That's hell you're walking into.
Fate/stay night is probably the best work to understand Nasu -- his thought process, and the accumulation of hard magic worldbuilding and concept he's been packing in his brain for years.
At its core, the narrative is invested in exploring heroism -- the sacrifices needed to achieve it, and reconciling it with an increasingly demanding and evolving world. As an urban fantasy, Fate stands out in framing historical figures in a modern-day settings where they face the same immediate struggles that mere mortals live through -- trauma, attachment, grief, convictions.
The pacing is sloppy and can sometimes meander, but as a gold standard for urban fantasy, Fate's slow segments reinforce the experience as more than just constant action set pieces. It characterizes Shirou and the world around him rather than brick-walling the reader with nonstop guitar ballads and German chanting.
If a story like Muramasa explores the challenges of heroism and its potential to cause unintended harm in wartime, Fate reinforces faith in standing behind altruistic sacrifice and encourages us to keep punching up to achieve a better world. While not particularly politically charged, Shirou's journey is aspirational to anyone who imagines a happier world.
Fate/stay night is probably the best work to understand Nasu -- his thought process, and the accumulation of hard magic worldbuilding and concept he's been packing in his brain for years.
At its core, the narrative is invested in exploring heroism -- the sacrifices needed to achieve it, and reconciling it with an increasingly demanding and evolving world. As an urban fantasy, Fate stands out in framing historical figures in a modern-day settings where they face the same immediate struggles that mere mortals live through -- trauma, attachment, grief, convictions.
The pacing is sloppy and can sometimes meander, but as a gold standard for urban fantasy, Fate's slow segments reinforce the experience as more than just constant action set pieces. It characterizes Shirou and the world around him rather than brick-walling the reader with nonstop guitar ballads and German chanting.
If a story like Muramasa explores the challenges of heroism and its potential to cause unintended harm in wartime, Fate reinforces faith in standing behind altruistic sacrifice and encourages us to keep punching up to achieve a better world. While not particularly politically charged, Shirou's journey is aspirational to anyone who imagines a happier world.