The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II is a Japanese light novel series written by Makoto Sanda and illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto. Officially part of the Fate series, it began serialization by Type-Moon under the Type-Moon Books imprint on December 30, 2014, to May 17, 2019. The novels are set between the events of Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night, focusing on Lord El-Melloi II, a former master who now investigates several mysteries after his participation in the Fourth Holy Grail War. A sequel novel series, The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II, began publishing on December 25, 2020.
Two media adaptations were officially made: a manga adaptation by Makoto Sanda with illustrations from Tō Azuma began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine on October 4, 2017, and an anime adaptation by Troyca, which adapts the Rail Zeppelin chapter, aired from July 6 to September 28, 2019. On December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2021, the anime adaptation broadcast special edition episodes.
Story
Taking place 10 years after the events of Fourth Holy Grail War and 2 months before the events of Fate/stay night, the story focuses on Lord El-Melloi II, formerly known as Waver Velvet, a successor of Kayneth and former master in the last Grail War, who is now a professor under the ranks of the Mage's Association. In his years as a professor in the Clock Tower, he is acting as the temporary head of the El-Melloi household until a proper successor can take over. When strange mysteries involving magic start occurring throughout London, he teams up with his apprentice, Gray, to solve these magical cases and expose the hidden conspiracies that drive the Mage's Association.Characters
Main characters
;Waver Velvet / Waver Velvet;Gray
- ;Add
El-Melloi classroom
;Flat Escardos;Svin Glascheit
;Caules Forvedge
;Yvette L. Lehrman
Mage Association/The Clock Tower
;Melvin Weins;
;Hishiri Adashino
;Olga Marie Animusphere
;Doctor Heartless
Servants
;Faker / – HephaestionMedia
Light novels
The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II was written by Makoto Sanda, considered to be his first work after being approached by Type-Moon. During a session of tabletop RPG game Red Dragon, alongside Nasu and Gen Urobuchi, Nasu asked Makoto if he could actually write a story for the Fate series. It was then on TYPE-MOON FEST in July 2012 that Nasu asked Makoto to write a story for Waver Velvet/Lord El-Melloi II, on which he agreed. The first novel was first published by Type-Moon under their Type-Moon Books label on Comiket 87 on December 30, 2014. The tenth and last was published on May 17, 2019. It was illustrated by Mineji Sakamoto. Kadokawa Shoten later released the novels in a paperback edition.A sequel novel series titled The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II was announced in December 2019. The first volume was released on December 25, 2020.
Manga
A manga adaptation by Makoto Sanda with illustrations from Tō Azuma began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Young Ace magazine on October 4, 2017. As of July 2025, thirteen volumes have been released.Anime
An anime adaptation of the novels, which only adapts the Rail Zeppelin storyline under the title Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files was announced at the Fate Project New Year's TV special'' on December 31, 2018, which also aired a special episode of the series. The series is animated by Troyca. Makoto Katō directs the series with Ukyō Kodachi as its writer, while Yuki Kajiura composes the music for the series. Jun Nakai is the character designer, while Ei Aoki is credited as supervisor. It aired from July 6 to September 28, 2019, on Tokyo MX, BS11, GTV, GYT, and MBS. Kajiura composed the series' opening theme song "starting the case: Rail Zeppelin", while ASCA performs the series' ending theme song "Hibari", with lyrics written by Kajiura. Aniplex of America and Crunchyroll streamed the series in North America, Central America, South America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. AnimeLab streamed the series in Australia and New Zealand. Funimation also simulcasted the series in their streaming site in North America. On October 3, 2020, which is Waver's birthday, Aniplex of America announced they will be releasing the series in a Blu-ray box set with a full English dub. The set was released on December 15, 2020.During Aniplex Online Fest 2021, it was announced that the series will receive a special edition episode. It aired on December 31, 2021. ASCA performed the theme song "Kimi ga Mita Yume no Monogatari".
| No. | Title | Original air date |
Video games
Characters of the novel series also appeared in Delightworks's mobile role playing game Fate/Grand Order as special servants based on the characters. Waver Velvet/Lord El-Melloi II is a main five-star Caster-class Servant under the name of Zhuge Liang and has appeared in the Fate/Accel Zero Order event as a main character and guide. Gray, Reines and Luvia all were added as servants in the Lady Reines' Case Files collaboration event. Both Gray and Luvia are four-star Assassin and Ruler class Servants respectively, however Reines is a five-star just like her adoptive older brother, in the Rider class.Stage play
A stage play adaptation based on the novel's "Adra Castle Separation" chapter, began on December 14, 2019, and concluded on January 19, 2020. Voice Actors Daisuke Ono, Akio Ōtsuka and Takumi Yamazaki, who voice Add, Rider and Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald respectively, reprised their roles for the play. Limited release of the musical was released on blu-ray July 8, 2020.| Character | Actor |
| Lord El-Melloi II | Yuya Matsushita |
| Gray | Saho Aono |
| Flat Escardos | Takeru Naya |
| Svin Glascheit | Ryūjirō Izaki |
| Reines El-Melloi Archisorte | Kaho Amasaki |
| Heine Istari | Hiroki Hyakuna |
| Jirōbō Seigen Tokitō | Yūya Kido |
| Flueger | Shinya Matsuda |
| Boyservant | Fūta Kimura |
| Rosalind Istari | Ribeka Tanemura |
| Waver Velvet | Shinichiroh Ueda |
| Luviagelita Edelfelt | Nami Tamaki |
| Orlocke Caesarmund | Osamu Kaō |
| Hishiri Adashino | Kazuho Sō |