Where Does Proto-Saber First Appear In The Manga?

I get a little sentimental thinking about this, probably because I’ve rewatched 'Fate/stay night' more times than I can count while nursing bad cups of coffee on late nights. Shirou’s kind of stubborn, innocent idealism acts like a mirror and a grenade for both Rin and Archer — but in very different ways. For Rin, Shirou’s idealism is unexpectedly contagious and quietly embarrassing. She’s sharp, pragmatic, and raised to measure things by results and lineage, so watching Shirou chase a naïve, self-sacrificing dream forces her to recalibrate how she values people versus outcomes. There are moments where she softens, genuinely worried for him instead of treating him like a tool in the war; she also gets frustrated because his ideals put him in danger. That friction builds intimacy: she becomes more protective, and he pulls something out of her that’s more human than her mage training usually permits. It’s the sort of push-and-pull that deepens her character and makes their scenes feel lived-in, not just plot devices. Archer’s relationship with Shirou’s idealism is darker and more corrosive. Knowing Archer is essentially a future version of Shirou gives their interactions an ugly poignancy: Shirou’s ideals are everything Archer despises because they’re the seeds of his own failure. Archer oscillates between scorn and a twisted fondness — he tries to beat Shirou out of those ideals to save him from becoming what he became, but he’s also painfully aware that he once believed the same things. That mix of regret, contempt, and reluctant protectiveness turns their confrontations into philosophical duels rather than simple fights, and it forces both of them (and anyone watching) to ask whether stubborn idealism is noble or doomed. For me, that tension is the emotional engine of the route, and it never stops making my chest tight.

Every time I sit down to rewatch 'Fate/stay night' or skim my favorite scenes from 'Unlimited Blade Works', certain lines of Shirou's stick with me like stubborn scars. The simplest one — 'I want to be a hero of justice' — is almost painfully pure. It sounds naive, and it is supposed to: that single sentence carries all of his childhood trauma, his survivor's guilt, and the ideal he clings to as a lifeline. That idealism is the seed of his tragedy, because it refuses compromise; it treats people as things to be saved, and the world as something that must fit his idea of salvation. Another quote that haunts me comes through in Archer's cynical mirror: 'I am the bone of my sword. Steel is my body and fire is my blood...' That self-incantation crystallizes the worst possible outcome of Shirou's path — becoming literally and figuratively a weapon. When Shirou says, in different words, that he'll become a shield or a tool if it means protecting people, you can feel the cost. The tragic hero beat isn't just the noble death or the lonely fight — it's the slow erasure of self into an ideal, a life traded for the right to save others. Those lines, taken together, tell Shirou's story: fierce, compassionate, and heartbreakingly one-note until he learns (or fails) to let himself be human.

Exploring 'Fate/stay night' fanfiction, I’ve come across some fascinating takes on Saber and Gilgamesh’s dynamic, especially when romance is thrown into the mix. One recurring theme is the idea of Gilgamesh’s arrogance being softened by Saber’s unwavering sense of duty and honor. Writers often depict him as initially dismissive of her ideals, only to gradually develop a grudging respect that blossoms into something deeper. These stories frequently explore the tension between their opposing worldviews—Gilgamesh’s belief in absolute power versus Saber’s commitment to chivalry and sacrifice. The slow burn of their relationship is a favorite among fans, as it allows for rich character development and emotional depth. Another popular angle is the use of alternate timelines or universes where Saber and Gilgamesh are forced to work together, often as reluctant allies. These scenarios create opportunities for their relationship to evolve naturally, with moments of vulnerability and mutual understanding. Some fanfics even delve into the idea of Gilgamesh recognizing Saber as his equal, a rare occurrence given his inflated ego. This recognition often serves as the foundation for their romantic connection, with Gilgamesh’s possessive nature giving way to genuine affection. There’s also a subset of fanfics that explore the darker, more obsessive side of their dynamic. These stories portray Gilgamesh as fixated on Saber, seeing her as the only one worthy of standing by his side. While this can lead to intense and sometimes toxic interactions, writers often balance it with moments of tenderness, showing that even someone as prideful as Gilgamesh can be moved by love. These narratives are particularly compelling because they don’t shy away from the complexities of their personalities, making the eventual romance feel earned and authentic. For fans of this pairing, these stories offer a fresh perspective on two iconic characters, blending action, drama, and romance in a way that stays true to the spirit of 'Fate/stay night'.

Watching Saber and Shirou's relationship unfold in 'Fate/stay night' feels like peeling an onion—layers of duty, vulnerability, and quiet yearning. At first, they're master and servant, all formal speeches and clashing ideals. Shirou's reckless hero complex irritates Saber, but his stubborn kindness chips away at her armor. The Heaven's Feel route dives deepest: her cold efficiency melts into guilt over her past, and Shirou’s obsession with saving others cracks open to prioritize *her*. Their shared meals, those awkward silences—tiny moments build into something fragile yet fierce. By the end, it’s less about romantic clichés and more about two broken people learning to want happiness for themselves, not just for others. What guts me is how Saber’s arc mirrors Shirou’s. Both are martyrs shackled by their own ideals, but their bond becomes a quiet rebellion. When Shirou finally says, 'I want to live with you,' it’s revolutionary—not just for them, but for the entire 'Fate' theme of self-sacrifice. The anime adaptations smooth over some nuances (UBW’s ending still makes me side-eye), but the original visual novel nails how love isn’t about grand gestures here. It’s in Saber hesitating to vanish into the battlefield’s smoke, or Shirou noticing how her eyes soften when she tastes his terrible cooking.

Man, diving into the Fate series always feels like uncovering hidden treasure! From what I've seen, Type-Moon has definitely released official artworks featuring Saber and Shirou together, especially in promotional materials for 'Fate/stay night' and its various adaptations. The 'Realta Nua' artbook, for instance, includes some gorgeous illustrations of them, often highlighting their bond—whether it's the tender moments or battle-ready poses. I also remember stumbling upon a limited-edition calendar a while back that had a stunning Saber x Shirou piece, with Saber in her iconic blue dress and Shirou standing beside her against a sunset backdrop. It’s those little details, like the way their hands almost touch or how their expressions mirror each other, that make the art feel so alive. If you’re into merch, the 'Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel]' movie posters and Blu-ray covers are another goldmine for their dynamic. Honestly, it’s hard to pick a favorite—every piece feels like a love letter to their relationship.

I get asked this a lot in forums, and I usually say: the clearest, most direct pairing of Shirou and Saber is in the 'Fate' route of the original visual novel. That's the route where their relationship is the central emotional arc and the story is written to bring them together in a romantic, meaningful way. If you want the canonical Shirou+Saber ending from Type-Moon's multiple branches, 'Fate' is the one that gives you that closure. If you watch adaptations, the 2006 'Fate/stay night' anime (often called the DEEN version) primarily follows the 'Fate' route, so it portrays Shirou and Saber as the main pair more than other adaptations do. By contrast, 'Unlimited Blade Works' steers Shirou toward Rin, and 'Heaven's Feel' is firmly about Sakura. There are also sequels and spin-offs like 'Fate/hollow ataraxia' that revisit dynamics between Shirou and Saber in complicated ways, but those are alternate developments rather than the original route-based ending. Personally, if I want Shirou and Saber to have a satisfying conclusion together, I always go back to the 'Fate' route — it feels designed for that pairing and hits the emotional beats best.

I still get a little giddy thinking about those early Shirou-and-Saber moments, so here’s a practical way to find them online. If you want the classic Fate-route vibe, look for the original 'Fate/stay night' adaptation and the newer takes: 'Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works' and the 'Heaven's Feel' movie trilogy each show different sides of their relationship. Most big streaming services rotate these in and out — Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu and (region-dependent) Amazon Prime Video often carry one or more of them. If you’re hunting specific scenes, official YouTube channels (like the publisher or studio channels) sometimes post clips — think first meeting, training, and a few emotional highlights. If clips aren’t enough, buy or rent episodes on digital stores like iTunes/Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon; Blu-rays are still the best quality and usually have subtitle options and extras. One tip: check a fandom episode guide or wiki to pinpoint which episode or movie covers the scene you want, then search that episode on the service you subscribe to. Happy rewatching — it’s always worth it for their chemistry.

I've been obsessed with proto-Saber theories for years, so I get why this question bites—there's a patchwork of reveals across different formats. If by 'proto-Saber' you mean the prototype/alternate-version of Saber that shows up in the early drafts and side projects, the clearest places to look are the short promotional OVA and the related prose that expands on that draft. The OVA titled 'Fate/Prototype' is the most direct visual touchpoint, and it purposely condenses a lot of origin hints into a short runtime. Beyond that, the core 'Fate' works — especially the various adaptations of 'Fate/stay night' and the prequel 'Fate/Zero' — will fill in emotional and mythic context even if they aren’t literally the same character. Pay attention to episodes with heavy flashbacks or conversations about the King of Knights' past; those are where writers tuck in hidden motivations. Also hunt down the light novel 'Fate/Prototype: Fragments of Sky Silver' and related interviews — the novel format often gives the quiet interior detail the anime cuts. If you want a viewing order that teases out the backstory slowly: start with the prototype OVA to get the core beats, then watch the darker, longer arcs in 'Fate/Zero' for thematic depth, and finally revisit 'Fate/stay night' routes or the novel fragments to connect missing lore. You'll come away with a messier but richer picture—exactly the fun part for fans like me.