English Dub Review: Fate Strange Fake ” Backstage of a Third-rate Comedy”

Picking up from the previous episode, this installment shifts into pure setup, light on action but rich in character work and maneuvering. As the character named Flat Escardo unexpectedly allies with Orlando and the police, using clever magecraft and Jack’s shapeshifting to outplay them without bloodshed, all in pursuit of saving Tsubaki. Waver’s involvement from afar adds strategic weight, while hints of internal betrayals and looming interference suggest the rescue plan may not unfold smoothly. The episode closes with a striking entrance that promises chaos just as multiple factions begin converging on the same target.

Beyond the central scheme, the quieter conversations carry surprising depth. Fake Caster’s reflections on the value of imitations resonate strongly within a “fake” Grail War, while Sigma and Fake Assassin’s exchange about faith and purpose subtly reframes his otherwise stoic presence. Flat, often dismissed as a carefree, jovial person, finally showcases both his brilliance and compassion, subverting expectations by choosing cooperation over elimination. His easy chemistry with Hansa and clear admiration for Waver reinforce the idea that, in this war, alliances built on shared ideals may matter more than brute strength.

Overall, this is a deliberate but rewarding buildup episode that prioritizes character development over spectacle. By positioning every major player on the board and deepening personal motivations, it heightens anticipation for the inevitable clashes ahead. The tension now feels less about who is strongest and more about whose convictions will hold when plans begin to unravel, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive turning point.