Interviewer: At last Fate/Zero's broadcast has begun. What are your current work conditions?
Urobuchi: The reunions for reading the script have finally finished. Even so, the after recording ("afureko") is still continuing. We're all sitting together in the studio for it.
Aoki: As Fate/Zero has difficult phrases, we're confirming them with Urobuchi-san.
Urobuchi: When I listen to the afureko, I end up wanting to correct the original work (laughs). So if there are phrases that aren't heard very much, we're correcting the script in the studio.
Aoki: As the VAs know very well their capacities, there's nothing to say about their acting.
I: Urobuchi, you said before that you thought an adaptation of Fate/Zero to the screen would be unlikely. What were your impressions when you saw the images?
Urobuchi: The original work of Fate/Zero made me think, "It can't be changed into images." It was a work that I wrote freely, and it has many dialogue scenes, so I was worried about whether there was anything that would stand out on screen. Still, director Aoki and ufotable were the ones who changed Kara no Kyoukai into images, so I instantly started thinking, "There won't be any problems."
Aoki: Thank you very much. Urobuchi-san's novel is easy to transform into images, because the situations are already perfectely depicted. But, with such detailed descriptions, things got harder (laughs). I'd think, "No matter what they're thinking about, I've got a feeling that I should do an air shot," or, "I think I should move the camera." As long as there are the limitations of animation, it's hard to do and takes time. So it was tough.
Urobuchi: Looking at the images, I was surprised by them. It was adapted splendidly.
Aoki: The fact that we could animate the long dialogue scenes is due to the great talent of all the VAs. Their performances are becoming a highlight of the show.
Urobuchi: While long dialogues go on, what do you show? I admire these big preoccupations about making an animation. "That dialogue scene turned into this!"
Aoki: This time, the young guys at ufotable are the ones responsible for the storyboards. Hence, I, being the director, aren't correcting the storyboards; after discussion, the responsible person does it, if possible. But that's kind of a tiresome way to do it (laughs).
I: Are there many young people in the staff?
Aoki: That's right. In ufotable, I'm a senior.
Urobuchi: Director Aoki and I are about the same age. When I make a joke, director Aoki's the only one who laughs at it.
Aoki: I wonder if it's the generation gap. Even when we talk about "Airwolf" in the studio, it doesn't work (laughs).
Urobuchi: That's right! (laughs)
I: Urobuchi-san, what were your impressions when you saw the storyboards?
Urobuchi: I understand that the composition of Fate/Zero's anime version has drama, battles and hues (of other things) separated. The battles are amazing because they're very prolonged ones. While the anime's staying faithful to the original work's material, it also adds two or three new ideas that weren't used in the first work for original episodes.
Aoki: During composition, Urobuchi-san gave us some ideas that he wanted to add. There are original episodes in the first season, too.
I: Director Aoki, you've worked with ufotable since Kara no Kyoukai. Do you feel that the staff is growing up?
Aoki: The Kara no Kyoukai that I directed was the first episode. After that, when I helped with the production of the seventh episode...I felt that the lack of restrictions was growing.
Urobuchi: You felt that the wildness was growing?
Aoki: During the first movie, there were a restricted number of scenes and CG to use. However, the seventh movie didn't have that. Even when I consulted the staff about complicated scenes, they'd say, "We'll do it". Fate/Zero's case is the same too.
I: Where can this lack of restrictions be seen?
Aoki: Well, the first episode being a one-hour special is already a lack of restrictions (laughs). In terms of animation, being free to use CG as we please is one example of no restriction.
Urobuchi: When I look at it from my point of view, I think that ufotable is very careful rather than unrestricted. I have the impression that they're quite disciplined about CG. They are pioneers, and they go to the very limits. That's admirable.
I: What would be the first season's highlights?
Aoki: First of all, there are the fourth and fifth episodes, when the servants are positioned. Also, Emiya Kiritsugu's secret maneuvers are also a highlight.
Urobuchi: Uryuu Ryuunousuke's also a highlight. Because I was astonished by him. "Did I write such a cruel scene?!" (laughs).
I: Lastly, what would be your wishes to the Grail?
Urobuchi: I'm just a person who got involved in the Grail War even though I've got no wishes (laughs). Anyway, I'd like to become a power in ufotable's corner, if possible.
I: Director Aoki, last time your wish was, "I want to make anime until I die."
Urobuchi: That's a dangerous wish when it comes to the Holy Grail (laughs). Because it's malicious, you could end up dying in very middle of making an anime.
Aoki: Well then, my wish is to be able to finish Fate/Zero without problems!