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Who Are Ereshkigal and Ishtar in Fate?

Fate Character Guide

Who Are Ereshkigal and Ishtar in Fate?

The Rin faces of Fate/Grand Order Babylonia bring together Mesopotamian mythology, familiar Fate design language, and two very different fan-favorite personalities.

If you've watched Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia, one of the first things you may have noticed is that both Ishtar and Ereshkigal look surprisingly familiar.

In fact, many Fate fans immediately recognize them as looking almost identical to Rin Tohsaka from Fate/stay night.

So what's going on?

Why do these two goddesses look like Rin, and who exactly are Ishtar and Ereshkigal within the Fate universe?

Let's take a closer look.

Looking for Ishtar and Ereshkigal merch?

The Fate/Grand Order Double Sided Chibi Acrylic Charms include both Ishtar and Ereshkigal variants, so they are the main concon pick for fans of the Babylonia goddesses.

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Who Is Rin Tohsaka?

Before discussing Ishtar and Ereshkigal, it's important to understand Rin Tohsaka.

Rin is one of the main heroines of Fate/stay night and one of the most beloved characters in the entire Fate franchise. Known for her intelligence, confidence, and occasional tsundere tendencies, Rin quickly became a fan favorite after her debut.

Because of her popularity, Fate has often reused her appearance for other characters throughout the series.

This is where Ishtar and Ereshkigal enter the story.

Why Do Ishtar and Ereshkigal Look Like Rin?

In Fate lore, divine spirits and heroic spirits sometimes require a vessel to manifest in the modern world.

For both Ishtar and Ereshkigal, that vessel happens to be Rin Tohsaka.

Rather than being Rin herself, the two Mesopotamian goddesses are using a body based on Rin as their host.

As a result, both characters share Rin's appearance while maintaining their own personalities, powers, and identities.

This concept allowed Fate to bring back one of its most popular character designs while introducing entirely new characters.

For longtime Fate fans, it was the best of both worlds.

Who Is Ishtar?

In Mesopotamian mythology, Ishtar is associated with love, beauty, fertility, war, and the planet Venus.

Within Fate, Ishtar retains much of her legendary confidence and pride.

She's powerful, outspoken, impulsive, and often acts before thinking things through.

At first glance, Ishtar may seem selfish or arrogant, but beneath that exterior she genuinely cares about humanity and those close to her.

Her personality often resembles some of Rin's more stubborn and competitive traits, making the connection between the two characters feel natural.

Throughout Fate/Grand Order Babylonia, Ishtar becomes one of humanity's strongest allies in the fight against the threats facing ancient Mesopotamia.

Who Is Ereshkigal?

If Ishtar represents the heavens, Ereshkigal represents the underworld.

In Mesopotamian mythology, Ereshkigal is the ruler of the land of the dead. In Fate/Grand Order Babylonia, she is also presented as Ishtar's older sister.

While Ishtar is loud and confident, Ereshkigal is almost the complete opposite.

She's shy.

She's awkward.

She's hardworking.

And she often worries about how others perceive her.

Despite ruling the underworld, Ereshkigal is surprisingly kindhearted and wants to help people whenever she can.

Many fans were immediately drawn to her gentle personality and relatable insecurities.

Over time, she became one of the most beloved characters introduced in Fate/Grand Order.

Ishtar and Ereshkigal Merch Picks

If Babylonia made you love these two, the easiest concon merch pick is the Fate charm listing. It has both Ishtar and Ereshkigal variants, which makes it perfect for choosing your favorite sister or quietly admitting you need both.

Fate Grand Order Double Sided Chibi Acrylic Charms with Ishtar and Ereshkigal variants by concon

Fate/Grand Order Double Sided Chibi Acrylic Charms

This charm listing includes Ishtar and Ereshkigal variants, along with many other Fate/Grand Order servants.

View Fate charms
Fate Chibi Die-Cut Sticker Decals with Rin sticker by concon

Fate Chibi Die-Cut Sticker Decals

For stickers, this is the closest thing to an Ereshkigal or Ishtar sticker right now because the lineup includes Rin, the face they are both based on.

View Fate stickers

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Charms, stickers, lanyards, prints, apparel, and other Fate pieces from concon shop.

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Fate/Grand Order Babylonia

Both Ishtar and Ereshkigal play major roles in Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front - Babylonia.

The story follows Chaldea's mission to save humanity during the Seventh Singularity in ancient Mesopotamia.

Alongside characters like Gilgamesh, Merlin, Ushiwakamaru, and Kingu, the two goddesses become essential allies in humanity's struggle against extinction.

The Babylonia anime helped introduce countless fans to Ishtar and Ereshkigal for the first time.

Their memorable scenes, emotional moments, and dynamic personalities quickly made them standout characters within the adaptation.

Even today, Babylonia remains one of the most popular Fate anime series among fans.

Why Fans Love Both Characters

One of the reasons Ishtar and Ereshkigal remain so popular is that they appeal to very different audiences.

Fans who enjoy confident and energetic characters often gravitate toward Ishtar.

Fans who prefer gentle and caring characters frequently choose Ereshkigal.

Both characters benefit from sharing Rin's iconic appearance while offering completely different personalities.

As a result, Fate fans often find themselves choosing a favorite between the two sisters.

Of course, many simply love both.

The Legacy of the Rin Faces

Within the Fate community, characters that resemble Rin are often referred to as Rin Faces.

Ishtar and Ereshkigal are among the most famous examples.

Their popularity demonstrates why the concept works so well. Fans get the familiar appearance of Rin Tohsaka while also experiencing entirely new stories, relationships, and character development.

Rather than feeling like copies, both goddesses have established their own identities within the Fate universe.

Final Thoughts

Ishtar and Ereshkigal are much more than characters who happen to look like Rin Tohsaka.

They are powerful Mesopotamian goddesses with distinct personalities, memorable stories, and important roles in Fate/Grand Order Babylonia.

Whether you prefer Ishtar's confidence or Ereshkigal's kindness, both have earned their place among Fate's most beloved characters.

And for many fans, Babylonia wouldn't be nearly as memorable without either of them.

Product links, product variants, images, and reference sources checked June 20, 2026.

Sources: Fate/Grand Order Babylonia official Ishtar page, Fate/Grand Order Babylonia official Ereshkigal page, World History Encyclopedia on Ishtar, World History Encyclopedia on Ereshkigal, and live concon.shop Fate product data.

concon Fate products are artist-made fan merchandise and are not official or endorsed merchandise. Fate, Fate/Grand Order, Ereshkigal, Ishtar, Rin Tohsaka, and related names and characters belong to their respective rights holders.