Time for a trivia! Are you someone who enjoys watching violence mixed in with action, fantasy, and thriller themes? Are you someone who loves listening to a powerful soundtrack with stunning visuals that will keep you at your seat? Ever wanted to watch a prequel based off a popular series and carving for more? Well luckily, you've probably hit a jack pot because ufotable once again pulls off a spectacular masterpiece out of their hats and present the latest Fate/Zero part 2 that is sure to give viewers a satisfaction like they've never ever experienced before.
In today's anime world, prequels are not too rare. Most of them serves as an introduction and perhaps a trailer of the the true series will unraval for our die hard viewers. Fate Zero Second Season presents the continuation of the battle involving the Holy Grail, the ultimate reward for eternal glory. As more lives are sacrificed, secrets are unraveled. The actors and their directors play their parts in this Holy Grail war and it's only king for him or herself. There is no allies, no true allegiances, no God, no Angels. There is one thing and that is V for Victory. But really, what is victory? Glory? The true throne of king? Or is it perhaps something that unattainable even for a God?
First and foremost, this series has gained international attention and is considered to be one of the most popular series. Anyone who has ever set their eyes and played a VN game before would and should know the products of Type-Moon, with FSN being one of its most successful products. I mean, just look at the ratings and the discussion threads. There is daily topics being posted, various discussions regarding the franchise of both seasons, and users comparing who their favorite/strongest servants are from the series.
But is this series really worth the hype? Is this series really being worthy to on the Top #10 of MAL along with some other known titles? The fact that one of them is also an anime is based off a VN in the top 10 also makes us wonder. Well...let's put our heads together and see if the series does live up to the hype.
[ ----- Story ----- ]
As the second half of this highly popular series, the story picks up from part 1 that began in October of Fate/Zero. The producers and director already assumed that you've watched part 1 and have some decent knowledge of the F/Z franchise. If you're scratching your head right now and wondering why there's an overgrown Cthulhu Mythos being in the begnning of the series, then STOP. Watch part 1 first and come back because you're missing out all! And I'm certain Archer is not amused.
There is already tension between Saber and Lancer, one you can cut through with an Excalibur. But from where it leaves off, the monster Caster unleashes hell and tries to take the servants deep down with it. It does seem a bit lackluster in that the first part of the series had none of the character die off but death has gotten impatient. In this part 2 of the prequel, death has come back from holiday and is here to claim some of its prize. And by prize, I do mean lives, the lives of the servants and their beloved masters.
Indeed, the bodies starts to pile up like pouring rice but there's also more than that. For our main protagonist, an calculating, cold, and indifferent man, we take a trip down memory lane and see some of the dark past that made him the man that he has become. While most series take brief flashbacks and illustrates them shorthand, this prequel depicts a more detailed style involving Kiritsugu "Magus Killer, Kerry" Emiya. His dark past is revealed in details that leaves the viewers at the edge of their seats and with his interactions with his “mother” figure (ironically also on Mother's Day) and childhood friend. It is dark, it is brutal, and it is your face. The past that Kiritsugu had to go through and made him the man that he is today is understandable after watching this prequel. Hell, if I had to go through all that, I'd never be the same person again. The man's got guts and he's live up to the name as the Kiritsugu "Magus Killer, Kerry" Emiya.
And of course, Saber once again plays her role as the King of Arturia from the Fate/Stay Night franchadise in this sequel. As a proud king, she respects the values of others and is determined to help those in need. For instance, when she realizes that her dear friend and partner Irisviel von Einzbern has been kidnapped by another proud king, she stops nothing but to save her even if it's at the cost of the Holy Grail war or perhaps her own life. That my friends, is true valor and style of a proud king.
While at times the dialogue are as heavy as part 1 of the prequel, the usage of the words defines the intelligence and insight that gives the viewers a reason to continuously watch the show. A clear example is the speeches between Rider and Waver and Archer's often egotistic yet artistically way of getting his words out.
As for the Holy Grail War, the rules are still there. There is only one winner and it's winner takes all. Fate/Zero although has similar ties with Fate/Stay Night has some major differences in that it becomes a much more matures style. Even the masters themselves becomes calculating and insightful in their moves. Their servants play their roles accordingly and some have even developed their own solitude of being the one and true king.
As Elizabeth I once said:
“To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.”
[ ----- Characters ------ ]
Seven servants, seven masters, and more than seven wonders to watch this part 2 of the prequel. The characters of the series is definitely another reason to continuously enjoy more of Type-Moon's works.
Honestly, there are so many great character interactions between the servants and the masters. It can be digusting and horrid like the relationship of psychopathic killer Ryunosuke and Caster. It can be the estranged relationship between Lancer and his master, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. It can be the indifferent relationship between our star protagonist Kiritsugu and Saber. It can also be the powerful bond between Alexander the Great (Rider) and his master, Waver.
There is of course also our cynical man who is discovering his purpose in life, the manipulating, calculating, and stoic man Kirei Kotomine. It is entertaining and strange to watch Archer/Gilgamesh observe his various actions and moments throughout the story. Of course, his later obsession with Saber enters another tone that can be defined as peculiar at its finest.
Regardless though, every one of the character is independent and unique to themselves in personalities, goals, ambitions, and style. Even the characters in Kiritsugu's flashback are quite interesting to take insight into. His interactions with them and the bond, whether it's a childhood crush on his friend, or a more motherly/son relationship with his mentor, brings out his character in its most defined form.
While not all the characters are perfect (Kariya for instance), they clearly play their various roles well and does what they do best: kicking ass and delivering F/Z style entertaininment.
[ ------ Art/Animation ------]
Ever been to an art museum before? Ever seen a professional artist's work and made you go “that is just...beautiful”? Well, Fate/Zero part 2 like its prequel will give you the impression of a life time. (at least in terms of anime visuals)
In technical terms of production, Fate/Zero Season II is what defines the ultimate form of what Type-Moon's production visuals has came to be. This series just looks bloody amazing and that's not an overstatement. No, it is more than that. The visuals are stunningly beautiful and ufotable deserves the prize of the Holy Grail for producing such powerful animation. Not surprisingly, ufotable already has achieved its praise after producing the Garden of Sinners franchise. The dark edges of the series and the spectacular battle scenes between Beserker/Saber are just a few examples. While it does occasionally employ the usage of CGI, it makes it up into the style of the battle sequences between the servants/masters that almost makes us forget this flaw. But more than that, art defines this series that shows once again that ufotable is able to produce series that lives up to the fan's expectations. And of course, I'm not disappoint.
[ ------ Soundtrack/Music ------]
Soundtrack plays a powerful role in any series and in this part 2 of the prequel, it is there once again to bring out the style of Fate/Zero.
The OP song is changed this time but retains its well coordinated choreography and orchestra. The theme "to the beginning" by Kalafina is a strong piece of work that brings out the strength and power of the servants and the brutality of the Holy Grail War. And once again, the sequences are shown with appearances of the servants and their respective masters. Additionally, it also shows sequences of a child Kiritugu in the beginning to his manhood that shows how much he has changed from what he once was, to what he has become, the proud master of Saber.
Yuki Kaijura is once again involved with producing the soundtrack and themes of the series. And once again, she delivers and executes what the fans expected: a glorious soundtrack worthy of a Holy Grail prize. The soundtrack of Fate/Zero part 2 is just as stunningly impressive as part 1. If in fact for anything reason at all to watch this series beyond the characters, beyond the storyline, or beyond the epic speeches of Rider or the stunning visuals is the soundtrack. With the ultra talented Yuki Kajiura in charge, expect the unexpected as your ears will be pleased like never, ever before.
[ ------ Enjoyment ------- ]
Story, music, animation, characters. What else more is there to say? Well, for another reason to continuously watch the F/Z franchise is the spectacular battle sequences.
While the first season lacked some of the expected battle scenes, season 2 of Fate/Zero brings out battle and bloodshed like never before. Even in the very beginning, the aerial dogfight between Archer and Berserker makes a strong impression while Caster takes the ground belong and battles against the remaining servants. More impressively is the final duel between the two proud kings Archer and Rider in the later episodes. With egos that a single king of the seat can be sat on, these two characters battles it out in one of the most artistically and defined ways in the series that truly shows why they are worthy of their masters.
Well, Fate/Zero Season 2 is not perfect. In fact, there is in my opinion no series that can be perfect. It does seem that some of the sequences are a bit forced and a a few key scenes cut that left the viewers go “why wasn't that there?” Additionally, the dialogue continues to stay a bit intact and lengthy at times particularly with Archer's egoistic speeches and Kirei's indifferent style of talking. Despite these minor flaws though, this part 2/season 2 of the series captured my attention as much as season 1. The intelligence of the story, the well executed dialogues, the captivating characters, the stunning visuals, the beautiful soundtrack, the quality of the work, and the enjoyable of the battle sequences are just seven reasons to watch this series.
Seven servants, seven masters, and seven reasons to watch this part 2. What else can you want more?
Well, I guess maybe some of the more detailed explanations for the die hard fans when the BD version debuts. Still though, this series has been crafted and engineered beyond its minor flaws. It is in my book one of the best series there was, one of the best there is, and one of the best there ever will be.
