Fate/Zero’s characters have certainly experienced much since the series’ beginning long ago, a pre-warring period, all the way till now – a point in time which most of them have likely already faced desolation.
Either horrible death, tragedy, trauma, or some sort of crazed transformation in favor of iniquity – indeed, there’s been many gradual revelations changing the lives of Fate/Zero’s cast either for better or worse. The comparative charts below arrange the masters, as well as a few relevant individuals, side-by-side as seen in their earlier days – and then later moments, which for most proves a scene unfortunate.
Kiritsugu, of course, isn’t looking too healthy – and neither is his wife Irisviel who he’s strangling to death himself. On the other hand, Kirei looks as if he’s living the pinnacle of his life – the only one smiling throughout all the images.
Kariya has gone from being in a state not-so-great, to completely wrecked on from the inside-out – he was essentially on a path of destruction from the start, and as many assumed from the start, there was never any hope for his goal or character. Yet in another ironic contrast, puny Waver-kun has gone from a frail feminine male with low self-esteem, to an unwavering and confident individual – driven intently to achieve and succeed with unshakable determination.
As for the rest of the characters, some sort of passing or sadistic horror awaits them – yet it’s worth mentioning that “Cool!” seems to have been the only one to sustain the same expression from the transition of life to death. And on another note, the only survivor with flying colors who will go on to be an inspirational tsundere success is the loli – Tohsaka Rin.
Overall, it appears the moral is that lolis are guaranteed to succeed by default.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 11:40 CDT
Kiritsugu’s grief…illyasviel’s wrath…kirei’s impatience..kariya’s helplessness..waver’s coming of age..aoi’s madness??…archibald’s death…tohsaka’s cuteness :D…well done
Jun 23, 2012 @ 11:44 CDT
Rin Tohsaka is the super ultimate in kawaii – even when she gets older.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 12:37 CDT
I can’t help but giggle a little everytime people compare fate/stay night with fate/zero. Of course Fate/zero’s animation is better, because of the better funded studio, coupled with all of the mainstream fandom support of the fate series, in addition to the advancement in animation technology (sure it may only be like 5-7 years, but in technology terms, that’s quite a gap of time). I do have the admit that the story for fate/zero is better captured than its sequel. However, it is important to remember that without fate/stay night anime, there would be no fate/zero. It was the fate/stay night anime that really catapulted the series into the mainstream spotlight. No, Tsukihime doesn’t count because it did not attract the fandom Fate/stay night did. Therefore, I really feel (this is my personal bias here) that people should at least respect fate/stay night for what it is, an anime that offered something a bit different from other animes (such as a fully clothed heroine that didn’t wait for someone to conveniently save her, although that did happen).
Jun 23, 2012 @ 12:42 CDT
“However, it is important to remember that without fate/stay night anime, there would be no fate/zero. It was the fate/stay night anime that really catapulted the series into the mainstream spotlight.”
Yes, it wasn’t the visual novels, the light novels, the manga, or the doujin scene which Type-Moon managed to dominate effortlessly, but the sub-par anime series.
Forgive my sarcasm, though the Fate series could stand on its feet without a poorly done animation under its belt – particularly when speaking in respect to pleasing the hardcore fans of the series. Perhaps Fate/Stay Night did propel the Fate series quicker into mainstream light – though I believe such would have been inevitable at some point either way. Type-Moon was already on a roll – and they still are.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 12:49 CDT
I respect Fate/Stay Night very much, for it was one of the first anime I’ve watched (the third one, I guess – if you don’t count the shows I watched as a kid, when I didn’t know what the word anime stood for), and the one who introduced me to my favorite franchise. Saber has also been my favorite character since than, though I actually liked her more in Fate/Zero too xD (The novel though…)
But there’s no denying that the Fate/Zero is a way better adaptation. Not only the animation, but the storyline itself is presented exactly like the LN, it’s consistent and not convulted, while F/SN decided to mix up stuff from all routes, resulting in some rather vague references and loose treads.
That’s not all there is to it either, I find the original material to be better too. Yes, the F/SN VN is quite good, but personally I prefer the F/Z VN. The story is darker (though F/SN is rather dark too, especially the Heaven’s Feel route) and doesn’t waste too much in meaningless scenes. It also brings up a bigger range of issues worth reflecting about.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 13:01 CDT
I remember Fate /Stay Night was the 3rd anime i watched….i didn’t hate it like most people..really loved the concept and all…And then the UBW movie…was longing for more…then played the visual novel which really showed me the many ways in which the anime was flawed…and then after tsukihime came this masterpiece FATE/ZERO…a darker gritty take on the war….while Zero is the story of kiritsugu..fate is the story of shirou and saber,rin,sakura considering all the three routes.IMO both have their own ups and downs…but you come to appreciate stay night more after watching zero…
Jun 23, 2012 @ 13:19 CDT
Kiritsugu wasn’t killing his wife. Iri was already dead, and Ilya is thousands of miles away, soon to be corrupted by the Einzberns. They’re just illusions created by the Grail. Though I admit that picture captured Kiritsugu’s despair very well. He’s already got blood on his hands(and face) and he’s going to spill more blood to undo his mistake.
My final memory of Kirei is his cursing fate that their confrontation was decided by who woke up first, and him pleading to Kiritsugu to give him the Grail.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 13:21 CDT
I was joking a bit when I said Kiritsugu killed his wife – you have my feelings on it spot on correct.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 13:46 CDT
Upon reflection(before bedtime), the pic of Kirei is quite spot on. In the beginning he is empty, searching for something to fill his heart, to stimulate him, ‘entertain’ him, a purpose to devote his energies and his entire being to achieve.
In the end, he found it. And he’s more than satisfied and happy. He’s ‘over the moon’ about it.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 20:03 CDT
Why the inverted commas on Over the moon? :3
Jokes aside. Tohsaka is still stepping all over shiro as she would be. Think that picture is from Carnival Phantasm but still fitting :3
Jun 23, 2012 @ 20:12 CDT
Those are apostrophes.
Jun 23, 2012 @ 20:50 CDT
HERP DERP MAH BAD T__T
But it leaves no room for puns D: WHYY!!
Jun 23, 2012 @ 23:03 CDT
There’s never any room for puns – puns have to make the room.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 6:47 CDT
Fate/stay night is beautiful. Although many fans out there almost turn to Fate/Zero hardcore and start to call “Fate/stay night anime is shit/suck.” As a fan of Type Moon from the very begining, I’m sad to see how people behave so ungratefully.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 7:12 CDT
@Fuyumi, the F/SN anime indeed sucks, they’re not ungrateful, rather, disappointed how such a great Visual Novel had an anime which undoubtably, sucked necroshit, it combined the three routes unnecessarily, resulting in a jumbled up story, which compared to the VN, is just plain out trash, whereas F/Z got an excellent animation that did justice to the source material, with only few complaining about trivial stuff like about how Kiritsugu and Kirei’s fight was supposed to be more badass, or how berserker was supposed to have his backstory, It’s actually understandable that everyone will think that the anime of F/SN sucks.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 7:50 CDT
Those are hardly trivial. 2 of the ones you’ve mentioned are part its 3 most climatic scenes. Between Gil vs. Rider, Saber vs. Berserker and Kirei vs. Kiritsugu, the focus on Gil vs. Rider was too noticable compared the others. Worst part is, it’s flaws became apparent because it put in the ending.
Not saying it’s bad though, it’s still by far my favorite anime of 2012, but to say it’s flaws are trivial is wrong.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 8:48 CDT
I say it’s trivial because frankly, it’s a pretty damn good anime despite what they did with it, it’s not a perfect adaptation, but it’s close to perfection.
It was an excellent anime all the way, and I think that the way the anime was an adaptation that did justice to the series, with only so many flaws, we should be glad that despite the changes, it still turned out as something mindblowing and didn’t turn into necrocrud.
Although, that could have made it so much better though, but it was Urobuchi’s decision, I respect that, despite ufotable’s insisting in following the LN faithfully to the end. And there were also other factors like Time and Budget, so I think this is the greatest an adaptation is gonna get.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:16 CDT
Yeah yeah
Fate/Zero have Kerry as main character. Most adults know how to handle things which I find it boring in anime. Saber’s character is flat as her chest. They shouldn’t make a 2nd season just make it 24 episodes goddamnit.
Fate/Stay Night have Shirou as main character. It’s much more interesting to see what will happen to someone like Shirou being a part of this pointless war. I have a lot of respect for Saber in F/SN… Like I said… DAT ENDING
Don’t get me wrong. Fate/Zero is GREAT! But I prefer Fate/Stay Night
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:24 CDT
“Fate/Zero have Kerry as main character. Most adults know how to handle things which I find it boring in anime”
So you would rather watch a gang of people who have no idea what they’re doing (not directing at anything here) rather than adults who completely know what they’re doing, trying to outwit each other and using everything in their resources, from tactics, to tricks, to best their opponent?
“Fate/Stay Night have Shirou as main character. It’s much more interesting to see what will happen to someone like Shirou being a part of this pointless war”
No offense, but I think that if F/SN Shirou was part of the Holy Grail War here, he would get massacred in no time, his righteous attitude will not save his life from the Merciless characters in F/Z, furthermore, there are no allies, only enemies in the 4th grail war.
And…
Shirou was more likable in UBW and Heaven’s Feel, in case you didn’t know.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:54 CDT
“So you would rather watch a gang of people who have no idea what they’re doing (not directing at anything here) rather than adults who completely know what they’re doing, trying to outwit each other and using everything in their resources, from tactics, to tricks, to best their opponent?”
Well, I didn’t really mean it like that. What I dislike the most about Zero is it does not have a main character or a heroine. Just sit here and watch a group of people killing each other is kinda lack of sympathy. The fighting scenes is awesome, though.
Fate gives me impression of Saber while UBW and HF give me impression of Shirou.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:05 CDT
“What I dislike the most about Zero is it does not have a main character or a heroine.”
although in turn, that’s what’s best with it for others, you can root for everyone you like, whether it’s Kirei and Gilgamesh, Rider and Waver, Iri and Saber, Kariya and Berserker, and many others, each have their own story, their own personality, and that’s what makes it so hard on who to root for.
What I like about F/Z is, it’s not all about the MC, but rather, everyone, even the antagonists, are responsible for making the story go round.
And although Kerry as the MC, he was unique out of them all, he didn’t act all heroic, yet he did things as they are most convenient for him and will do everything, even underhanded tricks to complete the task, this IMO, is original.
Although, I guess it’s merely preference to count on whether you like a merciless killing machine who does it all for the sake of his definition of justice, and a man who does all that is righteous to achieve justice.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 15:54 CDT
There are numerous animes which are good, despite not being perfect, and frankly I doubt there is a perfect anime. Being good doesn’t make its flaws any thing less, and I somehow doubt Fate/zero close to being perfect. Although I don’t believe having less flaws automatically makes an anime better.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 7:28 CDT
I don’t think you should make generalizations. In all honesty, I really do think the anime is horrid, but no way in hell do I hate it. How could I? introduced me to the Fate franchise, and type-moon in general.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 7:38 CDT
I guess that we agree that the anime of F/SN is in fact terrible.
well, for me, what introduced me to T-Moon was F/Unlimited Codes, wasn’t really interested to the Nasuverse back then, but then what really sucked me in was F/Z, got curious, watched the F/SN anime to the end, hated it, read the LN, astounded by it, played MB, watched the Tsukihime Anime (mistake, great mistake right here), thought that was horrid, read its manga, thought it was a masterpiece, and then finally played the LN of Tsukihime to see the other routes.
But I guess we each have our own first when it comes to T-Moon.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:02 CDT
I first watch a few episodes of Fate/stay night anime since 2006 on Animax and it completely hooked me. At that time I don’t really like anime much but Fate/stay night moved me. You can say it took me to the anime/manga universe. Great OST, decent animation (stop, just stop the stupidity comparing it with animation these days!), great Ending (well, sure they try to mix the routes but and it turn out a mess but still the ending was true to “Fate”, Saber was engraved to the heart of audience.)
Old fan has completely forgot those feelings when they watch Fate/stay night, they now just forcus on animation. New fans who don’t have childhood, completely praise Fate/Zero and call Fate/stay night is shit. (HAHA, I LOL)
Although Fate/stay night has it flaws but that just makes the VN more flawless. Since the anime isn’t as good as the VN, you won’t feel bored when you have to go through the story again. I’m glad I watched Fate/stay night and I never call it sucks, at least, not the Ending.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:17 CDT
“(stop, just stop the stupidity comparing it with animation these days!)”
Many animation these days can’t even compare to those of let’s say, 20 years ago, I don’t see what gave you the idea that we are doing that.
“New fans who don’t have childhood, completely praise Fate/Zero and call Fate/stay night is shit. (HAHA, I LOL)”
Or fans who have played the VN, there’s that.
Also, even without a point of comparison, F/Z is completely top of the line animation, with beautiful visuals and story, along with unique characters, I don’t see what’s wrong in “completely praising it”.
“(well, sure they try to mix the routes but and it turn out a mess but still the ending was true to “Fate”, Saber was engraved to the heart of audience.)”
As far as i’m concerned, being a mess throughout, weighs more than the end being good.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:31 CDT
If Fate/stay night was animated as good as Fate/Zero, I bet no one will read the VN.
Talk about the Ending, Zero is more depress and anti-climax, that’s what I thought.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 9:44 CDT
@Fuyumi, yes, that’s the whole point, it sets the stage on what will end it all, F/SN.
Would you like it if they showed that it all ended with no more problems in F/Z, resulting in a happy ending, and then suddenly there’s this big gaping hole in the plot on whereas why is there still conflict in F/SN when the problem was already solved?
F/Z was merely a series to set it all, It was the best ending that it could possibly be possible.
P.S. Dude, F/Z was animated beautifully, and many people still read the LN To know more about the series.
In fact, things happen in the opposite of what you say, if people get a positive impression of X, of course they would want to know more about it, hence making people more curious about the source material.
So it’s in fact the opposite, If F/SN was animated as beautifully as F/Z, more people will come to like the series, and in turn, will read the novel to find out more about the story, and the other routes they haven’t witnessed yet.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:08 CDT
I understand your point. It was right to let Fate/Zero end like that, it’s like “Return to Zero”. And that exactly the reason I prefer Fate than Zero, just like I prefer Kinoko Nasu than Gen Urobuchi. Both are great but I like Kinoko more.
“F/Z was animated beautifully, and many people still read the LN To know more about the series.”
Yeah, I watch Fate/Zero anime first and it does make me feel like reading the LN. But the anime adaption is SOO GOOD, IT EXPLAIN ALMOST EVERYTHING that I ONLY need to read the last chapter – when Kiritsugu talk to Shirou and he died.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:14 CDT
“I prefer Fate than Zero, just like I prefer Kinoko Nasu than Gen Urobuchi. Both are great but I like Kinoko more.”
Although I didn’t say that F/SN was terrible, only the anime, Kinoko Nasu is a great writer, and made the masterpiece that is F/SN’s VN.
I can’t compare the LN of F/Z and the VN of F/SN because they are admittedly, both amazing, that they are in different leagues, Gen and Nasu are amazing in their own right.
The only thing you can compare are the animes of the 2, and it’s clear which will win in terms of what is the better adaptation.
The bottomline for me is, F/SN’s anime was horrible, but still watchable, however, the series deserves a better adaptation, which frankly, we are never going to get.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:42 CDT
Just keep in mind that: “Fate/stay night anime isn’t shit/suck” and I can totally agree with your opinions about animation or adaption.
p/s: After years, I honestly don’t feel like rooting for another adaption of Fate series but I do want a Tsukihime anime.
Feb 20, 2013 @ 10:44 CDT
Just wait another 5 years, for the anime of the Tsukihime Remake :(
Apr 24, 2013 @ 1:49 CDT
Hi. Peeps, keep in mind that F/SN is a VN with three non-intersecting routes that completes the whole of the Fate/Stay Night story. Im sure that it was hard to make an adaptation of an original work of such complex masterpiece without doing some mixing from the other 2 routes. Would you rather have F/SN anime explain the happenings using just narrations than creatively mixing the routes up or using some deviations for explanations?
still, as mentioned, F/SN tried to keep faithful to Fate route. IMO, Studio DEEN did not intended to animate all the 3 routes,to begin with, hence the mixing of the routes and adding the extra scenes. The condensed UBW movie comes a couple of years later, right?
The F/Sn anime may not be trully faithful to the VN, but still it draws many people to Nasuverse (and Fate franchise) that time. Remember also that VNs are not widely known unlike anime series. You can readily go to stores and find DVDs of animes that interests you, but you will not get any VNs just from going into some bookstores or anime shops here in a 3rd world Asian country, even though Japan is just above the Philippines.
dont get me wrong, i really praise Fate/Zero, since that its anime adaptation introduced me to Nasuverse, and after that I read the LN. But even if a superb animation F/Z preceeds my watching of F/SN and reading of its VN, I still fully appreciate F/SN, even its anime adaptation.