ALMOST SPOILER FREE REVIEW

The first season of this series was one of the most dragged-out and boring animes I've ever seen. Here is what I wrote after watching the first season:

“Maybe I came into this with the wrong mindset, but this is painfully boring. This story feels dragged on, with only one person dying the whole season, and some episodes of ONLY talking. Especially the first episode being a 47-minute yap session I didn't understand one word of. I get that it's centered around character development, but I feel there needs to be more action. I also barely understood what was happening because I had trouble remembering Japanese names, only knowing Kiritsugu and Saber. 5/10."

But after dragging myself through the first season, hopeful for an improvement in action and story, I got exactly what I was looking for, and started learning the characters' names, while understanding what this show really is about. Fate/Zero is about realizing that lofty goal you once looked towards and wanted, might not be all you chalked it up to be. Fate/Zero is a story of friendships, a story of betrayal, a story of loss, and most importantly, a story about a cast of characters that makes you want to root for them all. The story may be complex at first, I mean that's what I thought, but if you're watching this now and are contemplating watching Fate/Zero, watch it. You might even enjoy the first season, but even if you don't, I promise watching the second season will make it all worth it.

It's kind of hard to even pinpoint the main character of the show, but If I had to pick one, it would be Kitsiguru. He is a mentally deranged character, with a "good" goal that makes you want him to win, including a terrifying but meaningful backstory. But there's also Kariya, a man wanting to save a child from his father's horrible antics, sacrificing himself for a child that is not even his. And don't forget Waver and Rider, even though they might not really have a clear goal the dorky kid paired with a Greek god makes for a cute and beautiful friendship that really makes you want them to win. Fate isn't perfect by any means, but it's a step up from most anime nowadays.

This review isn't for the whole Fate/Zero franchise, but for the second season, with my rating reflecting story, enjoyment, and its incredible step up from the previous season. Fate/Zero is a shounen, action, drama, and mystery story, with magical elements, a lovable cast, and incredible visuals, directing, and sound design. Not to mention the deaths and backstories of the characters you love, making you feel fear, sadness, and worry.

I originally started watching this because I heard that in later seasons, there was romance. I know, I know.