Fate/Strange Fake is miles ahead of Apocrypha, and takes a Fate/Zero approach towards the multi-angled perspective I personally adore. Narita being the author of Baccano and Durarara spices things up further, infusing his own storytelling style on the F/Z -like character introduction template.
The series is paradoxical; it blends comedy with drama; well-known characters in the Fate franchise with fresh personnae that are fleshed out well. The opposites attract each other and formulate a solid, no-fluff, no-bullshit storyline which manages to keep the suspense (and feels) going.
Fate/Strange Fake is a balanced, quirky story on a Grail War you've never seen before. Rules? What rules! Everything's chaotic and grips the reader from the get-go. I assure you would find it tricky to love only one or two characters; there's a whole troupe of unique masters and servants that you'll root for.
The art is nice. It's not top tier, but it's still intricate and generous enough to supplement a Fate franchise well.
Honestly, this is a breath of fresh air after the mediocre Apocrypha, and the fact that Fate Grand Order stuff is 50/50 in terms of quality. I'm hyped for the upcoming anime adaptation and believe it will be top-tier in the whole Fate universe.
A solid 9/10, as this is an incredibly fun read for both hardcore 'true' Fate fans and spin-off fanatics.
