Fate Series Watch Order: It’s easy to get lost in the world of Fate! It’s packed with cool magic, awesome heroes from myths, and these huge battles over something called the Holy Grail. It all started with a visual novel, Fate/Stay Night, in 2004, created by Type-Moon. Since then, they’ve created numerous anime shows, each telling a slightly different story or even set in a completely different timeline. So, yeah, people new to it often think, “Wait, where do I even jump in?”
The reason it’s a bit confusing is how the original story is set up. The visual novel has three main paths you can take—Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel—and each one shows the main story from a different angle. Due to all this, fans often discuss the best way to watch everything.
So, to help you make sense of it all, here’s a suggested order to watch the shows that tries to keep the story flowing nicely and lets you see how the characters develop without getting too mixed up.
1. Fate/Zero (2011–2012)
Start with Fate/Zero, a prequel to Fate/Stay Night. It explores the Fourth Holy Grail War and sets up the world, characters, and lore. The tone is more mature and tragic, offering vital context for the later stories. With high production quality and a tightly written narrative, Fate/Zero introduces key players like Kiritsugu Emiya and serves as the emotional and philosophical foundation for the events that unfold in the main Fate/Stay Night routes.
- Episodes: 25 (split into two seasons)
2. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014–2015)
After Fate/Zero, move to Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (UBW). This adaptation focuses on Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, exploring their ideals, growth, and relationship. It balances intense action sequences with deep philosophical themes about heroism and identity.
Animated by Ufotable, UBW is widely regarded as the most visually impressive and accessible route in the series, making it a strong continuation that builds meaningfully on the groundwork laid by Fate/Zero.
- Episodes: 26 (plus a prologue episode)
3. Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel (2017–2020)
Next is the Heaven’s Feel trilogy, which adapts the darkest and most emotionally intense route of the original visual novel. This storyline centers on Sakura Matou and delves into themes of trauma, sacrifice, and the corruption of ideals.
It’s best watched after Unlimited Blade Works, as it assumes prior knowledge of the characters and world. The trilogy delivers a powerful conclusion to the Fate/Stay Night narrative with stunning animation and emotional depth.
Films:
- Presage Flower (2017)
- Lost Butterfly (2019)
- Spring Song (2020)
4. Fate/stay night (2006) [Optional]
The 2006 Fate/stay night adaptation by Studio Deen covers the original Fate route, primarily focusing on Saber’s character and her relationship with Shirou. While it attempts to incorporate elements from the other two routes, this blending often leads to an uneven narrative.
It’s considered less polished in terms of animation and storytelling compared to later adaptations and is often skipped by fans. However, it still offers valuable insight into Saber’s arc for those seeking a complete experience.
- Episodes: 24
5. Spin-Offs and Alternate Universes (Optional)
Once you’ve finished the main story routes, you can explore several Fate spin-offs. These shows take place in alternate universes or timelines and aren’t directly connected to the main Fate/stay night story, so they’re best watched afterward. Here are a few popular ones:
- Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya—A fun, magical girl version of the Fate universe with younger versions of familiar characters and a lighter tone, though it does get darker later on.
- Fate/Apocrypha—Set in a parallel timeline where the Holy Grail was taken by a different faction. It features a completely new cast of Masters and Servants and a large-scale Grail War between two teams.
- Fate/Grand Order—Based on the mobile game, this series includes stories like First Order, Babylonia, Camelot, and Solomon. Each arc explores different historical settings and timelines with a wide range of characters from across myth and legend.
- Fate/Extra: Last Encore—A more abstract and surreal take on the Fate formula, set in a digital world. It has a unique art style and story that some enjoy, though reactions are mixed.
These spin-offs expand the Fate universe in creative ways and are great for fans looking to explore more after finishing the core series.
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