I’ve been holding off on giving a definitive score for this show; mostly because I wanted to make sure the rating was accurate. Having now seen the series, I can confirm what many already know: Fate/Stay Night is a great anime. Both in terms of an adaptation of the original Visual Novel and as its own show, I think we can all be at ease in the knowledge that ufotable has done it again. Rejoice all who hath cometh, the adaptation you've been waiting for is here!
For anyone new to the Fate series, the series in essence revolves around seven masters who summon historical figures
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in a fight to the death. The winner among these seven will be able to use the Holy Grail, which grants any wish. That’s the barest description one can provide of the setting, so you’ll have to watch in order to get all the details. Needless to say, anyone looking for a fictional world to get engrossed in will love the Fate series and the Type-Moon universe as a whole. There’s a rich history here that one could easily get lost in. As a rule of thumb, the visual novel “Fate/Stay Night” is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to experience this universe (though the choice ultimately falls on the person).
As for the anime itself, the first thing one is struck with is the animation. This is by far the easiest aspect of the show to review because it’s simply brilliant. Anyone familiar with ufotable knows they have a reputation in this category, and they do not disappoint in the slightest. Backgrounds are detailed, characters are well drawn, animation is fluid, and CG is blended seamlessly throughout. There is the occasional misstep with how a character is drawn, and there might be one or two moments where the CG doesn’t hold up quite so well, but overall this anime looks as sublime as one will encounter in a TV series. Some things to pay particular attention to when watching are the facial expressions and body language. Each is appropriately expressive and adds a wealth of character to everyone onscreen even before any dialogue has been communicated. I’ll leave the reader to decide for themselves how well the fight scenes are executed - but from this viewer’s point of view, I can’t remember the last time I was so captivated by combat in an anime.
Sound is likewise impressive. Every effect from the ground exploding to Lancer’s spear has a distinct quality that keeps you engaged. The voice acting is likewise well done, with each character giving emotional and believable performances. While I find the music a little unobtrusive at times, this improves over the series, and you’ll likely find a few pieces that catch your ear when you hear them. Not too much more to say here, but nothing to complain about – it’s all top quality.
Characters is one department that the visual novel excels in, and this is transferred nicely into the anime. You encounter an assorted cast of very colorful individuals; each with their own goals and agenda. Emiya Shirou is at the forefront of this cast, and over the course of this season you grow more attached to his goals and the actions he takes to achieve them. Rin Tohsaka acts as the secondary protagonist, and is an intriguing character in her own right (I found myself wishing that she was the main focus at times throughout this season). Needless to say, each is likable in their own way and add a degree of charm to the war they are participating in. Other characters such as Saber, Archer, and the numerous servant and masters encountered throughout the show also have unique personalities are interesting in their different ways. The one complaint I have in this area is that I wish more attention was given to the main characters than what we got. While the material available for Shirou and Rin was interesting, I felt just a little bit more was needed to make them better rounded. Side characters like Saber and Ilya also don’t receive as much attention as you might think, but is the unfortunate consequence of having only one out of the three routes being adapted in the visual novel. A bit of a nitpick, but one I couldn't shake off.
The story is an area that shows the greatest potential, but is also the weakest here. The problem is that the first cour acts as a setup to the second cour, and in the end we will have to wait for the second season in April to see the plot truly kick in. That’s not to say the story is bad here – far from it – but the real punch of Unlimited Blade Works comes in the second half; which means there is a lot of build up with the promise that better things are to come. If it’s any consolation, I can assure you that the second half will indeed be incredible if properly executed. For what there is, you will certainly find enough that’s hinted at to keep you intrigued and guessing as to where the story will go next.
To sum up, these 12 episodes are a lot like half of a great meal: You find yourself satisfied with what you have, but only want more. Minor flaws aside, this show carries a tone and sure-handedness in its story telling that keeps you in constant awe of how events unfold. Anyone expecting a rich and deep universe with good characters and an intriguing concept will not be disappointed. While your best bet for experiencing this story as a whole is through the visual novel, I feel comfortable recommending this anime as someone’s entry into the Fate series. If you happen to be one of these newcomers and are searching for a new series to invest your attention in: have a seat, kick back, and prepare to experience one of the finer universes anime has to offer.
Dec 27, 2014
I’ve been holding off on giving a definitive score for this show; mostly because I wanted to make sure the rating was accurate. Having now seen the series, I can confirm what many already know: Fate/Stay Night is a great anime. Both in terms of an adaptation of the original Visual Novel and as its own show, I think we can all be at ease in the knowledge that ufotable has done it again. Rejoice all who hath cometh, the adaptation you've been waiting for is here!
For anyone new to the Fate series, the series in essence revolves around seven masters who summon historical figures ... 
Sep 5, 2013
Evangelion Movie 3: Q
(Anime)
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I am not a giant Evangelion fan. I've seen the TV series and have noticed moments of brilliance, but I was in some ways annoyed with the finished product (especially towards the end). My biggest problem was that the characters were not very likable. They were complex yes, but I didn't feel very connected to Shinji, Asuka, Rae, etc. They seemed to fundamentally lack any sense of pro-activity. Much of the plot consisted of their reactions rather than their actions.
That's not important however, and I only bring this up to clarify my surprise at Evangelion: 2.0, which did something I hadn't expected: It completely won ... |
