If you’ve been on the internet in the past six months, then you’ve probably heard of the all-consuming hype machine that is Unlimited Blade Works. While Studio Deen produced a movie adaptation of this route in 2010, it was little more than a glorified clip show, leaving fans of the Fate series hungry for something better. Now, the far more competent Ufotable, fresh from the runaway hit Fate/Zero, have seen it fit to create a brand-new adaptation of Fate/Stay Night’s second route, much to the delight of the anime-watching community. Being a natural-born skeptic, I needed to see for myself whether or not their excitement
...
was warranted. But was it?
For all the hype it got, no. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun ride anyway.
As our story opens, we are introduced to Shiro Emiya, a talentless mage who attends high school in Fuyuki City, Japan. Inspired by his late mentor and father figure, Kiritsugu Emiya, Shiro has devoted his life to becoming a “Hero of Justice” who always puts the needs of others above his own. As such, Shiro is frequently preoccupied helping his classmates with their various problems. However, after witnessing an intense battle outside his school Shiro is attacked and nearly killed by a spear-wielding man called Lancer. However, on the verge of death, Shirou inadvertently summons a beautiful armor-clad woman called Saber, who pledges to protect and serve him. Without knowing it, Shiro has stumbled into the Fifth Holy Grail War, a brutal fight to the death between seven masters and their seven servants for the Holy Grail, an ancient artifact that will grant a wish to the last master standing. Determined both to become a “Hero of Justice” and to stop the Grail from falling into the wrong hands, Shiro agrees to fight with Saber and achieve victory. Over the course of its 25 episodes, Unlimited Blade Works tackles some important questions about morality and the nature of justice: What is justice, anyway? Can one fight solely for justice? Who decides what is just? These questions are explored when Shiro allies with the powerful mage Rin Tosaka and her ill-tempered servant, Archer. Archer, whose past is shrouded in mystery, nevertheless harbors a hatred for Emiya and denounces his ideals as “hypocritical nonsense”. The clash between Shiro’s idealism and Archer’s cynicism forms the crux of the show’s plot, especially after Archer’s motivations are revealed.
Aesthetically, the show is like Christmas for your eyes. Ufotable makes full use of its massive budget, crafting each and every episode into a delicious feast for the eyes. The skill of the animators is most apparent in the gloriously animated fight scenes, where the fluid motions and flashy attacks will leave viewers mesmerized. The fights between the servants are particularly strong, with each servant’s special ability having its own unique look and feel. The vibrant, colorful backgrounds and detailed character designs are only icing on the cake. The soundtrack is equally breathtaking, with the tracks “The Illusion” and “EMIYA” being particular standouts.
The strength of the Fate series has always been in its characters, which is why Unlimited Blade Works is such a disappointment in that regard. While there are well over a dozen major characters, Shiro, Rin, and Archer monopolize the screen time. Did you want to learn about Saber’s motivations? Screw you! Go watch Fate/Zero, loser. Many of the characters have vast amounts of wasted potential, to the point where some of them may as well have “Cannon Fodder” printed across their foreheads. The show is especially bad about this with its antagonists, who, with the exception of the pretty but psychotic Caster, are one-note and exist only to show how much better Shiro, Rin, Archer, and/or Saber are. The most prominent example is grade-A douchebag Shinji “McRapey” Matou, who is a jerk for no apparent reason. The final enemy, especially, feels like he is only there so that Shiro has someone to fight. However, the characters that do get actual development are almost frighteningly real. Shiro, due to his dreams of becoming a hero, at first demonstrates a constant disregard for his own safety. Examples of this include nearly sacrificing himself for someone who had tried to kill him days before and challenging opponents who are infinitely stronger than him. However, as the series continues and Shiro’s ideals are challenged, he slowly matures, learning to reconcile his ideals with the harsh nature of reality. Rin’s servant, the bitter, cynical Archer, holds a deep-seated irrational hatred for Shiro that is not explained until late in the series. When you do learn Archer’s backstory, however, it is genuinely heartbreaking as well as one of the show’s most powerful episodes. The final main character, Rin Tosaka, acts as both Shiro’s love interest and guide to this new world he’s been tossed into. The scion of one of the world’s greatest mage families, Rin fights to bring glory to her family. Rin’s often ruthless pragmatism is often at odds with Shiro’s desire for justice, but the two balance each other well and are a surprisingly effective team in battle.
While I have praised this show quite a bit, the cracks begin to show where plot is concerned. The pacing, for lack of a better word, is atrocious. In the first eleven episodes of the series, nearly nothing happens, with the various masters alternately sparring and trash-talking each other. During this time, the plot often has a penchant for putting its leads in unescapable situations, only for their enemies to let them live for no discernible reason. Fortunately, the show picks up in its second half, with every episode bringing a new plot development which the characters are forced to adapt to. These episodes are filled with betrayal, bloodshed, and heart-pounding action, peaking with the culmination of Shiro’s emotional journey in episode 21, when he finally confronts and comes to terms with his inner demons. While the final battle is interesting to watch, it never comes close the matching the raw power of Shiro’s personal climax. The second half capitalizes on the show’s inherently high-stakes premise, and giving the feeling that any of these characters could be the next to die.
Conclusion: Despite the lackluster beginning and poorly developed secondary characters, Ufotable has created a slick, emotionally charged product with mesmerizing artwork and truly inspired fight scenes. If you were expecting the next Fate/Zero, you’ll be disappointed, but Unlimited Blade Works is a strong anime in its own right.
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Jun 23, 2015
If you’ve been on the internet in the past six months, then you’ve probably heard of the all-consuming hype machine that is Unlimited Blade Works. While Studio Deen produced a movie adaptation of this route in 2010, it was little more than a glorified clip show, leaving fans of the Fate series hungry for something better. Now, the far more competent Ufotable, fresh from the runaway hit Fate/Zero, have seen it fit to create a brand-new adaptation of Fate/Stay Night’s second route, much to the delight of the anime-watching community. Being a natural-born skeptic, I needed to see for myself whether or not their excitement
...
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