Matou Sakura

The girl of the Matou family and a key figure who becomes blackened in the Holy Grail War

The girl of the Matou family. Involved in the Holy Grail War, subjected to bug adjustments and becomes a monstrous existence, but gradually regains her humanity inwardly. Rider's official Master and an important character.

Quotes

  • I'm just a cog in the world that wouldn't make a difference if I weren't there
  • Maybe I've been at my limit for a long time
  • If there's someone to protect me, I can become strong
  • I'm not weak anymore
  • All I can do is hurt someone... and yet I'm still...

Trivia

  • Due to bug adjustments, she was taken from the original Tohsaka family and adopted into the Matou family.
  • Her nickname when blackened is 'Black Sakura,' with major changes in personality and abilities.
  • Harbors secret feelings for Shirou, and her devotion promotes her growth.
  • Fully voiced for the first time in 'Fate/stay night [Réalta Nua].'
  • The Heaven's Feel route is originally complex and lengthy, making it longer than other routes.
  • Her appearance in Tiger Dojo with Taiga Fujimura and others is depicted in a comedic, gag-oriented manner.

Alternate names

Sakura Black Sakura Sakura Matou Sakura

Tags

Matou Sakura Fate Holy Grail War Magus Blackening Rider's Master Visual Novel Magic Crest TYPE-MOON Magical Girl

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Profile

Species
Human (Magus)
Gender
Female
Birthday
March 2

Appearance

Overall appearance
A beautiful girl with black long hair and large eyes. Due to the influence of bugs, her eye and hair colors change, and after blackening, she takes on a monstrous form. Height is around 156cm, does not wear glasses and does not hide her bare face.
Height
Approximately 156cm
Weight
46kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Long black hair
  • Large eyes
  • Magic Crest scars
  • Later, in blackened form, cloaked in jet-black shadows
Iconic items
  • Rider's Command Seals (Fake Command Seals)
  • Matou family attire
  • Black ribbon (later period)
  • Bandages (later period)
  • Kitchen knife for cooking meals

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Fragile
Detailed personality
Gentle and kind but self-punishing with low self-esteem, barely regaining human emotions while possessing a complex psyche worn down mentally and physically by years of bug adjustments and abuse. She harbors hidden feelings of love for Shirou.
Keywords
  • Kind
  • Shy
  • Self-sacrificing
  • Patient
  • Complex past
  • Unfortunate
  • Love
  • Blackening
  • Glimpse of strength
Talents
  • Magical aptitude
  • Vessel of the Holy Grail
  • Mental resistance
  • Culinary skills
  • Bug handling
Skills
  • Rider's Master
  • Bug control magecraft
  • Self-control
  • Influential magecraft
  • Mental endurance
Motivation
Amid a harsh fate, she yearns to regain human emotions, protect Shirou and her companions, and achieve her own mental liberation and happiness.
Habits
She has a shy side and unconsciously grips her hands when anxious.
Favorite foods
Western food in general, Shirou's home cooking, Sweets
Favorite places
Emiya Residence, School archery dojo
Hobbies
Cooking, Archery
Disliked insects
Bug adjustments (terror and pain)
Disliked situations
Loneliness, Abuse, Conflict

History

Backstory
A girl from the Tohsaka family who was adopted into the Matou family. From childhood, bugs were implanted by the Matou magus Matou Zouken, warping her constitution and personality. While trying to blend into the outside world, she maintained patience and gentleness in a repressive environment, eventually becoming involved in the blackening phenomenon of the Holy Grail War and following a path of rampage as "Black Sakura." Living at Shirou's house, she regains her humanity, and ultimately confronts her true self as an important heroine.
Debut date
January 30, 2004
Work title
Fate/stay night
Media type
Manga

Participation in the Holy Grail War

Significant event
Participation in the Holy Grail War
Description
Becomes involved in the Holy Grail War as Rider's official Master.

Bug adjustments and blackening

Significant event
Bug adjustments and blackening
Description
Undergoes magecraft adjustments via bugs, gradually triggering the blackening phenomenon.

Living together with Shirou

Significant event
Living together with Shirou
Description
Sheltered at Shirou's house, gains mental stability.

Transformation into Black Sakura

Significant event
Transformation into Black Sakura
Description
Personality completely inverts, becoming a being of immense power.

Greater Grail destruction

Significant event
Greater Grail destruction
Description
In the Heaven's Feel route, destroys the Greater Grail and becomes central to the story.

Relationships

Matou Shinji

Sibling

Older brother. A complex love-hate relationship where they influence each other more than typical siblings.

Matou Zouken

Grandparent

Grandfather and head of the Matou family. Performed bug adjustments on Sakura, causing her blackening.

Emiya Shirou

Prepares breakfast and dinner for Shirou, treating him like family.

Emiya Shirou

Teammate

From being sheltered at Shirou's house, they support each other mentally

Rider

Master servant

Rider's official Master with a strong bond

Matou Family

Matou Family: leader

Media appearances

Fate/stay night

Manga / Protagonist

February 2006 issue - December 2012 issue, 20 volumes total

Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel]

Manga / Protagonist

June 2015 issue - ongoing

Fate/stay night (1st TV anime)

Anime / Protagonist

2006 TV series

Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] (theatrical version)

Movie / Protagonist

2017–2020 theatrical trilogy

Fate/stay night [Réalta Nua]

Game / Protagonist

2007 PS2 version and many other platforms

Fate/stay night REMASTERED

Game / Protagonist

2024 Nintendo Switch/Steam

Voice cast and creators

Noriko Shitaya

Voice actor
Noriko Shitaya
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime, PS2 version, mobile version

Kikuko Inoue

Voice actor
Kikuko Inoue
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Réalta Nua initial voice CD
Notes
Initial voice

Kinoko Nasu

Creator name
Kinoko Nasu
Role
Original author

Takashi Takeuchi

Creator name
Takashi Takeuchi
Role
Character designer

Kinoko Nasu

Creator name
Kinoko Nasu
Role
Writer

ufotable

Creator name
ufotable
Role
Animation studio

Kadokawa Shoten

Creator name
Kadokawa Shoten
Role
Publisher

Aniplex

Creator name
Aniplex
Role
Licensee

Related goods

1/7 Scale Figure Black Sakura

Item name
1/7 Scale Figure Black Sakura
Category
Figure
Availability
Limited

Matou Sakura Dakimakura Cover

Item name
Matou Sakura Dakimakura Cover
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

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