"Fate Anime Series: Watch Order Guide"

The Fate series is renowned for its complexity and expansive universe, captivating anime enthusiasts worldwide. With a myriad of spin-off series spanning anime, manga, games, and light novels, understanding the origins of the series is key to navigating its diverse offerings. With over 20 different anime projects under its belt, the Fate series is a treasure trove of storytelling that deserves your attention. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this guide will help you master the Fate anime watch order. For more anime recommendations, don't miss our list of 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 a visual novel titled Fate/stay night, released in 2004 by Type-Moon, a studio founded by Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi. Nasu wrote the story, while Takeuchi handled the art. Type-Moon has since grown, but these two remain central to its visual novel productions.

Initially available only in Japanese, Fate/stay night became accessible to a broader audience with the late 2024 announcement of Fate/stay night REMASTERED, featuring an official English translation playable on Steam and Nintendo Switch. The visual novel features three distinct routes—Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel—each offering unique battles, character dynamics, and story arcs. These routes, which all start with Shirou Emiya being drawn into the Holy Grail War, have inspired three separate anime series. The series has since expanded into a vast array of spinoffs and subseries, each with its own unique take on the Fate universe.

Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?

While opinions vary on where to start, the 2006 anime Fate/stay night is the ideal entry point. It primarily follows the Fate route of the visual novel and introduces key elements of the series, including the Holy Grail War, Masters, and Servants. Though not a perfect adaptation, it uniquely includes critical parts of Saber's character arc. Starting here may spoil elements of the other routes, but understanding the series from its beginning enhances the overall viewing experience.

How to Watch the Fate Anime

All Fate anime can be streamed on Crunchyroll with a free trial. For collectors, many series and spin-off movies are available in physical formats.

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See it at Crunchyroll

See it at Crunchyroll

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The Best Fate/stay night Series Watch Order

The Fate series allows for flexible viewing, but a specific order enhances your understanding of its universe. Here's the recommended watch order:

1. Fate/stay night (2006)

Start with the 2006 Fate/stay night by Studio Deen. This series introduces you to the Holy Grail War, following Shirou Emiya as he's unwittingly thrust into the battle for the Holy Grail.

2. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015)

Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works. This series focuses on the second route, with a strong emphasis on Rin Tohsaka. Shirou's journey with Rin unfolds across 25 episodes in two seasons. Note that while there's a movie adaptation, the series is preferred for its comprehensive coverage.

3. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower

Begin the Heaven's Feel trilogy with Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower. This movie introduces the third route, centered around Sakura Matou, as Shirou's peaceful life is upended by the Holy Grail War.

4. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] II. lost butterfly

Continue with Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] II. lost butterfly. This second movie expands on the Heaven's Feel storyline, with significant shifts in the narrative from the previous routes.

5. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] III. spring song

Conclude the trilogy with Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] III. spring song. This final movie delivers stunning battles and a satisfying conclusion to the Heaven's Feel arc.

6. Fate/Zero

Finish with Fate/Zero, a prequel to Fate/stay night. Despite being a prequel, it's best watched after the main series to avoid spoilers. It follows Kiritsugu Emiya in the 4th Holy Grail War, offering a deep look into the series' themes.

How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs

After completing the main Fate/stay night series, explore the various spinoffs. Most can be watched in any order as they are standalone stories set in different time periods with unique Holy Grail War rules. However, certain series, like Fate/Grand Order, require a specific order.

Fate Spinoff Watch Order

The following spinoffs can be watched in any order:

• 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 Fate/Grand Order, understanding the mobile game's storyline is helpful. The game follows the Chaldea Security Organization in its mission to prevent humanity's extinction through magic and science, tackling various Singularity events. The anime adaptations cover the first part of the game's story, focusing on eight Singularities. Here's the watch order:

1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order

Start with Fate/Grand Order: First Order, the prologue. It introduces Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight as they investigate a Singularity in Fuyuki City.

2. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram

Next, watch Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram, the first movie covering the 6th Singularity set in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem.

3. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Paladin; Agateram

Continue with Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Paladin; Agateram, the second movie that concludes the 6th Singularity.

4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

Then, dive into Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, set in Uruk and featuring fan-favorite characters and a gripping storyline.

5. Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon

Conclude with Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon, which wraps up the Observer on Timeless Temple storyline.

What's Next for the Fate Anime?

The Fate series continues to expand with new adaptations. Fate/strange Fake premiered its first episode on December 31, 2024, for the Fate Project New Year's Eve TV Special, available on Crunchyroll, with the rest of the season expected in 2025. Type-MOON is also developing a sequel to Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya - Licht Nameless Girl and a movie adaptation of the 2012 visual novel Witch on the Holy Night.