Fate/ Zero Anime Review
by Om Srivastava
Fate/ Zero revolves around the Holy Grail War, an epic showdown between seven mages chosen by the Holy Grail, a mysterious object said to grant any wish to the victor of this war. Through the power of the Grail, the mages summon heroic spirits and form a pact with them for the duration of the war. These mythical legends battle amongst each other for their masters, albeit they have their reasons and regrets regarding their past which they hope to alter using the wish granted to them.
The series is dark, philosophical, and full of elements like horror, betrayal, and dismal tragedy. As the war draws nearer to its destructive conclusion, the viewers are given an edge-of-the-seat experience with clever plot twists and mind-blowing revelations. Every episode is accompanied by an element of suspense which leaves the viewers wanting for more. To ease off the tense atmosphere, there are moments of light-hearted comedy which avoid the normal over-the-top style we’re so used to and instead makes up with a more subdued tone that also helps in establishing new aspects of the cast’s varied personalities.
Zero centralizes ideas about self-confidence, redemption, and hope. Some of its characters finally manage to find out more about themselves, and few even accept their flaws. Others, after so many difficulties and trials, are finally allowed some peace and hope after the long and sorrowful journeys they went through. Zero makes its characters work hard for their happy endings, and the few we receive feel strangely sweet.
This is a tragedy through and through, and while a truly happy ending might have been a lovely reward to the pain and grief built throughout the preceding 24 episodes, the more bittersweet and melancholic conclusion feels at home with the way Zero was going. There were massive losses and terrible realizations, but it is all by what was shown before on the show, and Fate/Zero does end its run on a hopeful note. And to say the least, this ending was enthralling and apt.
Fate/Zero stands out the most for the outstanding portrayal of its characters. Remarkably, the characters are all “good”. Not good as in they’re all likable, but good as in they’re not generic; they’re all somewhat complex. There isn’t only a black or white behind the motives of the characters. They’re all distinct, and they all have an aspect of their personality that ultimately separates them from one another. It’s difficult to logically blatantly claim which character is “right”, it’s a battle of morals. The ethics you uphold will most likely be the deciding factor on who should win. This is well brought out by the parallelity drawn between the two most important characters of the series- Kirei Kotomine and Kiritsigu Emiya. Kirei was a priest, who was always alone and sought salvation from the emptiness in his life. He was lost and had kept questioning why someone like him was bestowed with powers by the Holy Grail. Kiritsugu Emiya, on the other hand, was a notorious mage killer and assassin who sought the miracle of the Holy Grail on behalf of his wife’s family — the Einzberns and in the journey hoped to realize his ideals. Thus Kirei begins to pursue Kiritsugu hoping that his adversary will finally help him understand his true nature and what he desires.
But the biggest issue comes from the series requiring some prerequisite knowledge about the myths behind its Servant characters. Since the Servants were heroes of the past, there are tons of historical references which add more depth to the story. To fully appreciate everything that the series has to offer, one needs to at least browse some Wikipedia pages to get the idea behind some characters, their tragedies, and their connections.
In respect of the animation, Fate/Zero is undoubtedly one of the most outstandingly animated series released during its time. The intense duels between the heroic spirits are topped beautifully by the quality of art and each episode is undoubtedly a visual treat for the viewers. The rich hue and bright, contrasting colors make the show all the more likable.
To sum it up, if we ignore the minor flaws it may have, Fate/Zero is a Masterpiece. It contains everything that people look for in an amine and a lot more. It rarely succumbs to the cliches associated with anime and that is what makes it so fresh and exciting. It has a great storyline, unique characters, amazing action scenes, as well as a level of immersion and is, undoubtedly, a beautiful treasure for animation fans across the globe.