SirJosh

"And it's exactly because of ALL of that things you said about Shirou that the anime has become repetitive in its actions. Yes, he has self-confidence problems, has a tough previous life, has idealistic issues, but all those things just amount up to nothing because it he seems to have not come into terms with those things yet. The satisfactory factor just isn't there."

Repetitive in it's actions ?I don't think I understand .Or rather I think I do but I don't see how that's a bad thing .Many characters are plagued by problems which affect them throughout the series e.g Shinji Ikari .Shirou is very distinct from most if not all other characters .A generic hero on the outside but a twisted individual on the inside .An individual who's abilities perfectly reflect his absurd nature (#symbolism).I also don't understand how it all amounted to nothing .The entire point of his introspection before the fight with Gilgamesh was him coming to full terms with his nature/goals .The bulk of this was handled in his confrontation with Archer but he was't yet fully formed .Emiya Shirou ends up as a person who decides to live by his ideal instead of holding it as a goal since he sees inherent worth in it .While he remains the same person fundamentally ,he changes a lot in terms of perspective .I can't say anything about the "satisfactory factor" being absent because that's largely up to personal opinions .

"However, I would like to note one thing you said: "The whole point of the series isn't even the HGW .It's a story of self-actualization." I was quite taken aback by this, I thought the whole concept of the show was the holy grail war, and then seeing what the winner would do afterwards, but it seems like I was completely wrong about the series. I would consider rewatching it with the mindset of self-actualization instead of the action scenes or storyline, then maybe it wouldn't be too bad of a series for me."

That's something that a lot of people miss out on .In the first place ,the name of the anime is "Unlimited Blade Works" .This is the core of Shirou's mindset/ideals/code of conduct/personality .Unless a person can understand the significance of this ,it's easy to see it as a botched Fate Zero sequel .There's also how it doesn't focus on the other masters the way FZ did .Finally we have the large amounts of focus on the interactions with Archer .There's some other stuff too but I'll just stop here .It's basically like Evangelion in how the point isn't in the plot itself but the character study .

This is a matter that I've handled a few times before so forgive me for quoting myself .

[QUOTE=TheDeadApostle;1848414]I've already answered this on reddit so I'll just copy and paste .

He's basically a guy that's pretty empty on the inside .Throughout the series it's said/shown that he rarely smiles ,has no hobbies and it's shown that he has a poor sense of self worth (hence his suicidal escapades when trying to save someone) .He's got a massive mental issue called survivor's guilt from the fire ten years ago .Also since he was quite empty on the inside ,the fact that he ,an individual who didn't see himself as worth much could bring a smile to someone's face (i.e Kiritsugu) sort of helped his ego .And so through saving others he finds meaning in his life .Whenever he fails to save others he falls into a not-so-minor existential crisis (e.g the breakdown he had when he couldn't save Ilya).The ideal of saving others is his "crutch" through life so to speak .Hence his title as a "faker" .His wish wasn't born naturally from within himself .It's just something he uses to give himself meaning .Like a machine (which Archer later remarks on).Thus ,the first line of his chant "My body is made of swords" reflects how he views himself as a tool .He is a sword for others .Swords do not act for themselves .This is the cause of his lack of self-worth .He sort of deconstructs the the hero-archetype since he shows how a possible origin of how the superhero mindset can stem from having a poor sense of self worth due to trauma .Then again there's a very clear difference between him and other "superheroes" .Most superheroes operate because of decisions made by their conscience/morality .In this guy's case however we have an individual who actually uses morality as an excuse to continue his mad charge .

The MC that we're talking about is a twisted/broken individual who has absolutely no passions other than heroism .A deluded romantic who wanks to the idea of helping others without reward .When we eventually get an image of his wretched mental landscape ,its a barren world filled with nothing but rusty swords on the ground .His UBW chant in itself is a near-perfect summary of his mindset .I'd go more into that but I'd bore people if I started pointing things out line by line .The only thing that moves his shattered ego is a lie which he told himself when he was younger .Said lie happens to be a self destructive ideal/objective that will one day consume him .The whole point of the series isn't even the HGW .It's a story of self-actualization .

Contrary to what people seem to think ,he's willing to kill the few to save the many .A fact which is actually one of the major points of the series .

What this guy somewhat mirrors is how people grow up and find out that their dreams aren't necessarily attainable .Worse still their huge/potentially self-destructive goals might stem from simple admiration of a guardian .That you become/want to become something so dangerous only because someone you loved was one is a sign of emptiness and a lack of originality .Because of this many people give up on their "ideals" in exchange for a stable reality .Shirou's case is special though because it's more likely that he'll listen to someone telling him to roll over and die than someone telling him to give up his ideals .He relies on them that much due to his broken nature .That's exactly why he can push forward even when he knows the grim end that awaits him .[/QUOTE]

I believe him to be one of the strongest points of the show .The relationship between him and Archer was very fascinating .

Your UBW Review is off point .You didn't get the point of the characters if you seriously think that Shirou is a weak point of the show .

You are indeed a rtue hero for speaking the truth.

I don't care about Strike the Blood or Nisekoi and I dislike Charlotte so that's fine.