English Dub Review: Fate strange Fake “Ensemble VS Pretense”

Overview

Following the destructive uproar at the opera house, Saber and Ayaka are detained by the Snowfield Police Department. Saber answers the police’s questioning candidly, showing no regard for maintaining the secrecy of the Holy Grail War. As Orlando expresses exasperation in dealing with Saber and the fallout he is causing, Orlando is visited by a certain man, Hansa Cervantes, a priest dispatched by the Holy Church as Overseer in this fake Holy Grail War.

Our Take

Picking up immediately after the chaos of the premiere, which was released in 2024, The long overdue 2nd episode doubles down on its off-kilter identity, blending urban absurdity with a steadily escalating sense of menace. The episode focuses on the aftermath of earlier events through restrained dialogue and sharp character interactions, smoothly introducing new authority figures and factions while signaling that secrecy is rapidly unraveling. Instead of rushing toward spectacle, it lets tension simmer through shifting perspectives, dry humor, and an ever-present feeling that too many dangerous forces are now converging in full view.

What truly elevates the episode is its confident balance of sharp character interactions, controlled spectacle, and an undercurrent of unease. Humor, tension, and menace coexist without undercutting one another, supported by fluid animation, expressive character acting, and a strong audiovisual presentation that enhances rather than overwhelms.

Overall, this was a sharp, confident continuation that confirms Fate/strange Fake has fully found its footing, favoring personality, atmosphere, and momentum over heavy exposition or hand-holding. Stylish and ominous in equal measure, it rewards patience and familiarity with the broader Fate world while remaining engaging through sheer craft and tonal control. By embracing chaos with precision and restraint, the episode sets clear expectations for a series driven by confidence and momentum without tipping its hand too early.