Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
ktulu007
I've talked about ufotable's Fate franchise before way back when I reviewed Fate/Zero. This one came out in '14 and '15. I'll be looking at both series together for this review and the prologue. Keep that in mind. Let's get right into it.
Story:
Our tale is set roughly ten years after the events of Fate/Zero. A new holy grail war is beginning. We open with Tohsaka Rin summoning Archer, though she wanted Saber. She goes to the school and discovers a barrier being erected. So, she goes to investigate it at night and finds the servant Lancer there. Her classmate, Emiya Shirou gets caught in the skirmish between Lancer and Archer and is nearly killed. Tohsaka then discovers that he's also a master and he manages to successfully summon Saber.
The biggest problem with this series is that it…
Read at the sourceCodeBlazeFate
*This review covers both seasons of Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and contains spoilers*
Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is an aggravating piece of work. Laborious and cyclical to the core, this show manages to stumble its way through 25 episodes of monotonous monologues, caricatures, and dialogues filled to the brim with repetition and wheel spinning. No amount of dazzling light shows or cute interactions can salvage this production, even if they do make the experience less insufferable than it could have been.
Let’s start with the positives before things get too dicey. Studio Ufotable did a fairly good job with the visuals of this show. They have this reputation of always making top of the line visual experiences, and while it’s certainly overblown, I can see where peo…
Read at the sourceBFA91
So I am writing this review because I'm honestly confused as to why there are several 1 star reviews.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I thought I would throw mine out there also to encourage people to give this marvelous show a try.
Unlimited Blade Works has some of my favorite characters from any show, I love the story line pacing and the animation is out of this world beautiful. I'm not going to write a lengthy review, because simply put this show is a beautiful masterpiece and I highly encourage everyone to give it a try.
Read at the sourceRakiRaki
I don't get it, guys. I don't.
Why Unlimited Blade Works? Why this underwhelming, anticlimactic excuse for a spluttering car crash of a visual novel route? Did ufotable have to faithfully adapt every wheel-spinning two hour conversation in which Pollyanna protagonist Shirou is repeatedly called a dweeb for his goofy idealism? Did they have to make sure we were reminded what a complete loser Archer is every time he appears, legs spread like his balls are prickly pears, perched on some conveniently placed rubble? What is actually appealing about Archer when his only major personal distinction from fellow Fate/stay night snarkster Lancer is his adolescent moral nihilism? What is there to admire about a character who is so unimaginative that his inner world is literally a wasteland full of im…
Read at the sourceBanjoTheBear
(This has been adapted from my blog/reddit thread. Spoilers ahead!)
Everyone has their own set of convictions. Whether they are religiously, politically, or morally based, there are certain creeds that we, as individuals, follow. Depending on the ideals we hold, our very person is shaped, directing the lives we lead and the paths that we take. For me, I uphold a simple one: “a little kindness goes a long way.” So I try to do just that. I hold the door for others, give my thanks whenever I can, and call my family to check up on them. Small stuff, and probably pretty common too, but such actions have nonetheless made me into the kind of man that I am today, and hopefully who I’ll be in the future. Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd season hones in on the convictions we maintain, but…
Read at the sourcepowerwog
A review for both S1 and S2 with spoilers
Only having experienced Fate/Zero, I never encountered a Type-Moon written work before. But after watching UBW, I’m truly appalled at how terrible Type-Moon’s writing is.
The basis of UBW’s plot is covered by its synopsis. In different wording, it’s a grandiose battle royale-like duel between seven masters who each get a servant to fight for them. The goal is to kill every servant to attain the Holy Grail, which can grant a master and servant any fathomable wish.
This plot, even though basic on the surface, can become a masterpiece with proper execution, as seen in Fate/Zero with its large-scale fights, charismatic characters, and intriguing battles strategies. As the follow up to such an impressive series, UBW had a lot of weight on its should…
Read at the sourcemyronator
This review covers the Prologue, Season One and Season Two. My ratings are 6/10, 6/10 and 5/10 respectively. There are spoilers in this review.
The prologue/first few episodes of Unlimited Budget Works establishes the Fifth Holy Grail War; a battle royale between seven servants (made up of mythological figures such as Heracles) and mages where the last survivor is rewarded with being presented the Holy Grail which can grant them any wish they desire. During these episodes it is emphasized how dangerous this war is where even witnesses of the war will be murdered. Then in episode three the feeling of danger for our protagonists disappears in an instant when Ilya decides to suddenly quit her battle with Rin and Shirou for no reason and go home. This doesn't get followed up on nor does it de…
Read at the sourceazzazin5577
Alright lets make this quick
The story was good, the animation was excellent, sound was good, and the characters were okay. So where this anime falls short is the pacing of the entire show.
The pacing was excruciating slow each episode. It took a really long time for the characters to do something resulting in bad payoff each week of an episode. They should've cut some of that slice of life scenes as well as their investigation scenes and concentrated on various characters instead of following just those two main characters all the time.
This is why fate/zero was awesome, we got to know various characters stories and motivations including their "Heroes" and we also got to see how they all reacted to each other and each others motivation. In fate/zero something always seem to happen eac…
Read at the sourceEbiNewin
This Review applies to both seasons of Unlimited Blade Works. The Video review is up on my channel, but here is the written.
Story - 8/10
If you’re familiar with the Fate series, its pretty much is the same. But in Unlimited Blade Works it follows a different scenario. Sure the beginning is pretty much the same as it was in Fate/Stay Night, but the focus is much different. But to put you up to speed, 7 masters and heroic servants fight in the war to gain the ultimate wish fulfilling device known as the Holy Grail. The story this time around focuses a lot more on Shirou, Rin and the mystery on her servant Archer. We never really got to know Archer all that well in the original Fate/Stay Night, but in Unlimited Blade Works, we see the trials and tribulations he had to go through to become…
Read at the sourceCosmicblaze454
“Just because you’re correct doesn’t mean you’re right.”
Emiya Shirou
We are now in the second season of Unlimited Budget Works. Expect spoilers ahead.
I’m not a big fan of this cour (or season as MAL insists). It failed in everything it needed to do. The Caster arc was not really good since Caster was a plain villain. Ilya’s death failed to make at least a little impact on the show (This is why Heaven’s Feel exists). The characters in the show just come and go. Archer vs Shirou and his ideals produced episodes of tedious and repetitive dialogues. The dialogues are overwritten and awkward. Gilgamesh seemed to be a decent final villain. Rin remains a generic tsunderin. The plot is decent enough but it’s characters suffer.
Ufotable has done an exemplary job in its production. We have de…
Read at the sourceeralterg
Warning: Partial spoilers for Epilogue
I gotta say I love the sunset fading to night scene leading to the ending credits. It makes the viewer actually feel like they are experiencing that world in real time alongside those characters. Something about it was too beautiful to put into words. Guess you could say it's a perfect way to end a thought provoking epilogue that makes you think twice about dropping out of school. Right before, Rin was saying there is so much in the world that is worth suffering for and experiencing, so it was worth dropping their things and taking a risk going off the normal path. It takes the point home when you see the view from a small dorm room to the city landscape. And of course the night sky which is limitless and transcends every era of time like Saber's. I…
Read at the sourceZarrior
The anime first of all had a different feeling compared to season one for me while the animation style was great as well as the sound the storyline didn't really indulge me as much as the first season did their wasn't that want for more really and the need to watch more and hate the fact that you had to wait a week to watch the next episode there was a lack of that really i mean some episode had a splash of cliff hangar but only three or four really did.
Really the producers replicated some of the antic of popular anime in which something had to be explained over two episode when really it could of been done in one or three scenes.
However I am one not to complain all the way there were moments where I did not feel the need for more action but a little drama and this anime did that impec…
Read at the sourceTearfulFriend18
The Fate series holds a very special place in my heart, the escapades of Shirou Emiya and his servant Saber have enthralled me in a way that a lot of stories did not. From the romance in "Fate" to the climatic "Heaven's Feel", Fate/stay night hasn't just become one of my favorite stories, it's honestly become my favorite thing to come out of Japan.
To give you a bit of background as to where I stand with Fate, I have read the visual novel and its semi-sequel multiple times, I have seen and own the 2006 anime, the prequel Fate/Zero, and the 2010 film adaptation of this anime's route. So (not to toot my horn) but I think I have at least a fair understanding of the Fate universe, and from a fan's standpoint I can say without a doubt that this is an excellent adaptation of "Unlimited Blade Wo…
Read at the sourceAmphetamine
Ever since I first watched Fate/Stay Night anime, I got hooked. A lot of people were complaining how it didn't live up to their expectations especially the ones who played the Visual Novel before, but as someone who didn't, I quite enjoyed the anime a bit. Of course afterwards I immediately went to play the game, and I managed to only finish the Fate route for some reason. Then I went to explore a bit for other TYPE-MOON series and discovering Tsukihime and Kara no Kyoukai, which the latter is one of my all time favorite.
Now for years people have been saying that Unlimited Blade Works is the best TYPE-MOON story in the game, and how amazing it is and that it is levels above the Fate route. So of course, an anime adaptation at last of the best route should be pretty enetertaining - and it…
Read at the sourceSpikeykoaLa
After the first season of FSN:UBW I had high hopes that the second season would make up for at least some of the issues I had with season 1. It turns out it did not in almost any way. I am not a reader of the VN, but that doesn't change the fact that a series needs to work as a standalone piece without the aid of extra information provided by the source material to completely enjoy it.
Story: 6
The story continues directly after season 1 (as one might assume) and the pace picks up considerably since season 1 had so much Shirou cooking and Rin whining to get through that it was like the Holy Grail War just hit the freakin' pause button for the majority of the season. However, the quicker pace is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, after the first couple of episodes there were so many ch…
Read at the sourceChrissyKay
"Just because you're correct doesn't mean you're right!"
The legendary words of Shirou Emiya have spread far and wide around the world ever since the 2006 adaptation of Fate/Stay Night with his infamous "people die when they are killed", and now our frustrating hero is back with more internal contradictions and bullshit ideals than ever. Through the course of Unlimited Blade Works one can watch Shirou go through the difficult process of realizing that his ideals are not only absurd but also simply borrowed from his father in a series of powerful scenes such as "saying the same thing to Archer for two episodes," "never talking to Saber," "flirting with full-on tsundere Rin" and "fighting all-powerful heroic spirits with some swords he made, somehow."
Now I want to be clear about one thing…
Read at the sourceNV2301
For visual novel readers and anime-only watchers alike, the attraction of the Ufotable-Type Moon pair-up is obvious. Nasu's highly intricate and appealing designs brought to life by Ufotable, who are excellent in visuals and art. This partnership works to great extent but was unfortunately lacking in the other important components such as character development, relatability and execution of the story that are needed to create a compelling narrative.
The problems have mostly to do with the conversion from one medium to another. Visual novels thrive on details, through the use of monologue while anime simply thrives on visual gimmicks. In essence, reading VNs require a very long attention span, while anime caters to those who want instant visual stimulation. Going straight to the point, ani…
Read at the sourceBonnibelPeebles_
The first cour had a great progress. However, it declined a bit this second cour.
We had more action and character development. Giving focus mainly on the clash between Shirou and Archer. The animation in general was very good, just gave a fallen light in some scenes, but nothing too serious. In this adaptation of Fate managed to convey very well what the Visual novel wanted to spend. It was not a 100% faithful adaptation (maybe 90% faithful ), but unlike the previous studio, that enriched the story, adding more detail and develop harmoniously. We have seen some situations from the perspectives of other characters like as Illya, Saber and Caster.
Something I loved in this adaptation was the constant use of symbolism to represent the feelings and suffering of the characters. I also really…
Read at the sourceStark700
The franchise of Type-Moon. Fate/Stay Night is a trademark for what the product has been with its key characters, premise, and setting. Fate Unlimited Blade Works is one of its major routes and returns for another season. A show about the Holy Grail sparkles into a pendulum of events and animated by the infamous Ufotable studio. Part 1 delivered what many fans wanted while part 2 attempts to do so yet again.
With the way the first half of Unlimited Blade Works was handled, part 2/Season 2 essentially sets up major events for the story. As for those who remembers, Saber is taken by Caster, Rin leaves after telling Shirou not to get involved in the Holy Grail War anymore, while Shirou wonders what awaits him next. The process of this buildup is quite thrilling as it sets up many potential e…
Read at the sourcesayan002
When news about this series was launched, I somewhat had mixed feelings; the original Fate/Stay Night was so horrible, I pity myself for watching it, while Fate/Zero was absolutely fantastic, plus Ufotable, responsible for Fate/Zero, were producing it.
That brings me to Fate/Stay Night UBW.
In short, I'd say that this series was absolutely stunning. I'm so glad it didn't turn out like the 2006 one.
Story- 8
Granted, the story was not as compelling as Fate/Zero. However, I was deeply surprised by the dark elements that were introduced. The 2006 one felt like a sad piece of shit, where viewers are supposed to feel sorry for Shiro throughout, for being the absolute dimwit he is. Rather than a hopeless romance that Stay Night (2006) was, UBW is more focused on progress and action sequences.…
Read at the source![Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] Season 2](https://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/anime/1881/124810l.jpg)