Sasaki Kojirou

, Class Name , is the Assassin-class Servant of Medea in the Fifth Holy Grail War of Fate/stay night. He is an irregular Servant that shouldn't exist according to the rules of the Holy Grail War, but Medea's unique nature as a Servant summoning a Servant twists the process. The true Servant, one of the Hassan-i-Sabbah, is summoned as True Assassin in the Heaven's Feel route.
He is one of the Servants summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders conflicts of Fate/Grand Order, appearing as both his Assassin-class self and as a Saber-class Servant, , during his duel with Miyamoto Musashi.
He is the Servant of Makki in the world "After" the Holy Grail War in Fate/Requiem under the alias of .
==Profile==
===Identity===
A mythical Japanese swordsman said to have faced Miyamoto Musashi in combat. In reality, the individual summoned as Assassin's true name was unknown, and to be more specific, he never had a true name. Kojirou is known as a master swordsman whose existence is doubted even though his name remains recorded in history. He did not actually exist, so it would be impossible to summon the real thing as a Servant. The person summoned in his place is not a Heroic Spirit, but an existence closer to that of wraiths. If there was to be a database for all of humanity, he is the piece of data that best matches the parameters of Sasaki, so his personality would become Kojirou's personality and his monumental feats would become that of Kojirou rather than his own.Nasu: If a Master wished to summon Kojiro Sasaki, he would be unable to because Kojiro Sasaki did not exist. Like the story stated, if there were a database for humanity, then Assassin was the piece of data that matched the parameters of Kojiro Sasaki. As a result, Assassin's personality would become Kojiro's personality, and Assassin's monumental feats would become that of Kojiro's rather than his.
This individual was the son of an farming family during the peroid Miyamoto Musashi was alive, living an ordinary farm life and separated from common sense. He met a master swordsman who had retired deep into the mountains, and began to live in the mountains himself. He was enthralled by the swordsmanship of the master, and he began training under him the next day. The master swordsman only taught him the refined behaviour of a swordsman, a communion with nature, but did not instruct him on anything related to sword techniques. After one month, the master swordsman drew his last breath, and the nameless man completely threw himself into the path of a swordsman. The only hint to the identity of the nameless martial artist is that he had some connection to Ryuudou Temple, but there is no way to know his true identity. He died lacking a name, never even fortunate enough to be given one, and the ability to read or write. He utilizes a long called the and created the Tsubame Gaeshi technique, it being the reason he can be summoned. He spent much of his life simply trying to figure out the best method to cut down a swallow, and although he realized the method was impossible for a human, he had nothing else to do and kept on practicing. While determination is normally the key to success, he simply noticed that it had succeeded.
The legendary Sasaki Kojirou is known as cool and elegant, so the nameless swordsman's pursuit of sword technique, sophistication, and finding joy in dueling with strong foes is reminiscent of that character. Differing from the legend, his nodachi is longer, 1.5 meters compared to 90 centimeters and engraved with . The Bitchu Aoe may have been his master's or perhaps he received it from the Holy Grail when he was summoned as it is something thought to be part of who he is.the legendary soul was summoned. It is simply something thought to be part of who he is. With any great deed performed by Assassin, the reward will go to "Sasaki Kojirou", as he is nothing and all his actions are meaningless. He is a disposable swordsman meant only to act out the role of Sasaki Kojirou, a fictional swordsman created from a fictional story.
====Legend====
While the Kojirou in the modern era is an invention, a blend of details from the lives of many nameless and forgotten historical swordsmen, he is said to have been born in the in the countryside according to records. His real name was speculated to be . He studied under the originator of the Chujoryu kodachi style, , favoring a nondachi. He defeated the master's younger brother, and named his own style "Ganryu." He was known as a handsome swordsman wielding the an approximately 90 centimeters to one meter nodachi}, the Bizen Osahune Nagamitsu, that was also called the Monohoshi Zao. He traveled around the country as a master swordsman, and it is said that he developed his secret sword technique, Tsubame Gaeshi, able to kill even a flying swallow, around the in the .
He terrified swordsmen around the country after that period, and eventually battled Miyamoto Musashi at to maintain the reputation of the domain he served, dying in the process. He was unable to fight while holding onto the sheath of his sword due to its length, so he threw it away in front of Musashi. Musashi is quoted to have said the famous lines "Kojirou, you lose. If you are were planning to win, why did you throw away your sheath?" and “Kojirou has been defeated!" after seeing that event. The battle ended in Kojirou's death after having either his forehead or chest was crushed by an oar.
Musashi was one of Japan's best swordsmen, and Kojirou is known as Musashi's worthy rival. It is claimed that he gained fame around the period from the 10th to 17th year of the , but his real figure is hazy like the moon on water. Any truth of this era is a mystery due to all books noting him being inconsistent in terms of years. His duel is legendary, and although he was said to be the disciple of Seigen, there are numerous conflicting documentations and legends, which still shroud his true identity. The only one who should know of the existence of such a swordsman would have to be the supposed rival who defeated him, Musashi, but he is not mentioned in Musashi's book, .
Kojirou was a Japanese man without any real identity, his birth is unknown, and his story was only told through word of mouth. His past was falsely forged as a convenient foe to the famed swordsman, Musashi. The records are too vague, but it was likely there existed man named Sasaki Kojirou and a man who wielded a sword called the Monohoshi Zao. They would not have been the same person, so the swordsman with the name Sasaki Kojirou was simply a fictional character created to be his enemy's foil. Even if there was a person like him, it can be said that his figure passed down to the present is a fictional swordsman nor an overstatement to say that he has never existed.
===Appearance===
Sasaki Kojirou appears as a samurai swordsman with long indigo hair tied into ponytail and indigo eyes. He wears a traditional light purple umanori hakama and kimono, light purple tabi and black zori with purple haori and tekkou and carries his sword, Monohoshi Zao on his back.
===Personality===
The swordsman is quiet and composed, and while his general tone has a mocking nature to it, he takes it to another level with Medea. He is honorable in battle, always maintaining a degree of , and he is not the type who would attack defenseless women and children. He willingly keeps Artoria Pendragon from exposing her name without any ulterior motives, and he prematurely stops their fight to keep an opponent from spying on her Noble Phantasm and possibly going after the weakened winner of the battle. He has no actual goal in participating in the Holy Grail War, since as a wraith he cannot obtain the Holy Grail. He reveals his 'True Name' without regard for how this might prove disadvantageous for him, and seems disinterested in Medea's promised reward of making him into a real Sasaki. He only guards the gate for the opportunity to fight strong opponents
A refined man who admires the beauties of nature and wraps his body in an elegant battle surcoat. Aloof from the world and having a somewhat elusive personality but, as expected, he is a warrior who likes fair and square contests. Due to living in an age where casualties happened on a daily basis, his perspectives about life and death may also seem cold-hearted for a modern person.
====Relationships====
;Yukika Saegusa
:He befriends Yukika Saegusa, taking to her innocence that is like that of a puppy. He does his best to avoid the topic of his strange clothing and nature as a Servant.
;Medea
:He greatly dislikes Medea, seeking to kill her if possible. Not wishing to be ordered around by a woman, her first Command Spell was to force him into obedience. During Fate/hollow ataraxia, he is very carefree and casual with her, freely insulting her and mocking her orders as he wishes. She attempts to have him do menial work, but he uses logic like that it would take more magical energy to take form to sweep than if she herself were to do it. True to her nature as a magus, the logic is impenetrable because she would never utilize magical energy frivolously. He mentions that he enjoys watching her interactions with Kuzuki due to him not giving her any recognition. It was one of his few sources of amusement, but eventually began to tire of it.
:Once, she was his summoner. Had she not summoned upon a nameless swordsman, then this Sasaki Kojirou would have never come to be. In a way, he felt a debt of gratitude towards her.
;Medea Lily
:"What karma is this? I can't believe I was fated to meet that trickster of a woman again... What's more, that Caster. She's a little... actually, she's like a completely different person now. I hate to admit it, but... She's quite lovely..."Fate/Grand Order - Sasaki Koujirou's My Room voice lines.
;Miyamoto Musashi
:"No, I'm not the true Kojirou, I've never met this master swordsman... I suppose that's why they say truth is stranger than fiction. I feel as if I'd like to go up against him, but at the same time, perhaps not..."
:There was never a time when they encountered each other; but as he is Sasaki Kojirou, Miyamoto Musashi is an opponent he simply cannot ignore. He would love for a bout where they put their life on the lines.
;Martha
:"She is unaffected and sincere, while filled with fortitude and vigor; truly excellent. Her attitude, too, is dignified and centered, steady and unwavering. However, that brusqueness of her is her one true flaw ooOoOUCH!?"
==Role==
===Fate/stay night===
Caster, borrowing the power of the Greater Grail, was able to obtain fake Command Spells and summon a fake Servant, Assassin.
 Assassin was summoned as a guardian and watchman for the front gate of Ryuudou Temple. As an improper Servant, Assassin is entirely dependent on Caster for mana and cannot move freely beyond the grounds of Ryuudou Temple. Furthermore, he lacks most of the usual parameters and abilities granted to his class. Because of his limited status, Assassin cares little for the Holy Grail, and outside of his duties to Caster, he only seeks to enjoy a decent sword duel.
====Fate====
In the Fate scenario, Assassin drives back Saber during her first assault on Ryuudou Temple. He is never seen after his initial confrontation with Saber. He is defeated at some point in the story but it is only mentioned and not shown, leaving the identity of his killer unknown.
In Fate/hollow ataraxia, it is revealed that Gilgamesh was the one who attacked Ryuudou Temple and killed both Assassin and Kuzuki.
In the 2006 anime, during their second meeting in Caster's underground temple, he allows Emiya Shirou and Tohsaka Rin to pass in order to engage Saber in a duel in which he is defeated.
====Unlimited Blade Works====
Assassin and Saber faceoff.png|Saber confronting Assassin.
Assassin blocking Archer's strike (Ufotable).gif|Assassin saving Saber and Shirou from Archer's attack.
Assassin defending Saber and Shirou from Archer.png|Assassin preventing Archer from attacking Shirou and Saber.
Saber defeats Assassin.png|Assassin defeated by Saber.
In the Unlimited Blade Works scenario, Assassin permits Archer entry into Ryuudou Temple so he can give that "vixen a scare." He then battles Saber, who notes the clear difference in their sword technique and survives Assassin's Tsubame Gaeshi. After Archer nearly kills Shirou, however, Assassin allows Saber to run to him, stating that her concern for her Master is admirable. He then protects Saber and Shirou from Archer and engages in combat with him. The winner is not shown, as Saber and Shirou flee while they have the chance.
After Caster uses Rule Breaker to steal Shirou’s Command Seals (and thus, Saber herself), she goes to inform Assassin she is heading to Kotomine’s Church. He lets her know that he struck down a bird Familiar made of jewels belonging to Rin, and questions whether Kuzuki will approve of her actions done without his knowledge or consent. As punishment, she uses magic to rip his chest open. Despite his pain, he is not quite cowed, but nonetheless promises to guard the temple as ever, watching as his master departs with laughter.
On the last night of the Holy Grail War, Saber goes to the front gate of Ryuudou Temple to fight against Gilgamesh. However, Assassin still exists and wants to duel against Saber. He is defeated by Saber due to his blade being bent from their previous encounter, which leaves an opening in his Tsubame Gaeshi. Soon after, he dies peacefully.
====Heaven's Feel====
In the Heaven's Feel scenario, Assassin is killed by the entity known as the Shadow and his flesh serves as Matou Zouken's catalyst for summoning the True Assassin.
In Fate/stay night - Heaven's Feel I. presage flower, he ends up being the first Servant to be absorbed by the Shadow after the birth of True Assassin, causing the interference that ends up making the Shadow in the Second Lesser Grail instead of Illya.
===Fate/hollow ataraxia===
thumb|200px|Souichirou and Assassin fighting against the dog-shadows
In Fate/hollow ataraxia, Assassin remains bound to Ryuudou Temple, and continues to watch over its front gate even though peace has settled over Fuyuki City. He converses with whoever is kind enough to climb up the steps to see him. Incidentally, he takes upon the pseudonym .
When Avenger makes his move, Assassin fights the dog-shadows right beside his Master, Caster and Souichirou Kuzuki.
===Fate/Unlimited Codes===
In Fate/Unlimited Codes, he is known as . Assassin's story follow as he was summoned by Caster, he notices that the environment to be familiar to Ryuudou Temple. Caster corrects Assassin that it has been many years since he last saw Ryuudou Temple and calls him as Sasaki Kojirou. While Assassin seems confused with his name, Caster claims it is a name that people of the modern age calls him. Caster explains to Assassin that she summoned him to serve her and refers him as Assassin. Caster orders Assassin to guard the mountain gate whether they are Magus or Servants, however Assassin refuse to take order from Caster. He claims that he has no problem offering his life to a cause but drawing his sword on a command of a woman doesn't suit him. Caster forces Assassin to submit to her orders when she used her Command Spells. Although Assassin follows her command, Assassin mocks Caster whether she can still control him by the end of the Holy Grail War.
His clash with Saber is interrupted when Assassin says that a third party member is observing their fight and the possibility of them to attack when they witness their secret technique or taking advantage on the injured winner. Assassin suggested Saber to retreat as he already figured out Saber's techniques and along with the possibility that the third party member will attack Shirou Emiya who is on his way to collect Saber. Caster appears and orders Assassin to finish Saber as she is both tired and exhausted. Assassin tells Caster not to interfere and told her he has no desire to settle things in a vulgar manner. Caster used her second command spell, she orders Assassin to finish off Shirou while Caster has an interest in Saber. As he wins, he feels Saber shame in surviving the duel and wonders what to do with Caster who has gone too far to interfere.
His final opponent is Berserker who has passed through the mountain gates and in to the inner grounds of the temple, Assassin can sense Berserker immense vigor. Berserker strikes Assassin with one blow, Caster in disbelief was convinced that Assassin had no chance in defeating Berserker. Caster used her final command spell to fight Berserker to the very end, Assassin used this opportunity to cut down Caster. He planned to have the final command spell to be used and in doing so, his reserved energy was activated. It appears that he has many energy left due to defeating his enemies without a single loss.
Shortly after Caster death, Assassin will be gone shortly but he is glad to have a worthy opponent in his final moments. Although he doesn't know Berserker identity but he knows he is an exceptional warrior and that he has to use his full force to win. After his victory, he never believed that he would face against a tough opponent and was satisfied with his time spent in the Holy Grail War. He compliments the beauty of the Moon and fades away.
===Fate/tiger colosseum series===
AssassinTCending.jpg|Assassin's Ending
CasterTCending.jpg|Caster's Ending
DarkSakuraTCEnding.jpg|Dark Sakura's Ending
===Fate/Grand Order===
Assassin, Georgios, and Martha are dubbed by Mash Kyrielight as being a .
====Do Moon Goddesses Dream of Dango?====
Travelling with Martha and Georgios, Sasaki Kojirou runs into Marie Antoinette, Chevalier d’Eon, and Charles-Henri Sanson, who give them most of their dumplings as a sign of friendship. Afterwards, he and the others go to the waters of Marseille with him tagging along, hoping he’ll get to fight with Martha.
Later, Sasaki eats the dumplings with Georgios and Martha while they camp out near the shorelines Marseille. Martha asks him his reasons for tagging with her and Georgios. Sasaki answers as he did before, but Martha rejects his request to fight. Sasaki then wonders about Tarasque, and becomes intrigued by Martha’s fighting style when she states that neither his sword nor her punches can penetrate Tarasque’s scales. Ritsuka’s party soon arrives, with Mash demanding that they surrender their dumplings. Sasaki and others seemingly hand over their dumplings, but Artemis reveals that they’re still hiding some. Sasaki himself is hiding a rare dumpling in his pocket. With their poor deception unveiled by Artemis, Sasaki fights the group with Georgios and Martha. After being defeated, Sasaki and Georgios pretend to pass out because of their male pride. Martha ends knocking the two unconscious for real for this.
==== Event: Onigashima ====
The oni hires Sasaki to serve as a gate guard. They also hired him to slay the evil bird that shoots beams from its beak on the absurd notion that swallows and pheasants are the same. Sasaki is assigned to the first gate with the great oni Kazakoemaru.Fate/Grand Order - Onigashima: The Great Tale of Demons, Act 3: The First Great Oni Appears
When Ritsuka's party comes to the first gate, Sasaki explains why the oni hired him. He then asks where the pheasant is, to which Ushiwakamaru shows Fuuma Kotarou. Sasaki is angry that Kotarou is a person, explaining he came seeking a swallow equal to the one he fought that day. He calms down, though, upon learning who Kotarou is. However, his calling the Fuuma Clan second to the Iga and Kouga Clans sends Kotarou into a rage and prompts a fight.
After he and Kazakoemaru are defeated, Sasaki reasons him being led astray by feminine charms made him lose. He then recites a poem for the occasion: "Blue sky of summer, bashful upon the shoreline, my lovely Martha." He laughs that will never happen and disappears.Fate/Grand Order - Onigashima: The Great Tale of Demons, Act 4: Kazakoemarou Repelled
==== Summer Event: Chaldea Summer Memories ====
Sasaki and several other of Ritsuka’s Servants are accidentally rayshifted to a remote island where they’re unable to contact Chaldea. As everyone waits for Blackbeard's observation report of the island, Sasaki asks Martha for a duel, but he does so obtusely that Martha accuses him of sexual harassment. Everyone then soon learns from a near-dead Blackbeard that their location is still unknown, and it’s nearly impossible to leave by ship.
At the group barbecue, Sasaki remarks how he was unable to taste if the meat's flavor changes depending on whether it was grilled by Scáthach's runic fire or Kiyohime's fire. He then whispers to Karna, asking him to use his eye beams on the meat. Karna does as asked, but the meat is charred. Sasaki notices Martha taking a fighting stance as she yells at him for overcooking the meat, though she insists she isn't going to fight him.
If the rice paddy is made, Sasaki tells Ritsuka that it may not be long before they see him make magnificent usage of the scythe. Tamamo-no-Mae is glad to see him is eager to help, saying harvest season is always a pain. She then nearly wishes Tawara Touta was here until she remembers his Noble Phantasm creates infinite rice. When Tamamo and Ritsuka agree that rice tastes better when harvested, Sasaki replies that is Touta's rice is delicious sadly and starts to drool as he recalls it.
Sasaki doesn't join the hunt for the boar that supposedly destroyed the crops and killed Fionn and Diarmuid. His reason is that he isn't interested in a boar that cannot clone itself, go backward in time, split space, or anything of the sort.
If the waterwheel is built, Sasaki reminisces how his home village had one. While he had no special feelings for it back then, he never expected it to sound refined on the island. He then tells Ritsuka and Mash that while it isn't bad to admire the handiness of the waterwheel or their history, it is also good to close their eye and listen to the sounds of the waterwheel. Fou jumps on top of the waterwheel and proceeds to use it as an exercise wheel. Finding it elegant, Sasaki comes up with haiku: At the bottom right/ Continouslly running/ The creature sprints on. He says the first line seems meaningless, but believes it displays his remarkable poetic sense.
If the Japanese bridge is built, Sasaki finds it a perfect fit for Kiyohime as evil spirits are said to inhabit bridges. He then remarks on how elegant the creaking of the bridge floor sounds. He believes it'd be most so if he were to duel an evil monk who's after his sword on the bridge.
If the zen garden is made, Sasaki calls its sense of Wabi-Sabi elegant. He feels as if it speaks to the very nature of valor itself, to which Scáthach agrees. Mash then serves everyone tea as they all sit and stare at the garden in silence.
Later, serving as the gatekeeper to the men's secret village, Sasaki bars Ritsuka, Mash, Martha, Tamamo, and Kiyohime from following Cú Chulainn and Karna further into the jungle. He introduces himself as Island Mask, wearing a mask given to him by Amadeus Mozart as a fellow member of the 1-star Alliance. Martha decides to punch him until his mask breaks, but Sasaki asks her not to since it's borrowed. So Martha decides to focus solely on his stomach instead, claiming she’ll hit so he won’t be able to digest for three days. She wonders if Sasaki’s eagerness to fight her is related to her swimsuit, now eager to fight as well. Sasaki replies he wants her to bring out Tarasque, so Martha decides to show no mercy.
After being defeated, Sasaki admits he wanted to go wild as well since it’s summer. But he couldn’t wear a swimsuit because he’s a 1-star Servant. Mozart gave the mask to him to give him some excitement. Though Martha broke it, it remains a symbol of determination for the 1-Star Alliance. Even though she understands he was venting his frustration, Martha asks him why he was barring them. She knows the men up ahead aren’t of common rarity, so Sasaki isn’t obligated to help them. Sasaki answers he asked them to hire him, thinking it would be a good chance to play the role of Island Mask. He then guides the group to a secret village built by the men.
If the Iron Fortress is built, Sasaki falls through a trapdoor activated by Mordred.
He later helps defeat the giant demon boar when it appears as construction for the escape ship is nearly complete. After the giant demon boar returns and is seemingly killed, everyone boards the ship and sets sail. Sasaki decides to play a game of hanafuda in his cabin, joined by Cú Chulainn.
==== Summer Event: Chaldea Heat Odyssey ====
During a storm, however, the men are thrown overboard. Sasaki and Karna eventually washed back on the island after 2,000 years passed there. Beowulf saves them from being nearly eaten by demon boars. To thank him for his hospitality, Sasaki and Karna agree to be his subordinates.
When Ritsuka, Mash, and Martha come to his ruins lair, Beowulf has Sasaki and Karna bar the group's way to him. Greeting them, Sasaki explains the circumstance by which he was reluctantly made a gatekeeper again. Karna explains his and Sasaki's orders, suspecting Beowulf wants to test the group's abilities. After the fight, Sasaki and Karna bring the group before Beowulf. Martha defeats Beowulf and frees the boar piglet he held hostage. Sasaki is relieved everything turned out fine, calling Martha the best.
Later, Sasaki, Karna, and Beowulf join the others as they prepare to escape the island. As they do, they're contacted by Romani Archaman. They learn they were only gone for an hour before rayshifting back to Chaldea.
====Subspecies Singularity III: Shimosa====
In Chaldea, Sasaki joins Ritsuka and Mash’s discussion about Ritsuka meeting a female Musashi in a dream-like experience. He confesses he isn’t the real Sasaki, having never even met the male Musashi. However, since he was summoned as Sasaki, he was bestowed knowledge of the Book of Five Rings written by the male Musaashi. After describing the book, he asks if Ritsuka and Mash intend to use the Book to summon Musashi when he hears Ritsuka met a female Musashi. He asks them if she ever said “Kojirou, you have lost.” The male Musashi was said to have uttered that line after Sasaski casted aside his scabbard while awaiting Musashi on Ganryu Island. Sasaki suspects Ritsuka believed the female Musashi was Musashi because she uttered the line. Ritsuka responds that she never did, so Sasaki deduces she’s yet to reach the void. However, when he utters Musashi’s other name: ‘’Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu’’, Ritsuka falls into a coma. He goes to fetch Martha, and leaves Shuten-douji to keep an eye on things.
====Event: CBC2023 Tales of Chaldean Heavy Industries ～B to B for Me and You～====
====Interlude====
LEGEND OF THE SAMURAI is his interlude. Nero Claudius invited Kojirou to challenge her Collosseum. Kojirou faced 100 challengers and emerged victorious.Fate/Grand Order - Sasaki Kojirou's interlude 01: LEGEND OF THE SAMURAI
===Fate/Requiem===
Tsuda, the Servant of Makki, is implied to be Kojirou as he is a samurai who can cut space. "Tsuda" is also rumored to be the true name of the farmer who is playing the role of "Koujirou". Makki in turn is implied to be Yukika Saegusa.
===Fate/Samurai Remnant===
In the World of Fate/Samurai Remnant Sasaki Kojirou was a real person, rather than a fictional one. Likewise, his battle with Musashi also really happened. One day years after their fight Kojirou went to visit Musashi's grave, where he met Musashi's adopted son, Miyamoto Iori. When Iori realized who Kojirou was he begged him to take him as his disciple, to which Kojirou agreed.
===Carnival Phantasm===
20141214152400!Kojirou-1-.png|
Assassin Dekotora.png|Dekotora
Assassin has minor appearances in Carnival Phantasm. The fact that he cannot go outside the temple is comically exaggerated, to the point of being replaced with a cardboard cutout in multiple scenes (including the opening theme). He is shown to be very attached to his gate, to the point he even talks to it, and apparently hears it talk back. He drives a , which is large enough to carry his gate inside its trailer (and consequently allows him to somewhat leave the bounds of the temple).
===Today's Menu for Emiya Family===
Due to his inability to leave Ryuudou Temple, Assassin rarely appears in Today's Menu for Emiya Family. His first appearance is in Episode 4, when Shirou pays a visit to the Temple as part of a delivery. When Shirou decides to make a couple of sandwiches, he offers three slices to Assassin out of kindness. Assassin is delighted by the taste, so much so that he even asks Caster if she could make some more.
Just like in Carnival Phantasm, the anime's ending features Assassin as a cardboard cutout.
===Other appearances===
In TYPE-MOON's April Fools' Day 2009, moon.cinemas.jp is a fake movie theater site listing a number of parody films:
*He was featured in , a parody film of . Assassin plays the role of Medea's male caretaker. His role is expanded in TYPE-MOON 10th Anniversary Phantasm. Sasaki was calmly stating at how Medea was going crazy with an insect in her workroom, when her room was unhygienic. Medea knocks Sasaki out of the way and accidently knocks her modified Saber figure. He and Enkidu-chan was surprised when the other Eirei Throne Channel members suggested Sensha Otoko to buy a Saber figure for El-Melloi Girl.
* He was featured in the animated film , a parody film of .
In Fate/strange Fake, he is alluded to by the members of the Homurahara Academy archery club, rumoured to be a kimono-wearing ghost who used to haunt Ryuudou Temple.Fate/strange Fake Volume 2 - Interlude: "The Little Red Riding Hood of Semina Apartments"
====Non in-universe appearances====
==Abilities==
The "Nameless Samurai" is not a Heroic Spirit, but rather, an existence closer to Wraiths. He was a nameless swordsman who existed in the same period as Miyamoto Musashi. His True Name was unknown, or to be more specific, he never had one. He is given the name “Sasaki Kojirou” due to being able to perform Tsubame Gaeshi, the technique said to have been used by Miyamoto Musashi’s legendary rival. Although it is unknown if the real Kojirou existed or not, it is thanks to being able to perform this technique that he can be summoned as an existence that fulfils the role of the imaginary Heroic Spirit; the nameless, genius swordsman. In the Fuyuki Holy Grail War which has been structured to have only “Hassan-i-Sabbah” summoned in the Assassin class, he is an irregular existence. Much like Gilles de Rais, Sasaki is an aberration in the normal Servant summoning process. It was only due to Medea acting as an unorthodox summoner and violating the rules by intervening with the system of the Holy Grail War that she was able to summon him as her Familiar.
Assassin guarding the Gate (Ufotable).jpg|Assassin guarding the Gate in the Ufotable anime.
Sasaki's Hand's fading (Ufotable).jpg|Sasaki's hands fading
Having been related in some way to the Ryuudou Temple in the past, its mountain gate was able to act as a Catalyst. Medea was unable to act as his anchor to the world due to also being a Servant, so he was instead bound to the land. The mountain itself acts as a host from the current age to keep him in the world. While that meant that he cannot leave the mountain, it also meant that he would not disappear even if his summoner died, and he would continue to exist as long as the mountain exists. He was not receiving constant magical upkeep, so he was only given twenty days worth of energy. He managed to go slightly longer than that limit in order to fight Artoria Pendragon, it is mostly luck that allowed that to happen. He began to turn transparent, and will not last until dawn of that day.
Out of all the other Artoria has seen, he seems incomprehensible to her, but not out of having fearful aspects or a fearful weapon. Her unease comes from not being able to sense any magical energy or even a Noble Phantasm, that it should be easy enough for her to end the match in one blow. Nothing special can be felt from his sword, so it should be easy for her to repel it, yet his pure skill allows him to match her. While she wished to rush in and be done with it, her honed instincts could sense his ability to seize a sure kill, so she remained cautious of him.
He is very atypical as an Assassin. Servants in the Assassin-class are normally the weakest ones in direct confrontation, and they defeat enemy Servants through covert actions or by killing their Masters to cut off their magical energy supply. The nameless samurai does not employ assassination techniques such as ambushes, and due to excelling in swordsmanship, he frequently chooses to fight face-to-face directly with other Servants. He does not have a rank in the Class Skill of Presence Concealment befittin of an assassin due to not being a true Assassin-class Servant. He does have the intrinsic ability as a martial artist to cut off his presence in the Vitrification Skill.
===Combat===
In terms of pure swordsmanship 'Sasaki Kojirou', was not only the greatest in the Fifth Holy Grail War, but very likely, the most skilled swordsman in the history of mankind. When he was alive, he would hide himself away deep in the mountains and spend his days swinging his sword, with little interest in anything else. He never desired or attempted to show his hard-earned sword skills to anyone, so he was truly a nameless and meaningless existence. The popular notion that there are more people like him in this world than most realize took form as “the hope of the people” and produced sword skills capable of contending with Noble Phantasms. There is a Japanese proverb that says you can fend off any enemy if you have the right skills. Even if you can’t claim victory, you can at least chase them away. Kojirou’s style of defense is more of an offensive-defensive style, where instead of protecting himself from his opponent's strikes, he takes the stance of, “If you come any closer, I’ll probably die but I most certainly will take you with me.”
He calls his sword a heresy, and says it will slice the head of one of average skill. Although a Servant of the Assassin class, he does not employ assassination techniques such as ambush, instead frequently choosing to fight face-to-face. During battle, Sasaki counters the opponent’s attack with sword techniques and Mind's Eye (Fake), or simply by dodging. If he detects an opening, he would decapitate the opponent with the 5-shaku katana with certainty. Also, Sasaki can deliver slashes even while standing idly, without assuming any stances. His technique is extremely swift, and very difficult to read. Due to having no skills in swordsmanship, if Gilgamesh were to fight Sasaki in close range, he would just defend himself with his armor or take out some really unfair defensive armament that protects against Multidimensional Refraction Phenomenon, from Gate of Babylon. However, Gilgamesh is capable of accurately assessing his opponents' abilities, so he would not consider having a battle of swordsmanship with Sasaki the first place.
As a samurai, Kojirou is skilled in judo where he can deal with enemies while being unarmed. 
Kojirou wields , an over five shaku long, 150 centimeter, Bitchu Aoe blade. The length defies common sense, the name being a derogatory nickname rather than a formal title, meaning "That blade is way too damn long to use!” It cannot be called "useful" despite its large range, as almost nobody except Sasaki, having a mastery of the sword exceeding the realm of humans The Monoshi Zao is a longsword not suited to direct competitions of power. It will break fighting off a sword like Excalibur, its wielder cannot lock blades or compete in strength. He can only parry blows and push the opponent back by attacking their body because the blade is meant to cut with speed and technique unlike western swords that cut with weight and power.
Fighting on the temple stairs gives him a higher position than his opponent, and due to the area being a Servant-killing battlefield and having Medea's anti-sorcery defensive barrier, the power of both magecraft and Noble Phantasms are decreased significantly. If the Noble Phantasm being used is not powerful, he will not take a fatal wound. While he would fall to other Servants in an all out death match, he reigns supreme on the stairs of the temple due to most battles having to come down to swordsmanship. The attacker is constantly at a disadvantage because they have to ascend the stairs to reach him, while he does not have to move if he does not wish. He has no need to chase a retreating enemy in a battle of defense, so he has no reason to forsake his advantage of higher ground. His excellent skill and the disadvantageous ground keep the opponent from being able to dodge his fatal strikes as they wish. 
Assassinhighground.jpg|Assassin's advantageous position.
Assassin driving off Saber.gif|Assassin preventing Saber from entering the temple.
EMIYA vs Kojiro (Ufotable).gif|Assassin fighting Archer to prevent him from going after Shirou and Saber.
Throughout the Fifth Holy Grail War, Sasaki was able to repel the other five Servants without losing any ground. He was even able to push Heracles back because of the terrain advantage and support from Medea (weighing down Heracles's body). Nevertheless, since the compatibility of Assassin and Berserker is horrible, the fact that the Heracles was even pushed back is enough to say "whoah, Kojirou's amazing". Taking into account Kojirou's offensive-defensive style, if Heracles had gone in for the kill against Kojirou, Heracles would have been decapitated the moment his weapon reached Kojirou. Of course, Heracles has God Hand: Twelve Labors, so if he really had gone in for the kill, that would have simply been the end of Kojirou. However, knowing that Medea was behind him waiting for the right moment to strike, Illya chose to avoid charging in recklessly with Berseker. Although in a one-on-one duel, Kojirou vs Heracles wouldn't even be a fight, Medea would be able to use both Kojirou and Kuzuki as her two personal front-line Saber-class defenders, along with her high sorcery to fight Heracles, but that would be limited to 2 to 3 times. Cú Chulainn comments that he wouldn't like fighting him one on one and would prefer to kill him off from a distance.
If EMIYA and Sasaki fought in a straight out death match, EMIYA would win. However, in a battlefield like Ryuudou Temple their fight would be reduced to the difference in their levels of swordsmanship. With Archer having his sniping sealed off to him due to the terrain effect, Archer would be at a clear disadvantage. Against Hassan of the Cursed Arm, if it's just Servant vs Servant, then without complaint, Cursed Arm would have the better chance of victory. Although Kojirou doesn't have any means of breaking through Zabaniya, there's more to it. The problem of Zabaniya is that it's not immediate death. If a normal heart gets destroyed by it, then the person dies immediately but the opponents are Servants. And especially against Kojirou, who has a strong spirit alignment, even if his heart is destroyed he still will has some fighting power left in him. Right in the interval after Hassan uses his Noble Phantasm, Sasaki could close the gap and use Tsubame Gaeshi. Their duel would be technically a draw since both of them would end up dead. Medea placed a curse into his body upon summoning, allowing her to have his chest explode from within at her leisure. Even though his ribs are protruding from his chest, he is still able to act without fading away and later heal.
If he detects an opening, he would decapitate the opponent with his blade with certainty. This tendency to go for the head means that his opponents must retreat instead of pressing forward, but his usual terrain of the stairs to Ryuudou Temple leaves them unable to dodge to the side, forcing them to retreat to the same spot, all the while he has no need to move from his position unless he wishes to unleash the Tsubame Gaeshi. His swordplay is fast enough that even Artoria had trouble following it. He works his sword like a hurricane, using elastic tracks to parry blows from opponents stronger and faster than himself, all while flowing toward the opponent's neck to decapitate them whenever given the chancee. Each of his attacks is fatal, meant to take the opponent's life by decapitation, so it is not possible to employ a strategy like taking a strike to then overpower him during the aftermath of the attack. He strikes with a curved path, a graceful arc that does not take the shortest route to the opponent like Saber's western sword.
===Skills===
====Class Skills====
*Presence Concealment (D Rank): Suppresses one's presence as a Servant and makes it easier for the user to hide. A Skill suitable for covert action. Since he is not a true Assassin servant, this is not a class ability. It is his intrinsic ability as a martial artist to “cut off his presence”. This is not a skill to hide, but a technique of the mind for the martial artist to merge with his surroundings. Because this is not a skill trained for assassination, it cannot match the Presence Concealment of Hassan of the Cursed Arm. In reality, a Kojirou Sasaki who cuts off his presence is an opponent that is hard to detect even for a Servant. It is extremely difficult to perceive Kojirou during the first encounter. However, because his activity is restrained to within the range of the Ryudo Temple Gate, those who know the existence of Kojirou can detect him relatively easily. With this said, due to Kojirou’s personality, battles are usually commenced only after the parties have presented and introduced themselves. As a result, this ability is rarely used for its original purpose.
====Personal Skills====
*Mind's Eye (Fake) (A Rank): Premonition or sixth sense, very different from EMIYA’s danger avoidance originated from “predictions augmented by experience”. It may be called a natural talent to sense danger. During the Fifth Holy Grail War, in the battle with Artoria, Kojirou crossed blade with her invisible sword numerous times. He was able to use this ability to gauge even the length and width of the sword, and see through the fact that Artoria was unable to use her Noble Phantasm to attack due to a lack of mana. See through the weapon and style of his opponent after crossing blades only a few times, the perception of his eyes is the best among Servants.
*Knowledge of the Sowa (B→B++ Rank (Upgrade)): A special ability that prevents the reduction of accuracy regardless of how many times the same technique has been used on one foe, making it impossible to see through any of his attacks. Although Kojirou and Artoria crossed blades numerous times, due to this ability, Artoria still could not adapt to his technique despite having Rank A Instinct. Paired with Kojirou's unique decapitation-focused "head-shot" techniques, the effect is vastly increased. No matter retreating and challenging him how many times, Artoria still cannot see through Kojirou’s techniques. She was always forced back to square one and fought as if it was the first encounter again.
*Vitrification (B+→A+ Rank (Upgrade)): An ability commonly called the “heart of clear water”. More precisely, it is a mental state acquired after reaching the pinnacle of arduous training. With this ability, Kojirou can maintain a cool and collected heart, regardless of the situation. Even when facing his very own death will not cause him to waver. During battle, mental interference such as charm and fear sorceries activated by the opponent is completely neutralized. For a “gate guardian”, this ability is certainly very useful. Like the many trees that surround the Ryudo Temple, Kojirou watches the gate in silence with a heart of clear water, just like an unwavering guardian. While he may not be an Assassin in the traditional sense and thus unable to make use of the Assassin’s ability of “Presence Concealment”, he is able to conceal his presence by utilizing a martial artist’s state of an empty mind.
===Noble Phantasm===
Sasaki Kojirou’s ultimate attack is the technique that has reached the pinnacle of training and approaching True Magic --- Tsubame Gaeshi. Although it is a Mystery that rivals the Noble Phantasms of Servants, strictly speaking, this is neither a Noble Phantasm nor a magical phenomenon. The nameless martial artist who materialised as “Kojirou” sought nothing but the pinnacle of swordsmanship during his life. He trained himself in pursuit of swordsmanship, and doing nothing but swing his sword. After a long period of time, his technique finally reached another state. A flash from this world, followed by two absolutely simultaneous, over-lapping flashes that disregard the concept of time and space, producing a slash attack that arrives from three different directions. This is equivalent to Zelretch's “Multi-Dimensional Refraction Phenomenon” that transcends speed, dexterity, feint and many other elements. Although with some limitations, a nameless martial artist who knows naught of sorcery or True Magic is able to tread into the realm of the “Second Magic”.
In order to deliver the first horizontal slash, Kojirou had to relinquish his high ground advantage over his opponent and move to an equal level before unleashing this technique. While Artoria believed that he lost any advantage by doing so, she was mistaken, as the logic of an opponent at such a close distance being able to easily outmaneuver his longsword to get inside his range does not apply to him. His attack should be unavoidable long as there are no errors in its execution, making it a deadly technique able to overwhelm even her. During their last duel, however Artoria managed to create an error in Kojirou's execution. While his blade is a good sword able to cut steel, something made by a human cannot compare to something not made by men such as Excalibur. By forcing him to block a strike, she bent the blade of his sword creating a small gap in Tsubame Gaeshi that allowed her to escape the technique.
Musashi believes that as a swordsman, Kojirou has already reached the state of emptiness.Fate/Grand Order - Miyamoto Musashi's My Room Lines, Dialogue 4 It is said that there is no swordsmen that can reach Infinity, a path that surely no one can ever walk upon.Fate/Grand Order - Musashi's Trial Quest: Wanderer
==Forms and Alternate Versions==
===Nameless Saber===
 is a Saber-class Servant appearing in the Shimosa Singularity in Fate/Grand Order: Epic of Remnant.
====Role====
Sasaki Kojirou encounters Musashi after the latter's duel with Munenori, and the two warriors would enter their fated duel. Their blades clash, and their power and skill are equal. Both their swords transcended time and space, yet their existence and concept are the exact opposite. The clash of the existences and concepts between Kojirou's Infinity and Musashi's Zero creates an infinite place, or perhaps, an empty place, where there is no time, space, karma, good or evil. A situation only those two who put their very souls into their blades can reach. Simultaneously, both of them surpass Infinity. Both of them would continue to try to kill each other over and over again for all of eternity. It is not the real world, and this moment will never be recorded or stopped for anyone. This place lies between the real world and the world of dreams. An impossible place where Infinity and Zero can intersect. A miraculous sword fight that is supposed to go on forever, never reaching its conclusion. But due to Ritsuka Fujimaru's presence and deciding his/her winner, Musashi was able to win the duel against Kojirou, the sword of Zero having destroyed the sword of Infinity.Fate/Grand Order Epic of Remnant - Shimosa Province: The Stage of Rivers of Blood and Mountains of Corpses - Act 15: Duel between Musashi and Kojiro
====Abilities====
Being the only swordsman who can wield the Monoshi Zao, the Nameless Saber has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Even Amakusa Shirou, who burns with loathing for the world and everything in it has some respect for his skill, claiming there is no demonic sword in the entire human realm that surpasses his. Due to this, as long as Saber is by his side, he considers he has nothing to fear from Miyamoto Musashi.
The Nameless Saber is an exceptional swordsman just like Saber of Empireo, and just from looking at him, Musashi immediately recognizes his identity as his fated ultimate rival, Sasaki Kojirou. Before their swords ever clash, Musashi also claims that his skill is godly and that he's at least several times stronger than her.
As their blades clashed, their power and technique seemed evenly matched. Not only that. Their skills had surpassed everything; time, space, existence, essence. Each being the other's perfect mirror image. Through "history's greatest duel", their duel would have prolonged for eternity had Ritsuka Fujimaru not determined Musashi as the winner.
=====Skills=====
*Mind's Eye (Fake) (A Rank): Allows the user to sense oncomming danger based on his experience, a natural talent to sense danger.
*Knowledge of the Sowa (B++ Rank): A special ability that prevents the reduction of accuracy regardless of how many times the same technique has been used on one foe, making it impossible to see through any of his attacks.
*Vitrification (B+ Rank): An ability that allows Koujirou to achieve a serene state of mind regardless of the situation, thanks to undergoing arduous training. With this ability, the Nameless Saber can maintain a cool and collected heart, regardless of the situation. During battle, mental interference such as charm and fear sorceries activated by the opponent is completely neutralized.
=====Noble Phantasm=====
His Noble Phantasm is the Tsubame Gaeshi, a technique that breaks the laws of physics, allowing him execute three simultaneous slashes at the exact same time. There is a sword of infinity that leads to multiplicity. A way to acknowledge "multiple possibilities". A single act that is originally finite; a single slash that can only be performed at one time, in one space. It is, so to speak, an "infinite" sword that gives birth to several "correct answers". To make one's own existence transparent to the extremes, until there is nothing more. And yet to grasp for "something" beyond that. That is Kojiro's "Tsubame Gaeshi". A sword that creates a "future" that not even the gods can escape from.
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Sasaki Kojirou was designed by Takashi Takeuchi in Fate/stay night.
Sasaki Kojirou was illustrated by Mata in Fate/Grand Order. His scenario writer is Kinoko Nasu in Fate/Grand Order.
===Comment from Illustrator===
"He sure played an active role during the first chapter, huh. He had really helped me a lot as well.
You can say he sure isn’t lacking in for some good gag during interludes and dango quest. Still, his feature is actually on the slim side; he got those slit, almond eyes and beautiful silky hair. He’s all around a beautiful character. Also, I was like, totally surprised when he acted affectionate in My Room. By the way, would Anchin-sama never get implemented, I wonder." (Mata)
===Reception===
*In the first Popularity polls of Fate/stay night in 2004, Sasaki Kojirou was ranked 14th.
*In the second Popularity polls of Fate/stay night in 2006, Sasaki Kojirou was ranked 25th.
*In the Type-Moon's 10th Anniversary Character Poll, Sasaki Kojirou was ranked 63rd.
In Fate/Grand Order, Sasaki Kojirou is named as part of a dragon slaying trio due to the various online memes revolving around him being a fellow "dragon slayer" during the France chapter. The affinity of the Assassin-class over the Rider-class dragons made him an easily accessible unit during the chapter, so he was made part of the trio despite not actually appearing in-story during the chapter.
==References==
Category:Characters in Fate/hollow ataraxia
Category:Characters in Fate/stay night
Category:Characters in Fate/tiger colosseum
Category:Characters in Fate/unlimited codes
Category:Servants
Category:Humans
Category:Assassin-class Servants
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 1)
Category:Japanese Servants
Category:Wraiths
Category:Neutral Evil Servants
Category:Human Attribute Servants
Category:Saber-class Servants
Category:Undefined rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:C rank Strength Servants
Category:E rank Mana Servants
Category:A rank Luck Servants
Category:A+ rank Agility Servants
Category:E rank Endurance Servants
Category:Samurai
Category:Introduced in 2004
Category:Characters in Fate/Requiem
Category:Voice - Shin-ichiro Miki
Category:Characters in Fate/Samurai Remnant
Category:Heroic Spirits
Category:Miyamoto Musashi (topic)
Category:Sword Saints