| Plot Overview | The Holy Grail War is a long, passed down tradition among magicians that takes place every 10 years. When the time comes, magicians are selected unwillingly to participate in this war. The magicians, also referred to as Masters, then summon legendary heroes, also known as Servants, who fight alongside them in a Free-For-All type deathmatch against other Masters and Servants. The last Master/Servant combination remaining will be able to touch the Holy Grail and fulfill their desires.
The series focuses on the protagonist, Emiya Shirou, who's past is shrouded in a conflagration as he is the sole survivor of a mysterious fire, which completely burned down a town 10 years ago. Shirou has strong ideals of being a protector of justice, and often makes brash moves and is self-sacrificing in order to help others, prioritizing others over himself. He also has unique skills of material analysis and reinforcement, and therefore, very good with electronics. One day after school, he witnesses a battle between two servants. Before he knows it, he is thrust into the Holy Grail War. After being nearly killed by a Servant, he is revived by a fellow classmage, Tohsaka Rin, another magician. They don't begin on good terms because they are to be natural enemies, but after another attack, Shirou unknowingly summons his Servant, Saber. With this, Shirou is fully immersed in the Holy Grail War. |
| Thoughts/Opinions | This anime is awesome, to put it bluntly. The underlying premise and system that the series is built on is rock solid. The plot progresses on very nicely, and the characters are very defined and unique. The protagonists are lovable and the antagonists are despicable. Lots of plot twists even in this 24 episode series, so it'll keep you guessing. I personally can identify very much with the protagonist, Emiya Shirou, because he thinks a lot like how I think, and he holds a lot of the same ideals that I hold as well. The music is very fitting and compliments the anime very well, though no one song really sticks out when you go back to recall it. The one complaint, and rather minor complaint at that, is that this series pulls a "Juuni Kokki Opening" in that it begins by throwing lots of information at you and you really don't understand it completely until a few episodes in. But if you can live with that, you'll love it. |
