Fate/Zero [ep 3]

In the previous episode we’re left with a shocking cliffhanger when Assassin (Kirei’s Servant) is sent to kill Tokiomi but instead getting murdered mercilessly himself as hundreds of pointed swords rain down on him (which kinda reminds me of Yomi’s scene in Ga-Rei Zero).  

Saber looking into the horizon

How could we bring ourselves to believe that Assassin is gone so easily like that? Kirei must have something up his sleeves as he seeks protection at the Church his father is in charge of. Inside the safe haven, it’s revealed that Assassin is not just one entity but copious number of them so that one Assassin who gets mutilated doesn’t count. At this point, we should not underestimate Kirei’s ability to plot a scheme to win the battle. However, we should be reminded that he did make a pack with Tokiomi so that was obviously just a show for the others so they think that one Servant is down and they have one less enemy to think about, when in reality, Kirei is just starting his plot as he joins hands with Tokiomi.

Archer and Tokiomi

And what a flamboyant Servant Tokiomi has! Archer is the one who put on the show and he’s obviously someone who can’t do things covertly as his Master wishes him to do. Always flashy, always so conspicuous in his methods. However, this is exactly what’s needed for the plot to succeed. Whatever’s brewing between Tokiomi and Kirei, it’s definitely something worth waiting for. 

Waver's King Iskandar is the most charismatic of all!

Well, in Waver's case, I have a hard time determining who's really the BOSS...because King Iskandar seems to have control over the situation more so than Master Waver himself! Most of the comic relief come from this unlikeable pair and to begin with, Waver’s intention on getting the Holy Grail can be seen as something totally immature. What? The kid just can’t get over the fact that life sucks sometimes and people may look down on you. It’s rather amazing how he is so determined to fight this war just to show to people what he’s capable of. He should just go back to school and study, instead of risking his life. But thanks to King Iskandar for making this pair fun to watch. His musing with the war jet planes and brief comment on President Clinton is hilarious.

Waver's got his hands unnecessarily full with Iskandar

I really love all the scenes between Saber and Iri! Well, both look amazingly beautiful and not to mention the conversations exchanged between them during their trip in Japan. It's odd how Kiritsugu is seen spending more time alone or with somebody else than his own wife and Servant. Later, it's known that this is a trick he uses to fool everyone else into thinking that Iri is Saber's Master instead of him so he can sneak behind the scene and execute whatever he wishes to. And my....how shocking it is to have this female assistant, Maiya who kissed him?! I'm befuddled with their relationship at this point. If it's true that Kiritsugu has a thing going on with Maiya, then I feel sorry for Iri. But it seems Iri understands her position in this life very well indeed.

Yeah, I was talking about both Iri and Saber's moments in this episode. They are lovely. Saber comments how the flight is not as exciting as she expected, well...it got me to think what exactly is she expecting lol...and she goes on saying how she can navigate anything, as all she needs is to let instinct take over. But the comparison between controlling the horses and planes is taking it a bit too far xDD

Stunning seaside scene

The seaside scene reveals quite a few things. First, we know Iri doesn't mind spending time with someone else other than Kiritsugu. Like I said before, she knows her position and leaving Kiritsugu to concentrate on scheming for the Holy Grail War is more important than spending time with her. She tells Saber she's just a puppet in her family. And we wonder whether Kiritsugu actually loves her or it's just business. Then, we get to know that Saber's very forward in her answers. When asked whether she likes beaches, she replies she doesn't know as she's too occupied with her kingly duties to enjoy such simplicity.

Oh Lancer!

Towards the end, we see Saber reporting that one of the Servants is watching them or wandering around, as if he/she wants to be seen. Basically, challenging them to go meet him/her. So then Iri accepts the challenge and they meet Lancer, Kayneth's Servant. And oh, Iri actually has healing powers! That'd certainly come in handy if Saber gets injured. Saber changes into her suit and it's gonna be interesting to watch how the battle between her and Lancer progresses next episode!

Saber's sword is invincible!

Some more screencaps...^^






Is Maiya just an Assistant?!

 Rating: 9/10

Fate/Zero [ep 1]

I wasn’t planning on watching this, because it’s related to the previous show Fate/Stay, which I didn’t watch. I was afraid that I might not understand a thing, but thank God it’s the prequel so it seems that I don’t have much to lose if I watch this without knowing what went down in Fate/Stay. I shall commence with that once I finish this xDD

Having seen the first episode, a full length of 57 mins, I am compelled to post about it. There are shows I don’t bother posting upon watching but this is the kind that I think people should know about. By this, it’s obvious I was mesmerized by the premise. Having no idea what the Holy Grail is, or who these characters are, to tell the truth, I find myself rather confused in the first 5 minutes or so as they introduced several characters at once and with the time leap from 8 years ago to 3 years ago (where we are introduced to yet another character), and then a year ago with new characters. But we see overlapping between these people and finally figure out how they are all connected! Everything fits perfectly and there’s a smooth flow in the rest of the episode.

We have quite a number of characters and some might find it troublesome to remember all together 7 Masters and that still hasn’t include their 7 Servants whom they summon for the Holy Grail War. But they did a great job with the flow of the story that each character gets ample time for their own introduction, and of course, development that actually make you care for them. Some definitely stand out for example Emiya Kiritsugu who appears first, Kirei Kotomine, Tosaka Tokiomi and Kariya Mato. We know these people are those bestowed with Magic and they’re after the Holy Grail, said to grant their wishes. But to obtain this Holy Grail, they have to be selected by the Grail, find relics related to their Servants and have enough power to control them. These Servants will then fight to death with each other to determine who gets the Holy Grail.

Kirei Kotomine and Waver (a student who thinks too highly of himself)

What makes it more interesting is while some of these Masters are experienced enough in this field, there are those who are forced to join. And one such person is Kariya who in order to save Sakura (a girl of another family adopted to carry out this mission because Kariya left the magical world), returns to his home and makes a deal with his father to let Sakura go if he succeeds in being a Master. He then finds himself undergoing an entire year of agonizing training, which results in him turning from a fine young man into a rather hideous looking fellow (picture below).

The ghastly transformation of Kariya

I really pity Kariya for sacrificing himself for the sake of Sakura. He can probably be the only Master who wishes to obtain the Holy Grail not for himself but because he is forced to. He looks cool though, I have to admit. Well, compared to Sakura who has purple hair, purple eyes and dresses in purple dress….I don’t know who is  scarier lol.

Irisviel (Kiritsugu's wife) and Kiritsugu himself

Towards the end of the episode, we get to watch them summoning their Servants which totally is one of the most awesome scene of all. The background music rocks! As they recite specific words and as the diagram glows on the ground with bright lights shining, we know something HUGE is about to happen. The final scenes show the Servants one by one as they materialize in front of their expecting Masters. Some are not as shocking as others. Take for example… 

King Arthur IS A GIRL?!

Thoughts:

First episode is so superb that I don't even feel like I've just spent about an  hour watching this episode. It's quite easy to digest too but of course, we still have a lot to find out about other smaller characters and their background. I'm itching to know how they interact with their respective Servants too. I don't have a certain character to root for as of now, though I'm leaning towards either Kariya and Kiritsugu just coz I feel like Kariya should at least deserve some happiness in his messed up life because of his evil dad who wants to live eternally. As for Kiritsugu, I just have a notion that he's not as bad as his past career and life is.

Other thing worth mentioning is the time they spend working on the impressive artwork for the characters and the overall setting. Everything looks so beautiful. And some more screencaps to grace the post.

King of Iskandar (Waver) and Archer (Tokiomi)

Rating: 9.5/10