Taiga Fujimura

is an English teacher at Shirou's school, homeroom instructor of Shirou's class and the supervising teacher for the Archery Dojo.
==Profile==
===Background===
Teenage Taiga.jpg|Teenage Taiga
Shirou and Taiga over the years album.jpg|Taiga and Shirou over the years.
Teenage Taiga as Kerry leaves.jpg|Young Taiga left behind by Kiritsugu as he goes on his travels.
Taiga's grandfather, Raiga Fujimura, is the family head of a yakuza group that operates in Fuyuki City. Her father was adopted into the family as a son-in-law. Like Shirou, she attended Homurahara Academy for her education and is from the same graduating class as Reikan Ryuudou, the older brother of Shirou's friend Issei, and Otoko Hotaruzuka, Shirou's employer.
Taiga was idolized as the star of the kendo club, and was soon known as the "Tiger of Fuyuki" due to her prowess; if not for the tiger strap on her shinai, which was considered bad manners, resulting in her disqualification from official tournaments, it is thought that her name would have become famous across all Japan.
While in school, Taiga got to know Kiritsugu Emiya due to Taiga's friendship with Shirou. Since then, she has been frequently visiting the Emiya residence ever since Kiritsugu moved in. The two eventually became friends, and Taiga would often babysit Shirou when he was younger in Kiritsugu's absence. She had Kiritsugu as her private tutor, but he would only speak to her in English. After Kiritsugu died, Taiga became Shirou's permanent legal guardian and has been living with him for several years.
She became an English teacher at Homurahara Academy and the supervising teacher for the Archery Dojo.
===Appearance===
Taiga is a woman with short light brown hair and eyes, aged twenty-four (going on twenty-five) at the time of the Fifth Holy Grail War. She wears a green dress with a yellow and black stripe shirt and white shoes. Her three measurements are unknown but it is said that she is less than Rider but greater than Saber.
In Heaven's Feel's True End, everybody else has grown up and matured, but Taiga is the same as ever. It seems like she has not aged a day since twenty.
===Personality===
She is widely called , a nickname she dislikes as "Taiga" and "Tiger" sound similar in Japanese. She hates the fact that her name is Taiga, and if you call her Tiger she will get mad and cry. Taiga is irresponsible, clumsy, and prone to sporadic bouts of extreme lethargy or zest. Although flawed, she is bright, cheerful and always bring laughter to others. Due to being born into the Fujimura Group, it was these people and their anything-goes attitude that caused Taiga to turn out the way she did.
Taiga is a cheerful woman who's always showing her bright, yet childish side. She is really affectionate towards Shirou and Kiritsugu. She's always ready to help the former and she's always trying to give him good suggestions, especially on people he meets and those who're strictly involved with him. When she was a student, she developed a crush on Kiritsugu and it was something like love at first sight. Taiga and Shirou are very close, and she regards him as a younger brother. When she first met Shirou, she would always end up quarreling with him when she came over. Eventually, though, they made up, and settled into their current relationship. Shirou refers to her as . Her primary goal in life is to kick back and take it easy at Shirou's house. 
Thanks to Waver Velvet and Rider interaction during in the Fourth Holy Grail War, she found that communicating with people is really important. But it was thanks to Kiritsugu's influence that she learnt English from his private lessons, which led to her finally pursuing her job as an English teacher.
She's very proud of her abilities and she think she's one of the best kendo practitioners of the town. She only acknowledges others through a kendo match, such as in the case of Saber.
Taiga is a very nice and protective person although she loses her cool pretty easily. She can't cook at all and that's why she always sticks to Shirou's house at dinner or lunch time, trying to get food made by either Shirou or Sakura, the latter whom she has a very high opinion of. Taiga barely accepts Saber's presence at Shirou's house, but she's easily convinced she could be a good guardian for him.
According to Kiritsugu, Taiga is similar to Shirley.
==Role==
===Fate/Zero===
She was only referenced by Kiritsugu in the epilogue when he was with Shirou viewing the moon. Kiritsugu lived a peaceful life and he was glad that the people he encountered after the Fourth Holy Grail War has not left him.Fate/Zero Volume 4: Flames of Purgatory - Epilogue: Five Years Later Kiritsugu was fond of Taiga as she resembled his first love Shirley.
In the anime adaptation she makes only a brief background appearance when the Emiya residence is being repaired.Fate/Zero Anime - Episode 25: "Fate/Zero"
In the Drama CD featured in the collectors boxset, Taiga practices Kendo with Kiritsugu. They discuss how to help Shirou; Taiga rambles on about the sport which gives Kiritsugu an idea on how to help Shirou. He invites her over to have dinner with him which Shirou is making, she leaves after taking a bath but her advice helped convince Kiritsugu to teach Shirou Magecraft.
====The Outsiders' Performance====
In the side story of the special drama CD "The Outsiders’ Performance" as an adult, Taiga tells Saber how she was inspired to become an English teacher.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 5 During the fourth Grail War, she was looking for the thief who broke into her friend Otoko Hotaruzuka's store and stole their best wine barrel. She encounters Waver Velvet and Rider during in the night after she fell from the roof. Rider becomes a translator for both Taiga and Waver, as Waver did not learn Japanese before coming to Japan, and Taiga explained to Waver and Rider that she chased after the thief until he flew off.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 1
Rider was impressed with Taiga who willingly helped out a friend. Taiga, unaware that the criminal was standing in front of her, saw a puppy trapped in the lake. Taiga instantly jumped in the cold water to save the dog, while believing Waver and Rider would also help out. As Waver and Rider helped Taiga out of the water, Waver questioned why Taiga is so persistent on helping people. Taiga replied that she believes in kindness in others. Waver thinks this is quite cute, though Rider says something completely different which left Waver in disarray: Rider claims he wanted Waver to have a romantic experience.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 2 Taiga chased after an underwear thief, dragging Rider and Waver to help her. After they handed the underwear thief to the police, they helped reunite the puppy to its owner.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 3
Waver asked Taiga if she helped others, does not she have any problems herself. Taiga claims that she is worried about her love, school and future. Waver and Rider suggested she is suitable in teaching and guide those who seek knowledge.Fate/Zero Special Drama CD 3: The Outsiders’ Performance - Track 4
Waver suggested they should part ways and head back home but Taiga wants to go after the wine barrel thief. Waver and Rider explained that searching for the criminal at night in Fuyuki City is getting more dangerous. Rider admired Taiga who treated friendship with sincerity, claims he will reward her. Taiga tried to introduce herself to the two but Waver hypnotizes Taiga to head back home for her safety. Rider thought of stealing more wine barrels from the market for Taiga but Waver stopped him from creating more trouble, Waver had a plan that could help her. Taiga says an anonymous person sent a dozen barrels of high-class London red wine outside her friend's house.
Taiga claims that after meeting the two men, she thought communicating with people is really important and began to take learning English seriously, which lead to her finally pursuing her job as an English teacher. Saber smiles as she knew the people she met, leaving Taiga curious.
====Einzbern Consultation Room====
Taiga appears in the Einzbern Consultation Room, a segment not part of the actual timeline of Fate/Zero, as . With her amnesia, she thought she was saved by Irisviel von Einzbern when she was swept into the Holy Grail War and participated as a candidate Master. However the truth was that she was training in the mountain for her Kendo match, she ate three days of food in one go and had a near death experience from it. She somehow entered the Grail and was chased by a pack of Shade but was stopped by a void-like male figure. Avenger would order the Shades to attack Taiga, but Iri would appear and save her from the Shades by cutting them down with her Naginata. Taiga becomes her student and nicknamed as Zecchan.
In the course of the segment, Zecchan and Irisviel talked to four of the seven Heroic Spirits that were participating on the 4th War; these arrived at the Consultation Room as they were killed in Fate/Zero. After their conversation with Berserker, she realized the truth behind that place and her existence there. She tried to escape with Irisviel encouraging her to leave the Holy Grail by telling her she believes her to be a champion of justice. While running away she encounters Avenger. His body turned out to be an exit and Irisviel finally understood that Zecchan is from a different time period. Iri gives her the Consultation Room's signboard as a parting gift, waving her goodbye.
When she returns to the real world, she wonders if all the time she spent in Einzbern Consultation Room was an illusion. She finds the signboard buried nearby and promises that she will continue Iri's will.
In the epilogue, she opens up Tiger Dojo of Fate/stay night and places the signboard in the center.
===Fate/stay night===
She lives with Shirou under the pretenses of being his caretaker, though she does not cook or clean, instead eating, sleeping, and lounging around at his home. Shirou, however, appreciates Taiga's company, and is more than happy to care for her. When Shirou is in any need of advice, Taiga can be depended on to be a confidante for his worries.
She highly admires Sakura Matou and makes no effort to conceal her desire to see Shirou and Sakura become a couple. In spite of her generally carefree attitude, she initially treats Saber with disdain as she entered Shirou's home under suspicious circumstances. However, as the series progresses, she warms up to Saber, and treats her with as much affection as she does with Sakura and Shirou. Saber, for her part, is bemused by Taiga's childishness, yet simultaneously respects her for her kind, honest nature.
Taiga has no major part in Heaven's Feel.
====Fate====
In Fate, Taiga challenges Saber to a kendo match, where she is defeated; Saber's skill earns Taiga's respect, and at the same time, Saber comes to recognize Taiga's role as Shirou's proper guardian.
Following the end of the war, she and Shirou adopt Illyasviel von Einzbern, although Ilya and Taiga are frequently at odds with one another.Fate/stay night - Fate route - Epilogue: Continuation of the Dream
====Unlimited Blade Works====
During Unlimited Blade Works, Taiga is abducted by Caster as a hostage to lure Shirou and Saber to Ryuudou Temple. She is rescued along with Saber after Caster's stronghold collapses.
This is expanded in Ufotable anime adaptation, Taiga claims she has a date, she visited Kiritsugu's grave and talks to his resting place. She tells him about Shirou going on a date and Saber's long distance visit. Taiga was saddened with the thought of not being able to go abroad with Kiritsugu. Meanwhile, Caster was observing Taiga and kidnaps her by casting a sleeping spell. Caster entraps Shirou, Saber and Rin to a Bounded Field on the Fuyuki bridge and reveals herself along with Taiga as hostage. Shirou was willing to sacrifice his arm and his Command Spells for the safety of Taiga. Archer was shown concerned with Taiga's condition.Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] - Episode 12: "The Final Decision"
After the Fifth Holy Grail War, Taiga was looking for Issei and Shirou to pack Souichirou Kuzuki's belongings. She informs them that they didn't hear from him for a month and a new teacher in the next semester will replace him.Fate/stay night - Unlimited Blade Works route - True End: Brilliant Years
===Fate/strange Fake===
Taiga has heard the ghost story about Person A and has banned the students from mentioning the story. Students has mentioned Taiga is usually bold, but she's mentally weak in some weird ways. Taiga makes an appearance and calls out to student about Break time is over.Fate/strange Fake Volume 2 - Interlude: "The Little Red Riding Hood of Semina Apartments"
===Fate/tiger Colosseum series===
TaigaTCending.jpg|Taiga's ending
TaigaTCUPPERending.jpg|Taiga's Upper ending
ShirouTCending.jpg|Shirou's ending
FTCSaberend.jpg|Saber's ending
AssassinTCending.jpg|Assassin's ending
===Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA===
She is an elementary school teacher in Homurahara elementary and the teacher of Illyasviel. Her first kiss was stolen by Chloe von Einzbern.
===Capsule Servant===
Capsule Servant - shirou rin true end.jpg|True ending
Capsule Servant - Shirou adoption.jpg|
In Capsule Servant, her family are neighbors to the Emiya residence. She was shocked when Kiritsugu adopted Shirou into his family.
She only appears in the true ending, Shirou adopted Little Caren and apparently she's listed on the family register as Taiga's daughter. Taiga was disappointed with her lack of appearance.
===Carnival Phantasm===
In Carnival Phantasm, she and Illya both appear in the next episode preview in her Taiga Dojo.
===Today's Menu for Emiya Family===
Taiga has guest appearances in Today's Menu for Emiya Family. She is featured in episodes 1 and 3.Today's Menu for Emiya Family Anime Episode 1: "Toshikoshi Soba"Today's Menu for Emiya Family Anime Episode 3: "Spring Chirashizushi" A younger Taiga is featured in episode 6.Today's Menu for Emiya Family Anime Episode 6: "First Hamburger"
===Other appearances===
In Fate/EXTRA, Moon Cell created a NPC character based on the real Taiga, Taiga shares the same personality as well as job.
In The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II three years after the Grail War, Taiga is mentioned as having sent an old video game to Shirou in London. Rin has asked that nobody tell Luvia about Taiga, or else Luvia may try to bribe her for information about Shirou.The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II Volume 1: The Man Who Devoured God - Interlude
In Type-Moon's April Fools' Day 2008, she is a heavyweight wrestler known as the in the . She is the SSF instructor. She uses a lovely katana and a stylized tiger bamboo shinai as weapons and is recognized as a dirty fighter. Her slogan is "I won't allow any boring matches." This means intrusion into other matches, mudslinging or hitting the victor and leaving. No one knows her goals are. Taiga has chosen Cutie Heel Bloomer to be the "Heroine (Future Version)".
In Type-Moon's April Fools' Day 2009, moon.cinemas.jp is a fake movie theater site listing a number of parody films. She was featured in , a parody film of . Taiga plays as the role of , a high school teacher and a target for the Cat.
==Abilities==
Taiga is skilled in having reached up to five dan at her age, her overall ability in swordplay is about equal to Shiki Ryougi. She uses to fight in matches. Shinai were originally suggested by a prominent swordsman in Japan, , during the as a weapon to be used in matches in place of real swords and wooden swords. While generally made of bamboo, those made of carbon have become popular in recent years. The majority of the bamboo used in the construction comes from because it is believed to be of higher quality from being forged in the harsh conditions there. She has the equivalent of EX rank luck. Through sheer coincidence, she caused a butterfly effect during the Fourth Holy Grail War that saved mankind three times over in the course of a night. Her actions stopped a mastermind causing chaos at the bottom of the sea near Fuyuki, caused an unprecedented giant earthquake that was about to happen under Fuyuki City to be avoided, and caused a giant asteroid heading for Fuyuki City to change its course.
Taiga favors a shinai called the that she used five years before Fate/stay night. It has a tiger strap attached under the guard in what is undeniably its greatest feature, which was considered to be bad manners and not permitted in some official tournaments. The other members of her kendo club complained that her name would have been known all over Japan if she had not been banned from regulation matches for attaching the charm to the Shinai, but still felt rather relieved she stayed unknown.
It is still preserved within the Fujimura syndicate as Taiga's treasured sword despite being banned because of it, where it is jokingly called "a demonic sword that will not rest until it tastes blood, still sealed by the Fujimura family." Though quite skilled, she still easily loses to Saber while using only a normal human's level of strength.
If she faces Neco-Arc in a fight, Taiga would obviously lose. If she were to fight against Souichirou Kuzuki, while her abilities are far inferior, her EX rank luck means she may have a chance at victory.
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
During the plotting stage, she was more of a proper older sister type.
For the Tiger Dojo sessions, it was BLACK's idea to added a section where the user approves whether or not to enter the Tiger Dojo. The section was so different that BLACK was worried that Taiga would come to be known as a loud and annoying character that would blast apart the atmosphere and mood carefully created in the rest of the game. That's why there's a prompt asking for approval to go to the Tiger Dojo. It lets the user switch gears from being directly involved in the story and steels his resolve to enter the Dojo.TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm - p.191
While Kinoko Nasu is glad to have the Tiger Dojo. He thinks if it had not been there, Taiga would not have had much impact as a character and would have only been able to make a weak impression. However, in compensation for her big role in those, she's been destined to shoulder a big responsibility, and she gets a major role in Irisviel's Einzbern Consultation Room.
Gen Urobuchi joked about not adding Taiga in Fate/Zero because of how important she is and not touching her with his dirty hands is his way of showing his love.
===Reception===
Taiga is a character loved by the entire staff of Fate/stay night. Nasu commented Taiga is very powerful, she has many fans among staffs and voice actresses. Nasu expressed that is naturally like her.Fate/stay night for PS2 Meteo Hoshizora states Miki Itou has a wonderful performance that he think users will receive a deep impression of the character.TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm - p.194
*In the first Popularity polls of Fate/stay night in 2004, Taiga was ranked 9th.
*In the second Popularity polls of Fate/stay night in 2006, Taiga was ranked 15th.
*In the Type-Moon's 10th Anniversary Character Poll, Taiga was ranked 58th.
==References==
vi:Fujimura Taiga
Category:Characters in Fate/hollow ataraxia
Category:Characters in Fate/stay night
Category:Characters in Fate/tiger colosseum
Category:Normal humans
Category:School teachers
Category:Homurahara Academy students
Category:Introduced in 2004
Category:Pseudo-Servant hosts
Category:Residents of Fuyuki City
Category:Japanese
Category:Voice - Hisako Kanemoto
Category:Voice - Miki Itou