Apr 22, 2021
I recently rewatched the 25 episode masterpiecie which is Fate/Zero, a prequel to Fate/Stay Night. This is a review of the whole two seasons. If you don't know what's the story, then here's a brief overview:
Mages are a thing and some of them created a ritual that summons the Holy Grail, an omnipotent wish granting device. To get a hold of it a mage must gain a right to be a Master, then summon a Servant which embodies a sould of a heroic spirit (a legend, hero or some other figure that made it's mark in human history) and then battle to the death with
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the rest of the Masters. There were many wars for the Holy Grail but this story takes place in the japanese town of Fuyuki where the most recent War for the Holy Grail is starting. Our main protagonist is Kiritsugu Emiya, a man who has seen countless battlefields and is known as the Mage Killer. His wish for the Grail is a strange one, coming from the person he is. But amidst all the chaos and battles there are others who also want to get their hands on the Grail for diffirent reasons.
So jumping in the story of Fate/Zero is like getting on a rollercoaster you know will derail and make a magnificent mess that you can't take your eyes off. Death, suffering and remorse vs hope, dreams and atonement - those themes are the rails on which the characters ride. And oh boy do the characters feel REAL in this one. I've propably never felt such a strong connection with fictional people then while watching Fate/Zero. If you know Saber or Kotomine Kirei from Fate/Stay Night then this will be a great opportunity to understand them on a deeper level. Expecially Kirei - watching him search for who he is and what is the meaning of his life was thrilling and eye opeing. Also he is a total badass and propably the most dangerous man in anime history. I especially liked his voice actor, Jōji Nakata who gives Kirei a menacing and a strong feeling (he also played Aucard from Hellsing, so this guy knows how to play an overpowered badass). The slow developing storyline of Kiritsugu Emiya is gut wrenching and made me cry my eyes out for the man at the end. He is the embodiment of suffering. And also Saber who's really not so diffirent form Kiritsugu. This creates a great flow between the characters. While we're at it i would be rude not to include a few words about my favorite duo of the show: Waver Velvet and his servant Archer. Watching the scrawny boy whose wish is for to be accepted as agreat mage grow alongside his big Servant who emodies counquest, straightforwardness and true - not the toxic one - masculinity is on a whole new level of wholesomeness. It will make you cry if you have even an ounce of sympathy in you. And without spoiling anything - the scene of Waver's and Archer's discussion when the sun goes down and night falls is a graphic masterpiece. I was moved just by how beautiful it was. (protip: try to find a counterpart for this scene later in the show - that's visual storytelling at it's finest).
But it isn't only this scene. Every episode of Fate/Zero is on movie level. Not a frame wasted, every scene and every moment looks and feels great. It's wonderfull how it's so colorful while maintaining the threatening aura of a full-on bloodshed. At first you would think the animation is a bit clunky, but wait till a fight starts. I can't remember the last time when a final showdown of a 20+ episode anime (or any show in general) made me clench my fists so hard in excitement. Fight scenes in this anime take sitting on the edge of your seat to the next level. I think only Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works from 2014 can top it off. When the characters aren't fighting they talk or buy video games and overly slim t-shirts with the words Ultimate Conquest printed on them. Watch out then for the small details, there are some great moments that you will miss if you don't pay attention. But if you do catch them they can tell you more about a character then a full story arc. Show, don't tell - Fate/Zero takes the main principle of visual storytelling and uses it the best it can to make you FEEL the story rather then hear it unfold by characters moving their mouths in exposition scenes (which are there but only when really needed and even then they don't make you feel sucked out of the experience).
Even the openings and endings play a major role in creating characters and the universe they are in, with great music always on standby when needed and attacking you with full sonic force in times when the emotions are high. Only a stone would not feel a thing when watching this anime. It makes you feel the desperation, grief and suffering alongside hope, happines and revelations that it's characters are experiencing. But if you are an unmoving stone, not able to feel any emotion apart from wanting to roll from time to time, then just the storyline and the basic concept is fresh and one of a kind. And bare in mind that the first visual novel came out in 2004 - 15 years ago and it's still something than can't be copied because of how original it is (not counting all if it's spin-offs).
Overall i think Fate/Zero is a masterpiece of storytelling and propably the best story ever told that gets better the further you are in. Also the second season gets SO MUCH better - i gave the first one a 9/10 only because the second season managed to take it to the eleven. As a whole Fate/Zero is a true 10/10.
Watch it now - you won't be dissapointed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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