Fate/Zero

2011TVFINISHED81% Score

Synopsis

With the promise of granting any wish, the omnipotent Holy Grail triggered three wars in the past, each too cruel and fierce to leave a victor. In spite of that, the wealthy Einzbern family is confident that the Fourth Holy Grail War will be different; namely, with a vessel of the Holy Grail now in their grasp. Solely for this reason, the much hated "Magus Killer" Kiritsugu Emiya is hired by the Einzberns, with marriage to their only daughter Irisviel as binding contract.

Kiritsugu now stands at the center of a cutthroat game of survival, facing off against six other participants, each armed with an ancient familiar, and fueled by unique desires and ideals. Accompanied by his own familiar, Saber, the notorious mercenary soon finds his greatest opponent in Kirei Kotomine, a priest who seeks salvation from the emptiness within himself in pursuit of Kiritsugu.

Based on the light novel written by Gen Urobuchi, Fate/Zero depicts the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War—10 years prior to Fate/stay night. Witness a battle royale in which no one is guaranteed to survive.

(Source: MAL Rewrite)

Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

EP 1

The Summoning of Heroes

Seeking the power of the Holy Grail, something that can make miracles occur, seven different mages summon seven Heroes, and fight until the last man remains--a battle of epic proportions, the Holy Grail War. In preparation for the war, various participants are chosen from all over the globe. Eight years ago in Einzbern Castle in Germany, a girl named Illyasviel is born. Her father, Emiya Kiritsugu, embraces her knowing he will be part of the battle, as well.

EP 2

The Fake First Shot

Kiritsugu and his daughter Ilyasviel stroll through the Einzbern woods. As Saber watches the happy parent and child, she ponders why Kiritsugu has not spoken to her since she was summoned. And in Fuyuki City, the battle ground where the Holy Grail War will be fought, the seventh and final hero is summoned.

EP 3

Fuyuki City

All the servants have been summoned and now it is a game of spy vs spy. Who will be the first to take the initiative in Fuyuki City?

EP 4

Spearhead

Saber and Lancer fight for supremacy. After some fierce and defensive fighting from both sides, Lancer's master allows Lancer to use his noble phantasms. Lancer's magic-canceling spear and cursed spear capable to causing unrecoverable wounds catch Saber by surprise. Meanwhile, Kiritsugu is keeping watch over the fight with Maiya. Kiritsugu finds Assassin watching over the battle as well, so he decides not to act rashly. From far away, Rider and his master Waver spot the battle between Saber and Lancer. Against his master's wishes, Rider rides his Gordius Wheel down to the harbor and interrupts the battle.

EP 5

A Wicked Beast's Roar

Rider suddenly appears just the battle with Lancer reaches its climax, much to Saber's consternation. Undeterred, Rider calls out to the many people observing the fight from within the shadows...but it seems he's not the only heroic spirit drawn in by the battle.

EP 6

A Night of Schemes

A car screams down the moonlit streets of Fuyuki City, with a very happy-go-lucky Irisviel behind the wheel and a slightly unnerved Saber sitting next to her. The evening takes a bad turn when a mysterious shadow darts in front of them. The person claims to be Saber's loyal retainer, yet Saber has no memory of them...

EP 7

Dark Forest

The rules of the game have changed and the Masters have a chance to earn an extra command spell. All they have to do is find Castor and kill him.

EP 8

The Mage-Slayer

Battle rages throughout Einzbern Castle: Kayneth's magical mercury sphere versus Kiritsugu's formidable gun arsenal, Saber and Lancer join forces against Caster in the forest, and Irisviel detects a new enemy as she and Maiya make their escape.

EP 9

Master and Servant

After having a dream of Lancer's past, El-Melloi wakes up with his body tied on a bed. Sola tells El-Melloi that his Magic Circuits were destroyed and he can no longer use magic but she also tells him to give up his Command Spells to her or she will torture him and cut off his arm. Despite Sola becoming his new Master, Lancer refuses to accept her and remains loyal to El-Melloi but Sola manages to make Lancer accept her by convincing him to fight for his old master's honor. Elsewhere, Kiritsugu decides to go hunt El-Melloi down despite Saber and Iri wishes to stop Caster. Meanwhile, Waver and Rider manages to find Caster's lair in the sewers where the former is horrified in seeing the dead bodies of Caster and Uryū victims. As Waver vomits in disgust, Rider saves his life when he kills an Assassin targeting Waver and face off two more Assassins before they escape. Now knowing Assassin is not yet dead, Waver and Rider leaves the Caster's lair but not before destroying it and burning the bodies. With Waver and Rider knowing their secret, Risei orders Kirei to send his Assassins to spy on them.

EP 10

Rin's Big Adventure

The mystery of the mass kidnappings in Fuyuki remains unsolved, with more kids disappearing daily. When Tohsaka Rin can't get in touch with her friend Kotone, she braves the darkness and enters the city on her own to search for her. That's when she spots a strange man leading two kids around and decides to follow him...

EP 11

Discussing the Grail

Rider, Saber, and Archer sit down for a drink and discuss what makes a King. The talk turns to violence when Assassin interrupts…

EP 12

The Grail Beckons

Hidden in a Fuyuki hotel, Kiritsugu tries plan his next move, but is still at a loss trying to understand Kirei's motives. Elsewhere, Iry and Saber have moved to a new hideout, a traditional Japanese manor. But while Iry seems excited about their new location, Saber senses something is amiss...

EP 13

The Forbidden Feast of Madness

Rider and Waver make a trip into town, and stop in a bookstore along the way. There, Waver reads a biography on Rider's life and learns why he aimed to conquer the far east. Meanwhile, Caster and Ryuunosuke return to their destroyed base. A conversation with his Master leads Caster to an epiphany, and with insanity in his heart, the mad magician begins casting a certain spell...