Lord El-Melloi II-sei no Jikenbo: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note

Let's make one very important thing clear right away: this anime is tailored to the most seasoned fans of the Fate franchise and in general of the Nasuverse and not for those who have only seen the animated routes of Fate/Stay Night and Zero due to the presence of characters and references from various spin-offs of the series. Furthermore, we must not be misled by the name "Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files" and expect an investigative anime that involves the viewer in the search for the culprit while formulating hypotheses as to how the crime took place. The central theme of the anime is Waver Velvet's maturation after the events of the 4th Grail War shown in Fate/Zero. FROM NOW ON THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. The anime is divided into two parts: the first which, in small stand-alone investigative cases, acts as a worldbuilding and presentation of some characters, and the second in which the main events of the anime transpire. Earlier I wrote that you shouldn't approach this anime with the desire to see cases like those of Sherlock Holmes because the main issue is that Lord El-Melloi II is set in a world of mages. The magic in the Nasuverse, as far as I know, has never been precisely framed with a list of specific spells, rules or limits and therefore turns out to be beyond its users. As a result, the cases presented in this anime become impossible for the viewer to solve. On the contrary, if you look at the anime because you are fascinated by the Nasuverse and its magical system, the cases and the plot can be pleasant and interesting, in particular Rail Zeppelin's arc which explores aspects related to mystical eyes. A flaw of this arc is certainly the main villain, Dr. Heartless, of which the viewer is almost totally unaware of until his appearance in episode 12 and, until the end, very little is known about him. I hope for a second season that better characterizes this individual since in the finale he and Faker manage to escape and it is said that Heartless and Lord El-Melloi II will be destined to fight again. As already mentioned before, the central theme of the work is Waver's personal growth after the farewell with his Servant, Iskandar. The protagonist, despite having now become an adult, remains trapped in the past and suffers from this due to the frustration of not having fought in the Holy Grail War but of having remained a spectator. He feels that he is missing something to be worthy of being by Iskandar's side. Although he knows of the enormous danger, he is willing to assert himself by fighting another war, but above all to see his old friend again. During the anime Waver matures and understands that his place is not on the battlefield, but behind the desk: his path is the teaching and education of young people. He manages, in this way, to untie himself from the past and to move forward and feel worthy of being a companion of Iskandar. And this is precisely the teaching that this anime wants to transmit: we must find the strength to get up and always go forward, chasing our dreams. Speaking of the rest of the cast, the secondary characters do not have a deep characterization like that of Waver and turn out to be very forgettable, except for some characters who, like the protagonist and thanks to the teachings of Waver, manage to mature too. In particular, during the course of the episodes, Gray's maturation path is interesting, leading her to understand herself and her desire to assist Waver. As for the artistic side, drawings and animations are discreet but nothing exceptional. I found the opening titles (ep 1) that flow during the battle between Iskandar and Gilgamesh fantastic. A note of credit goes to the settings, the backgrounds were well made and very pleasant, in particular those of the train. The opening has no vocals but this does not mean that it has less value than the "classic opening", indeed, as a lover of OSTs, I love this opening so much that I have never skipped it. In general the OSTs accompany the scenes quite well and there are some that stand out among the others and that I would gladly hear as "they are magicians" or "we call him heartless". The voice actors all did a good job, in particular Ueda Reina who was able to perfectly interpret the character of Gray and giving to "Rhongomyniad!" the same vibes as "Excalibur!" of the original Saber. In conclusion Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files is aimed at a small target of people because to enjoy it at its best you need a fairly broad knowledge of the Nasuverse and it turns out to be a good anime if you look at it for the maturation path of the characters but an anime not successful if you look at it for the cases themselves. STORY: 7 ART: 7 SOUND: 8 CHARACTER: 7 ENJOYMENT: 9 OVERALL: 8

Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files emerges as a commendable show that successfully marries mystery and magic, drawing viewers into a captivating world of intrigue and supernatural enigmas. With its intriguing premise and the enigmatic protagonist, Lord El-Melloi II, the series entices audiences with a blend of intellectual deduction and fantastical elements. The anime showcases a meticulous attention to world-building, delving deep into the complexities of magecraft and constructing a magical society that feels both authentic and immersive. This richly developed setting serves as a backdrop for the engaging cases that Lord El-Melloi II undertakes, adding depth and substance to the overall narrative. Throughout the show, we encounter a diverse and intriguing cast of characters, each contributing their unique perspectives and motivations to the unfolding mysteries. Lord El-Melloi II's interactions with these individuals provide moments of humor, emotion, and intellectual challenge, forging an endearing connection with the viewers. The animation and art style in Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files are generally of high quality, effectively capturing the wonder and spectacle of magical occurrences. The visuals heighten the allure of magecraft, adding visual flair to the various spellcasting and magical elements featured in the series. However, it is essential to acknowledge the show's drawbacks, namely, some unnecessary episodes that could have been omitted without compromising the overall narrative. Additionally, the initial half of the series before the Rail Zeppelin arc might have felt slow-paced and less gripping compared to the latter half. Despite these shortcomings, Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files still manages to redeem itself through its intriguing mysteries and the charm of its central characters. Ultimately, the anime deserves praise for its well-executed blend of mystery and fantasy, weaving together a compelling tapestry of magical investigations and intricate cases. Its strengths lie in the well-developed world, the engaging cast, and the intellectual stimulation provided by the mysteries tackled by Lord El-Melloi II. With its delightful mix of magic and detective work, Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files proves itself as an enjoyable and commendable show, earning a solid rating of 7 out of 10. BEST EPISODE The second to last episode of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files stands as an absolute standout, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers. It is an episode that masterfully culminates the series' buildup, delivering a breathtaking and emotionally charged experience. In this pivotal installment, the narrative reaches a crescendo, as the threads of mystery and magic are intricately woven together, leading to a climax that leaves us on the edge of our seats. Lord El-Melloi II's intellect and determination shine brilliantly as he faces his most formidable challenge yet. The unraveling of the central mystery is nothing short of exhilarating, as we are treated to a cascade of revelations that shed light on the intricate web of secrets. What sets this episode apart is its ability to strike a delicate balance between intellectual intrigue and heartfelt emotion. The intellectual stimulation of piecing together the puzzle is accompanied by a profound emotional impact as the characters confront their deepest fears, regrets, and vulnerabilities. The series has skillfully built up these characters throughout, making this emotional climax all the more impactful and resonant. Furthermore, the animation and visuals in this episode are top-notch, bringing the magical battles and spellcasting to life with an impressive display of artistry. The action sequences are thrilling, and the spellbinding visuals enhance the sense of wonder and awe within the fantastical world of mages. This episode's mastery lies in its ability to leave a lasting impression on viewers, evoking a myriad of emotions that linger long after the credits roll. It is a testament to the series' ability to deliver on both narrative and emotional fronts, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. In conclusion, the second to last episode of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files is an absolute triumph, serving as a pinnacle of the series' storytelling and emotional resonance. With its masterful blend of mystery, magic, and heartfelt moments, this episode leaves us in awe of the artistry and depth of the anime. It solidifies its position as the best episode, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and serving as a testament to the brilliance of the series as a whole.

This is a really interesting spin off concept. As a fate fan, there a lot of hits and misses in this family series but I am actually looking forward to see how this one plays out. You see a lot of conglomeration, especially of character uses in this, that are easy to miss if you are not paying attention. I just finished re-watching apocrypha so it was fresh on my mind when I saw some pop outs in the background. It is a school type series but more in like a Harry Potter way than a typical school type anime. The art style is good and the writing is alright. The episode was long but kept me entertained throughout.

Story: 7/10 Characters: 8/10 Animation: 9/10 Music: 8/10 Enjoyment: 7/10 Overall: 8/10 In all honesty I love the fate franchise and just honestly happy we got more content from it. This anime was a unique take on the Fate series. From all the action based anime with a little drama we got a from the fate series, this was a mystery based drama with action sprinkled in there and I was here for it. One problem with the story was how confusing and hard it was to understand the mysteries in this anime. Trying to grasp the root of the mystery was really hard and I could only get about half of it when the case was solved. One thing I did love about the story was the world outside the fate stay night series. Information on Mage society and the infrastructure on how they live was intriguing. Character interactions was the highlight of this show. I love how people act with Waver. They sprinkled in a few funny moments that made me chuckle. One thing I love about this show was Waver maturity. He went form daddy step on me energy to Oh Oh Oh STEP ON ME DADDY and I fucking love it. Just seeing the inner chad in him just pop out was one of the greatest highlights of the fate franchise for me. Ost wasn't memorable for me but the OP just makes me want to bust. Animation was also very clean. For a studio that wasn't ufotable I am impressed. I really have to say I am grateful that this series was created.

I was a bit unsure of whether I wanted to review this series, partially because I watched it spread out over a decent amount of time, and partially because I am not as well versed in Fate lore as I could be. I have not read the F/SN visual novel, and I have watched only two of the animated routes (UBW and HF), as well as F/Z. Still, I was familiar with Waver's story going in, and I thought that would be enough to understand this series. I was wrong. Rail Zeppelin (I'm not typing out the whole title) is less the mystery series it claims to be and more of a 13 episode convoluted dump of Fate lore. Dozens of people, organizations, magic abilities, and artifacts are mentioned so rapidly I could hardly keep track of what was going on. The first half of the show consists of episodic mystery storylines which in theory would be easier to follow but in practice introduced too many moving plot elements. The second half, taking place on the Rail Zeppelin train, follows a single storyline, but the amount of different events going on at the same time was dizzying. It is not a mystery whose solution you can guess by paying attention to the show. Plot twists are introduced seemingly out of thin air at least three times an episode. This may not be an issue for some, and if you don't mind that, you are perfectly valid and may wish to check out this show if you're a Fate fan. However, while I personally am rather poor at guessing plot twists or solving mysteries ahead of time, during a good mystery series I can look back after a reveal and go "Oh! THAT'S what that was about!" With this show, it's nearly impossible. Not to mention the countless moments where characters are shown to have predicted many complex and improbable events in advance. Again, this is more of a personal pet peeve of mine. It's much more compelling when a character encounters a shocking roadblock and must adapt or risk a terrible failure. Plus, given how convoluted the events of this show becomes, it breaks my immersion when characters has a "just as I planned!" moment for something so unpredictable. Finally, while keeping this complaint as vague as possible to avoid spoilers, a series falls flat for me when the grand reveal of the entire series involves an entity which was completely unmentioned by the plot until the very end of the show. While this show sets up such a moment with heightened drama and tense music, I could not care less about the reveal since I had no investment in what was involved. One more extremely nitpicky thing. The "WHYDUNIT" and "Grave... crave... deprave..." moments were so comically clunky that they killed any drama I might have felt during whatever scene was going on. There were a few things I did enjoy about the show, however. Waver was one of my favorite characters in F/Z, and I loved seeing his journey continue here. Seeing how much of an impact Rider left on him was emotional and interesting to watch. Gray was also an interesting character, though I found her somewhat sadly underdeveloped. The art, animation, and music are gorgeous, and I really liked the opening and ending themes. I liked some of the side characters like Melvin and Caulas (though most of them just irritated me). Some of the humor fell flat, but there were some genuinely funny moments too. Overall, if you are a Fate fan, this series might be worth checking out for the lore, character building, and beautiful production quality. However, don't expect too much of the story.

An adaptation of Fate/Zero, this anime is highly enjoyable for those who enjoy the fate world. Instead of focusing on a glorious treasure, this anime focuses more on the life of Mages and the strife they go through. The anime goes through several murder mysteries that make you realize its not just enemies that have to fear mages; their friends and families are not as safe as they would prefer to be. Before beginning this anime, watchers should make sure they have a basic understanding of how the Fate world works as the anime takes you through one fantastical scenario after the next. Although the main character does explain his thought process in finding the culprit, similar to novels for Sherlocke Holmes (mc even says Elementary a few times lol), the magic and mysteries in the Fate world is quite advanced. I found this anime to be a lovely change of pace for the Fate World and am sure for people who like fantasy, mystery, and character development, you will enjoy it as well.

I like this anime for it's art. So... 1. Art. These anime has very beautiful opening & ending. I can add a point for them. Wonderful backgrounds. Many frames so beautiful that I want to take them for wallpapers. The characters have nice designs. I understand that it was taken from the original source. But it was not screwed up. At times there are problems with the movements of the characters, it is not realistic. But it is a problem from the beginning of the anime. It does not apply to action scenes. 2. Story You have to watch Fate/Zero to understand the anime. The plot blends several detective stories that later become a whole history. The stories are spiced with anguish of the main characters. The anguish will be resolved by the end, but I cannot say so about the detective line. And you cannot guess who is the criminal, because you have not enough knowledge. This is why the detective-story is not very good. Overall, following the progress of the investigation is somewhat enjoyable -- if you ignore that almost all minor characters become detectives too... And other minor characters are strongmen. And there are strongmen-detectives. Sometimes I thought it was a parody of a detective story. Perhaps it was intended? 3. Characters The main characters. Waver looks & acts like quite alive. Also he often crouched in fdeshbacks with story, that had long ten years ago. But he lives, changes, develops, and in general, he is a man of integrity. Gray is a kawai girl with a powerful weapon. She is boring, melancholy, strongly devoted to the Lord. She could be ok, but according to the plot, she has a prototype — epic hero. And she is completely different in character from this hero. Also about appearance. There is a hint of an explanation as to why this could be. The anime includes a hint of an explanation as to why this could be. But only one hint. Reines. I like her. She has her goals, preferences, friends, enemies. But she is not so originally. As for the minor characters, I found a few interesting. At first it's Melvin. He is not often shown, but he has its own story and It looks like he has hidden character traits and motives. Second. Karabo: he acts in an unusual way for a representative of the church. His actions are unpredictable to the end. Flatt & Svin I found boring. 4. Music The music in this anime is very beautiful. 5. Enjoyment If you are interesting in Waver's fate, and if you would ignore periodic problems with drawing movement and the number of detective characters, you can get pleasure. Also, you shouldn't expect much from the end of the anime.