Cant Escape From Crossing Fate
Also known as: CEFCF · Crossing Fate meme
"Can't Escape From Crossing Fate" is a catchphrase meme originating from the fighting game *BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle*, where a female announcer shouts the line before each match. Starting in May 2018, YouTube users began editing the audio clip over scenes from TV shows and other media right before two characters fight or meet, turning it into a short-form remix format popular in the fighting game community and beyond.
Overview
In *BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle*, a crossover fighting game featuring characters from BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY, every match opens with a dramatic female announcer declaring "Can't escape from crossing fate! Fight!"1. The line replaced the previous BlazBlue series announcer call of "The wheel of fate is turning. Rebel 1, Action!"1. The new catchphrase struck a chord with fighting game fans who began overlaying the audio onto clips from TV shows, anime, wrestling, and other media, timing the callout to the exact moment two characters are about to square off.
*BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle* was first announced on July 16, 2017, during the EVO 2017 fighting game championship3. The announcer line appeared in pre-release gameplay footage well before the game's official launch. YouTuber Kaizouwar uploaded game footage on October 3, 2017, that included the "Can't escape from crossing fate" callout3. The game itself was developed and published by Arc System Works as a 2D tag-team crossover fighter, eventually launching on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on June 5, 2018, in North America2.
Origin & Background
How It Spread
How to Use This Meme
The format is straightforward:
Find a video clip where two characters, people, or groups are about to meet or fight, especially from crossover episodes or unexpected encounters.
Edit the "Can't escape from crossing fate! Fight!" audio to play just before the confrontation begins, typically with a brief black screen or title card matching the game's style.
The humor works best when the clip involves an absurd or unlikely matchup that mirrors the game's own crossover premise.
Cultural Impact
Fun Facts
The previous BlazBlue announcer catchphrase, "The wheel of fate is turning," had its own following, but never spawned the same level of remix activity as the *Cross Tag Battle* version.
*RWBY* is the only non-video-game franchise represented in *Cross Tag Battle*, making it an unusual addition to a roster otherwise drawn from fighting games.
The game eventually grew to 53 playable characters across seven different franchises, adding Arcana Heart, Senran Kagura, and Akatsuki Blitzkampf through DLC.
The meme peaked right before the game's Western release, essentially serving as free marketing during the most important sales window.
Derivatives & Variations
Green screen template edits:
After @Zela_Kantal uploaded the green-screened announcer clip on May 14, 2018, dozens of creators made custom versions with their own video sources[3].
Wrestling crossover edits:
The Kenny Omega vs. Xavier Woods CEO surprise was one of the first real-life applications of the format[1].
Anime remix variants:
Multiple creators applied the format to anime scenes, with *KonoSuba* and *The Simpsons* being early popular choices[3].
Frequently Asked Questions
References (5)
- 1
- 2Can't Escape From Crossing Fate - Know Your Memeencyclopedia
- 3List of Fast & Furious charactersencyclopedia
- 4BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battleencyclopedia
- 5BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle - Wikipediaencyclopedia