Heaven's Feel OVA

[Corenat Rovarnus]

I hadn't even realized it, but the first OVA "presage flower" has been out for nearly a year now, with the....English dub coming soon. I think @The Lord Kelvin made a thread on this before in the old forum but I couldn't find it. I'll be posting my thoughts after watching.

[Kaede]

On the one hand, more fate with gorgeous art, on the other it stars Sakura, my least favorite heroine in the series. Will probably watch someday, after I finish Digimon Tri and darling in the franxx.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Sakura isn't my favorite heroine, I actually don't think I have one after all these years. Heaven's Feel remains my favorite route though from all the weird stuff that occurs.

And now, the post-watch review:
I can't tell whether these OVAs were intended to introduce newcomers to the Fate franchise or targeting long time fans. Presage Flower flash forwards through scenes like Archer vs Lancer and Saber's summoning, yet still spends an agonizing amount of time on boring school/shed scenes and Rin taking Shirou to the church. It does bring new things to the table for anime-only fans like Hassan, Zouken, and the much beloved Mr. Slappy.
The divergence from the other routes happens pretty early on, and this OVA takes a much darker turn if you know what I mean.

Worst part? The relentless onslaught of 'Senpai' spam.
Best part? Mapo Tofu. ooh baby *unzips*

Overall I would say this rates a 6, maybe even 7 out of 10 if you're in the very particular demographic that has only watched the Ufotable UBW or DEEN anime. It's definitely worth the watch if you don't plan to read the visual novel. Although you really should read it.

It's a 4/10 for a complete Fate noob as it lacks the usual exposition dump so you'll have no clue what's going on.

It's also a 4/10 if you're a salty veteran like me who has watched and read nearly every rendition of this tale. I can't believe I had to sit through that goddamn Shirou high-jump story for the 5th time.

[SilkScarf]

Sorry, this is a test please ignore.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Glad you bumped this thread, because the second OVA, "lost butterfly" is premiering in about a month!

[SilkScarf]

Man, look at me still not having finished Fate/Apo yet (and technically not Fate/Zero either).

[Kaede]

I haven't even started Apo yet, or watched last encore yet...or the first Heavens Feel movie for that matter.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Don't bother watching Apocrypha, it's trash. Unless you really need that Astolfo.

[Kaede]

I'm waiting for the rest of the books to be translated.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Alright kids I watched Lost Butterfly, it's memereview time:

• Shinji remains painful to watch, despite knowing all there is to know about his character.
  
• No spicy mapo tofu eating. At least Kirei's still around.
  
• [senpai intensifies]
  
• ZASSHU
  
• Where are my CG dragons/whales? You've let me down ufotable. You let me down hard.
  
• Oh yeah, they decided to put the CGI budget into the fight scenes instead. That's better, I'm not joking this time.
  
• Hey, it's Mr. Slappy! This takes me back to all those fun times in Crucis...
  

This OVA/movie felt new and refreshing to me, and I can't tell if it's because years have passed since my last viewing of FSN's story or because it truly does breath new life into the series despite being the 4th reboot.