Popular smartphone RPG Fate/Grand Order has received an anime adaption courtesy of Aniplex & Studio Lay-duce titled ‘Fate/Grand Order: First Order’. Featuring the three main characters: Ritsuka, Mash, and Fou as the leads, the three are thrust into the past in an effort to prevent the extinction of humanity.

Fate/Grand Order: First Order is a 2016 anime adaption of the Fate/Grand Order mobile game, it is produced by Lay-duce, and licensed by Aniplex of America. It is currently available for streaming with English subs.

The three leads of the game, animated.

Fate/Grand Order, the popular Japanese mobile RPG is another entry into the immensely popular visual novel multimedia franchise Fate/Stay Night. Since its initial release in Japan the game has been downloaded over 8 Million times by a combination of Japanese and overseas players. Its popularity has spawned a North American port, a stage play, and the aforementioned animated film.

Quality animation from former Bones employees.

Produced by Lay-duce; an anime studio comprised of former employees of the universally acclaimed Bones, Fate/Grand Order: First Order is rather easy on the eyes. With higher than average animation, some cool action scenes, and a solid plot, the film is a pretty entertaining prequel to the mobile game. Having the voice cast of the game on board definitely aides in some decision making for those looking to try the game once it comes to America, though you should definitely give the anime film a watch regardless if you’re a Fate/Stay Night fan.

A rather fast paced, but entertaining enough venture.

THE GOOD: While Studio Lay-duce is still fresh in the game having opened in 2013, it really shows that it has a bright future in the years to come with its limited efforts including Fate/Grand Order: First Order. Acting as a prequel to the popular mobile game, the film starts with main character Ritsuka Fujimaru meeting Mash Kyrielight & her animal companion Fou. The three work together with Olgamally Animusphere & Romani Archamen, two of the few remaining survivors of the apocalypse to travel through time to save the human race from destruction.

Mash in her true form as a Servant.

In the film (and game) Masters form contracts with Servants, which are essentially mages with magical ability they use in combat. Mash, Ritsuka, and Olgamally face off against rogue Servants who changed the purpose of the Holy Grail War. The end result is a rather gloomy one as Lev, originally thought to be a comrad, ends up being their greatest enemy and is responsible for the beginning of the end of Humanity.

The beginning of Fate/Grand Order mobile game.

THE BAD: The film is rather fast-paced and that can sometimes be a bit of a problem, as I found myself going back to a few scenes to understand certain plot points. Maybe if it had a bit more time then things could have slowed down just a tad.

Grand Order has been established.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Though it suffers a bit from pacing, Fate/Grand Order: First Order is an excellent prequel film to the upcoming mobile game. Animation, writing, and characters are all fun elements to the film, admittedly it may require more than one rewatch to understand the plot, however especially for those planning on playing the game. Otaku Dome gives Fate/Grand Order: First Order a 79 out of 100.

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