Fate/Zero / First Impressions / Series Introduction

OP2 Sequence

OP2: 「to the beginning」 by Kalafina
Watch the 2nd OP!: Streaming ▼

「未遠川血戦」 (Miongawa Kessen)
“The Bloody Battle in Mion River”

The long wait for the return of Fate/Zero was more than worth it. Despite the three month break, all the elements we grew to love in this series – the action, the dialogue, the characters – came back without skipping a single beat. And just when you think this series couldn’t get any better, it does.

What originally drew me to this series was its concept: a sword and sorcery fantasy with intelligent and complex dialogue featuring both famous historical characters and everyday folk. After going through the first half of the series, I didn’t think Fate/Zero could exceed my expectations more than it already did – but I guess my expectations weren’t either high or wild enough. Forget kings dueling with their rapier-sharp wits or Servants performing a deadly dance with their swords and spears – this time the act took to the skies with an aerial ballet that wouldn’t look out of place in Top Gun or Macross.

That’s not to say that the series has forgotten the superbly animated action sequences that were one of its strong suits during the first half of the series. Saber (Kawasumi Ayako) and Rider’s (Ooutsuka Aiko) fight against Caster’s (Tsurouka Satoshi) demon started off the episode in style, continuing almost right after the cliffhanger in the previous episode. The CG animation for the gargantuan beast was breathtakingly detailed, and it’s a shame that the violet fog and haze concealed much of its quality. I erroneously believed that because the King of Knights was able to easily deal with one of Caster’s demons before, she would again make short work of his currently summoned monster – especially with the King of Conquerors fighting by her side. However, the demon’s regenerative abilities were too much for them to overcome, and I was surprised that the King of Heroes, Archer (Seki Tomokazu), presumably sent by Father Risei (Hirose Masashi) to assist the other two kings, couldn’t even inflict any permanent damage to it.

It’s still a strange sight to see a manipulative Tohsaka Tokiomi (Hayami Shou) behave so utterly subservient to Archer and so visibly intimidated as well. That said, I can get used to seeing it more often if it means there will also be more moments when his plans backfire, like when Tokiomi attempts to make a “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” analogy to try and spur Archer into action, only to be told that it’s a job for a gardener, not a king. It does feels like Tokiomi’s complacency has robbed him of what was once an extremely calculating mind and replaced it with an increasingly desperate one: why even ask Archer to use his anti-world Noble Phantasm when he already regrets the permanent loss of four less-precious swords and spears? I can only surmise that Tokiomi has resolved to go through and do everything and anything to regain one of his command seals.

Throughout the action, there was nary a hint that this episode would contain anything more than usual swords and sorcery that we’ve come to expect. When Caster’s demon devoured a JDF F-15J that was surveying the situation – capturing it with tentacles that behaved like the missiles in a Macross Missile Massacre – I thought that it was the end of any aerial combat as it was too risky. However, I should have known that more action was in store after seeing the strange sight of Archer’s quasi-futuristic flying golden craft. When I saw it at first, the “aircraft” looked so out of place that I suspected its only purpose in the episode was to show how arrogant Archer was, floating high above everyone – that is, until Berserker (Okiayu Ryoutarou) appeared out of nowhere to hijack the remaining F-15J and then used it to attack Archer. I thought it was a little poetic that the “dog” who “dared to fly” gave Archer everything he could handle in their dogfight, even taking control of missiles and forcing them to behave in ways they were never designed to do. Equally impressive was Archer’s utilization of his Gate of Babylon as both offensive weaponry and defensive shields, and the fact that his craft was just as fast and maneuverable as a modern fighter jet was a testament to just how ridiculously overpowered Gilgamesh is.

Although it was possibly overshadowed a little by the jaw-dropping action sequences, the dialogue in this episode remained just as captivating as I had remembered from the first half of the series, and reminded me why I consider Fate/Zero to be so special. A small theme that immediately stood out to me was one of honor and ideals – more specifically, the honor and ideals that each character holds as important, and how far they would go in order to achieve or uphold them. Perhaps the one character who most exemplified this theme in this particular episode was Tokiomi. In his roof-top confrontation with Matou Kariya (Shingaki Tarusuke) where he revealed his dilemma of having to give up one of his daughters for adoption in order to increase his family’s chances of finding the Root, I came to realize that Tokiomi placed his honor as a mage higher than his honor as a father. I always knew that while he may never be on the level of Kotomine Kirei (Nakata Jouji), Tokiomi is quickly becoming nearly as despicable; he not only placed the blame for having two talented daughters squarely on his wife, he showed no qualms about the fact that the sisters would most likely eventually have to fight one another either.

Worst of all, does he even know how twisted the Matou family is? If Tokiomi did somehow know what their tradition was and still gave up Sakura despite the information – he deserves each and every bloodthirsty insect bearing down on him. Despite the fact that I don’t think Kariya will emerge triumphant in his quest to kill Tokiomi and Zouken, I am still rooting for this tragic hero, and it’ll be interesting to see their showdown, especially without Kirei’s interference.

I understand not every character can be as noble in their honor and ideals as Saber, Rider, or Lancer (Midorikawa Hikaru). For example, Uryuu Ryuunosuke’s (Ishida Akira) ideals centered around his almost inhuman obsession with death and dying, which was plainly engraved on his face as he watched with glee the destruction and dismemberment that his Servant’s demon was currently wreaking, all the while entertaining the multitude of murderous possibilities it was capable of. Neither he nor Caster have any limits on their actions in trying to realize their ideals, and I fear that with Ryuunosuke’s death, Gilles de Rais will become even more dangerous. Fortunately, one man has a plan to stop him – a man who I didn’t expect to have any honor, only ideals: Saber’s true master, Kiritsugu Emiya (Koyama Rikiya). I was surprised to see him not take advantage of the situation in order to go after his next target, and instead postpone the Holy Grail War to defeat Caster’s monster. However, stopping the beast requires the use of Saber’s anti-fortress Noble Phantasm, which she’s unable to use due to Lancer’s curse – so an appeal will eventually have to be made to another kind of honor: chivalry.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to see what the next episode has in store. It could merely be the delight that comes from seeing some of my favorite characters again after three months, but at this point I honestly don’t think this series can do anything wrong. In fact, I would even go as far as to recommend that all multi-cour shows take a short hiatus if it means maintaining a high level of quality. Production-wise, the animation again was at the very least on par with the finest of shows, but the CG is what truly sets this series apart from the others. I consider it to be one of the very best I’ve ever seen in anime, and I definitely believe it sets a new standard for animation in the fantasy genre. It even compares quite favorably to something like Macross or Gundam on the strength of this episode alone. Whether it’s more aerial dogfighting, sword and magic combat, or simply another philosophical roundtable, Fate/Zero’s return to the airwaves is like a bittersweet summer fling – something I fondly want to last awhile longer, but realize it is destined to end all too soon. And since we never know when the next fling, the next Fate/Zero, will come around… I hope you’ll follow my writings as I attempt to savor and enjoy the ride while it lasts.

TL;DR – @verdantRC: Everything awesome about F/Z + Top Gun = an epically great start to the 2nd season and the greatest COOL! #fatezero

  • Random factoid: F-15Js do not have thrust vectoring capability – Berserker must have somehow added that feature!
  • Full-length images: OP2 – 08, 18, ED3 – 03 (credit goes to BakaMochi for putting together this one)

 

ED3 Sequence

ED3: 「空は高く風は歌う」 (Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau) by 春奈るな (Haruna Luna)
Watch the 3rd ED!: Streaming ▼

Preview

201 Comments

  7. Yatta! So awesome first/14th episode. I thought that Saber had to use her ecscalibur sooner or later. Why don’t Gil-kun just use his Ao and get it over and done with… though he is really so pretty cool.

    Cystella
    Reply

    1. Because he only wants to use that weapon against the ones he deems worthy enough, a creature that is filthy enough to make him discard those 4 weapons is not worthy enough in his eyes.
      After all, if he did use Ea against that creature than he would be forced to discard that weapon since it was dirtied by that creature.

      Damrod
      Reply

  12. I think you’re a bit too harsh on Tohsaka, while what he said this episodes was on the arrogant side, Kariya isn’t exactly someone whom he’s gonna spill out his true feelings to. It’s not like he wanted to give one of his daughter away, but he had little choice in the matter as both of them are exceedingly powerful, and the one that doesn’t succeed him will not have a good end so to speak.

    Also, him trying to convince Gilgamesh to take out Caster wasn’t because of the extra Seal reward, but rather because keeping the magic world secret is considered part of the duty of a mage, especially in Fuyuki which is under the jurisdiction of the Tohsaka house.

    Mike
    Reply

    1. In my opinion, the problem with Toiomi isn’t that he gave Sakura away; his reasons for doing so make sense. The problem is just WHO he gave her too. Giving her to Matou “bug rape and torture” Zouken was just plain stupid. When Tokiomi said that “Sakura will have a chance of reaching the Root in the Matou house”, i laughed so hard at him. I wanted Kariya to laugh in his face for that stupidity. Tokiomi actually belives that the Matous are still thinking about that!? Zouken, as we know, doesnt care about the Root, or making Sakura into a capable mage, he only cares about immortality for himself. Zouken is just going to use Sakura as a slave and tool. She won’t ever reach her full potential that way, will she?

      In short, he was correct to give Sakura to a Mage family, but he was a total idiot in his choice of family’s, as he is in many other choices.

      takashid
      Reply

      1. Don’t forget that Matou was pretty much desperate, without a proper successor. Do you really think such situations are so common that Tokiomi could afford to let the opportunity slip? We are talking about families with hundreds, thousands of years of tradition, proud of their own lineages. And if Sakura is going to be used anyway (by Matou or whoever wishes her talents), at least let her learn magic from a decent family and have a chance to fight back.

        Gavrilo
        Reply

      2. Tokiomi used the cold resoning of a magus under the guidence of Zelretch. Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the Wizard Marshall of the Magic Association is the master advisor of the Tohsaka family and well known for his nihilistic personality to the point that the assocition hates his guts. The Tohsaka family has follow his teachings of uphold the study of magic above all else, including love are family, so what could you expect when they trust this guy. The only person inside the Tohsaka family that has openly defy his teachings is Rin Thosaka; Tokiomi might have been a great magus but he also was a terrible father for both of her daugthers, a poor husband to his wife and above all else a foolish coward.

        haseo0408
        Reply

    2. You have to realize it was Gen Urobochi who wrote this. He has some….interesting takes on the concept of love and altruism.

      In that respect, Tokiomi and Kariya are more common than they think. The things they have done was done out of love. But its all twisted by their own view on society, upbringing, and personal bias. What they have done is ultimately selfish and that makes them both tragic characters.

      fragb85
      Reply

      1. You are right in that, everybody sees the world the way they like, through the filters that are our ideals and belives, but there are acts that are evil to the very core no metter how you look at it. Tokiomi is deciving himself under the mask of magus and if he had lived long enough to see what he did to his daugthers he would go insane. Family rules above all else, thats final.

        haseo0408
        Reply

  14. Tokiomi truly is a pathetic man, he summoned one of the most powerfull heroes in human history and now he´s bassically his lap dog. Well, he has reasons to be concern because nobody mess up with the King of Heroes without some really painful concecuenses.

    haseo0408
    Reply

    1. Considering he wanted Saber, Tokiomi went for he next most powerful warriors which is Archer class …. but it turned out to powerful to control for him. I wonder if the Tohsaka family has a history of drawing Archer’s now that I think about it.

      Ani_BEE
      Reply

  16. This has to be the most epic way a husband as met his wife.
    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20Zero/Fate%20Zero%20-%20ED3%20-%20Large%2003.jpg

    Needless to say, Emiya should have had Berserker as a servant. I mean. Berserker was able to control some MODERN weaponry. Emiya is the only one, more like the only magi that is willing to use such resources, that uses assault rifles and so forth. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if the guy is able to grab some tanks for Berserker. Damn, Berserker is more of an awesome version of Saito from Familiar of Zero. He is able to use any weapons no problem.

    L002
    Reply

    1. Servants reflect the personality of their masters.
      Saber seeks an unreachable ideal in the same way Kiritsugu seeks an ideal world where he is an ally of justice, and a saviour to all.

      Show Spoiler ▼

      His tale is extremely similar to Kariya’s desperate struggle and fate in which his unrequited love for his childhood friend causes him to suffer so.

      Random Hobo
      Reply

      1. while both Emiya and Saber have similar goals, their sense of methods differ greatly. If we recall, Emiya wasn’t really happy when Saber let Lancer save his rather crippled master when she could have stalled Lancer so that Emiya can finish the job.

        L002
        Reply

      2. You’re wrong. The personalities of the Servants only reflect that one of their Masters when they are summoned without catalyst. Like Ryuusuke did with Caster. Saber is incompatible with Kiritsugu because he used a catalyst (Avalon).

        Lara
        Reply

    2. Seriously, If Kiritsugu had gotten Berserker he could have ended the war real easily. Just use the Einzbern’s crap load’s of cash/ Kiritsugu’s connections to get Berserker a few nukes. Wait till the war starts in Fuyuki and then drop a Noble Phantasm Nuke on them using Berserker’s ability. Game over man, Game over!

      takashid
      Reply

  17. This is bad for Tokiomi. I am guessing he will be forced to use his command spell again to force Gilgamesh to use Ea – so he can save the innocent people from being killed by Caster. It’s part of his duty as a sorceror.

    This is so sad…

    suff
    Reply

    1. pfff, tokiomi doesn’t care about innocent people, he just doesnt want the muggels seeing to much and screwing up the war. I highly doubt he will use a seal for this.

      takashid
      Reply

    2. He doesn’t care about the people. He cares about the fact he will have the Clock Tower after his ass if the muggles realize wizards are real, Harry. He’s all about his pride of a magus.

      Lara
      Reply

  19. You’re not the only one rooting for the tragic hero.
    As much as you may derive enjoyment from seeing the struggles of a character in a story like me, you’ll probably see later that this “enjoyment” becomes a major plot point leading to the death of many.
    As I am as flawed as Kirei, I thoroughly enjoy watching this well thought out show.
    Fate Zero certainly inspires thought.

    Random Hobo
    Reply

  20. What is scary is that what Tokiomi said actually makes sense.

    He is justifying his actions by saying that he sent Sakura out of love. He places the fact that Sakura will get proper magic upbringing over the warmth of her family. In his mind, the end justifies the means. She will suffer now, but she will obtain power which she would not have if she stayed.

    Twisted and cruel, but it makes sense. Just like what Caster and Ryuunosuke said about god making logical sense. This is probably how cults are formed.

    MasterDragonKnight
    Reply

    1. This is my view as well. The show seems to portray Tokiomi as villain, but it’s only because he follows a mage’s lifestyle. His manner of thinking goes against our non-magician morals (portrayed by Kariya). The way we can see this is through Aoi. We see her as a sympathetic character because we saw how troubled she felt about giving up Sakura to the Matous (which again reflected through Kariya), but in the end, we know she would follow Tokiomi until the end because she understands Tokiomi’s point of view.

      Phnx
      Reply

      1. However, Tokiomi did not really look into what Matou mages practice, when I’m sure he had the faculties to do so. If he did care enough to investigate first, then he would have known that the Matou line is only run by Zouken who is pseudo-immortal and has no intention of passing down the family arts to anyone. We see in the original Fate, that Sakura is still just controlled by bugs and Zouken with no autonomy of her own.
        Yes, Tokiomi’s viewpoint makes sense in a magus perspective, but since we know how it turns out, we know it was a bad decision.

        One line in the LN broke my heart, something along the lines of “[Sakura] stopped screaming after 3 days” after being thrown to the bugs.

        Ptolemaios00
        Reply

      2. Magus are considered mostly inhuman beasts in Nasuverse at large. That’s why Kiritsugu hunted them down in the first place.

        None of the *good* protagonists are with the traditional spectre of things. Waver, Shirou, Rin, Sakura, Bazett (eventually), etc are all against the magus pride.

        Lara
        Reply

    2. Well suffering is one thing, but being wormraped every night and being abused by your adopted brother isn’t the kind of life anyone should have to live.

      I’m assuming that you haven’t read the Heaven’s Feel route, but Sakura goes through some pretty messed up things in it.

      Moeronic
      Reply

    3. It only makes sense when you realize that none of the shit he pulled mattered if he didn’t choose his pride as magus over his family. Rin chose her loved ones and turned her back of the magus pride keeping worse things from the prying eyes of the Clock Tower. Fuyuki is a faraway, foreign land for them and they don’t usually care for it asie of the reports *the Tohsaka* give.

      He has his head far up his ass. His attempts to ‘help’ Sakura doomed her to certain pain experimentation over the course of years, and fucked up her potential as a magus.

      His plans always fail. It’s Tokiomi’s signature.

      Lara
      Reply

  22. Let the bloodbath and delicious tears begin with the second half of Fate/Zero airing. They’re really trying to maximize our suffering given that ending, oh how cruel that will be by the end.

    It will all be simply glorious.

    Zero
    Reply

    1. Sadly, it’s a foregone conclusion. Anyone not important/relevant in the storyline of Fate/Stay Night will die by the end Fate/Zero’s last episode. And they will stay dead.

      Show Spoiler ▼

      The_Magus_Killer
      Reply

  26. Macross Zero (Berserker’s Custom F-15) + StarCraft II (Gilgamesh’s Protoss-looking Vimana) = Fate/Zero Episode 14.

    Imagine if Berserker gets a hold of a simple toothbrush and uses it on Saber. Imagine the amount of fanart that would cause. *Nisemonogatari hint* XD

    Akira Ishida seems to getting hit lately on the head this season:
    – Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou (as Student Council President) -> gets repeatedly punched by Ringo-chan (and other characters) in the face
    – Mirai Nikki (as Akise-kun) -> decapitated by Yandere Queen Yuno
    – Fate/Zero (As Ryuunosuke) -> Headshot by The Magus Killer

    https://randomc.net/image/Fate%20Zero/Fate%20Zero%20-%20OP2%20-%20Large%2009.jpg -> Kiritsugu in his youth looks like Kamijou Touma if Touma was animated by ufotable. XD

    Show Spoiler ▼

    I like how the OP and ED focuses on Kiritsugu (and to a lesser extent Irisviel), establishing him as the tragic and cursed hero of this grim-dark anime.

    The_Magus_Killer
    Reply

      1. Show Spoiler ▼

        The_Magus_Killer
        Reply

    2. Speaking of Maiya, I have no idea how to interpret his affair.

      Show Spoiler ▼

      Call it cynical, but I feel like that’s the only way I can interpret his relationship. And if I’m correct, it just throws out everything about Kiritsugu’s character.

      Moeronic
      Reply

      1. Not wanting to get too spoilery here, but thats not it at all. Maiya is his partner(in crime lol)for his killing job. She was working for him for years, and continued to operate even after he met Iri and left that work 9 years ago. She is certainly not a replacement for Iri, but just one of the few important people to Kiritsugu.

        In any case, the web of Kiritsugu’s life and relationships will be fully revealed as we go on, so just wait and see.

        takashid
        Reply

  28. of all the things they could focus on for ED 2, it just had to be Iri and Kiritsugu =.= Still love the new OP and ED though, fits Fate/Zero’s atmosphere more than the first ones in my opinion

    nonexistant
    Reply

  30. Absolutely fantastic and epic. Gilgamesh vs Berserker just blew my mind. I could have never imagined something as epic as this. After a 3 month hiatus, Fate/Zero does not disappoint at all; the action, characters, dialogue, and animation are phenomenal. Since I know a bit of how Fate/Zero ultimately ends, I can say for certain that I will not be disappointed at all.

    SAIKO KUURUUUUUUU !!!!!!!!!

    Kentaiyoshimi
    Reply

  31. As cool and good-looking that dogfight may be, am I the only one who was saying “Cool but…..wtf!”

    No mention about the disturbing OP, Verdant? This shot in particular, plus all the KiritsuguxIrisviel-centered OP and ED definetly foreshadow tragic things to come…

    It’s a strange feeling: one is used to seeing battle scenes in the OP in their action shows, but Ufotable made the bold move not to do so in this second opening…I can’t say I’m happy not to see Saber or other servants kicksumass in the OP, but I like the unexpected direction nonetheless. I’ll need some serious Kiritsugu development to get attached to that cold guy, though.

    And finally, we see Kiritsugu make something useful! He finally kills someone without any pep talk or tactics; just a plain sniper shot…I wish he’d take more Masters out this way. Irisviel and many others almost blindly believe in this Mage Killer, but so far his fight against Archibald didn’t leave me with the impression of an invincible, calculating badass. In fact, Kirei fits the shoes for that description pretty good, and I hate the guy.

    —I’d really love to see some uninterrupted action in my Fate/Zero for once, instead of immediately switching to a convoluted argument about honor or God’s existence (I guess that’s asking for too much from an adaptation from a light novel, though…). I’m particularly interested in seeing more Saber action: she’s supposed to be one of the strongest Servants, but right now it’s hard to imagine she holds even a candle to Rider or Archer. Hell, she barely survived against Lancer! It’d be nice to see her destroy a Servant for once.

    It was very exciting episode, though. Really loved the military jets coming to investigate what was going on, and the civilians gathering in the place. It’s very bad and it’s very present in everyone’s mind, as it should be(except crazy Ryuunosuke lol). Always love to see that dangerous moment in every story where fiction meets the real world; the possible consequences of it all.

    Judging from what Kiritsugu said, they’ll have to off Lancer so that Saber can use her NP. The question is, how will Ufotable take Lancer out of the game, if it comes down to that? Will Saber go against her chivalry? Very exciting stuff to look forward to…

    Also, did anyone watch the Blu-ray extras? I didn’t hear the drama CDs, which supposedly expand on Kiritsugu and Irisviel’s time together, but the other extras were nothing short of awesome. Episode deleted scenes were nice, and the Consult classes with Assassin were HILARIOUS!! Wish the series made me laugh like that :B

    Justinnnnnn
    Reply

      1. Vimana feels like a Protoss Craft to me, like the Protoss Phoenix: http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Phoenix

        Berserker’s F-15 gave more of a Tron vibe, but it was a “corrupted” Tron vibe. XD

        Zecchan from “Onegai! Einsbern Consultation” was actually a younger Taiga-sensei, right? Then it means that Irisviel was somewhat responsible for the creation of the Tiger dojo. I laughed when Zecchan and Irisviel started to walk around Zayd!Assasin in circles while telling him his mistakes like what Risei and Tokiomi did to Kirei in episode 1 of Fate/Zero. XD

        The_Magus_Killer
        Reply

      2. Yeah, hilarious! Or when Assassin touched his mask as if they were a pair of nerd glasses, or how he got offed like a mosquito in the second one…His scenes were defintely the best; it’s been so long since I laughed this much with an anime x)

        Also, I didn’t know Zecchan was Taiga…I though of her as a strange new cute character that they had decided to put to fill the student’s role, but your assumptions make more sense than forever leaving her as a Blu-ray only filler character…

        I’d argue that that’d make a paradox, in that Fate/Stay Night’s Taiga obviously didn’t know about the war, but I guess those specials were going more for a laugh rather than be taken seriously 😛

        Justinnnnnn
        Reply

    2. Since you watched the consultation classes, you can see that even Tiger-sensei/Disciple 0 called Kiritsugu out that “his eyes were dead”. You’ll understand Kiritsugu more if you take into account his origin of severing and binding and see what incidents drastically shaped his life. He is still a child at heart, like Iris states in the Einzbern Consult OVAs, which again you’ll see that side of his personality, which even Kirei chides him for, towards the end of the series.

      Random Hobo
      Reply

      1. Sure, I just hope that Ufotable develops this aspect in the series, rather than leave it to the extras, like Blu-ray specials or drama CDs. As a viewer, I prefer being able to enjoy the full experience with the series only; it should be that and that only that which captures me in its tale. Extras would then be, well, extras, stuff that further expands on the story of the series.

        In other words, I don’t want to have to see all of a franchise’s extras to be able to fully understand a series. In an adaptation, my opinion is that their job is to be able to tell a story from start to finish in its new media format, and not break it into pieces and scatter them all across the different media. I want to get involved in this Kiritsugu drama, but so far, the series hasn’t done a thing to develop this story. I guess that’s the job of this second season 🙂 ?

        Justinnnnnn
        Reply

      1. I doubt so as the time line for Fate zero is around 1980s. Eva is only animated in 1995. Thus, it is not possible.

        Ultraman is the first thing that came into my mind as the dialogue between the pilots fit the story;
        We will see some pathetic planes will attempt to disturb the monster. However, they are been killed before ultraman appears to battle the monster.

        tylon
        Reply

  36. I keep having to remind myself that at this point in the story, Gilgamesh is not evil – he’s just arrogant and an ass. He hasn’t been tainted by the grail yet, so I have to assume that he was really trying to find a way to convince Kotomine to be happy, and it was a tragedy what results.

    Also, I can’t look at Rider anymore without chuckling. I recently learned that IRL he was five foot five and scrawny – like Waver. That aside, he’s still pure awesome.

    cancerlad
    Reply

      2. Anime cut the dialogue in this. Alexander said he was recorded short because of how he sat in someone’s throne and he couldn’t reach the floor or something like that. I forgot. It was because he was shorter compared to the other dude.

        Lara
        Reply

    1. Kiritsugu has always been a long range type. It would’ve been completely out of character for him to get so close the that chaotic battle.

      Also, he finally got his chance to try out his stupidly heavy sniper rifle with all its fancy attachments (like the side thermal scope).

      Ptolemaios00
      Reply

    2. The anime toned down his death a lot due to censorship issues. In the novel, Kiritsugu shot him with a anti-materiel rifle which left his guts splattered all over the place. Then the headshot blew the top of his head clean off.

      Show Spoiler ▼

      Suppa Tenko
      Reply

  40. When I watch Fate/Zero, I never expect it to end. It is just so movie like that I just expect it to continue playing. I really need to marathon this after it finishes.

    Bluebeard’s monster seems so small from the air during the dogfighting. The fight on the ground was completely the opposite and had a very desperately pointless aspect to it.

    I was much more intrigued by Kariya’s NTR situation with Tokiomi. Tokiomi’s viewpoint only makes sense from the Magus point in the Nasuverse. Still feel horrible for Kariya, especially when Tokiomi was bragging about his wife’s womb…

    Ptolemaios00
    Reply

  41. This was an awesome episode, finally we’re seeing the start of the casuality list, poor Ryunosuke D: psycho asshole, but psycho asshole who was worth watching. Gilgamesh making Tokiomi his bitch is laughably sad, but hey that’s Gil for ya! The animation was awesome, even the CG wasn’t that bad.

    LOVED the OP but I wished it focused on the others, not just Irisviel and Kiritsugu (though I’d watch an entire OP sequence of Irisviel’s driving :D) But seeing Irisviel spewing out black stuff scared the crap out of me (I think I know what it is..but probably a spoiler.). ED is fine, but again..there’s other people in this game.

    webkid94
    Reply

  42. Loved the opening, well, Kalafina has always made some good songs. Watching the opening I wonder if Ufotable will explain Kiritsugu’s past when he was a kid, that would be interesting. We want to understand why Kiritsugu is that cold hearted assassin.

    Linkark
    Reply

    1. Kiritsugu is more like a human trying to become a monster in order to archive some lousy greater good. Someone should tell that poor bastard that´s impossible to save the world using other lifes as a sacrifice.

      haseo0408
      Reply

  43. Jetserker vs Vimana was one of the highlights of the novel. Its one of the things that’s over-the-top but still exciting to watch. F/Z is really good at displaying a grand scale of battles like the Holy Grail war should be.

    fragb85
    Reply

  44. F-15 jet getting devoured by tentacles – Horrifying

    F-15 jet turning into Berserker’s personal Noble Phantasm – Wow

    Noble Phantasm jet emitting Noble Phantasm missiles that move in ways that totally betray the laws of Physics – Awesome

    Archer telling Tokiomi to screw off saying “I ain’t touching that tentacled-slimeball with my stuff” – LOL

    Archer being entertained by “doggy” Berserker and enters into magical dogfight – EPIC

    Kiritsugu giving Ryuunosuke a headshot – Pwnage

    Kiritsugu planning to use Lancer and Saber’s chivalry to his own advantage – Cunning

    Caster mourning for Ryuunosuke, which was not in the novel – Touching, for some reason. Despite the fact that both him and his master are batshit insane. lol

    All in all, it was exactly what we expected and what the hype demanded. More of the same, please, ufotable.

    Kinny Riddle
    Reply

    1. In my oppinion Kariya is jelous of Tokiomi, it is quite obvious he is in love with the magus wife because they are childhood friends, rescuing Sakura is his excuse for winning that happy he long for. Deep down he hopes to survive the war and have a future his beloved, to me that´s being selfish to the very core.

      haseo0408
      Reply

    2. Oh yeah, do you remember how they gave Shirou a sealing designation because of his reality marble?

      Me neither.

      Protip: Because Rin, unlike Tokiomi, has a fucking brain and keeps her mouth shut. Nobody cares about what Japanese magi do, anyway.

      Tokiomi is just a dumbass.

      Lara
      Reply

  47. When Tokiomi reasoned that a second Magician child would usually endure a sad fate as justification for sending Sakura to the Matous, this begs the question:

    Why would he even bother having a second child when one is more than enough? AFAIK, Sakura isn’t Rin’s twin sister.

    Conclusion: Tokiomi, next time, USE A CONDOM, DAMMIT!

    Kinny Riddle
    Reply

    4. What’s even worse is that Tokiomi blamed it on his wife, believing that it’s HER fault for bearing a second child. wtf?! Does he not understand how children are born?

      Kentaiyoshimi
      Reply

      2. Show Spoiler ▼

        dolor
        Reply

      3. Well, the whole “bountiful” thing is not about Aoi having a second child, is about Aoi giving birth a second child with unexpected potential. Aoi magical trait is to give childs with the best qualities, and Tokioki just not expected that. You’re reading too much into it if you consider he was blaming his wife, he just didn’t expected that.

        yokushi
        Reply

    6. I might be part of the minority who actually like Tokiomi. From what I understood, it’s common among mages to only have one offspring carry magic. I don’t think Tokiomi expected his wife’s womb to be ‘bountiful’ or for Sakura to be gifted as well. As far as I’m concerned, Tokiomi had good intentions for Sakura, not wanting to see her potential wasted. Of course the question that begs to be asked is if he knew how screwed up Zouken is before giving his youngest to him.

      So happy that Fate/Zero is back!

      Wonderstuffed
      Reply

  51. Did anyone else think that about 15 minutes in Madoka Magica’s ED was going to start playing? Kept waiting for the vocals to start and finally just had to go listen to the song afterwards =P

    UnknownSoldier
    Reply

  53. Episode 14. What a way to start the summer! \o/
    I was laughing all the time while watching how Archer easily escapes Berserker…and plus, Ryuunosuke died the same way in the novel. Ufotable is so awesome.
    All the effects were retained. And I wasn’t surprised by the new OP either–considering it was announced that Kalafina will do the OP…good ED as well though~

    Thousand Mistress
    Reply

  54. i love being able to read both of my fav bloggers points of view and insight on this ep (you and GE)

    we get lots of action and dialogue, but what i REALLY love about this series are the motifs and symbolism. especially how the servants and masters are similar and chivalry.

    grey
    Reply

  56. That breathtaking aerial fight reminds me the opening of Karas, and I think Karas could be more awesome than this if not for credits obstructing the scenes (and those scenes are dimmer than what I liked too). 🙂

    Lone_Wanderer
    Reply

      1. True, but this episode beats the first half by a long shot in terms of action.

        Also, considering that we’re halfway through Volume 3, this and next episode will be the only large scale epic battle scene left. Well there’s another one but that would be a spoiler. The rest of the episodes will be mostly drama and Urobuchi’s specialty genre.

        Rakkyo
        Reply

      4. ^ This so much. It would be awesome if ufotable animated the best route in Fate Stay.

        The only thing is I would actually prefer if they went with a bad end. Sparks Liner High is just to epic to leave out.

        Moeronic
        Reply

  60. 4 months of waiting and this is what we get?
    Even 4 years of waiting would have been satisfied with this episode. Cuz this was almost perfection. It’s this episode that makes me glad I discovered F/SN or even Anime in general.

    The new opening is just great and so is the ending. Btw, you’ll really enjoy the ending a lot more if you have listened to the Drama CD. Trust me.

    JHN
    Reply

  62. I wonder if this was the episode Urobuchi was working on after watching Nisemonogatari.

    Anyway, though I’m glad to have F/Z back, in my opinion its first episodes are something of an acquired taste; tons of cuts to a different set of characters. Also I’m not averse to dialogue in general- my favorite ep is the 11th, ‘Holy Grail Dialogue’– but in here there were little details that were off. It’s like ufotable had too many things going on at once so people in the background don’t act realistically- people were just gaping at the vague shape in the mist, but no one takes any action whatsoever? Ryuunosuke gets shot, and a single woman reacts with horror- that’s it? Diarmuid was just standing around onshore watching them fight? I know he’s not exactly suited to aquatic/aerial battles but… really?

    Not much to say about the ED, Haruna Luna does a fairly good job with the darker tone of the series this season, and I loved seeing more about Iri and Kiritsugu’s past (is Kiritsugu’s closet filled with black suits and ties? lol)… however the OP, even though it is by Yuki Kajiura/Kalafina, is a bit of a letdown in its full version. It sounds like an extended TV version (this feels like blasphemy, for I love Kalafina). The lyrics suit the series perfectly, but the melody feels like something was cut from it- or it was never quite completed. It lacks the richness of tone found in Magia and a more recent example, Destination Unknown from Kalafina’s After Eden album.

    Okay, don’t bite me. I did enjoy this episode very much- Gil’s dogfight, damn, that was unexpected but beautifully done especially for a weekly series like this. Berserker and Kariya return, Broskandar and Waver, insight into Tokiomi’s way of thinking, sadly no KFC but I guess Sola won’t show herself.

    TL;DR I know it’s silly to poing at the ‘unrealistic’ reactions of people in the background while they’re fighting friggin’ Cthulhu and there’s a dogfight between Babylonian king in his hax plane and a possessed/hijacked fighter plane, but that’s how I roll. Moar please, ufotable. Can’t wait for the next episode.

    Tsu
    Reply

    1. After the amazing Kara no Kyoukai soundtrack, the only way left for Kalafina to go was down. But this is still better than the 1st op (which start out great and ends up all over the place).

      Shirou
      Reply

      1. Yuki Kajuira/Kalafina’s work in Kara no Kyoukai was godly. Heck Kara no Kyoukai alone is a masterpiece. Not surprised considering it was handled by ufotable just like Fate/Zero is now.

        ronri
        Reply

      2. Yes, loved KnK- absolutely everything about it, but the OST was breaking-the-fourth-wall awesome.

        *cough* despite the seemingly negative tone of my original comment, it’s only because I had my heart set on more bass something darker-sounding. But I don’t believe that Kalafina is just going down- just a matter of personal taste.

        Tsu
        Reply

      3. @Shirou

        Oh no of course. My comment too was mainly directed at Kara no Kyoukai anyway as I have nothing against Kalafina’s new song for OP. Personally I like the new OP, as I feel that the solemn tone fits the vibe of the series more in general.

        ronri
        Reply

  63. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better than the meeting of kings, a ghost knight hijacks an F-15. I love this series.
    Am I the only one who noticed ALL the death flags Iri got in the opening? They’re almost merciful in their multitude.

    Bio D
    Reply

  64. Oh Gilgamesh and your toys, why did you not ride this when you go and have a drinking party with Rider and Saber (re-watch the complete version. It was very funny & awesome), C’mon remember the time when Rider calls you late because you’re just walking and don’t have any wheels.

    My Epic Sunday is back once again, too bad Ryunosuke died, I really like him as a joker antagonist, much better than Shinji. Fate/Zero is not anymore just an Anime for me, this is more like an Epic Fantasy Show.

    Jhacks
    Reply

  65. Loving the new OP & ED, they fit the theme extremely well. The ED scenes with Kiritsugu and Iri just break my heart when we know what’s coming.
    In an odd way, Fate/Zero has ruined my anime-watching experience. There’s this emptiness I feel while watching other shows now that I’ve seen the latest episode of Fate/Zero. The others just don’t give me the same satisfaction (not even close!) and I somehow lose interest very easily.

    Seishun Otoko
    Reply

    1. Yes, seeing the new OP & ED have a creeping sadness and I believe by the end of the series, I will be bawling because the series is over and the obvious ending we all know will come.

      Bakanekokun
      Reply

  66. Awesome F/Z episode is awesome.

    The OP is perfect (I dare say a whole lot better than oath sign), Kalafina and ufotable blended well. The ED was just, hmm, anticlimactic? I prefer memoria (or I was just used to hear that “Shizuka ni utsuri yuku” after the epic cliffhangers).

    nagi
    Reply

  67. Kotomine is hardly someone I would call despicable. Show Spoiler ▼

    He is also a good father. Did not he left his daughter Caren in the safe hands of relatives?

    Sad is the day when an empty man is far better father than Tokiomi.

    Lara
    Reply

  73. I’m now imagining Berserker controlling a Gundam as his noble phantasm after seeing the word “Gundam” in your post. I’m pretty sure I’d die from a heart attack at that point.

    yashau
    Reply

      1. Berser-Car vs Berser-Car!

        Assassin’s 100 man comedy routine!

        Crazy Caster antics! With both Casters going after Saber!

        And Rider…just being Rider!

        Make it happen, TYPE-MOON!

        Da5id
        Reply

  80. You know if they just worked on the pacing a little better they could of ended the 1st season with this episode.

    Wouldn’t that have been an awesome climax? As opposed to the low keyed cliff hanger we got?

    Just saying

    Zzz...
    Reply

  81. You know what I dont get?

    Gilgamesh complains how Tokiomi is so boring cause he’s always waiting/watching rather than taking action, so much that he wants Kirei to take ovr as his master.

    Yet in this episode when they are finally in action and Tokiomi asks Gil to fight he just refuses. So what the hell is the point of complaining about boredom when you refuse to do jack when you’re asked to?

    Seems kinda hypocritical.

    YanDaMan
    Reply

    1. He’s clearly looking for a fight, he demonstrated himself that his weapons would do nothing to the monster, all weapons except Ea, which he wasn’t going to use. Minutes later, he settled for fighting Berserker. The aspect of Tokiomi that Gil finds boring is that he seeks the mundane life of a mage, seeking the Root and the foundation of existence. This goes against Gil’s belief of value inside the world, rather than outside. I would recommend the novel for explanations regarding actions that seem weird or unfounded.

      Random Hobo
      Reply

  82. This [prequel] series is light-years better than the original! Which I’m still trying to finish as it is brutally slow in general. I want to finish tonight and reward myself with watching this episode again! #sogood

    Seishowmeu
    Reply

  88. We need a magical equivalent of tactical nuke. Like, right now!
    Worse still, Berserker and Gil engage in pointless dogfighting where good use of all the fireworks involved could have possibly destroyed the monster.
    Oh and the Mage-killer proves he’s worthy of the nick. I wont shed a tear after Ryunosuke. Might he burn in hell!
    Speaking of which I think Tohsaka deserves to land there too after his twisted sense of parenthood. In absence of thereof, getting eaten alive by insects will suffice, though.
    It seems that contestants are about to start dropping off rapidly, from the visibly physically weak Matou to Tohsaka who loses control of Gil faster and faster.

    ewok40k
    Reply

  90. Absolutely adore this series. The animation is the highest I’ve seen since over-the-top eye-poppers like Gurren Lagann or Gundam 00, even topping their efforts in a lot of ways.

    Even if I don’t care too much for the art style, the character designs have always captivated me.

    Everything about this anime has drawn me in. The only thing I fear is that, as I haven’t watched the “original” series, I don’t see how Fate/Stay Night can measure up to its predessesor.

    Ashen
    Reply

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