Gilgamesh is the legendary King of Uruk, known as the "Hero King" and the oldest hero in human history. He possesses overwhelming strength and countless treasures, including the originals of almost every Noble Phantasm, yet his greatest flaw is his notorious arrogance.
Gilgamesh is a strikingly beautiful young man with golden-blonde hair and red eyes.
He stands at 182cm and weighs 68kg (some sources say 63kg).
He is most often seen clad in ornate golden armor, radiating a regal aura befitting a ruler.
His image color is gold, representing his wealth and kingly status.
Gilgamesh is proud, arrogant, and utterly confident in his position as King.
He refers to himself as "I" (Ore), but writes it as "Ware" (in Japanese)—always projecting superiority.
Everyone other than himself, with rare exceptions, is dismissed as a "mongrel" or "worthless."
He believes that all things in existence are his property and is boastful about his treasures.
However, Gilgamesh values those who challenge him openly and is not without a sense of fairness or whimsy.
He enjoys collecting rare treasures and is truly a connoisseur of the world's wonders.
Despite his cruelty, he is capable of genuine appreciation, respect, and even mercy under certain circumstances.
His greatest weakness is his arrogance—he rarely fights at full strength unless his opponent earns his recognition.
Gilgamesh is the fifth king of the ancient Sumerian city-state Uruk, a demigod born from the union of King Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun.
He ruled for 125 years, as recorded in the "Epic of Gilgamesh," considered humanity's oldest epic.
In his youth, he was fair and just, but his immense power and loneliness later led him to tyranny.
His closest friend was Enkidu, a clay-made companion sent by the gods to humble Gilgamesh.
Together, they defeated great beasts and defied the gods, but Enkidu's death profoundly affected Gilgamesh, driving him in search of immortality.
Despite achieving many feats, his journey for eternal life failed when a serpent stole the plant of immortality, and he ultimately returned to Uruk wiser, accepting his mortal fate.
Gilgamesh's abilities are unmatched among Heroic Spirits.
Parameters:
Strength: B
Endurance: C
Agility: C
Mana: B
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: EX
He owns the originals ("prototypes") of all Noble Phantasms in his "Gate of Babylon," allowing him to retrieve and use an infinite arsenal.
His primary fighting style is to bombard enemies with countless powerful treasures, overwhelming even multiple opponents.
His trump card is the "Sword of Rupture, Ea," capable of slicing reality itself—a strike that rivals or exceeds the strongest blades like Excalibur.
He also wields the "Chains of Heaven" (Enkidu), a weapon that grows stronger the more divine his opponent is.
His skills include Magic Resistance (E-C, varies by Master), Independent Action (A+), Golden Rule (A)—never lacking for wealth, and Charisma (A+).
His fortune is legendary, and his soul is said to be worth as much as multiple Heroic Spirits.
Enkidu: Gilgamesh’s only true friend, unique and irreplaceable, deeply shaping his worldview.
Kirei Kotomine: His Master during the Holy Grail Wars, a source of amusement and intrigue.
Artoria Pendragon (Saber): An object of his obsession, whom he repeatedly proposes marriage to and admires for her ideals.
Shirou Emiya (and EMIYA): His natural enemies, whose "Unlimited Blade Works" counters Gilgamesh’s treasure-based fighting style.
Iskandar (Alexander the Great): A rare opponent whom Gilgamesh acknowledges as a true king.
Other Heroic Spirits: Gilgamesh views most as "mongrels" beneath him, but respects those with individuality and resolve.
Gilgamesh has participated in more Holy Grail Wars than any other Heroic Spirit in the "Fate" series.
His immense arrogance has earned him many nicknames—"Arrogant King," "Overconfident King," even "Naked King" when appearing all but nude after resurrection.
His appearance and items are based partly on the protagonist of the classic game "Tower of Druaga."
He is infamous for never using his full power unless absolutely necessary and is often defeated due to his arrogance and underestimating his enemies.
In some spin-offs, he uses a potion to transform into his child self, who is much kinder and well-liked.
He’s known for stylish (sometimes gaudy) fashion, but often makes questionable choices by modern standards.
Gilgamesh’s theme songs are "King of Gold" and "Cosmic Air;" the latter is frequently used during his most dramatic scenes.
His voice actor, Tomokazu Seki, is renowned for his powerful delivery, especially in key scenes.
"Who is a king without arrogance?!"
"All things in the world belong to me."
"I recognize your strength—now die, faker!"
Fate/stay night
Gilgamesh is an anomaly, appearing as the eighth Servant in the Fifth Holy Grail War, having survived the previous war and remained in the world.
He manipulates events behind the scenes and eventually emerges as a final antagonist, clashing with Saber and Shirou Emiya.
In the Fate route, he is defeated by Saber’s Excalibur after a dramatic confrontation.
In the Unlimited Blade Works route, his arrogance and delayed use of Ea allow Shirou Emiya to counter his attacks with "Unlimited Blade Works," leading to Gilgamesh’s defeat and ultimate demise.
In the Heaven’s Feel route, he attempts to kill Sakura Matou but is unexpectedly consumed by her shadow—the quickest downfall of all his appearances.
Fate/Zero
Summoned by Tōsaka Tokiomi, Gilgamesh quickly gravitates toward Kirei Kotomine, becoming a catalyst for Kirei's awakening to his true nature.
He defeats both Iskandar (Rider) and other formidable Servants, and when exposed to the corrupted contents of the Holy Grail, he resists the curse by the sheer force of his soul, gaining a physical body.
Fate/EXTRA
Gilgamesh appears as a playable Servant, sealed within the Moon Cell due to his overwhelming power, which would otherwise guarantee victory for any Master.
Once partnered, he tests and ultimately acknowledges the protagonist’s worth, showing a more straightforward side of his personality.
Fate/Grand Order
Gilgamesh features prominently as the king of Uruk during the main “Babylonia” chapter, taking on the role of a wise and responsible ruler.
He exhibits great leadership, accepts advice, and is deeply invested in protecting his people.
Later, he returns as a full-power Heroic Spirit to aid humanity in its final battles, displaying rare earnestness and intensity.
Other Appearances
Gilgamesh has appeared in many spin-offs, alternate timelines, and as different classes (Caster, Ruler).
His presence is a staple across the Fate universe, whether as a villain, ally, or comic relief.
Gilgamesh’s portrayal in "Fate" has influenced other media, with references and parodies appearing in multiple games and anime.
Modern interpretations often use his character as a template for arrogant, overpowered kings.
Fans affectionately call him nicknames like "King of Arrogance" or "Gil-doraemon" for his ability to pull anything out of his vault.
His relationships, especially with Enkidu, Saber, and other kings, are central themes throughout the Fate series.
Despite his pride, those who earn his respect find Gilgamesh can be dependable, even compassionate under the surface.
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