Imperial Privilege

I've never actually seen it in its entirety before this week, which was a huge marathon of the English version. I caught a few subtitled episodes here and there as it was airing, but I've never been big on subs.

I figured I had already read the translation over on Baka-Tsuki (HIPSTER MODE ENGAGED), so there wasn't anything the series could really add to my experience other than the visual sparkle of an ufotable production. "Rin's Big Adventure" was practically tailor made to irritate fanboy purists like me. Thankfully, it was such a spectacular ride all around that I'll let the Rinservice pass. Might as well get used to it with Fate/ufotable coming up soon.

Like I said, I watch dubs, but I'll admit they can be pretty hit-or-miss. I don't think dubs are inherently superior, but Fate/Zero's was fantastic. I know I whined in the dub topic about Jamieson Price being shuffled over to Rider instead of sticking with Kirei, but Price is about the only person who could do Rider justice. Crispin Freeman's Kirei was wonderfully slick. Those monologues, man

Liam O'Brien continue to prove why he is one of my favorite voice actors in the game. It's a shame he's usually dumped on minor supporting characters. He was ranting and raving with the best of them at Tokiomi and Aoi. Speaking of--that strangulation scene. Jesus Christ, ufo. Job well done, but I feel awful for having said that

Other highlights include that slow burn leading up to the Azoth stabbing and Grant George redeeming himself as Lancer after such an awful turn as Gilgamesh '06. I'm not incredibly familiar with George's entire body of work, but he tends to irritate me by sounding exactly the same in almost everything he does. He's one of those actors you hear and that's all you can hear. In most of his roles, I can't shake the feeling it's just some guy phoning in his paycheck. Who knew he could actually voice act?

Another kudos go out to David Vincent as the first English Gilgamesh I've enjoyed. Nice and cocky without losing that dickish charm. He's no Tomokazu Seki, but he did the job.

Kari Walhgren did a great job as Saber. I would have to compare to the others while the sound is still fresh in my ears, but she may be my favorite English voice actor for Saber to date.

My biggest gripe about the dub would have to be the underwhelming Noble Phantasm cries, though. As much as I just praised Vincent and Walhgren, their EKS-KALIBAH and ENUMA ELEASH war cries were kind of flat. They don't have jack on Seki and Kawasumi in that department.

Voice actors aside, I liked a lot of the expanded or modified scenes. They worked well in fleshing people out a bit more and taking advantage of the visual medium. Circling the room to display the Azoth stab was a great touch. All of that glitz didn't overcome how inherently goofy some moments were--I'm looking at you, Gilgamesh-Lancelot sky battle--but if you're going to be that dumb and big about it, why not go all out.

I'm more jazzed about ufotable/Stay Night than ever before, and I was already pretty hyped about my favorite route getting a proper adaptation. DEENlimited Blade Works was halfway decent eye candy, but it made my inner fanboy sad. Go go, best route. I wonder if they will get the old '06 crew back together. O'Brien did a great ranting Archer. It would be a shame to lose that.

And for fuck's sake, keep Grant George away from Gilgamesh.