Autumn is almost here, along with new seasons of anime. Aniplex had already reported that the new TV anime installment for the Fate franchise will begin airing on October 5th. Already released ahead of time has been a special episode, titled Episode 0. New updates were released for the series’ theme music, a new key visual, a new trailer, and details of an early special screening of episodes 0-2 before they air on television. Let’s break it down…
Theme Music
The Japanese rock band, Unison Square Garden (Tiger and Bunny) was revealed to have written and performed the opening theme, Phantom Joke. On their official website, the band reported release information and their own statement, saying they were surprised they were even considered for the project, but were flattered. Their bassist/vocalist, Tomoya Tabuchi, went on to say that because Fate is a series that has lasted for more than a single generation they wanted to write a song that would be perfect for all listeners, new and old to Fate.
Phantom Joke will be released on October 11th, a week after the first episode airs. Being the band’s sixteenth single, and their first new release in nearly a year, Phantom Joke will be bundled with two additional songs that have only been heard at their live shows, 「ぼくたちのしっぱい」 and 「mouth to mouse(sent you)」. If that wasn’t enough, a special deluxe bundle of the single will include a second live-CD recording of 『UNISON SQUARE GARDEN TOUR 2019「MODE MOOD MODE ENCORE」』 as performed at Zepp Tokyo earlier this year. Twenty-two live tracks in total are set for the release. Funny enough, none of the three songs from the regular single appear on the live album.
New Key Visual
New promo art drawn by Tomoaki Takase (Wolf Children, Boruto: Naruto the Movie) for the series was also released, showcasing the main cast of characters that were also given spotlight in the first trailer. This includes (from top to bottom, left to right) Ana, Enkidu, Ishtar, Merlin, and Gilgamesh. In addition to the main duo, Ritsuka and Mash, we get to see Romani Archaman and Leonardo da Vinci from the Chaldea HQ.
Sneak Preview and New Trailer
To promote the anime, the cast and crew will take part in a special commentary held in Shinjuku that will be broadcast live to select movie theaters in the country, as well as Taiwan on September 24th (Tue), 2019. Along with the cast commentary, episodes 0-2 will be shown ahead of the airdate. Tickets are available now, but limited. Those living in Japan, or who happen to be visiting at the time, can enter the ticket lottery for the in-person Shinjuku event here, and for live broadcast locations here.
Last, but not least, a new trailer has been dropped! In it, we get to see brief flashes of combat animation, as well as samples of several character’s voices. Overall, nothing exactly new, but still exciting to see. Check it out, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Gp7uTJWqk
