Fate/strange Fake [Episode 1]

Alright, let’s dive into Fate/strange Fake Episode 1. First off, I need to set the scene—this is a spin-off of the massive Fate franchise, so for anyone new, the Holy Grail War is a battle where mages summon legendary heroes (Servants) to fight for a wish. But strange Fake takes this to Snowfield, USA, with a twist: it’s a “fake” war, meaning not everything is as it seems.

The episode kicks off with a bang—literally. Remember that iconic Gilgamesh vs. Enkidu fight from the prologue? Well, Episode 1 starts with the aftermath, framed as a news segment. The military is scrambling, and the tension is palpable. Fans on MyAnimeList loved this opening—one user said it “felt very tense” and “immediately drew me in.” It’s a smart way to hook viewers, especially those who watched the prologue.

Next, we meet Ayaka Sajyou, a mage who’s just summoned Saber. Wait, Saber? In Fate, Saber is usually King Arthur, but here it’s a male version—Toru Rikiishi. His line, “Thus, my life needs no meaning. This body is made out of infinite swords,” had fans hyped. One commenter called him “really likeable from the start,” and another praised his voice acting in the dub. The animation here is top-notch; fans compared it to “movie level,” which makes sense since the production values are high.

Then there’s False Caster, who’s equal parts sleazy and badass. Fans couldn’t get enough of him—“False Caster was a complete badass in a sleazy way,” one user wrote. And let’s not forget Richard the Lionheart, who’s already being called an “instant GOAT.” The Servants here are unique, which is a big plus for the Fate universe.

But it’s not all battles. The episode also introduces the “fake” aspect. There’s a lot of exposition, but it’s done cleverly—through news reports, police responses, and flashbacks. Ayaka’s flashback with a white-haired woman (maybe her sister?) and an Einzbern maid had fans speculating. One user noted, “There’s an Einzbern maid next to her on Sayaka’s flashback… Back on point though – with the immediate police response to Saber’s NP.”

Now, let’s talk about the animation and music. The art style is distinct—one fan said it’s “complete unique to what I seen from anime as a medium.” The fight scenes are fluid, especially Saber’s Noble Phantasm (NP) activation. The music, by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], is a highlight. The opening uses the song from the 5-year-old PV, which fans loved: “Loved how they used the song from the PV that came out 5 years ago as like the ‘opening’ song for this ep.”

Of course, no anime is perfect. Some fans felt the episode was rushed compared to the novel. “It felt a bit rushed compared to the novel,” one user admitted, but added, “I still enjoyed it.” Others pointed out issues with the stream quality—“EXTREMELY scuffed stream for us international audiences,” another wrote—but agreed it was worth it. There were also complaints about the sound balance and some scenes being unclear, like Loxley shooting Assassin.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives. Fans are already calling this their favorite Fate work. “I’m already a huge fan of this whole setup, if it keeps going like this it’s likely gonna be my favorite Fate work by a mile,” one user gushed. The post-credit scene with Hansa had everyone excited—“The post credit scene with Daddy Hansa!!!” another exclaimed.

What makes strange Fake stand out is its blend of familiar Fate elements with fresh ideas. The American setting, the fake war premise, and the diverse Servants all add layers. As a novel reader, one fan noted, “As a novel reader, this will be a fun one to read comments from the anime-onlies as it has a lot of twists and turns.”

For the target audience—20-year-olds—this episode is perfect. It’s fast-paced, has great action, and enough mystery to keep you guessing. The humor is there too, like Flatt Escardos’ cameo in the broadcast. And let’s not forget the hype for future episodes—fans are already begging for more, with one user saying, “This gonna be the best Alternative timeline Fate series.”

In conclusion, Fate/strange Fake Episode 1 is a solid start. It balances exposition with action, introduces compelling characters, and sets up a war that’s sure to be full of surprises. The animation and music are top-tier, and the fan reactions are overwhelmingly positive. If you’re a Fate fan, this is a must-watch. If you’re new, it’s a great entry point—just be prepared for a wild ride.

Now, let’s wrap this up. The episode gets an 8/10 from me. It’s not perfect—some pacing issues and unclear scenes—but the potential is huge. With the full season coming in 2025, I can’t wait to see where this fake war takes us.

Final Verdict: 8/10. A thrilling start to a promising spin-off. The animation, characters, and mystery make it worth the watch. Just don’t expect everything to make sense right away—this is Fate, after all.

P.S. If you loved the prologue, this episode delivers more of the same epicness. And for novel readers, get ready for some fun reactions from anime-only fans as the twists unfold!