Ritsuka Fujimaru (Female)

The female protagonist of Fate/Grand Order who serves as the last Master of Chaldea. Background As a self-insert for the player, Fujimaru has very few background details or connections to other people or events. They are simply "someone who just happened to see a recruitment flyer at a station, applied and got accepted into the job, and somehow ended up getting taken into the Chaldea Security Organization",[6] effectively having joined Chaldea on a whim[2] while being a civilian with no training or combat experience.[7] They are acting as a newly established Master candidate of Chaldea whose only purpose is shoring up numbers.[8] When they were younger, Fujimaru had a next-door neighbor, an old man who was a veteran of World War II. Though everyone had left him after the war and had been living alone for 20 years since then, the old man held no resentment over what had happened to him. They befriended the old man when they were in junior high school, and were upset to hear that at the end he was left behind with nothing in return. The old man corrected them when he heard this, telling them "There were sad and painful things, but when I look back they become trivial and insignificant. And it's not a lonely life either. After all, I am talking to you." When the old man died a few days afterwards, Fujimaru did not cry for him, as they realized that life can be wonderful even if it is not rewarded.[9] According to the Shimousa manga adaptation, Fujimaru was part of their school's volleyball team.[10] They are described as being in their late teens and below the legal drinking age, but their exact age is not specified. In "Wastehole of the Unsalvageable, Id", a world based on their memories of 2015, Fujimaru is in their second year of high school,[11] which in the Japanese school system would make them 16-17. Personality Their alignment is Neutral Good,[4] but the Lion King, one of Chaldea's enemies, defined them as a soul who “knows good but commits evil, and allows evil while being good.”[13] James Moriarty similarly describes Fujimaru as "good, yet not hating evil, tormented by evil, yet carrying on doing good".[14] They are highly empathetic and have a gift when it comes to dealing with Servants, in no small part because they believe that everyone has something about them that deserves respect even if their views are irreconcilable, and are able to form strong ties with even the most dangerous and unstable of Servants summoned by Chaldea. While they are aware that their own skill as a magus is questionable at best, they trust in their Servants to act as their strength in their stead. According to quotes from Kadoc Zemlupus and Goredolf Musik, they are known for their foolhardiness and willingness to go to great lengths to help others. This was evidenced by their attempt to bring back the carcass of Specimen E for further research, despite its ominous appearance. However, their efforts were ultimately in vain as the carcass disintegrated into a cloud of dust upon contact with Fujimaru's hand, demonstrating their courage in the face of danger. Their unwavering perseverance has been a constant companion throughout their journeys across multiple lostbelts and singularities. Without it, their journey would have ended long ago. Their bravery, courage, and unyieldingness are put to the ultimate test during the final battle against ORT in the South American Lostbelt, where they refused to give up and continue to weaken the monstrous entity, even at the cost of losing servants in every battle, all in the hope of finally destroying it once and for all. The authoritative Chaldea Director Olga Marie Animusphere described them as “Quiet, but with some nerve”[7] and Sasaki Kojirou noted they lacked the pride displayed by most mages.[15] The goddess Quetzalcoatl noted their discipline, righteousness and earnestness,[16] and Mash remarked on their flexibility in being able to adapt to almost any situation regardless of how extreme or bizarre it might be. Meltryllis reflected fondly on their kindness in helping her when she had nothing to offer them in return and their willingness to trust her despite having no reason to do so.[17] Shakespeare described them as someone with an Iron Heart and will despite being weak to compliment Mash who was a iron body knight with a weak heart. Merlin treats Fujimaru similarly to the kings he watched over in the past he also believes in the Master, the hope of human history; he shall lend his power to the utmost; and then he shall entertain himself relaxingly. Merlin's desire is to carve open a path for Fujimaru's own destiny, to watch him off as he walks towards the future, to gaze at that kind of "beautiful view". Hakuno Kishinami considered them to be earnest enough to take their joking claim to be Francisco Xavier seriously, and when they later met in person they saw him as both a capable kouhai and a Master worthy of representing humanity just as they had done in the Moon Cell. In her last moments, U-Olga Marie thought of Ritsuka as a person able to show kindness to anyone, even their enemies. Early in their role as a Master, when pressured by Shadow Servants during the Fuyuki Singularity, they were able to stay calm when the Director and Mash panicked,[18] a composure that was repeatedly noted during other missions.[19] After being defeated by Fujimaru's Servants, Vlad III praised Fujimaru's abilities as a commander and asked them to summon him in the future.[20] Mash recognizes Fujimaru as her senpai, a role she defines as “someone inherently human and of average status, not the best but a normal person who strives to do their best, who doesn't hurt others and never gives up. An upright human being.”[21] Cú Chulainn echoes this sentiment that Ritsuka is "the most human of all humans I know"- always trying their best, borrowing the wisdom of those that came before them, dreaming of a better future, and always being willing to fight for that future even against impossible odds. Fujimaru initially displays very little sign of stress despite having been thrust into a supernatural war to save the planet where their defeat will mean the annihilation of humanity. This is not true within the Absolute Demonic Front Babylonia anime, in which Ritsuka is shown having a flashback to the death of Director Olga Marie Animusphere. He expresses a sense of powerlessness, unable to save others. This changes after the climax of the Russian Lostbelt, in which Fujimaru is paralyzed by the spoken out repercussions of having to murder their former allies and causing a world to die that theirs might live. Something they have known but pushed through to continue. It is not until Patxi sacrifices himself to save them that they break out of this state, and they remain deeply conflicted throughout the next few Lostbelts. Additionally, Ritsuka is aware that as a provisional Master they could be replaced at any time and does not know if culling the Lostbelts will even be able to restore Proper Human History. Even so, Ritsuka refuses to succumb to despair and is always ready to keep fighting for the sake of humanity's future and their own wish to keep on living, following Dr. Roman's example of wanting to see their journey through to the end regardless of what it might entail. Since then, their resolve has only grown to a degree bordering on the superhuman, with their being able to survive even the most horrific of mental assaults without their will being broken. Events within the game and character dialogue present the fact that Fujimaru is apparently a fan of mecha-themed pop culture, such as Gundam; this is one of the few actual interests or hobbies the character has which remains consistent throughout Fate/Grand Order. As well, in the South American Lostbelt Kadoc Zemlupus wonders if Fujimaru is interested in paleontology after they easily list off the dates of the Mesozoic Era.[22] In the anime adaptation of Absolute Demonic Front Babylonia, Fujimaru reveals that Ushiwakamaru was his childhood hero. Fujimaru's dream is to open a bakery with the person they love.[23] The communication with Servants is basically be as direct as possible and have conversations based on modern people’s values. Also, when it comes to differences in values, Fujimaru will not refute them but accept them silently, but at the same time that will keep thinking in heart, "But what's going on with that?"[24] According to personal statement, the fear of Heroic Spirits has always been lurking in his heart, but this is not a reason to distrust them.[25]