| Title | Fate/strange Fake |
| Directors | Shun Enokido, Takahito Sakazume |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
| Release Date | 2025 |
While the Fate Series offers various spins on its core formula, it remains anchored by certain familiar elements that connect its countless spinoffs and sequels, like Holy Grails and Heroic Spirits. Another amusing detail—similar to many aspects of Type-Moon lore—is that any priest featured in these stories is always seen with an impressive arsenal.
Kinoko Nasu is known for his imaginative ideas, and one particularly amusing concept is the portrayal of the Catholic Church as an organization whose agents are comparable to magicians and real-life vampires. With the upcoming anime of Fate/strange Fake featuring the cyborg priest Hansa Cervantes, now is an ideal time to examine the Church’s influence within the Fate series.
What Exactly Is The Holy Church?
In simple terms, the Holy Church, as mentioned in Type-Moon’s works, refers to a clandestine group within the Roman Catholic Church. This organization has a special division known as the “Executors,” who focus on eliminating supernatural occurrences that contradict God’s teachings. Arcueid Brunestud, a key character in Tsukihime, portrays the Church as humanity’s protective shield against dangerous beings, particularly vampires.
The mission statement sharply contrasts with how the Church is viewed by the public, which outright denies the existence of such heresies. This is reminiscent of the Mage’s Association, which also aims to keep the world’s phenomena secret, though their intentions differ significantly. Both groups want to obscure the existence of “Mysteries,” but the Association cherishes Mystery as a core principle, while the Church aims to eradicate any heretical forms of it.
The Church vs the Mage’s Association
Their contrasting philosophies understandably create a notable rift, one that has been tentatively bridged in today’s world through a fragile peace. Although tensions still result in violence between the groups, this agreement has opened the door for increased cooperation, such as the Church’s role in monitoring the Holy Grail War. The Church recognizes that this isn’t the genuine Grail, but they still need to oversee anything that could potentially have such a profound impact on the world as a wish-granting artifact.
In the works of Kinoko Nasu, the ultimate aim for mages is to access the “Root” or the “Akashic Records,” which are believed to exist outside of all existence. The Church considers this goal to be foolish and does not share in the pursuit. However, since it involves realms beyond the physical, they opt not to intervene. Their focus is solely on addressing heresies that threaten their world directly, such as Dead Apostles (vampires) and other such creatures.
The Tools of the Trade
Overall, the Executors of the Church are dressed in a style similar to that of ordinary clergy, but they have dangerous implements concealed beneath their robes. The most notable of these are the Black Keys, which feature red sword hilts with blades that protrude. However, despite their sword-like appearance, they are not actual swords. The Black Keys are, quite surprisingly, condensed pages from the Bible that have been transformed into physical weapons. These are classified as “conceptual weapons.”
The Black Keys represent just a small part of a much larger picture. The Church practices its unique form of magic through what it calls “Sacraments.” Yet, Ciel, a character from Tsukihime, believes that the distinction is largely a matter of wording, influenced by the Church’s contempt for other magical practitioners. Additionally, the Church plays a crucial role in technological advancements. In Fate/strange Fake Volume 2, Hansa discloses that a significant portion of his body—seven-tenths—is not only made of prosthetics but is also sanctified for the purpose of monster exorcism.
The Church exists to guide people. Why wouldn’t it have the cutting edge in all technology and mystery?
The Church’s Strongest Soldiers
Fans of Fate should definitely explore Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- to witness the Church’s capabilities firsthand. This acclaimed remake of the 2000 visual novel vividly demonstrates the Church’s might. Ciel is certainly the most iconic Executor in Type-Moon’s works, as she is part of the Burial Agency, a distinct division of the Holy Church, and one of just seven Executors.
This club is pretty exclusive, and even Hansa acknowledges he “can’t measure up.” Ciel is not only a master of Black Keys but also the possessor of the “Seventh Holy Scripture,” a conceptual weapon and revered relic that serves as the ultimate vampire slayer. It can morph into a rifle, a colossal chain blade, a fearsome stake driver, a destructive ballista, and a formidable suit of armor. In a universe known for its fierce women, Ciel is in a class of her own.
The Church Is Everywhere
While the Mage’s Association is a key player in Type-Moon tales, the Church is a much more extensive organization, which helps explain its visibility. Kirei Kotomine from Fate/Stay Night serves as the original overseer of the Grail War. In Witch on the Holy Night, we meet three Church characters, each with special abilities that might have been showcased more if the sequels we were promised had come to fruition (I’m looking at you, Nasu). And of course, there’s Ciel, among others.
Hansa Cervantes is up next, and his brief appearance at the conclusion of Fate/strange Fake’s season premiere is a fantastic reason to look forward to the rest of the series this year. With more of Type-Moon’s works being animated, fans who are new to the Fate universe will find even more captivating elements within this franchise. The Holy Church is a significant part of it, and there’s plenty more to discover.