Ooh this was such a good episode, packed with content and we finally got to see our protagonists in action! It was incredible to see our Homunculus protagonist actually break out on his own, and actually partially succeed in his escape thanks for being protected by not only Astofolo, but also by Chiron. In fact, when the protagonist was trying to run away, I didn’t think he would get far and thought to myself, “Good luck with that!” but then comes in Astofolo who unexpectedly  and hilariously swept in and saved him, no questions asked. Hell he even blatantly lied to Caster’s workers faces all while he was hauling the boy over his shoulder! We later learn that Astofolo has a very gentle heart, and doesn’t like letting people die. The protagonists interaction with Astofolo and Chiron were short and sweet. Chiron was very understanding and was fully aware the protagonist was Caster’s Homunculus who had ran away, and provided him some insight on his lifespan (he only has three years to live) and meaningful questions to ask himself such as what does he want to do or accomplish with the little time he has left. The fact they treated him like a human being and not as Caster’s lab rat just made me love their characters in more.

Speaking of falling love with characters, god damn it – I am in store for a world of pain aren’t I? I keep on growing more attached to each servant and their master (with exception of the psychos). Seriously, I cannot get over how ADORABLE Frankenstein (Black Beserker) and her master is together. The way they interact with each other, it’s just so precious to watch… and then I remember they are probably gonna get killed and cry about it. Ugh, I am not looking forward to their demise… There is also Mordred and Sisigo, who are a match made in heaven team. They are absolutely the perfect fit for each other. I loved how Sisigo just casually started referring to Mordred as ‘My King’ after hearing how he referred to citizens as his subjects. Mordred’s reaction was absolutely priceless. You can see how much it meant to her.
Also on the side note, Mordred is such a child. Always whining when she’s bored. She wants to go out and pick a fight! (So as long it’s not in areas where her Noble Phantasm will harm civilians due to its vast area of effect.)

Jeanne faced up against Red Lancer, Karna, but assassination attempted was foiled when the Black Faction, Gordes and Black Saber, Siegfried showed up and protected her. It was pretty obvious that Gordes was trying to win Jeanne’s favor and tip the scale, but unfortunately for him she won’t budge. Her job is to be the judge of the Holy Grail War, and serve as a neutral fraction. I can’t believe he honestly expected her to team up with Siegfried to take down Karna. Instead, it became Karna VS Siegfried, but the battle was put on hold due to the sun rising. (I don’t know Karna’s backstory, so I didn’t quite understand why he and Siegfried agreed to put it on hold – unless they simply did not want to fight during daylight). Hopefully that will be explained, otherwise I’ll just look it up myself.

It surprised me how this episode devoted quite a bit of time on the backstory and wishes of both servants and masters. The two servants who had their backstories covered were Frankenstein and Siegfried, along with learning what their wish is. Frankenstein wants a partner, Siegfried doesn’t know what he is seeking, nor his wish. He is not particularly pleased to have been summoned and have to repeat the lifestyle of having to kill on the behalf of others before he died (which ironically, his death was on the behalf on the people). The only hope for him this time is to perhaps finally figure out what is his true wish. The one other servant’s wish we learn about was Chiron’s, and it pretty straightforward: he just wants his immortality back.

Besides the servants, we did hear a wish from two masters, ironically the two are in store for a grim fate. They are the siblings, Fiore and Caules. It was quite interesting to see the contrast between the two. Fiore has a “selfish” wish, and hopes to be able to walk again, while her brother Caules has a selfless wish, of hoping to revive his sister should he win the Holy Grail war. Of course while it can be considered selfless, I personally think his wish is actually selfish, because i doubt he had spoken to his sister about this to know whether or not she would want to be revived – especially when you consider how she is already frustrated as it is to be physically disabled.

The fight scene we got to see between Karna and Siegfred was pretty good. It was fun to see magic at play, but I found rather than the animation itself, it was mostly the sound and special effects that caught my attention. The crackling and booms were good to say the least, and the magic effects were cool to watch, but the fight itself certainly left more to be desired. I suppose we were all a bit too spoiled with ufotable’s lively combat scenes.

With the protagonist finally awake and walking, I wonder how many more episodes it will be before he finally meets Jeanne! Looking forward to next week!

 

Eva

Blogging Anime since Summer 2009, & Founder of AngryAnimeBitches Anime Blog ...I may or may not be addicted to writing

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Vantage

    ASTOLFO IS BEST GIRL (BOY)
    MY WIFE (HUSBAND) ASTOLFO IS SO CUTE
    send help

  2. Wilfredo Sifr Starduster

    Of course the battle between Servants couldn’t commence officially without a Lancer starting it, right? Diarmuid & Cú Chulainn both did that in FZ & FSN, which is why I couldn’t help but be severely disappointed at how they made Karna’s debut SO underwhelming because his first battle against Siegfried was unbearably dull compared to Arthur vs Diarmuid or Cú Chulainn vs Counter Guardian EMIYA. Also, I’m already not too fond of a Ruler’s duty to stay out of as many battles as possible because it’s such a huge missed opportunity to NOT make Karna (the second most OP Heroic Spirit ever, only behind Gilgamesh) going against BOTH Siegfried and Jeanne and kick their asses. Although the battle did show us the legend of the famed Dragon Killer, it was still mind-boggling at how they both fought until morning because Sumanai-kun (“I’m sorry”) was an absolute joke in Fate/Grand Order. Don’t even get me started on how Goudes was trying to get attention that he didn’t deserve & Celenike was so mentally deranged I just want her to die already for treating Astolfo like her “sex toy”; Spartacus was nothing but trouble AND WHY CAN’T THEY JUST SHOW US ACHILLES & ATLANTA ALREADY?! Nonetheless, I’m very delighted to see more of Frank-chan’s (who ironically has more sanity than Celenike) interactions with Caules & Chiron being the wise master he was in the Greek myth; Shirou Kotomine (I despise this name with a passion, why not go with “Kiritsugu Kotomine” or “Emiya Kirei”) is going a good job in hypnotizing other Red Faction Masters to submit to him… Oh and don’t forget our homunculus protagonist is here (at last).
    “I don’t know Karna’s backstory, so I didn’t quite understand why he and Siegfried agreed to put it on hold – unless they simply did not want to fight during daylight”
    NO, Karna was simply being pity on Goudes because Siegfried possessed the Blood Armor of the Evil Dragon, an ability that re-enacted his myth who washed in the evil dragon’s blood & therefore nullifying all attacks of Rank B and below. However the fight was too short it failed to show that Karna’s spear had the power proportionate to an A-Rank attack & Siegfried was actually pierced SEVENTY-EIGHT TIMES before he could even touch Karna and was terrified as result. Goudes had exhausted his mana to Siegfried to ensure the Blood Armor reduce the amount of damage he received as low as possible. Another factor was that Karna’s power was boosted by sunlight (due to him being a sun god’s son), had they continued the fight he would simply annihilate all three of them. Worst of all, Karna himself was actually HOLDING BACK because although his Noble Phantasms were extremely powerful they consumed A LOT of mana to the point his Master couldn’t sustain it. Thai said, Karna compared Siegfried to his rival Arjuna (as described in the Indian epics) and deemed him a worthy opponent to fight against.

    1. Eva

      Thanks for the clarification on why they put the fight on hold. Needless to say I’m surprised Karna pitying the other got the better of him (and like you said, it’s a weird decision how they went about it). He could’ve just finished them, LET KARNA/RED-LANCER BE OP DAMNIT! Taking out both Jeanne and Siegfried and his master would have killed two bird with one stone considering it was his mission to take out Jeanne to begin with. But then again, he had to let them go for the sake of the plot! =3=
      LOL I had a feeling that Karna would be the most powerful during daylight. It crossed my mind that he could potentially destroy the entire landscape! XD

      1. Wilfredo Sifr Starduster

        The fight was sadly too short for me to like, but you can see whenever Karna strikes a wave of scorched blaze often laid the nearby surroundings to waste, forcing Siegfried to be defensive. Overall Karna is way too OP for this Holy Grail War.

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