Fate/Zero is one of the more popular entries into the Fate series from Type-Moon. As a prequel to the perennially popular Fate/stay night, it offers context to some of the later series events as well as introduces new characters and bringing new attention to some of the characters seen in Fate/stay night.
This series is well regarded by fans, as shown in the series’ IMDb page, which lists the series’ episode rankings. Some of the episodes are higher ranked than others, but the best series are all well-regarded, with remarkably high ratings even for a well-loved series. Here are the 10 best Fate/Zero episodes, ranked according to IMDb.
10 “Distant Memories”: 8.5
“Distant Memories” follows protagonist Kiritsugu Emiya as he relives early memories from his childhood, the events of which are directly responsible for his feelings about Mages and his ideologies forming. The episode sees him as a child, living with his father, who is conducting experiments to unlock the secrets of immortality, along with an assistant named Shirley, who Kiritsugu has a crush on. The experiments lead to a disaster in which Shirley becomes a Dead Apostle, and Kiritsugu kills his father for his actions before running away.
9 “The Magus Killer”: 8.5
Kiritsugu, Irisviel, and Maiya try to escape Kayneth and his wrath. Simultaneously, a battle takes place with Lancer and Saber fighting against Caster and his Noble Phantasm, a magic grimoire that allows him to create demonic creatures.
This episode, which is named Kiritsugu’s self-stated status of “mage killer,” also involves him facing off with Kayneth and shooting him with his Contender, which uses anti-magic bullets. Because of this, he’s able to incapacitate him and escape with his family.
8 “The Vicious Beast Roars”: 8.5
Like many of the favorite episodes of the series, “The Vicious Beast Wars” is a very action-packed episode, focusing on a major battle between several Servants. While none of the Servants are necessarily on the same side, meaning that the alliances throughout the battle from time to time change, there are certainly some who team up against others, particularly along the lines of who is good and evil. Plus, there’s the potential revelation of Saber being Caster’s long-lost love, an exciting development.
7 “Golden Radiance”: 8.6
With a title like “Golden Radiance,” it seems too obvious that something pretty magical is likely to happen in this episode, and it does not disappoint. The episode sees Saber and Rider as they try to figure out how to destroy a demon summoned by Caster, while Archer fights Berserker, the stakes therefore incredibly high. Saber can eventually use Excalibur to destroy the demon and kill Caster in a powerful move that shows her strength and reminds her fellow Servants of her kingly background.
6 “Fate/Zero”: 8.8
“Fate/Zero,” as can likely be guessed from the title of the episode, also being the title of the anime, is the final episode of the series, meant to wrap up the plotlines and conclude the series. It’s a bittersweet ending, with several heroes dying or finding that they haven’t achieved their goals or been the heroes they hoped. But it also sees the events put into motion that set up the later Fate/stay night, including Kiritsugu’s adoption of Shirou and Rin’s own familial tragedy.
5 “Where Justice Is Found”: 8.9
This episode, which comes just after “Distant Memories,” similarly takes place in the past as a flashback, and it features Kiritsugu living and training as a mercenary with Natalia, who rescued him from the village where his father created a vampire outbreak with his research. As with the last episode, this episode sees Kiritsugu lose another loved one, thanks to the presence of Dead Apostles and the mages whose actions help create them, furthering Kiritsugu’s determination and plans for the future.
4 “The Grail Dialogue”: 8.9
This is a surprisingly straightforward episode that doesn’t have a lot of action. However, it does see several of the Servants talking frankly about their feelings and goals, creating a great chance for character development.
As they discuss what they hope to wish for once they win the Holy Grail, they come to understand each other’s feelings, though Saber and Rider clash over their feelings of what a king should be and what their responsibilities to their people really are.
3 “The Sea At The End Of The World”: 9.1
This is the beginning of the series's climax, with many of the characters beginning their final duels and battles. In particular, Rider and Archer finally face off for their last duel, and after Rider asks that Archer join forces with him and he declines, they fight, with the duel ending in Rider’s death. Meanwhile, Saber faces Berserker, only to find out that his true identity is that of Sir Lancelot, one of her closest companions and most trusted knights in the time of her reign.
2 “The Last Command Seal”: 9.2
The second-to-last episode of the series, directly following “The Sea at the End of the World,” is obviously going to be the most exciting one, with much of the actions taking place here to leave the final episode for the denouement. Saber talks to Berserker, one of her former trusted friends, who betrayed her in life, before ultimately killing him in a duel. Kiritsugu and Kirei have their final face-off as well, only to find that the Holy Grail, which they have all fought for, has been corrupted.
1 “The Terminus Of Honor”: 9.4
This episode has one of the most recognized and memed, moments in any of the Fate series. Saber and Lancer face off for their final duel, but during the course of it, Saber’s Master Maiya tricks Kayneth into forcing Lancer to commit suicide using his Command Seal, after which she kills Kayneth and Sola-Ui. The episode is well-liked for Lancer’s big character moment, particularly his frustration at not being able to die an honorable death in the duel he hoped for.
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