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ローゼンメイデン 
February 10, 2006 | 
26 Comments
It did not occur to me prior to this episode that this as well as episode 5 are actually a two-parter and as such, the story would probably have been more enjoyable had I watched it back to back. Because while episode 5 focuses on some character development as well as some comedic moments, the bulk of the action and plot actually lies within episode 6. In an ideal world, the two should have been screened as a one hour special but unfortunately that was not the case. As a result, the story felt a little bit like Kill Bill Part 1 and 2 whereby each part is still enjoyable but the pace and the storyline would probably be a little bit tighter if they did not seperate the story into two distinct parts. Having said that, I really like the path that the writers have taken in regards to Archer's storyline.
Continuing from the previous episode, Rin gets into the classroom and starts using her magic to destroy the table that Shirou uses to hide himself. Rin tells Shirou that she really intends on killing him unless he hands over his command seal/stigma. Shirou refuses on the ground that doing this would mean betraying Saber. Before Rin can finish him off, however, the two hear a girl screaming down the hallway so Shirou runs off to check it out. The two find a girl unconscious near the school's entrance. Rin believes that the girl's life force has been extracted out of her body and will die if she's left like this. Because of this, Rin decides to use her jewellery to do resurrection magic, reminding Shirou of the time when he was dying. Before he can connects the two, however, Rin orders him to close the front door since she can't concentrate like this. When Shirou about to do this a spear-like weapon appears and heads towards Rin's direction.
Shirou decides to cover for Rin and as a result, the weapon spears his hand instead. As soon as the spear touches his hand, however, it becomes invinsible. Shirou decides to go after his attacker despiste Rin's protestation. He senses that his attacker has gone towards the nearby forest and decides to follow his instinct. When he gets there, however, he hears a laugh and sees a silhoutte that reminds him of his classmate, Shinji. Unfortunately Shirou doesn't get the chance to investigate this because all of a sudden, his wounded arm is violently pulled into a direction as a figure appears and slice his neck with a blade. His attacker then quickly shows herself and Shirou realises that it's actually a Servant. Shirou remembers Saber's words about using the stigma on his hands to summon her should he encounter danger while she's away. He, however, decides to ignore the advice because Saber is still recovering from her injuries.
Shirou's enemy seems to sense his hesitation and tells him that she's surprised that he doesn't use his stigma. She then promises Shirou that she'll kill him gently before attacking him again with her chain. This time, however, Shirou is fast enough to block her attack. Before Shirou can get away from the area, however, the Servant uses her chain to pull Shirou back. Shirou doesn't understand why his arm seems to move on its own so the servant tells him that is because her Kusari spear has lodged itself into his arm. She then proceeds to hang Shirou up on a tree using his arm. Before she can attack Shirou with another spear, however, Rin appears and uses her magic to destroy the Servan't chain. Rin asks Shirou if he sees the Master with the Servant but unfortunately Shirou doesn't tell her about seeing Shinji's sillhoutte. Rin then mutters that she already suspected that there are other Masters beside them within the school.
Shirou is surprised to hear this and asks what Rin meant by this. Rin points out that Shirou must have felt the presence of a Kekkai (barrier) when he enters the school. Upon hearing this, Shirou is reminded of the weird sensation he felt back when he entered the school. He then asks Rin if the girl that she was treating is okay so she assures him not to worry about her. Because of this, he wants to know what she'd like to do about their fight. Rin decides to call it off for now since the fight was spoiled and invites Shirou to come to her house to check his wound. When the two arrives at her home, Rin is surprised to see how quickly the wound has healed. She believes that Saber's power flows into Shirou. This makes Shirou wonders if he'll recover from his wound as long as he's in contract with Saber. Rin, however, warns him to limit such incident. She thinks that everytime Shirou does this, he'll deplete Saber's magical power.
Once this happens, Shirou won't be able to recover anymore so Rin tells Shirou not to do silly things. The conversation between the two then returns to the topic of the other Master within the school. Rin believes that the barrier placed around the school has the ability to weaken every student to the point of near death. Because of this Rin suggests that she and Shirou make an alliance to search for this other Master within the school. Shirou immediately agrees and offers his hand to Rin. Rin grumbles and tells Shirou that the truce is only for a short period of time. Meanwhile, back in Shirou's house, Saber is worried because Shirou hasn't come home yet. Fujimura-sensei, however, assures her that he's probably just working part-time and is more interested in the food that Sakura is preparing. Elsewhere, in an undisclosed location, the Servant who attacked Shirou is seen with her Master looking at Mitsuzuri Ayako, the captain of Archery club.
Ayako seems to have been held captive and her eyes seem to be devoid of any sign of life. Back to Shirou and Rin, the two talk about Shirou's father and how Shirou actually never receives any magic training from him. Shirou tells Rin that he mostly practises magic on his own and starts to go on about the way he uses his magic on the table to protect himself. This forces Rin to remind him that they are still enemies so Shirou should not tell her the kind of magic he can use. Shirou argues that his father always told him that magic is something that should be shared. This angers Rin who suddenly rants about how Shirou's father is not a magician and that she'll never forgive Shirou's father. She explains that Shirou's father is someone who left his responsibility but then apologises for saying something like this. Since it's already late Shirou decides to go back home. Rin decides to ask Archer to accompany Shirou on his way home.
On the way home, however, Archer has a few select words that he wants to say to Shirou. Archer makes fun of the fact that Shirou doesn't want to kill anyone and in return Shirou asks what's so funny about that. Archer also asks him why Shirou doesn't summon Saber during his fight with Rider, the female Servant who attacked him. Shirou rudely tells Archer that he has no obligation whatsoever to give an answer to Archer. Archer becomes angry and decides to leave but before he does so, he tells Shirou that one day his meaningless ideal will be beaten by reality. Shirou is weirded out by this statement and asks Archer what he's talking about. But Archer doesn't answer this and instead asks Shirou if he will still be able to follow his ideal when he looks back later. Shirou is confused to hear this so he decides to go home and perform a check on Saber, who seems to be sleeping. Saber, however, open her eyes and and asks Shirou why he's late. Shirou assures her that he's okay and in return, Saber tells Shirou that she's glad he's safe.
Impression:
It must be weird to be Archer. To say all of those things to Shirou even though he knows it may sounds weird to Shirou. I really like Archer's character because he basically represents a grown-up who is tired of a youth's ideal. At one point in a person's life, there will be a situation where you starts questioning if this is the kind of life you want to lead for the rest of your life. Anyway, sorry to be vague but I can't say anything more without revealing more about Archer at this point in time. Another interesting thing about this episode is the identity of Rider's master. At this point in time, the evidence seems to point towards Shinji. But I'd like to know if this will continue in the future. Anyway, I'm rather disappointed that the battle between Shirou and Rider ends so quickly. On top of this, you don't actually get to see Rider that much since she was hellbent on playing hide and seek. I hope this will change in the future but since this is a 26 episode series, I am afraid it'll be a while before a full-fledge battle appears within the series.
Well, well - it looks like they've begun following UBW a little, despite starting heavily with the Fate storyline... which ought to make things pretty interesting, if they take up some of the major plot-points from the latter.
Although the episode appears depressingly light in Saber or Fujimura-sensei appearances, maybe things will get tighter and faster in Ep 7.
I have read a synopsis of Hollow/Atarxia and I am confused about a few things.
Spoiler...
According to the symopsis, Shirou was Avenger in disguise. Does this mean that there was never an actual Shirou or was Avenger simply pretending to be him? Did Atarxia take place in the Fate/ stay night story line or was this an alternate universe?
I don't know much about Hollow/Ataraxia but based on what I know, it looks like a side story to me.
This episode seems to be action-laden. I can't wait to see Rider. And I don't expect anything other than UBW when it comes to Archer's storyline. I think it's the best one in comparison to the other scenarios.
I guess this means Shinji is Rider's Master, right?
The Hollow Ataraxia Part you're mentioning was was a dream Bazette had, IIRC, with Avenger being disguised as Shirou for that whole period. It appears that Shinji may indeed be Rider's master, although if they're taking plot points from Heaven's Feel... well, this'll be an interesting mess, and it'll add a dimension to Rin and Sakura's interaction back in Ep 4.
This will definitely be an interesting mess. Let's see what we have so far:
1. Rin and Shirou's connection itself is leading to UBW.
2. Archer's action in this episode suggests UBW
3. Sakura and Rin's interaction points towards HF
4. Shinji being Rider's master also points towards HF
5. The start of the series with Saber vs Gilgamesh was taken from FATE
I'm sure I miss other things but I can't think of them righ tnow.
Does anyone else here like the opening? The CD will be released soon:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=GNCX-1
I can't wait for it!
Yes, Archer is back! The show isn't the same without him.
Shadow: Well, Shinji being Rider's master now doesn't really point to any of the storylines IIRC. He's shown to be Rider's master, what happens with that is what changes with the path.
I'll be interested to see which of his harem will Shirou actually choose. Saber? Rin? Sakura?
FATE/Hollow Atraxia is a side-story; In this version, Avenger is pretending to be Shirou, in an attempt to break the 4-Day cycle. Thus, this imperfect copy lacks Shirou's Sorcery skills, as well as his personality...Avenger, to put it simply, isn't a very nice guy, while Shirou is.
The difference is quite obvious, later in the game; Avenger doesn't know how to use Shirou's powers, and thus has to 'remember' that he can cast spells much later.
Also, in one scene, Shirou/Avenger traces Avenger's blades, which he HAS NEVER SEEN.
And finally, Avenger literally rapes the new heroine, Karen...And during her H-scene, Shirou's form flickers into Avenger's shadow-wolf image.
Note that you never actually see Avenger in the game, as he can't be in two places at one time; All 'Shirou' ever sees is his silhoutte, or a shadow-wolf.
/// I'll be interested to see which of his harem will Shirou actually choose. Saber? Rin? Sakura? \\\
You forgot Tiger-sensei... (^^)
Anyway, i'm loving this series, but i can see many suffering coming in the future, simply because Shirou is dumb and carelessly wasting Saber's precious mana.
It's a shame Saber never told him: "Shirou, stupidity is our enemy, too!"
The question is does Archer KNOW...
It doesn't feel like UBW because Archer doesn't seem obsessed on killing Shirou, but Archer does seem to have some inkling on his own identity... maybe Heaven's feel had Archer knowing,
BTW Fate/hollow Arazia is after FAte/stay night and has no effect on its predecessor
// Anyway, i'm loving this series, but i can see many suffering coming in the future, simply because Shirou is dumb and carelessly wasting Saber's precious mana. //
Or is it really Saber's mana now?
//The question is does Archer KNOW...
It doesn't feel like UBW because Archer doesn't seem obsessed on killing Shirou, but Archer does seem to have some inkling on his own identity... maybe Heaven's feel had Archer knowing,//
He did nag Rin to off Shirou last episode...and the way he acted at the end of this episode seem to show that he regained some part of his memory...or just an expert in human psychology and shirou's hero complex...
I just want my poem and the epic duel dammit...
Where exactly was Shriou during fate/ hollow atraxia?
Short form: Avenger was pretending to be Shirou during Hollow Ataraxia - when he was busy doing one of the not-nice things (I won't say what, since it's a spoiler) to another character, we saw his real form move from Shirou to Avenger and back. Shirou didn't appear in Hollow Ataraxia at all, really - nobody really met him in that situation.
so shirou is Angra Manyu in fate/holow ataraxia?
if that is so.. what on earth happened when shirou fight's with avenger? he splitted his body/soul?
...Probably. Again, throughout the entire fight, you never actually 'see' Avenger...Just his silhoutte.
Then again, Shirou lost that fight, so it's possible that Avenger switched back and forth during that battle.
*SPOILER STARTS*
There were two Avengers in that game, IIRC - there was an Avenger spirit who THOUGHT he was Avenger, because he was a villager sacrificed to a demon. If I remember this right, he was the Avenger who was also Shirou. There was also the REAL Angra Manyu, known as True Avenger, who also appeared in the game.
*SPOILER ENDS*
Regarding Archer's comments about Shirou's behavior - don't forget that Kitsurugi also berated him, at least a bit, about being a hero and tried to disabuse Shirou of his notions, albeit more gently, regarding justice and the path of nobility that Shirou wanted to take - we saw this in Ep 4, IIRC. Of course, it may take either a death or a situation where Saber gets severely wounded or otherwise taken from him to set aside the blind idealism which drives him and to move onto action. Right now he's in a state where he's in the fight to avoid another repeat of the incident which orphaned him... but is unwilling to really FIGHT, and instead hopes that the others will also act nobly and not hurt civilians or attack the other Masters.
Which ain't gonna happen, else there's no series or drama. ;)
Spoiler:
One thing I am curious about is Sabers loyalty to Shirou/Avenger at the end of Hollow Atraxia. Did she know that he wasn't really Shirou or were all of the people in the game excpet for Bazette and Avenger not real with everything being a dream?
*SPOILERS*
"There were two Avengers in that game, IIRC - there was an Avenger spirit who THOUGHT he was Avenger, because he was a villager sacrificed to a demon. If I remember this right, he was the Avenger who was also Shirou. There was also the REAL Angra Manyu, known as True Avenger, who also appeared in the game."
This is incorrect. There's only one Avenger - no "True Avenger". The real Angra Mainyu, if you think about it, wouldn't be a heroic spirit anyway...
It's the opposite, in fact. EVERYONE in Hollow Atraxia is real...*Except* for Shirou/Avenger and Karen, who vanishes just before the final battle.
There are theories that Karen was meant to meet the real Shirou later in his life; The red cloth she uses in the game is the same one Shirou had in Heaven's Feel, and is part of Archer's trenchcoat.
By the way...Angra Mainyu was an elemental source of evil, a true demon who waged war against god before he was defeated. Doesn't sound like Heroic Spirit material to me...
*spoiler*
Avenger
The 8th Servant who was accidently summoned in the 3rd war, who made a re-appearance in this game. His true name is Angra Manyu, the evil spirit of Zoroastrianism, but he is not the real one. He was an ordinary villager, but one day he was sacrificed as an evil demon by his villager. The villagers labeled him as the all evil being, and by sacrificing him, their mind was salvaged. So he was like an undirect hero, and that's how he became an heroic spirit. Of course in his view, he only hated the world who killed him in the most brutal way possible.
His former self as a Servant was already gone after the 3rd War, but his entity remained inside the Holy Grail and grew over the years. Finally by granting Bazette's wish to stay alive as the Holy Grail, he took form as a Servant once again. But since he only had the memory of the first 4 days of the 3rd Grail War, it resulted in a strange world where in the day time the Masters & Servants from the 5th grail war roams around, and in the night time the War begins between the Masters & Servant of the 3rd and 5th War mixed together. That world kept on looping until Bazette chose to end the contract or until Avenger's remaining power ran out.
His ability as an Servant is the lowest. Even Bazette is stronger in physical combat skills. He has a pair of daggers that locks his opponent's weapon, but it was easily broken by Saber. His Noble Phantasm that returns his damage to his opponent is pretty useless too, although it worked well in combination with Bazette. His personality is also hopeless; Lazy and having no sense of justice. But at the same time, since he took the shape of Emiya Shirou in the day time, he cared about others deeply inside. The original Avenger who was sacrificed as Angra Manyu probably had a similar personality; Hated the world so much, but at the same time he was forgiving and found that world to be precious.
*end*
This whole avenger side story does sound interesting, though I still think it is a bit too early to draw any conculsions yet based on evidence that seems to support each of the game endings.
Still since when has reality demanded the complete and utter destruction of ideals? Sure the world is filled with all sorts of bad things, but is that any reason to not bother to try? Nevertheless Shiro will have to get the Chutzpah to do some brilliant manuevering.
Well so long as Shinji gets his due, I'd say don't just shoot the bastard, rip out his living accursed guts and use it to grease the chain of your bicycle. Murder that lousy Purple pissing moron by the bushel frigging basket...
why did rin attacked shirou??and who is the girl with purple hair??
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