December 21st, 2011 
AstroNerdBoy フェイト/ゼロ
Fate/Zero – 12
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Emiya gets a report from Maiya regarding Assassin and strategies accordingly, paying close attention to Kirei. Tohsaka gets a report from Kirei and decides it’s time to have Archer take out their enemies. Kirei goes to see Archer, who has a modified chess board with pieces representing the Servants, Masters, and the Grail. When asked, Kirei explains what happens to remaining Command Spells when the Master’s Servant dies. Also, what happens if a Servant loses a Master, thus making it possible that Kirei could once again become a Master to a Servant who’s lost his, though Kirei finds this unlikely if, as Tohsaka suggests, Kirei’s role was simply to help the Tohsaka family in this war.
Saber drives Iri to Emiya’s new base of operations, a run down Japanese estate. Maiya, having tailed them, gives Saber the keys as Iri’s request. Iri is excited to see this new home even if the place needs work, but says that the main house isn’t very good for her magic. However, the stone storage shed is and she asks Saber to help her draw the mandala as well as bring in the needed magical supplies. Saber notes that Iri is not touching things and Iri reveals that she’s lost a lot of strength due to defects in her homunculus design. However, she should be able to improve her condition in the shed, so Saber agrees to help as best as she can.
Back at the church, Archer asks Kirei to brief him on the various Masters. When he’s done, Archer is not impressed with any of them, leading to Kirei’s irritation. Archer points out that Kirei spoke at great length about Kariya, Berserker’s Master, even going so far as to have Assassin investigate Kariya deeply. Thus, Archer points out that Kirei found pleasure in researching Kariya, even if Kirei feels that a quick death for Kariya would be the best thing to end his misery. During their discussion, Command Spell marks appear again on Kirei’s hand, indicating the Grail has selected him to be Master even though no Master’s have been removed. Archer was expecting this and encourages Kirei to follow the path without hesitation that will ultimately lead to his happiness.
Thoughts/Review:
It was nice seeing Shirou’s residence (which of course was his adopted father’s prior to his death) again, even if it was in a shocking state of disrepair. However, a quick tour of the different rooms strongly reminded me of Fate/stay night and how much I liked things there, even if not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.
It has been ages since I watched Fate/stay night, but since Iri is having a mandala constructed in the storehouse, was that partly why Shirou was able to summon Saber in his time? Its times like this that I wish my memory was better. ^_^;;;
Anyway, its sad seeing Iri weaken like this. I know she doesn’t survive, but I liked her character and so it is unfortunate that she will likely continue to weaken and turn into the Grail.
Kirei’s explanation about Master selection shows why he was in Fate/stay night, since the Grail simply chose him again after he survives this war.
Still, who’s Command Spells does Kirei have? To me, there’s only one option — Tohsaka’s. I say this because even though Lancer’s Master Kayneth has already used a Command Spell, the remaining ones were transferred to Sola-Ui. Plus, Archer seemed to be grooming Kirei to be HIS Master, often expressing displeasure with Tohsaka. Also, I know Tohsaka doesn’t survive the war, but Archer does as does Kirei. So, its pretty clear, though HOW is the mystery.
So, an interesting, if low-key episode with groundwork being laid for the fun that’s to come.
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this series cannot justify itself in the one episode it has left. it has been slow with wayyyyyy too much talking and no action. i dont know why i have put up with it though because i found fate stay night just as bad if not worse.
the anime version of this franchise is not recommended, at all.
zZzZzZz
This is not regarding your post, but for the episode itself…Worst than Valium!
Just a sidenote:
Kirei wasn’t chosen as a new Master in the FSN-anime. It is further explained in the game. Rin found the hideout of Lancer’s true Master and in Fate/Hollow Ataraxia the reader learns that Kirei cut off the arm (with the Command Spells) of Lancer’s Master – a woman from the Magic Association – Bazett Fraga Mcremitz. He basically stole Lancer from her.
And fyi, not every mage can just steal Command Spells to participate in the war(iirc, that’s what Rin assumes). In fact, Kirei can still be seen as a Master in FSN, as he retained Command Spells and survived the war. However, he was not one of the seven chosen Masters of the 5th war.
And yes, I think Shirou was probably chosen because he had a magic circle as a summoning spot and Avalon as the catalyst inside him. 🙂
About the episode:
An episode of so much foreshadowing. I really liked it and the conversations between Kirei and Gil are always interesting and entertaining.
The most noticeable hints are probably the Emiya residence and the chess pieces Archer holds. I’m looking forward to the last episode of this year and cours. 🙂
To those who are complaining about too many dialogues: You watch this anime with the wrong expectations. Fate is based on heavy dialogues with a few fights – not many fights with a few dialogues. Whether it’s Fate/Zero or Fate/stay night, the fate-verse was always like that. This has nothing to do with the adaptation, it’s Type-moon’s style.
If you don’t like that then you’d better watch a different anime like Mirai Nikki or whatever, instead of complaining how Fate/Zero sucks. Not that this matters now anyway, since things will start going badshit insane from now on.
Yeah, next episode is the last one before the mid season break, so it’s probably going to be a big and important one. However, from what I’m hearing, most of the big fights in the series will come when the season resumes in Spring.
And yes, Kirei wasn’t chosen as a Master in F/sN, he just cut off and used the arm of Lancer’s actual Master, Bazett Fraga somethingorother, to control him via the Command Seals there. Needless to say, she didn’t survive.
WOW, I didn’t know that mansion was Shirou’s. Anyway, this episode indeed explains Saber’s appearing in FSN. Then I thought that Saber appeared because Shirou had her mandala, but after watching the first episode of Zero, I started to wonder why Saber showed up then without Shirou drawing the summoning circle. Now I know.
I’m still amazed how much both 4th and 5th Grail war are connected. I wonder if the other Grail wars (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th,…) are portrayed in other works as well and are they connected that much to each other?
No other War has thus far been depicted in fully canon materials. Some details of the 3rd War were given in interviews and Complete Materials but those don’t give any coherent picture. Also, the 5th Grail War is the final one – the ritual is dismantled after the end of every route of F/SN.
very good blog, blogwalking and visit me back 😀
wait wait what? the series doesnt end next week? well, OK i guess.
Kirei don’t have anybody’s command spell but his own. He lost it after Assassin death, but they came back this episode. Latter he may or may not make a new contract with a master-less servant.
Anyway, Tokiomi, as well as every master but Kayneth, still have his command seal in place.
If you are wondering why Kirei has one less seal when he wasn’t shown spending any, it was because they cut the scene where he force Assassin to attack Rider head on last episode (Assassin is loyal, but not suicidal). It will probably be on the DVD or something.
Oh right, now that anon has mentioned it…
Why did you actually think it was Tokiomi’s Command Spells Kirei got? I’ve read your reason why, but I wasn’t able to understand that. If he really had Tokiomi’s Spells, then wouldn’t that mean that Tokiomi had already lost his Servant aka contract got broken…?
I think Kirei’s explanation about the Command Spells was quite clear.
Surely, Gil doesn’t like Tokiomi, but he doesn’t really care. When Kirei questioned Gil’s relationship with Tokiomi, Gil answered he sees Tokiomi as a lackey, who provides him with mana so he can stay in this world. The Command Spells are not important for him, it’s like he’s listening to his servant once in a while(cut out >.>).
As anon said, he got back the 2 Command Spells he lost after Assassin got killed, since the Grail chose him to be a Master again.
This is not regarding your post, but for the episode itself…Worst than Valium!
*LOL* In that case, it should be marketed immediately as a sleeping aid. ^_~
Kirei wasn’t chosen as a new Master in the FSN-anime. It is further explained in the game. Rin found the hideout of Lancer’s true Master and in Fate/Hollow Ataraxia the reader learns that Kirei cut off the arm (with the Command Spells) of Lancer’s Master – a woman from the Magic Association – Bazett Fraga Mcremitz. He basically stole Lancer from her.
Hmmmm…its been a while since I watched the anime, but I don’t remember Bazett Fraga Mcremitz. ^_^; Then again, a lot was cut from the anime adaptation.
If you don’t like that then you’d better watch a different anime like Mirai Nikki or whatever, instead of complaining how Fate/Zero sucks. Not that this matters now anyway, since things will start going badshit insane from now on.
“Batshit insane” certain has my interest. *lol*
WOW, I didn’t know that mansion was Shirou’s.
When they first stopped outside, I didn’t recognize it, but as soon as they entered, I immediately recognized it. What surprised me was the reaction I had to seeing the place look so rundown, yet knowing that this was all prior to Shirou coming into the picture.
Anyway, this episode indeed explains Saber’s appearing in FSN. Then I thought that Saber appeared because Shirou had her mandala, but after watching the first episode of Zero, I started to wonder why Saber showed up then without Shirou drawing the summoning circle. Now I know.
Ditto. One thing I’m trying to remember is whether or not Saber remembered being at this place or not. I can’t remember how much she spoke of her former Master and Shirou’s adoptive father. I know she did, but just not to what degree.
I’m still amazed how much both 4th and 5th Grail war are connected. I wonder if the other Grail wars (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th,…) are portrayed in other works as well and are they connected that much to each other?
I do know that the wars were started by a few mage families who always participate. My understanding is that in the beginning, they all had specific reasons for deciding to start this “war,” but over time as things didn’t go as planned, the war became something else entirely as the original ideas became corrupted.
Also, the 5th Grail War is the final one – the ritual is dismantled after the end of every route of F/SN.
How was this achieved?
wait wait what? the series doesnt end next week? well, OK i guess.
Yeah, there’s a Fate/Zero 2 from what I understand.
Kirei don’t have anybody’s command spell but his own. He lost it after Assassin death, but they came back this episode.
…
If you are wondering why Kirei has one less seal when he wasn’t shown spending any, it was because they cut the scene where he force Assassin to attack Rider head on last episode (Assassin is loyal, but not suicidal). It will probably be on the DVD or something.
Bloody rubbish! No wonder I was confused.
Why did you actually think it was Tokiomi’s Command Spells Kirei got?
Because Kirei was shown getting TWO Command Spells back, not three. The TV version never shows him using a Command Spell. Thus, the only two recorded usages of Command Spells were Tokiomi and Kayneth. Well wait, did Kariya also use one to stop Berserker from going after Saber?
Either way, Kirei was never shown using a Command Spell, thus getting two back suggested to me that he was stealing someone else’s. Since Archer is tempting him, it seemed logical to me that Archer could possibly be doing something to manipulate the system so that the Command Spells transferred from Tohsaka to Kirie.
As anon said, he got back the 2 Command Spells he lost after Assassin got killed, since the Grail chose him to be a Master again.
Yes, but with no free Servants out there, why would he be given Command Spells again? That’s what doesn’t make sense to me.
Yeah, there’s a Fate/Zero 2 from what I understand.
Actually, it’s just the continuation of this one season, since ufotable needs time and decided to take a “break” to keep the quality stable.
Hmmmm…its been a while since I watched the anime, but I don’t remember Bazett Fraga Mcremitz. ^_^; Then again, a lot was cut from the anime adaptation.
Uhm… I just said the reader sees her in Fate/Hollow Ataraxia, it wasn’t part of the FSN game.*g*
However, DEEN indeed cut out the part where Rin tells Shirou that Lancer’s true master was probably killed.
One thing I’m trying to remember is whether or not Saber remembered being at this place or not. I can’t remember how much she spoke of her former Master and Shirou’s adoptive father. I know she did, but just not to what degree.
Actually, she does remember pretty much everything, she just doesn’t want to talk about it. She’s telling Shirou directly at the beginning of the Heaven’s Feel route about being the Einzberns’ Servant in the 4th war, Kiritsugu being her Master and also about how dangerous Kirei was to Kiritsugu. Fate/Zero can be best understood by people who played HF, since it gives details about Kirei and the 4th war, including Sakura’s past(it’s her route after all) and Kiritsugu’s past.
Still, there are a few holes in this plot, since Saber’s attitude towards Ilya should have been different. After all, she was Ilya’s mother’s friend and her father’s Servant. The same goes to Sakura and Rin, who have never mentioned Aoi or Kariya in FSN.
I do know that the wars were started by a few mage families who always participate. My understanding is that in the beginning, they all had specific reasons for deciding to start this “war,” but over time as things didn’t go as planned, the war became something else entirely as the original ideas became corrupted.
Three families, Tohsaka, Einzbern and Matou have founded the Grail to reach the Root Akasha(Well, the Einzberns had another reason. See episode one for that again. The family head Jubstacheit, the one who gave Kiritsugu Avalon, wants to regain the 3rd true Magic Heaven’s Feel, that’s why every war is also called “Heaven’s Feel”.).
Tokiomi is the only one in this war who wants to reach the Root. Giving too many details will spoil everything, Kirei will tell you more about it in later episodes.
How was this achieved?
Pfuh… I’ll try not to spoil too much…
In “Fate” and “Unlimited Blade Works” a certain man from the Magic Association will dismantle the Grail system with Rin’s help(note: Saber did not end the Holy Grail Wars in both routes with Excalibur, another war would have come). No matter which ending in “Heaven’s Feel”, the Grail system will be ultimately removed by either Shirou or Ilya.
Bloody rubbish! No wonder I was confused.
Hm, didn’t you read the comments in your last review? I thought I had mentioned this already to avoid confusion on your part…
Yes, but with no free Servants out there, why would he be given Command Spells again? That’s what doesn’t make sense to me.
It doesn’t? It’s actually only a program the Grail will run through.
1. Give seven worthy people Command Spells.
2. If they lose their Servant, take the Command Spells and give them to someone suitable in Fuyuki. Since former Masters normally still have the potential to get the Grail, they have a high chance to get back their Spells.
3. After the war, remaining Spells will be given to the judge.
Masters are given the chance to get a Servant again because there might be the case that another Servant might lose its Master. The Grail gives opportunities to reenter the war for both the Servant and the Master, who have lost their partners.
That’s why Kiritsugu wants to not only see the Servants, but also the other Masters dead, since they might seek refuge in the church and later receive new Spells to fight again. If he kills, then only when he thinks it’s necessary and killing both Servant and Master is in his opinion necessary. There will be no mercy for them.
P.S.: I hope you’ll actually read this. *g*
One last comment:
I know you’re wondering why Kirei got back the Spells even though another Servant hasn’t died yet, but Gil pretty much gave you the answer already:
Kirei is someone special. I think he and Kiritsugu are the only people in this war, who could be all the evil of this world, making them the only true suitable Masters of this war.
Besides, the Grail does not work the way it should or else a “hero” like Gilles de Rais would never have been summoned. The same goes to Caster and Rider from FSN. They are not true “heroes”, thus do not fulfill the conditions to be a Servant, but things went horribly wrong(details will be eventually explained later) and that’s why they can be summoned.
Still, there are a few holes in this plot, since Saber’s attitude towards Ilya should have been different. After all, she was Ilya’s mother’s friend and her father’s Servant. The same goes to Sakura and Rin, who have never mentioned Aoi or Kariya in FSN.
That’s the problem with retconning, no matter how good it is or how much it mostly works. There are always going to be plot holes.
Hm, didn’t you read the comments in your last review? I thought I had mentioned this already to avoid confusion on your part…
Sometimes, I have too many things jostling around in my skull. ^_^;;;
P.S.: I hope you’ll actually read this. *g*
Yeah, I did and what you said clears things up. ^_^ Thanks.
Besides, the Grail does not work the way it should or else a “hero” like Gilles de Rais would never have been summoned. The same goes to Caster and Rider from FSN. They are not true “heroes”, thus do not fulfill the conditions to be a Servant, but things went horribly wrong(details will be eventually explained later) and that’s why they can be summoned.
Which is why Emiya forces Saber to try to destroy the Grail in this series. That does make sense.
This will help you to understand more Cu Chulainn Lancer motivation (his solo route in Fate/Unlimited Codes).
Fortunately, Lancer and Bazett are both alive and well in Hollow Ataraxia (which hints eventual good end).
Thanks! Very informative. ^_^