The Fate series is renowned for its complexity and expansive universe, often considered one of the most intricate anime franchises. With numerous spinoffs spanning anime, manga, games, and light novels, it can be overwhelming at first glance. However, once you grasp the foundational elements of the series, navigating the various seasons and adaptations becomes much more straightforward.

Boasting over 20 anime projects, the Fate series is a treasure trove of storytelling that merits your time and attention. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, we've crafted a comprehensive Fate anime watch order to guide you through this rich narrative landscape. For those looking for more anime recommendations, be sure to 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?

The entire Fate franchise originated from the visual novel 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 artwork, a dynamic that continues across most of Type-Moon's visual novels. Initially available only in Japanese, the series gained global popularity primarily through its anime adaptations. Excitingly, in late 2024, Fate/stay night REMASTERED was released with an official English translation on Steam and Nintendo Switch, making it more accessible to fans worldwide.

Fate/stay night features three distinct routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel, each with unique battles, character interactions, and story developments. Although all routes start with Shirou Emiya being drawn into the Holy Grail War, the narratives diverge significantly. This divergence has led to three separate anime adaptations, each named after its respective route, making it easy to identify which part of the story they cover.

Over the years, the Fate series has expanded into numerous spinoffs and subseries, each with its own unique setting and characters. Understanding the core concepts and themes introduced in the original series can help navigate this vast universe.

Which Fate Anime Should You Watch First?

While opinions vary on the best starting point, the 2006 anime, simply titled Fate/stay night, provides a solid introduction to the series. Produced by Studio Deen, this adaptation primarily follows the Fate route of the visual novel and includes crucial moments of Saber's character arc. Although not a perfect adaptation, it sets the stage for the series and its central themes.

Be aware that starting with this series will reveal some spoilers for the other routes, but given the interconnected nature of the series, spoilers are inevitable regardless of your watch order. We recommend beginning with Fate/stay night to appreciate the series' foundational elements.

How to Watch the Fate Anime

All Fate anime are available to stream on Crunchyroll with a free trial. For those interested in physical copies, many main series and spinoff movies are available for purchase.

Fate/stay night: Complete Collection (Blu-ray)
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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 offers flexibility in watch order, as each series can be understood independently. However, following a specific sequence can enhance your understanding of the series' intricate elements.

1. Fate/stay night (2006)

Begin with Fate/stay night by Studio Deen, which introduces the first route of the story. This anime provides a foundational understanding of the Holy Grail War, Masters, and Servants, as Shirou Emiya is thrust into a battle for a wish-granting artifact.

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

Next, watch Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, which follows the second route and focuses on Rin Tohsaka. This series, spanning 25 episodes across two seasons, explores Shirou and Rin's intertwined journeys in the Holy Grail War. Note that while there is a movie version, the series offers a more comprehensive adaptation.

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

Continue with the first movie of the Heaven's Feel trilogy, Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower. This film marks the beginning of the third route, where Shirou and Sakura Matou's lives are disrupted by 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, delves deeper into the Heaven's Feel route. It showcases significant changes and the disappearance of Masters and Servants to an unknown evil in Fuyuki City.

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

Conclude the Heaven's Feel route with spring song, the final movie in the trilogy. Ufotable's stunning animation brings thrilling battles and a satisfying conclusion to the narrative.

6. Fate/Zero

Lastly, watch Fate/Zero, a prequel that explores the 4th Holy Grail War. Despite being a prequel, it's recommended to watch it after the main series to avoid spoilers. Fate/Zero delves into the intense ideological clashes and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams.

How to Watch Fate Anime Spinoffs

After completing the main Fate/stay night series, explore the various spinoffs, which can be enjoyed in any order as most are standalone stories set in different time periods with unique Holy Grail War rules.

Fate Spinoff Watch Order

You can watch the following 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 series, understanding the mobile game's storyline is crucial. Fate/Grand Order follows the Chaldea Security Organization's mission to prevent humanity's extinction by addressing Singularity events across different time periods.

The anime covers Part 1 of the story, focusing on eight Singularities. Each Singularity features a unique Holy Grail War, and while the anime adaptations cover the Prologue and Singularities 6-8, the first five Singularities are exclusive to the mobile game. Here is the recommended watch order for the Fate/Grand Order anime:

1. Fate/Grand Order: First Order

Start with Fate/Grand Order: First Order, the prologue adaptation. It sets the stage as Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight are sent to Fuyuki City in 2004 to address the first Singularity.

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

Next, watch the first movie of the 6th Singularity, Fate/Grand Order: Camelot - Wandering; Agateram. Set in 1273 A.D. Jerusalem, it follows Ritsuka and Mash as they ally with Bedivere amidst a war-torn land.

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

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

4. Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia

Proceed to Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, a fan-favorite arc set in Uruk. Here, Ritsuka and Mash confront three goddesses and numerous Demonic Beasts, with familiar characters like Gilgamesh making appearances.

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 their final challenge against the King of Mages, Solomon, bringing the Observer on Timeless Temple storyline to a close.

What's Next for the Fate Anime?

The Fate series continues to expand with new spinoffs and adaptations. The latest addition is Fate/strange Fake, which premiered its first episode on December 31 for the Fate Project New Year's Eve TV Special. The full first season is expected to be available on Crunchyroll in 2025.

Type-Moon has also announced several projects in development, including a sequel to Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya - Licht Nameless Girl. Additionally, they are working on a movie adaptation of their 2012 visual novel Witch on the Holy Night, which released a second teaser trailer last year.