Overall Rating
Good
Story: 3
Dialogue: 4
Animation: 4
Entertainment: 4
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For a classic, this anime is decent, but I found it to have wasted potential.
A nice pastime for fantasy/mystery/action lovers, thatâs for sure. However, for frequently being cited as a classic, âFate/Stay Nightâ was a bit of a disappointment for me.
The storyâs concept surely is unique, and adds a quite creative twist to your usual âKing Arthur and the Holy Grailâ 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 doesnât 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 clichĂŠd; although it has its moments that will surely absorb you and leave you concentrated, itâs nothing Iâd get an adrenaline rush about. Thereâs still grand spaces to develop, even in the logical department; though the end wraps the anime up well, thereâs too many mysteries unsolved. I assume youâll 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. âIf you could have your greatest wish granted, what would you be prepared to do for that?â Concerning this question, âFate/Stay Nightâ plays on real-life consequences, adding an unexpected level of depth.
Genre-wise, thereâs the fantasy/supernatural/action genre with a mystery/suspense element (that will probably leave you concentrated, though it didnât have me on the edge of my chair), a touch of drama, friendship, and romance. Itâs 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. Thereâs many emotions, and as the anime does a decent job of getting those across, itâs rather touching from time to time (though still the magic/mystery/action genre overweighs :P).
Character-wise, again, âFate/Stay Nightâ could have gone to greater lengths IMO. The charactersâ 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 heroesâ 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 couldnât help but feel like many side characters could have shown more development throughout the series, making them seem rather flat and somehow clichĂŠd in the end â which is a pity, seen as there lay great potential in the character cast.
Saber and Shirouâs 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 => âWhere the heck did I see that before?!â 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 thatâs coming from not even a hardcore action lover! XD) However, each characterâs special skills are fitting, and though the animation isnât 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, âFate/Zeroâ, âFate/Stay Nightâ thus pales. Generally though, despite not being that outstanding to me, âFate/Stay Nightâ 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 doesnât place too much stress on a complex plot or the like.
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