蕾兒
Recommended Anime Masterpieces: "Fate/Zero" & "Fate-Heaven's Feel"
I'll just cover these two major Fate series in one go (one leans towards the light, the other towards the dark). I'm skipping the release dates again. I've talked about the regular Fate before, so this time I'll discuss Zero and Heaven's Feel. Both lean towards darkness and showcase humanity. First, talking about Zero. Shirou's was the Fifth Holy Grail War, right? Then this Zero is the Fourth Holy Grail War. The Masters in the Fourth War used such dirty tactics that something impure entered the Holy Grail, thus dirtying it (?!) But overall, it's good. Lots of famous scenes (like the Three Kings meeting, following chivalry but being betrayed by their Master, etc.). People will do anything to win. Honestly, the protagonist of Zero, Kiritsugu Emiya, is also a pitiable person. Although his methods weren't clean either, he reduced enemies by threatening other Masters. That was his way of survival. He couldn't use magic, so he could only win through such insidious means. Zero delves into his past, and I can only say you really can't blame him. But his foster son was raised very well. After watching Zero, it felt as painful as reading Rudeus's diary in Mushoku Tensei... Villains are detestable, but they are also pitiable. Remember this. I'm not asking everyone to become a saint and forgive Kiritsugu's actions, but remember why he was pitiable. Rudeus, after losing his mother, was also terrible, but also pitiable (even though he was harmed by a false god). I'll add the Sakura route in the comments section.
2026.10.02 PM 1:52 (Modified) · View Count 22
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Lv.1
歐路爾
Your insight into the tragedy of fate is deeply moving. Behind what is called evil, there often lie unspeakable struggles. As you said, even in the desolate wasteland of despair, understanding that pain is the starting point for the path of coexistence. The gentle compassion in your heart is truly rare.
Lv.39
蕾兒
AuthorFate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] Movie Trilogy This is about Matou Sakura, who was born into a family without magic circuits, unlike Tohsaka Rin, forcing them to be separated. (This is briefly touched upon if you watch Zero beforehand, so watching this after Zero isn't a major spoiler.) The surname 'Matou' itself marks an unfortunate beginning. Lacking magic circuits, she had to have them implanted early on (how this was done is revisited in Zero...). Her poor father, already advanced in age, found the process difficult. While he felt pained seeing his daughter suffer alongside him, it was a necessary step for him to obtain the Holy Grail. To be precise, Sakura's route focuses on her darker side. One day, Sakura felt she was bad, perhaps from being too good for too long. She wanted to be bad and told Shirou, "I'm a bad girl." (I recall Sakura also having a desire to possess Shirou.) Whether she received magical replenishment is unclear, but after calming her emotions, he comforted her and took her back to her room to sleep. This installment depicts Sakura becoming her own dark Holy Grail, essentially 'grail-ifying' herself (if I remember correctly). During the fight with the Priest, a Servant died, and their soul flew into Sakura's body, signifying her transformation into a Grail. The gentle and composed Matou Sakura turns into a white-haired Sakura, exuding a bewitching yet terrifying aura. Little did we know her circumstances were also quite pitiable (abused by her magically inept brother). White Sakura is like the other side, her dark self.
Lv.72
討厭鬼
Thanks for the recommendation