Rider (ライダー, Raidā?) is a Rider-class Servant able to be summoned by the Protagonist in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.
Profile
Identity
Rider's True Name is Ushiwakamaru (牛若丸?), who is better known with her adult name Minamoto no YoshitsuneWP (源義経WP?). It would be no exaggeration to say that Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) is the most famous military commander in Japanese history. Probably only someone like Oda Nobunaga possesses a popularity that rivals hers... However, there are many obscure points in regards to history, and especially the early half of her life from before raising an army is wrapped in mystery.[2]
It has been told that at eleven years-old, while she was under the care of the Kurama TempleWP, Ushiwakamaru met with the onmyouji Kiichi Hogen (some theories say that he was also the Kurama Tengu) and was awarded with the arts of war.[2]
Although she was blessed with talent and charisma, Ushiwakamaru was abandoned by her brother Minamoto no YoritomoWP, and was defeated together with her attendant Benkei.[2]
Legend
Perhaps this ill-fated commander is probably a being so famous, there is no one in Japan who does not know her name.[2][1] That recognition is also frequently apparent in the proverb called the "Sympathy for a Tragic Hero." Namely, a tragic military commander who, while was overflowing with charisma and holds an innate disposition of a genius, was driven off in defeat at the end of a confrontation with Yoritomo, her older brother who was jealous of this prominent figure's nature————apart from that matter of whether it was distinctly right or wrong... This Ushiwakamaru is unmistakably a monster.[1]
In any case, Ushiwakamaru cannot read the hearts of men. She cannot understand this matter, perplexed at her own human being.[1]
"Love, what is it?" Ushiwakamaru inquires. She was left under the care of a temple when she was very young, and she was raised up while as someone unaware of a father's love, a mother's love, a proper parents' love, as well as a love spun from a significant other. If there is only one fact, Ushiwakamaru was a samurai. A samurai serves the lord and swears allegiance to the lord. Concerning her, that was the only truth, and with the exception of that, everything else didn't matter. Separated from her parents when she was very young, she was disciplined by a tengu deep in the mountains; subsequently, she was not able to nurture her "humanity". That is the way of a faithful dog... close to a pure beast, she fights for the sake of her master instead of herself. For the cause of being praised, Ushiwakamaru triumphed. She won thoroughly. That is, she removed all ostentation from herself because that is none other than a choice of a way to slaughter her enemies quite efficiently. Yoritomo was afraid of that, and Ushiwakamaru's circumstances did not make her popularity rise. It may not be discovered that her fangs could turn towards her allies to tear off their attractive yet deceptive outward appearances... They were afraid of her inhuman nature that did not truly fit in with the relationship of gaining profit by having power.[1]
After he destroyed the Taira clanWP, Yoritomo immediately began to obliterate Ushiwakamaru. Her social position has not yet settled within their clan, and if he does not destroy her, he will always become anxious about the future. At any rate, Yoshitsune doesn't understand politics. She doesn't understand the hearts of men. If that kin, similar to an antiquated beast, exists, then Yoritomo cannot make the era he is aiming for. It was rumored in the public streets that Yoritomo killed his younger brother at the end of a power struggle. Ushiwakamaru consented. That synposis is correct. Regardless of what intentions Yoritomo had, and regardless of what Ushiwakamaru was feeling, with this state of affairs around her, it was reasonable for Ushiwakamaru to dispose herself, and...[1]
Since the Taira no longer existed, Ushiwakamaru was Yoritomo's next political opponent. Also, as far as Hojo MasakoWP, her older brother's wife, is concerned, the likes of Minamoto no Yoshitsune is probably unneeded. Thus, she will behave as if she was her older brother's enemy, doing nothing but fight and die in battle, all in accordance with what her older brother desires. Although Ushiwakamaru thought as such, her subordinates persuaded her, and she decided to escape to OshuWP. And yet, Yoritomo persistently chased her. He saw her not as family, but as an inhuman monster, and chased after her.[1]
————"That's strange. This is somewhat unreasonable."
————"Though, it was human beings that preferred emotions rather than gains and losses."
————"I only wanted my older brother to praise me, but I was lacking something."
————"I am sorry, I could not change up to my last moments————"[1]
Although Ushiwakamaru was defeated at Oshu, her name was carved into the history of Japan. Without understanding the essence of anyone.[1]
Appearance
Rider is a young girl clad in armor.[3]
 Rider April's Fool 2016 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Riyo.  Rider Stage 1 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 2 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 3 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 4 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 1 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 2 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.  Rider Stage 3 in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto. Heroic Spirit Portrait (英霊肖像, Eirei Shōzō?) in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Takeuchi Takashi, huke, Nakahara, Shimokoshi. Hirokazu Koyama, Mineji Sakamoto & PFALZ.  Fate GUDAGUDA Order (Fate ぐだぐだオーダー, Fate Gudaguda Ōdā?) in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Keikenchi.  Legend of Mahavairocana (遮那王流離譚, Shana-Ō Ryūritan?) in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto.   Chaldea Lifesavers (カルデア・ライフセーバーズ, Karudea Raifusēbāzu?) in Fate/Grand Order, illustrated by シャカＰ(DELiGHTWORKS).   Ushiwakamaru in Chibichuki!, illustrated by Hanabana Tsubomi.  Ushiwakamaru, Corrupted by Beast II's Sea of Life |
Personality
Ushiwakamaru is a genius swordsman that wholeheartedly adores her older brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo.[3] She respected him as a samurai and loved him for being her brother. Although she tries not to be boastful, she says that he was the most exemplary older brother in the world.[4]
Ushiwakamaru likes to have fun. When she was a child, she was rather mischievous since she spent her days playing pranks on adults as a hobby and causing trouble for the monks, all while laughing out loud. Though she is not like that any more as she conducts herself properly to the best of her ability.[4]
She was constantly persecuted by those around her in life due to her exceedingly great talent.[3] While there is no doubt that she was an excellent tactician, Yoshitsune lacked something vital.[2] That is fear towards the battlefield; she never thought battles were frightening.[2][4] All throughout life, she was incompatible with the other military commanders. That Yorimoto even held killing intent towards Yoshitsune was probably something that she never came to understand in her entire life. For, since she was a genius, having concern towards abilities was something that did not exist in her.[2] But no matter how many times she is betrayed, she still wants to fight for someone's sake.[4]
A beautiful swordsman who is disciplined, scolding even her Master for any sloppy habits.[1][4] Despite her beautiful figure, showing an appearance like a flower blooming in the midnight, Ushiwakamaru is without self-assertion. She sometimes speaks as necessary, but she does not have a talkative disposition that can express a beautiful voice that would draw 10,000 people to listen to it in ecstasy. Also, she does not boast her outstanding arts of war, instead proving it with nothing but results and at the scene of battle. It is possible to say that this person is a paragon of knighthood that discerns propriety and speaks with actions before words... and, someone simply seen as a genuine fighting machine.[1]
Because her character is straightforward and not a falsehood, all the established things Ushiwakamaru undertakes completely becomes the "shortest, fastest straight line" towards the goal. When ordinary people do this, they usually fail and reflect on their failure, and subsequently from that, they consider... and polish a variety of plans... The problem is, Ushiwakamaru is a super genius. Because she does not fail at these things, she has grown to as she is now with this unmanageable nature.[1]
In battle, Ushiwakamaru is cold-hearted, cool-headed and the personification of the most suitable hand, but ordinarily, she is a young girl who earnestly wishes "to become her older brother's power, to become the head's strength, and to want to help this splendid figure." To address this in a few words, "a faithful dog with a broken brake." She is faithful, bright and friendly, but somewhere, she is missing a screw... no, it becomes unclear of its whereabouts.[1]
Her talents sublimated up to its utmost limits, and her extraordinary loyalty, becomes intertwined, and a person (Master) that notices "this unthinkable genius who, without thinking, is just unreasonably becoming emotionally attached to me for no real reason" won't understand why and might harbor fear at that trait. On the other hand, how Ushiwakamaru treats her subordinates is surely demonic. "Die so you can make an easy place for me to fight. That is your role."[1]
Ushiwakamaru is a girl who really likes her brother and make great efforts as a girl who really likes her Master. That cool behavior that does not get agitated by anything... from there is a ferocity one step short of an unleashed Berserker's, and anyone would be bewildered.[1]
If the Master is vexed about "If that enemy's ship is usable...", Ushiwakamaru will head towards the ship visibly like a gale while saying "Master, please leave the decisions to me!" A few minutes later, she would inform the Master about the ship and say "Master, this way to the ship!" However, except for the sailors operating the ship, everybody will be completely dealing with the scene of carnage called "being bound for the netherworld."[1]
Ushiwakamaru is a cool-headed subordinate, but she too is a person that draws from the blood of the Minamoto clan, a clan of which has the origin of the word "ruler" in the past. She is only a faithful dog towards the Master, and will display a sadistic and coldhearted side to anyone except the Master.[1]
Naturally, much like with her brother, Ushiwakamaru will serve her Master with all my heart, fighting until her's or her Master's final moments.[4]
Ushiwakamaru's wish for the Holy Grail is to be with her older brother. It would truly make her happy.[4]
Relationships
"The man calls himself Benkei... and I understand the gist of it, but it is extremely bold of him to do so. I'll mess with him for fun. Then I can kill him behind the temple when I'm bored of him."[1]
- Jing Ke/Martha
Artoria Alter categorizes these three as the "disappointing trio". They may act like they have common sense, but since they're really just weirdos, they fit together well. "When I speak my mind, most people seem to be stunned, but Jing Ke and Martha keep on going like nothing strange happened. I've never met someone so easy to talk with!"[1]
- Minamoto no Yorimitsu
Shyly happy to have her as an anscestor and to get to know her. Feels like she's a mother. Vaguely feels that "their roots are similar."[1]
Role
Fate/Grand Order
Onigashima: Demonic Fairy Tale
Babylonia: The Absolute Frontline in the War Against the Demonic Beasts
Gilgamesh summons Ushiwakamaru, along with Benkei. Ushiwakamaru, along with Benkei and Leonidas, accompanies Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight in Babylonia. When Mash and the Ritsuka struggled to escape from Gorgon - the demonic form of Medusa possessed by Tiamat, she stands her ground in order to buy time for the pair to escape. Though fought gallantly and managed to deal some damage to Gorgon, Rider was eventually defeated and killed.
Her soul is later corrupted and she is raised as undead to fight off the Ritsuka when they try to defeat Tiamat.
Salomon: The Grand Time Temple
Ushiwakamaru is amongst the "Babylonia" Singularity Servant to aid Chaldea against Demon Gods Pillar.[5]
Abilities
Rider is a genius swordsman.[3] Her mount is a white horse called Tayuuguro (太夫黒, Tayūguro?).[2]
Tengu's Art of War (天狗の兵法, Tengu no Heihō?) is a skill derived from the anecdote of having learned the arts of war from a Tengu; an existence beyond humans. It provides bonus to close-combat power such as swordsmanship, archery and spearmanship, as well as Skills such as Military Tactics and Magic Resistance.[1][2]
One of her five Noble Phantasms expressed by Shana-oh's Wandering Tales is Jumping the Eight Ships at Dan-no-Ura.
Development
Creation and Conception
Mineji Sakamoto is the character illustrator for Ushiwakamaru.[1][2] Yuuichirou Higashide and Nasu Kinoko are the scenario writers for her character.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 Fate/Grand Order material I - Ushiwakamaru, p.242-253, translated by canaki at Beast's Lair.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 This reference needs to be fixed. Use "FGOSP1" instead of "Grand Order".</poem>}}
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Fate/Grand Order Site - Rider: A young girl clad in armor. A genius swordsman that wholeheartedly adores her older brother. Due to her exceedingly great talent, she was constantly persecuted by her surroundings.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Fate/Grand Order - Ushiwakamaru's My Room Lines
- ↑ Fate/Grand Order - Salomon: The Grand Time Temple - Act 08: VII / Health Office Sabnock