||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Reward for the Fight to the Death" Transliteration: "Shitō no Kotae" (Japanese: 死闘の報酬) | Takashi Suhara | Akira Hiyama | Shunya Kikuchi & Miyuki Ishizuka | November 23, 2014 | April 18, 2025 | |
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Outside Ryuudou Temple, Saber battles Assassin but is stunned to find she can't break through his defenses, despite her superior strength and agility. Inside, Caster reveals that she summoned Assassin using magecraft, violating the rules of the Holy Grail War. Archer arrives and confronts Caster, criticizing her methods before engaging in combat. He eventually lands a critical blow, prompting Assassin to end his duel with Saber using his ultimate technique, Swallow Reversal, a strike capable of hitting even a swallow mid-flight. Archer spares Caster, prioritizing Shirou's safety over killing her. Caster notes the similarities between Archer and Shirou's ideals, though both reject her offer to join forces. Despite Shirou's objections, Archer lets Caster escape, believing her eventual defeat is preferable to the broader devastation her victory would cause. Disgusted by Archer's willingness to allow further deaths, Shirou condemns his ideals. Archer, frustrated by Shirou's refusal to accept harsh realities, slashes him across the back. Shirou stumbles out of the temple and is rescued by Saber, who survived Assassin's deadly technique. As Archer pursues, Assassin intervenes and allows Shirou and Saber to flee. Later at home, Shirou asks Saber to train him in swordsmanship, determined not to lose to Archer again. | ||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Winter Days, Where the Heart Is" Transliteration: "Fuyu no Hi, Kokoro no Shozai" (Japanese: 冬の日、心の所在) | Takuya Nonaka | Kazuharu Sato | Takayuki Mogi | November 30, 2014 | April 25, 2025 | |
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After sparring, Saber notes that Shirou is mimicking Archer's techniques to refine his stance. Shirou arrives late to school and is ominously greeted by Shinji. During lunch, Rin forces Shirou to join her on the rooftop and reveals she used a Command Seal to stop Archer from killing him. She explains the Matō bloodline weakened over generations and admits she spared Shinji after learning he was a Master, believing his lack of skill posed little threat, an oversight that allowed another Master to act. Suddenly, Rider activates a powerful magical barrier that drains mana from everyone except Shirou and Rin. Attacked by skeletal Golems, Shirou summons Saber with a Command Seal. While Saber fights, Shirou and Rin head to the first floor to disable the barrier. Saber defeats several Golems and confronts Rider, stabbing her. However, Rider vanishes, revealed to be an illusion conjured by Caster. Meanwhile, Shirou and Rin discover Shinji beside the corpse of the real Rider, whose death causes the barrier to dissipate. Shinji refuses to identify Rider's killer and escapes. Assessing the damage, Rin notices Shirou's calm response to unconscious victims. When asked, Shirou admits he's used to seeing corpses, leaving Rin disturbed and but curious. | ||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "The Distance Between Them" Transliteration: "Futari no Kyori" (Japanese: 二人の距離) | Akihiko Uda | Akira Hiyama & Kazuharu Sato | Takuya Aoki | December 7, 2014 | May 2, 2025 | |
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Archer arrives following the battle, with Rin informing him that Rider has been killed. At his home, Shirou allows Saber to sleep in his room so that she can prevent him from being taken by Caster again. Meanwhile, Shinji arrives at the church and begs Kirei to offer him shelter and protection. When Kirei discovers that Shinji was the first Master to lose his Servant, Shinji blames the uselessness of Rider. Realizing Shinji still has fighting resolve, Kirei tells him there is one Servant available for use. After clearing Issei of being Caster's Master, Shirou encounters Rin spying on Gilgamesh, who has been observing the Matō home. After Gilgamesh departs, Rin asks Shirou on his opinion about being adopted into another family. While eating dinner, Taiga tells Saber about Shirou and Kiritsugu during Shirou's childhood, commenting that they seemed to be polar opposites of each other due to their personalities. When Saber asks him why he wants to become a hero of justice, Shirou replies that it is because he looks up to them. While in his room alone, Shirou concludes that he only wants to follow in Kiritsugu's footsteps, but remembers from Archer's words that his ideals are flawed. | ||||||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Fifth Contractor" Transliteration: "Goninme no Keiyakusha" (Japanese: 五人目の契約者) | Directed by : Yūsuke Maruyama Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Tatsuki Ichinose & Kazuharu Sato | Yasuhisa Katō & Tetsuto Satō | December 14, 2014 | May 9, 2025 | |
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Rin awakens from a dream about Archer's past. Later, she grows frustrated when Archer claims Caster would have made a better ally than Shirou. At school, Issei tells Shirou and Rin that Kuzuki is living at Ryuudou Temple with a mysterious woman rumored to be his fiancée. Suspecting Kuzuki is Caster's Master, Rin plans to test him with a nonlethal magical attack. That night, Rin, Shirou, and Saber wait at an abandoned gas station along Kuzuki's usual route. When he appears, Rin fires her spell at Kuzuki. Caster appears, confirming their suspicions. Shirou demands to know if Kuzuki condones Caster's attacks on civilians. Kuzuki coldly admits he doesn't care, revealing his past as a murderer. Rin attacks Caster to distract her, while Saber strikes Kuzuki, only to be overpowered by his magically enhanced fists. After Shirou is beaten down, he unexpectedly summons Archer's dual swords and repels Kuzuki. As Rin and Saber recover, Caster and Kuzuki retreat. Rin questions Shirou's ability and he explains that while trained in reinforcement magic, he successfully used projection magic for the first time. Meanwhile, Shinji meets his new Servant, Gilgamesh, who reveals a chilling plan to use the Grail to eradicate most of humanity. | ||||||||
| 11 | 11 | "A Visitor Approaches Lightly" Transliteration: "Raihōsha wa Karoyaka ni" (Japanese: 来訪者は軽やかに) | Directed by : Yūsuke Maruyama Storyboarded by : Kenji Takahashi & Takashi Suhara | Kazuharu Sato | Mieko Ogata | December 21, 2014 | May 16, 2025 | |
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After the fight, Shirou and Saber return home. Though visibly in pain and unsteady, Shirou hides the toll that using projection magic has taken on him. The next day at school, he learns that Kuzuki is absent due to a supposed illness. After school, Rin arrives at Shirou's home unannounced. Together with Saber, they devise a direct assault on Ryuudou Temple, though Rin and Saber worry that Caster may destroy the temple if cornered. That evening, Rin reflects in the courtyard admits that Shirou's home feels warmer than her own. She praises Shirou's kindness but also criticizes his selflessness, arguing that placing others' happiness above his own isn't right. She stays the night, warning that she plans to "punish" him tomorrow. Shirou proceeds to practice magic in the shed, where Saber finds him struggling with numbness on his left side. Archer arrives and recognizes it as symptoms caused by awakening long-dormant magic circuits through projection magic. After repairing Shirou's circuits, Archer explains that he once experienced the same pain. He warns Shirou that his ideals of saving everyone are naïve and ultimately doomed to fail. Shirou rejects Archer's cynicism, refusing to abandon his dream of becoming a hero of justice. | ||||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Final Decision" Transliteration: "Saigo no Sentaku" (Japanese: 最後の選択) | Toshiyuki Shirai & Takuro Takahashi | Akira Hiyama & Kazuharu Sato | See note for the ADs[b] | December 28, 2014 | May 23, 2025 | |
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To encourage Shirou to value his own happiness, Rin takes him on a date into town accompanied with Saber. Though Rin teases Shirou, he turns the tables by making her admit she stayed over out of genuine concern. On their way home, the trio is trapped in a magical barrier and ambushed by Caster and water Golems. Caster reveals she has taken Taiga hostage and demands Shirou surrender his magical circuits. Caster also taunts Shirou with knowledge of the fire he survived and claims she can summon the Holy Grail without further bloodshed by using Saber's mana. To save Taiga, Shirou gives up his Command Seals. Despite Saber's objections, Shirou orders her to stand down, allowing Caster to stab her with Rule Breaker and take control. Caster commands Saber to kill Rin, but Shirou takes the blow. Saber resists long enough for Archer to arrive and help Shirou, Rin, and Taiga escape. Shirou later awakens at Rin's house where he finds the red pendant she used to save his life. Meanwhile, Caster attacks Kirei at his church, demanding the location of the Lesser Grail. On a rooftop, Rin warns Shirou to stay out of the war or he will die. | ||||||||
Season 2 (2015)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title [4][5] | Directed by [4] | Written by [4] | Animation directed by [4] | Original release date [7] | English air date [8] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | "Time of Departure" Transliteration: "Ketsubetsu no Toki" (Japanese: 決別の刻) | Directed by : Takuro Takahashi Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato | Takayuki Mogi, Miyuki Ishizuka & Hisayuki Tabata | April 5, 2015 | May 30, 2025 | |
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Shirou returns home and reflects on the fire that drove his dream of becoming a hero of justice. At the church, Caster confronts the imprisoned Saber who resists her control. Kuzuki arrives and learns Caster acted on her own in recent attacks and now seeks the Lesser Grail. Meanwhile, Rin awakens from another dream about Archer. Investigating the church with Archer, she finds bloodstains and deduces Kirei may have survived Caster's assault. They confront Caster and Kuzuki, but to Rin's shock, Archer defends Caster. Archer claims Rin's flawed strategies would lead to failure and switches sides. Archer allows Caster, revealed to be Medea, to stab him with Rule Breaker and sever his bond with Rin. Kuzuki tries to kill Rin but Shirou appears and saves her. Archer intervenes and negotiates with Caster on the release of Shirou and Rin. As they walk home, Rin is disheartened by Archer's betrayal as Shirou comforts her and asserts that her ideals weren't wrong. Shirou returns the jewel pendant that he found at her house, telling her that he has another at home. When Rin asks why he risked his life for her, Shirou confesses his love. Flustered, Rin thanks him for saving her. | ||||||||
| 14 | 2 | "The Princess of Colchis" Transliteration: "Korukisu no Ōjo" (Japanese: コルキスの王女) | Takashi Suhara | Kazuharu Sato | Takuya Aoki, Mieko Ogata & Tomonori Sudō | April 12, 2015 | June 5, 2025 | |
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Shirou tells Rin he will continue fighting in the Holy Grail War without a Servant. The two plan to team up with Illya, as Archer revealed Berserker's true identity to be Heracles, which could be a vital asset against Caster. Meanwhile, Caster recalls being summoned by Atrum Galliasta, who provided her inefficient mana. When she offered to gather it herself, Atrum, threatened by her superior skill, conspired to kill her with help from Kirei. Atrum contracted Lancer's Master to kill her, but before the plan could unfold, Caster destroyed Atrum's workshop. When Atrum used a Command Seal to force her to commit suicide, she nullified it with Rule Breaker and trapped him in a burning illusion which immolated him. Caster barely survived a subsequent ambush by Lancer only to be saved by Kuzuki, who became her new Master. In the present, Illya sends her maids Leysritt and Sella to retrieve Shirou and Rin at her villa. However, they are suddenly attacked by Shinji and Gilgamesh, who reveal Illya contains the Lesser Grail within her heart. When Sella and Leysritt try to protect Illya, Gilgamesh kills them using his Noble Phantasm, Gate of Babylon. Illya angrily commands Berserker to kill Gilgamesh. | ||||||||
| 15 | 3 | "A Battle of Legend" Transliteration: "Shinwa no Taiketsu" (Japanese: 神話の対決) | Directed by : Takuya Nonaka Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato | Tetsuto Satō | April 19, 2015 | June 13, 2025 | |
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Ten years ago, Illya had a vision of her mother, Irisviel, who claimed Illya's father betrayed them during the Fourth Holy Grail War by rejecting the Grail. Illya initially denied this but realized it was true once he never returned. She also discovered a chamber filled with failed homunculi, created to support her role as the Lesser Grail. From their dying words, Illya learned she was also a homunculus. Illya later met Leysritt and Sella, who helped her summon Berserker. Though she initially rejected Berserker, after getting lost in snowy woods, he saved her from wolves of his own will and earned her trust. In the present, Illya and Berserker battle Gilgamesh, as Shirou and Rin secretly arrive. Gilgamesh reveals Berserker's Noble Phantasm, God Hand, grants him twelve lives, one for each of the Labours of Heracles, and begins exhausting them using his Gate of Babylon's endless weapons. At the mansion's entrance, Gilgamesh uses Enkidu's chains to restrain Berserker and impales him with a massive spear. He blinds and fatally wounds Illya, who crawls to Berserker. In his final act, Berserker breaks free and lunges but is slain. Illya dies peacefully, imagining Berserker beside her as Shirou watches in grief. | ||||||||
| 16 | 4 | "Winter Days, the Form Wishes Take" Transliteration: "Fuyu no Hi, Negai no Katachi" (Japanese: 冬の日、願いの形) | Directed by : Akihiko Uda Storyboarded by : Tatsuki Ichinose | Tatsuki Ichinose | Hisayuki Tabata, Miyuki Ishizuka & Yuka Shiojima | April 26, 2015 | June 20, 2025 | |
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As Gilgamesh tears out Illya's heart from her corpse, Shirou and Rin confront him and Shinji. Rin convinces Gilgamesh to leave after she threatens to kill Shinji and refuses to join their side. After burying Illya, Rin confronts Shirou about his ideals and tells him that he needs to value himself over others, otherwise he will break. Shirou refutes this by the example of being rescued by Kiritsugu a decade ago, something Shirou admires. Rin cites that Shirou will not truly understand happiness unless he lives for himself. Despite her argument, Shirou remains committed to his ideals. Later on, as they evaluate the power of Gilgamesh and conclude that Caster is still their top priority, the two are approached by Lancer who offers his assistance, to which they accept. Meanwhile, Archer learns that Kuzuki is helping Caster return to her original era once he obtains the Holy Grail. Archer later confronts Shirou, Rin, and Lancer as they arrive at the church. Lancer engages Archer to give Shirou and Rin time to breach the church. As they do so, Rin informs Shirou that there is only one red jewel pendant that exists in the world, which Archer already returned to her. | ||||||||
| 17 | 5 | "The Dark Sword Bares Its Fangs" Transliteration: "Anken, Kiba o Muku" (Japanese: 暗剣、牙を剥く) | Directed by : Ryūhei Aoyagi Storyboarded by : Nozomu Abe & Shinsuke Yasuda | Kazuharu Sato | Shunya Kikuchi & Mieko Ogata | May 3, 2015 | June 27, 2025 | |
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At the church, Caster questions Kuzuki's lack of desires despite having a goal. Shirou and Rin arrive to confront them. Meanwhile, Lancer battles Archer and dominates the fight. Archer mocks Lancer's honor, provoking him to unleash his Gáe Bolg. Archer narrowly blocks it with a magical barrier, using most of his strength and destroying the church. He then reveals to Lancer that his betrayal of Rin was simply a ruse to catch Caster off guard, impressing Lancer enough that he departs. Back at the church, Shirou and Rin struggle against Caster and Kuzuki. Suddenly, Archer ambushes them and launches swords at Kuzuki. Caster sacrifices herself to shield him from them and is fatally wounded. In her final moments, she tells Kuzuki her wish has already been fulfilled. Kuzuki explains to Archer that he must finish what he started after interfering with the Holy Grail War's normal rules and proceeds to fight him despite knowing he will almost certainly lose. Archer impales Kuzuki and a falling pillar crushes his body. As Shirou rushes to free the imprisoned Saber, Archer traps Rin in a cage of swords. Declaring himself to be a Guardian, he reveals his true objective is to kill Shirou. | ||||||||
| 18 | 6 | "The Beginning of the Circle" Transliteration: "Sono en wa Hajimari ni" (Japanese: その縁は始まりに) | Directed by : Takuya Nonaka Storyboarded by : Tatsuki Ichinose | Akira Hiyama & Kazuharu Sato | Takayuki Mogi | May 10, 2015 | July 4, 2025 | |
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Saber, though Masterless, vows to protect Shirou but is overpowered by Archer. Shirou steps in to fight, giving Rin the chance to form a new pact with Saber. With her strength restored, Saber subdues Archer, who mocks her wish to amend her own legacy. Archer activates his Noble Phantasm: Unlimited Blade Works, a Reality Marble that traps them all in a wasteland full of swords and gears. He launches swords at Saber but Shirou counters by summoning one of his own, destroying the attack and breaking the Reality Marble. A weakened Archer grabs Rin, intending to use her as an insurance policy against Shirou and Saber as he recuperates his strength for a day. Shirou challenges Archer to meet up again at Illya's villa to fight. Rin later awakens restrained in the villa's basement, where she confronts Archer about his past and identity as a Heroic Spirit. Shinji and Gilgamesh arrive to their location as Archer agrees to hand Rin over once he finishes off Shirou. Meanwhile, Shirou tells Saber to rescue Rin while he faces Archer, hinting that he now understands Archer's true identity. As they head to Illya's villa to free Rin and battle Archer, Lancer accompanies them. | ||||||||
| 19 | 7 | "Idealism's End (The Answer)" Transliteration: "Risō no Kotae" (Japanese: 理想の末路) | Directed by : Yūsuke Maruyama Storyboarded by : Takashi Suhara | Kazuharu Sato | Takuya Aoki & Tomonori Sudō | May 17, 2015 | July 11, 2025 | |
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Shirou, Saber, and Lancer arrive at Illya's villa and confront Archer, who reveals Rin's pendant was the catalyst for his summoning. As Lancer rushes to rescue Rin, Saber demands to know why Archer wants to kill Shirou. Archer explains he once pursued the ideal of becoming a hero of justice, but became disillusioned after being forced as a Guardian to kill others to save many, realizing his ideals were ultimately shallow. Saber reveals she is King Arthur, who hoped to use the Holy Grail to reverse her decision to become king, believing her rule led to Britain's downfall. Though they differ in how they uphold their ideals, both reflect on the cost of their choices. Archer finally admits he is Shirou's future self from an alternate world. Meanwhile, Shinji attempts to assault Rin but Lancer intervenes and stops him. Kirei arrives, revealing himself to be Lancer's Master and Rin's father's murderer. He orders Lancer to kill Rin, intending to use her as the Holy Grail's vessel. When Lancer refuses, Kirei forces him to commit suicide by using a Command Seal. Elsewhere, Archer throws Shirou a sword and demands that he kill himself, but Shirou refuses and prepares to fight him. | ||||||||
| 20 | 8 | "Unlimited Blade Works." | Takashi Suhara | Kazuharu Sato | Takayuki Mogi, Miyuki Ishizuka & Hisayuki Tabata | May 24, 2015 | July 18, 2025 | |
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During the battle, Shirou finds that while he is only barely able to hold off Archer's attacks, he is slowly becoming stronger the longer he clashes with Archer. Meanwhile, Kirei prepares to take Rin's heart against Shinji's protests. However, Lancer, mortally wounded but still alive, fatally stabs Kirei. Shinji, on the verge of insanity, takes this opportunity to try to molest Rin again, only to be chased off by Lancer. After freeing Rin, Lancer collapses to the ground and laments how he would have liked for Rin to be his Master. Both Rin and Lancer bid farewell to each other. As Rin leaves, Lancer sets a fire to destroy both himself and Kirei's corpse. Back at the main entrance, Shirou and Archer continue to battle, with Archer activating his Unlimited Blade Works and slowly gaining the upper hand. As their swords clash, Shirou begins to see Archer's memories and becomes aware of what his future holds in store for him. With his belief shaken, Shirou is quickly defeated by Archer and left on the verge of death. As he lies on the ground, Shirou begins to reflect on the memories he gained from Archer, as well as the memories of Kiritsugu saving him ten years ago. From this, Shirou concludes his ideals are not wrong, and he decides to continue fighting. At that moment, Saber's scabbard Avalon, which Kiritsugu had placed inside Shirou to heal the injuries he sustained from the fire, activates and heals Shirou's wounds. With his confidence in his ideals restored, Shirou prepares to battle Archer again, with the declaration that he will defeat Archer. | ||||||||
| 21 | 9 | "Answer"[c] | Directed by : Takuro Takahashi Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato | Mieko Ogata, Shunya Kikuchi, Yuka Shiojima & Hisayuki Tabata | May 31, 2015 | July 25, 2025 | |
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As the battle continues, Archer chastises Shirou for continuing to pursue his ideals, declaring he will wipe out every trace of Shirou's existence. However, Archer begins to realize that Shirou will never give up and that it is pointless to defeat him now. Finally, as Shirou explains the beauty he saw in his ideals, his spirit begins to overwhelm Archer's Unlimited Blade Works. Shirou rushes towards Archer, who becomes distracted by a flashback of Kiritsugu's last moments. Archer is wounded by Shirou just as Rin arrives. Suddenly, Archer is impaled by three swords fired by Gilgamesh. Declaring his hatred for fakes, Gilgamesh uses his Gate of Babylon to fire more swords, but Archer pushes Shirou out of the way and seemingly dies after taking the full force of the attack. Expressing a familiarity with Gilgamesh, Saber demands to know why he is here. Gilgamesh explains that after the end of the Fourth Holy Grail War, he bathed in the Holy Grail during its destruction at the hands of Saber ten years ago and took physical form. He further explains the true function of the Holy Grail as a container for thousands of curses, before announcing his intention to take it for himself and use it as a weapon to eradicate the human race, being disgusted by the lifestyle of modern humans and hoping to rule over any potential survivors. He then leaves the villa as the fire Lancer started spreads through the building, and later finds Shinji in the forest, learning from him about Kirei's death and the reason behind Rin's escape. When Shinji asks about finding a vessel for the Holy Grail, Gilgamesh implants Illya's heart into him, deeming him a worthy vessel, and leaves him as he begins to mutate into a massive, shapeless form of flesh. | ||||||||
| 22 | 10 | "Winter Days, a Long Way Home" Transliteration: "Fuyu no Hi, Tōi Ieji" (Japanese: 冬の日、遠い家路) | Takuya Nonaka | Kazuharu Sato | Masatoshi Tsuji & Takayuki Mogi | June 7, 2015 | August 1, 2025 | |
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Once Shirou, Saber and Rin return to Shirou's home, they all decide to avenge Archer and stop Gilgamesh by destroying the Holy Grail once and for all. Through the use of familiar spirits, Rin deduces that the Holy Grail is being summoned at Ryuudou Temple. She then explains that Shinji, the only other mage participating in the Holy Grail War, would be the only viable candidate as a substitute vessel, as it was apparent that Illya was supposed to turn into the Lesser Grail at the end of the war. While devising a strategy to defeat Gilgamesh, Rin realizes that Archer was the only one able to perfectly counter Gilgamesh, since Archer had the ability to summon a duplicate of any kind of weapon. She concludes that Shirou needs to master Unlimited Blade Works so he too can match up against Gilgamesh. Since he does not have the sufficient mana to do so, Rin improvises by performing a ritual that implants her Magic Crest from her left arm into Shirou, thus allowing them to share their mana storage. During the ritual, Shirou inadvertently taps into Rin's memories, including one where Rin once saw Shirou practicing the high jump and fell in love with him, which embarrasses her. Afterwards, Shirou finds Saber exploring his house, and she thanks him for showing her the way to her dream. She has him promise that he and Rin will survive the Holy Grail War. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh finishes transporting Shinji to Ryuudou Temple and summons the Holy Grail. | ||||||||
| 23 | 11 | "Incarnation" Transliteration: "Kengen" (Japanese: 顕現) | Directed by : Takahiro Miura & Masashi Takeuchi Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Kazuharu Sato | Tetsuto Satō, Takuya Aoki & Miyuki Ishizuka | June 14, 2015 | August 8, 2025 | |
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Shirou and Rin plan to breach Ryuudou Temple and rescue Shinji while Saber fights Gilgamesh and destroys the Holy Grail. Saber reveals that she can only use her Noble Phantasm Excalibur once before fading, since Rin cannot supply Saber with enough mana due to sharing it with Shirou. At Ryuudou Temple, Shirou and Rin observe Shinji's mutated form and a torrent of black ooze pouring out from the Holy Grail, pooling around Shinji and forming a lake. They are then confronted by Gilgamesh, who elaborates on his intentions and explains that there are too many people in the modern era without significance or purpose. At the main gate, Saber instead comes across Assassin, who is still guarding the temple despite Caster's death, as it is his anchor to the world. He reveals that he is not actually the fictitious Sasaki Kojirō, but a nameless swordsman similar to him, then expresses a desire to finish his duel with Saber before he fades. As Shirou duels Gilgamesh, the Holy Grail is bombarded by what Gilgamesh claims to be mankind's malevolent wishes. Rin approaches the mass of flesh and manages to remove Shinji from it, causing it to try and use Gilgamesh as a replacement vessel. However, Gilgamesh defends himself with his most powerful Noble Phantasm, a sword called Ea. Meanwhile, Assassin reveals to Saber that he is already starting to fade and uses his Swallow Reversal. Saber reveals Excalibur's blade, dodges his strike and fatally wounds him. | ||||||||
| 24 | 12 | "Unlimited Blade Works" Transliteration: "Mugen no Kensei" (Japanese: 無限の剣製) | Toshiyuki Shirai | Kazuharu Sato | Takayuki Mogi, Shunya Kikuchi & Yuka Shiojima | June 21, 2015 | August 15, 2025 | |
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Gilgamesh mocks Shirou with his ideals after the latter is largely incapacitated by the effects of Ea. Although Shirou admits the flaws in his idealism, he reaffirms his dream nonetheless. Saber arrives and blocks an attack made by Gilgamesh, but Shirou orders Saber to save Rin instead. Having an epiphany about the true nature of his powers, Shirou activates his Unlimited Blade Works and uses its infinite number of replica swords to counter Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon. Meanwhile, Saber approaches the Holy Grail and recognizes it as a corrupted Servant called Angra Mainyu, which has been summoned improperly. She locates Rin, who uses a Command Seal and orders Saber to destroy the Holy Grail with Excalibur, as Rin is being consumed by Angra Mainyu. When Rin loses hope of surviving, Archer's voice reprimands her for giving up, and a barrage of swords strikes Angra Mainyu, freeing her. With Rin free and using her final Command Seal to augment her attack, Saber unleashes Excalibur, destroying Angra Mainyu and the Holy Grail. As she fades, Saber admits that she would have liked to stay with Shirou and Rin, but accepts that her role is over. Inside Shirou's Unlimited Blade Works, Shirou begins to overwhelm Gilgamesh, who furiously draws Ea, but Shirou severs Gilgamesh's arm and slashes his chest before running out of mana. Gilgamesh, grievously injured but alive, prepares to finish him off, but a portal to the Holy Grail opens and engulfs him. He ensnares Shirou with Enkidu in order to pull himself out, but Archer, having survived Gilgamesh's previous attack, intervenes by shooting a dagger into Gilgamesh's head, fatally wounding him. As he speaks his last words, Gilgamesh is consumed by Angra Mainyu before the portal closes. Rin and Archer say farewell as he fades away, with Archer asking Rin to look after his past self. Shirou reunites with Rin, and they walk off together as a couple. | ||||||||
| 25 | 13 | "Epilogue" Transliteration: "Epirōgu" (Japanese: エピローグ) | Directed by : Takahiro Miura & Masashi Takeuchi Storyboarded by : Takahiro Miura | Ufotable | Tomonori Sudō, Hisayuki Tabata & Takuya Aoki | June 28, 2015 | August 22, 2025 | |
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Two years after the events of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Shirou and Rin are still dating and living together in an apartment in London while they both study under the Mage's Association at the Clock Tower, with Shirou apprenticing under Rin as protection for her. However, he is still struggling with following his ideals without walking the same path as Archer. One day, Rin loses a duel with classmate and neighbor, Luviagelita Edelfelt, who repeatedly flirts with an oblivious Shirou, much to Rin's chagrin. Afterwards, Shirou and Rin talk about his invitation to officially join the Mage's Association, which conflicts with his ideals. One morning, Rin decides to take Shirou to Glastonbury, the final resting place of King Arthur, so he can say goodbye to Saber. During the trip back home, Shirou reminisces about when he graduated from his second year of high school. The next day, Shirou encounters Waver Velvet, a survivor of the Fourth Holy Grail War, who questions him about his reasons for coming to the Clock Tower and studying magic after surviving the Fifth Holy Grail War. Shirou walks away as he says that he wants to dedicate his life to being a hero of justice. Waver responds that this is a foolish endeavor, although not without its merits. Shirou returns to the apartment and informs Rin that he has declined the invitation, saying that he cannot change who he is even if he is destined to meet the same fate as Archer. Rin responds that Shirou will go farther in following his ideals even if Archer walked the same path. She then assures Shirou that she will always be by his side. In the epilogue, Archer is shown sitting inside his Unlimited Blade Works, reconsidering his life and purpose. While he admits his regrets and curses the path he took, he asserts in the end that, despite being wrong in how he went about achieving them, he was never wrong in his ideals. | ||||||||
OVA
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Animation directed by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sunny Day"[c] | Takahiro Miura | Takahiro Miura | Tomonori Sudō | October 7, 2015 | |
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In an alternate, "good" scenario during the final battle, Rin is able to save Saber from fading away by extending their pact and turning her into her familiar. Having fallen unconscious during the battle, Shirou wakes up back at his home and initially believes Saber to have disappeared. However, he is surprised to see her alive and well in the apartment dojo. Rin enters and congratulates everyone for their victory in the Holy Grail War. While the three are out in the city, Rin explains how she managed to save Saber to Shirou, and adds that they will need to work together to sustain Saber with mana to ensure she stays. Shirou argues that Saber became a Servant in exchange for the Holy Grail and that she should be set free now that it is gone. However, Saber assures Shirou that she is staying out of her own volition because she wanted to stay with him and Rin, and because she wanted to find an answer to her own ideals after Archer criticized them. Rin then decides to further train Shirou in magic, while Saber trains him in her combat techniques. | ||||||
Home media release
Japanese
| Volume | Episodes | Release date | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 1 | 0 | November 26, 2014 | [9] | |
| 2 | 1 | December 24, 2014 | [10] | ||
| 3 | 2–4 | January 7, 2015 | [11] | ||
| 4 | 5–7 | January 28, 2015 | [12] | ||
| 5 | 8–10 | February 25, 2015 | [13] | ||
| 6 | 11–12 | March 25, 2015 | [14] | ||
| Season 2 | 7 | 13–15 | May 27, 2015 | [15] | |
| 8 | 16–18 | June 24, 2015 | [16] | ||
| 9 | 19–21 | July 22, 2015 | [17] | ||
| 10 | 22–23 | August 26, 2015 | [18] | ||
| 11 | 24–25 | September 30, 2015 | [19] | ||
| Box | I | 0–12 | March 25, 2015 | [20] | |
| II | 13–25 + OVA | October 7, 2015 | [21] | ||
English
| Title | Episodes | Release date | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 0–12 | August 25, 2015 | [22] | |
| Season 2 | 13–25 + OVA | February 16, 2016 | [23] | |
| Complete Box Set | 0–25 + OVA | July 14, 2020 | [24] | |
Notes
- ^ Number count total includes "Episode 0"
- ^ Tomonori Sudō, Hisayuki Tabata, Takayuki Mogi, Mitsuru Obunai, Takuya Aoki, Keita Shimizu, Miyuki Ishizuka & Shunya Kikuchi
- ^ a b Stylized in all lowercase
References
- ^ "New Fate/stay night TV Anime is 'Unlimited Blade Works'". Anime News Network. July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
- ^ "Hulu, Crunchyroll to Stream Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works". Anime News Network. September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
- ^ a b Mateo, Alex (February 10, 2025). "AXS TV Cable Network Launches Anime.com Hour Programming Block with Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, My Hero Academia Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "STORY | Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]". www.fate-sn.com/ubw/ (in Japanese). Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "Watch Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "ON AIR | Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]". www.fate-sn.com/ubw/ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "ON AIR | Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]". www.fate-sn.com/ubw/ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "AXS TV Schedule of Programs". AXS TV. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 1" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 2" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 3" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 4" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 5" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 6" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 7" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 8" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 9" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 10" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/Stay Night [Unlimited Blade Works] Rental, Volume 11" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Blu-ray Disc Box I / 早期予約・店舗特典" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 10, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Blu-ray Disc Box II / 早期予約・店舗特典" (in Japanese). Type Moon. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 1 DVD". Right Stuf. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Season 2 DVD". Right Stuf. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] Complete Box Set Blu-ray". Right Stuf. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
External links
- Official Japanese website (in Japanese)
- Official English website (in English)
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works at IMDb