Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majuu Sensen Babylonia – 14

「決戦」 (Kessen)

“Decisive Battle”

Hiya! This is Iskendaris covering for Passerby this week.

The week’s episode is slow, but interesting. It’s the calm before the storm episode, one where the heroes contemplate on the tomorrow, and say their final goodbyes. In a way it’s unusual because FGO Babylonia has been so much on exposition week after week, that rarely is there any real time for reflection over past episodes.

The penultimate foreboding and melancholic atmosphere seeps through the entire episode. There’s Ana’s sidestory with the old florist, and possibly the most beautifully over-rendered flower crown. And there’s this one scene where Merlin and King Gilgamesh exchange their final goodbyes in an odd, almost poetic way of two equals — one half-divine, the other half-succubi; both who can see the all of futures. They’re not human, but they care so much.

If you think about it, isn’t it odd that Babylonia; Ishtar, Ereshkigal, Ana, King Gilgamesh, aren’t human? When the whole premise is about saving humanity? What does it say about this Age of Gods, when the lines of humanity and inhumanity are so easily blurred?

In starry bonding moments Merlin has with Fujimaru (bond level up?) as we reach towards the inevitable destiny, Merlin describes his role as humanity’s spectator.

I think that’s what makes Merlin interesting, and fitting narrator to the end. He’s not from the Age of Gods, nor is he divine — but he’s very clearly not human, nor does he share any heroic desire of loving humans. He can’t even admit that he likes humans even as he’s summoned to save this singularity.

He’s here as a narrator, a voyeur and arbiter to watch how humanity but then there’s this inner conflict too, where he just tilts the balance enough that humans don’t die just yet. Perhaps it’s his half-human side talking?? Merlin is one of my favourite characters in the game though, he’s an asshole (like most casters) but he’s a good asshole. The best support one could ever hope for

Fight scenes were awesome as usual, the angles are super dynamic but what makes it next level is the sound effect sonic boom. Like, someone actually showed the light explosion then half a second later you hear the BOOOOOOM resound reverb. It’s these details that makes FGO Babylonia‘s fight scenes so enjoyable, plus KINGU!!!!

There’s a couple of really cute moments as well, like Quetz-neesan twirling the giant axe like a baton, and her crestfallen expression when Merlin does an oopsie and slices through her mountain.

Anyway Gorgon’s temple is stuff of nightmares (don’t screencap this at night), and looks like next week is going to be some final confrontations with Ana’s reveal. Stay tuned!