Even though Type-Moon’s visual novel Fate/stay Night has never been officially released outside Japan, it has given the international market a number of enjoyable experiences through its various anime adaptations. Starting with the 24-episode main anime series released in 2005; it has seen been expanded into an OVA series, a 2011/2012 prologue ‘Fate/Zero’ and a new Fate/Stay Night series based on the Unlimited Blade Works route of the original visual novel. All of these anime adaptations have focused on one universe, even if the chronology can be slightly different, following Shirou Emiya, Rin Tohsaka and other characters during the events of the Holy Grail War.
Rather than adapting another work from Type-Moon, Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya is based on the alternate reality spin-off manga written by Hiroshi Hiroyama. This series features a completely unique storyline which heavily focuses on the “Magical Girl” genre, and reprises many characters albeit with completely different roles and personalities. Characters such as Shirou Emiya receive a demotion to a minor character (At least in season one), while Luvia and Illya for example receive a significant promotion to main character. In some ways it is like the “Majora’s Mask” of Fate/stay Night, where characters look the same however have completely different roles and personalities (Albeit being more or less the same person).
Rin Tosaka and Luvia Edelfelt have been tasked with collecting “Class Cards” that have hidden themselves in mirror worlds around one particular town. To aid them in completing the task, both had been assigned a Kaleidostick which allows them to transform into magical girl form and boost their powers. Although tasked to work together, the pair struggle to put their differences and rivalry aside for the joint operation. With the Kaleidosticks having a mind and personality of their own, they both opt to abandon the assigned masters to discover new ones. Unaware of the world of magic, Illya von Einzbern lives out her live as an ordinary elementary school girl alongside her adopted brother Shirou and their carers. Her life is changed when the Kaleidostick Ruby forces Illya into becoming her new Master. Once discovered by Rin and with Ruby unwilling to break the newly formed contract, Illya is tasked with recovering the Class Cards instead. From there, she partners up with and forms a rivalry/friendship with fellow magical girl Miyu Edelfelt (A completely new character); as they collect the cards and do many other traditional “Magical Girl” genre activities.
The “Magical Girl” genre didn’t go too badly alongside the concepts you tend to find in a Fate release. Rather than having the servants summoned and contracted to each Master as is the case during a Holy Grail War, each of the cards represent a particular servant (Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin and Berserker). Each card takes on a human form until it is defeated in battle, which then allows a Magical Girl to use its respective weapon. The idea is creative and worked quite well overall, leading to some memorable battles in the latter half of the season; helping ease the blow from some of the more generic battles and cliche magical girl moments scattered throughout the first half.
While there are a few episodes that were dedicated exclusively to the battles and continuing the “Class Cards” plot, many of them spend at least some time developing the characters in a more traditional school-life setting; with the most important element being the growing rivalry/friendship between Illya and Miyu. This relationship is hindered by their conflicting personalities and perceptions of the task setting them apart. Having grown up watching anime, Illya has the perception of what magic is capable of and easily able to adapt, but at the same time is shocked at the danger she faces (This universe seemingly doesn’t have a Puella Magi Madoka Magica). Miyu on the other hand is colder and more analytically-inclined that makes her more skilled on the battlefield and well aware of the danger she faces; however is more grounded in logic and reality that hinders her use of flamboyant magic. I wouldn’t say their development was particularly unique, but both characters were nevertheless interesting to watch. With many more mysteries posed than answered about the pair, expect to see much more in Season 2 and beyond.
Outside of the four main characters, there wasn’t that much on offer. Despite being shown in the opening moments of episode one, I could count the number of times that Shirou appears since then on one hand. Illya’s friends also make several scattered appearances throughout the episodes, but don’t have any role of importance other than serving as the typical school friends completely ignorant of the main character’s hidden life. The only other characters of importance are the Kaleidosticks Ruby and Sapphire, who are genuinely entertaining to watch in short doses, but do occasionally overstay their welcome on-screen.
Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya has been produced by the team at Silver Link, whom in previous years have provided us with some nicely animated series including Dusk Maiden of Amnesia, Kokoro Connect and Watamote. Overall the quality is a mixed bag that greatly varies depending on what scene is being displayed. If you are watching one of the battles scattered throughout the episodes, then you are usually treated to quality animation that is well detailed and delivers action that is aesthetically pleasing to watch. Most other scenes however tended to be much simpler, with very little to praise or particularly dislike. Nothing presented is close to the best that Silver Link has provided anime fans in recent years.
On the other hand, Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya features a decent soundtrack that complements the different elements of the series well – from matching the intensity of a fight to something simpler as Illya goes about her day. Also included is a single opening theme starlog by ChouCho and ending theme Prism Sympathy by StylipS – both of which are enjoyable the first couple of times around, but then easily skippable.
Although you should go with your usual dub language preference if unsure, I would personally recommend watching Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya with the original Japanese dub. I suggest this dub because many characters from earlier Fate anime adaptations and visual novels have chosen to reprise their roles once again, with Kana Ueda once again voicing Rin, Mai Kadowaki voicing Illya and Noriaki Sugiyama as Shirou among others. These returning voice actors have all had experience voicing their respective characters, and once again do a damn good job at it.
The English dub on the other hand was just adequate, and didn’t stand out as much as other dubs commissioned by Sentai Filmworks. One of the issues I found was that the voices needed the occasional tweaks to both volume and clarity, as some scenes were either a tad too quiet or slightly illegible. These wern’t issues that ruined the experience by any means, however were still noticable. Other than that, some personal highlights in the English dub were Carli Mosier as Rin, Shelley Carlene-Black as Luvia and Joanne Bonasso as Ruby.
Aside from a bonus OVA episode which holds little relevance to the main plot, the only on-disc bonus content were the usual Clean Opening/Ending sequences and a couple of trailers for Hanabee Entertainment’s releases. Overall, nothing special.
While I personally prefer the more complex and sophisticated plot weaved throughout Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero, there was still enough charm found in Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya for me to consider it an enjoyable watch. With solid progression / development that leaves plenty of room for the characters and plot to grow in future episodes and some genuinely captivating battles, there is plenty to look forward to in future seasons. I just hope that, now the series has proven popular with a second season already out and a third on its way, that Silver Link have chosen to put attention on production quality.
Just one last warning. Despite the cutesy visuals indicating that this may be a title for all-audiences, there are a number of scenes that feature fanservice – including long-winded scenes of Illya in the bathtub.
Where to Buy?
Those residing in Australia or New Zealand are now able to purchase themselves a copy of Season 1 from the official Hanabee Entertainment website (DVD / Blu-ray) or their local anime retailer. Those in North America can check out RightStuf.com (DVD / Blu-ray), or alternatively your local anime retailer.
Disclosure
A DVD copy of Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya was provided by Australian anime publisher Hanabee for the purpose of this review.
