Fate / Zero Animation Visual Guide I & II

Fate/Zero Animation Visual Guide I & II is the official two-volume production guide and art collection for ufotable's celebrated anime adaptation of Gen Urobuchi's dark fantasy light novel series Fate/Zero. Together, the two books provide comprehensive coverage of the entire 25-episode series — with Vol. I covering the first cour (Episodes 1–13) and Vol. II covering the second (Episodes 14–25). Each volume is packed with character profiles, concept art and design sheets, episode-by-episode story summaries with director's notes, opening and ending theme details, production staff interviews, and full-color illustration galleries drawn from the anime's stunning visual presentation. The set is an essential companion piece to one of the most acclaimed anime productions of the 2010s, documenting ufotable's landmark work on the series in exhaustive detail.

Fate/Zero is a prequel story set ten years before the events of Fate/stay night, depicting the brutal Fourth Holy Grail War — a secret battle royale between seven Masters and their summoned heroic spirits, fighting for the right to claim the omnipotent Holy Grail. Where most entries in the Fate franchise lead with action and romance, Zero is primarily a war story and a tragedy, written by Gen Urobuchi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Psycho-Pass) with a focus on moral philosophy, the cost of ambition, and the inevitability of fate. Ufotable's adaptation is widely regarded as the gold standard of Type-Moon anime productions — its fluid action sequences, atmospheric lighting, and meticulous attention to servant design set a new benchmark for the franchise. These Visual Guides capture that production quality in print, with concept materials and commentary that reward close reading for anyone serious about the craft behind the series.

Both volumes were published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2012, with Vol. I released in April to coincide with the second cour broadcast and Vol. II following in November after the series concluded. The set represents the most complete official documentation of the Fate/Zero anime production available in print, and both volumes are now out of print and increasingly difficult to find together.

Other Notable Works

Gen Urobuchi (Original Story): Fate/Zero (Light Novel), Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Psycho-Pass, Aldnoah.Zero  
Takashi Takeuchi (Original Character Design): Fate/stay night, Tsukihime, Fate/hollow ataraxia  
ufotable (Animation Studio): Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV), Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel (Films), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Book Details

Japanese Title (Vol. I): Fate/Zero アニメビジュアルガイド I
Japanese Title (Vol. II): Fate/Zero アニメビジュアルガイド II
English Title: Fate/Zero Animation Visual Guide I & II
Original Story: Gen Urobuchi (Type-Moon / Nitroplus)
Original Character Design: Takashi Takeuchi
Animation Studio: ufotable
Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten
Release Date (Vol. I): April 12, 2012
Release Date (Vol. II): November 7, 2012
Pages: 176 (Vol. I) / 207 (Vol. II)
Format: Softcover with Dust Jacket
Language: Japanese
ISBN-10 (Vol. I): 4041101298   ISBN-13 (Vol. I): 978-4041101292
ISBN-10 (Vol. II): 4041103088   ISBN-13 (Vol. II): 978-4041103081
Age Rating: Teen (13+)
Genre: Animation Guide / Art Book, Dark Fantasy, Action

Art books are assumed VG+ or better unless otherwise noted. No broken spines, no writing, no stickers, and may have light shelf wear. All art books are assumed to be pre-owned.