Fate/Zero

Background- 7 mages are chosen to summon 7 magical servants to fight for them. They fought in a battle royale setting where the winner gets the Holy Grail which can grant any wish.

Narrative Structure - A story following many characters with their own ideals and no ones' ideals is made better nor worst than the other.

Characters-
Kiritsugu Emiya - People name him the Magus Killer because he is a assassin that kill magicians. The Einzbern family adopted Kiritsugu as their Master in the Grail War in a desperate attempt to overcome their family's lack of battle-oriented magic. Master of Saber

Irisviel von Einzbern - . A homunculus prototype created by the Einzbern family with the idea to give birth to an ultimate homunculus, Irisviel was designed to absorb the energies released by the Servants upon their deaths in order to summon forth the Holy Grail. Also mother of Illyasviel von Einzbern and Kiritsugu's wife as the agreement of the protection of Kiritsugu,

Kirei Kotomine - Kotomine studied magic under Tokiomi and initially does everything he is asked to do to further Tokiomi's goals in the war. Kotomine lacks fulfillment, which he sees mirrored in Kiritsugu, for whom he feels a compulsive hatred. Master of Assassin

Tokiomi Tohsaka - Father of Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou. Tohsaka Tokiomi is the Master of Archer, who shares his penchant for being arrogant and manipulative. Tokiomi arranges for Kotomine Kirei to be his "pupil" in order to further his own ambitions within the war. Master of Archer

Waver Velvet - Waver steals his teacher's artifact and uses it to summon Rider in a plan to use the Grail to force the Magus Association to recognize his genius. Despite his difficulties with Rider's overbearing nature, Waver and his Servant form a strong and sincere relationship. Master of Rider

Maiya Hisau - Loyal assistant to Kiritsugu Emiya, although Hisau Maiya is not her real name. She is cold and professional, though she does harbor a soft spot for Kiritsugu.

Kariya Matou - Uncle of Shinji Matou, Master of Berserker, Kariya makes a deal with his father Zouken Matou that he will win the Grail War in exchange for Sakura Matou's freedom. He originally refused to learn the Matou magic as the oldest son, which meant becoming a Master in the war would be life-threatening in the best case. He is the only member of Matou family who truly loves Sakura, and is upset that Tokiomi allowed his younger daughter to be adopted by Zouken.

Aoi Tohsaka - Mother of Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou, Aoi is the childhood friend of the Matou Master, Kariya Matou. Though she is devastated by Tokiomi's decision to adopt away Sakura, she quietly accepts the decision as the wife of a mage.

Ryuunosuke Uryuu - Ryuunosuke is a psychotic killer who summons Caster after murdering a family and using their blood as a component in the summoning ritual. He does not seek the Holy Grail, but follows Caster in order to find new thrilling ways to murder people and relieve his boredom. Master of Caster

Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald - fifth-generation nobleman from the Magus Association. His artifact is stolen by Waver Velvet, but he manages to summon Lancer using a second catalyst. He is a genius in the art of convocation, which allows him to alter his contract with Lancer to have two Masters. Because of this, he holds the command spells for Lancer, while the energy to materialize the Servant is maintained by his fiancee Sola-Ui.Master of Lancer

Risei Kotomine- Kirei Kotomine's 80 year old father, a priest in the Church, and the regulator of the 4th Holy Grail War. He is a friend of Tohsaka Tokiomi and actively supports him, to the extent of offering his son Kirei as Tokiomi's pupil and puppet in the war

Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri- The daughter of the head of the spiritual evocation division, Sola-Ui is engaged to Kayneth as a result of a strategic marriage arrangement and the decision of her family to entrust their crest to her brother instead.

Servents -

Saber (Artoria Pendragon)- Though she and Kiritsugu are Servant and Master seeking the same ultimate goal of peace, their differing ideological perspectives result in a strained relationship where Kiritsugu does not directly acknowledge Saber. Kiritsugu allows Saber to accompany Irisviel as a decoy to allow him stealth tactics within the war, and she becomes good friends with Iris as a result.

Lancer (Diarmuid Ua Duibhne) - He and Saber develop a mutual respect for one another, which is not mirrored by their Masters. As when he was alive, a cursed beauty mark bewitches Sola-Ui, creating a fissure between her and Lancer's Master.

Archer (Gilgamesh) - A arragant jester like character who doesn't care about the Holy Grail. He views himself as a King and find the whole War entertaining. He joined the war to solidify his statues as a god

Rider (Iskander) or (Alexander the Great) - the King of Conquerors, His eccentric and overbearing personality along with his incredible abilities creates difficulties for his Master and their opponents.

Caster (Bluebeard) or (Gilles de Rais) - a Servant who derives pleasure from first providing his victims a moment of relief before terrorizing them and then killing them. Bluebeard expresses an interest in Saber because he has mistaken her for Jeanne d'Arc, with whom Bluebeard has an infatuation. He bonds with his Master Ryuunosuke through over-extravagant and unorthodox methods of murder.

Berserker (Lancelot du Lac) - previously known as the Black Knight. To make up for Matou Kariya's inexperience as a magus, he was intentionally given Mad Enhancement to enhance his battle parameters. His madness has reduced him to a mindless, though dangerously skilled, fighter.

Assassin - Assassin is actually composed of different personalities of one Heroic Spirit manifested into different bodies. They act as reconnaissance agents for Tokiomi and Kirei after Gilgamesh "kills" one of them, operating while the other Masters believe Assassin to have been completely removed from the war.

Story:

Episode 1
Illya has been born which makes Kirutsugu upset. His command seal is what going to kill Irisviel which makes him a Master of this Holy Grail War which she cannot survive.

Tokiomi Tohsaka identifies that Kirei Kotomine as a Master of the Holy Grail War which he has no interest in. The Tohsakas and the Kotomines are working together in order to kill the other masters / servants duo to secure the Holy Grail for themselves.

Kariya Matou visits Rin and Sakura but found that Sakura was adopted away to become a mage and Aoi her mother had sadly accepts this decision due to her marrying a mage. He couldn't accept this and went to his father Zouken to make a trade deal, he will become a master in this war in return of Sakura. He do whatever it takes to take back Sakura even it cost him but it too late. They went to the dungeon like pit where Sakura was there lifeless covered by bugs they agreed to let Kariya go as a substitution for Sakura.

In London Clocktower Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald is lecturing about how generational lineage is everything but roasted Waver's papers which objects Kayneths' lecture calling it "juvenile fantasies." Waver storms off the lecture room due to Kayneth shitting on his family generation and making him look like a fool. He lied into delivery man which want him to deliver a package to Kayneth. Instead of giving it to Kayneth Waver decides to keep it and do research. He realized that the package was a relic used as a catalyst to summon a servant he then flies home.

Tokiomi tells Kirei to watch out for Emiya Kiritsugu and a background of how the Einzburn Family hired Kiritsugu as a hitman in order to win the Holy Grail. He tells Kirei how dangerous Kiritsugu is and his motive.

Kiritsugu who indentified 5 out of the 7 masters.Tokiomo Tosaka, Matou Kariya, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, himself and Kirei Kotomine which is the same as him a hired killer.

Kariya which looks different due to his father worm technique already in him and agreed to a month worth of training. Waver brainwashed an old couple to thinking he is their grandson and is studying abroad. Kiritsugu and Irisviel visits a church where a scabbard a type of Conceptual Weapon lies which was gotten by Irisviels' great-grand father Archt. Legends said that it will heal the owners' wounds and stop aging only with the original owners mana. Kiritsugus' relic is connected to the Weapon it will summon the legendary Knight Arthur Pendragon (Saber).which is the strongest Saber-class servant. Kiritsugu however doesn't know how to use that power and is better of with assassin or Caster like servants.

Now to the Tohsaka household where Rin is leaving home with her suitcase but was caught by Kirei where she want Kirei to protect her father due to him hiring him as a hitman. He said it can't be done for how difficult this war is. And after drama with 7 year old kid and a non-emotional adult Rins' mother enters the room which ended the drama. Kirei was called to Tokiomis' room where he got a snake like fossil which is used as a relic which is used to summon Archer (Gilgamesh) if lucky.

Kariya who visits Sakura and told her that he has a important job to do and promises after that she, Aoi, and Rin can hang out together again.

They masters summon their servants. Kiritsugu got Saber, Tokiomi got Archer (Gilgamesh), Waver got Rider, Kariya got Berserker, Kirei already has assassin.

Episode 2
Rider stole a book about maps to prepare for war. Waver confronts him that he is his master but due to Riders' big statues he got scared and backed offed. He laughs about how he spent ages conquering the land and yet it so small. They discuss on what they're wish be if they win the Holy Grail. Rider want to conquer the lands while Waver just wants to be accepted as a genius, this made Rider disappointed. Waver is frustrated and want to use his command seal on him but calms down. Rider shows Waver his power and that he is reliable as a servant therefore he summon his chariot.

Illya is mad at Kiritsugu for cheating in a game of where's Waldo (which makes him a person to whatever it takes to win even if the opponent is his child). Saber conclude that Kiritsugu is upset due to her being summoned as a women but told by irisviel that due to Saber being force upon the role of King and that he has no right to speak to Saber's decisions due to a difference in time therefore remains quite. Kiritsugu and Illya have a little chat while walking in the snow. He told her that he be away and that her mother isn't going be back in a while (foreshadowing that she is going to die soon) then promises her to wait for him.

After killing a family Ryuunosuke use their blood try to summon a demon to toy with a kidnapped kid, but Bluebeard was accidently summoned. He let the poor kid go (giving him false hope of escaping) then killing him. After he murder the kid Bluebeard and Ryuunosuke starts sharing their hobbies with each other and got along.

Kerei going against Tokiomi's trust made assassin to attack Tohsaka Manor to steal a ruby like gem. Gilgamesh caught him and "kills" him quickly.

Episode 3
Tokiomi thanks Gilgamesh for his actions and wants him to stay with a little longer. Which Gilgamesh was entertain for this era of this world. If nothing in this era interest him then he'll leave and punish Tokiomi as a way of summoning him, Gilgamesh will play with Tokiomi for now.

Waver tells Rider that Assassin was killed which he didn't care due to him knowing that Assassin wasn't a threat to him. Rider beating up Waver who doesn't know who killed Assassin. Waver not wanting another beating, changed the topic to Noble Phantasm. Rider explained that a Noble Phantasm is a (special move) physical manifestation of a hero's legend or tale. After that Rider got bored and wants to go outside to find entertainment. To beat his enemies Rider beats them when they encounter them and his speed is the fastest of all the servants.

Kerei asks for protection at a Church where he was granted by Risei Kotomone (his father) where the Church classified as a neutral grounds. Assassin(s) show up and created a plan where they sneak up behind the other servants while they're too busy dealing with other families.

Irisveil and Saber landed in Japan where Saber wasn't impressed due to servants have knowledge of the modern world. (She could pilot anything accept Phantasm / Divine Beasts.) Since this is Irisviel first time traveling she wants to explore but sticking with Kiritsugu's plan she can't. She always stuck in the castle and being a puppet in the Holy Grail War but due to Kiritsugu bringing her pictures about the outside world she is excited.

Kiritsugu and Maiya are in a hotel room where weapons had arrived They expected that Tokiomi was expecting an intruder and wonder the reason behind this motive. Maiya found out that Kirei took refuge at a Church where it neutral grounds for all masters therefore Maiya needs to set a familiar far away where it can't be found. Kiritsugu worries about Illya but was refocused on the mission.

Irisviel walking on the beach having fun exploring a new place therefore ask Saber if she likes it too. Due to Saber's past the beach was used as a battleground therefore has no affection for it. They sense an enemy which broke the moment.

Waver now scared was on top of a arch of a bridge with Rider where was a advantage point to spot enemies where they waited.

Saber and Irisviel encounter Lancer at the Docks where Cargo was stored they started to fight.

Episode 4
Saber sense a Charm Spell where Lancer explain that he was born with it. Lancer wants a fair fight with Saber so they fought.

Kiritsugu and Maiya figure out a way to monitor the battle and the crane. (where it is a good monitoring spot where they could trap the enemy.)

Saber is fighting defensively due to Lancer having 2 spears (1 for long and the other for short ranges) while Lancer is keeping his range away (due to him doesn't know Saber's sword length)

Kiritsugu spotted Lancer's Master Kayneth on to roof of a warehouse, he also spotted Assassin on top the crane.

Through Assassins' eyes Kirei spotted the other masters and Irisviel an important role in the Grail.

Lancer honored Saber's skills as a swords women. Keyneth ordered Lancer to kill Saber and is allowed to use his Noble Phantasm. They fight again. Saber tried and predict his next move but was slashed therefore Irisviel healed her. Saber getting rid of her armor in order to have a advantage against Lancer. He lured her into a trap trying to end the battle quickly.

At the arch Rider sat back and watch until he sees a couple more masters His plan was to watch the others weaken each other then he will claim the victory and wanted another servant to accept Lancer's challenge. Rider doesn't want neither Lancer or Saber to die due to him wanting him to duel them. He fights with honor and summons his ox chariot to fly towards the fight.

Irisviel can't heal Saber's wounds due to Lancer's (Awakened Noble Phantasm) spear which can pernitrate any armor and whose wounds can never heal. Due to Saber's observation skills she figured out Lancers real name and can duel honorably. When they're about to fight Rider showed up as he declared them to put their weapons away.

Episode 5
Iskander showed himself as a Rider class while Waver is whining in the background. He wish to make a proposition to Saber and Lancer. If they let him win the Grail then you be treated as an ally and will share the joy of conquest together. They both decline having their own reasons so Rider willing to discuss compensation but was rejected. Rider's plan fails while Waver is still whining. While Waver whining, Keyneth's voice can be heard by everyone. He interrogates Waver for stealing his relic which makes him shitless. He told him that he was surprised that he entered the War and starts scaring him how mages to kill each other to win the Grail. Rider gets that Keyneth was suppose to be his master however starts roasting Keyneth by saying that only those brave enough to fight by his side is worthy of becoming his master and by not showing himself he is a coward and is no where close of being worthy of being his master. Then he called out the other servants for hiding, he praise Saber and Lancer for their duel. He tells them that their sound of their blades clashing will call the other servants here. He then demands them to show themselves or else will they will get the wraith of him.
Gilgamesh shows up from outa nowhere and stands on a lamp pole. He starts talking shit to them daring to call themselves kings in his presence. Rider doesn't get it due to his title (Iskandar King of Conquerors.) Gilgamesh tells him that he is the only King and those others are pretenders. Rider confronts him by telling him his name since no king should be troubled of giving his name. This pisses Gilgamesh off since even with his presence known Rider couldn't recognize him. He threaten Rider by telling him that his blindness will be his doom as he summon a wall of swords (his Noble Phantasm) aiming at him.
Berserker was summoned from nowhere. Rider ask Waver how strong is he but he doesn't know. He can't read his statues or anything else. Kiritsugu is looking for Berserkers' Master while Maiya is still on the Assassin.
Gilgamesh didn't gave Berserker to look at him and pointed his swords at him instead of Rider. He wants his death to provide him entertainment as the swords was shot at him. He deflected it therefore Gilgamesh wants to know how long can he survive as he shot more swords. He deflected 2 swords back destroying the lamp post Gilgamesh was standing on making him come down on the ground. This angers him due to him belonging in heaven but was force to touch the ground. (Making him equal to the rest of the people. Instead of making people look up at him as a god he was force to go on the ground on equal footing as humans.) He guaranteed Berserkers' death as he summoned more swords.

Kirei now communicating with Tokiomi which is back at the mansion sitting in his room. He says that Gilgamesh is planning on opening the Gates of Babylon further. Which was rash of him exposing more of his Noble Phantasm to the other servants. Tokiomi's decision was to use a Command Seal to make Gilgamesh withdraw from battle.

This angered Gilgamesh more but complied as he vanished his Noble Phantasm and said that in their next meeting only a true hero is worthy of looking at him then fates away.
Kiritsugu now scoping on Berserker which went mad and took a pole and attacks Saber while Mai
Saber almost got hit by the pole but Lancer slices it and tells him that Saber is his business.
Keyneth's voice tells him that now is his chance to kill Saber. Lancer swore on his honor that he will defeat Saber but first has to defeat Berseker.
Keyneth wasn't having it and use his Command Seal to force Lancer to help Berserker kill Saber. As they both began the attack on Saber, Kiritsugu begins to kill Lancer's master (Keyneth) while Maiya kills Assassin. As soon as he was about to shoot Rider summons his ox chariot which summons lighting therefore distracting him. Rider ram his chariot into Berserker knocking him down. He then tells Keyneth to withdraw Lancer. If he wants to humiliate Lancer further then he will join Saber and together will defeat Lancer. With no other choice he withdrew Lancer, Lancer thanks Rider before leaving. Rider wants Saber to defeat Lancer and whoever the victory shall face him then leaves on his chariot. Saber and Irisviel thanks each other with this is only the beginning.
ya doesn't have visual on Berserker's Master so he switches back and forth between Assassin and Berserker.
Somewhere near the warehouse Kariya laughs as the other servants ran away from Berserker, he then cough up blood and worms due to Berserker broke away from his control and his father's worm technique but doesn't give up for Sakura's sakes.

An Assassin found a familiar which was outside the Church which was planned to monitor the place.

in the sewers Bluebeard found his love as he was watching the battle from his crystal ball and soon Saber will be his. While Ryuunosuke was erratic done killing a bunch of kids.

Episode 6

At night Irisviel is now tokyo drifting with a car that Kiritsugu gifted her with Saber as passenger. They stop the car since Bluebeard was blocking the road. He come for Saber but she doesn't know him and told him that he mistaken her for someone else. He then freaks out and spend all his life looking for her but mistaken Saber as Jeanne. Saber then tells him her name and class. He thinks she lost her memory and went mad punching the ground and blaming god for inflicting upon his "beauty maiden". He then rants that the Grail has chosen him and wants the resurrections of Jeanne. Saber gave him a warning by striking the ground nearly cutting him. Before he vanishes he swore that he will free her from god's curse. An Assassin watched the situation from afar finding Caster and following him.

When Bluebeard returns to the sewers and destroyed Ryuunosuke's art project (nailing kids to the walls) out of anger. He wants his love back and to do this he decides he needs more human sacrifices.

After watching the news about what happened at the warehouse, Keyneth now in a hotel room is asking Lancer (now kneeling down as punishment) on why he didn't kill Saber and had to waste a Command Seal. But due to Lance fighting with honor he wouldn't do it. Sola-Ui (his fiancé) enters and praised Lancer on what he did. She recommends that Keyneth go after the master if he this concerned. She then insults him by telling him that he made a special alteration to his master-servant contract but was stopped by Lancer. Keyneth picks up the phone while a alarm sounded. Someone had began a fire in the lower levels and plans on emptying the building. He then sent Lancer to check it out. Keyneth isn't worried due to barriers, traps, magic etc. are all over the building. (His cockiness got the better of him, a simple fire can't scare him and decided to stay in his room while others are evacuating.)

Outside the Hotel an Hotel Staff doing attendance is looking for Keyneth as present. Kiritsugu said that Keyneth and his fiancé have already evacuated and not have worry. He then set the bomb off and walks away and is reinsured from Maiya that Keyneth hasn't left the hotel and tells her to withdraw but heard gunshots.

Kerei had ambushed Maiya and they start fighting. Maiya got injured and escaped using a gas grenade as a distraction. Risei Kotomine appears to tell Kerei that Caster and his Master has been killing children. Using magic they using commination to talk with Tokiomi and said that Caster and his Master should be killed (Which they uses magic without hesitation and not covering their tracks. Which could think they not in the Holy War, but is against the rule to ignore them.) But the problem was to kill a servant, you need a servant however cant sent out Assassin so they want all the servants against Caster.