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So, recently, one of my friends on here, rewatched Fate UBW and started asking questions about it. One of which was, what was the meaning behind "Sayonara Judas" in the Last Stardust song during Archer vs. Emiya fight. It kinda interested me so, I am gonna write something about-
-and I hope you get something out of it, instead of me babbling on and on lmao. So, without any further delay, here we go.
Last Stardust is an amazing song that explains the struggles and hardships, Shirou has to face, due to clinging to his ideals. He knows the road-
Last Stardust is an amazing song that explains the struggles and hardships, Shirou has to face, due to clinging to his ideals. He knows the road-
-that is before him, the road that he has to take due to his ideals, is of pain and suffering. He is reminded time and time again, about this by Archer.
Archer, being his future self, has suffered through all of the agony that comes, due to the ideals that he held and the-
Archer, being his future self, has suffered through all of the agony that comes, due to the ideals that he held and the-
-ideals his younger self, Shirou Emiya, also holds. Due to this, he wants to change this path, the path of his ideals, by ending Shirou and in turn, the idealist mindset, along with it.
Shirou is confronted by so much, knowing how his ideals are meaningless and it will-
Shirou is confronted by so much, knowing how his ideals are meaningless and it will-
-only bring forge the path to his demise, by other than himself. He starts questioning himself, that are these ideals even worth protecting or not.
This is very relatable too, in the sense that people also question themselves, about the decisions, they've made, the choices-
This is very relatable too, in the sense that people also question themselves, about the decisions, they've made, the choices-
-they took and the path they are walking on. Sometimes, these thoughts end up in you, betraying that path, leaving those ideals behind but, sometimes, you stick to them, because you know that that path, no matter how painful it is, is the right one. This is the same case with-
-Shirou too.
Despite Archer's advances on helping Shirou betray those ideals, he keeps on fighting, because in his heart, that path is true and correct one. With this realization, as the song reaches the part where Shirou closes in to send his final attack, the lyrics-
Despite Archer's advances on helping Shirou betray those ideals, he keeps on fighting, because in his heart, that path is true and correct one. With this realization, as the song reaches the part where Shirou closes in to send his final attack, the lyrics-
-"Sayonara Judas" come up. This is to signify, that Shirou has removed any doubts that he had about his ideals that could possibly have caused him to betray his ideals. If you people don't know who Judas was, he's the one who betrayed Jesus in the Bible. In this instance, Shirou-
-is bidding his farewell to all the things that could make him abandon his ideals, including Archer, himself.
This is a strong message as it helps convey that no matter who stands in your path, always stay true to your goals and aims as that is, indeed, the correct path.
This is a strong message as it helps convey that no matter who stands in your path, always stay true to your goals and aims as that is, indeed, the correct path.
It's really fascinating to see Shirou's constant resistance to Archer. He wants to help and be a selfless hero, just to fill in that selfish void he has in his heart. He is both a selfless and selfish character, aiming for the well being of everyone, all for the sake of a wish.
He is not a completely righteous hero by any means, he has reasons to be a hero, both external and internal. The fire that took place, shaped him up, to become a blank canvas. Nothing was there. But, due to Kiritsugu and Saber's Avalon, he became something. Holding the wishes of-
-his father and attaining the origin of swords, he strived to become a hero.
Due to the fire, he had ptsd, survivors guilt and a hero complex. He considered himself unworthy to have been the one to live that day, leaving everyone else for dead while saving himself, this later-
Due to the fire, he had ptsd, survivors guilt and a hero complex. He considered himself unworthy to have been the one to live that day, leaving everyone else for dead while saving himself, this later-
-haunted him because he could not bare the thought that only he lived that day. Because of this, he went out of his way, to help or save anyone out, even at the cost of his life. This is especially visible in the War itself, where he got himself severely wounded to save Saber-
-from Berserker or when he saved Rin from Rider. All of this culminates together to show, that Shirou has a machine, who only serves help others as a hero, without caring even a little for himself. Archer is the epitome of this.
He is a mirror to Shirou, that shows him-
He is a mirror to Shirou, that shows him-
-the end result of all his current and future actions, a machine, as well as a man who loathes such an existence. This puts Shirou in doubt about himself and his dreams.
What really sets Shirou and Archer apart though, is the fact that the Shirou that became Archer in UBW-
What really sets Shirou and Archer apart though, is the fact that the Shirou that became Archer in UBW-
-is a Shirou who never had any doubts about the path he chose while our Shirou did. Our Shirou realized that his ideals are going to end in a never ending cycle of a machine, forever trapped to serve the humans and Earth, that never cared for him and his actions. Even with-
-this in mind, he accepted that path, not because he didn't understand the stakes and agony that came with that path but, because he was happy and contend with it. This sets both him and Archer apart.
This is even shown more beautifully in their respective UBW, where Archer-
This is even shown more beautifully in their respective UBW, where Archer-
-had gears in his UBW, solidifying his existence as a machine while Shirou's UBW had a clear sky because his thoughts were clear and he knew what he had to do.
And this is just one variant of Shirou out of a multitude of versions, each similar but, unique in their own way.
And this is just one variant of Shirou out of a multitude of versions, each similar but, unique in their own way.
I personally relate to him because I too am a person with many goals but, being told that my path may end up in me, being all alone is something that hurts me. Even so, I am willing to work for those goals regardless, I can't find out if it's worth it if I don't even try.
And this works for many people, so many suffer from the constant denial of their wishes by others, being told that their existence will amount to nothing. But, even if that is the case, a person must still strive to do what they like, what they want to achieve or need to do.
You can't just leave that path due to the discouragement by others, you will never know what you could've been if you do. Work for that path, give everything you have, for the very thing that you are passionate about, that is the only acceptable and correct way.
Shirou has really inspired me and made me relate to him so much. He maybe a fictional character but, is still really dear to my heart and this is just one of many reasons why I absolutely adore Shirou and why he is one of my most favorite characters in fiction.
