Fate/strange Fake [Season 1 Episode 9]

Fate/strange Fake Episode 9: When Anime Fights Get Too Real (And Why That’s Awesome)

Let’s cut to the chase: if you skipped Episode 9 of Fate/strange Fake, you missed the kind of anime battle that makes you lean forward, forget to blink, and yell “OH SHIT” at your screen. This isn’t just another “characters swing swords” episode—this is A-1 Pictures flexing, saying, “We know how to make a Grail War feel like a war.” And honestly? They nailed it.

First, let’s set the scene for anyone who’s been binging (or, let’s be real, rewatching) the series: Fate/strange Fake is this wild “fake” Grail War set in the U.S., not Fuyuki, with a ragtag crew of Servants who are either chaotic good, chaotic evil, or just chaotic (looking at you, Gilgamesh). Episode 9 throws all that chaos into a blender and hits “puree.” The big bad? Alcides, the Archer Servant who’s basically a walking weapon of mass destruction. The heroes? A mix of Servants and Masters who’re finally realizing: “Wait, we’re not just fighting for a Grail—we’re fighting to survive.”

Let’s talk about the Clan Calatin first, because wow, did they get clowned. If you’ve seen the episode, you know exactly what I mean: those guys showed up with guns like they were in a John Wick movie, only to find out Alcides is basically a human shield. One fan on MyAnimeList put it best: “Clan Calatin out here looking like storm troopers lmao.” No joke—their bullets bounced off Alcides like he was made of titanium. It was equal parts funny and terrifying, because if guns don’t work, what does?

Enter Berserker.

Oh. My. Goodness. Berserker’s entrance was chef’s kiss. The moment he stepped in, you could feel the energy shift—this wasn’t just a fight, it was a showdown. He didn’t even waste time: he pulled out his Noble Phantasm (that giant, glowing axe-thing) and the episode literally switched to cinemascope. For non-nerds, that means the screen got wider, like we were watching a movie. A-1 didn’t just want us to see the fight—they wanted us to experience it. And let’s be real, when Berserker swung that thing? I felt it in my bones.

But here’s the tea: not everyone loved the changes from the original novel. Some fans pointed out that in the books, Gilgamesh didn’t intervene at all—he just showed up later. In the anime? He’s right in the middle of the chaos, going toe-to-toe with Saber. One commenter said, “This episode changed quite a lot from the Novel… but I think they’re trying to emphasize an ‘all out battle royale’ tone.” And you know what? They’re right. The anime isn’t trying to be a 1:1 copy—it’s trying to be exciting. And for a 20-something (or younger) audience? That’s exactly what we want. We don’t care if every detail matches the book—we care if the fight makes our hearts race.

And let’s not sleep on the animation. A-1 Pictures has had its ups and downs, but Episode 9? They killed it. The way Alcides moves—fluid, menacing, like he’s not even trying. The way Berserker’s Noble Phantasm glows, casting light over the entire battlefield. Even the little things, like the dust kicking up when they clash, or the way Saber’s sword sparks against Gilgamesh’s Gate of Babylon. It’s the kind of animation that makes you go, “Wait, is this really a TV show?” One fan even called A-1 “the 2nd best studio after Kyoani” because of this episode. High praise, but honestly? Deserved.

But here’s the thing that stuck with me most: the tension. This isn’t a fight where you know who’s going to win. Alcides is overpowered, Berserker is unhinged, Gilgamesh is… well, Gilgamesh (arrogant, but deadly). And then there’s Saber, caught in the middle, trying to keep up. You can feel the panic in the air—like everyone’s just one wrong move away from getting wiped out. A commenter summed it up: “Crazy episode. Lots of characters are here when Alcides appears. Alcides fights Berserker and Saber fights Gilgamesh.” It’s a free-for-all, and that’s what makes it so addictive.

Is the episode perfect? No. Some purists will hate the changes from the novel. Some might say the pacing is too fast. But for me? It’s exactly what Fate/strange Fake needed. It’s bold, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically fun. This is the kind of episode that makes you want to rewatch it immediately, just to catch all the little details you missed.

So if you’re a Fate fan, or just someone who loves anime fights that feel like they’re happening right in front of you, Episode 9 is a must-watch. It’s not just a battle—it’s a statement. A statement that Fate/strange Fake isn’t here to play by the rules. It’s here to blow your mind.

And honestly? I can’t wait to see what they do next. Because if this is what A-1 can do with Episode 9? The finale is going to be insane.

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P.S. If you haven’t watched it yet, go do it. And when you do, make sure to turn up the volume. Trust me.