Fate/Zero Part 2 Episodes 5-8

The first battle of the Holy Grail War reaches its conclusion.  Saber, Lancer, Rider, Berserker and Archer have all faced each other in open combat while several masters both present themselves openly or observe from the shadows.  As names are revealed and strategies are planned, a wild card emerges among the seven masters.  The serial killer Ryonosuke Uryu and his servant, Caster, seek not the Holy Grail but only to cause as much death as possible.  A temporary truce is called by the church with a single mandate: Caster and his master must be eliminated.  However, few masters are keen to play by the rules of the war, which means a truce is just a means to an end.  What bold moves will be made as the next round of the Holy Grail War begins?

It’s good to see that Fate/Zero didn’t give everything it had to offer in the first few episodes.  This next set proved that it might be destined to stand above the story it is meant to set up with a combination of better pacing, better action, better characters and a darker edge.  Even if not every character has gotten his due screentime, there’s still plenty of time for them to shine since we’re only 8 episodes in.

 

I am loving both the servants of this war.  Saber, Rider and Lancer all have amazing chemistry together.  It almost reminds me a bit of Highlander, where the few who remain will gather for one final battle and maybe they’ll have to battle friends.  I know there’s going to come a time when Saber will have to face both servants (after all she definitely survives to Fate/Stay Night and its subsequent routes), so it’ll be sad when we do arrive at that duel.  Saber also got some strong material questioning Kiritsugu’s strategy of using the truce to hunt down Caster and Ryunosuke as an excuse to go after other Masters.  Kiritsugu isn’t exactly the most noble of men in this battle and its clashing with Saber’s old school chivalry approach.  I doubt itll be the first time these two butt heads and I think Kiritsugu knows this, especially since he pretty much summoned Saber to kill servants and protect Iri while he kills the Masters however he can.  Caster is sickening to watch but that makes him all the more effective.  He might be one to yammer about nonsense like Saber being Joan of Arc but his scary battle tactics match his eyes.  Using children as trojan horses or to test his resolve (crushing ones head in front of Saber), it’s no wonder the church ordered this guy taken out pronto.  Rider continues to steal every scene he’s in.  I loved how he mentioned to Saber how he wishes Waver would man up a bit and his later scene where he’s talking about wearing more modern attire like Saber.  Waver has to go buy his servant clothes in the middle of a magical war…yes this was a conversation that was had here and it was hilarious.  We also got to see Berserker in action and damn he is awesome.  His different animation style never clashed against what we’ve already seen and he stands as a great achievement from the animation staff.  Gilgamesh got to show off too but his real scenes came from the beginnings of his “friendship” with Kirei.  These two are more or less partners in Fate/Stay Night so it was fun to see that he might be the one who begins to get Kirei to discover his true, twisted desires.

 

Some of the Masters were just as strong as their servants.  We got a glimpse of Kiritsugu’s full definition of “Whatever it takes” when he blew up a hotel (after getting everyone out) just to try and kill Kayneth.  Naturally, things wouldn’t be that easy.  Kayneth, so far, has been all bark and little bite since all he does is posture.  So it was cool to see him eat his words during his duel with Kiritsugu, the latter showing off his Origin Rounds via his special single shot pistol (kind of like Fate/Zero’s version of The Colt from Supernatural).  Does this mean Kayneth is out of the running since Kiritsugu’s bullet basically took away his magic?  Eight episodes in and im surprised we haven’t seen a single fatality yet.  A couple of people came close though.  Iri and Maiya’s duel with Kirei was brutal and it’s only thanks to Kiritsugu giving Iri Saber’s instant heal scabbard that they were able to walk away.  It’s fascinating to watch Kirei at this state, not knowing what he really wants in life.  His inability to discern why two women would risk their lives for Kiritsugu without being ordered too was a strong moment. 

 

I will say that some of the Masters have been a bit lacking, in both screen time and development.  I didn’t get a chance to talk about Kariya Matou last time during his intro.  However, since his set up as being a man who is desperate to free Rin’s sister, Sakura, from the Matou’s and signing up as their represenetive master, he hasn’t really been seen a lot besides his brief appearance to confirm he’s Berserkers master.  This show has done a lot to flesh out and give each character a voice when it comes to motives and ideals.  Yet Kariya hasn’t been nearly as developed as say Kiritsugu, Waver or Kirei.  Waver doesn’t escape the “cons” section of this set either, but that’s mostly because listening to him whine is becoming a chore.  Seriously, this kid signed up for a very bloody war without reading the brochure.  I hate to repeat myself but what did he think he was doing when he chose to enter this event?  This isn’t magic camp kid.  Ryunosuke also seemed to take a back seat to events this round, with Caster’s insane search for Saber taking most of his story time away from him.

 

For the shortcomings of character spotlight, Fate/Zero continues to make up for it with it’s insanely addictive action and attractive animation.  I’ve already mentioned how cool Berserker was in battle.  But Saber and Lancer’s battle against Caster and Kiritsugu’s bullet vs magic duel with Kayneth both stood out as highlights for me.  I should also give a shoutout to Yuki Kaijura.  The composer who gave us the epic scores for .hack//sign and Puella Magi Madoka Magica is working her magic big time here.  Even in the slower moments, she knows how to make the score for Fate/Zero the most epic ever.  I dare say she surpasses Kenji Kawaii’s score from the Studio Deen Fate/Stay Night with ease…that’s not an easy thing to do.

 

So it looks like Kayneth might be down for the count, which possibly leaves six masters still in play with seven servants (oh, what the hell is up with all of the multiple assassins and will they do anything other than observe).  I cant hit the “play the next episode” episode button on this show fast enough.  And next time I’ll be at the halfway marker.  Im enjoying this show a helluva lot more than I ever was the original Fate/Stay Night series, I do miss Rin though.  Anyway, catch ya next time as the summer of Fate/Stay Night rolls on with more of this kick ass prequel.