Sep 12, 2015
The highly acclaimed Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is back! Before I get started, I'm right this review having watched Fate/Stay Zero and not Fate/Stay night (2006). Obviously, since this is a sequel, this anime would be crippled as a stand-alone, and I highly recommend you see the first season before starting this.
Story: Adequate Enough
First of all, compared to all the other branches of the Fate/Stay franchise, this anime by far, best explores the fate universe and the Servant and Master mechanics, especially the mechanics. This anime goes as far as to explain how nothing in this universe is set in stone:
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the hidden secrets of the Grail and its counterparts, the conditions pertaining to servant and master, and the limits of mana. However, this is where the story makes its sacrifices. To explain the greater scope of the story, the plot suffers greatly. Potential plot lines are abridged, or avoided altogether. Potential supporting character developments are cut short when, excuse the minor spoiler, the story decides to kill off a character to avoid another story and refocus the plot revolving around our two unreliable protagonists. I understand that the anime is based on a VN, with multiple story plots, but that does give an excuse for the anime to rush to its plot.
Art: Outstanding
Do i need to say more? Why is this anime called Unlimited Blade Works instead of Unlimited Budget Works? The animation by ufotable is as astonishing as ever. Every action scene involving the Servants were very entertaining to watch and the motions flowed through wonderfully. Even the Masters, whose powers were not as overwhelming as their servant's, came to life in their battle scenes. Outside the action, character designs were on point, and the scenery: I paused a few times to enjoy the beautiful view. Keep it up ufotable!
Character: Fair
To be blunt, it's no surprise to anyone that a Servant's existence is temporal and a tool to advance the plot to its grandiose ending. Because of that, we don't know much about each Servan't backstory or their historic upbringing, except those who manage to survive until the near end. To give credit, the demise of a couple, specific servants really does delve deep into the reasons of their actions and personality. The supporting cast did not really leave much of an impression and there simply wasn't enough time to learn about the other masters. But to be fair, the most important character development belongs our protagonists: Emiya Shirou and Tohsaka Rin. As I mentioned before, these two are unreliable protagonists and complicates this already intricate anime. These two behave as polar opposites consistently throughout the anime, and by the end, establish a strong relationship.
Overall: Ehh, not bad
What this anime has going for itself is its excellent animation and reputation based on its franchise. It's like someone had an immense imagination but only had one canvas to paint it. I enjoyed this anime and would recommend it to others, but I can not disregard its lacking details.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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