See, no matter how much I look back, I can't help but feel that nothing has really happened in-game,
Parvati came with a simple ticket trial quest, Bathory's reign continued, and while Shimosa arrived, it was more of a personal tale than an odyssey.
I have nothing else to say.
The Servants from Grand Order! The cellphone game!
Hyper Japanese edition!
Yagyu Munenori was a swordsman and damyo during the Tokugawa Shougunate, a practitioner of the Yagyu Shinkage school, named by the father of Munenori, Yagyu Munetoshi.
Yagyu worked for Tokugawa Ieyasu from an early age, and with the passing of time, trained his son Hidetada, and became an advisor to his grandson Iemitsu.
Sometimes you can't talk about a son without mentioning his father, but for Munenori it's the opposite, because he is the father of Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, one of the most famous samurai in the history of Japan.
Jubei was immortalized as champion of the weak, if Musashi was the vagabond samurai, Jubei was the heroic swordsman.
As a result, Munenori who was both a warrior and a politician is usually depicted as his polar opposite, or even an antagonist,
and he's commonly treated as a conspirator, or at least as someone who mostly had personal interests when it came to the Shogunate.
Whether he was a loyal vassal, or someone interested in the name of his clan, his talent with the blade was never placed in doubt,
and his ideology is recorded in A Hereditary Book on the Art of War, one of the most important war treatises in classical Japanese literature.
Munenori does not have a technique which breaks the laws of the universe, he's not a Saberface, he doesn't get made-up fire powers, nor is he a woman from another dimension.
Are we sure he's in the right game?
As your servant he is a loyal swordsman, leaving aside his political skills,
the man who never understood Musashi or Jubei, might have finally realized something after his duel in Shimosa with a Musashi that never existed for him…
But approving of this Musashi doesn't mean he approves the original.
Generally speaking a Munenori who sticks close to his biography, a politician, strategist and warrior, dedicated to the Tokugawa Shogunate, and remembered after his death as a peerless swordsman.
His style is very different from the other samurai in the game,
efficient techniques, only the necessary movements, for the Shinkage-Ryu which saw meditation and mental clarity as essential, there's no room for doubt.
His Noble Phantasm is Kenjutsu Musou Kenzen Ichijo, which reflects the illumination Munenori achieved, with a single movement, an attack that guarantees death.
Beyond his exterior and ideology, Munenori is a loyal servant, and as his bond increases, you'll see the man who fondly remembers his son, as well as the lord who lent him a hand, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Who called him Ryyu-tan btw.
And that's adorable.
Tomoe Gozen, a character who appears in the Heikei Monogatari, which tells the events of the Genpei Wars between the Minamoto and Taira clans.
Depending on the version you know, Tomoe was simply a courtesan or the wife of Minamoto no Yoshinaka, cousin of Yoritomo and Yoshitsune,
recognized for her beauty, talent with the bow, naginata and sword, the most talented soldier in Yoshinaka's ranks, and one of the best warriors in the Minamoto clan.
However the defeat of the Taira did not bring peace, Yoshinaka who wanted to lead the clan took Kyoto, and Yoritomo sent Yoshitsune to execute him,
against the numerical superiority and Yoshitsune's genius the forces of Kyoto were doomed, the devoted Tomoe could not die alongside Yoshinaka, who ordered her to escape, so he wouldn't die alongside a woman.
Whether it was Yoshinaka's pride talking, or his devotion and affection towards Tomoe speaking, is something that fiction has debated for ages.
Another case of servant who is rather close to the original source, a woman devoted to Yoshinaka, an infallible warrior in her service to her lord,
her biggest regret was not to die alongside him, and her attitude as a servant isn't necessarily healthy.
The Tomoe Gozen who sacrificed herself in the Babylona campaign, this isn't an isolated incident, as someone who already died, Tomoe is convinced that she'll leave this world anyways, and her combat style is borderline self-destructive.
To make matters more complicated, Tomoe has Oni blood, which manifests itself in two of her personal skills, and the regret in her heart can easily become fury, particularly towards Yoritomo, Yoshitsune and Noriyori.
On the other hand, as other servants did, she grew accustomed to the modern world, and personally took a liking towards… videogames.
huh
Her NP is another one I can't pronounce, thanks japan, it represents her devotion towards Yoshinaka, specifically representing the temple where the funerary services of her beloved lord took place.
Parvati is the goddess of fertility, love and devotion in Hinduism, who represents the most affectionate side of Shakti, the great divine mother, who at the same time represents the female energy of Shiva,
one of the gods of the Trimurti, the trinity of supreme deities in Hinduism, composed by Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer.
Parvati herself is Shiva's wife.
Hinduism is complicated.
When Shiva gave Shakti to the world for it's benefit, Brahma made sure the goddess took human form, that way, Sati was born as daughter of Daksha and granddaughter of Brahma.
Daksha did not approve the union between Shiva and Sati, and when er daughter realized Daksha's insults towards Shiva were simply due to having married her,
Sati prayed that in the future, she'd be born to a father she could respect, and immolated herself.
In his rage Shiva caused chaos and death, but the merciful god restored all the lives he took, even that of Daksha.
However in his grief, Shiva removed himself from earthly affairs, and retreated to the mountains in isolation, Sati is reborn as Parvati, daughter of Himavat, the personification of the Himalayas,
determined to marry Shiva despite her father's advice, she heads towards the mountains, many stories tell the circumstances and perseverance of Parvati, helped by Indra or her sisters,
Parvati's patience and love, even when the god named his own faults revived the flame in Shiva, and the two got married.
Parvati, a pseudo-servant summoned through Sakura Matou, as the other member of her pantheon are not present, Arjuna and company do no react to her presence and her introduction takes place in Fuyuki,
Parvati is a case where her personality matters more than her story.
A gentle person with a deep love, even if the object of her affection ignores her, her feelings continue to grow, a sincere love… but also a heavy one.
While other Pseudo-Servants have a clear dominant side, the biography could equally refer to Parvati or Sakura, thought it focuses on the fact that neither of their dark sides is present.
Fundamentally a docile goddess, but not a timid one, someone with incredible inner strength.
Her NP is Trishula Shakti, one of the weapons of her husband Shiva. The weapons is what classifies Parvati as a Lancer, and while she can't use it to it's full potential, it's ultimately what gives her stability as a servant.
Hozoin Kazukenbo Inshun, Buddhist monk from Nara and successor to Hozoin Innei, the founder of the Hozoin school of Sojutsu, a martial art focused on the spear.
Who was the largest influence on the Hozoin school out of the two is a debated topic, one of the most popular beliefs is that Innei created the 15 forms of the school,
and Inshun was the one who modified as time passed by, while other point out that due to Innei's age, Inshun could have never studied directly under him.
Ultimately, Inshun is the reason the school continued, since Innei prohibited the practice of sojutsu on the temple shortly before his death,
Inshun however went against this measure, and after Innei's death practices resumed, as it expanded through generations.
The keyword for shimosa seems to be historical fidelity, and Inshun is someone close to his history too,
the successor to Hozin Innei, who before his death reached the conclusion that it wasn't right that someone serving Buddha would learn to fight with a spear.
However, Inshun did not agree, and revived the Hozoin school, walking firmly both in the path of Buddha and the path of the spear.
A monk devoted to his technique, but someone of social gifts, Hozoin is easy to get along with, with a merry attitude and jovial tone, he's even willing to teach his master the art of sojutsu.
That said, he still is a monk, and a martial arts master, someone devoted to Buddha, and someone who doesn't approve of senseless killings.
His mastership is represented in his NP, Oboro Urazuki Juuichi Shiki, the 11 unofficial techniques established by Inshun, which allow him to adapt himself to any situation or disadvantage.
Mochizuki Chiyome was Japanese noble of the 16th century, descendant to the Koga ninja school, after the death of her husband, Mochizuki Moritoki in the battle of kawanakajima,
Moritoki's uncle, Takeda Shingen, took her under his wing.
Eventually Shingen gave her the task to recruit women to make a network of ninjas, so he could have spies to gather information and distribute it amongst his allies.
Chyome recruited the less favored women, widows, orphans, or prostitutes, and public opinion interpreted this as an widow extending a hand to help others in need,
but the women were trained to carry out missions for the Takeda clan, ranging from espionage, seduction, to assassination.
That's how the kunoichi were formed.
After Shingen's death, Chiyome also disappeared from all records, most likely because… she never existed.
Nothing proves the existence of Chiyome in those times, and her name only gains fame during the 20th century,
most likely, Chiyome and her kunoichi network never existed, and they simply were a myth to explain Shingen's military efficiency, who due to his rivalry with Uesugi Knshin was also mystified.
The summoned Chiyome is a rather calm individual, a kunoichi with undying loyalty towards her master,
someone who respect her traditions and talents, but does not enjoy warfare or conflict, someone who remembers her past without being tied by it.
Her loyalty, dislike towards fights, power position and moments of shyness actually make her very similar to the ninja that preceded her, Fuuma Kotaro.
She fights with blood techniques that bring to mind a certain Tsukihime antagonist, and with the powers granted by the curse imposed on the Koga clan.
The name of her NP can be summed up as Summoning the deity of Mount Ibuki, a technique that allows her to temporarily control an apparition of the deity of Mount Ibuki,
Yamata no Orochi.
The relationship between Orochi and Chiyome is interesting, cine it has many layers, it's based on the myth of Koga Saburo, who traveled countless mountains to recover his wife, and became a snake deity.
Fate reinterprets this tale as a curse from Orochi to Saburo, which is reflected in a member of the Koga clan each generation, Chiyome being the representative of that generation.
Her art is one of the few which changes emotions from one level to another, and each one reflects a different side of her life, Orochi's curse the kunoichi, and the miko who calmed down Ibuki's god…
Her biography admits that she is somewhat overloaded with traits.
Katto Danzo, also known as Tobi Katto, the Flying Katto, was a ninja of the 16th century, famous for his legendary tricks, which some believed were a product of sorcery,
amongst those the most remembered was the act of swallowing a bull whole.
Uesugi Kenshin, who had heard of Danzo's exploits, tested the ninja, who managed to steal a precious naginata from his retainer Naoe Kanetsugu, and Danzo was hired under the service of the Uesugi clan.
The versions vary after that, but for reason or another, Danzo is identified as a threat, and he had to escape to the Takeda clan,
however, Shingen who suspected he was a possible double agent decide to capture and execute him.
Fate's take on Katto Danzo… doesn't have much to do with that.
I guess it's their revenge after so many servants with a strong historical basis.
Karakuri are Japanese wood automatons, famous for their complexity, but they ultimately fulfilled entertainment purposes.
Katto is a more advanced Karakuri, created by the magus Kashin Koji, with the cooperation of the first Fuuma Kotaro.
As a result her attacks and skills belong to the Fuuma clan, and her NP has an alternate name in English, just like the fifth Fuuma Kotaro, the Fuuma we summon.
Katto who saw the first Fuuma and Kojin as her parents, was one of the figures who helped raise and train the fifth Fuuma, and during Shimosa Kotaro eventually refers to her as mother.
A karakuri who only followed orders, being registered a s Heroic Spirit, and being summoned as a Servant gave her a level of emotions and freedom she doesn't fully understand,
and as a result, Danzo believes she is broken.
Her NP is Karakuri Genhou, which uses the vacuum to drag and compress it's enemy. The trick Katto Danzo used to generate the illusion of disappearing a bull.
Osakabe-hime, the lady of the walls, a Yokai from Japanese Folklore, who inhabited the famous Himeji Castle,
secluded by nature, Osakabe avoided anybody who visited the castle, usually hiding in the highest parts of it, only coming out once a year to read the fortune of the current castle owner.
Commonly depicted as a majestic woman in a 12 layered kimono, he origin isn't set in stone, and depending on the version can range from a kitsune to the ghost of one Emperor Fushimi's courtesans,
the tales of brave, or maybe stupid heroes who tried to find her in the castle are many, and amongst those is Miyamoto Muasashi.
Osakabe-hime, one of Tamamo and Kiyohime's penpals, the secluded princess clearly is… the hikkimori servant by excellence.
Just look at that room.
While other Servants will push you to progress in the game, Osakabe is perfectly happy with you simple wasting time on My Room.
A kitsune who was respected as the patron deity of Himeji Castle,
the reason she identifies herself with bats instead of foxes is that a certain courtesan with ears told her there was no need for more than one servant with those traits.
Also because komori means bat, as in hikkikomori.
Her NP is her castle, which grants mental unity and support to her allies, with a different mentality Himeji Castle could be an offensive NP, but due to her shut-in nature it's reduced to a defensive skill.
Despite all of that, her lines are notoriously romantic, and if you reach bond 5 Oskabe will be willing to go out with you whenever it's needed, which given her personality… is really sweet.
On the other hand her Bond CE is an ORIGAMI VOODOO DOLL!
She really is one of Kiyohime's friends huh…
Elizabeth… Bathory… ?
The fact that I used Jam Project music for the previous Liz wasn't some sort of challenge Type-Moon.
The free Servants of the Halloween event, identical in gameplay matters, their designs reference old-school Super Robots, as well as Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla.
Rather than being Breast Fire, their NP is Breast…
Zero…
That's just mean.
While it might look like a laser attack, it ultimately is another application of the sound attacks that define Elizabeth.
Mecha Eli-chan, and Mecha Eli-chan MkII, robotic Alter-Egoes of Liz that appear on the most recent Halloween event, built by Osakabe-hime following the designs of a certain Professor M.
Unit II, which prefers to simply be called MkII is the most robotic in attitude, and focuses on her combat and guardian role over her leader abilities
a mechanism that exists only to attack invaders, a misanthrope that only sees humans a gears of her country.
The smartest of the Bathory, and simultaneously the least emotional.
Unit 1, Mecha Eli-chan, the ruler of the singularity during the event, since all of Liz' guards were brainwashed.
Mecha Eli focuses on her role of a feudal noble, leaving aside her personality as a young girl, which only shows up in front of a master she trusts.
An ally of justice, calm and prudent, with a strong sense of morality and responsibility.
Though she has issues judging human acts as good or bad, but this is something in which she's constantly trying to improve.
As her biography points out, she's fundamentally a good kid.
An Alter-Ego that represents a certain possibility, the kind of person Elizabeth Bathory would have been if someone had taught her the error of her ways.
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