Sajou Ayaka
Sajou Ayaka is the central protagonist of Fate/Prototype and serves as the Master of Saber during the Holy Grail War. Within the hierarchy of magi, she holds the lowest Master rank, designated as Principality (Seventh Rank). Although an inexperienced practitioner of magecraft, she finds herself thrust into the battle for the Holy Grail, standing as the foundational concept for heroines in the broader Fate franchise.
Overview
Sajou Ayaka is the central protagonist of Fate/Prototype and serves as the Master of Saber during the Holy Grail War. Within the hierarchy of magi, she holds the lowest Master rank, designated as Principality (Seventh Rank). Although an inexperienced practitioner of magecraft, she finds herself thrust into the battle for the Holy Grail, standing as the foundational concept for heroines in the broader Fate franchise.
Appearance
Ayaka is primarily recognized by her glasses. When she takes them off, her facial features are revealed to be remarkably beautiful, accompanied by a slight brightening of her hair and eye coloration. Her Command Seal is located at the center of her chest. Her standard attire consists of a school uniform featuring a collared shirt with a loosened necktie or ribbon, a skirt, and black pantyhose.
Personality
Ayaka is deeply self-deprecating, viewing herself as gloomy, cowardly, narrow-minded, and ostentatious. She carries an intense inferiority complex regarding her exceptionally talented older sister and feels self-conscious about being a magus. Though timid around others, she can act spoiled at home. While initially prone to hesitation, she possesses a steadfast determination and stubborn resilience once she resolves to fight.
Abilities
Ayaka possesses Magic Circuits evaluated at Rank C in both quality and quantity, with a normal composition. She initially practiced Witchcraft inherited from her father, but poor affinity caused her to struggle with tasks like brewing herbal remedies while strangely attracting crows. Following Saber's guidance, she switches to Formal Craft (elemental conversion), which aligns with her innate potential. Despite evaluating herself as ordinary, her latent ability allows her to win the allegiance of three Heroic Spirits.
Background
Eight years prior to the story, Ayaka lost her father, Sajou Hiroki, and her older sister, Sajou Manaka, in the previous Holy Grail War. Deeply scarred by this tragedy, she lived alone in a European-style house and attempted to abandon magecraft entirely. Her quiet life was shattered when Lancer attacked her, forcing her into a desperate situation where she accidentally summoned Saber and was drawn back into the Grail conflict.
Relationships
Ayaka shares a deep bond of trust with her Servant, Saber (Arthur Pendragon), admiring him like an ideal prince. The enemy Archer unexpectedly proposes to her upon their first meeting, while Lancer becomes her Servant under specific circumstances. She holds complex feelings toward her late sister, Sajou Manaka, who viewed Ayaka merely as an ordinary person. She also maintains a competitive relationship with her school senior and rival Master, Reiroukan Misaya.
Trivia
Ayaka's character concept served as the original foundation for Emiya Shirou in Fate/stay night, with several of her traits influencing heroines throughout the series. Regarding the detail that she is a beauty when not wearing glasses, manga artist Mashin Eiichiro famously begged creator Nasu Kinoko not to have her remove her glasses within the story.
