When Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi from Type-Moon sat down to create the Fate/stay night visual novel, little did they know that they were about to give birth to one of the most iconic characters in anime history: Artoria Pendragon, or as she’s more commonly known, Saber.
The female knight trope is popular in anime because it effectively combines strength, elegance, and complex character development. But let’s be real—if someone told you they were going to turn King Arthur into a blonde, blue-eyed anime waifu with a sword as big as her sense of duty, you’d probably think they were a few mana points short of a Holy Grail War.
And yet, here we are, with Saber being the face of the Fate series and the poster child for countless anime memes. How did this happen? Let’s take a trip back to where it all began.
Reimagining a King: Nasu’s Creative Vision
Kinoko Nasu, the mastermind behind the Fate series, had a rather interesting idea: “What if King Arthur was a girl?”
Not just any girl, though—a stoic, duty-bound, and ultimately tragic figure who could wield a sword and a heavy crown with equal grace. In Nasu’s vision, this reimagined King Arthur—now named Artoria Pendragon—would be a knight whose sense of duty was so strong, it could practically crack Excalibur in half.
Nasu wasn’t just content with gender-swapping the legendary king; he wanted to dive deep into the psychological turmoil of a ruler burdened by impossible ideals.
Artoria’s story is a classic tale of “be careful what you wish for”—she wanted to save her kingdom, but instead, she got stuck in a loop of eternal suffering, where her only reward was a ticket to the Holy Grail War (and not even the fast pass, mind you).
Her tragic backstory, combined with her unwavering honor and the occasional moment of awkward vulnerability, made her a character who could resonate with just about anyone—whether you’re into epic battles or just a sucker for a good redemption arc.
The character type that Saber, or Artoria Pendragon, embodies in anime terms is often referred to as a “kuudere.”
A kuudere character is typically calm, composed, and often comes across as emotionally distant or cold. They tend to be serious, logical, and not easily flustered, much like Saber’s stoic and noble demeanor.
Takashi Takeuchi’s Iconic Design: Armor, Blondes, and Bunny Suits?
Enter Takashi Takeuchi, the artist who took Nasu’s vision and turned it into something that would become instantly recognizable in anime culture.
Takeuchi designed Saber with a simple yet powerful concept in mind: “What if we make her the most knightly knight who ever knighted?” And so, Saber was born with her trademark blue and white armor, a regal cape, and a sword that practically screams “You shall not pass!”
But here’s where things get interesting—and a bit funny. Takeuchi didn’t just create a badass knight; he also tapped into the ever-popular anime trope of the blonde, blue-eyed heroine.
Let’s be honest: Saber’s design is a masterclass in anime character appeal. Her blonde hair and blue eyes are as iconic as her Excalibur, and they give her that extra “oomph” that has fans constantly arguing over whether she’s best girl (spoiler alert: she usually is).
Now, while her original armor design was meant to evoke the image of a noble king, it didn’t take long for Saber to find herself in some… less traditional outfits, courtesy of Fate/Grand Order.
Who could forget the time Saber donned a bunny suit in the Las Vegas-themed event? Yes, the same Saber who took down entire armies with Excalibur was now managing a casino in a bunny suit, looking both regal and slightly confused, as if wondering, “Is this really what being king was all about?”
This delightful contrast only added to her charm, making her not just a legendary knight, but also a character who could take on any role—whether it’s ruling Britain or serving cocktails.
This man single-handedly convinced an entire generation that King Arthur was actually a blonde anime girl with a penchant for blue armor and invisible swords.
He designed Saber so well that the Fate series ended up with more clones than a sci-fi dystopia. I mean, come on, Takeuchi, did you really need to make Saberface a whole phenomenon? It’s like you hit copy-paste and just changed the hairstyles. What’s next, Saber with a mullet? Saber in space? Oh wait, you probably already have that in the works.
Saber in the Wild: The Nasu-Takeuchi Magic
The creation of Saber wasn’t just a stroke of genius; it was the result of a perfect collaboration between Nasu and Takeuchi.
Nasu laid down the narrative groundwork, crafting a character whose complexity would drive the story forward, while Takeuchi brought that character to life with a design that was both visually stunning and instantly memorable. It’s this dynamic duo’s synergy that turned Saber from a mere concept into a pop culture phenomenon.
And what a phenomenon she’s become. Saber isn’t just a character; she’s a symbol. Her design has inspired a whole array of “Saberfaces”—characters in the Fate series who share her appearance but have their own unique stories and personalities.
She’s also become the face of countless merchandise lines, from action figures to, yes, bunny suit figures. Saber has transcended her origins to become a cultural icon, one who continues to capture the hearts of fans around the world.
Let’s not forget some of the quirky trivia that surrounds Saber. For instance, did you know that her original design was almost scrapped because Nasu wasn’t sure a female King Arthur would be accepted by fans?
Or that her “invisible air” sword was a last-minute addition to the design because they wanted to show off her full armor without the sword getting in the way?
And let’s not even get started on the endless debate about whether she should be called “Artoria” or “Altria”—a controversy so intense that it could probably fuel its own Holy Grail War.
In the end, Saber’s creation is a testament to the power of creative storytelling and design. Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi didn’t just give us a character; they gave us a legend, reimagined for a new generation.
And whether she’s in full armor, a summer swimsuit, or a bunny suit, Saber continues to reign supreme as one of anime’s most beloved and iconic characters. Long live the king—er, queen!
