Fate/Stay Night: For a classic...

Written by Little_Wolf-18 on April 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM

For a classic, this anime is decent, but I found it to have wasted potential.

A nice pastime for fantasy/mystery/action lovers, that’s for sure. However, for frequently being cited as a classic, “Fate/Stay Night” was a bit of a disappointment for me.

The story’s concept surely is unique, and adds a quite creative twist to your usual “King Arthur and the Holy Grail” story (and quite a number of other legends as well). However, as this apparently is based on a game, following but a single path of the game, they seemed to try to fit a lot of stuff into a standard length series… and that doesn’t go unnoticed. The pace is inconsistent, and some of the later episodes felt rather rushed to me.

The story takes some getting into; it is quite slow and predictable at first until it picks up pace. Some things stay hazy throughout most of the anime. The plotline in itself is pretty easy, and to me, expecting something rather complex, was a disappointment. Sometimes it can get rather clichéd; although it has its moments that will surely absorb you and leave you concentrated, it’s nothing I’d get an adrenaline rush about. There’s still grand spaces to develop, even in the logical department; though the end wraps the anime up well, there’s too many mysteries unsolved. I assume you’ll have to watch the whole Fate series before everything works out >.>

The general concept however is an intriguing one, throwing an unexpectedly deep question at the viewer. “If you could have your greatest wish granted, what would you be prepared to do for that?” Concerning this question, “Fate/Stay Night” plays on real-life consequences, adding an unexpected level of depth.

Genre-wise, there’s the fantasy/supernatural/action genre with a mystery/suspense element (that will probably leave you concentrated, though it didn’t have me on the edge of my chair), a touch of drama, friendship, and romance. It’s not as action-heavy as many may assume. Although there are a few funny moments, this anime does not focus on humour and stays rather dark with some blood. There’s many emotions, and as the anime does a decent job of getting those across, it’s rather touching from time to time (though still the magic/mystery/action genre overweighs :P).

Character-wise, again, “Fate/Stay Night” could have gone to greater lengths IMO. The characters’ emotions get across well, and I do think the heroic spirits would surprise anyone (… spoiler? To make King Arthur a woman, the producers must have been either brave or drunk ^^°… Spoiler End XD), and I found it easy to appreciate how every heroic spirit is in a way a reflection of their master; however, most heroes’ mysteries and backgrounds stay completely unsolved, though the few that have been shown till now work. Characters in general are individuals with fitting powers, though I couldn’t help but feel like many side characters could have shown more development throughout the series, making them seem rather flat and somehow clichéd in the end – which is a pity, seen as there lay great potential in the character cast.

Saber and Shirou’s relationship, however, is quite unexpected, and their individual development is well done. At first, Shirou is somehow immature, a bit too idealistic and somehow boring, and him suddenly noticing a new power did evoke this reaction => “Where the heck did I see that before?!” but he drops that immaturity after a while and develops just finely.

The dialogue can become philosophical from time to time (which I love) but it did get somehow repetitive by the end; and in the beginning the main character's naivety and "I'll save the world" lines were rather unnerving to me ^^° giving it 3.5/5.

The battles in general are rather straightforward and could have been drawn out longer (and that’s coming from not even a hardcore action lover! XD) However, each character’s special skills are fitting, and though the animation isn’t quite 2011/12 level, the fights are swift and smooth, and the art works well with dark colours and bright lights. The music overall is quite fitting as well.

IMO this anime had far greater potential in terms of plotline and character development than is shown. Especially in comparison to its newer prequel, “Fate/Zero”, “Fate/Stay Night” thus pales. Generally though, despite not being that outstanding to me, “Fate/Stay Night” is seen as a classic and might be a good pastime for anyone who appreciates the fantasy/mystery/action genre with some romance and drama, but doesn’t place too much stress on a complex plot or the like.