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Fate/Zero

General Info

Fate/Zero logo
GenresAction & Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Music ByYuki Kajiura, Yoshikazu Iwanami, Yasunori Mori, Hiroki Nozaki
Edited ByManabu Kamino, Hideki Takemura, Jin Hon'ami
StarringAyako Kawasumi, Rikiya Koyama, Akio Otsuka, Akira Ishida, Ayumi Tsunematsu, Daisuke Namikawa, Hikaru Midorikawa, Jouji Nakata, Megumi Toyoguchi, Ryotaro Okiayu, Satoshi Tsuruoka, Sayaka Ohara, Show Hayami, Takumi Yamazaki, Tarusuke Shingaki, Tomokazu Seki
Languagesja
Directed ByEi Aoki, Kei Tsunematsu
Produced ByHikaru Kondo, Takashi Takeuchi, Atsuhiro Iwakami, Katsushi Oota, Yoshinao Doi, Ryu Suzuki
Release Date2011-10-02
Running Time25
Screenplay ByKinoko Nasu, Gen Urobuchi
TV Series NameFate/Zero
Content Rating8.1
Distributed ByTokyo MX, Gunma TV
Original TitleFate/Zero
CinematographyYuichi Terao
Country of OriginJP
Number of Seasons2
Number of Episodes25
World Premiere Date2011-10-02
Production Company Nameufotable, STUDIO MAUSU, Aniplex, Seikaisha, TYPE-MOON, Nitroplus
Production Company Website URLhttp://www.fate-zero.jp/
The sequel to the hugely popular Fate/stay night series, Fate/Zero is an engaging anime full of intensity, intrigue and magic. This series delves into the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki, 10 years before the events of Fate/Stay Night. Focusing on Kiritsugu Emiya, a merciless wizard assassin, Fate/Zero shows his struggle to win the Holy Grail War alongside his servant Saber. Featuring wonderfully eclectic pairings of masters and servants, the series offers a fascinating exploration of their deepest desires, fears and motivations. The complex storyline combined with the amazing animations and sounds makes for an unparalleled viewing experience. Eyewitness accounts unfold beautifully through spellbinding battles, terrifying choices and tragic sacrifices, revealing the dark nature of a war where there can only be one winner. Fate/Zero is more than just an action series, it is also a dramatic journey that is complicated by beautiful storylines. Due to the intense scenes, the viewer is advised to exercise discretion.

Trailer

Overview

Fate/Zero delves into the depths of the Holy Grail War, a brutal competition to decide who gets to wish for the all-powerful Holy Grail. This prequel to Fate/Stay Night is a dark tale of the events leading up to the fourth Holy Grail War. We follow Kiritsugu Emiya, a mercenary known as the Magus Killer who, despite being a participant, resents war and its devastating consequences.
A complex web of alliances and betrayals adds an exciting dimension to the intense, high-stakes battle. In addition to Kiritsugu, other powerful sorcerers engage in deadly confrontations with their heroic spirit servants drawn from notable characters in history and legend. Fate/Zero focuses on exploring ideologies, exploring the ideals of characters and the lengths they are willing to go to achieve their goals. The melancholic tone testifies that there is no clear demarcation of good or evil in war, only different shades of gray. Beautifully animated and beautifully composed, Fate/Zero leaves a lasting impression with its inspiring theme and compelling storyline. Set the stage for the events told in Fate/Night of Fate by contributing to a better understanding of the Fate universe.

Plot

Fate/Zero is a tragic prelude to the events of Fate/Fate Night. Ten years earlier, the Fourth Holy Grail War would begin in Fuyuki. Seven wizards chosen by the Holy Grail must engage in a brutal battle with their heroic spirits, fueled by history and mythology, in order to possess a magical artifact that promises to grant all of the victor's wishes.
Protagonist Emiya Kiritsugu, aka Magus Killer, fights not out of personal desire, but to save the world from disaster. Combining magic with modern weaponry, he doesn't hesitate to use ruthless tactics to win. However, his servant, Arthur's incarnation Saber, strongly disapproves of such methods.
Kotomine Kirei, a seemingly callous priest who wants to discover his true nature, becomes a major player in this war. Aided by his servant, the infamous and fearsome Gilgamesh, he turns his attention to Kiritsugu as a means to satisfy his sadistic desires.
Fate/Zero is a story of clashing ideologies that tests the ideals and shattered beliefs of each participant amid the carnage of the Holy Grail War. As they travel, they come face to face with the meaning of life, death and their own reasons for fighting.

Production

Fate/Zero was the joint creation of four main entities; Type-Moon, Aniplex, Nitroplus and ufotable. Planning and development of the series began in 2009 and the show aired in 2011. An original light novel written by General Urobuchi of Nitroplus was the main basis of the show. Known for his extensive knowledge of the Fate franchise, Type-Moon oversaw the series. Meanwhile, Aniplex worked on distributing the series to bring it to audiences. The animation studio, ufotable, played a key role in the development. Renowned for their stunning graphics, fantastic use of color and incredible detail, ufotable has taken Fate/Zero's animation quality to a new level. Their work was so well received that their unique animation style has now become synonymous with the Fate series.
Ei Aoki lent his directorial skills to the project with crisp and fluid action sequences that kept the audience in suspense. The character designs by Atsushi Ikariya were faithful to Takashi Takeuchi's original interpretations in the light novel, capturing the essence of each character. Yuki Kajiura's musical composition added depth to the series' emotional heaviness. His orchestral scores resonated with the majesty of the Holy Grail War, heightened the intensity of the battles, and added a melancholy tone to the characters' personal struggles.
Overall, the harmonious combination of these elements in production gave birth to Fate/Zero, creating an anime series that remains a staple of the Type-Moon universe.

Release

Fate/Zero, the spectacular prequel to the acclaimed Fate/Stay Night anime series, debuted in 2011. in October Focusing on the Fourth Holy Grail War, it offered viewers a deeply immersive experience full of complex character development. shocking conflicts and deep moral questions. After the end of the series in 2012 in June, each of its 25-episode run has taken its viewers on a harrowing journey.
This hugely successful series was born from the brilliant minds at ufotable's original studio, who used their immeasurable talent to bring General Urobuchi's novel to life in breathtaking animation quality. Couple that with Yuki Kajiura's song and Kalafina's haunting ending themes, and there's no doubt that Fate/Zero effortlessly captivates its audience from start to finish. Working with the creators of the original TYPE-MOON series and writer Gen Urobuchi, Fate/Zero successfully expanded the universe. Critics generally regard the series as a phenomenon that actually maintains an atmosphere of genuine exploration of the human condition in a world shaped by struggle and grand ambition. The series managed to establish itself as a benchmark not only for trailers, but also for anime as a whole. Available on multiple platforms, this wholesome show gives everyone access to one of the true wonders of the anime world.

Reception

Fate/Zero received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critics have widely praised the series for its complex story, compelling characters, and high-quality animation. The complexity of the story is due to the perfect interweaving of psychology, philosophy and morality, which is widely recognized as a great element of this series. Above all, the series' exploration and broad depiction of various value systems is welcome as an intellectual treat.
Equally compelling are the characters who embody these different worldviews. Audiences were drawn to expertly crafted characters such as Kiritsugu Emiya and Sabras, whose intricate personalities allow for deep character exploration. Their aspirations, struggles and potential tragedies are thoughtful, emotional and resonant.
The high quality animation is where Fate/Zero gets the most praise. In particular, the action scenes were chosen for their highly detailed and dynamic animation. The series provides visual spectacle and aesthetic visual pleasure. All in all, Fate/Zero offers the perfect synthesis of a tightly woven story, meaningful characters, and visually stunning animation that combined to make the series a memorable addition to the anime industry.

Cultural impact

The Fate/Zero series has left an indelible mark on popular culture not only in Japan, but around the world. The allegorical meanings and metaphysical dialogue have made the series appeal to a large audience that transcends anime's traditional target demographic. Its immense influence is seen in various aspects of modern culture.
More broadly, the philosophical and moral themes of Fate/Zero have sparked intellectual debate and analysis among fans and academics alike. The series is often referenced in discussions of the ethical implications of exercising power and the consequences of one's actions. The inspiring story inspired other creators in the anime industry, culminating in the production of series with strikingly similar themes and concepts.
Outside of anime and manga, the influence of the Fate/Zero series has also extended into the realm of video games. Many video games have adopted the unique magic system depicted in the series, and the innovative "servant master" mechanic has become a staple of RPGs.
The representational diversity of Fate/Zero's characters has also been praised for its contribution to a broader cultural dialogue about representation in popular media. The series has an established reputation for its strong and diverse cast, which re-imagines historical and mythical figures from different cultures and gives the story an inclusive and multicultural feel. Fate/Zero also heavily influenced cosplay culture, with fans emulating the elaborate costumes and character designs. The series continued to be represented at conventions, a testament to its continued resonance in pop culture. In addition, the unforgettable soundtrack has found its place in the realm of anime music, which is often performed during anime orchestra concerts.
At its core, Fate/Zero is more than just an animated series. It has become a cultural phenomenon, its influence knows no bounds and continues to unfold in both subtle and profound forms, setting the benchmark for compelling storytelling and rich characterization for anime as a whole.