—Kotaro rebuking Corrin in Conquest Chapter 17
Kotaro is a non-playable character and enemy from Fire Emblem Fates on all routes. He is the ambitious daimyo of Mokushu.
Profile[]
Kotaro is the daimyo of the kingdom of Mokushu, and his greatest ambition is to usurp power for his nation. Kotaro was behind both the fall of Kohga, Shura's homeland, and the death of Saizo and Kaze's father, Saizo the Fourth, whom he killed when the former Saizo directly called him out on his ambitions.
After the outbreak of hostilities between Nohr and Hoshido, King Garon promised Kotaro a large portion of Hoshidan territory once Nohr emerged victorious, provided that Mokushu allied with Nohr. Driven by the thought of more power, Kotaro eagerly accepted the offer, and joined Nohr in fighting Hoshido. Once the agreement was signed, Kotaro ordered for any Hoshidan that passed through Mokushu to be apprehended while maintaining a guise of neutrality to avoid suspicion.
Birthright[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 10 leading an army of Mokushujin ninja against Corrin. Sometime after the war started, Kagero, one of Ryoma's retainers, traveled into Mokushu, believing that it was neutral in the war, only to be captured by Kotaro's men. Kotaro reveals that he has allied with Nohr and fights the Hoshidans.
If Kotaro is encountered by Saizo, it is then revealed that Kotaro had betrayed his father prior to the events of Fates, and killed him when the former Saizo tried calling him out on his treacherous ways. Seeking vengeance for his father's death, Saizo will express satisfaction should he be permitted to land the finishing blow on Kotaro.
Despite his best efforts, Kotaro is eventually killed in battle. Even with his death, the Mokushujin still fought against Hoshido, though it can be presumed the fighting was over once the war ended.
Conquest[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 17, aligned with Nohr. He leads Corrin into a secret area to allow the Nohrian army to invade Hoshido, and then proceeds to put up an innocent façade by claiming that Hoshido has consistently attacked them for having relations with Nohr. Kotaro claims that his kingdom is peaceful and that they are always unable to fend off the increasing Hoshidan attacks.
After the Nohrian army clears the nearby area of Hoshidan troops, Kotaro is surprised to see Saizo and praises Corrin for capturing him. Saizo tells Corrin that Kotaro had captured a ninja named Kagero and is using her as leverage to intimidate the Hoshidans, preventing them from attacking. Corrin then asks Kotaro if he had taken her hostage, to which he confesses after much pressure. He is surprised that a Nohrian noble would want to fight a honest war, and decides to kill them all in a "tragic accident" so that he can continue to do what he pleases. He then summons a large group of Mokushujin to kill them, but they fail and he is eventually killed in battle.
Like in Birthright and Revelation, if Saizo performs the killing blow on Kotaro, he will state that his father has been avenged.
If Shura is deployed to fight Kotaro, he will attempt to get his vengeance on the Mokushujin daimyo for his fallen people. Kotaro will mock and taunt Shura, saying his people didn't stand a chance against him and shows no remorse for killing his people and attempts to kill off the last remainder of Kohga, but is killed instead. In Shura's case however, he does not have any special dialog and proceeds the same as if any other unit (besides Saizo) kills him.
Revelation[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 11, retaining the role he did in Birthright by forming an alliance with King Garon to advance his ambitions to become the true ruler of Hoshido. He has taken Kagero as a hostage while she was on a mission delivering a message sent by Ryoma, and is then pursued by Saizo, Orochi and Reina.
Saizo sends out a smoke signal to warn others that a battle is going on and that they should avoid that area. Corrin and their army pass by, with Kaze noticing the signal. Believing that they can get more allies, Corrin goes to the battlefield, to which Kotaro notices the arrival of enemy reinforcements. He fights the group, only to lose and be killed by them.
Like in Birthright and Conquest, if Saizo performs the killing blow on Kotaro, he will state that his father has been avenged.
Personality[]
Crafty and cunning, Kotaro is extremely sly and manipulative. He is also an expert at spinning veils of lies in order to obscure his true malicious motives from the public eye. This fact is particularly prominent in Conquest, where he dupes Corrin into aiding him under the pretext of his nation having been victimized by Hoshido.
Driven by a lust for power and authority, Kotaro is also known to take any measure that he deems necessary in order to achieve his ambition, regardless of whether they are dishonorable. For example, he uses hostages (like Kagero) to slow down his enemies, kills or severely cripples anyone who dares question him (like Saizo and Kaze's father, since according to him the previous Saizo tried to stop his ambitions), and is willing to destroy any realms who are in the way (like Shura's homeland of Kohga).
Kotaro also has a habit of bad-mouthing his foes as shown in his default battle dialog in Birthright and Conquest. When confronted in the former, he says he will name one of the latrines in his new castle after the opponent he defeats in their honor, and in the latter, he arrogantly says his kingdom will be built on their graves and that not even Garon will stop him.
In-Game[]
As an Enemy[]
Birthright Chapter 10 - Ninja Village[]
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 2 | 36 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 14+2 | 8 | 10 | 10 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
| (None) |  Sword - E Shuriken - C |  Dual Shuriken Kodachi (Dropped) | |||||||
Conquest Chapter 17 - Den of Betrayal[]
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 3 | 38 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 23+2 | 10 | 13 | 21 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
 Trample Locktouch |  Sword - C Shuriken - B | Flame Shuriken | |||||||
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 3 | 41 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 25+2 | 10 | 14 | 22 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
 Duelist's BlowTrample Grisly WoundLocktouch | Sword - C Shuriken - B | Silver Shuriken Flame Shuriken | |||||||
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 3 | 41 | 20 | 17 | 23 | 25+2 | 10 | 14 | 22 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
| Duelist's BlowTrampleGrisly WoundLocktouch | Sword - B Shuriken - S | Silver Shuriken Flame Shuriken | |||||||
Revelation Chapter 11 - Mutual Enemies[]
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 2 | 36 | 12 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 10 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
| (None) | Sword - C Shuriken - C | Steel Shuriken (Dropped) Steel Katana | |||||||
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 2 | 38 | 14 | 3 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 12 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
| (None) | Sword - C Shuriken - C | Steel Shuriken (Dropped) Steel Katana | |||||||
| Starting Class | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ninja | |||||||||
| Level | HP | Str | Mag | Skl | Spd | Lck | Def | Res | Mov |
| 2 | 42 | 18 | 3 | 19 | 20 | 10 | 14 | 14 | - |
| Skills | Weapon | Starting Items | |||||||
 Poison Strike | Sword - B Shuriken - S | Steel Shuriken (Dropped) Steel Katana | |||||||
Quotes[]
Help Description[]
Daimyo of Mokushu. Has ambitious plans to expand his holdings.
Chapter 10 (Birthright)[]
Battle Quote[]
—Kotaro's pre-battle quote.
Vs. Saizo[]
- Saizo: Kotaro of Mokushu...you will now answer to me.
- Kotaro: I answer to no one. Who are you to suggest otherwise?
- Saizo: I am Saizo the Fifth, servant to the Hoshidan royal family.
- Kotaro: Saizo...that's familiar. I believe I've murdered others of your pitiful lineage.
- Saizo: You—! How dare you! My father was an honorable man.
- Kotaro: Honorable? Maybe. Weak? Definitely. That balding old fool had the audacity to lecture ME! So naturally...I put an end to his life.
- Saizo: I knew you were the one responsible for his death. Coward!
- Kotaro: Bwahaha! Isn't this a stroke of luck? To fell both father and son with the same blade... How poetic!
- Saizo: I'm about to rewrite your poem...
- Kotaro: Please. If you're anything like your father, you won't land a single blow!
Defeated by Saizo[]
- Saizo: How's that? Did I land a single blow?
- Kotaro: Ugh... *cough* *cough* *gurgle*
- Saizo: Fitting. Father, you are avenged.
Death Quote[]
—Kotaro's death quote
Chapter 17 (Conquest)[]
Battle Quote[]
—Kotaro's battle quote
Vs. Shura[]
- Shura: Heh... So you're the daimyo of Mokushu, eh? We finally meet.
- Kotaro: Who are you? I don't know any generic pirates.
- Shura: I am Shura, of Kohga. And you will pay for destroying my people!
- Kotaro: Aw, so you came here to get revenge? That's precious. I've killed dozens of men like you. Lowly drifters without a home. Don't even bother. Like your pathetic kingdom, you don't stand a chance.
- Shura: Killing you will be no bother at all. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. And one day I will rebuild Kohga and undo the damage you caused!
- Kotaro: HA! That's rich. I killed all your people. Burned your village to the ground. All of your ninja combined weren't enough to stop me. Yet you think you alone can kill me?! HAHAHAHA!
- Shura: We'll see how funny it is when you're begging for mercy. You took everything from me. Before I rebuild, allow me to return the favor.
- Kotaro: Ah, a lovely dream. Let that dream comfort you in your last moments. The last remnant of Kohga ends here!
- Shura: For my friends and family...for my honor and vengeance...FOR KOHGA!
Vs. Saizo[]
- Saizo: Kotaro of Mokushu...you will now answer to me for your crimes.
- Kotaro: I answer to no one. Who are you to suggest otherwise?
- Saizo: I am Saizo the Fifth, servant to the Hoshidan royal family.
- Kotaro: Saizo...that name sounds familiar. I believe I've murdered others of your pitiful lineage.
- Saizo: You—! How dare you! My father was an honorable man.
- Kotaro: Honorable? Maybe. Weak? Definitely. That balding old fool had the audacity to lecture me! So naturally...I put an end to his life.
- Saizo: I knew you were the one responsible for his death. Coward!
- Kotaro: Bwahaha! Isn't this a stroke of luck? To fell both father and son with the same blade... How poetic!
- Saizo: Sorry to disappoint, but I'm about to rewrite your poem's ending...
- Kotaro: Ha! If you're anything like your father, you won't land a single blow!
Defeated by Saizo[]
- Saizo: How's that for not landing a single blow?
- Kotaro: Ugh... My dreams... My Kingdom!! *cough* *cough* How could I lose...?! *sputter* ...
- Saizo: A fitting end. Father...you have been avenged. May you rest in peace now.
Death Quote[]
—Kotaro's death quote
Chapter 11 (Revelation)[]
Pre-Battle Quote[]
—Kotaro's battle quote
Vs. Saizo[]
- Saizo: Kotaro of Mokushu...you will answer to me.
- Kotaro: I answer to no one. Who are you to suggest otherwise?
- Saizo: I am Saizo the Fifth, servant to the Hoshidan royal family.
- Kotaro: Saizo...that's familiar. I believe I've murdered others of your pitiful lineage.
- Saizo: You--! How dare you. My father was an honorable man.
- Kotaro: Honorable? Maybe. Weak? Definitely. That balding old fool had the audacity to lecture ME! So, naturally...I put an end to his life.
- Saizo: I knew you were the one responsible for his death. Coward!
- Kotaro: Bwahaha! Isn't this a stroke of luck? To fell both father and son with the same blade... How poetic!
- Saizo: I'm about to rewrite your poem...
- Kotaro: Please. If you're anything like your father, you won't land a single blow.
Defeated by Saizo[]
- Saizo: How's that? Did I land a single blow?
- Kotaro: Ugh... *cough* *cough* *gurgle*
- Saizo: Fitting. Father, you are avenged.
Death Quote[]
—Kotaro's death quote
Etymology[]
Kotaro's name may have been derived from Kotaro Fuuma, the leader of the Fuuma ninja clan of the Hojo during the Sengoku warring era. In the Japanese version of Fates, Mokushu is instead called Fuuma.
Trivia[]
- Kotaro shares his English voice actor, Walden James, with other characters in Fates such as: Subaki, Iago, Nichol and Haitaka.
- Despite appearing as a Master Ninja, Kotaro uses the critical animations of a regular Ninja when equipped with Shurikens and Daggers. This animation should only apply when any Master Ninja is equipped with Swords.
- Conquest is the only route where Kotaro can battle Shura. In both Birthright and Revelation, Shura joins Corrin's army after Kotaro has already been killed.
- Kotaro is the only character to have a battle quote against someone that isn't Corrin; he has one against Saizo and Shura.
- In Revelation, Kotaro's character is muted, similar to Generic Prisoners when they're recruited. However, he does have a few voice clips present during his dialogue with Kagero at the beginning of the chapter, alongside his special battle conversation with Saizo.
- Other than Revelation, Kotaro shares voice clips with two other Hoshidan bosses, Haitaka and Omozu.
- Kotaro is the only non-Nohr antagonist to die in all three paths.