GaigeJan 28, 202158 replies7.9K views<h1>The most common question about the Fate franchise always seems to be: where do I begin?</h1>
This watch order has been made as simple as possible for those new to the franchise, while also including every anime in the franchise.
Watching the below anime from the very top of the list to the very bottom should provide you with a good order to watch the Fate/ franchise.
Lists that use bullet points as a pose to numbers can be watched in any order, but have been ordered by release date (oldest from top).
# Let's begin: Fate/stay night universe
The first part of the Fate franchise was "Fate/stay night", a visual novel game. This game has since received the below anime adaptations and spawned a huge franchise of prequels, spin-offs and more. This is the original and best place to start the anime franchise.
<center>Watch order flowchart:<br />
img100%(https://i.ibb.co/sJxm7N2/Untitled-2.png)
</center>
<center>Watch order list with explanations:</center>
The 1st of 3 routes, "Fate". This is a good introduction to the series but is a low quality adaptation with spoilers for later anime. If you're struggling to watch this please skip it and continue on to "Unlimited Blade Works".
The 2nd of 3 routes, "Unlimited Blade Works". A great introduction to the series with full explanations of the world and its characters. If you're not enjoying this show then please skip to "Fate/Zero".
A prequel that takes place 10 years before the events of "Fate/stay night". Many fans recommend this as an introduction but be warned that it lacks world and character explanations as it assumes you already know the "Fate/stay night" story. This show gives the backstory of one of "Heaven's Feel's" main characters, so if you would like to experience the movies completely blind please watch this after.
A direct sequel to "Fate/Zero" that takes place 2 months before the events of "Fate/stay night". Not a battle royale anime and not very related to the events of the other anime listed here. Please skip if you want pure battle royale goodness!
The 3rd of 3 routes, "Heaven's Feel" and the conclusion to the "Fate/stay night" saga. You must watch Fate/Stay Night or Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works before viewing.
A short OVA showing the original concept for the story of "Fate/stay night".
A slice-of-life show about Shirou Emiya cooking tasty food for the characters introduced in "Fate/stay night".
# What's next? Spin-offs!
These anime should not be watched without having first seen Fate/stay night or [Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]](https://anilist.co/forum/thread/23715/comment/1478217).
A magical girl show with Illyasviel von Einzbern as the main character.
<br>
Set 10 years after the events of "Fate/stay night". Mages and servants are tasked with travelling back to different eras in time to save the world.
<br>
A battle royale show set in the same world as "Fate/stay night" but in a different timeline. This shows what would have happened if the Holy Grail War had taken place in a different location with a different cast of characters.
<br>
A battle royale show set a thousand years in the future. This shows the events of a Holy Grail War taking place in a digital world. Some characters are familiar from other entries.
<br>
A battle royale show set 6 years after the events of "Fate/stay night". This show has yet to release.
# Craving more? Welcome to The Nasuverse...
The Nasuverse is a collection of works by Kinoko Nasu, the original creator of Fate/stay night. All of these works take place in the same multiverse as the Fate franchise (meaning some things such as the world, magic, and organisations are shared across franchises).
A low quality adaptation of the 2000 visual novel game Tsukihime.
An adaptation of The Garden of Sinners 1998 web novel series.
An original story by Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon.
Inspired by the 2002 TAKE MOON manga which takes characters from various Type-Moon works, mostly Fate/stay night and Tsukihime, and puts them in comedic scenarios.
An adaptation of the 2012 Mahoutsukai no Yoru visual novel (not yet released).
An original story by Type-Moon (not yet released).
<hr>
Confused about anything? Feel free to leave a comment below and I'll respond as soon as I can.
cool, but you didnt added fgo moonlight lostroom, carnival phantasm extras, manga de kawaru or fate/grand carnival doe
i didn't add moonlight/lostroom as there's no reason at all for anime-only viewers to watch it. it was made for people playing fate/grand order and won't make sense without context from the game.
i also haven't added any of the extras or specials that don't add anything to the story, but they are in the visual chart i linked.
I think people should at least try to watch the 2004 anime before Unlimited Blade Works, and probably should watch Heaven's Feel before Zero. But otherwise seems like a solid watch order thing.
while i do agree it would be better for the sake of cohesion, watching deens adaptation might be a wrong first step in to such big franchise, to the point that giving a bad initial impresion can be very demerital in contraposition to starting the franchise with a more visual appealing one.
deens one is still a must watch for the people who want to fully stick with the franchise and are not afraid of it, but for newcomers, yeah...
That's why my recommendation would be, "Try it but don't feel bad about skipping it if you don't like it." The issue for 2004 is that it's a lot harder to enjoy when you've already seen it's much better-looking companions, which is speaking from personal experience. So this is just in service of trying give people the fairest shot possible of enjoying all the Fate/ anime.
Seconded. 2004 was the first anime I watched and I'm glad I watched it first because I would not have been able to go back to it afterwards.
i would recommended watching 2004 fate/stay night as the first item, while its true that it contains some spoilers, most of the the "spoilers" in it were glossed over as very minor plot points in UBW, and as such (even though the season is worse) they feel like bigger reveals in stay night. Also, already being invested in the story makes UBW even more enjoyable.
also zero would work better after heavens feel, as it contains spoilers for
sakuras past and her relationship with tohsaka
which were explored in a much deeper and more emotional way in heavens feel
you make a very good point about both f/sn (2006) and zero.
i've edited my watch order but made notes underneath both f/sn (2006) and heaven's feel.
the only reason i currently recommend zero before heaven's feel is because the third movie isn't yet available to watch and so the full heaven's feel story can't yet be experienced. i know a lot of people who want to wait for all 3 movies to be out before watching them and so watch zero in the meantime.
I know im in the minority but I watched Fate Stay night 2005(deen) first and loved it haha
haha, that's totally fair!
Anyways, this is a really well made post
thank you so much! ^^
Or just read the visual novel.
the best advice
Better yet, don't read/watch/play anything Fate-related because it's absolute madness.
I'm already too deep, man. There is no salvation for me.
I'll pray for your soul.
fate/grand order best game :")
thank you for this, please don't erase this thread..i'm saving it.
haha, i have no plans on doing so so don't worry!
[Removed]
hey! unfortunately i haven't had the chance to watch heaven's feel 3 yet, and up until now had been going off the original visual novel order. once i watch it within the next few days i may change the watch order ^^
Since you already watched Heaven's Feel III, you might want to move HF before Zero.
pp
pp
u a real one
<center><h1><b>Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]</b></h1>
<hr><a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/6922/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-Blade-Works-Movie/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/nx6922-4Jc5VyHSTUz1.jpg" width="20%"></a> -> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/19603/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-Blade-Works/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/nx19603-pc0lrFinBpTg.jpg" width="20%"></a> -> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/20792/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-Blade-Works-2nd-Season/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx20792-gT1MbiqKpP7q.jpg" width="20%"></a> -> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/21318/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-Blade-Works-2nd-Season--sunny-day/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/medium/21318-l441SwTgnl5h.jpg" width="20%"></a><hr></center>
Watch order:
The first season of Unlimited Blade Works.
<br>
The second season of Unlimited Blade Works, picking up directly after the end of the first season.
<br>
A special showing an alternate ending to the second season. Season two shows the "true ending" and this special shows the "good ending".
Optional specials, OVAs and more:
The first adaptation of the Unlimited Blade Works story by Studio Deen. I highly recommend against watching this as it has incredibly poor animation and the entire plot is condensed into one very short movie. It has since been remade by Ufotable into the 2 season anime listed above. If you'd like to check it out, I'd recommend doing so only after having seen the far better remake.
<center><h1><b>Fate/Zero and Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files</b></h1>
<hr><a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/10087/FateZero/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx10087-el5Bo1VMZwsU.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/11741/FateZero-2nd-Season/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/nx11741-Twb6iJx77FFV.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/106862/Lord-ElMelloi-IIsei-no-Jikenbo-Rail-Zeppelin-Grace-note--Hakamori-to-Neko-to-Majutsushi/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx106862-IFmkASZSrcGw.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/106918/Lord-ElMelloi-IIsei-no-Jikenbo-Rail-Zeppelin-Grace-note/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx106918-4T0AdnCg8d64.jpg" height="150"></a><hr></center>
Watch order:
The first season of Fate/Zero.
<br>
The second season of Fate/Zero, picking up directly after the end of the first season.
<br>
A sequel to Fate/Zero, with a member of the original cast playing the main character. This story is set 2 months before the events of Fate/stay night.
<br>
The first season of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files.
Optional specials, OVAs and more:
Specials explaining parts of the Fate franchise for those who didn't start with Fate/stay night. Can be watched before or after the first season of Fate/Zero.
<br>
A comedy spin-off where the Fate/Zero cast run a café together.
<br>
A special for the first season of Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files.
It's incredible how this line can avoid watching all Fate/Stay Night and focus only in Zero "universe"
And this isn't even including all the light novels and manga for Zero haha
https://anilist.co/manga/33649/FateZero/
https://anilist.co/manga/66803/Heart-of-Freaks/
https://anilist.co/manga/87197/Lord-ElMelloi-IIsei-no-Jik…
https://anilist.co/manga/127693/Lord-ElMelloi-IIsei-no-Bo…
https://anilist.co/manga/55191/FateZero/
https://anilist.co/manga/103075/Lord-ElMelloi-IIsei-no-Ji…
So thats how Toaru fans feel when they watch only Raligun and not Index...
How many total episodes in the entire fate series?
207 episodes and 12 movies when only including the main entries and important specials <3
Thanks!!
how many filler movies out of those 12?
where do i start?
if you had read the thread and not just commented asking where to start, you'd see i recommend starting with either fate/stay night (2006) or fate/stay night: unlimited blade works ^^
where does apochryph or whatever go in the order
fate/apocrypha can be watched any time after you've seen fate/stay night or fate/stay night: unlimited blade works.
if you actually read the list you'll see where i've placed fate/apocrypha.
The way I'm watching is...
https://anilist.co/anime/10087/FateZero/
https://anilist.co/anime/11741/FateZero-Season-2/
https://anilist.co/anime/356/Fatestay-night/
https://anilist.co/anime/19603/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-B…
https://anilist.co/anime/20792/Fatestay-night-Unlimited-B…
https://anilist.co/anime/20791/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Fee…
https://anilist.co/anime/21718/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Fee…
https://anilist.co/anime/21719/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Fee…
I'm not planning to watch Grand Order or Apocrypha at the moment, but I assume they would both go after this order.
any spin-offs can be watched after you've seen fate/stay night or fate/stay night: unlimited blade works.
i generally try to tell people to avoid watching fate/zero first as you're meant to know the events of fate/stay night before starting it, but if that's the order that makes you feel most motivated to watch it then go ahead ^^
i'd also like to mention that fate/stay night pretty much has the exact same plot as fate/stay night: unlimited blade works, just with far less good animation and some elements of all 3 original routes. i'd probably recommend watching it after fate/stay night in case you don't want to watch 2 very similar shows right after eachother.
<center><h1><b>Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel]</b></h1>
<hr><a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/20791/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Feel-I-presage-flower/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx20791-6Ktwmvm5v2Wf.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/21718/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Feel-II-lost-butterfly/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx21718-Hjj26Sapx1bd.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/21719/Fatestay-night-Heavens-Feel-III-spring-song/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx21719-PKVm9R01Fu1k.jpg" height="150"></a><hr></center>
Watch order:
The first movie.<br><br>
The second movie.<br><br>
The third movie.
To be honest, I was about to say that you wouldn't need an order for these movies. But there's definitely someone out there who probably watched them in reverse order and claims it's good.
haha, probably not! but i figured if i'm doing it for all of the entries in my list, i might as well do it for heaven's feel as well.
That's alright then. At least it'll be a complete guide.
<center><h1><b>Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya</b></h1>
<hr><a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/14829/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx14829-PZVOr1ZxwOJV.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/20467/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-2wei/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/nx20467-GwWFUCzsiUF7.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/20845/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-2wei-Herz/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx20845-4iTgYkjPsUYh.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/21379/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-3rei/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx21379-RDJgELNOIGDS.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/97757/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-Sekka-no-Chikai/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/medium/b97757-BWFRkX81LpGS.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/100269/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-PrismaPhantasm/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx100269-V8Z7e1OXrDBZ.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/118743/Fatekaleid-liner-PrismaIllya-Licht--Namae-no-Nai-Shoujo/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx118743-T2Zm7kA33pnj.jpg" height="150"></a><hr></center>
Watch order:
The first season.
<br>
An OVA that links the end of the first season with the start of the second season. Not very important to watch if for some reason it's not available to you.
<br>
First part of the second season.
<br>
Second part of the second season.
<br>
The third season.<br><br>
A prequel movie that takes place before the events of the first season.
<br>
An optional OVA that doesn't take place in any particular point in time, but contains spoilers and characters from up to the third season.
<br>
A movie that follows on from the events of the third season and Oath Under Snow.
<br>
A sequel to Licht Nameless Girl that has not yet been released.
Optional specials, OVAs and more:
Specials for the first season.
<br>
Specials for the first part of the second season.
<br>
OVA for the first part of the second season.
<br>
Specials for the second part of the second season.
<br>
Specials for the third season.
<br>
Special for the Oath Under Snow movie.
<br>
ONA for the Licht Nameless Girl movie.
<center><h1><b>Fate/Grand Order</b></h1>
<hr><a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/97815/FateGrand-Order-First-Order/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx97815-NnWheNnaKCmS.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/110851/FateGrand-Order-Absolute-Demonic-Front-Babylonia--Initium-Iter/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx110851-cGL0eaATevX3.png" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/103276/FateGrand-Order-Divine-Realm-of-the-Round-Table-Camelot--Wandering-Agateram/"><img src = "https://artworks.thetvdb.com/banners/v4/movie/134463/posters/604dfe8c547e4.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/103277/FateGrand-Order-Divine-Realm-of-the-Round-Table-Camelot--Paladin-Agateram/"><img src = "https://artworks.thetvdb.com/banners/v4/movie/136396/posters/6062b6841d856.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/103275/FateGrand-Order-Absolute-Demonic-Front-Babylonia/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx103275-SN0wwshS3tWA.jpg" height="150"></a> <a href = "https://anilist.co/anime/116756/FateGrand-Order-Final-Singularity--Grand-Temple-of-Time-Solomon/"><img src = "https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx116756-jIU2HrnEsDjR.jpg" height="150"></a><hr></center>
Watch order:
An adaptation of the Fate/Grand Order game's first singularity which serves as an introduction to the show's premise and main characters.
<br>
A special focusing on the backstory of Mashu. <br>
— Please note that there is now a large timeskip where Ritsuka and Mashu have already resolved five other singularities.
<br>
An adaptation of the game's sixth singularity. The first of 2 movies.
<br>
An adaptation of the game's sixth singularity. The second of 2 movies.
<br>
An adaptation of the game's seventh singularity.
<br>
An adaptation of the game's eighth and final singularity.
Optional specials, OVAs and more:
A collection of animated commercials for the Fate/Grand Order game.
<br>
A comedy special released for the Fate/Grand Order game.
<br>
A comedy special following the school lives of 3 students from the Fate/stay night universe. Technically released under the Fate/Grand Order name but has little to do with the show's storyline.
<br>
A special that serves as a prequel to one of the Fate/Grand Order game's story arcs. Should only be watched at a certain point by those actually playing the game and won't make any sense to anime-only viewers.
<br>
Comedic "eduational" specials mocking the Fate/Grand Order gameplay.
<br>
A series of OVAs showing the Fate/Grand Order game characters in comedic scenarios.
I actually enjoyed Fate/stay night 2006 enough to give it a 7 overall. I loved most of the female characters, but Saber left the deepest impression. Trying to play the VNs a few time so far but my progress has been terribly slow. I didn't enjoy reading from Rin's POV tbh.
I really want to finish the VN before watching the new animation adaptations...
there's nothing wrong with starting with or enjoying studio deen's fate/stay night, but i've found the animation style can put some people off. this is why i still have it top of the list so people can make the choice for themselves ^^
gonna be honest I started watching fate a few weeks ago and I started with deen's 2006 adaptation and I really didn't think it was that bad. I think maybe people just either haven't seen it and just hop on the hate bandwagon or alternatively they hold it too close to the ufotable adaptations. either way I honestly don't think its that bad of a starting place.
Is it ok to watch 2006 stay night after having seen UBW and HF before starting Zero or can i just skip it and save it for later?
@HAAHAHA is right! it doesn't really matter when you watch 2006 fate/stay night. it's a good introduction to the series and does have some spoilers for heaven's feel, but that's all you really need to worry/think about in terms of watch order. feel free to check it out whenever!
I already started 2006 Fate/stay night a couple of hours ago so forget i asked lol, i have already seen UBW and HF so i dont need to worry about spoilers. But thanks anyways
just read the visual novel smh
