Unlocking the Enigma: The Hidden Secrets of Origins in the Fate Series

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In anime, there are numerous magic systems, but one of the most elaborate is found in the Fate Series. This particular series distinguishes between Magecraft and what is known as "True Magic." Within Magecraft, there is a small aspect called an Origin, which occasionally appears in Fate and its related works. Unlike being used primarily as a combat tool, an Origin serves as an indication of a character's inherent qualities.

Fans of Fate/Zero will recall how Kiritsugu, in order to gain an advantage over the Mage Kayneth El Melloi Archibald, utilized "Origin Rounds" made from his own rib bones. However, the potency of these magic bullets did not solely lie in the fact that they were created using his own bones. It was due to Kiritsugu's character and nature that his bullets immensely incapacitated Kayneth as a Master.

Understanding Origin

Simply put, Origin refers to the starting point of one's existence. It is often summarized in a word or phrase that encompasses the direction one's life may take. This concept is closely linked to the "Root," which we have previously discussed on Game Rant. The Root is a metaphysical plane that contains the records of all things in the universe, past, present, and future.

Considering this, an Origin can be likened to the core essence of a person, representing their fundamental driving force that traces back to the beginning of their existence. In the Fate Series, every human acts in accordance with their own Origin, although not all characters have their Origin revealed.

At its core, an Origin represents a person's innate inclination towards a specific path, rather than a predetermined influence over their conscious decision-making. It does not negate the existence of free will. However, if someone's Origin is "awakened," as exemplified in the Garden of Sinners series, the narrative takes a slightly different turn.

When individuals are awakened to their Origin, it's akin to being bound by the most fundamental desires of their soul, transforming an innate instinct into an all-consuming obsession. In the Garden of Sinners, the antagonist Souren Araya awakens Lio Shirazumi's Origin, "Consumption," driving him to madness as he becomes fixated on devouring the protagonist, Shiki Ryougi.

How Origin is Used

As mentioned earlier, many fans of Fate are likely familiar with the use of Origin as a weapon by Kiritsugu. When the audience witnesses the process of creating Origin Rounds, Kiritsugu's mentor Natalia explains his "Severing and Binding" origin using a metaphor. She compares it to a thread that has been cut and re-tied, emphasizing that it will always be thicker where it was cut.

The bullets function in a similar manner. When Kiritsugu fires a round at Kayneth's magic barrier, it causes his opponent's Magic Circuits to go completely haywire, rendering them irreparably damaged. Kiritsugu essentially destroys his opponent's ability to use magic as if he were cutting yarn with scissors. While the threads can be tied back together, they will never be the same as before, comparable to a bone that hasn't been set properly after being broken.

The unique nature of Kiritsugu's Origin is what sets it apart and explains its different applications in these stories. It often doesn't directly impact combat, but rather provides insight into a character's core abilities and motivations. Even within the lore, characters use it to gain understanding about others.

Mages are usually classified based on their alignment to a specific Affinity, which is why many specialize in specific fields. However, those without a designated Affinity can achieve impressive results by following their Origin, allowing them to surpass limitations that would hinder other mages.

Despite not having a powerful lineage or any formal mage training, Shirou Emiya, the protagonist of Fate/Stay Night, manages to achieve remarkable feats. While his abilities may be relatively simple, his Origin, fittingly named "Sword," grants him the remarkable potential to challenge formidable adversaries such as Gilgamesh. In fact, he can even manifest the extraordinary power known as "Unlimited Blade Works."

Confirmed Origins are primarily found in the Garden of Sinners series, such as Shiki Ryougi ("Emptiness"), Fujino Asagami ("Nothingness"), and Azaka Kokutou ("Taboo"). In contrast, Mikiya Kokutou, the other main character, does not possess a specified Origin. However, it is described as "one that will never harm others, more than anyone else."

In Fate/Stay Night, Rin Tohsaka's Origin is also unspecified, but it is believed to be related to Elemental Affinity. Some fans speculate that this refers to Rin's apparent lack of a specific Affinity. On the other hand, Sakura Matou possesses the Origin "Imaginary Numbers," which is tied to her abilities in the Heaven's Feel route. This allows her to create a space to store people and objects using imaginary numbers.

In both character creation and analysis, there is often a tendency to deconstruct them to their fundamental elements in order to determine their essence. However, what sets Kinoko Nasu's Fate Series and subsequent works apart is their utilization of Origin as a means to transform a central trait of the characters into a weapon or tool within the narrative.