Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 16-17

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Unlimited GAAR Works!

winter15-kyoFeels good to be back to the normal reviewing. I have been promising good things in the comments before and here finally is the motherlode of quality and the much needed crescendo to the happenings from episode 11. It took a while but we have some much needed resolutions to look forward to. Be warned that you should only read this if you have seen the two episodes as spoilers will be abound.

Preparation for the Holy Grail

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Kinpika is thinking 100 ways to kill Shinji

The loli heart was ripped out because it’s an important ingredient to the Holy Grail preparation. What we know till now is that the Holy Grail matures as the war progresses and fills up with the souls of the servants/familiars called to wage war. However, the base material has always been supplied by the Einzberns and in the last war, the vessel was Irisviel, while Illyasviel in the current one. The painful experiments that Illya went through under the hands of Acht, were to make her more powerful as if being the firstborn of homunculi crafted after Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern (one of the founders of Holy Grail war) wasn’t enough. It is sad to realise that she was Einzbern’s tool since the beginning. Just like her mother, who tried to break the shackles and experienced some normalcy because of Kiritsugu but the happy years were short and the end was dark in the arms of a corrupt Grail, Angra Mainyu.

Let me remind everyone that Gilgamesh is a remnant of the last Grail war (Fate/Zero timeline), and an outlier without a servant class. He wants this Grail war to conclude and is working towards a finale. Illya’s heart is an important ingredient, while the next would be a vessel to hold it. As we know Rin wouldn’t just roll over and die to become a vessel, Gilgamesh would need one soon. Shinji should have counted his days and remained out of the war but I guess, nobody could ignore Kirei’s priestly sermon. Thus, he played right into his hand and he should not trust Gilgamesh so easily. But he’s an idiot and would learn his lesson soon enough.

Meet BroLancer

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I love Cú Chulainn in this route to bits. He’s the Broskander of UBW route if you need a comparison with Fate/Zero. Usually, being a Lancer is suffering (nods to the Fate/Zero version and let’s not forget Carnival Phantasm as well), but even when he was the bad guy earlier for almost killing the MC twice, here’s the real Lancer who is friendly with a witty mouth on him. Do ignore those tight clothes but girls should enjoy the well-presented DAT ASS. In the VN, there was more bantering between Shiro and Rin with Lancer but whatever we got was good enough. He’s your loyal friend and a gentleman, who doesn’t flirt with BFF’s gf. Not that Shiro is his BFF but you get my point. He is the official cheerer of RinxShiro, who are quite adorable when they argue but they need to get their shit together soon.

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Gay Bulge Vs Raw Ass Gáe Bolg vs Rho Aias

There have been many fights animated to-date on the fate verse by ufotable; however, even the first round of Lancer vs Archer has nothing on the current face-off between these two legendary heroes. I say legendary because even when we don’t know the true identity of Archer (well, at this point of my editorial), he packs more than a few punches in his vault. It was just great to see Rho Aias animated (I got similar goosebumps while seeing Ea in Fate/Zero). By mythology, it was the shield used by Ajax to stop Hector’s javelin. This version of course is modified, something similar to Lancer’s Bolg, which was stopped for the first time. That tells you a lot about Archer’s strength and how insanely powerful he is. Though, not prideful at all, his collection can rival Gilgamesh’s in quality. So, yes, it was, oh, such beautiful fanservice! Thank you, based ufotable.

Medea and Kuzuki

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Another step towards humanising fate characters. Yes, it’s a fact that Caster is cute and has adorable purple nekomimi, while the expressionless teacher developed a heart in between their short interaction. You can compare Kuzuki to Kirei in a way, because he was trained as an Assassination machine, a tool for the Church to reduce their enemy population. His life was meaningless and he never really sought after any value either. However, Caster was the first person he wanted to help and with time, he became concerned to the point of doing everything in granting her wish. Unknowingly, he must have felt love in his dead heart that never experienced such feeling before, while Caster received the attention she always desired at the unlikeliest place. Of course, their plans were foiled and both succumbed to their ends, but no one can deny that their story wasn’t moving. After all, this is one of fate’s definitive couples besides our MC-kun ships.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

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We have been given enough evidence; hell, Rin’s locket has been alluded to not only in theme songs but even during different scenes with Archer and Shiro respectively. How can Shiro have it when Archer gave it to Rin? Not to mention, even the experienced Saber realises the similarities between them and gives Shiro feedback to sharpen his fighting style like Archer. Shiro has been fascinated by Archer’s blades to the extent of practicing with two Shinai to match his style. We have also glimpsed Archer say Trace On before the vocal version in the current episode. It is clear as the light of day that Archer is the future version of Shiro, and not a happy one at that.

All those hints should now finally make sense, including Archer’s continuous attempts of killing off Shiro. His power, precision or even the way he fights is noble, something that Saber and Lancer witnessed and vocalised but then why such a legendary hero is stooping to the level of a common killer? Isn’t this a time paradox? Going back in time to kill yourself to change history? It’s almost similar to Saber’s wish in changing history for her country. Can it even happen? Well, there are some world rules, along with Archer appointed as a Guardian, who saved humanity in different occasions (unidentified of course). Wouldn’t all of it change if Shiro is killed? There are many questions on this side of the fence.

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While on the other side, you have a damaged boy, who has no sense of self because his only thought is to save others. Rin basically voiced all the questions and suppositions of the audience around Shiro’s ideals and way of thinking. Yes, Kiritsugu gave him life and he is lucky to be the sole survivor of the Fuyuki fire (resultant of the previous Grail war), but he should value his life more rather than always throwing it away for protecting others. There has to be a limit, a borderline where he has to say no. But it seems, this word is not in his dictionary.

And this is the exact ideal that Archer has identified to be his end. Yes, he became an ideal hero and saved many MANY lives but he could never do a complete job. If he saved some, there were more killed (a conundrum that even Kiritsugu faced). He kept on appearing and disappearing in different times of humanity to save it but there was never a thank you or total peace. We can’t even fathom how many wars he has already waged before appearing in the current timeline to face his young, naïve self. You can’t blame him if he wants to wipe the floor with Shiro because this naïve version was the reason behind his ideal hero identity. He became Seigi no Mikata but couldn’t help everyone… not even himself. This is the reason he wants to kill Shiro so that he can wipe his slate clean. Something that even Kuzuki echoed in defining right, “It must be something that one doesn’t regret even if one has erred in decision. I view good and evil having equal value so that is the only evidence of humanity I see worthwhile in me.” A man who believes dishonour can be washed away by success has been twisted from his origin. And so we will witness his resolve next.

Extra Blade Works

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VN to Anime Adaptation

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The recent episode was one of the best Action offering of this series. 100/100, based ufotable, even when the events have deviated from the VN route. Though, I’m fine with it because things will eventually play out the same. I literally can’t wait for the next episode when two sides of the same coin battle it out.

On another note, Rin and Shiro make a very cute couple and their chemistry is brilliant, even when Shiro is such a baka most of the times; Rin should always keep a check on him. And for a reminder, servants are now falling like flies with Rider, Berserker and Caster already gone and I assume Assassin should soon too as Caster summoned him. Leaving behind Lancer, Archer, Saber and Gilgamesh. Hot battles are to ensue, let’s keep watching with rapt attention!

About

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].
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102 Responses to “Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 16-17”

  1. belatkuro says:

    >Gay Bulge Vs Yo Ass
    >not Raw Anus
    One job, Kyo. One job.

    Been waiting for the fight between Lancer and Archer and it totally delivered, especially that final clash. It’s hard to say what feat is better, Gae Bolg piercing up to the 7th layer of Rho Aias which boasts an impenetrable defense against projectiles or Aias being able to stop Gae Bolg which is a spear of certain death that pierces the heart without fail.

    Was sort of disappointed we didn’t get the full operation of Doctor Gil like how it went in the VN(NSFW) but it was just as well given her fate. She’ll get her revenge come Summer in 2wei Herz.

    It speaks volumes how broken Shirou is that he would even leap out to help someone he just met once and even tried to kill him in that occasion. It never crossed his mind that he might get killed in his action, as long as he gets to save Illya. Or more like, that option doesn’t exist at all in his mind. Some might say he’s an idiot but he has his issues which is the main focus of the whole FSN experience. It’s the exploration of Shirou and his ideals to be a hero of justice. And one thing that is a factor to that is of course Archer.

    The red man has been pretty shady with his words and actions and now he comes out with what he wants to do. His dislike of Shirou before now surfaces with his goal to kill him with his own hands. The final clue to his identity has been given so blatantly and one would be stupid not to know who he is by now. That said, Kyo pretty much spoiled everything else that is to know about him in the last few paragraphs. Archer would have explained everything later on though. Ah well.

    I must confess though that for some reason, I’m feeling a bit lukewarm now in seeing this adaptation. Not because I already know what’s going to happen but by how it’s been going lately. The slight changes that they’ve been doing are somehow bothering me. They’re a bit minor but it somehow changes how it delivers things. Plus the way it’s narrated outside of Shirou’s perspective changes things as well. I’m still looking forward to it every week but somehow I wish it was handled better and more closely to the VN. It does make it fun to read a certain someone’s ranting in the MAL forums.

    To counteract the feeling that I’m getting, I plan to dive in to more Fate stuff as this season goes. I’ve already finished Ataraxia last year so I’m planning to go with Fate/Extra CCC. There’s a blog that has translations of the transcript of the game along with the choices so I would play as I read that. And the blog went with Gilgamesh as the Servant so it would be nice to see Gil in a different way from here in the anime. I’ll also read Fate/Apocrypha as well as I’ve been putting it off for a long time.

    • Kyokai says:

      Alright alright, edited on popular demand. 😛

      It’s funny how Shiro even after being portrayed as flawed gets all the shits from the audience. But I do understand that his naivety gets old and fast. I do appreciate the amount of time being spent on character development. The crescendo of it all would be great.

      I don’t think I spoiled anything about Archer rather gave context to what we have already been given in bits and pieces via flashbacks that Rin has seen, the talk about Guardians and the overall displeasure of Archer against Shiro. Archer doesn’t seem like a hero who wants to kill without a reason. He always has a reason even if it’s now twisted by his sense of loss and past regrets.

      Being a faithful TM fans, I want to grouch about the changes too but then I think that not all adaptations are good and however ufotable is going with it, this is 100% better than the DEEN movie and we should appreciate the quality because in general TM fan’s life is suffering with delayed releases. Still waiting on that Mahoyo translation btw… As well, plan to read Apocrypha soon.

    • Di Gi Kazune says:

      See more about LOLisma Prisma Illya below. Easily the spiritual sucessor of the Nanoha series after Nanoha’s Ass.

  2. belatkuro says:

    Spammy caught my tl;dr. Which I forgot to add:
    Rin best girl. BEST. GIRL. She’s a landmine of reactions faces. The way she got flustered with Shirou telling Lancer to not touch her woman was soooo cute. I think I watched that part several times before I finished the episode.
    And she kicked some butt with Caster as well. One would know where she picked that up given who her caretaker was who also showed the same techniques early on.

    • Kyokai says:

      She is indeed. I alluded to this on last review and one DGK serenaded about Sakura. Oh well, I’ll see if my opinion changes after HF. My goal for this year.

      Good that Rin’s tsundere features were used fully and adapted even better. I do wish they would insert that pose from her, where she grins evilly with her hand covering half of her face from VN. That was my favourite expression from her. Also, more BroLancer is always good.

      • Di Gi Kazune says:

        Final Dead Lancer. That’s what his posing about Team Tsundere reminded me of.

        Anytime people mention Sakura, I would like to interject with:

        Show ▼

        🙂

    • BlackBriar says:

      One would know where she picked that up given who her caretaker was who also showed the same techniques early on.

      Given what her caretaker did to Kiritsugu in Fate/Zero, Rin was in good hands for physical combat training.

      • Kyokai says:

        Pretty sure she hated every minute of the training.

        • Di Gi Kazune says:

          Kirei: You have to work on your CQC harder! Your father died because he was over-reliant on his magic! *evil smirk*

          • Kyokai says:

            I wonder if in any of the current releases, the arc went down the path of Show ▼

            Now wouldn’t that be sweet justice.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              Kirei: Rin, this is an Azoth Dagger that your father gave to me as his apprentice. I am sure he would want you to have it. *evil smirk*

          • BlackBriar says:

            I’d love to see what she’d do if Rin ever found out the true causes of her father’s death.

        • BlackBriar says:

          Hey, if there’s a valid behind, you’ve got to put up with it.

  3. Di Gi Kazune says:

    RAW ASS!!! Beats GAY BULGE! Many asses were saved.

    My poor priest… Taken out of action….

    Show ▼

    Rho Aias got its necessary upgrades and conversion into animation! They made it even more ASSY than the descriptions.

    Caster is actually a grown-up Ren. With blue eyes instead. >_>

    Since this is no longer a spoiler. We look forward to:

    Emiya Shirou VS EMIYA.

    • Kyokai says:

      But the Raw Ass still got a lot of beating and there was blood… Anyways, pretty sure Show ▼

      Caster was cute and shouldn’t you be salivating after her because of the nekomimi?

      And yes, the next GAAR fight should be awesome and I’ll kill someone if they end with a cliffhanger, which would be likely.

      • Di Gi Kazune says:

        ELF-mimi. My Ren-chan all grown up.

        • Kyokai says:

          Nymph-mimi! 😛

          • BlackBriar says:

            Seems Kyo has a particular liking for those kinds of ears.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              Let Operation Pointedmimi commence! We shall convert all mimi to pointy mimi!

            • BlackBriar says:

              I’m already getting my share of that this season.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              *Starts with BB’s ears*

            • Kyokai says:

              I like correcting mistakes. I can’t tolerate if it’s from TM. 😛

              Like there was a tumblr post where I saw someone comment that UBW route is first animated by ufotable; though, the fact remains that DEEN did it first as a movie even if it was no good. It took all my strength not to go flame that dude.

  4. Di Gi Kazune says:

    Also, this version of battle between Team Caster vs Team Tsundere was much, much, much better. AND it made more sense how Kuzuki joined his waifu.

    • Kyokai says:

      Well animated yes, nicely done too, but it’s pricking me that this has deviated from the VN. Though, Kuzuki’s death was a mercy from Archer and they did try to add meaning by Archer asking him the definition of right previously but I don’t know it just felt bad. Kuzuki fell like a log but then it works for his character who was always expressionless. Oh well.

      • Di Gi Kazune says:

        I feel it flows better than just impaling him with a flurry of swords. It also shows they are reading the Encyclopaedia TypeMoonium for character design and background.

        • Kyokai says:

          I know but the deviation is killing my TM-heart! 😛

          And yes, this season is filled with background stuff that was not in the VN but expanded later on in other releases.

          • BlackBriar says:

            I read episodes 14 and 15 were original material. How did it fare in the eyes of you hardcore Type-Moon fans?

            • Kyokai says:

              Well, my thoughts are I’m not too happy or sad. I didn’t go with all the changes, specifically how they changed few important points like the battle between Shiro and Archer should have been at the destroyed Einzbern castle rather than the church but oh well, I’m not too upset either. I don’t think they needed too much of this background information dump (like the one on Caster or Kuzuki), but I do understand they did it to humanise them, just like in Fate/Zero.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              Wait… they still have half a season worth of episodes to reset things. I believe about here GARcher decides to take his woman and do manly things to her.

            • Kyokai says:

              Yeah right, as if that will happen! I’m pretty sure things will end up with the Show ▼

            • BlackBriar says:

              The safest bet is Shiro and Rin being together.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              I want the Illya route but that is now impossible. Except in a couple of months’ time she get her justice.

            • BlackBriar says:

              Prisma Illya seems like the play-it-safe version of this universe.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              There is no such thing as a safe Nasuverse. They all have their dangerous.

            • skylion says:

              Yeah. But you can hold your breath for a bit BB. 2wei Harz will get crazy probably around the end of the second or third episode.

            • BlackBriar says:

              But UBW version is more brutal.

      • BlackBriar says:

        Kuzuki fell like a log but then it works for his character who was always expressionless.

        There were times it felt as though he had the expression of being annoyed by something. Mainly when you look at him face forward, it’s like he’s frowning.

  5. zztop says:

    Do ignore those tight clothes but girls should enjoy the well-presented DAT ASS.

    Personally the tights make him look like a silly tokusatsu hero.Now if he were designed to look more like this, then he’d look better.
    http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rb9oBKt81r6vq6vo1_500.jpg

    • Di Gi Kazune says:

      Then we should have the original Saber x Shirou. 😛

      • BlackBriar says:

        Saber is a waste on Shirou. She deserves a better Master.

        • skylion says:

          I think they are perfect for each other. Both of them are so mired in the past, you don’t even have to wonder where so much of the Grail mud even comes from…

          Which is not a bad thing as that is a perfectly valid form of characterization…

          • Di Gi Kazune says:

            Show ▼

            • Kyokai says:

              Show ▼

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              It would have been funnier if he used it to: Saber, marry Gilgamesh. 😀 There is a gif of it floating about.

            • Kyokai says:

              LOL! Kiritugu didn’t like Saber’s ideals but he’s not THAT cruel. 😛 Though, Gil’s Christmas would’ve come early.

    • Kyokai says:

      I’m sure when Takeuchi was designing the characters for Fate VN, he didn’t even in his wildest dreams thought that it would become this famous and span different anime and movies. Lancer’s getup works for his origin time but not at this day and age. No wonder that Type-Moon has given all their characters makeover in recent releases. So, yes, Lancer looks hella funny but for old time’s sake, I’m still cool with it. 😉

      PS: this design screams Log Horizon.

      • zztop says:

        This design comes from Fate/Prototype, a sample OVA based on Kinoko Nasu’s original version of the Fate story.
        Major differences included the MC being a girl, reluctant mage Saijou Manaka. Saber was male, and the main villian was her mad deceased sister come back to life.

      • BlackBriar says:

        So, yes, Lancer looks hella funny but for old time’s sake, I’m still cool with it.

        Hahaha! Strangers who come across that kind of sentence would say you couldn’t let go of the past.

  6. BlackBriar says:

    Episode 16 was a good character build-up point and I was glad to see Rin pointing out to Shiro the way he operates is twisted. The guy needs to wake up. I do give him props for telling Lancer he’s not giving Rin to him. But since when did she become his property? 😛

    Episode 17: So ends the journey of our tragic villainess, Caster. If not for her morbid methods, I’d have felt really sorry for her but she wins sympathy nonetheless after defending Kuzuki to the last. Strange set of ears, though. Was Caster an elf of some kind? And as usual Rin stole the show.

    • Kyokai says:

      He’s a big idiot but he does have his plus points. Though, mostly, he’s annoying. Rin will have her hands full with this one but it’s a vice versa thing with all the blushing Rin has been doing over our redhead. 😉

      Caster’s are not elf ears rather nymph ears as the Kings of Colchis were descended from nymphs. I don’t think there are any elves in Nasuverse as well.

      • Di Gi Kazune says:

        • BlackBriar says:

          Yep, that’s an obsession, all right. After those fantasies of her in various dresses, I’d go as far as saying Caster is almost as bad as Log Horizon’s Henrietta when she stalks Akatsuki.

      • BlackBriar says:

        I’d probably be able to tolerate him more were he not so unrealistically idealistic. Because most of what strives for goes against human nature itself and such is a near insurmountable task. Some idealistic leads still have a part of them that’s down to earth so you have no reason to roll your eyes at them every time they spew some grand speech on what they do. His relationship with Rin and her occasional reality checks to him are what help take off the edge.

  7. Di Gi Kazune says:

    For those who want more Illya:

  8. skylion says:

    I think my only real complaint about the show is that “expression teacher” was just that. He got to little characterization to late, so by the time that Archer killed him, a meat sack hit the floor with so little dignity. Which is a shame, cause so much of that was reflected upon Medea. Luckily her passing had so much drama to it, that her Master’s passing could be forgiven it’s slack.

    • Kyokai says:

      He is sadly a less interesting Kirei. And of course his one expression doesn’t help either. In the VN he was not killed off like a log and I do have issues with these deviations but oh well, you win some and lose some.

      • belatkuro says:

        Kuzuki gets some development in Ataraxia. It’s there that most of the characters that lacked some development in the main game got some much needed attention. Kuzuki, Caster, Lancer, and Rider all got their backstories there.
        The first part of episode 17 with Kuzuki telling his own story was from Ataraxia.

        • Di Gi Kazune says:

          You killed Lancer!
          You aren’t human!

        • BlackBriar says:

          The Fate universe really is spread throughout various outlets… Games, LNs, etc… Seems a whole room could get cramped with the stuff.

          • Kyokai says:

            Room wouldn’t be enough. Try a palace or better yet, a Reality Marble.

            • BlackBriar says:

              Or maybe an ever-expanding universe.

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              IskanGAR: Waga no hougu! Ionian Hetairoi ni nari!

              Golden Pikachu: Pfft! My treasury can hold all that and ONLY the best! Behold! The Golden Eroge!

            • BlackBriar says:

              Expect pillagers in the future.

      • BlackBriar says:

        If Kuzuki had a will and drive of his own, he would be another Kirei. He was like a hollow vessel waiting for someone to impose their own purpose on him.

        • Kyokai says:

          In a way, he’s another Eldest Kiritsugu, without a mad scientist mind.

          • BlackBriar says:

            And his fighting capabilities. All that strength but no will to use it. Kind of a waste.

  9. Kyokai says:

    How about the general EXPECTATIONS for the next episode?

    • Di Gi Kazune says:

      GARcherlicious. Actually, I’m expecting a talking heads episode after ufotable blew the budget on the past few eppisodes.

    • BlackBriar says:

      Based on the preview, Shiro and Archer having a personal talk before fighting one another.

      • Kyokai says:

        I can only hope the talk is not for the entire episode. Let’s not forget Saber who should try her best too. Though, she’s weak atm.

        • BlackBriar says:

          After fighting off Caster’s influence for all this time, I’d say Saber’s power is less than half.

        • Di Gi Kazune says:

          She will be back to 200% by the end of the episode! The preview reveals all! Be my sword!

    • Di Gi Kazune says:

      What Saber should have done in the past:

  10. Di Gi Kazune says:

    Hahahah! Next week!

    Show ▼

  11. Di Gi Kazune says:

    Starlog 15-5-5.

    Bad Shinji. BAD wannabe molestor shinji. got his just desserts.

    Show ▼

    Also.

    Show ▼

  12. Di Gi Kazune says:

    Starlog 15-5-24
    Show ▼

    Also UBW = Unlimited Boringchat Works. 😛 Though somehow I think this is much truer to the VN. There will be those that say wheretf is my action! 😛

    Also, someone is behind schedule. 😛 UPW – Unlimited Procrastinating Works!

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