Fate/Grand Order Fans Cause Surge in Sales of 14th-Century Classic Novel

image: The Divine Comedy/Fate/Grand Order

Fate/Grand Order, one of Japan’s most popular mobile games, has caused a massive spike in demand for Dante Alighieri’s 14th-century literary masterpiece, The Divine Comedy. So much so that Kawade Shobo Shinsha, one of Japan’s major publishing houses, has announced an urgent reprint of the book. The publisher reported a 130% increase in sales compared to last year.

A representative from Kawade Shobo Shinsha shared on Twitter (translated by Automaton):

“Due to shortages, we have decided to urgently reprint Dante’s Divine Comedy: The Complete Edition. Sales are up 130% compared to last year, likely due to the Fate/Grand Order effect. Even though the book costs 5,900 yen (~$40), I can understand why people would choose the complete edition, as it features illustrations similar to those used in the game.”

Why the Sudden Interest in The Divine Comedy?

The reasons? The introduction of Dante Alighieri as a summonable character in the game, as well as strong thematic references to his famed poem in the recently concluded Ordeal Call IV: Tribunal of Humanity – Trinity Metatronius storyline.

The campaign incorporates core elements from The Divine Comedy, including the nine circles of Hell, which sparked players’ curiosity about the original work.

Dante’s Divine Comedy—which chronicles the poet's fictional journey through Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Heaven)—is one of the most influential literary works of all time. Known for its philosophical depth and vivid depictions of the afterlife, it has inspired not only writers and artists but also game developers and filmmakers for centuries.

While games like Dante’s Inferno (2010) have tackled the poem more directly, Fate/Grand Order presents its own unique spin by merging Dante and his world with anime-style narrative and turn-based combat mechanics.

This isn’t the first time Fate/Grand Order has impacted real-world consumer trends either. A previous example involved the character Saitō Hajime, whose in-game fondness for croquette soba caused a real-life boost in the dish’s popularity across Japan.

Fate/Grand Order is available on iOS, Android, iPadOS, and even arcade platforms in Japan.