2020 Summer Review Challenge

Introduction:

_To keep things simple & straight, this review is part of a challenge I’m doing with my friend. Without the conditioning of this challenge, I might as well have dropped this anime for good. However, despite all ill ends or vices, I’ll give this anime the fair share of perspective it deserves.
The review will remain subjective until the very end & will contain minor spoilers._

Fate/Extra Last Encore is a fantastic battle royale for a show but, what’s so devious about it ? Is it the slow-paced projection of a plot it offers, is it the generic characterisation, or perhaps the atypical animation associated with Fate (Ufotable) ? Rest assured as I try my best to dissect the core issue or dynamic of Fate/Extra Last Encore.

Keep in mind that I won’t be summarising or giving any form of synopsis. You can do that on your own.

P.S. I'm not a VN reader or Fate series gamer, so my knowledge of this series is from this adaptation alone.

Plot/Premise:

It’s fair to assess that Last Encore’s plot isn’t so much missing as it is clustered. The first 4 episodes try to balance the audience with its introduction to the story vs. settling down with the premise. Carrying our characters around through different repetitions or memories seems very fetterd at the very least; there is pertinence in every bit of the shells they explore through each episode. The fables are frantically present in every scene of the setting: nothing can deny such gruesome worries in a battle royale. A romanticist mix between .Hack & Fate, it appears. I wouldn’t proclaim that I dismay the idea but, the innovation with it lacks in just being ‘generic’.

A virtual world may actually seem like the perfect setting to execute Fate’s beloved core element and, there’s no jest about it not shining well. Every pace of the anime expects you to be hyped up for this one crucial deus-ex-machina conclusion. Now, this isn’t the first time Fate does this but, I’m quite astonished at how cliche their attempt was. With its sibling, Zero, it managed to spark up the element well enough to hinder no indication of an ‘arsepull’.

While here, in this commuted title, all they seemed to recognise is the fact that there is no ‘other’ way to solve this plot’s trope ? Then guess what? Throw down a typical antagonist whose motives are so generic that even the word ‘generic’ would throw its brain away & die of a cringe fest.
Let this con not distract you from the fact that there are subtle moments within the anime, where you could ignore this trope completely & be well contented.

Also, the lack of a proper lore or backstory in this title won’t make much of a difference, since the virtual reality setting is pretty much an off-giver of the mess that Garden of Sinner makes. Yes, it’s paramount to note some of its lore ties to the unrelated Nasu title: it’s needed to comprehend one of the unexplained elements that the anime throws at you later on.

It’s hard to assess both the first 10 episodes & the last 3 together; however, I’m heavily disappointed in the potential it wasted. That doesn’t excuse the snail paced introduction the audience gets neither the grandiose fights this show awes you with.

Characterisation:

Strongest part of this anime so far; but not necessarily ‘good’. Protagonist and his servant manage to perform as expected, without being any form of irritation to the screen. Recurring characters are unsurprisingly still a chore. How, you ask ? Imagine asking a crow to deliver your love letter. Either it’ll eat it for dinner or deliver a half torn letter to the wrong person. I’m not sure if jesting about the depth of characterisation is worth it for this review; however, I’ll remark on the dynamic of the duo that is Saber & Hakuno. Their development is quite profoundly put ‘as fresh as a stale bread’. While it’s edible, it’s by no means fresh; you still have to throw it into the bin. The bread needs to be remade in order to suffice the tongues of the guests.

Hakuno’s oblivious personality or amnesia isn’t a strong suit here, neither is his ambiguous history. Saber’s personality is grounded but not well suited - or it could be that my taste is a bit different (though not superior or inferior). Some could appreciate this Saber and so could I but, given the fact that this show spoils the bread enough already, it feels like another chore to spare.

Much of the other characters make striking appearances with their thematic pertinence to the setting & deliver their part; decent but not solid. I surely could speak miles about the ‘wonderland’ arc but, I wouldn’t want to bother another paragraph, significant or not. I’ll just say that it’s my favourite. There is much to be recognised through that arc’s characterisation, which would have been a fine contribution had it marked itself rigorously much earlier on.

Soundtrack:

I’ve no complaints about the soundtrack, it’s your typical Fate experience - even if not Kaijura. It blends well with the fights & the scenes. Discussing or reviewing soundtracks isn’t really my strong suit; though, my insight on it really counts when it’s grandiose or bland. As for this show, it wasn’t really either, it was only bearable & listenable enough for my ears - something which I always appreciate. The opening & ending are remarkable, to say the least. However, sound design could surely improve in 1 or 2 areas.

Animation:

It’s more of a matter of taste here. Being spoiled by Ufotable, it’s hard to digest a Fate series by Deen or any other studio. While it’s not bad, it just leaves this ‘not Fate’ vibe in the back of my mind. The art style is decent if not to my liking & the animation is lukewarm. The fight scenes could see better days. The backgrounds are amusing and much wondered in colour. I like this element of the show but, there’s just this awful aftertaste that I can’t seem to get rid of.

Conclusion:

As apparent by this review, my insight of Fate/Extra is very monotonous given how dull the anime looks at first glance. It’s not something anyone can enjoy - even if a Nasu Tard. It takes much commitment & fangasm to appreciate this series. It’s not necessary to watch this show, so it’s not by any means recommended either. The last 3 episodes can step on my palate though - despite having a cringey antagonist. A remarkably mediocre hazard.