How to Watch the Fate Anime Series in Order

The Fate series is a massively popular anime franchise, known for its intricate storytelling and expansive lore. While it might seem daunting with its numerous spin-offs across anime, manga, games, and light novels, understanding its origins simplifies navigating the vast world of Fate. With over 20 anime projects, it's a series well worth exploring, whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer.

This guide provides a comprehensive Fate anime watch order. For more anime recommendations, check out 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?

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The Fate universe originated with the 2004 visual novel, Fate/stay night, created by Type-Moon, a studio founded by Kinoko Nasu (story) and Takashi Takeuchi (art). Nasu and Takeuchi continue to play key roles in Type-Moon's projects.

For years, Fate/stay night was only available in Japanese. However, late 2024 saw the release of a remastered version with an official English translation on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Fate/stay night features three distinct routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel, each offering unique storylines, battles, and character interactions. While starting similarly with Shirou Emiya's involvement in the Holy Grail War, the routes diverge significantly. Consequently, three separate anime series adapt these routes.

The Fate franchise has expanded dramatically, spawning numerous spin-offs, making it easy to get lost. This guide provides a sensible watch order to ease your entry into the series.

Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?

While opinions vary, the 2006 Fate/stay night anime offers the best introduction. Primarily adapting the "Fate" route, it provides a solid foundation, particularly showcasing Saber's character arc, even if it's not a perfect adaptation. While it spoils elements from other routes, this is unavoidable regardless of viewing order. Starting here provides a strong base.

How to Watch the Fate Anime

All main Fate anime are available on Crunchyroll (free trial available). Physical releases are also available for collectors.

### 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 AmazonThe Best Fate/stay night Series Watch Order

While the Fate series isn't strictly chronological, an ideal order enhances understanding.

1. Fate/stay night (2006)

This serves as the ideal introduction, establishing the core concepts of Masters, Servants, and the Holy Grail War, following Shirou Emiya's unexpected involvement.

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

Focusing on Rin Tohsaka, this two-season series adapts the second route, exploring Shirou and Rin's intertwined paths in the Holy Grail War. (Watch the series, not the movie.)

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

The first of a trilogy, this movie begins the adaptation of the third route, introducing Sakura Matou and showcasing the crumbling of Shirou and Sakura's peaceful life.

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

The second Heaven's Feel movie, released in 2019, significantly alters the narrative from the previous routes, highlighting Shirou's choices and the escalating dangers within Fuyuki City.

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

The final Heaven's Feel movie concludes the trilogy with spectacular battles and strong narrative resolutions for the main characters.

6. Fate/Zero

A prequel to Fate/stay night, this series, based on Gen Urobuchi's light novel, explores the 4th Holy Grail War through Kiritsugu Emiya's perspective, offering a glimpse into conflicting ideologies and the lengths one will go to achieve their goals. (Note: Watching this before Unlimited Blade Works might spoil some elements.)

How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs

After completing the core Fate/stay night adaptations, numerous spin-offs await. Most can be watched in any order, as they are largely self-contained stories with different settings and rules. The exception is the Fate/Grand Order series.

Fate Spinoff Watch Order (Flexible 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 the Fate/Grand Order mobile game's context is helpful. The anime adaptations cover Part 1 of the game's story, focusing on the Chaldea Security Organization's mission to prevent humanity's extinction by eliminating Singularity events. Each Singularity is a unique Holy Grail War.

The anime covers the Prologue and Singularities 6-8. To experience Singularities 1-5, playing the game is recommended.

1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order

This prologue sets the stage for the Chaldea Security Organization's mission and introduces Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight.

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

The first of two films covering Singularity 6, following Bedivere in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem.

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

The second Camelot film concludes Singularity 6.

4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

A fan-favorite arc set in Uruk.

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

The conclusion of the Observer on Timeless Temple storyline.

What's Next for the Fate Anime?

The Fate franchise continues to expand, with new anime and manga adaptations in the works. Fate/strange Fake premiered its first episode on December 31, 2024, and further episodes are expected in 2025. Type-Moon also announced a sequel to Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya and a movie adaptation of Witch on the Holy Night.