Ep 1. The Day It Began

The Day It Began is the very first episode of the Fate/stay night anime series, an adaptation of the popular visual novel game of the same name. It introduces us to the protagonist of the story, a high school student named Emiya Shirou, who lives alone in a peaceful little town.

At the start of the episode, we see Shirou walking through a field at night, reflecting on his strange dreams of a burning city and a king who saved him. As he reaches his school, he is approached by his classmate and friend, Tohsaka Rin, who seems to be checking up on him.

After school, we get to see a bit of Shirou's life and his hobbies - he has a talent for fixing broken appliances and other objects, and spends most of his free time tinkering in his garage. As he's working on a bike, he suddenly feels a strange sensation, and a red symbol appears on his hand.

Soon after, he is attacked by a strange, shadowy creature, and barely manages to defend himself with a rusty sword he finds in his garage. The creature disappears, leaving Shirou shaken and confused.

That night, as Shirou is trying to sleep, he is suddenly visited by a powerful, armored woman who introduces herself as Saber. She tells him that he has been chosen as a participant in a holy war, where seven mages called Masters will battle for the possession of the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact that grants wishes.

Saber reveals that she is one of the seven Servants, powerful beings summoned by the Masters to fight on their behalf. She pledges her loyalty to Shirou, and tells him that he must now enter the war and fight for his own wish.

Shirou, who has no knowledge of magic or fighting, is understandably hesitant, but Saber insists that he has no choice. She tells him that the other Masters will not hesitate to kill him if he doesn't fight back, and that they will start looking for him soon.

From this point on, the episode follows Shirou and Saber as they try to understand the rules of the war and figure out who their enemies are. As they investigate, they encounter a few other characters, including a mysterious blonde woman with a giant book, and a young girl named Illyasviel von Einzbern, who seems far too innocent and cheerful to be involved in such a deadly contest.

The Day It Began is a tense and intriguing introduction to the Fate/stay night series, setting up the basic premise of the story and introducing some of its key players. The animation is top-notch, with detailed character designs and beautifully rendered backgrounds that bring the world to life. The music is also excellent, with a haunting soundtrack that perfectly captures the somber, mystical tone of the show.

Overall, this episode is a promising start to the series, offering plenty of action, drama, and mystery to keep viewers engaged. Whether you're a fan of the visual novel or just looking for a new anime to dive into, Fate/stay night is a must-watch.