Original artwork, not a still
I am the bone of my sword.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is a hero's confession disguised as a spell: a man who gave up his life to become a weapon says his body is nothing but swords. The chant marks the reveal of Archer's true past and Shirou's possible future, and fans know it by heart. It is also a staple of cosplay, AMVs and parodies, and the line is often used as a joke about taking swords too literally.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade WorksShow the scene
The incantation begins as the chant of the Unlimited Blade Works route of the Type-Moon visual novel Fate/stay night (2004). In the 2014-15 ufotable anime, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Archer chants it in the English subtitles as he unleashes his Reality Marble against Shirou Emiya in episode 20, "Unlimited Blade Works." (aired 24 May 2015). Flames sweep out and the two stand in a wasteland of swords planted like grave markers under huge turning gears. The 2006 Studio Deen series also shows Archer using the Reality Marble, against Berserker in episode 14, but the full chant is best known from the ufotable version.
Sources (4)
- Type-Moon Wiki: Unlimited Blade WorksVariations: EMIYA, English tabReference checked
- Type-Moon Wiki: Fate/stay nightInfobox and introReference checked
- Wikipedia: List of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works episodesEpisode 20Reference checked
- Wikipedia: List of Fate/stay night episodesEpisode 14, The End of The IdealReference checked
Context reviewed