People always like to bring up the fact that for someone who was summoned in the Archer class it seems like Rin’s servant sure uses swords a whole bunch. As I have stated before I think that has a lot to do with the fact that the Archer class in Fate/Stay Night is heavily based on the Ranger class in D&D. Rangers in D&D can uses swords and bows equally well and usually specialize in either being able to master their ranged combat or how to dual wield melee weapons. Clearly the Wrought Iron Hero picked two swords as this Ranger specialization of choice. Why Nasu decided to name the class Archer instead of Ranger is a question only he can answer. But we do get to see Archer use the heck out of a bow in this episode reminding everyone that he is a proper distance attacker when he is allowed to be.

This episode is also the first time we really get to see some serious nods back to Fate/Zero with some original scenes that were not in the original visual novel. They don’t really change to story but they do give some greater insight to what was happening during the battle with Berserker. The connection of Illya and Saber still goes mostly unaddressed in this version of Fate/Stay Night but the little scene here is more than we have ever gotten before. But the again Nasu has already stated that while he can make up excuses of why Saber and Illya never really acknowledge each other in the visual novel it is best not to think about it too hard and generally accept his hand waving about the issue.

Enough book keeping. There is fighting to be done.

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I just went to a showing of the The Tale of The Princess Kaguya in Manhattan with Vinnie, Ink, and Walter Amos after watching this episode. At our meal before the movie the topic of conversation inevitably turned towards the new anime season. Because I was involved we started to discuss Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works. Ink was commenting that only a few episodes into the story the production already seemed far more involving the original Studio Deen adaptation. The superior animation and more delicate direction is surely a key factor but I think that this episode truly bring to light the most important difference. It is the focus. Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel are all parts of the same game but they have very different themes. Or at least different answers to the question “What is a hero?”

This version takes care to just try to adapt Unlimited Blade Works with a laser focus. Everything that reinforces that theme from the story is played up and everything that detracts from that goal is dropped. At the same time it is informed of what came before it and what will come after letting all the key reveals be set up elegantly before the are unveiled. Even all the little elements that make it clear that this was the studio that made the Fate/Zero anime add to the story.

This may not be the Unlimited Blade Works the fans deserve but it is the version they need.

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