It has come to my attention that I incorrectly marked the first episode as “episode 1” when it is, in actuality, episode 00. Haha, my bad, thinking that episode counts usually start with one like what the fuck. In any event, I have since rectified the original post to match this count.
Wow, interesting take. We see the “episode 0” from an entirely new perspective, that is to say, “Shirou’s perspective”. Wait, why would we want to do that? After all, who really likes Shirou?
Honestly, the Shirou that ufotable (and techincally, type MOON) have portrayed is truer to his original character and much more likeable (and a lot less rash, thus far). But in many ways, he is very much the same Emiya kid we’ve known for a decade – Kind to a fault, honest to a fault, and wants nothing more than to help others. Sounds generic as shit on paper but I can’t help but feel that Ufotable has portrayed him in a way that feels more realistic and a little bit more sensible. Very much his own person and as stated before, much more likeable and perhaps, dare I say it? Even relatable.
The same can be said of others that were in Shirou’s ilk, such as Sakura, whom I personally found annoying and worthless, previously. She’s just sweet and responsible here. What’s not to like with her?
Shinji is still the same as ever (Those of us that have played Fate / Extra should have an especially strong distaste for him) – a complete flaming jackass that beats his sister and uh, engages in other activities too. Sorry, not going into detail there, anybody who has ever read the original novel or been on 4chan for more than a week probably knows what I mean though. Actually, do even I know what I mean? I don’t know! (What the fuck is this paragraph even saying (just kidding, I know what I’m saying, just messing with you)).
Kotomine gets to undergo the storied Type MOON rite of passage, that is, explaining the grail war while walking in a circle. He does it well. Being a douche comes naturally to him, as it would seem.
The Saber we are seeing here is, after all, a not-fully-materialized-Saber with a significant power nerf due to Shirou being unable to fully manifest her. After all, he has no formal magus training. Berserk shows up, and it seems we’re in the thick of the plot! Here goes!
