3ET: Fate/kaleid Prisma Illya

"Either I'm trapped in an anime or I'm high as fuck."

Studio: Silver Link

Directors: Sakamaoto Takashi (Tasogare Otome x Amnesia) and Oonuma Shun (Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, Kokoro Connect)

Main Cast: Kadowaki Mai as von Einzbern, Illyasviel, Ueda Kana as Tohsaka Rin, Nazuka Kaori as Edelfelt Miyu, Itou Shizuka as Edelfelt Luviagelita

Writer: Inoue Kenji (Debut)

Music: Kato Tatsuya (Free!, Mirai Nikki)

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Fate universe. On one hand, I thought the original Fate/stay night anime was a misogynistic clusterfuck of a series and I use the terms "Fate universe" and "Nasu's masturbatory sandbox" interchangeably. On the other hand, I think the prequel series Fate/zero showcases the full potential of this universe when it is in capable hands. I also enjoyed the parody series, Carnival Phantasm, which had moments of brilliance in making fun of many of the characters in the original Fate/stay night. Now, it is not necessary to have any background in the Fate universe to understand what happens in Fate/kaleid Prisma Illya. I would say it helps, because the show shares characters with the original, but not necessary.

The titular Illya starts off as average Japanese elementary student. You know the kind that watches anime, dreams of magic, and is in love with her step-brother. She is tricked into becoming a magical girl by a magical rod by the name of Magical Ruby, and then has to fight to collect magical cards that contain the spirits of legendary heroes. For those familiar with Nasu's masturbatory sandbox, this will seem similar like the plot of Fate/stay night in magical girl form, which it is.

"Goddamnit, Nasu. Give the girl some clothes."

If I were to have a line of how serious a show is, with the extremely silly Carnival Phantasm on one end and the extremely serious Fate/zero on the other, I'd say Prisma Illya is well on the Carnival Phantasm side. This is important to note, since once I realized that the show was a straight up satire of magical girls, I was able to enjoy it a lot more. In the first episode, the sentient magical rods have abandoned their masters, Rin and Luvia. The reason being that the two masters were fighting, and the rods were fed up with the two fighting and bitching with each other. If that doesn't set the tone for the series, I don't know what will.

This tone fits very well with the comedic elements of the show. It consistently breaks the fouth wall, pointing out all of the magical girl cliches like it was marking off items on a checklist. The vehicle for this fourth wall breaking is Ruby, the magical rod who seems to strongly dislike Rin, enjoys messing with Illya, and is pretty much an all-around awesome bitch. She also provides a good exposition device, slowly bringing the audience (and Illya) along, although those familiar with the Fate universe will know what's up before anyone else.

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a sword.

That said, there are some issues I have with Prisma Illya. For one, can we please stop sexualizing children Japan? I'm not specifically talking about how Illya receives her magical powers naked in the bath, that's relatively harmless. I'm more talking about the crotch shots of fifth-graders in their gym clothes. I don't need to see that. We also could have spent less time establishing that the new magical girl, Miyu, is awesome at everything. Or they could have given Luvia a personality beyond her obnoxious laugh. Although, really it's the sexualizing children thing that bothers me more than anything.

But, when it comes down to it, I'm enjoying Fate/kaleid Prisma Illya. Yes, it's name is a mouthful and it has unfortunate artifacts from being a part of the Nasu jerkoff theater troupe, but I'm having fun. And that's what watching anime is supposed to be for me, fun. It's not the best, but it's good enough for me and passes.