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5 hours ago
#1

Offline
Dec 2021
3795
We’ve seen Gil fight, we’ve seen Assassin in action, we’ve basically seen everyone fight already, except our main guy. And yeah, dude, they went all out here. I never, and I mean never, thought I’d see anything in Fate beat Babylonia in terms of animation, but here we are. That might honestly be THE BEST Excalibur in Fate history. NO CONTEST.


The whole episode just felt amazing. The storyboards were on point, and there wasn’t a single boring shot. Every scene was interesting, if you look away for even a second, you miss something. The way they explained things this episode was so good. And now everything connects. You can really feel that this is a Narita-style story. The stuff with Arthur and Assassin from last episode especially felt straight out of Durarara.

I don’t think I’ve smiled this much watching an episode in a long time. Honestly, this could already be episode of the year, and it’s only been two months.
5 hours ago
#2

Offline
May 2020
12566
Bro really went and asked Enkidu if he wanna team up and cooperate or not lmao. Btw, since we’re still doing the groundwork for the foundation which would be the stuff we’ll see in the coming episodes, it’s actually nice to see some good old action from time to time, instead of you know.. someone waking up and summoning a servant, just because they can lol. Knew the action bit between Saber and Enkidu isn’t very long, but yeah, they really went bonkers.. this being when that Excalibur wasn’t even serious enough xD

Sheesh. All of that from a single piece of tree branch, and then you’ve Enkidu blocking that with the bare minimum of effort. The assassin girl really was really brave enough to come and greet those two when like a minute ago something of such magnitude happened lol. Great direction this episode, but yeah, I’d have wanted them to cover Ayaka’s backstory to some detail. Maybe for another time.. but yeah, great to see things are coming together now.
4 hours ago
#3

Offline
May 2023
537
EPISODE OF THE YEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR CONTENDERS FOR SUREEEEE

ENOKIDO+SAKAZUME CINEMA
4 hours ago
#4
Offline
Apr 2017
4
I have read the LN and this episode is defintely the current best in term of pacing for the story and ofc the action. The explanation of the servants ability is shown via the action scene really well wspecially with Richard outspeeding Enkidu at first then Enkidu in turn Match and outsped him due to their skill.
4 hours ago
#5
Offline
Mar 2016
157
If there’s a reason why Richard is one of my fav servants this is one of them. Plus the past few episodes as well be it Innocently strumming a guitar or fighting ppl. Heck even he arrived early in FGO too bruh.


And Mind you he did an Excalibur…

with a stick.


A STICK.


Already an Early EOTY for me.
4 hours ago
#6
Offline
Apr 2023
491
can't believe the quality we getting every week, it's just getting better when i thought it couldn't get better than this, and we have two more big fight left this season, The entire episode was just a celebration of animation where Animators were flexing their best comparing to each other like Hey look my cut is better than yours, the strong drawing/storyboard, the amount of background they had to hand drawn every frame, the ost with saber's speech convinced me to get there to war for my country lol, the character pov shots, the close up eye shots, the different style of colours, the amount of fluid animation for even the very basic scenes, and the comp of that ice tea of caster, one of the best episode of this year
4 hours ago
#7
Offline
Mar 2021
42
Amazing animation from A-1 and of course the more you look at it the more it is a masterpiece.
3 hours ago
#8
Offline
Apr 2023
491
R_ryo said:
Amazing animation from A-1 and of course the more you look at it the more it is a masterpiece.

The episode was outsourced to wit judging from the staff list
3 hours ago
#9
Offline
Dec 2024
1711
even the outsourced episodes are peek!

I've never seen a twig look so strong lol.

its cute seeing saber admiring saber.

Richard Lionheart is honestly such a alpha name.
3 hours ago
Offline
Mar 2024
376
EPISODE OF THE YEAR (so far)
3 hours ago
Offline
Apr 2023
491
AishinDesu said:
EPISODE OF THE YEAR (so far)

what about Jjk 3×4, I've seen Jjk fans on Twitter saying the Strange Fake episode wasn't even comparable with thier episode lol
3 hours ago
lagom
Offline
Jan 2009
109684
"as long as there is delusion there is hope" - richard lionheart probably lol

anything he delusionaly believes is excalibur is excalibur how cool is that
3 hours ago
Forever Ai's fan

Offline
Oct 2017
31172
Lionheart vs Enkidu was so good. I actually liked the music choice there. The action sequence itself was epic but the music made it feel more calm and grounded. Lionheart can basically use anything as excalibur, that's quite something. Mystery surrounding Ayaka intensifies. What is she actually? Btw I loled at her pulling Lionheart's hair. That interaction felt cute. She is slowly opening upto him. They formed a three way alliance. The guy works fast.
3 hours ago

Offline
Jul 2021
373
Excellent animation and directing from this episode, but hell the pacing feels faster than usual here even though the usual episodes also feel fast.. Also I love that Semina apartment story reference there. I thought that red figure is a counter guardian that doesn't seem like it?
3 hours ago
Offline
May 2023
213
We are getting spoiled with these high profile shows,this episode was insane.
3 hours ago

Offline
Jul 2011
2537
When something friend shaped approaches you. Ayaka did the right thing.

Saber walked through a forest and just found that stick? If he had trouble finding King Arthur's treasure, may be a skill issue, honestly.
3 hours ago
Offline
May 2021
3455
Broooo that training fight animation was so damn good and smooth af. That excalibur gave me goosebumps and nostalgia at the same time! This fate series is better than any alternate fate series so far
3 hours ago
Offline
May 2019
28
Are the people in here bots or something? Because that was the worst episode of anime that I've managed to sit through in memory.

Random disjointed scenes. Random extreme statements with no context given.

Obviously, there is an insane amount of effort put into the animation... but absolutely everything else about this episode in particular is absolute chaotic nonsense. Like, beyond just pacing problems (which are considerable). It's just a general lack of any sort of coherent plot, character development (the "MC" girl is still just some mystery girl that's sulky, mean, and still fully amnesiac apparently?).

Surely I'm not the only person who sees this?

The only explanation for the comments above are that they're either bots, or they're just completely delusionally fanboy/girl'd tf out in regard to Fate stuff. So insane. Episode of the year?! fr?? What,
2 hours ago
Offline
Jan 2023
46
Peak episode again, insane fight scene and when Richard used the stick as Excalibur was just so beautiful.

Also, it seems that my theory of Fake Rider being the Horseman of the Death/Disease, he is also linked to the Plague (which is a disease so the obvious). And in this episode, "horseman" is not used but cavalryman still reference it and after that, one the screen, there is direct mention to the plague and death. I have this theory since EP0, glad to see it still present and even more real, can't wait for the reveal !
2 hours ago
Offline
Jan 2021
67
Hickykissy said:
R_ryo said:
Amazing animation from A-1 and of course the more you look at it the more it is a masterpiece.

The episode was outsourced to wit judging from the staff list

It was a collab apparently. It had some A-1 guys there too. This justify the insane quality.
2 hours ago
Offline
Nov 2018
2
Probably the most visually impressive episode of the year, but the pacing felt kind of rushed, with way too much information for one episode
2 hours ago
Offline
Apr 2023
491
the_muffin_man99 said:
Are the people in here bots or something? Because that was the worst episode of anime that I've managed to sit through in memory.

Random disjointed scenes. Random extreme statements with no context given.

Obviously, there is an insane amount of effort put into the animation... but absolutely everything else about this episode in particular is absolute chaotic nonsense. Like, beyond just pacing problems (which are considerable). It's just a general lack of any sort of coherent plot, character development (the "MC" girl is still just some mystery girl that's sulky, mean, and still fully amnesiac apparently?).

Surely I'm not the only person who sees this?

The only explanation for the comments above are that they're either bots, or they're just completely delusionally fanboy/girl'd tf out in regard to Fate stuff. So insane. Episode of the year?! fr?? What,

sybau bot, open any app, you're the only one rage baiting seeking for attention
2 hours ago
Offline
May 2023
213
Reply to the_muffin_man99
Are the people in here bots or something? Because that was the worst episode of anime that I've managed to sit through in memory.

Random disjointed scenes. Random extreme statements with no context given.

Obviously, there is an insane amount of effort put into the animation... but absolutely everything else about this episode in particular is absolute chaotic nonsense. Like, beyond just pacing problems (which are considerable). It's just a general lack of any sort of coherent plot, character development (the "MC" girl is still just some mystery girl that's sulky, mean, and still fully amnesiac apparently?).

Surely I'm not the only person who sees this?

The only explanation for the comments above are that they're either bots, or they're just completely delusionally fanboy/girl'd tf out in regard to Fate stuff. So insane. Episode of the year?! fr?? What,
@the_muffin_man99 ragebait
2 hours ago

Offline
Nov 2013
1849
The interesting thing about the Red Riding Hood story mentioned here is that it was first mentioned way back in 2005 in Fate/Hollow Ataraxia. Back then, it really was just a ghost story and nothing else, part of a "fake-out opening" that turns out to be just the cast telling horror stories at night. Narita took it and made it part of the character arc of one of his characters. Further evidence that anything that has been mentioned in a Fate work in the past can show up in Strange Fake, no matter how minor it was originally.

BTW, the story was shortened for the sake of time, and while they did mention the important points, if anyone wants to know the full ghost story, just check Hollow Ataraxia. It's quite easy: as I mentioned, the ghost story is the opening of the Visual Novel, so find the first part of any playthrough on youtube, and there it is.
2 hours ago
Alter Ego
Offline
Jan 2021
5
Reply to the_muffin_man99
Are the people in here bots or something? Because that was the worst episode of anime that I've managed to sit through in memory.

Random disjointed scenes. Random extreme statements with no context given.

Obviously, there is an insane amount of effort put into the animation... but absolutely everything else about this episode in particular is absolute chaotic nonsense. Like, beyond just pacing problems (which are considerable). It's just a general lack of any sort of coherent plot, character development (the "MC" girl is still just some mystery girl that's sulky, mean, and still fully amnesiac apparently?).

Surely I'm not the only person who sees this?

The only explanation for the comments above are that they're either bots, or they're just completely delusionally fanboy/girl'd tf out in regard to Fate stuff. So insane. Episode of the year?! fr?? What,
@the_muffin_man99 all that yap for a 0/10 ragebait. You're a disappointment man...
2 hours ago

Offline
May 2018
35411
Nice fight scene right there!
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2 hours ago

Offline
Jun 2015
662
A bit more familiar faces this episode and some more lore drops for the characters, the Little Red Riding Hood being the most mysterious one so far, we've seen Ayaka being haunted by that thing and now we're getting more about it– in which nothing really made sense and it only brought in more questions. lol.

Francesca can't see Saber anymore? yeah that guy just dodged a Clairvoyance EX and appeared out of nowhere in FGO NA! Jokes aside, that was an amazing battle, King Arthur's #1 fan turned a random stick he found into Excalibur. All these short fights are just teasers for the real thing and we're almost halfway through the season... this strange war will never end!

Everyone's attention is on the black curse going around, that hospital will probably soon turn into a battlefield– and we gotta do something about that vampire.
2 hours ago

Offline
Jun 2014
8152
Jesus that was some insane animation. When I see scenes like Lionheart vs Enkidu it makes me respect animators more and more, what they manage to do at times doesn't feel human lol.
People on MAL refuse to actually enjoy watching anime.

Your taste in anime isn't a personality trait.

Take me back to the days before MAL became infested with Twitter's favorite buzzwords.


2 hours ago
Offline
Apr 2023
156
Probably my favorite thus far, Saber always does get a lot of mileage. What an interesting development with finding allies in servants rather than masters. Ayaka herself continues to be the biggest mystery in the show, and may prove to be the most tragic.
2 hours ago
Offline
Jul 2024
5967
Oh Man, Jester is after the kid. After the Richard/Enkidu battle they leave us with that insane/illegal cliffhanger!
2 hours ago
Community Mod
☝🤓

Offline
Oct 2013
419
That Excalibur aint messing around. I look forward to seeing if it will be used against Gilgamesh (please).

It is definitely unique that a dog and a comatose patient (I assume) can be master, but misses the servant/master usual dynamic. But I guess that's why it's called Strange for a reason.
1 hour ago
Offline
Jan 2020
72
NezuSwallowtail_ said:
EPISODE OF THE YEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR CONTENDERS FOR SUREEEEE

ENOKIDO+SAKAZUME CINEMA

shun miyakawa and hirotaka mori cinema
1 hour ago
Offline
Oct 2020
68
Reply to Hickykissy
AishinDesu said:
EPISODE OF THE YEAR (so far)

what about Jjk 3×4, I've seen Jjk fans on Twitter saying the Strange Fake episode wasn't even comparable with thier episode lol
@Hickykissy nobody takes JJK fans seriously. The only thing they should be talking about is how incredibly poor the writing in their manga/anime is.
1 hour ago

Offline
May 2015
901
Visual masterpiece with amazing direction. I loved the depiction of horror in Ayaka's backstory and the pencil brush art style for Richard's gave it a nice whimsical tone. Also loved seeing Enkidu in action against someone other than Gil.

The pacing can be a little hard to follow at times but it all still prefer this flow. Not a single frame or moment is wasted and I appreciate that. Its crazy because this still probably isn't the production peak either.


1 hour ago

Offline
Jul 2017
6948
The direction, animation quality and particularly storyboarding in this episode was absolutely incredible. Best of this season I have to say, one that has Jujutsu Kaisen and Oshi no Ko as a couple names to boast. Pacing was really smooth too, set up the alliance at a good pace with the Assassin, Lionheart and Enkidu. The brief action with Lionheart and Enkidu looked stunning to say the least. Shame this quality was only used for a 'test'. Great looking Excalibur in there. The story with the ghost I remembered was straight out of Hollow Ataraxia so it is interesting seeing different elements of Type Moon be shown in this show. Dead Apostles were Tsukihime-coded and now this. I would love to know more eventually about Ayaka's backstory that has clouded over her, and how someone like Lionheart can help in her development in the series and there were good signs from this episode. Even Lionheart and his story looked at in a few more details was dope. It's a very good episode that was very much elevated by its impressive visual storytelling, even beyond the action.
50 minutes ago

Offline
Aug 2014
4431
Everyone in the comment section has already said all the positives that needed to be said

Keep being epic, Fate Fake, all the way to the end. That's all we can hope for as viewers.


And that scene of story-telling with red-hood was really spooky
oooo333343 minutes ago
47 minutes ago
Offline
Dec 2024
1711
@the_muffin_man99
nigga please try harder
47 minutes ago
Offline
Apr 2020
61
I've got goosebumps from watching this Episode. Absolute Cinema!
33 minutes ago

Online
Feb 2019
12536
Holy shit Richard it’s fucking ooooozing. Sawano you are insane
26 minutes ago

Offline
Feb 2020
29
ITS SAKUGA FEST FOR MY EYES. PEAK SHOW RIGHT THERE.
THEYRE REALLY CREATIVE FOR ANIMATED THE FIGHT BETWEEN SABER N LANCER,From Light Novel its feels like an fast fight, but theyre makin it so good.

GIMME MOREEEE EPISODE
16 minutes ago

Offline
May 2015
1844
Man, how did they reach to make every episode with the quality of a movie ? These years of production were really worth it. Richard VS Enkidu, even if it was short, was legendary.
9 minutes ago

Online
Jun 2020
3381
For a fake Excaliblast, that was phenomenal. I really like Ayaka's interactions with Saber. They're so cute together
5 minutes ago

Offline
Oct 2021
539
That fight between Richard and Enkidu was absolutely insane for what's essentially a sparring match. The best animated episode yet by far, which is saying something as it's already been pretty high-quality. It could even end up being an EOTY contender... assuming it isn't surpassed within this run.
2 minutes ago

Offline
Aug 2020
9955
🎯 Truth Score : 9.7/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Masterpiece)

🇺🇸 A jaw-dropping, grandiose episode featuring incredible camera angles and eye-popping animation.
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