Review of Fate/Zero

I think that the beginning of Fate/Zero was much better than the beginning of Fate/Stay Night. Now of course, this is most likely BECAUSE I watched Fate/Stay Night first, so I am able to go into this new installment with some level of familiarity with the characters. Speaking of the characters, I think they are extremely well written in Fate/Zero so far. The most notable example for me is the relationship between Iskandar and Waver. I think that they have really good chemistry when they're on screen and Iskandar can be a great comic relief character. This is juxtaposed, however,to his other scenes where he takes on a more serious tone, not to mention his confidence in battle.

Comparing Fate/Zero to Fate/Stay Night, there is another massive thing that stands out higher than the rest. The animation and visuals. They're stunning. Zero is on a completely different level than Stay Night when it comes to how the show actually looks, and how its animated. In my Fate/Stay Night review, I said that the fights in episodes 14 and 19 were well animated and enjoyable to watch. Now, that is still definitely true! However, it feels like any fight in Zero immediately puts those fights to shame. Not even comparable.

Fate/Zero also has a much broader cast of characters than Fate/Stay Night. Someone online mentioned that they had a hard time "figuring out who the main character is"... and that is true, it can be tough, but that isn't a bad thing. Each character the show focuses on is very unique and brings their own spin to the holy grail war that really makes you wonder how far they'll go and how crazy they can get when it comes to obtaining this omnipotent wish granting prize.

However, let it be known that for the majority of the show, it focuses on two groups. Saber's group and Iskandar's Group. Saber's group consists of Saber, Irisviel, and Kiritsugu. However, Kiritsugu doesn't really hangout with them, he's mostly with his assistant Maiya hunting down masters. Iskandar's group is just himself and his master Waver. Or as his grandparents call him, Waver-chan.

This show has a completely different tone from the predecessor, Fate/Stay Night. It's much darker, and I think that's a good thing. It was refreshing to see that most (if not all) of the masters in Zero were actual adults, and not just adults, but trained mages who actually prepared for the Holy Grail war. Much different that Stay Night where Shirou was just throne into it, the only person in Stay Night who seems prepared at all is Rin. However, as I've said before, I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. I still like Fate/Stay Night quite a bit.

Seeing a more serious "Real" Holy Grail War fought in a show with a much darker tone really gives the show an edge over Stay Night.

I think that watching Fate/Stay Night before watching Fate/Zero is 100% the way to go. Fate/Stay Night is important for setting up some of the events in Fate/Zero and even alluding to them in flashbacks and world building moments. So technically yes, you could watch Fate/Zero first and then move on to Fate/Stay Night (and other subsequent entries), however, I think that if you do this you are missing out on a big part of what makes Zero enjoyable.

In Fate/Stay Night they will often show Flashbacks and memories to the Holy Grail war of 10 years prior. The one that is fought in Fate/Zero. So it's a fun experience to finally see it all play out first hand and revisit some of the flashbacks from Fate/Stay Night as they actually happen. As previously mentioned, I think it really adds to the enjoyment value.

So, with all that said. I think that Fate/Zero is a great prequel to Fate/Stay Night. It looks much better than the predecessor and all characters returning and new are a real treat to watch. However, watch Fate/Stay Night first before watching Fate/Zero, it will really make your viewing experience all the better.

I am excited to continue on with Season 2 of Fate/Zero!