Fate/Zero is one of those dark low fantasy anime that make do with an intriguing plot and some movements of excellent narrative quality. However the male leads Kiritisugu and Kirei make for a really bland pair of rivals, though the homoeroticism is pretty strong with them. While the fights are impressive,the lopsided screentime given to this emotionless pair was a real downer. Add the poor dialogue and the poor voice casting for Kotomine and you’ll find the series as a could have been masterpiece.
When the beginning of the Fourth Holy Grail War brings together various mages in search of the wish-fulfilling Holy Grail, Emiya Kiritsugu and his wife leave his young daughter Illya in their quest to put an end to all suffering (another grain of wisdom I didn’t want). He is joined by other including Kariya Matou who wants to prevent his friend’s fuaghter form being victimized at the hands of his mad scientist father. This sets up a series of mind-boggling battles and bloodstained intrigues including battles with the King of Heroes Gilgamesh.
Spoilers Ahead
I especially liked the madness of Caster and his master, as well as the dynamic between Weaver and his Rider Alexander. There are also some very excellently executed arcs like Rin’s adventures and Emiya’s flashbacks . Other moments of narrative excellence include Diarmuid’s death and his curse upon the Grail, as well as the three-way discourse on kingship between Arthur, Alexander and Gilgamesh.
Alexander’s repudiation of the king as saint seem to remind me of Nietzchean desire to overcome slave morality in favor of a heroic king. Kariya’s final fantasy about being Din and Sakura’s father was also excellently executed. Devin worth a watch but probably better with dubbed audio
Reason and The Passions 