The Evolution of Saber in Fate/Stay Night: From a Wouldn’t Be King to a Heroine

In the widely popular anime and video game series Fate/Stay Night, Saber is a renowned heroine. However, her portrayal as a female character is not the original intention of the story's creator, Kinoko Nasu. This intriguing backstory reveals how Saber's character, as we know her today, has evolved significantly.

The Initial Plan and Realization

In the original draft of Fate/Stay Night, Saber was actually intended to be a man. This detail is a fascinating aspect of the story's development, showcasing the meticulous planning and changes that Nasu made to adapt the narrative to different target audiences. The initial version of Saber was envisioned to be male and a key part of the plot, along with the female MC Ayaka Sajyou, who was to be involved in a love triangle with Saber and the original version of Gilgamesh.

The Impact of Genre Expectations

The era in which Nasu was writing was dominated by 18 visual novels, which often included erotic content. Therefore, Nasu felt that his story would not gain traction if it did not conform to this trend. He decided to add an erotic scene involving the protagonist and Saber, which significantly altered the original draft. However, the idea of featuring a male protagonist in a story that primarily catered to a male audience also presented challenges. Nasu recognized that writing such intimate scenes with a female MC could be awkward and potentially limit the story's appeal.

Shifting the Narrative

To address these issues, Nasu decided to scrap the entire original draft and start anew. This was a significant shift, but it allowed him to tailor the story to better suit the expectations and audience of the genre. The most notable changes included swapping the genders of Saber and the main character Shirou Emiya. This decision also involved the elimination of Ayaka Sajyou from the story. Instead, Nasu introduced Shirou Emiya as the male protagonist, a move that would eventually become a crucial part of the series' narrative and cultural significance.

The Legacy of Evolution

Despite the changes made, several key elements were retained, such as the concept of the Holy Grail War. These alterations resulted in a story that would later produce acclaimed versions like the Unlimited Blade Works and illustrate why Saber and Shirou's relationship became so iconic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Saber’s portrayal as a female character in Fate/Stay Night is a product of Nasu’s creativity and the influence of market trends. The original intention of making Saber and the protagonist male characters was a deliberate effort to align the narrative with the dominant genre. However, the final version of the story became a masterpiece, and Saber’s journey and her role in the narrative continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

While the initial draft remains a subject of interest for fans of the series, it is the final version that has become an integral part of Fate/Stay Night’s legacy. This story serves as a reminder that creative evolution often leads to groundbreaking works that resonate deeply with fans and critics alike.