Review of Fate/Zero

"Glory lies beyond the horizon. Challenge it because it is unreachable. Speak of conquest and demonstrate it" Rider (Fate/Zero) And thus, I shall try conquering the hearts of my readers, as every soul deserves to see the jewel of an anime that is Fate/Zero. *This review accounts for both season 1 and season 2 of Fate/Zero. Fate/Zero, prequel to the widely known series Fate/stay night, details the events of the 4th Holy Grail War; 10 years prior to the events as seen in Fate/stay night, which covers the 5th Holy Grail War. The setting is not any different: - 7 Masters, which are usually magicians, all with thegoal of obtaining the Holy Grail
- 7 Servants, summoned by these magicians, to fight for them in their quest to obtain this Grail
- 1 Holy Grail, a relic which has the power to grant any wish.

Just like in Fate/stay night, this all takes place in Fuyuki City, in Japan: it is here where you will see some incredibly epic fights between the 7 so called "Masters" and their "Servants”. Now what makes this setting any different from your generic action anime?

Story: 10/10
Yes, from the plot synopsis, the story might seem like your generic action anime: a Battle Royale setting, where several chosen ones fight to their deaths, all for one goal. What makes Fate/Zero different (and also different from its sequel) is the great execution of this story, the perfect pacing that it provides and the amazing atmosphere that you find yourself in. Fate/Zero doesn’t fool around - it is a story with a very serious atmosphere. You will find hardly any comedy or romance, but In this case it did not bother me at all. In fact, I’m glad that Fate/Zero went with a “no bullshit” policy, because it keeps you focused throughout the whole series. Fate/Zero has quite the complex storyline, which might leave you to think it over at times. But it is this complexity in which Fate/Zero excels: they managed to create a perfect plot, in which every event that you see has its own purpose and consequences. Because there is no clear protagonist in Fate/Zero, you will find yourself wondering what’s going to happen next the whole time, which makes this anime a thrilling experience by itself. Moreover, because you get a good view into each and every Master’s personality traits, background, and desires, you are able to develop some kind of feelings for every single one of them. You will most likely find yourself having a clear favourite in this war, and you will most likely detest some of the others. There are no plot holes, and the ending is so well thought through, that it leaves the viewer astonished.

Art: 10/10
Stunning. Fate/Zero features the best animation I have seen in an anime so far. They managed to create an atmosphere that perfectly resembles the story. The character design is amazing as well.

Sound: 9/10
The sound is the only field on which Fate/Zero did not manage to score a 10 for me – but that does not make it any worse. The voice acting (I watched in sub) is nothing to complain about – in fact, I enjoyed listening to every character as they all have great voice acting. The openings are great (I particularly like the first opening), and the BGM is very good, and fitting to the story as well. It is just (barely) not exceptional enough for a perfect score.

Character: 10/10
The characters are another field in which Fate/Zero truly excels. I personally have yet to see any characterization which can compete to the brilliance that is provided in Fate/Zero. Not only every master, but every servant as well, plays a key role to the plot – and every character is complex. Every character is written so well, that you are bound to have some form of feelings for each and every one of them. The easily loved servant Rider, one of the most charismatic characters in existence, Archer, a villain with an unmatchable pride, and of course, Saber, one of the greatest female protagonists, are all written in such a way that you might even have trouble picking your favourite. And these are only 3 characters out of an never-ending list of complex characters. I feel like I could not describe every single character well enough, or at least not well enough to give it the credit it deserves. Fate/Zero just did an amazing job with the characters. Period.

Enjoyment: 10/10
This one is easy; absolutely a 10. There’s not even a handful of anime which I have enjoyed as much as Fate/Zero. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole series, and left me with a feeling of darkness. It is this feeling that made me feel obliged to write this review, as I cannot let other anime fans miss out on the sheer amount of brilliance that Fate/Zero provides.
If you are seeking a thrilling experience, a story which leaves you questioning, a plot without holes, and amazing characterization, then do not hesitate to watch Fate/Zero, for it is certain that you will enjoy this anime.