Shirou Emiya

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Shirou Emiya (卫宫士郎)
Alias(es)	Archer; Shiro Kotomine (Third Holy Grail War Heroic Spirit incarnation) 165 304
Species/Race	Human; Heroic Spirit in his Archer and Shiro Kotomine incarnations 165 304
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Fifth Holy Grail War; allied with Tohsaka Rin, Illya, and Medusa during the conflict with the Shadow 263 279 325
Occupation/Role	Holy Grail War Master; protector of Matou Sakura 254 304
Status	Alive; physically restored and strengthened by the Greater Grail after defeating Angra Mainyu 336
First Appearance	Chapter 69, as Archer Emiya 69

Background / History

Shiro Kotomine and the Third Holy Grail War

A Heroic Spirit identified as Shiro Kotomine participated in the Third Holy Grail War alongside an Einzbern Master. When Darnic Yggdmillennia's alliance with the German army led to that Master's death, Shiro returned to find the body and swore to personally kill Darnic. He waited sixty years for the opportunity to fulfill that vow. 164 165

Having become a holy man, Shiro confronted Dracula-Darnic in a sacred place, where his holiness suppressed the vampire. He used Black Keys to purify Darnic's body and soul, reducing him to ashes while refusing to surrender the Greater Grail. 164 165

Shiro later agreed to aid Mo Li if given a chance to save another world. His Avenger Spirit Origin was subsequently absorbed by Shirou Amakusa, who re-summoned himself and became a composite Ruler and Avenger. 165 227

Archer Emiya

An Archer incarnation of Shirou appears in the Fuyuki Singularity under the Black Grail's control. Before he can deploy Unlimited Blade Works, Mo Li severs him with the Heavenly Halberd, kills him, and acquires his Heroic Spirit Card. 69

During the Fifth Holy Grail War, Rin's Archer is revealed to be a future Shirou Emiya from another worldline. After Shirou is critically injured, Archer replaces Shirou's left arm with his own to keep him alive. 296 304 319

Fifth Holy Grail War

Shirou is attacked at his home by Cú Chulainn after being discovered alive. He escapes to his warehouse, summons Artoria, and survives Cú Chulainn's Gae Bolg after managing to avoid or block its fatal effect. 254

He learns from Kirei Kotomine and Artoria that his adoptive father, Kiritsugu Emiya, was a Magus-killing assassin involved in the previous Holy Grail War. Although shaken by this revelation, Shirou reaffirms his wish to become a hero of justice like Kiritsugu. 259

Shirou forms a working alliance with Rin as the conflict escalates around the Matou family. He becomes determined to protect Sakura after learning that Shinji and Zouken may involve her in the war. 263 274

When Heracles attacks Artoria, Shirou throws himself into the blow intended for her. His act forces Illya to hesitate and helps change her stance toward him. 257

At Ryudoji Temple, Shirou is separated from Artoria and nearly executed by Hassan of the Hundred Faces. Medusa unexpectedly saves him, defeats Hassan's manifested body, and leaves without attacking Shirou. 275 277

Shirou later rescues Sakura from Shinji by using Magecraft and a reinforced book to endure Medusa's strike, then disarms Shinji and defeats him in close combat. Sakura comes to see him as a hero. 282 283

Choosing Sakura

Zouken reveals that Sakura is the Shadow and attempts to force Shirou into killing her. Shirou's ideal of saving everyone clashes with the reality that Sakura has become a danger to Fuyuki. 302 303

Shirou enters Sakura's room carrying a knife, but cannot bring himself to kill her. He concludes that abandoning the person closest to him would make his ideal meaningless, accepting that this choice means betraying his previous conception of being a hero of justice. 304

With Rin, Medusa, and Artoria Alter, Shirou advances toward Sakura. He endures the corruption caused by Archer's transplanted arm, helps defeat Black Saber Artoria, and personally kills her after she accepts defeat. 323 325

Shirou uses Archer's arm and reinforcement Magecraft to shield Sakura from Angra Mainyu's attacks. Even knowing that saving her may be a sin, he chooses to bear that burden himself. 331

Final Battle and Recovery

As the Greater Grail remains open, Shirou entrusts Sakura to Medusa and gives her the key to the Emiya residence as proof that Sakura belongs with him. He then proceeds alone to confront Angra Mainyu. 332

Shirou defeats Angra Mainyu. The Greater Grail subsequently calms the runaway influence of Archer's Origin, removes the blades erupting from Shirou's body, restores his damaged body, and enhances his remaining magical power. 336

Personality

Shirou is driven by Kiritsugu's ideal of becoming a “hero of justice,” even after learning that Kiritsugu was an assassin who killed Magi for his goals. He is willing to place himself in danger for others, as shown when he shields Artoria from Heracles and repeatedly pursues the Shadow despite knowing it threatens Servants and civilians alike. 257 259 274

He is inexperienced in magecraft and initially naïve about the Holy Grail War's dangers, but he does not retreat when confronted by them. His resolve becomes more personal when Sakura's identity as the Shadow is exposed: rather than sacrifice her for an abstract ideal, he chooses to protect her and accept the consequences. 260 293 304

Abilities & Skills

Projection Magecraft

Shirou can project weapons, including the Sword in the Stone. Projection allows him to copy a weapon and gain a portion of its original owner's physical capabilities, letting an otherwise human combatant contend with Servants. 421 610

• Can reproduce weapons for combat. 421 610
• Temporarily gains physical strength associated with the projected weapon's original owner. 610
• The copied strength is imperfect and limited; powerful projections impose disproportionate magical costs. 610

Reinforcement Magecraft

Shirou awakens a talent for Magecraft during the conflict with Shinji and uses reinforcement to improve his combat performance and survivability. 283 331

• Reinforced a book prepared by Mo Li to block Medusa's attack. 283
• Uses reinforcement through Archer's transplanted arm while protecting Sakura from Angra Mainyu. 331
• His early lack of formal training leaves him unable to perform basic tasks such as summoning familiars. 293

Archer's Transplanted Arm

Archer replaces Shirou's lost left arm with his own, granting Shirou access to Heroic Spirit-level magical circuits and abilities at severe personal risk. 296

• Allows Shirou to draw on Archer's reinforcement Magecraft and combat potential. 331
• Causes foreign memories to intrude into Shirou's mind and gradually blur his identity. 319 332
• Excessive use causes blades to erupt from his body and threatens to collapse him from within. 296 324 335
• The Greater Grail eventually suppresses the Origin erosion and restores his body. 336

Close-Quarters Combat

Shirou can fight physically when necessary, using timing and Magecraft rather than matching Servants through raw force.

• Disarmed and defeated Shinji while rescuing Sakura. 282 283
• Carries and uses the paired swords Gong and Mo Ye during the approach to Sakura. 325
• Survived repeated attacks from Servants through preparation, determination, and assistance from allies. 257 277 325

Black Keys and Holiness

As Shiro Kotomine, Shirou wields Black Keys whose purification properties are especially lethal to vampires. 165

• Manifested and threw multiple Black Keys with precision. 165
• Purified Dracula-Darnic's body and soul with blue flames. 165
• His holiness suppresses vampires and prevents Dracula-Darnic from freely entering sacred ground. 164

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Gong and Mo Ye — paired blades wielded while advancing toward Sakura. 325
• Archer's left arm — transplanted Heroic Spirit arm, bound with a red cloth seal. 296
• Reinforced book — a book strengthened by Mo Li and used to absorb Medusa's strike. 283
• Black Keys — purification weapons used by Shiro Kotomine against Dracula-Darnic. 165
• Emiya residence key — entrusted to Medusa for Sakura as proof of family and belonging. 332

Relationships

• Kiritsugu Emiya — Shirou's adoptive father and the source of his ideal to become a hero of justice; Shirou later learns of Kiritsugu's past as a Magus-killing assassin. 259
• Artoria — Shirou's initial Saber. He summons her during Cú Chulainn's attack, protects her from Heracles, and fights beside her during the war. 254 257 275
• Tohsaka Rin — ally and fellow Master. They share information, maintain a truce until reaching the Greater Grail, and work together to save Sakura. 263 274 323
• Matou Sakura — the person Shirou resolves to protect after learning she is the Shadow. He refuses to kill her and later proposes marriage to her. 304 321
• Illya — Kiritsugu's daughter and Shirou's adoptive older sister. Their initial hostility turns into a sibling alliance, with Shirou repeatedly protecting her. 275 279 314
• Archer — Shirou's future self from another worldline. Archer saves Shirou by transplanting his left arm, but its power threatens Shirou's body and memories. 296 319
• Medusa — saves Shirou from Hassan, later joins him in the effort to rescue Sakura, and carries Sakura to safety before Shirou confronts Angra Mainyu. 277 325 332
• Kirei Kotomine — a temporary ally against the Shadow and Matou faction, but ultimately an opponent Shirou must confront while trying to stop Angra Mainyu. 272 332

Notable Quotes

“Since I've taken something before, I must take responsibility!” 331

“Yes, I have betrayed.” 304