Alright back on the old BL I tried to give my opinions straight away about fate & Tsukihime. I’m doing that again here save that I won’t be rolling up a score system. Just my opinions straight away, I’ll be discussing them character by character
Feel free to contest my points as I bring them up though please do keep it low key as I’m just stating an opinion not ramming buttons hoping to piss you guys off. And so try to keep it to the character in question (I know that’s hard but I want an ordered discussion without repeating the same points a bunch)
We’ll start with fate. And to kick it off right let’s deal with Sakura as she’s the biggest stumbling block in discussion of the fate characters due to her position.
In concept: Sakura is the broken little girl we’re supposed to feel sorry for. Fate didn’t need someone in that position honestly. Worse yet it’s all made evident and dealt with in one route. The other characters have their problems show elsewhere but Sakura does get that.
In practice: Mach speed failure. Her issues are hyper compressed and simply expected to garner sympathy. Her screen time is criminal and when she gets it not really utilized.
The flipside: In Sakura’s case dark Sakura. She is sakura, crazy yes but sakura nonetheless. And honestly I like her. She presents a villain like Nero who I liked in Tsukihime. Just kinda, smash! Because she wants what she wants. She was certainly a welcome addition because Zouken was a god damn crap villain.
As a heroine: My definition of heroine is a proactive character. By this definition Sakura simply does not measure up
The issues: if anyone is to blame for her problems it’s Tokomi and Zouken, not Shinji,rin or anyone else. Her’s are bad no doubt but due to the pacing and non interaction with Sakura prior to HF the feelings that are supposed to come through fall flat.
Final opinion: do I hate her? No. Do I like her? Yes however I can’t invest myself in her struggle as I do that of other characters in those situations.