And another episode of building up, although there is one particular scene that really had some gorgeous visuals: the part where Emiya blew up that building. It did unfortunately again follow the golden rule of anime (people aren’t dead unless confirmed. Archer’s master’s death wasn’t confirmed), which does take away a bit of the tension, but that confrontation was my favorite part of this episode.
I’m still a bit puzzled about my enjoyment of this show. I mean, this show is definitely the most solid series of the season, but it feels like it’s missing something on the emotional level for me, and I can’t exactly put my finger to what it is. And that while I normally love series that are full of talking . Right now the only thing that I can think of is that at the moment, is this show has too much exposition. The good thing about that is that it’s very solid build-up, and therefore there is plenty that can still happen when the spring season starts and this show enters its second half.
In any case though, the people i n this show are smart. Or in any case, quite a few of them. There are a lot of people who know very well to run away from battles they can’t win. I also would have liked to see how Emiya managed to blow up the building: putting explosives in a mage’s tower with god knows how much surveillance is no small feat. Did he use magic for that, or is he just really good at hiding?
Rating: ** (Excellent)]]>
Fate/Zero – 06
psgels, about the planting explosives under surveillance, Kayneth’s countermeasures only covered the uppermost floor or so to stop anyone attacking him up there. The explosives were planted lower down the building (you can see the explosions happen around the midsection) causing the whole building to collapse without the need to break through the magical defenses.
The exposition so far has been only about the tactics, basic relationships and profiles of the characters. Things will probably heat up emotionally now that Kirei and Gilgamesh have taken an interest for the other masters “motives and wishes” and apparently are going to mess with them (IMO Kirei is more broken than Caster and Ryunnosuke). If they execute right the end of the novels this is going to be one of the most emotional finales ever.
And about Emiya, he IS used to bombing and “terrorism” so things like blowing up a building without being seen is probably easy for him.
P.D. I’m the only one who thought “not again” when Archibald’s wife started walking in circles?
Was I the only who noticed that they refrained from showing some more Ryuunosuke + Caster “Quality time”? I’m guessing they’re saving it for the BD’s eh?
Moving on, as someone who’s read the novels, I also have to agree with you there Psgels. Fate/Zero is certainly the most solid series of the season, but I still feel that it lacks something right now.
The anime is also skimming quite fast through the source material, shedding a few small but rather important details in the process. I get that you cannot adapt a novel into an anime word for word. It’s just that, in my opinion, the small details that were left out could have really made some of the events and actions characters made much clearer to the audience. The pacing of events also felt rather fast, especially during Caster’s confrontation with Saber and Irisviel.
“It did unfortunately again follow the golden rule of anime people aren’t dead unless confirmed. ”
Especialy a Gen Urobuchi anime
“Archer’s master’s death wasn’t confirmed”
That should be Lancer.
Holy crap. Censorship. And I’m actually grateful for it. ^^; This is why I wasn’t looking forward to Caster’s arc. But man, they’re really throwing a lot of detail into this. I’m kinda impressed.
*SPOILER IMPRESSIONS*
Loved Irisviel and her toy. XD Kinda wished Saber had taken out Caster right then and there although, then again, Ryou would have gotten away I guess. Loved that Kiritsugu evacuated the hotel before blowing it up. It wasn’t very clear from what I info I could find that he had so I was kinda worried that he was so far gone in the novels that he hadn’t. Caster and Ryou = Ugh. Kirei using Ciel techniques = Cool. Gil messing with Kirei = Sigh. I guess we gotta blame Gil for turning Kirei into what he would become in FSN.
and I can’t exactly put my finger to what it is.
Hm. Shot in the dark but, could it be kind of like watching Episode 1-3 of Star Wars without watching Episode 4-6? I wonder what an audience that hasn’t been exposed to the other (could I even say “main”) material of FSN would take fate zero? Without knowing in advance who Senator Palpatine or Anakin or Obi Wan are, etc?
I agree with meow.
That said, i don’t think watching FSN will help. Psgels will just get really really annoyed with FSN.
My solution is this: watch Unlimited Blade Works. Then read the summary of the VN on wikipedia. i find reading about the setting of shows like this really helps me enjoy the anime – take Horizon, i read up on it (i did NOT learn any future plot points) and now enjoy it much more.
Hm. Or he could play Realta Nua. That’s the PS2 version of the original VN with some extra material. Covers the FSN anime along with UBW and the, as yet unanimated third route, Heaven’s Feel.
In the novel is very clear:
The guy planted small amount of explosives in or around the various support structures of the lower part of the building. Once the support structures are gone, the building just fell on itself. This is also very efficient because only a small amount of explosives is needed.
And also, when Assassin was reporting to the holy guy on the rooftop, in the novel he told him Caster’s name. Just thought it was an important part anime left out.
Somehow I’ve just realized they decided to animate fate/zero, and am super excited to see it. The thing about the series is that it has a huge amount of characters to introduce, and each have their own agenda. After the introductions, and as people start dying off, the story will become much faster paced and have much more tension.
archer’s master’s death…
dude… its lancer for shits sake… he’s holding a freggin lance. saber has a sword… rider has a chariot… berserker’s angry as shit… caster looks like a wizard… assasin looks like a ninja and archer’s been shooting shit everywhere. How the heck do you get these confused man?
this episode was disappointing. I feel it should have been split into two episodes… somehow. They just arent allowing each individual character to develop as much as they should, imo, though that could easily be due to time constraints.
I dont really feel that many of the characters came out well from this episode; Ryuunosuke, Kirei, Maiya or Kayneth. There’s a lot going on in these scenes within the writing that greatly develops the emotional aspects of these characters; for example, Kayneth is extremely arrogant tho we can hope to see that evolve in the future.
Anyways, looking forward to upcoming episodes still, just wish they would have found a way to split this ep in two.
Also, was really looking forward to seeing Ryuunosukes human organ experiment in anime lol, too bad they decided it needed censorship. Oh well
Can’t wait for the next battles, specifically the non-servant ones.
come to think of it… I hope to god they take their time in the next couple episodes. The one battle that i’m thinking of NEEDS the time to display what its meant to.
last, that mercury magic thing is going to look fuckin awesome
@some loser
Well, I can see how someone could get Archer and Lancer mixed up, as “Archer” doesn’t really seem like a stereotypical Archer (what with the myriad of legendary spears/swords and lack of any kind of bow in sight).
Sure, Lancer does look pretty visually different, but I guess you can chalk that mistake up to a virtual “slip of the tongue”.
Anyway, great series so far. I was a fan of the original fate/stay night series, and though this prequel has yet to reach its conclusion, it’s already shaping up to be better than its predecessor.