The Fate series is a widely acclaimed and intricate anime franchise that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. With its origins rooted in a complex web of visual novels, manga, games, and light novels, the series can seem daunting at first. However, once you grasp the foundational elements, navigating through the various anime seasons becomes much more manageable.
With over 20 different anime projects, the Fate series is a treasure trove of engaging storytelling and dynamic characters that are well worth exploring. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer eager to dive in, this guide will help you understand the best way to watch the Fate anime. For more anime recommendations, be sure to check out 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 entire Fate franchise began with 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, a dynamic that has continued with subsequent Type-Moon projects. Initially available only in Japanese, the visual novel's reach was limited until the surprise announcement of Fate/stay night REMASTERED in late 2024, which introduced an official English translation playable on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Fate/stay night features three distinct routes—Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel—each offering unique battles, character interactions, and story arcs. While all routes start with Shirou Emiya being thrust into the Holy Grail War, the paths they take diverge significantly. Consequently, three separate anime series were developed, each named after its corresponding route, making it straightforward 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 unique setting and storyline. Navigating this expansive universe can be challenging, but following a structured watch order can provide a comprehensive introduction to its themes and mechanics.
Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?
When deciding where to start with the Fate series, opinions may vary, but one anime stands out as the ideal entry point: the original Fate/stay night anime from 2006. This series primarily follows the Fate route of the visual novel and provides crucial insight into Saber's character arc, despite not being a perfect adaptation. Starting here may spoil some elements of the subsequent Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel adaptations, but given the interconnected nature of the series, spoilers are inevitable. Beginning with Fate/stay night sets the stage for the entire franchise.
How to Watch the Fate Anime
All Fate anime titles are available to stream on Crunchyroll, which offers a free trial. For those who prefer physical copies, many of the main series and spin-off movies are also available for purchase.
### 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 enjoyed in various orders, following a specific sequence will enhance your understanding of its intricate elements.
1. Fate/stay night (2006)
The 2006 Fate/stay night series, produced by Studio Deen, is the perfect introduction to the franchise. It follows the first route of the visual novel, introducing you to the concepts of Masters, Servants, and the complexities of the Fate universe. The story follows Shirou Emiya as he becomes embroiled in the Holy Grail War, a competition where the victor's wish is granted.
2. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015)
Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, which adapts the second route of the visual novel. This series focuses on Rin Tohsaka, a classmate of Shirou, as their paths converge in their pursuit of the Holy Grail. Spanning two seasons and totaling 25 episodes, this series is essential for a deeper understanding of the story. Note that while a movie adaptation exists, the series provides a more comprehensive coverage of the route.
3. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower
The first movie in the Heaven's Feel trilogy, presage flower, adapts the third and final route of the visual novel. It follows Shirou Emiya as the peaceful life he shares with Sakura Matou is shattered by the onset of the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City.
4. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] II. lost butterfly
The second movie, lost butterfly, released in 2019, introduces significant changes to the narrative established in the previous routes. Shirou must decide who he is fighting for as Masters and Servants vanish one by one due to an unknown evil.
5. Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] III. spring song
The final movie in the trilogy, spring song, features some of the most visually stunning battles in the series. Produced by Ufotable, this movie provides a satisfying conclusion to the Heaven's Feel route with strong narrative moments for each main character.
6. Fate/Zero
Although a prequel to Fate/stay night, Fate/Zero is best watched after the main series to avoid spoilers, especially regarding Unlimited Blade Works. Based on Gen Urobochi's light novel, Fate/Zero follows Kiritsugu Emiya in the 4th Holy Grail War, offering a profound exploration of conflicting ideologies and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams.
How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs
After completing the main Fate/stay night series, you can explore the numerous spinoffs, which offer diverse settings and stories. Most of these can be watched in any order, as they are standalone narratives set in different time periods with unique rules for their Holy Grail Wars. However, the Fate/Grand Order series requires a specific watch order.
Fate Spinoff Watch Order
You can watch the following spinoffs in any order you prefer:
- 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 series, it's important to understand its source material. Fate/Grand Order is a mobile game available on iOS and Android, featuring an ongoing story about the Chaldea Security Organization, tasked with preventing humanity's extinction through the use of magic and science. The organization must identify and destroy Singularity events that lead to human extinction.
There are eight Singularities in Part 1 of the story, and the anime adaptations cover the Prologue and Singularities 6-8. To experience the first five Singularities, you'll need to play the mobile game. Here's the watch order for the Fate/Grand Order anime:
1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order
First Order is the prologue to the Fate/Grand Order series. It follows Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight as they are sent to Fuyuki City in 2004 to investigate the cause of the Singularity and eliminate it.
2. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram
The first of two movies covering the 6th Singularity, Wandering; Agateram follows Bedivere, a wandering knight, in Jerusalem during 1273 A.D. Ritsuka and Mash must ally with Bedivere to navigate a land torn apart by war.
3. Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Paladin; Agateram
The second movie, Paladin; Agateram, concludes the 6th Singularity and features intense battles and the resolution of Bedivere's story. While not mandatory to watch before the next Singularity, these films provide a deeper understanding of the characters and universe.
4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia
Babylonia is a beloved arc set in the land of Uruk, where Ritsuka and Mash must address the sudden appearance of three goddesses and numerous Demonic Beasts. The storyline features familiar characters from Fate/stay night, including Gilgamesh.
5. Fate/Grand Order Final Singularity - Grand Temple of Time: Solomon
The final Singularity, Solomon, marks the culmination of the Chaldea Security Organization's efforts to save humanity. The movie focuses on the battle against Solomon, the King of Mages, providing a fitting conclusion to the Observer on Timeless Temple storyline.
What's Next for the Fate Anime?
The Fate series continues to expand with new spinoffs and adaptations. The most recent addition, Fate/strange Fake, premiered its first episode on December 31 during the Fate Project New Year's Eve TV Special, and is now streaming on Crunchyroll. The rest of the first season is expected to release in 2025.
Additionally, Type-Moon has several projects in development, including a sequel to Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya - Licht Nameless Girl. Outside of the Fate series, Type-Moon is also working on a movie adaptation of its 2012 visual novel 'Witch on the Holy Night', which received a second teaser trailer last year.
