Fate Stay Night Explained

Every-time I watch Fate/Stay Night, I can't help but tear up. It's by far one of the best romantically, and yet the most sad. The reason I'm making this thread is because I'm genuinely confused by a lot of side elements that I haven't been exposed to. Here is what I can conclude so far.

Emiya Shirou, in the future eventually becomes Archer, Rin's Servant. This was confirmed because Shirou is able to fabricate Archer's signature twin blades, as well as a bow similar to the one he used in the fight against Berserker moments before his defeat. Archer also knew Ilya's name, further evidence.

Archer also may have been in love with Rin. It may be impossible to confirm this since we have no evidence other than the flashbacks he had during his prayer into the Unlimited Blade Works dimension.

Sakura Matou is also Tousaka Rin's blood relative. Most likely due to childhood trauma, or simply because she was too young or maybe even some outside elements, Sakura had forgotten. Rin during all this seems to ignore that Sakura is her sister to keep her from being involved in the war.

Saber is originally King Arthur with a cruel past with the intention of reliving her life so that she may undo what has been done. However in the end she realizes that she will never be able to undo this.

The primary reason Shirou does not force Saber to stay in the present with him, is because this involves the Holy Grail not being destroyed, resulting in future wars for the grail once more, which Shirou ultimately does not want to happen, even if it means sending the woman his loves back to her time. It also involves Saber's pride as a king. It makes me tear up every-time I watch Saber say "Master, your orders. Use your final Reiju. Please, I want to hear it from you." and she breaks that smile to him.

I also believe when Saber returns to her time, she returns where she left off. Mortally wounded from that battle, and dying. Before telling Bedivere to toss Excalibur into the lake. Although she is not wounded in picture, that may have been done to keep Saber from looking "Tainted". Either the fact she was dying, she may have also been trying to escape from her kingdom, which she wanted so badly. Either way I cannot conclude this either. Judging by Bedivere's expression while Saber was giving her orders so weakly, Saber most likely was dying.

What I want to know is. Do any other characters have a complex plot such as Archer or Sakura? Archer by far had me baffled, I watched this series at least a dozen times to realize he was Shirou from the future.
I've been hearing Unlimited Blade Works scenarios, and MANY Fate/Stay Night franchises other than the anime. I recently got the visual novel but is there anything else besides the VN, and the Anime?

Something that extends into the storyline is what I'm primarily asking. Please and thank you! Hopefully I can grasp a much greater understanding of this fantastic story.

Fate/Zero is the prequel to Fate/Stay Night you can get it from UTW only the first 13 episodes are out and the rest start airing in april though watch it after you finish the VN.

For everything else refer to the Type-Moon wiki.

EDIT
The reason i said watch it after the f/sn vn is because the anime leaves alot of important plot points out witch fate/zero spoil.

Thanks, I'll look into it right away! One question, and if I sound arrogant I apologize. But how much of the Wiki would you say is accurate? Frankly I hate using wiki unless I'm truly desperate.

I think its pretty accurate but the type-moon universe called the Nasuverse in witch Fate takes place in (Along with Tsukihime and Mahoutsukai no Yoru if you want to check those out.) is very detailed and confusing so im not guaranteeing 100% accuracy.

PS
If you end up wanting to play tsukihime do not watch the anime it is total garbage
and Mahoutsukai no Yoru isn't out yet but the Kara no Kyoukai series of movies are very good even though there non-canon you can get them from Coalgirls.

Fate/stay night's anime is a poor replicate of the Visual novel. Although it explains most of the crucial points, it is unable to elaborate on them and provide knowledge of the secondary issues which deepens the details of the holy grail war and the history of magi itself.

Some mistakes were also made in the series. (Most prominant one being berserker's god hand)

Acceptably neutral level of animation, considering i still admired how they animated the final parting of Gilgamesh. But his first display of Enuma Elish was horrid bad after watching it so many times.

Overall, i found it incredibly neutral to watch in the view of a standard anime fan but as a type-moon fag, i'll probably wouldn't want to see a person praise it to such high standard.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes, I've noticed that throughout the anime there were quite a few inconsistencies that lead to my inevitable confusion here and there. But I thank you on your feedback, I'll continue looking into this series I love so dearly.

There were many hit and miss during the animations, but frankly it was still pretty good. It's not exceptional quality throughout but there were some golden moments.

Typemoon's anime are total garbage, the VNs totally outmarked them.

Ufotables adaptations are good though those are both novels and you were probably only referring to the VNs adaptations.

You watch them shitty anime!!?? THAT FAILURE OF AN ADAPTATION!!!???

*ehem*

VNs much more better, sir, seriously. It explains the plot more thouroughly.
Fate/Zero anime, on the other hand, is masterpiece. I really hope ufotable take the rights of FSN from Studie DEEN and crreate a Heaven's Feel movie or something. It'll be AWESOME.

P. S. : LONG LIVE IMBALOT!!!

Yes, I've taken notice that the VN is extremely thorough and explains so far everything to the itty-bitty detail. For instance it explains how Archer came to be, and even explains why Tousaka only has two Reijus in the anime. Funny to see she used her Reiju for a trivial reason such as that. The VN truly is an enjoyable piece of work. I'll be sure to check out Fate/Zero after I finish the VN.

Edit***: I also wasn't aware of the abusive douchebag that Shinji was! I no longer have any sympathy after what he's done to Sakura!

I there any reason why Japnesse Greek history is different from American Greek history. Because those always confused me.

All I can say is that if there's a game for fate/zero, I'll take it over the anime anytime if it's better.

Mod Note: Topic has been moved from Specific Anime Series to the Anime General section.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

I recently finished the VN. Damn, made me more emotional than the anime. By far it is more elaborate in many aspects. Still the same reaction for the ending. I've been hearing good things about Fate/Zero! Onward!