The series is named after the Phantasm ability seen in Kinoko Nasu's works, that enables warriors to create a separate dimension (Marble Phantasms, Noble Phantasms). The Carnival Phantasm refers to creating a dimension of entertainment and fun, in contrast to the generally grim and serious tone of Nasu's stories.
In the Fate saga, the Assassin Servant Kojiro Sasaki is magically bound to guard the Ryudo Temple, and has to stay there. The show turns this handicap into a gag: he is presented by a cardboard cut-out in most scenes set outside the Temple.
In the main Fate storylines (stay/night, Unlimited Blade Works, Heaven's Feel), the Lancer Servant Cu Chulainn is killed off. This series turns his death into a South Park (1997)-esque joke of him dying in almost every episode, followed by the quote "Lancer ga shinda! Kono hitodenashi' ("Lancer has died! You aren't human!").
However, Fate/Grand Order: First Order (2016) fixed this issue (to an extent) by having him be near-invincible, and to appear with additional Servant classes (a Caster Servant with magic, an antagonistic Berserker Servant, and an alternate Lancer version from Fate/prototype (2011)).
However, Fate/Grand Order: First Order (2016) fixed this issue (to an extent) by having him be near-invincible, and to appear with additional Servant classes (a Caster Servant with magic, an antagonistic Berserker Servant, and an alternate Lancer version from Fate/prototype (2011)).
The Lancer Servant Cu Chulainn is often referred to as a dog. In Irish mythology, Cu Chulainn in Irish mythology is known as the Hound of Ulster (the name "Cu Chulainn" is a title meaning "Hound of Culann" - his birthname was Setanta), which he got from serving as a guard to the blacksmith Culann after accidentally killing his ferocious watchdog.
Throughout the show Illya grouses that she doesn't have a route. There was a route planned for her, but it was adapted into Sakura's "Heaven's Feel" route.