Overall Rating
Excellent
Story: 5
Dialogue: 5
Animation: 5
Entertainment: 5
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The continuation of the Fate/Zero anime, and certainly no letdown for fans of the Fate series.
The story is well-written and keeps a consistent pace even after the break. Story development is very quick, but nonetheless manages to uphold a certain level of suspense without making its viewers lose track, although you need to pay a bit attention.
The same old conflict, still quite intriguing, with a real end this time that, although known (at least to Fate/Stay Night watchers), wraps up the events from the first season well, leaving but tiniest plot holes and overall providing a good conclusion, resolving a few twists and turns that occurred along the way. (One of those was way clichéd. Berserker’s background, anyone? :/ Ah geez… wouldn’t want to spoiler more. :P It turned part of the last one or two eps a little sour for me, but that’s a minor issue regarding the overall great story execution and complexity.) Direct tie into Fate/Stay Night in the last half episode, and although FSN’s long over, that reference got pretty well done with everyone being kept in character as far as I could see.
Characters? The same old, except perhaps that their psychological design gains a wholly new level with the fact that here’s a deeper look into some characters’ backgrounds; and honestly, half the character cast is a mess. That doesn’t make them any less vibrant or intriguing however, and, if you dare step into the realms of liberal interpretation, even might introduce another touch of philosophy on human nature, its darker sides, and the like. Pure love! XD Even putting philosophy aside, the master/servant relationships are depicted in more depth, and prove just as interesting as in the first half.
Dialogue: It’s known in its style by now, but that doesn’t make it any less masterfully done; complex, plentiful, but not exaggerated, with emotion, a touch of philosophy, and small, although now fewer bits of comedy. No new seiyuu in known charas, so no confusion can arise either.
Animation: Same excellent style and artwork as in the first season, and the music fits as well. Try and watch the whole thing in HD, it’s truly an experience.
Entertainment: Well, what else is there to say? There’s less humour than in the first season, but therefore more dramatic turns of events, more shocking moments (several characters’ psychology only helps with that), and a good measure of emotion interwoven. Once again, Fate/Zero shocks with top-notch action and animation, a fast-paced story with intriguing characters, excellent dynamics and development, spot-on dialogue, and a wide variety of genres, from action/adventure over fantasy, magic and horror, to drama, romance, comedy, bits of history, and even legends incorporated.
Fate/Zero overall is definitely geared towards a mature audience. 16+ IMO; if not for its content of blood and violence anyways, it’s for twisted characters and cruelty; I wouldn’t dare call it exaggerated in any way (not like Elfen Lied with its gore), but it’s not suited for kids. Among the older viewers out there, however, I’d definitely recommend Fate/Zero to lovers of the supernatural/action genre, or merely those who want something with a more complex story and more intriguing character design than is found in the grander part of animes. Personally, I never was too keen on Fate/Stay Night, but I absolutely love the whole package that is Fate/Zero. ^_^
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