Ep 17. Ein Wintertag, Form des Wunsches

Shirou Emiya's quest to become the strongest mage in the world continues in Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works season 1 episode 17, titled "Ein Wintertag, Form des Wunsches." On this episode, we see Shirou facing a daunting task as he has to fight against Archer, his own future self.

As the episode opens, Rin Tohsaka and Archer are on their way to Shirou's house. Their intention is to fight Shirou and defeat him in battle. Shirou, knowing that he has no chance against Archer in a fair fight, comes up with a strategy. He decides to rely on his noble phantasm, the tracing ability, to copy and recreate Archer's weapons. This would be a risky move, considering it would strain Shirou's mana reserve and leave him vulnerable to attacks. However, he decides to go through with this plan, as it's his only hope of defeating Archer.

The fight between Archer and Shirou begins, and it's intense from the start. Archer is quick to attack Shirou, but Shirou manages to dodge his blows and counterattack with his traced weapons. The two mages engage in a fierce battle, and it becomes clear that Shirou is familiar with Archer's techniques. It's evident that Shirou has a deep understanding of Archer's abilities, which is surprising, considering Archer is Shirou's future self.

As the fight progresses, it's revealed that Archer has ulterior motives behind his desire to defeat Shirou. He wants to prevent Shirou from following in his footsteps, which would inevitably lead to pain and regret. Archer considers Shirou to be naive and foolish for wanting to become a hero of justice, and he believes that defeating him will be a wake-up call. Shirou, on the other hand, is resolute in his beliefs and refuses to give up his dream of becoming a hero. He fights back fiercely, but he's gradually losing ground, as Archer is getting stronger with every passing moment.

The climactic moment of the episode comes when Shirou decides to use his own reality marble, Unlimited Blade Works. This is a fearsome technique that creates an alternate dimension filled with countless swords, all of which can be summoned by Shirou. It's a power that even Archer is impressed by, and he acknowledges that Shirou has reached a level that he never could. However, Shirou's victory is short-lived, as he realizes that his mana reserves are depleted, making him vulnerable to Archer's attacks.

The episode ends with Rin intervening in the fight, saving Shirou from Archer's fatal blow. Rin uses her own powers to create a barrier that halts the fight. Archer, frustrated with Rin's interference, decides to leave, declaring that he will settle the score with Shirou in the future. Shirou is left to ponder whether his dream of becoming a hero is worth the sacrifices that come with it.

In conclusion, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works season 1 episode 17 is an action-packed episode that showcases Shirou's resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The fight between Archer and Shirou is one of the highlights of the episode, as it sheds light on Archer's motivations and his complicated relationship with his younger self. Shirou's use of Unlimited Blade Works adds an extra layer of excitement to the fight, making it a spectacle to behold. The episode ends on a contemplative note, as Shirou is forced to confront the harsh reality of his dream and the sacrifices that he must make to achieve it.