Kawade Shobo Shinsha, one of Japan’s major book publishers, is running out of copies of an unlikely publication – Dante’s Divine Comedy. According to the publishers themselves, this is likely due to aspects of the classic poem being incorporated into the highly successful mobile game Fate/Grand Order. While the publishing house is working hard to restock, demand for the thirteenth-century poem has apparently never been higher.
In addition to Dante Alighieri being a summonable servant in Fate/Grand Order, elements such as the nine circles of Hell are also featured in the recently completed Ordeal Call IV: Tribunal of Humanity – Trinity Metatronius storyline. Given Fate/Grand Order’s references to Divine Comedy, it is understandable that hardcore fans would want to read up on the source material.
Divine Comedy is a massive narrative poem that follows Dante Alighieri’s fictional journey through the three realms of the dead: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. His experiences in each realm carry a philosophical meaning and provide deeper insight into the human soul. The Divine Comedy also includes graphical representations of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven (as well as its denizens), which is why illustrated versions of the poem by different artists are sought after.
It seems “the Fate/Grand Order effect” has worked its magic on other things in the past. When it was revealed that the in-game version of Japanese samurai Saitō Hajime was fond of croquette soba, demand for the dish increased. While reader retention for Divine Comedy remains to be seen, at least Fate/Grand Order has helped increase interest in classic literature.
Fate/Grand Order is available on Android, iOS, iPadOS, and arcades.
