...I enjoyed this series immensely. I'm a sucker for Shaft's visual style and direction, and this series took many of the best elements of Madoka's and Monogatari's visuals in wonderful locations that fit the mood that was attempting to be conveyed. Strength in color alone was remarkable, rivaling that of Zero and UBW. The character and landscape designs ranged from average to fucking stunning. Aside from Hakuno every character was visually interesting in some way or another, rather it be a remix of a familiar face or a new design altogether. And on the animation front, while the series was never really that intense with its' animation, it rarely made any real errors.
And the top of it all, the cream of the crop, the best element of the series. Saber Extra. I'm not joking in the slightest when I say that THIS Saber is possibly the greatest thing to happen to the Fate franchise, maybe aside from Zero's Gilgamesh. Her very presence just lights up the screen. Every moment where she has a part, she steals the show. Nero Claudius offers up a wonderful take on a historic figure, one that has a little more basis in reality then most other Fate servants, but never is that used to hold her back. Nay, Nero here blossomed into her own character, and was single-handedly the main reason I stuck with this work. Top Tier Waifu material.
The visuals, combined with Above-And-Beyond-Best-Girl, raise a work that should be mired as a 4/10 into at least a 6/10. And personally, it drags it up to 8/10. Nero's presence is just THAT wonderful for me. Would I recommend this work to others? Only if they like Shaft's visual flair or are already a Fate Superfan. Otherwise, no. But danm, I won't forget this show just because of those two reasons alone.
Umu!
