“Hey, listen up… what lies ahead is hell.”
“I know. The fact that your past which you had to face, and my future which I must confront, constitute hell… I’m aware of that much.”
“So even after witnessing my past, you still cling to the futile delusion of a world where no one gets hurt?”
“…I’ve known from the start. The fact that my ideal might be nothing but an empty fantasy… I’ve been conscious of that all along.”
“But it’s never something wrong.”
“…What did you say?”
“The wish for no one to get hurt, for everyone to be happy… that desire could never be wrong.”
“Therefore, losing to someone else doesn’t matter. But one must absolutely never lose to oneself…!”
“Kuhaha, you’re completely insane!”
“Unbelievable! So this is why I’ve been watching this anime called ‘Fate’s Sky’ all along—just for this moment!”
“Yuri, that girl, deserves recognition! Judging by the epic vibes she’s giving off, she has every right to grow into a legendary archer in the future!”
The scene where Yuri battles her heroized form as an archer appears in episodes 17 and 18 of “Fate’s Sky.”
And the audience reaction to episodes 25 and 26 was hotter and more intense than any previous episode.
After living through long years, a certain boy whose pure childhood dreams became twisted and corrupted…
He sought redemption for countless mistakes he made in the past and only wished to die by his own hand.
But his present self refuses to accept that future version of himself.
Because he vowed to uphold everything he believed in until now and to never regret anything.
That’s the essence of their battle.
Not a clash of strength, but a test of whose ideals are more righteous.
The boy fights for what he’s believed in until now—and will continue to believe in moving forward.
The young man fights to prevent the same mistakes from repeating through his actions.
They swung their swords at each other, refusing to acknowledge the other—and themselves.
And seeing such developments unfold, all the weeb fans within the empire couldn’t help but clench their fists.
Because it was none other than the ultimate anime cliché they live for.
A story structure where the first episode and the latest episode interlock like gears.
A protagonist who started out utterly incompetent but grew into someone who wields a sword against their enemies.
And a fierce battle with one’s own past self, denying who they once were.
These three clichés alone were enough to drive weeb fans wild.
Of course, it wasn’t just about these fiery plot twists and clichés that captivated people’s hearts.
“Hey, do you remember that song that played only in episode 25?”
“Ahh, the one that played during Yuri’s awakening in the middle of the fight?”
Actually, it wasn’t the first time Ragnar inserted a song into the anime to manipulate the viewers’ emotions.
Just take episode 25 of “Knight Shin Chronicle,” where a children’s tune was added during the Knights’ talent show.
Or episode 50, where soft classical music played while humanity turned into orange juice, flipping everyone’s expectations.
But the song that appeared in episode 25 of “Fate’s Sky” felt different somehow.
“What should I call it? A song that strikes deep into the heart? How could I possibly forget such a powerful track accompanying those iconic scenes?”
“The song was called ‘The Last Starlight,’ right? It was definitely impactful when it played during the crossover between Yuri’s past and future.”
“I heard the Knight King’s voice actor sang it? Ugh, I’d love to hear that voice again someday, even if it’s just once.”
Indeed.
Ragnar managed to persuade Serika to sing an exclusive OST specifically for this episode 25.
Because throughout his life, Ragnar considered Serika’s voice the most beautiful he’d ever heard.
And he believed her singing the OST would create an impact beyond imagination.
Granted, Serika was an actress, not a professional singer, so her vocal range might have lacked some power.
But Ragnar thought her voice alone could cover that flaw.
And his judgment proved correct.
The perfectly timed OST in episode 25, synchronized with the thrilling scenes, successfully shattered the hearts of all viewers.
But that wasn’t the end.
While the concept of battling between one’s current and future selves and the epic OST were crucial elements that highlighted episodes 25 and 26 of “Fate’s Sky,”
the thing that drove fans truly wild above all else was…
“Honestly, wasn’t that technique used by Future Yuri incredibly stylish?”
“Oh, the one where countless swords form a barrier? Yeah, it was definitely cooler than the average hero abilities.”
“The name of that technique was ‘Imaginary Domain,’ right? If learning magic meant gaining skills like that, joining the mage tower wouldn’t be bad at all.”
“If there are future anime featuring barrier techniques, they’ll have to live up to the standard set by this domain skill.”
“Yeah, clearly, the disciple matches the master in style.”
A technique reflecting one’s inner world, pulling opponents inside.
Countless swords planted across a vast field, flames roaring intensely.
A replication magic so advanced it reproduces every weapon Yuri has ever seen—a true pinnacle of cloning magic.
And on top of that, the incantation required to use the technique gave off a nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of childhood sensitivity.
“Swords are forged from the body… or something like that? Honestly, that incantation was pretty cool.”
“I’ve written it down in my notebook and repeat it daily. Memorizing it feels like a ritual.”
“Ah… good point. I should probably make time to memorize it soon.”
“But seriously, do mages actually chant stuff like that when casting spells?”
“Hmm… I don’t know much about magic either, but I’ve heard that incantations are necessary to cast spells.”
“Summoners also chant incantations when summoning creatures, right? Like that old summoner who summoned a white dragon with this chant: ‘Let the concentrated wishes become a new shining star. Be the path illuminated by light!’ Or something like that.”
“Is that so? Well then, it must be authentic lore. Lore.”
Naturally, hearing such comments, actual mages couldn’t help but feel their outfits metaphorically flipped.
After studying magic for around twenty years, I’ve never encountered a barrier spell that manifests someone’s inner landscape.
Moreover, if we’re being technical, the replication magic used by Yuri in “Fate’s Sky” defies logic entirely.
Where in this world does magic that blatantly ignores the law of equivalent exchange exist?
And incantations aren’t strictly necessary to cast spells.
Let alone having time to recite lengthy chants during combat.
Have you guys even heard of silent casting?
Finally, Ragnar, you bastard.
You, a fellow mage, surely know all this—so why did you insist on creating such unrealistic anime settings? Huh?
…Though, as much as I’d like to confront Ragnar directly with complaints like these,
mages generally refrained from acting on such thoughts.
Because most mages possess personalities akin to shut-ins.
Mostly interested solely in the element of magic, they remain largely indifferent to other aspects.
Additionally, they judged responding too seriously to anime settings as even more absurd.
Naturally, Ragnar observed their reactions and bit his lip in frustration.
“Such spineless, pitiful excuses for people. Why won’t you all raise a fuss together?”
In the end, Ragnar had no choice but to resort to his last option, which he intended to avoid until the very last moment.
This method involved…
“Master Baron, I understand you requested my presence.”
William, one of Ragnar’s favorite chief reporters at the “Empire Times.”
He seemed uneasy, constantly checking his surroundings after being suddenly summoned by Ragnar.
Of course, that was understandable.
Currently one of the most influential figures in the empire, Ragnar maintained close connections with power brokers across the continent.
Through his achievement in animation production, he rose from a mere baron’s son to a viscount—a veritable embodiment of power.
For such an extraordinary person to suddenly summon him, a simple newspaper reporter, for a conversation…
Wouldn’t anyone feel intimidated in such a situation?
However…
“It’s nothing serious. I simply have a small task I’d like you to handle.”
“…A task, you say?”
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like Ragnar summoned him to harass or destroy him socially.
“Since Master Baron asked, I must comply with whatever task. So, what exactly do you need me to do?”
Relaxing slightly upon realizing this, the chief reporter spoke in a lighter tone—but…
It turned out to be a grave mistake.
“It’s nothing serious. Just write an article about ‘Fate’s Sky.'”
“…An article related to ‘Fate’s Sky’? But our front pages are already filled with glowing reviews of its storyline. Surely there’s no need to add-”
“No, I’m not asking for praise. Quite the opposite, actually. What I mean is, I’d like you to write a critical piece about ‘Fate’s Sky.'”
“…Pardon?”
At Ragnar’s words, the reporter tilted his head in confusion.
Because his limited intelligence couldn’t decipher the hidden meaning behind Ragnar’s request.
But…
“In short, I want you to criticize it. For instance, how the magical settings in ‘Fate’s Sky’ are too unrealistic, whether it was necessary to include absurd concepts like ‘Imaginary Domain,’ or if Director Ragnar is perhaps mocking mages. Write something like that. Do you understand?”
“…?”
No.
I don’t understand at all…
