The Holy Grail War: a violent battle between mages in which seven masters and their summoned servants fight for the Holy Grail, a magical artifact that can grant the victor any wish. Nearly 10 years ago, the final battle of the Fourth Holy Grail War wreaked havoc on Fuyuki City and took over 500 lives, leaving the city devastated.
Shirou Emiya, a survivor of this tragedy, aspires to become a hero of justice like his rescuer and adoptive father, Kiritsugu Emiya. Despite only being a student, Shirou is thrown into the Fifth Holy Grail War when he accidentally sees a battle between servants at school and summons his own servant, Saber.
When a mysterious shadow begins a murderous spree in Fuyuki City, Shirou aligns himself with Rin Toosaka, a fellow participant in the Holy Grail War, in order to stop the deaths of countless people. However, Shirou's feelings for his close friend Sakura Matou lead him deeper into the dark secrets surrounding the war and the feuding families involved.
Anime Review: Fate/stay night Movie: Heaven's Feel - I. Presage Flower
Shiro Emiya, a high school student who has an affinity for fixing all things mechanical, leads an ordinary life. However, he is dragged into the Fifth Holy Grail War after accidentally seeing a fight between servants at school. Shiro is told that he will become a Master and must fight against others in a battle royale for the Holy Grail, a magic item that can grant the winner any wish.
A change in the story of Fate/stay night in Heaven's Feel is the focus it puts on Shiro’s childhood friend Sakura Matou and her secret relationship with her elder brother Shinji. Amidst the chaos of the ongoing battles, Shiro goes out of his way to protect Sakura, and in the process, gets drawn deeper into the harsh reality and cruelty of the Holy Grail wars.
Animation & Art
The animation quality of this movie is mind-blowing. Ufotable Studio has proved once again that their prowess is matchless when it comes to producing visually stunning effects. The fight scenes are gloriously fluid and the character designs are meticulous. The atmospheric lighting also significantly adds depth to each scene.
Pros
The movie delivers an engrossing storyline and meticulous character development. It maintains the thrilling mystery of the Holy Grail War while shedding new light on the enigma that is Sakura Matou. Also, this movie pays homage to horror elements more than any other Fate adaptation, which will delight fans of the genre.
Cons
For the uninitiated, the dense plot and the introduction of some characters might feel a bit overwhelming. The movie references the earlier Fate series and assumes familiarity with these aspects, which could be a letdown for new fans. Some fans may also argue that the story is skewed too heavily towards Sakura’s development, leaving little room for the ensemble cast.
Sound & Music
The background scores perfectly encapsulate the mood of different scenes and the sound design during battles is just riveting. The inclusion of “Hana no Uta” by Aimer as the theme song adds a melancholic vibe which complements the movie's darker tone.
Final Verdict: Should You Stream, Buy, or Rent?
As a critic, I would definitely recommend all Fate fans to buy or stream "Fate/stay night Movie: Heaven's Feel - I. Presage Flower" as it is an essential piece of the Fate universe. For first-time watchers, it might be a bit perplexing, but don't let that discourage you. Consider this as an incentive to dive deeper into the enigmatic universe of Fate. I guarantee an immersive experience filled with thrill, suspense, and spectacular animation that will leave you craving for more!
Be the first to leave a review.
