Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Vow in the Snow
A prequel film exploring Shirou Emiya's role in the Holy Grail War.
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Vow in the Snow (also known as Oath Under Snow) is a Japanese animated fantasy action film and a prequel to the manga Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya by Hiroshi Hiroyama. Released on August 26, 2017, the film follows teenager Shirou Emiya as he becomes involved in the Fifth Holy Grail War to protect his foster sister, Miyu Satsuki, from being used as a sacrifice by the Ainsworth clan.
- release_date
- August 26, 2017
- director
- Shin Oonuma
- studio
- Silver Link
- genre
- Fantasy action
- based_on
- Manga by Hiroshi Hiroyama
- voice_cast
- Noriaki Sugiyama, Kaori Nazuka, Rikiya Koyama, Natsuki Hanae, Noriko Shitaya
Lore & Background
The film adapts volumes 7 and 8 of the manga Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!. It was first announced on September 21, 2016, when the finale of the anime's fourth season aired. Shin Oonuma and Silver Link returned from the anime series to direct and produce the film. Singer ChouCho performed two theme songs, 'kaleidoscope' and 'Usubeni no Tsuki', centered around Shirou's actions and his bonding with Miyu.
The plot begins with a young Shirou Emiya and his adoptive father Kiritsugu traveling to Fuyuki city to investigate the Sakatsuki family. They rescue Miyu, who has the power to grant wishes unconditionally. After Kiritsugu's death, Shirou bonds with Miyu and later faces Julian Ainsworth, who kidnaps Miyu to use her as a sacrifice for the Fifth Holy Grail War. Shirou obtains an Archer Card and hunts down Servant Card holders, ultimately using his wish to send Miyu to another world for her happiness.
Reader's Guide
The film is significant as a darker take on the magical girl genre previously explored in the Illya series, focusing on an alternate version of Shirou Emiya. It grossed $1,118,410 in Japan and its home media releases were among the best-selling Japanese DVDs and Blu-rays by 2018. Sentai Filmworks released the film's Blu-ray in English regions in July 2020. Critical reception was positive for its handling of Shirou's character and battles, as well as the visuals. The film debuted at #1 on the mini-theater ranking in Japan for three consecutive weeks.
Did You Know?
- The film was first announced on September 21, 2016, when the finale of Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei aired.
- Singer ChouCho performed two theme songs, 'kaleidoscope' and 'Usubeni no Tsuki', focusing on Shirou and Miyu's relationship.
- The film adapts volumes 7 and 8 of the manga Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!.
- Shirou Emiya's voice actor Noriaki Sugiyama described the film as a darker take on the magical girl genre.
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