"Fate Anime Series: Watch Order Guide"

The Fate series is a renowned and cherished anime franchise, often considered one of the more intricate series due to its numerous spinoffs spanning anime, manga, games, and light novels. Once you grasp the origins of the series, navigating the various seasons of the anime becomes significantly easier.

Boasting over 20 different anime projects, Fate is a series that deserves your time and attention. Whether you've been intrigued for a while or are just discovering the series, this guide will help you understand the Fate anime watch order. 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 entire 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 penned the story, while Takeuchi handled the art. They continue to play these roles for most Type-Moon visual novels, despite the company's expansion.

For years, Fate/stay night was exclusively available in Japanese, making the anime adaptations the primary way to experience the story. However, in late 2024, a remastered version with an official English translation was released on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Fate/stay night features three distinct routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel. Each route offers different battles, character interactions, and story events, all starting with Shirou Emiya being thrust into the Holy Grail War. This diversity has led to three separate anime series, each named after its corresponding route, making it easy to identify which part of the story is being adapted.

Over time, the Fate series has expanded into numerous spinoffs and subseries, each with unique names, which can be overwhelming. However, there's a logical watch order that introduces the series' core concepts effectively.

Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?

Opinions vary on the best starting point for the Fate series, but the 2006 anime, simply titled Fate/stay night, provides a clear introduction. This series primarily follows the first route, "Fate," and while not a perfect adaptation, it includes crucial moments of Saber's character arc. Watching this series first may reveal some spoilers for Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel, but this is inevitable due to the interconnected nature of the series. Starting with Fate/stay night is recommended as it sets the foundation for the entire series.

How to Watch the Fate Anime

All Fate anime series are available for streaming on Crunchyroll with a free trial. Physical releases are also available for collectors, including 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

The Fate series allows for flexible viewing, as most series can be understood independently. However, following a specific order enhances the overall experience and understanding of the series' elements.

1. Fate/stay night (2006)

Begin with the 2006 Fate/stay night anime by Studio Deen, which introduces the first route of the story. This series provides an understanding of Masters, Servants, and the intricacies of the Fate world. It follows Shirou Emiya as he is thrust into the Holy Grail War, where participants compete for a wish.

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

Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, which follows the second route. This series focuses on Rin Tohsaka and her classmate Shirou as they navigate the Holy Grail War. It spans two seasons totaling 25 episodes. Note that there's a movie version, but the series is recommended for a more comprehensive adaptation.

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

The first movie of the Heaven's Feel trilogy, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower, adapts the third route. It follows Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou as their peaceful life is disrupted by the Holy Grail War.

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

The second movie, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] II. lost butterfly, released in 2019, explores significant changes to the previous routes. Shirou's motivations evolve, and the narrative delves into the mysterious evil in Fuyuki City.

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

The final movie, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] III. spring song, offers some of the most spectacular battles in the series. Ufotable's stunning visuals and narrative closure make it a memorable conclusion to the trilogy.

6. Fate/Zero

Conclude with Fate/Zero, a prequel to Fate/stay night. Based on Gen Urobochi's light novel, it follows Kiritsugu Emiya in the 4th Holy Grail War. While it can spoil elements of Unlimited Blade Works, it provides a deep dive into the series' themes and character motivations.

How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs

After completing the main series, explore the numerous Fate spinoffs. Most can be watched in any order, as they are standalone stories set in different time periods with unique rules for the Holy Grail War. However, the Fate/Grand Order series requires a specific watch order due to its connection to the mobile game.

Fate Spinoff Watch Order

You can watch these spinoffs 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 the Fate/Grand Order anime, understanding the source material is key. Fate/Grand Order is a mobile game for iOS and Android, featuring an ongoing story about the Chaldea Security Organization's mission to prevent humanity's extinction by destroying Singularity events.

The anime adaptations cover Part 1 of the story, focusing on eight Singularities. Each Singularity is a self-contained Holy Grail War set in different time periods, connected by overarching plot elements. The first five Singularities are only available in the mobile game, but the anime covers the Prologue and Singularities 6-8.

1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order

Begin with Fate/Grand Order: First Order, the prologue anime. It follows Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight as they investigate a Singularity in Fuyuki City in 2004.

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

Next, watch Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram, the first of two movies covering the 6th Singularity. Set in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem, Ritsuka and Mash ally with Bedivere amidst a three-way war.

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

Continue with Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Paladin; Agateram, which concludes the 6th Singularity. It features action-packed battles and the resolution of Bedivere's story.

4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

Then, watch Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, a beloved arc set in Uruk. Ritsuka and Mash tackle the emergence of three goddesses and numerous Demonic Beasts, with familiar characters like Gilgamesh appearing.

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

Conclude with Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon, where Ritsuka and Mash face 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 for the Fate Project New Year's Eve TV Special and is available on Crunchyroll, with the full first season 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.