Fate/Apocrypha (2017)

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Just when you thought you were safe, the Holy Grail Wars have started up again. This time it’s a fight for the Greater Grail. Fate/Apocrypha brings you all the action.

You Fate fans are in for a treat. Those not familiar with the series, you can still follow the story, though I suggest you first watch Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero.

In Fate/Apocrypha, we have a different set of rules and different characters. There are two teams, the Red Faction and the Black Faction. Each faction has seven mages. Each mage has one legendary hero, with powers beyond mortal man, who fights as that mage’s servant. Once one team wins, the survivors will compete among themselves for the Greater Grail, which will grant power and wishes to the victors.

Of course, things are not going to go down that simply. There are a few jokers in the deck. Ruler, aka Jeanne d’Arc, referees the war – and some want her dead. Then there is Sieg, one of many homunculi bred by the Black Faction to supplement their heroes’ powers. Only Sieg escapes and takes on a few powers of his own. And then there is Jack the Ripper, appearing here as a cannibalistic little girl, who I imagine will have a greater impact in upcoming season two.

However, our old friend Saber, aka King Arthur, is not present in this fight. We do see her in one backstory scene. Yes, King Arthur is a she. So is her son, Mordred, who is present and the Saber for the Red Faction. And Mordred’s mom is female, but her mom is not Arthur. Don’t think about it. Just accept it.

There are some great characterizations in this series. In addition to the above, there is Red Faction Saber’s master, Kairi Sisigou. He is sort of an educated brute. If an animated character can be a scene stealer, Kairi is it. Then there is Vlad III, aka Lancer of Black, aka. . . . No, that's a spoiler.

The fight scenes, and there are a lot of them, are particularly well animated. You do get caught up in the action. We get plenty of backstories, which despite the difficulty of only twelve episodes, do fit in nicely. With a few sub-plots added, there is a lot of material for the one season, so there is no wasted time.

No nudity, but there are a few skimpy costumes. Mild profanity here and there. Plenty of violence and blood. So this is not kid stuff.

Fate/Apocrypha is a worthy sequel in the Fate series. Old fans will not be disappointed.