Shirou Kuramori

Shirou Emiya is the main protagonist of *Fate/stay night*, a kind-hearted but idealistic young man who strives to be a "Hero of Justice." He's a skilled but unorthodox magus, known for his Projection magecraft and unwavering dedication to helping others, even at great personal cost. His past trauma significantly shapes his personality and actions.

Quick Facts

  • What is Shirou Emiya's goal?

    To become a Hero of Justice and save everyone

  • What is Shirou's primary magecraft?

    Projection Magecraft (Tracing)

  • What is Shirou's most notable skill?

    Tracing (copying) weapons and objects

  • What is Shirou's Reality Marble?

    Unlimited Blade Works

  • What is Shirou's age in Fate/stay night?

    17

  • What school does Shirou attend?

    Homurahara Academy

  • What is Shirou's talent?

    Housework and tinkering

  • What is Shirou's appearance?

    Short auburn hair, golden-brown eyes

  • What is Shirou's personality?

    Selfless, idealistic, stubborn

Description

Personality

Shirou Emiya is a complex character driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to save everyone, stemming from a traumatic childhood experience. His unwavering idealism, bordering on self-sacrifice, shapes his actions and relationships. He possesses a stubborn determination and a selfless nature, often prioritizing the needs of others above his own, even to the point of self-harm. However, this idealism is also a source of internal conflict, as he grapples with the impossibility of his goals and the hypocrisy inherent in his actions. His personality evolves throughout the various *Fate* narratives, revealing a nuanced character who learns to balance his ideals with the realities of the world. Shirou's personality is further defined by his strong work ethic and his talent for housework and cooking. These traits, along with his quiet demeanor and sometimes awkward social interactions, contribute to his endearing and relatable nature. His relationships with Saber, Rin, and Sakura are central to his character arc, each influencing his understanding of himself and his ideals. While initially naive and somewhat inflexible in his beliefs, Shirou demonstrates significant growth and maturity, learning to adapt and compromise without abandoning his core values. His journey is one of self-discovery and the constant struggle to reconcile his desire to be a "Hero of Justice" with the limitations of his own capabilities and the complexities of human nature.

Abilities

Shirou Emiya's abilities stem primarily from his unique brand of magecraft, honed through unconventional training and influenced by his connection to his future self, Archer. He's not a conventionally trained magus, lacking a strong magical lineage and formal instruction. His power lies in his mastery of Projection magecraft, specifically the highly specialized technique of Tracing. **Tracing:** This allows Shirou to perfectly replicate the structure and properties of any weapon he's observed, effectively creating near-perfect copies of swords, armor, and other implements. While incredibly versatile, his Traced weapons are always slightly weaker than the originals, and the more complex the object, the greater the magical energy expenditure. He can even trace Noble Phantasms, though they are always one rank lower than their original power. His skill in Tracing is significantly enhanced within his Reality Marble, Unlimited Blade Works. **Reinforcement:** Shirou can analyze and enhance the properties of existing objects, increasing their durability, sharpness, or other attributes. He also uses this to subtly enhance his own physical capabilities. **Projection:** While initially weak, Shirou's Projection skills are fundamentally altered by his ability to Trace. He can project weapons and other items he has Traced, though this requires significant magical energy. The true extent of his Projection abilities is unlocked within his Reality Marble. **Unlimited Blade Works (UBW):** Shirou's Reality Marble, UBW, is a personal space where he can freely create and manipulate countless copies of the weapons he has Traced. Within UBW, the energy cost of Projection is drastically reduced, allowing him to overwhelm opponents with a seemingly endless supply of weapons. However, UBW's deployment requires a significant amount of magical energy, often necessitating a contract with another powerful magus. The quality of his projections within UBW is also dependent on his understanding of the weapon's structure and history. **Avalon:** Implanted in his body after the Fuyuki fire, Avalon grants Shirou exceptional regenerative abilities, allowing him to recover from otherwise fatal injuries. This healing factor is significantly enhanced when Saber is summoned. **Archer's Arm (Heaven's Feel Route):** In the Heaven's Feel route, Shirou receives Archer's arm as a transplant. This grants him access to Archer's vast combat experience and skills, including advanced Projection techniques and the ability to utilize Nine Lives Blade Works. However, this comes at a great cost, as Archer's arm slowly consumes Shirou's body and mind. The Shroud of Martin is used to mitigate this effect. Shirou's abilities are not solely based on raw power but also his resourcefulness, adaptability, and unwavering determination. His skill in magecraft evolves significantly throughout the various Fate narratives, reflecting his growth and experiences.