The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II - Fate
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II
Overview
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II is a light novel series set in the expansive Fate universe written by Makoto Sanda and illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto. The series is published by Type-Moon Books and has also received several adaptations including a manga by Makoto Sanda with illustrations by To Azuma, an anime produced by Troyca which adapts the “Rail Zeppelin” chapter, and a stage play based on the "Adra Castle Separation" chapter.
Plot
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II takes place in the UK and is set in a world parallel to the world of Fate/stay night that also shares similarities with the world of Fate/Zero. The series follows Waver Velvet, a participant in the Fourth Holy Grail War who now goes by the name Lord El-Melloi II, who is in charge of the Department of Modern Magecraft at the Clock Tower. Together with his apprentice Gray, he investigates and solves mysteries related to thaumaturgy and hidden conspiracies within the Mage’s Association.
Development
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II is written by Makoto Sanda and illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto. The series began as a story for Type-Moon Fest in July 2012 that series creator Kinoko Nasu asked Makoto to write. The series would go on to be published by Type-Moon Books, with the first volume released at Comiket 87 on Dec. 30, 2014. The series spans 10 novels total, with the final novel released on May 17, 2019.
A sequel to the novel titled The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II was also announced in December 2019. The novel is slated to be released in late 2020.
Characters
Lord El-Melloi II (Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa)
Formerly Waver Velvet, Lord El-Melloi II takes on the El-Melloi name after the death of the first Lord El-Melloi during the events of Fate/Zero in order to help the family’s true heir, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, in restoring the family name until she is old enough to take over. He is one of the 12 Lords at the Clock Tower and is a professor in the Department of Modern Magecraft.
Gray (Voiced by: Reina Ueda)
Lord El-Melloi II’s apprentice, Gray originally lived as a villager but it was revealed that she was altered at birth in order to become a vessel for the second coming of Artoria Pendragon. As a result, her features change to resemble Artoria’s so she must keep her face hidden to not give away her true identity.
Add (Voiced by: Daisuke Ono)
Add is Gray’s Mystic Code that has been passed down through Gray’s family for generations. It takes on the appearance of a cube to hide its true form: the Holy Spear Rhongomyniad. It can transform into a scythe for Gray to use in combat.
Reines El-Melloi Archisorte (Voiced by: Inori Minase)
The true heir of the El-Melloi family, she requests that Waver Velvet take on the El-Melloi name and lead the family in her stead until she is old enough and experienced enough to take over. Her Mystic Code is named Trimmau and also serves as her maid.
Flat Escardos (Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
A bright and gifted student of Lord El-Melloi II’s. Though a genius when it comes to magecraft, he is seen as a problem child at the Clock Tower. He has a carefree and affable personality.
Svin Glascheit (Voiced by: Seiichiro Yamashita)
One of Lord El-Melloi II’s best students, Svin shares the top spot in the class along with Flat. He specializes in beast magic, which Flat teases him about by calling him The Dog.
Caules Forvedge (Voiced by: Yusuke Kobayashi)
One of Lord El-Melloi II’s students, Caules is the head of the Forvedge family and recently transferred to the Clock Tower.
Melvin Weins (Voiced by: Daisuke Hirakawa)
Melvin is an old friend of Lord El-Melloi II and teaches at the Clock Tower in the Creation Department. He helped fund Waver’s trip to Japan to participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War and is also famous for his ability to tune Magic Crests.
Doctor Heartless (Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama)
The previous head of the Modern Magecraft Theory Department at the Clock Tower, Doctor Heartless is the Master of Faker and is named “Heartless” after his heart is stolen by fairies.
Faker (Voiced by: Yo Taichi)
Doctor Heartless’ Servant, Faker’s was summoned as Hephaestion but her true identity is his twin sister, Iskandar's Shadow.
Other Media
Manga
The series has received a manga adaptation written by Makoto Sanda and illustrated by To Azuma. It began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine on Oct. 4, 2017. Five collected tankobon volumes have been released to date and the manga’s serialization is ongoing.
Anime
An anime adaptation of the series was first announced during the Fate Project 2019 TV special event. Titled Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace note, the anime adapts the “Rail Zeppelin” chapter of the light novel. The anime is produced by Troyca and directed by Makoto Kato with series composition by Ukyo Kodachi, character designs by Jun Nakai, and music by Yuki Kajiura. The anime aired in Japan on Tokyo MX and other channels from July 6 to Sep 28, 2019. The anime has been licensed internationally by Aniplex of America, Crunchyroll, Funimation, and AnimeLab. The anime ran for 14 episodes.
Stage Play
A stage play that adapts the "Adra Castle Separation" chapter of the original work opened in Japan in January 2020. The play features voice stars from the anime cast reprising their roles, including Daisuke Ono as Add and Takumi Yamazaki as Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald.