Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works – 01
Hero kenzan. Hero kenzan! Behold our Seigi no Mikata.
Welcome to another episode of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works. Each week, ufotable surpasses my expectations with the quality of their adaptation but I should not be surprised anymore with Kara no Kyoukai being my all time favourite story. Fate/Zero was pretty good and UBW is holding up its fort; though, this would be the last long episode, a bonus in itself. This reminds me, I run a Type-Moon viewing group on weekends, where we collectively watch the recently released episode by syncing our video players and talk via skype call, every Sunday 2pm GMT. If you are interested to join, tweet to me or reply to the post. Also, spoiler tags are only for the first time watchers; oldies are welcome to explore.
Foreshadowing on Seigi no Mikata: I touched upon the fourth Grail war in my previous post and we finally got to see its horrific repercussions. I can go on and on about Emiya Kiritsugu, which I’ve already done in my Fate/Zero editorials, so I’ll keep it short here. He was the fourth Grail war winner but his aim of world peace was not realized due to the Grail being corrupted. When he originally signed up the war, he didn’t know this fact and thus, had to improvise during its progress. He was successful in destroying the Grail by using all of his command seals on his servant but the corrupted remnants of the grail in form of black mud flowed free after the container was destroyed. That caused the destruction and fire in the Shinto region of the city. From the burned ruins, beautifully animated by uftoable, Shiro was rescued by Kiritsugu, who was in retrospect saved by this tiny boy, who clung to life.
Kiritsugu’s life was suffering from one pain after another and he really never did get a break. He never knew his mother and his father was a psychopath. His mother figure Natalia was an Association Assassin, killed in the line of the duty. He found love in Irisviel, who he married but lost in the Grail war. He could never be the father he wanted to his own flesh and blood Illyasviel because of Einzbern family restrictions (I did warn about the traditional conservatism of old magical families before). Shiro became the only light in his accursed life for the five years he survived after the fourth war. The Grail’s curse made him lame and even partially blind by the time he kicked the bucket, but he did pass on one wish to Shiro, “Being the hero of justice.”
Point to note here is that Kiritsugu did not thrust his ideals to a novice in his upbringing rather something Shiro imbibed himself and insisted on. From the day he was saved by Kiritsugu and knew that he was a Magus, he believed him to be a hero, who could do the impossible. Of course, that was a kid’s ideal and not true but that realization and being inspired by his selfless act of kindness towards him did pave the way to how Shiro came to see the world. In the beginning, Kiritsugu refused to teach him any magic as he thought he would not need it at all. However, with continuous insistence, he caved in and taught him some basics. The trace magic is the only thing he can do well and nothing else. His teaching was left unfinished due to Kiritsugu passing on, something Shiro resented but couldn’t do much about. As he was not his biological son, the Emiya family’s magical crest could not be passed to him as well.
You can say Kiritsugu should have been more attentive towards him but in reality he didn’t see any reason in teaching him magic because he had set timed explosives into the magical leylines of Fuyuki, which would cause earthquake in 30-40 years from the fourth war. However, what he never counted on the unfinished grail business to jumpstart the next one in ten years. Unknowingly Kiritsugu’s suffering continued and somehow his son accepted the same fate.
Emiya Household: Would you look at the amazing Japanese mansion? Who would live in such a vast space divided into living quarters, separate dojo and even a storage room? A yakuza family indeed and you are right if you came to this conclusion. Raiga Fujimura was indeed the yakuza head, who ran the Fuyuki city in the olden days. When Kiritsugu moved to Japan, he bought the property from Raiga. Taiga is his granddaughter and was in school when they moved. She often babysat Shiro when Kiritsugu was off traveling. She became his guardian and started living with him after he passed away. Taiga is well equipped in kendo, reaching up to five dan and quite formidable in combat. The reason Shiro can’t touch a hair on her head even if he tried.
Cue the present day and Shiro working hard as usual. Being a strapping young man, he should be spending some alone time under his futon but no; he spends his nights in the dilapidated shed strengthening his trace magic. But you have to give it to the guy for working hard on his muscles (those abs!), daily dojo training and cooking for freeloader Fuji-nee/Taiga-sensei (Shhhh, don’t tell her I said so).
You’d ask, who’s the purple-haired bishoujo, perfect wife-material in his kitchen? Is this luck finally shining down on him? Well, you can say that again. Sakura Matou volunteered her services to the Emiya household in seeing how Shiro was alone and Taiga was of no use in the cooking department. She was inspired by his positive attitude of helping out others even being a loner after he joined the middle school. It’s easy to decipher that she likes him but our protag-kun is a bit of an airhead in this subject so only sees her as a friend. Whatever the case maybe, their interaction has chemistry but Shiro is more of a big-bro in this route.
Homurahara’s Brownie: You can call Shiro a doormat, fake school janitor, in-charge of mending, vacuum cleaner of the Archery Club, Homurahara’s brownie or the best man-servant anyone can have. He is all that by his own volition rather than force. It was easy for Ryuudou Issei to advise him to say no, but he is one of the main culprits behind spreading of ‘brownie legend’. Being a Student’s Council President is not an easy task, especially when you have a slew of clubs and most of the budget is dedicated to the sporty ones. There are cutting of corners and thus, relying on an all-rounder fixer like Emiya-kun, who has a knack for it. This however, doesn’t save him from being a jerk.
Shiro’s a goody-two-shoes behaviour makes others take him for granted. For example Matou Shinji, just slams the Archery club’s cleanup on him without even saying anything nice. That bastard! If Nasu retained the prototype features of Enjou Tomoe from Kara no Kyoukai, Shiro would be punching the lights out of Shinji and telling him to shove it. Sadly though, Shiro doesn’t, he goes and cleans up the entire club all alone… I really wanted to break his neck but after what Lancer did to him, I’d give him a get-out-of-jail-free-card for the PINCH.
The Seventh Master: Out of the frying pan and into the fire. What is up with this ginger-haired fellow? Death really did chase after him and it would have been a second brush if he hadn’t embraced his destiny of being something more. It’s said that you can’t always plan everything and there are times in life that things just happen. However much Kiritsugu was abhorrent towards not teaching Shiro magic, it was his magic circle and catalyst that made him summon the Saber servant. But above all, it was Shiro’s inner-strength not accepting his fate rather trying to pave his own way of life and not dying in vain that made Saber appear. Becoming a participant in the fifth Grail war brought him one step closer to his destiny.
For oldies/TM-tards: Show ▼
I’m sure if Kiritsugu was alive, he would have hated Shiro participating in the war but he is all grown up now and it’s about time to find out his own destiny from his own experiences rather than just following his father’s footsteps. Stopping Saber from attacking Archer was the best thing he did because he definitely needs an alley in another master and Rin is ideal in many ways. Their relationship development is quite interesting so stay tuned for more.
In brief:
- Something is definitely going bump-in-the-night with the recent high crime rate and suspicious gas leaks in Fuyuki city.
- Souichirou Kuzuki (the sensei who called Issei during class), has a shady past and is currently residing in Ryuudo temple.
- Shinji is a douchebag, who raises his hand on his adoptive sister. Sakura is too timid to answer his violence. Being too nice is a curse too.
- The loli is Illyasviel von Einzbern, sister to Emiya Shiro for being the only biological offspring of Kiritsugu. Shiro does not know about her existence and is thus aloof.
- Lancer’s true identity is Cú Chulaiann, but of course the idea of this hero and Gae bolg is all Nasu.
- Ayako Mitsuzuri, the Shiki look-alike has an interesting overlap with the Kara no Kyoukai universe. In an interview, Nasu said that she fell in love with Kokutou Mikiya in college but was readily rejected. Seems like it’s almost in her design to do so! But poor Mikiya could only handle the black-haired siren.
- The three idiots harassing Shiro outside of the archery club are minor characters but pretty funny in anime.
Extra Unlimited Works:
Visual Novel to anime adaptation.
Full Character Portraits: Sakura, Illya, Taiga and Rin. You are welcome.
Click for more Show ▼
Ufotable has really upped the ante on fight scenes. Fate/Zero was good but the fights are much more amazing in this version. This is exactly how a servant fight should be, due to their inhuman strength and magic infusing their body and special powers/Noble Phantasms. I’m really looking forward to the future fights, as I know there are many key ones in UBW. There will be more masters and servants introductions hopefully and we can get a move on.
This was a nice introduction episode for Shiro. I dislike his guts but I could never hate him. He does have weaknesses of being an eroge protagonist but I do feel that the richness and context of story saves his grace. More so in the UBW route, where he’s not so annoying and actually does things with his improved magic. As he’s new to the Grail war, he’ll need some teaching of basics but hopefully, they will not be long-winded as the Prologue covered a lot of background.
Preview: For the next episode, I can’t wait to see Mr. Yorokobe Shounen to blaze on screen and show his nicely aged-mug. Oh I did miss his, ‘Watashi da,’ in this episode but I can wait for the famous lines. One week wait is nothing for a TM-fan!
Spoiler alert: Even when most of our readers are Fate oldies, do make sure to add spoilers under the [*spoiler]text[*/spoiler] tag (remove * while using), so that the new watchers are not spoiled out of the fun. I leave you with another amazing ending by Kalafina and now, let the discussions begin!
About Kyokai
The Boss lady of Metanorn, who makes it all happen. An animanga enthusiast, who watches/reads almost anything that strikes her fancy. Just beware of her Death Perception and always keep her happy. Regularly found at @KyokaiTM & #[email protected].
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
The subbers probably didn’t even notice that was Illya. It took me a while to notice, too haha
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
How could people not know that was Illya? I know almost zilch about it, and I picked that up right away (since Irisviel is dead, is she not?).
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
If this is directly after Fate/Zero, yes, Irisviel is dead. Show ▼
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Really? I noticed that was Illya right away. She’s a miniature version of her own mother.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
You could never hide an Ilya from me…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
However, this is the original Illya who did not have a mother or father in her life. This is the cynical version of Illya who is out for revenge!
Unlike another version of Illya who had a Mama and Papa and Onii-chan. This version I’ve said before, is the “What if” version that had a family…
Moral of the story: Seihai Sensou ruins lives. Don’t have one.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I like the original Illya because this is the detesting loli out for revenge. Makes a good combination with Berserker too. This reminds me, I always loved it whenever she uttered Berserkaaaar.
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POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
What I understand it was merged into HF. Hence the ending.
Anyway, she got her own spinoff so obviously someone saw her plight.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
The mangaka should add a special volume for the imouto route. Everyone wants it apparently.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
How can you not notice the much talked about loli. I know subbers are busy and such but this is the limit.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
In this case, Illya would say:
“Onii-chan, doors wouldn’t save you from Beserker for forgetting Illya~ *heart*”
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Exactly! You can run but you can’t hide! :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I gotta say I’m disappointed. Can we redo the story so that Rin is the main character? Shirou’s boring.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
Well… Show ▼
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You’re more or less going to get that wish since I understand most of the focus will be on Rin.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I was so sad that Rin wasn’t the main character anymore either. I prefer her over Shirou so much more.
Even if the story focuses on her a lot, it’s different having her as the MC compared to just being an important character next to Shirou.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
If Rin was the protagonist, this would turn into a reverse harem with most of the servants and masters. xD
Though, worry not, she will have a significant role in this route and Shiro is not going to be fate-route annoying.
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Rin Is Love. Rin Is Life.
-I was only a young man back in College then
-I loved Rin Tohsaka so much, I replay the UBW route regularly
-I pray to Tohsaka Rin every night, thanking her for her Grade S-Zettai Ryouiki
-“Tohsaka Rin is love”, I say. “Tohsaka Rin is life”
-My roommate hears me and calls me a pervert
-I knew he was just jealous for my devotion to Tohsaka Rin
-I call him a Saber-fag
-He hits me with his Saber figmas in the head and I pass out
-I’m crying now, and my face hurts
-I sit in my chair and it’s really cold
-A warmth is moving towards me
-I feel something touch me
-It’s Tohsaka Rin
-I am so happy
-She whispers into my ear, “The Archer Class Is Really Made Up of Archers!”
-She closes the distance and hits me in the gut
-I’m ready
-I reinforce my body for Tohsaka Rin
-She hits me again and again
-My body is hurting but I do it for Tohsaka Rin
-My breaths are getting heavier and I start to black out
-I counter attack
-I want to please Tohsaka Rin
-She roars a battlecry as she lands another hit
-Emiya Shirou walks in
-Tohsaka Rin looks him straight in the eye and says “Look, Emiya-kun. People normally die when they are killed.”
-Tohsaka Rin leaves through the window
-Tohsaka Rin is Love, Tohsaka Rin is Life
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
This wins for best comment EVER seriously good job and welcome to Metanorn! I hope you return next week 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Welcome, Hero! I’m loving your devotion to Rin and don’t let your stupid roommate make you waver! ^^
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Now that is devotion. Respect to you, my friend.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
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Oh god, the food detail level, but the sandwich detail leaves something to be desired. Mr. Generic sandwich.
I would have translated Illya’s line as:
“If you don’t summon your’s, I’ll transform into a magical girl and rape you onii-chan~~ *heart*”
Officially, you are a shotacon. Here, take this Nobel Shotacon Prize.
Note spoilers abound in the OP. I would like to think ufotable took a page out of Prisma Illya and up’ed the battle awesomeness. Especially Caster’s Macross Missile Spam. The ED shows whose story UBW is really about when you look at the focus.
UBW looks like a good sequel for F/Z since it continues the story of the main survivor of the last Seihai Sensou: Rin. She lost her whole family one by one to the war. All 3 members. I think it is natural as a continuation since F/Z had an episode devoted to Rin.
Rejoice Emiya Shirou! For your wishes will come true!
Eh? You mean I can wish for a harem with everyone?!
Yes. 😀
*ends up as the *Doki Doki* Dating Short* Minna ga shiawase ni!!!
To end: Rin is the best TwinTails this season.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
lololllooololol
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
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Noooo! I just love kids in general. You should see me with my nephew and niece. :3
They did giveaway a lot in both OP and ED stills. I’m fine with that though because rather than theme animation, I prefer them spending budget on the awesome fights. After all, half of the fun of fate is in the awesomeoferric fights.
The date arc for CP was pretty awesome. Same for Rin being technologically challenged.
Rin is the best girl after all.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
SO… you turn both ways… 😛 Not surprising though. 😛
Next on the wish list: Fate/Hollow Ataraxia. Though I am curious how they would do it since much of everyone is alive. Then again, it’s missing Father Smexy so…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Noooo! 😛
Aaagh, I need to play Fate/Hollow Ataraxia…
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 27 comments
I tell you if Kiritsugu Emiya was still alive, he’d steer Shirou from idealistic mode. It’s a shame he kept his naive side. This is why I like Rin Tohsaka and her judgement. Also her zettai ryouiki.
Great review on the episode. I enjoy the captions you have put. And boy, being Sakura is hard. Not only her brother abuses her but her only crush is so clueless, he has only eyes for Tohsaka.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, Kiritsugu died before he could properly drill the hard facts of reality into his idealistic head. Explaining what happened to him during the last Holy Grail War would’ve done the trick. You can’t save everyone.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Yep. I clearly remember how Kiritsugu went bonkers at the end.
You have two boats, 300 and 200 people respectively but can only save one… which do you save?
> Save 300
Now the boat with 300 has muntinied into another with 200 and 100… which do you save?
> … Save 200
But you have only saved 200 in the end!
> *Kiritsugu goes crazy at the crappy logic!* It’s super-effective.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That ordeal destroyed him psychologically after everything he sought to do. All the unsavory means he used to advance forward, the people he lost getting there, all for naught.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t try!
There are lessons to be learned about ideals here, all throughout the various stories of Fate/Stay Night. It’s hard to say that any one lesson is more correct than any other. But abandoning an ideal simply because it can’t be reached is, in and of itself, a recipe for tragedy.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
His whole life was a big tragedy. I feel for the guy really. Even in his idealistic ways and lots of sacrifice, there was a pureness of good intention. Something his kid-self shares with Shiro. Show ▼
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
**WARNING**
BIG SPOILER AHEAD.
**WARNING**
MEGA SPOILER AHEAD.
You have been warned. You know the risks.
Are you sure you really want to proceed?
We will not be responsible for anything that happens.
signed -Team Kirei-
Show ▼
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
(Insert all those “do not read unless you already know the UBW story, or REALLY don’t care if you get the best parts spoiled for you” warnings here.)
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POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
And that is why Shirou x Rin should be the True End. Show ▼
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I don’t think Kiritsugu was wrong in trying to find world peace. Sure, utopia is just a word and not a reality but trying to do good for others or doing something for the good of maximum people is a good deed too. Show ▼
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@Soliloquy, Thank you for the compliment and I’m glad you are enjoying your time with the Meta community. 🙂
Kiritsugu would have definitely jailed him and tried to brainwash him. You can’t really blame the guy, with everything that happened to him. But I guess, in every flaw there is beauty and I find it in Kiritsugu being completely hopeless and even Shiro, who had to fall many times to learn new lessons.
And yes, Rin is the best girl and S-Grade for a reason! :3
On the other hand, being Sakura is suffering. Show ▼
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Except that:
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POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
UGH, I know! T___T
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POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
THAT I did not need to know. Especially just before bed.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Bwahahahaaa. You win some and you lose some. ;-;
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
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Hellow nightmares… http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/10/womans-nosebleeds-caused-by-three-inch-leech
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
With regards to the part inside the spoiler tag for TM-tards(proud to be one): Show ▼
However, a thought came to me:Show ▼
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aaah, this season, I’m feeling such love from the TM-community. Love it! 😀
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POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
A question and an observation. Do the Class characters have any recall pertaining to the last Grail War? Such as, “Oh, Sabre fights and has the same personality as she did last time. So, Master, ipso facto she’s such and such again”
And, I don’t mean to be offensive, and I hope I’m not. I realize they are keeping to the spirit of the VN. But why can’t ufotable see the obvious. Lancer’s costume is dorky.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
No, Heroic Spirits will not remember the previous wars if ever they will be summoned again in a future war. The summoning is just copying the content of the Heroic Spirit that is in the Throne of Heroes to fit the class that they will be summoned to. In simpler terms, the Heroic Spirits are read-only in the ROM that is the Throne of Heroes.
Our Saber here is a very special case though.
And blame Takeuchi, the original character designer. He designed Lancer like that. Also, Irish warrior. They dress dorky in ancient times.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…I don’t think they dressed like a Star Trek:TNG costume rejects back in the day of the Tautha da Dana!
POWUH: iLurker with 9 comments
They painted their bodies with all kinds of colors, instead of wearing armor sometimes. But then Lancer would have revealed his
Gae BolgGay Bulge immediately. That’s why he got his blue jumpsuit.POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Bwahahahaaa! Our TM-watch group made the Gay Bulge joke and I so wanted to use it on the post but refrained. I guess, there is no stopping the Type-Moonies. xD
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Gay Bulge will be stopped by Raw Ass. It has been proven.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You sure?! Some mangas/DJs don’t agree with you.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
GARcher (in a Carnival Phantasm voice) would say: BRING IT ON! (and immediately regret it).
POWUH: iLurker with 9 comments
I can come up with at least three reasons why he did it.
a) Shirou probably wanted to visit his former club again anyway.
b) He loves cooking, cleaning and sewing (source: Fate/side material). A shame they didn’t show the scene when he wakes up and calms his nerves by wiping his blood from the floor with a mop. And then ask himself why he is doing this.
c) Shirou probably regrets that he and Shinji are no longer friends. (I think Shirou once beat Shinji up when he learned what Shinji did to Sakura…)
POWUH: iLurker with 9 comments
Oops. That was supposed to be a new comment, not a reply. /facepalm
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
No worries. He’ll always remain a manservant in his heart. ><
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
Yeah, I distinctly remember that Shirou cleaned up his blood before going home in this part. It’s a shame but I really don’t mind those very minor cuts.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I wanted to wring his neck when I was at this part in the VN. Cleaning up your own blood after being forked so bad. This guys is a manservant to the core!
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
They don’t recall it as if it happened to them, but the knowledge is kept in the Throne of Heroes for them to access between Wars. As I recall it was said that it was like reading a story about events that happened to someone else. They don’t get any emotional response from it as if it were their own memory, but they can learn details of what happened.
It doesn’t really matter. The only other Servant here from the previous war is Show ▼
, and Show ▼
, so it doesn’t matter.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Actually, if you look at Saber’s response when Shirou said Emiya, she does vaguely recognise it… though I think she chooses to forget it because it was a traumatic event.
POWUH: iLurker with 9 comments
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POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@skylion, Saber is a special case and thus she does retain memories from the fourth war. Interesting fact about her personality though is that she was very reserved and uptight with Kiritsugu on her Kingly Ideals. She does learn some lesson from the previous war and you will notice a softening in her nature in fate route onwards.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So this is the infamous Shirou the Type-Moon fanbase dreads with such passion. I guess this is just the tip of the iceberg since I haven’t seen anything truly condemning about him. If there’s anything that’s to be reproached, it’s his unrealistic, over-the-top idealism and he’s far too nice for his own good. The student council president’s observations we right on the mark. He stays a “yes” man and he’ll die an early death. Hell, he was on the borderline right here.
Again, the fights here were top notch. Good to see Saber again. Out of the servants, she’s my favorite thanks to Fate/Zero. The others will need some getting used to.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
That is precisely the point. That and the fact that it generally causes him to be incredibly chauvinistic. “I know you’re a super-powered spirit-being who could kill me by flicking your finger in my general direction, but you’re a girl, so I refuse to let you fight. I’ll do it instead to “protect” you, even though if I die it will kill you too, so I accomplish absolutely nothing by doing this.”
I can’t recall for sure, but I think that was less of an issue in UBW than it was in Fate, due to events taking different paths.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Because the less Saber in the Route, the more awesome he becomes. It’s quite clear when you plot it out.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Fate Shiro is the worst. UBW one can be handled. :3
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 167 comments
Because Shirou saw Saber get rekt in fate route while in UBW thers help from archer so he is less worried.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 51 comments
Shirou’s portrayal left a horrible impression during the 2006 DEEN anime largely because it was based of the Fate Route. A route the Nasu himself expressed some disappointment on how it turned out. It takes Shirou’s idealism and altruism…then uses it as catalyst for a generic “boy meets girl” story. Shirou basically comes across a person who coddles and becomes protective of Saber and when Saber starts reciprocating feelings because of this the story insists this is a cute. The end result is that Shirou comes across as chauvinistic, and Saber comes across as bland waifu bait who needs to be loved by a guy to accomplish anything.
The UBW route the, actually addresses Shirou’s altruism. Unlike the Fate Route, its a central theme and the story revolves around how this attitude has consequences and how affects others. Its a far more interesting portrayal of Shirou. It’s evident that Nasu finally got a handle of how he wanted to portray Shirou.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Well said. It also helped that we saw Shiro’s growth in many different levels. Though, details are all Team Kirei.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Saber was okay, so far Archer is still my favorite of the servants I’ve seen so far.
And yes, we’ve finally met the infamous Shirou. I think he’s way too much of a doormat and too idealistic, but other than that, I like him. I used to be like him a little in that I often didn’t know how to say “no” to people, and thus I also know of that kind of messed up mindset that that can bring. I began to develop more self-esteem for myself and to do things for myself rather than everything for other people.
Now, I actually balked at the fact that he actually stayed in school for hours into the night cleaning that place for that jerk. I couldn’t even imagine doing something like that, even for someone that I liked, much less someone I knew was a bully and hurt a person I cared for.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
GARcher is my hero in this one though I love our grey+negative roles in this story, who will be introduced later.
I always had issues with Shiro’s doormat tendencies. One thing that adaptation changed and I’m glad they did, is when Shiro wakes up after getting healed, he cleans up his blood off the floor rather than his blood magically vanishing… He even wonders to himself why the hell he did that but even in a half-stupor, he cleaned up after himself… It’s okay to be nice to others but this is the limit, BakaShiro! >>;
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
This episode = More like Fate Stay Night Unlimited Shiro works! I liked how he summoned Saber and her fight was AWESOME vs Lancer, but his trace on magic powers always seemed to be super lame to me at least in the beginning I forget if he uses it for something later for Saber? Either way it was cool seeing the other side from Shiro’s POV.
As a side note I don’t like Taiga’s goofball antics like her scooter take off like something out of FLCL and pranking Shiro’s breakfast? I just don’t think it fits in this super serious story or does it? I think her gags work better in the prism illya universe than in here, but I guess we need some laughs in between the dramatic moments so I can’t hate her too much…
Knowing what happens with Sakura later kinda makes it less exciting for me every time I see her I just remember things.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
His tracing powers is not super lame because -TEAM KIREI- has it. Damn the Team Kirei censorship.
Taiga works better in Taiga Dojo.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@Fosh, As I know you haven’t played the VN, keep watching because the events are different from DEEN’s fate route. Shiro is definitely not going to remain lame and his trace-on power will be finally useful in this route. Amen to that! xD
All the Taiga shenanigans are really just hat-tipping towards oldies because we love our Taiga. However, as DGK says, she is better in Taiga dojo, the ultimate end after many bad ends in VN.
Life of Sakura is suffering indeed. One of the main reasons I just don’t see her as a heroine still. Though, HF route can change my opinion later.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Just because I thought it was amusing. All credit to tenka seiha/aroduc. From a faceless monkey who posted the following comment:
Tsukihime anime would be nice since there isn’t one yet. Kara no Kyoukai is done. Obviously this fellow didn’t do this research before he spouted nonsense. 😛 Technically, all the Fate/series are in a dimension pocket of their own. Much like the Marvel Multiverse.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You guys sure have a death grip on that one. 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
No seriously, DGK speaks truth.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Truth? IT IS REALITY.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Riiiiight. I’ll just go with the flow.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You betcha! 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Please introduce this dude to me so that I can go snip snip snip on his ass. This is recycled stuff? Really? Has he lost his marbles or what? 😛
Yes, Type-Moon and Ufotable are both milking the Fate franchise and same goes for the niche Kara no Kyoukai, which is still very much popular with fans. This is completely fine and I’d even throw more money on them for Tsukihime, Fate/Apocrypha/Prototype anime.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Already posted the location of the comment. 😀
People like the Nasuverse because they can write a decent story with working mechanics (disclaimer: with deus ex machina as needed) without the need for blatant pr0n/fanservice. (Fate/Extra CCC is an exception).
Apocrypha is interesting with a different take on the Grail War. Prototype is unlikely to get a series since most of it was reworked to create Stay Night.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh I saw and the total comment was so immature that ughh.
Anyways, I saw a disturbing video of CCC, I might just not play ever; though, Kinpika was hilariously awesome.
I liked Apocrypha and the short OVA they did for Prototype. I know Nasu is too lazy to write its continuation but c’mon a male Saber voiced by Takahiro Sakurai!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
A-U-O CASTOFF!
As befitting of him, it shines brillantly!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Toooooo bright! xD
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 77 comments
I think the onii-chan thing was translated to “mister” because that is what it would mean in Shirou’s mind, not knowing this passerby.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Mister is Oji-san. It should be at least big brother.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Saying Big Brother suits her better. Childish yet antagonistic at the same time.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Yes BB-onii-chan~ *heart*
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Subbing is not POV-based unless its a monologue by a character. This was clearly an utterance by Illya to unhinge Shiro. Though, without success because of his zero background knowledge about the war afoot. I usually don’t moan about subbing but as a TM-fan, this was unacceptable.
POWUH: iLurker with 3 comments
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POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Please use spoiler tags and welcome to Metanorn, Falmung. 🙂
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POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I bet by the end of this season, F/UBW will have the most Show ▼
… At the rate it is going.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Yep, this will happen for sure! xD
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Well, that was pretty good. I enjoyed myself. I kind of like Shirou for better or for worse. He’s a bit idealistic, naive, and pretty much a doormat, but other than that, I like him anyway.
Don’t really care for Sakura that much, her constant calls of “sempai” really grate on ones nerves. Saber is cool, I liked that we got to see her in action. Being able to see everything from Shirou’s point of view was cool, that way I could see the events of what was going on.
I liked the guy who took care of Shirou too. A pretty cool guy. Shiro’s big sister is funny too.
Well, I’m interested in this series, let’s see what more it can do.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Sakura on the fore is your girl next door but you’d get even warier if you find out about her past. For now, let her senpai keep annoying you. That’s really the least annoying thing about her for now. xD
Saber is THE fan favourite and literally idolised throughout the TM community. Expect more here and her old master, Kiritsugu is an amazing character. The depth of his development and growth throughout Fate/Zero was amazing. No wonder Shiro was so inspired by him.
Glad to have you for the ride. 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Years in skylolion’s dungeon did not do anything good to Sakura. 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh noes! Has he been up to THIS?! SHOOOCCCKKK!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
His idealism may be a problem for me to stomach. Cause it looks like he’s going to dope on it a lot.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
PV for episode 2 and 3. Let’s HYPE!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Yes! Ilya and BAHSAHKAH!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
She’s cuuuter perched on Berserker’s shoulder! :3
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Everyone needs a shoulder LOLi!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Lol! I’m sure if the registrations were going on, you’d be the first in line, camping for hours.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Oh, no need to for me to get in line. Rather it’s the other way round…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Nope.jpg
The millions making the loli-train will hear no such thing!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
That smexy voice walking arund in circles. Guess he takes after his Father… (bad pun 😛 )
Onii-chan~~~ *heart*
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Kyaaaaaaaaaa~~~! Cannot wait for Yorokobe Shounen timeu!
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
For those wondering, I think it’s also worth mentioning that it was the Emiya household’s barrier (that bell) constructed by Kiritsugu that warned Shirou of Lancer’s assault. Also the magic circle that is used to summon Saber, was the same one used by Irisviel in fate zero 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Yep, these are the little nuggets that fans love! It was nice seeing some presence of Kiritsugu and the same shed where Irisviel spent most of her time. The Emiya estate overall is pretty nostalgic indeed.
Also, welcome to Metanorn, Arcadia! 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Watched the first bit of the UBW movie in comparison and the summary:
Basically the movie is a rapid summary and why it fails is that it expects viewers to know a lot of background. The TV remake explores things in much more detail.
For me, world building is as important as character building in a series. To put it in perspective, I have the Shana Movie and it’s basically a summary of the first half of Season 1 with upgraded graphics. The TV version actually is better storywise.
Now, to decide whether to preorder Kalafina’s ED and which version… decisions decisions.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I should rewatch the movie one of these days. Totally forgot about how it was but yeah, I don’t like summary movies either (the reason why Kyoukai no Kanata, Star Driver and even Titan movies seem stupid to me). I’m just glad that we got UBW as a series. So much more enjoyable!
For the Kalafina CD, I’d put my money on the limited edition. :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Which limited edition was my question.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Holy! Go for BD or DVD.