And where is the Fate/Strange Fake TV series we were promised?
Summary:
- Every year since December 31, 2016, the Fate franchise airs a New Year special with announcements, reveals, anime and other content.
- Last year, the Fate/Strange Fake prologue was delayed and not shown on New Year’s Eve, which made many fans upset.
- This year, there are a couple of different segments listed within the special, but outside of one short episode, there is no news on any Fate anime.
- The announcements Fate fans want are any news on Fate/Strange Fake series, as well as an adaptation of the Fate route of the original VN by ufotable.
New Year is a time of celebration. For the fans of Fate series, however, it also means something different. For the past few years, the Fate franchise had an exclusive TV time slot for it, running for 2 hours in the evening on the 31st of December.
The time slot usually has some interviews and new information on the upcoming Fate anime and games. It also usually airs one or more anime specials — be those separate projects or teasers for upcoming series.
The origins of the Fate New Year specials
The first Fate New Year TV special aired on December 31, 2016, and featured Fate/Grand Order: First Order. An adaptation of the prologue for the Fate/Grand Order game, it was met with mixed receptions by the fans.
While praised for its animation and for the decision to adapt the FGO story in the first place, it was also criticized for cutting out a lot of content for time reasons. However, the prologue of the game is considered its weakest part by many Fate fans, so this criticism is a bit contradictory.
Other notable years
Over the years, Fate’s New Year time slot aired multiple other anime projects. One of the most notable was Episode 0 of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files (Lord El-Melloi II Sei no Jikenbo: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note), which was announced just a month before it was released — and indicated that the full anime was in production.
Another short anime that was released this way and was extremely loved by fans was Learning with Manga! Fate/Grand Order (Manga de Wakaru! Fate/Grand Order), a gag parody of the game. Curiously enough, it aired within the same special as the Case Files Episode 0 on December 31, 2018.
2022 wasn’t a good year for Fate fans
Last year (meaning the last day of 2022), the anime originally scheduled to be shown within the time slot was Fate/Strange Fake: Whispers of Dawn. However, there was a huge problem: it didn’t actually air on that day. Instead, it was delayed all the way back to July 2023 — and sure enough, it looked gorgeous, and fans were happy to see it animated.
However, there was a lot of disappointment with the delay in the first place. Fans felt like they weren’t getting what they were promised, and we can’t blame them. Of course, this raised questions of what would air this year.
2023 has a few things scheduled within the special, but they don’t look too exciting
As it looks now, not much. The current announcement mostly features information about the games — there are no new anime projects listed. Yes, there seems to be another episode for Fate/Grand Order: You've Lost Ritsuka Fujimaru (Fate/Grand Order: Fujimaru Ritsuka wa Wakaranai) short anime — another comedy series making fun of the game mechanics.
There will also be an introduction (narrated by Maaya Sakamoto, the seiyuu for Jeanne D’Arc) for Fate/Samurai Remnant, a game released this year. The game, despite being decently popular in Japan, went under the radar in the West, likely because of the lack of promotion.
There’s also an announcement for something called “Saber to Berserker no Nihon Rettou Kuidaore no Tabi.” The literal translation is “Saber and Berserker’s Stuff-Yourself Journey Through the Japan Archipelago,” and while it’s obvious this segment is about food, it’s hard to imagine what it actually is.
It’s not confirmed or denied to be an anime, however. The Japanese fans noted that it’s not even clear which Saber and Berserker this segment will feature (although it’s very likely to be the Stay Night ones).
Expectations and speculations
It’s not uncommon for the Fate New Year specials to include things that weren’t initially announced. It makes sense, considering the fact that the franchise is huge — and with a lack of announcements really, the fans want a new anime.
Yes, technically, there’s a Fate/Strange Fake TV series in the works. However, with the fiasco with its special last year, it definitely won’t get another one until the actual anime — and it doesn’t need one anyway.
Fans want at least some information on it, as currently, we don’t even have a confirmed date for the series. Who knows, maybe we’ll get some on the 31st.
The best gift for Fate fans would be a proper adaptation of the Fate route by ufotable. Yes, technically, it was made into an anime by Deen in 2006 — but that was far from a good adaptation, as it mixed in elements from other routes.
A good adaptation of the first route of the Fate/stay night visual novel would be a dream come true for fans. With ufotable being preoccupied with Demon Slayer and Witch on the Holy Night (Mahoutsukai no Yoru), it seems a little bit too far-fetched, sadly.
Witch on the Holy Night, however, is going to reveal a new trailer soon (curiously, on the 31st as well), and with it being a part of the Nasuverse, fans are excited about it anyway.
Likely to see no major news
Should we expect any surprises from Fate's 2023 New Year special? They are at least likely, because the creators seem to love sudden and unexpected reveals. But with many anime studios being busy with other projects, we probably shouldn’t expect any major announcements — it’s sad, but there’s a need for healthy skepticism.
This doesn’t mean they absolutely won’t happen, of course — just don’t expect any, and you certainly won’t be disappointed whether they come or not.