<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/2010-05-0751mDhM7weUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg">
<b>Review of Fate/stay night #4 by Raz112</b>
"Have withstood pain to create many weapons. Yet, those hands will never hold anything. So, as I pray – 'Unlimited Blade Works'." - Archer
So Sarah left us at a tantalising moment with the last Fate/Stay Night review. Saber uses her Noble Phantasm and reveals the true identity of her sword. What Sarah didn't mention, is that the sword is also key to revealing who Saber really is. It is here at the halfway stage that we see big revelations, and big battles. Read on to find out more.
Saber is exhausted. She is depleted of Mana from her last battle with Rider and Shinji; so much so that she is struggling to exist...literally. Of course, Shirou is sitting around, tense yet helpless as always. Rin gives Shirou two options that will allow Saber to replenish her Mana before she disappears: to absorb souls, by killing innocents using a command spell (to which Saber would obviously object), or to somehow supply it himself...
Cue Saber's dream and we finally see her past. What I will say about this revelation is that it involves a legend close to this fine country of ours, which is nice; it's not often that Britain gets a mention in Japanese anime. Can you guess who she could be?
Meanwhile, Archer's relationship with Shirou is as great as ever, with him only there as guard due to Rin's insistence. Archer, as always, makes sure that Shirou knows how pathetic he is, as well as the true meaning of the events that have passed.
Shirou goes to the park deep in thought only to be approached by Illya, who paralyses Shirou effortlessly just by touching him. He dreams of Saber's sword; wanting to hold it, to create it, yet knowing that it'll take much more than using his reinforcement magic at his current level. He wakes up in a room in Illya's castle, tied to a chair. She offers him a proposition. To join her as her Servant, or else…?
Saber wakes up to Shirou having been kidnapped. Together with Rin and Archer (again, reluctantly) the chase is on to get Shirou back before it's too late, while Illya plans to kill Saber and Rin. Saber, Rin and Archer reach the castle at night. The stage is set for another encounter.
And what an encounter it is. Upon seeing Illya leaving the castle, the group infiltrate it and search for Shirou. Just as Saber finds him, Shirou frees himself from his bonds. They start to escape, only for Saber to lag behind and fall, tired from the lack of energy. Archer tells Shirou to forget helping her, as there's nothing he can do. Cue yet another evil stare between the two. Regardless, they all carry on. Just as they attempt to walk out the front door, Illya catches them from behind. She had never left the castle at all. After a couple of polite introductory words, Berserker presents himself and Illya gets ready to initiate the battle. Saber wants Shirou to escape but she staggers, unable to stand. It is then that Rin asks a big favour of Archer - to buy them some time to escape. Archer has no problems with this so long as Rin escapes first of all, reflecting his confidence in his own ability. As they turn to flee, Archer gives Shirou one last message: to master the one thing he was born to do, and to ignore everything else.
With that, he throws the sword into the ceiling, causing it to cave in and seal him - and Berserker - off from the others. Then the fight begins, and it's an epic one at that. So much so that half an episode is devoted to it, providing a great ending to the first half of the series.
A new opening sequence begins from episode 15; it's a cool rock number except that the visuals don't exactly reflect the intensity and upbeat nature of the song. Anyway, Saber and the others continue to run through the forest, eventually stopping in a hideout Archer had spotted and planned for earlier. Rin helps Shirou to replenish Saber's Mana by performing an unconventional and slightly erotic ritual that connects the two with an inseparable bond. With Saber back on her feet, they devise a plan to defeat Berserker. Just as they find a suitable location Illya catches up with them, and the fight between Saber, Rin, Shirou and Berserker begins. The only problem is that Berserker is the strongest of all of the Servants. Saber struggles at the front, Shirou is near useless with his tame arrows, and Rin, though able to freeze one arm and blow his face off, is shocked to see him regenerate. It is then that Illya explains Berserker’s origins and nature; he is Heracles and possesses twelve lives as well as immortality, for the twelve trials or labours he faced according to Greek myth. Therefore, although Rin had killed him five times with her attack, Berserker still had seven lives remaining. He grabs her, with his hand poised for crushing.
The fight continues. Saber and Shirou persevere with their normal attacks to no avail, leaving Shirou to recall Archer's advice: to envision Saber's ultimate sword from his dreams and attempt to create it, with the outcome of the battle resting in his hands. He eventually succeeds, ending the battle and saving Rin. However, Illya is left distraught, and thanks to Shirou's kindness ends up living with the enemy all of a sudden. Once again, it’s back to the awkward boy-girl comedy to take a breather from all of the serious developments which had gone on for a good few episodes. It doesn't last long as the end of the episode shows Caster, Assassin and their Master watching the developments from afar, planning their next moves.
The quality of the DVD itself is typical of DVDs from the early years of anime in the UK. The video quality is mostly consistent, though that doesn't mean much, as we are used to high video fidelity nowadays. Perhaps we're spoilt with technology; this series was made in 2006 and we must remember that. Still, while looking fairly clean, at times the video quality drops a little, with some slightly faded colours and occasional fuzziness. The sound is decent, with 2.0 stereo tracks provided, and the subtitles are mostly accurate representations of the Japanese speech. The English track is ok; it's consistent but I personally don't like some of the voices, especially those for Illya, Archer and Rin. The DVD menus are fairly standard, as are the extras, with a new textless opening as well as a short clip of the music video for that song (which is a bit redundant, cutting off after the first verse). Two trailers are also provided for your viewing pleasure.
This volume of Fate/Stay Night, as is often the case, is half story and half action. However, it is the most important volume in both respects, with big revelations in the story pushing it forward and providing increased intrigue, as well as two significant encounters - one particularly epic in stature. This volume belongs to Archer, and it is because of him that rather than giving a 7 as Sarah has consistently done, I'm going to give these episodes an 8. Bring on the next instalment!
<br>
<b>Final score: 8 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-07-02h18m17s20.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-01-23h37m07s94.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-01-23h13m35s133.png">
<b>Review of Fate/stay night #4 by Raz112</b>
"Have withstood pain to create many weapons. Yet, those hands will never hold anything. So, as I pray – 'Unlimited Blade Works'." - Archer
So Sarah left us at a tantalising moment with the last Fate/Stay Night review. Saber uses her Noble Phantasm and reveals the true identity of her sword. What Sarah didn't mention, is that the sword is also key to revealing who Saber really is. It is here at the halfway stage that we see big revelations, and big battles. Read on to find out more.
Saber is exhausted. She is depleted of Mana from her last battle with Rider and Shinji; so much so that she is struggling to exist...literally. Of course, Shirou is sitting around, tense yet helpless as always. Rin gives Shirou two options that will allow Saber to replenish her Mana before she disappears: to absorb souls, by killing innocents using a command spell (to which Saber would obviously object), or to somehow supply it himself...
Cue Saber's dream and we finally see her past. What I will say about this revelation is that it involves a legend close to this fine country of ours, which is nice; it's not often that Britain gets a mention in Japanese anime. Can you guess who she could be?
Meanwhile, Archer's relationship with Shirou is as great as ever, with him only there as guard due to Rin's insistence. Archer, as always, makes sure that Shirou knows how pathetic he is, as well as the true meaning of the events that have passed.
Shirou goes to the park deep in thought only to be approached by Illya, who paralyses Shirou effortlessly just by touching him. He dreams of Saber's sword; wanting to hold it, to create it, yet knowing that it'll take much more than using his reinforcement magic at his current level. He wakes up in a room in Illya's castle, tied to a chair. She offers him a proposition. To join her as her Servant, or else…?
Saber wakes up to Shirou having been kidnapped. Together with Rin and Archer (again, reluctantly) the chase is on to get Shirou back before it's too late, while Illya plans to kill Saber and Rin. Saber, Rin and Archer reach the castle at night. The stage is set for another encounter.
And what an encounter it is. Upon seeing Illya leaving the castle, the group infiltrate it and search for Shirou. Just as Saber finds him, Shirou frees himself from his bonds. They start to escape, only for Saber to lag behind and fall, tired from the lack of energy. Archer tells Shirou to forget helping her, as there's nothing he can do. Cue yet another evil stare between the two. Regardless, they all carry on. Just as they attempt to walk out the front door, Illya catches them from behind. She had never left the castle at all. After a couple of polite introductory words, Berserker presents himself and Illya gets ready to initiate the battle. Saber wants Shirou to escape but she staggers, unable to stand. It is then that Rin asks a big favour of Archer - to buy them some time to escape. Archer has no problems with this so long as Rin escapes first of all, reflecting his confidence in his own ability. As they turn to flee, Archer gives Shirou one last message: to master the one thing he was born to do, and to ignore everything else.
With that, he throws the sword into the ceiling, causing it to cave in and seal him - and Berserker - off from the others. Then the fight begins, and it's an epic one at that. So much so that half an episode is devoted to it, providing a great ending to the first half of the series.
A new opening sequence begins from episode 15; it's a cool rock number except that the visuals don't exactly reflect the intensity and upbeat nature of the song. Anyway, Saber and the others continue to run through the forest, eventually stopping in a hideout Archer had spotted and planned for earlier. Rin helps Shirou to replenish Saber's Mana by performing an unconventional and slightly erotic ritual that connects the two with an inseparable bond. With Saber back on her feet, they devise a plan to defeat Berserker. Just as they find a suitable location Illya catches up with them, and the fight between Saber, Rin, Shirou and Berserker begins. The only problem is that Berserker is the strongest of all of the Servants. Saber struggles at the front, Shirou is near useless with his tame arrows, and Rin, though able to freeze one arm and blow his face off, is shocked to see him regenerate. It is then that Illya explains Berserker’s origins and nature; he is Heracles and possesses twelve lives as well as immortality, for the twelve trials or labours he faced according to Greek myth. Therefore, although Rin had killed him five times with her attack, Berserker still had seven lives remaining. He grabs her, with his hand poised for crushing.
The fight continues. Saber and Shirou persevere with their normal attacks to no avail, leaving Shirou to recall Archer's advice: to envision Saber's ultimate sword from his dreams and attempt to create it, with the outcome of the battle resting in his hands. He eventually succeeds, ending the battle and saving Rin. However, Illya is left distraught, and thanks to Shirou's kindness ends up living with the enemy all of a sudden. Once again, it’s back to the awkward boy-girl comedy to take a breather from all of the serious developments which had gone on for a good few episodes. It doesn't last long as the end of the episode shows Caster, Assassin and their Master watching the developments from afar, planning their next moves.
The quality of the DVD itself is typical of DVDs from the early years of anime in the UK. The video quality is mostly consistent, though that doesn't mean much, as we are used to high video fidelity nowadays. Perhaps we're spoilt with technology; this series was made in 2006 and we must remember that. Still, while looking fairly clean, at times the video quality drops a little, with some slightly faded colours and occasional fuzziness. The sound is decent, with 2.0 stereo tracks provided, and the subtitles are mostly accurate representations of the Japanese speech. The English track is ok; it's consistent but I personally don't like some of the voices, especially those for Illya, Archer and Rin. The DVD menus are fairly standard, as are the extras, with a new textless opening as well as a short clip of the music video for that song (which is a bit redundant, cutting off after the first verse). Two trailers are also provided for your viewing pleasure.
This volume of Fate/Stay Night, as is often the case, is half story and half action. However, it is the most important volume in both respects, with big revelations in the story pushing it forward and providing increased intrigue, as well as two significant encounters - one particularly epic in stature. This volume belongs to Archer, and it is because of him that rather than giving a 7 as Sarah has consistently done, I'm going to give these episodes an 8. Bring on the next instalment!
<br>
<b>Final score: 8 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-07-02h18m17s20.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-01-23h37m07s94.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2010-05-07vlcsnap-2010-05-01-23h13m35s133.png">