The Fate series is renowned for its complexity and depth, captivating fans with its intricate storytelling and diverse range of media, including anime, manga, games, and light novels. Navigating the extensive universe of Fate can be daunting due to the numerous spinoffs, but understanding the series' origins simplifies the journey. With over 20 anime projects, the Fate series is well worth exploring, and we're here to guide you through the optimal watch order for the Fate anime, ensuring you enjoy the best of what this beloved franchise has to offer. If you're looking for more anime recommendations, don't miss our guide to the best anime of all time.
Jump to:
- Which Fate anime to watch first
- Fate/stay night watch order
- Fate/Grand Order watch order
- Fate anime spinoffs
What Is Fate?
The Fate franchise originated from the 2004 visual novel, Fate/stay night, developed by Type-Moon, a studio founded by Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi. Nasu wrote the story, while Takeuchi handled the art, a dynamic that has continued across most of Type-Moon's visual novels. Initially available only in Japanese, the series gained wider accessibility with the late 2024 release of Fate/stay night REMASTERED, now playable in English on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Fate/stay night presents three distinct routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel, each offering unique battles, character interactions, and narrative developments. These routes, which begin with protagonist Shirou Emiya's involvement in the Holy Grail War, have been adapted into separate anime series, each named after its corresponding route.
As the series expanded, it birthed numerous spinoffs and subseries, each with its own unique setting and storyline. Understanding the foundational elements of the series can help new viewers navigate this expansive universe with ease.
Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?
For newcomers, the best starting point is the 2006 anime, Fate/stay night, which adapts the Fate route of the visual novel. While not a perfect adaptation, it provides essential context about the series' core concepts, including the roles of Masters and Servants in the Holy Grail War. It's important to note that watching this series may reveal some plot points from the other routes, but it's a crucial introduction to the Fate universe.
How to Watch the Fate Anime
All Fate anime series are available for streaming on Crunchyroll with a free trial, making it easy for fans to dive into the series. Physical collectors can also find many of the main series and spin-off movies on Blu-ray and DVD.
### Fate/stay night: Complete Collection (Blu-ray)
0See it at Amazon
### Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (Complete Box Set)
0See it at Crunchyroll
### Fate/Zero (Complete Box Set)
0See it at Crunchyroll
### Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia (Box Set I)
0See it at Crunchyroll
### Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA ILLYA Complete Collection
0See it at Amazon
The Best Fate/stay night Series Watch Order
The non-linear nature of the Fate series allows for flexible viewing orders, but following this sequence provides the most coherent narrative experience:
1. Fate/stay night (2006)
Begin with Studio Deen's Fate/stay night to grasp the basics of the series, including the Holy Grail War and the relationships between Masters and Servants. This series centers on Shirou Emiya's unexpected entry into the battle for the Holy Grail.
2. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015)
Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, which focuses on the second route and the character Rin Tohsaka. This series, spanning 25 episodes over two seasons, follows Shirou and Rin's intertwined journey to secure the Holy Grail. Note that while a movie version exists, the series offers a more comprehensive adaptation.
3. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower
Move on to the first movie of the Heaven's Feel trilogy, presage flower, which delves into the third route. Here, Shirou and Sakura Matou's lives are disrupted by the Holy Grail War, setting the stage for intense drama and conflict.
4. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] II. lost butterfly
Continue with the second movie, lost butterfly, which escalates the stakes as Shirou grapples with the consequences of his choices and mysterious forces threaten the city of Fuyuki.
5. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] III. spring song
Conclude the Heaven's Feel route with spring song, a visually stunning film that brings the trilogy to a satisfying close, featuring some of the series' most memorable battles and character moments.
6. Fate/Zero
Finally, watch Fate/Zero, the prequel to Fate/stay night. This series, based on Gen Urobuchi's light novel, explores the 4th Holy Grail War and the origins of key characters, including Kiritsugu Emiya. Be aware that Fate/Zero contains spoilers for the other series, so it's best viewed last in this sequence.
How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs
After completing the main Fate/stay night series, explore the numerous spinoffs. Most can be watched in any order as they are standalone stories set in different time periods with unique rules governing their Holy Grail Wars. However, the Fate/Grand Order series requires a specific watch order due to its continuity.
Fate Spinoff Watch Order
The following spinoffs can be enjoyed in any sequence:
- Today's Menu for the Emiya Family
- Lord El-Melloi II Case Files
- Fate/Prototype
- Fate/strange Fake: Whispers of Dawn
- Fate/Apocrypha
- Fate/EXTRA Last Encore
- Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA ILLYA
- Carnival Phantasm
Fate/Grand Order Watch Order
To fully appreciate the Fate/Grand Order anime, understanding its source material is key. The mobile game, available on iOS and Android, follows the Chaldea Security Organization's efforts to prevent humanity's extinction by addressing Singularity events.
Part 1 of the story features eight Singularities, with the anime adapting the Prologue and Singularities 6-8. For the first five Singularities, you'll need to play the game. Here's the watch order for the *Fate/Grand Order* anime:1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order
Begin with the prologue adaptation, First Order, where Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight investigate the Singularity in Fuyuki City, 2004.
2. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram
Next, watch the first movie of the 6th Singularity, Camelot - Wandering, set in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem, where Ritsuka and Mash team up with Bedivere.
3. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Paladin; Agateram
Continue with the second movie, Camelot - Paladin, which concludes the 6th Singularity arc and offers more action and character development.
4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia
Move on to the beloved Babylonia arc, set in ancient Uruk, where Ritsuka and Mash face off against goddesses and Demonic Beasts, with familiar characters like Gilgamesh making appearances.
5. Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon
Conclude with Solomon, the final chapter of the Observer on Timeless Temple storyline, where the Chaldea team confronts the King of Mages to save humanity.
