Unleashing the True Power: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works' Impact Still Astounds!

Highlights

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is a visually stunning series that set new standards for animation in TV anime.

The series effectively highlights Shirou Emiya's character development, depicting his intricate internal conflicts and idealistic convictions. Although there are some issues with the pacing and directing, the show as a whole offers a deeply enjoyable and captivating experience due to its compelling storyline and relatable characters.

Caution: The subsequent text contains small spoilers for Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works is undeniably one of Ufotable's significant productions, as it played a significant role in establishing the studio's somewhat deceptive image of having an "unlimited budget." Despite the studio's subsequent achievements, notably Demon Slayer, UBW remains quite impressive, although it may experience a few minor setbacks that we may not readily acknowledge.

The Good

Unlimited Blade Works, directed by Takahiro Miura and based on the highly acclaimed visual novel from 2004, once again takes us on Shirou Emiya's quest to secure victory in the Holy Grail War. This adaptation stands out not only because of Rin Tohsaka's role as the female protagonist, but also due to a narrative that fiercely challenges Shirou's ideals and the sacrifices he must make in pursuit of his dream to become a "hero of justice."

From the very beginning, this series maintains its remarkable quality and appears to surpass the usual standards of TV anime. The use of CGI in anime still raises concerns among both the industry and its fans. However, Ufotable's meticulous implementation of digital effects successfully integrated 3D elements into the narrative. This was a significant milestone for the studio, showcasing their ongoing innovation and foreshadowing even more extraordinary endeavors as avid followers have witnessed.

The moment Archer and Lancer clashed their blades in the prologue episode, it felt like a bold statement was being made. The action in Fate anime would never be the same again, both in conception and animation. The distinct bassy soundscape created by Yasumasa Koyama, which became synonymous with UBW, would also be featured in four other Fate entries, including the latest installment, Fate/strange Fake.

While some fans might prefer a more subdued approach, it was difficult not to feel a sense of excitement while watching the battle unfold. Even now, it is evident that the audience is witnessing a clash between gods. Although other Fate shows would later push the boundaries even further, UBW set the trend, which was especially impressive considering it followed the equally stunning Fate/Zero series.

The Great

Watching Unlimited Blade Works immediately after Fate/Zero greatly enhances the story. Fate/Zero, with its tragic tale of Kiritsugu Emiya, offered a glimmer of hope at its conclusion. This hope lives on through Kiritsugu's son, Shirou Emiya, whose journey in UBW serves as a powerful and persuasive rebuttal to the themes explored in the preceding series.

In recent years, Shirou has become an adored character within the community, which is quite astonishing considering he used to provoke considerable debate among audiences. While he may appear ordinary at first glance, there lies deep within him a multitude of inner struggles that may not be readily apparent without the presence of an internal monologue or effective visual storytelling. One of the most noteworthy of these struggles is his enduring guilt as a survivor of the ill-fated conclusion to the previous Holy Grail War.

Furthermore, his ideals may give the impression of naivety and simplicity. However, when one comprehends the hardships he has endured and acknowledges the unwavering strength of his convictions despite these experiences, it becomes difficult not to admire him. Although his ideals may be deemed unrealistic, they are not merely the product of innocence. Instead, his philosophy, deemed foolish by the rest of the world, carries a sense of beauty due to the foundation of trauma upon which it is built.

This captivating journey culminates in exhilarating battles that surpass any in the entire franchise. Unlimited Blade Works serves as exceptional pro-Shiro propaganda, surpassing what even the most dedicated fans could articulate. Stories like these contribute to the overall cathartic and visually pleasing nature of Fate. Additionally, it boasts a decent love story, even if the writers were hesitant to solidify Shirou and Rin's relationship before the conclusion.

But all of the aforementioned praise has mostly been preaching to the converted at this stage. It is common knowledge that UBW has exquisite animation and a majority of viewers can acknowledge that Shirou is quite impressive, even though fans may argue that the visual novel delves deeper into his character development. Although this critique does not aim to make a direct comparison between the series and its source material, it will be brutally honest about the pacing and direction.

The Not-So-Great

Although UBW is a thematically-aligned sequel to Fate/Zero, the direction by Ei Aoki in Zero surpasses it. The show's duration is somewhat excessive, yet not ample to maximize the potential of its ensemble cast. Furthermore, while the artwork remains consistent overall, the non-action sequences can differ in their visual appeal.

The comparison between Fate/Zero and the following story may draw criticism, considering they are distinct narratives penned by different writers. However, the intention is simply to highlight that Fate/Zero had superior direction and a more engaging sense of suspense, though both shows encounter similar issues.

There is a consistent pattern in Fate shows with two seasons, where the second half tends to lack momentum in its initial stages. In the case of UBW, the beginning of Season 2 unfortunately sidelines Saber in a rather disrespectful manner. Despite her unfortunate condition, the other characters lack a sense of urgency, resulting in a series of episodes that progress at an incredibly slow pace.

Given that this is an adaptation focusing on just one storyline, some characters naturally have less screen time compared to others. The anime does justice to most of the cast, supported by creative liberties approved by the author, Kinoko Nasu. However, it would have been nice to see more of the cast considering the pacing could have been improved.

Assassin, for instance, makes a strong initial impression but then fades into the background for a significant part of the story. Even Illya, who receives an episode exploring her backstory, is quickly sidelined after the audience learns about her. While she does have a more prominent role in the Heaven's Feel route, fans are aware of how the anime handles her character in that particular story.

The Takeaway

Despite its shortcomings, this show remains incredibly enjoyable, even after nine years. It quickly became a success that both its creators celebrated and criticized themselves for setting such high expectations. While fans have pondered what could have been if Ufotable had adapted the Fate route instead, following up with Fate/Zero was actually the perfect choice.

Ultimately, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works still packs a punch, leaving no room for doubt. There may be debates about how well it portrays the story and whether its creative changes truly enhance it, but at its core, it holds a strong narrative with relatable characters.