LORD EL-MELLOI II-SEI NO JIKENBO: "RAIL ZEPPELIN" GRACE NOTE

DESCRIPTION

CAST

SPECIAL DramaLord El-Melloi II-sei no Jikenbo: "Rail Zeppelin" Grace note - Hakamori to Neko to Majutsu-shi
NOVEL FantasyLord El-Melloi II-sei no Jikenbo
MANGA FantasyLord El-Melloi II-sei no Jikenbo
SPECIAL DramaLord El-Melloi II-sei no Jikenbo: "Rail Zeppelin" Grace note Tokubetsu-hen
ANIME ActionFate/Zero 2nd Season

REVIEWS

• 

  CountZero

  75/100
  Fun character study of the cast, but not exactly a satisfying mystery series.

  Lord El-Melloi II is a mystery series that breaks from the conventions of the genre. Specifically, the convention of using the question of “Howdunit” to determine “Whodunit”. When urban fantasy normally sets into this territory, you see writers structure out their magic system to fit within this magical structure. Lord El-Melloi II, on the other hand, tosses convention out on its head and decides to play Calvinball instead.

  In the Nasu-verse, there’s a tendency for rules to be made to be broken. Lancer’s Gae Bolg is a sure kill except for when it isn’t. Like in Calvinball, rules changes are rolled out however and whenever necessary, never really contradicting each over, but always coming out when narratively convenient. Consequently, when magic is brought out in the context of a murder mystery, it’s not particularly predictable. Instead, as a viewer, our insights are more related to character motivations than to anything else. Hence, the question becomes not “howdunit”, but rather “whydunit”.

  This doesn’t mean the show doesn’t cheat – it cheats like a motherfucker. The Calvinball magic system rules allow them to spring new wrinkles in a case whenever it seems dramatically appropriate, and a significant character pops out of the aether during the show’s climax with nothing to previously establish their existence.

  The show follows Waver Velvet, who is now a teacher at The Clock Tower, the academy for magi in the Nasuverse, and is following in the footsteps of his teacher – Keyneth El-Melloi, whose catalyst Waver stole in order to take part in the Holy Grail War in Fate/Zero, and in turn allowing him to summon Iskandar.

  Now as an adult, Waver has been changed by his experiences, both with the death of his mentor (douchebag though he was), and now Waver has set himself the goal to rebuild his former master’s class, while also trying to change a mage society that provides opportunities for mages of lesser bloodlines. This leaves Waver with something of a class full of misfits, including some we’ve met in alternative universe works, like Caules from Fate/Apocrypha.

  Further, because Waver is socially something of an outsider – he’s been adopted into the El-Melloi family but does not personally possess that family’s clout – this gives him that outsider advantage. He’s a person that people can call on to help resolve situations where things get messy, both magically, politically, and in the case of the mysteries in this show, physically. This is also reflected with his character – he refuses to be identified as Lord El-Melloi, instead insisting on being referred to as Lord El-Melloi II.

  The show also starts partway through Waver’s career as a teacher and as an investigator. He’s got a supporting cast around him already, who have their general roles that they play in solving mysteries. Probably the most significant one of these is Grey, Waver’s Watson figure – and also a literal Saberface – for reasons that are somewhat expanded on in the show.

  This makes this show something of an interesting mess. The characters are interestingly written, and fans of the franchise – especially Fate/Apocrypha – will enjoy the guest appearances. However, those looking for a satisfying mystery will likely be sorely disappointed.

  Continue on AniList
• 

  llAshell

  80/100
  A Different type of Fate show

  This is a very different type of Fate show and its refreshing. I decided on less spoilers more character synopsis since they are the highlight of the show usually its holy grail war, character focus, and some form of devastation to the world they are still there in the end. This time around it is Character focus; dialogue focus, magic focus, and then some world devastation. Case files gives the viewer a chance to see the mage association that is always mentioned or hinted at in all the other entries while still being able to keep one entertained as well as tie into the Fate timeline.

  Our main three mcs "Waver" or Lord El Melloi II, Gray a Saber face, and Reines El-Melloi three very different but lovable characters all the same. This anime unlike the rest of the fate series has the holy grail war on the back burner as a motivation for our lead through out the show. Waver's motivations are

  • To join another holy grail war
  • Re-Summon his previous servant Iskander and have that servant see if has grown into a man worthy of being his equal
  • Payback both his close friend and the El-Melloi family

  In paying back his debt he is required to take up task or cases that rang from murder, theft, magical family disputes, as well as working as a replacement or stand in for his teacher Lord El Melloi hence the name change and II at the end. How a man who barely survived the last holy grail war who is also not the best mage out there or is mostly looked down upon by head of the Clock-tower members( a group known for both its high noble standing in the magic world and the school that like the group has accomplished much in the magic world) by having a knack for solving other peoples problems. This combined with unique almost brilliant understanding of how magic works to the point of finding its loop holes, having lectures for his students digestible but accurate which has lead some of them to higher heights in the mage world. Lastly a fair amount of detective skills this average mage to some is in fact a wise powerful mage whom one should never underestimate.

  Combining the special and start to the series added in with all the other shows of the Fate series, the world building aspect of the show has good amount of depth going for it. This also goes for waver if you have seen Fate/Zero or played the crossover event in FGO he doesn't need that much of an explanation at the start outside of how he has grown and what his current goals and life is like now. His past en-devours in that show are given a fair amount of time on screen, but not enough to feel overbearing or feel as if they don't really matter to the current story these memories are often motivations for Waver.

  Gray another saber face whom is also a servant, to some is just another saber wanna be or another reason to have king Arthur some how tied into the story is in fact as all the saber faces someone with her own identity and lovable quirks. she isn't given much of a back story this however doesn't demerit her, it gives her an opportunity to show how she is different from the other saber faces. she is overly shy caring and knows she is different so the way she chooses to speak to those around her is formal or at times overly formal.

  Reines El-Melloi a teasing younger sister of waver is whom has high standing in the mage world as part of the clock tower members. confident in both her magic and as a person. She is not afraid to show that you are either beneath her or should show her respect. And in her own way she cares about waver regardless if he is just a stand in for her brother atm till she is old enough to take over. Doesn't get much screen time this season but still makes a big enough splash to be given a character in FGO as well as a bigger part I'm sure she will get in S2 if and whenever that decides to drop.

  In my opinion the anime doesn't have that many flaws such as bad animation or boring cast, it may be dialogue heavy and doesn't have that many fights like its predecessors but those are not what Id consider flaws in this series case. Unlimited Blade Works has some heavy dialogue moments as does any FGO entry be it show or in-game singularity such as anything after London singularity america Camelot Babylonia any Epic Of Remnant Singularity or the Lost Belt Singularities also have some inanely long dialogue heavy moments but they all set up their stories just right. The importance of that singularity the difference of danger level to the restoration of humanity and so on. Having ended with a satisfying ending, staying true to the over all world presented to us the viewer. As well as animation quality being good if not great and makes its own place in a very long list of connected shows that seem to almost have no end. I say:
  Should you watch it yes
  Should it get a S2 yes it will help make it even better
  Is it the best of the Fate series no but it is a change of pace and a good one

  My over all enjoyment is around an 8/10
  Artwork 8.5/10
  Story 8/10
  Music 8.5

  Continue on AniList

SIMILAR ANIMES YOU MAY LIKE

• ANIME

  ActionFate/Zero
• MOVIE

  ActionFate/Grand Order: Shinsei Entaku Ryouiki Camelot - Wandering; Agateram
• ANIME

  ActionFate/stay night
• MOVIE

  ActionFate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower
• ANIME

  DramaYuukoku no Moriarty
• ANIME

  ActionFate/Apocrypha
• ANIME

  ActionFate/Grand Order: Zettai Majuu Sensen Babylonia
• ANIME

  ActionKuroshitsuji
• ANIME

  DramaVanitas no Carte
• MOVIE

  ActionFate/Grand Order: Shinsei Entaku Ryouiki Camelot - Paladin; Agateram
• ANIME

  DramaGOSICK
• ANIME

  ActionRental Magica