"Fate Anime Series: Watch Order Guide"

The Fate series is renowned for its complexity and popularity within the anime community. With numerous spinoffs spanning anime, manga, games, and light novels, it can seem daunting to dive into. However, understanding the series' origins can simplify navigating its various seasons.

With over 20 different anime projects, Fate is well worth exploring. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, our guide to the Fate anime watch order will help you get started. You can also explore our list of the best anime of all time for more viewing options.

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 series originated from a visual novel titled Fate/stay night, released in 2004 by Type-Moon, founded by Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi. Nasu wrote the story, while Takeuchi handled the art. Initially available only in Japanese, the series became more accessible worldwide when Fate/stay night REMASTERED was released in late 2024, featuring an official English translation on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Fate/stay night offers three distinct routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel, each with unique battles, character interactions, and story events. These routes all start with Shirou Emiya entering the Holy Grail War but diverge significantly afterward. Each route has been adapted into a separate anime series, making it easier to identify which part of the story you're watching.

Over the years, the Fate series has expanded into numerous spinoffs and subseries, each with its own name, which can be confusing. However, there's a recommended watch order that introduces the series' core concepts and themes.

Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?

When deciding where to start with the Fate series, the 2006 anime Fate/stay night is the best choice. It follows the first route, titled Fate, and provides an essential introduction to the series, including key moments in Saber's character arc. While it isn't a perfect adaptation, it sets the stage for the rest of the series. Be aware that starting here will spoil some events from Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel, but this is unavoidable given the interconnected nature of the series.

How to Watch the Fate Anime

All Fate anime can be streamed on Crunchyroll with a free trial. Physical releases are also available for collectors, covering main series and spinoff movies.

### 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

While the Fate series can be watched in various orders, there's an optimal sequence to fully grasp the narrative and its elements:

1. Fate/stay night (2006)

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

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

Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works. This series, spanning two seasons and 25 episodes, focuses on the second route and follows Shirou and Rin Tohsaka's intertwined paths in their quest for the Holy Grail. Note that the movie version of the same name is less comprehensive; stick with the series.

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

Begin the Heaven's Feel trilogy with presage flower. This movie introduces the third route, with Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou caught in the escalating conflict of the Holy Grail War.

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

Continue with lost butterfly, which showcases significant shifts from the previous routes as Shirou confronts his motivations and faces a mysterious evil.

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

Conclude the Heaven's Feel arc with spring song, featuring intense battles and a satisfying resolution to the trilogy's narrative.

6. Fate/Zero

Finally, watch Fate/Zero, a prequel set during the 4th Holy Grail War. Although it's a prequel, it's best watched after the main series to avoid spoiling key elements. It follows Kiritsugu Emiya and delves into the themes of ideology and sacrifice.

How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs

Once you've watched the core Fate/stay night series, explore the 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, some series, like Fate/Grand Order, require a specific watch 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

Understanding Fate/Grand Order requires familiarity with its source material—a mobile game for iOS and Android. The game follows the Chaldea Security Organization's mission to prevent humanity's extinction by addressing Singularity events. The anime adaptations cover Part 1, which includes eight Singularities.

Here is the recommended watch order for the Fate/Grand Order anime:

1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order

Begin with the prologue, 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 covering the 6th Singularity, set in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem, where Ritsuka and Mash team up with Bedivere.

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

Follow with the second movie to complete the Camelot arc and see the resolution of Bedivere's story.

4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

Move on to the beloved Babylonia arc, set in Uruk, where Ritsuka and Mash tackle three goddesses and numerous Demonic Beasts.

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

Conclude with the Final Singularity movie, where the Chaldea Security Organization faces Solomon, the King of Mages, in their final battle to save humanity.

What's Next for the Fate Anime?

The Fate series continues to expand with new spinoffs and adaptations. The latest addition, Fate/strange Fake, premiered its first episode on December 31, 2024, and is available on Crunchyroll, with more episodes expected in 2025.

Type-Moon is also working on other projects, including 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, which recently received a second teaser trailer.