Review of Fate/Zero

DISCLAIMER: this review will pertain to both seasons of this show. Fate/zero is a prequel to the original fate/stay night series. The latter of the 2 was really close to becoming a cringey disaster, while Fate/zero is millions of miles ahead in every single aspect. STORY Incredible, but also the bringer of one of the only complaints I have with this show. The story is pretty much just a holy grail war. 7 servants and 7 masters fight each other for the grail and shit goes down. That's the entire series summed up in 1 sentence, but there is so much more to it than just that. Mycomplaint with the story would be the pacing of it (in the 1st season). It's pretty much a holy grail war with nothing too special about it, and it moves pretty slowly. It isn't until the 2nd season where things happen. When I say things happen I MEAN THINGS HAPPEN!!! Starting season 2, every episode made me want t watch the next.

CHARACTERS
Also incredible, but the other complaint I have with this show. The characters are what made an average grail war into something to be invested in and care about. The characters are well-written, entertaining, developed and intriguing from beginning to end. My complaint in terms of character is the imbalance of them. There are 7 masters and 7 servants. That's 14 characters, and a lot of times (in season 1) some characters are side-lined for the major ones. Starting season 2, everyone has equal development and screen time. If I were to make a list of my favorite anime characters, half of the characters in this series would be on there. I can not describe in words how amazing Kiritsugu's arc is, same goes for Waver, Karya and Kirei.

ANIMATION
AAAAHHH!!!IUGJGDHTRD!!! It's so f****ing good! Every single scene, shot and moment has the care and intensity of a brain surgeon put into it. The animation in Fate/zero rivals that of blockbuster anime movies, and it blows a lot of modern productions out of the water (which is impressive because this anime is 6 years old). Even if this anime didn't have the amazing characters, plot and morals that it has, I would give it at least an 8/10 due to the animation alone.

SOUND
All of the openings and endings are a joy to listen to along with the in-episode music. I watched this show dubbed in English, and I have absolutely no regrets. There isn't any characters' whose voice got on my nerves, nor was there a hint of hindered talent in their performance. Crispin Freeman as Kirei Kotomine is one of my favorite performances in any anime, rivaling Alucard (who is also voiced by Crispin Freeman).

OTHER STUFF
The best part about Fate/zero hasn't even been discussed yet. A lot of anime try to be philosophical in nature towards the later episodes, but it doesn't always work. In order to have a philosophy you need to prove you have the intelligence to do so, and have a view that is relevant to real life and politics. Some of my other favorite anime (FMA:B and code geass for example) all have hard-hitting philosophical questions relevant to the function of our society, religion, government and general human tendencies. Fate/zero is no exception. The overall theme of justifications for murder is what makes this anime sooooo much better than mostly anything I've ever watched.

OVERALL
Should you watch Fate/zero? If you couldn't tell by my ramblings, if you don't want to see Fate/zero then you don't deserve to talk to me. Fate/zero is without a doubt one of the best things I've ever seen and I now think of it as a necessity for a quality life (maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea). It's only 25 episodes, and even if the first season is a drag, you'll enjoy the second one. It is very violent so keep that in mind.