Fate Series - Anime Guide
Anime
The Fate franchise is well known for being ridiculously confusing for beginners. Fate/stay night originated from a visual novel and later evolved into different mediums with varying stories and characters, as seen in a few manga, fighting games, a gacha, and the tens of anime entries you may find here on MAL. What makes it so confusing is... where to start?
While some can certainly blind pick and still enjoy the Fate franchise, I suggest this order may be better for those looking to get into Fate with minimal spoilers and maximized fun. So, here is a very basic guide I have made if you are planning on starting (and maybe completing) the Fate franchise via the anime. I will not include specials, OVAs, PVs, or recap movies unless they are their own separate series or need to be mentioned for clarification. I will also not include sequels (2nd season, for example), unless needed for further clarification.
Note: After Fate/Zero, the next anime in the Fate franchise is entirely up to you, as every other series can be watched in any order. However, I listed them in an order I have previously seen them in (at least, most of them).
While some can certainly blind pick and still enjoy the Fate franchise, I suggest this order may be better for those looking to get into Fate with minimal spoilers and maximized fun. So, here is a very basic guide I have made if you are planning on starting (and maybe completing) the Fate franchise via the anime. I will not include specials, OVAs, PVs, or recap movies unless they are their own separate series or need to be mentioned for clarification. I will also not include sequels (2nd season, for example), unless needed for further clarification.
Note: After Fate/Zero, the next anime in the Fate franchise is entirely up to you, as every other series can be watched in any order. However, I listed them in an order I have previously seen them in (at least, most of them).
TV, 2006,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The original, and therefore the very first anime adaptation of the Fate/stay night (F/SN) franchise by Studio Deen. This compiles all three routes (Fate, Unlimited Blade Works or UBW, Heaven's Feel or HF) into one 24-episode season. While certainly lacking in animation/art quality and being known for messing up the adaptation of all three routes, this is the only anime adaptation of the Fate route, which is also the first route one would experience in the visual novel.
This anime also serves well as an introductory to all the characters in the original Fate/stay night. It sets up various characters, MC motives, and introduces the Holy Grail War and its system.
This anime also serves well as an introductory to all the characters in the original Fate/stay night. It sets up various characters, MC motives, and introduces the Holy Grail War and its system.
TV Special, 2014,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
This is the adaptation of the second route, UBW, in the visual novel by studio ufotable. With only minor changes from visual novel to anime, it serves as a good adaptation of the route and a very big improvement from the Fate/stay night 2006. This should be watched second after the original F/SN, as it allows viewers to understand the MC's drive and development throughout the route. Coming into UBW first will not allow viewers to understand various aspects of some characters.
Features 25 episodes (Season 1/2), 1 prologue episode, and a short special episode which is sort of an alternative end to the UBW route.
Features 25 episodes (Season 1/2), 1 prologue episode, and a short special episode which is sort of an alternative end to the UBW route.
Movie, 2010,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
This is the UBW adaptation done by the same studio (Studio Deen) which animated Fate/stay night 2006. While still very lacking in quality compared to the UBW TV series, it is a lot shorter. If you value your time, then I guess you could watch this?
Movie, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
This trilogy is the adaptation of the third and final route of the original visual novel, HF, by ufotable once again. Now that the last HF movie has released, one should not worry about getting into Fate via the anime (for the most part).
Again, there are a few minor changes compared to the visual novel. But if you aren't planning on reading it, then you might not even notice. Just... do not watch this first out of all of the Fate franchise. Too much gets spoiled here, and you wouldn't understand an inkling of what is going on.
Again, there are a few minor changes compared to the visual novel. But if you aren't planning on reading it, then you might not even notice. Just... do not watch this first out of all of the Fate franchise. Too much gets spoiled here, and you wouldn't understand an inkling of what is going on.
TV, 2011,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Fate/Zero (F/Z) serves as the prequel to the original Fate/stay night. Unlike the original, it originates from a light novel written by Gen Urobuchi, making this somewhat of a pseudo canon. A slightly-earlier production by studio ufotable, the 25-episode (2 seasons) anime tells of different (some same) characters in the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Unlike some series, this prequel should be watched after the original F/SN. What some may not realize about F/Z, is that there are many things covered in F/Z which are supposed to be left unknown until after watching all three routes of F/SN. If anything, F/Z is within the context of the original Fate story, so it serves to provide explanations or 'answers' to the three routes. But do not take it as the original story itself.
Unlike some series, this prequel should be watched after the original F/SN. What some may not realize about F/Z, is that there are many things covered in F/Z which are supposed to be left unknown until after watching all three routes of F/SN. If anything, F/Z is within the context of the original Fate story, so it serves to provide explanations or 'answers' to the three routes. But do not take it as the original story itself.
OVA, 2011,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The parody OVA series everyone knows and loves. This features not only characters from the Fate/stay night franchise, but also some from various other 'Nasuverse' (creator of F/SN visual novels) franchises. Highly recommended that you watch or experience the other works before watching Carnival Phantasm for maximum enjoyment.
ONA, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Really good slice of life (SOL). Like seriously, watch this after you've seen all of the original F/SN and you will be healed by cute Saber chibis and mesmerizing cooking. And for a SOL, it has some great animation.
Short, but incredibly sweet.
Short, but incredibly sweet.
TV Special, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Ah, the adaptation of the popular gacha game, Fate/Grand Order (F/GO). This adapts the very first singularity (aka chapter) of the game.
What's important to know about the anime adaptations of F/GO, is that there have been many different studios adapt various singularities, and so we are left with some singularities not being adapted, yet. I am not entirely familiar with F/GO as a whole, but I did not find any problems with jumping around different times as an anime-only.
What's important to know about the anime adaptations of F/GO, is that there have been many different studios adapt various singularities, and so we are left with some singularities not being adapted, yet. I am not entirely familiar with F/GO as a whole, but I did not find any problems with jumping around different times as an anime-only.
TV Special, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
I do not know much about this, but yes, it is possible to watch this after seeing First Order. But it is highly recommended that you play the F/GO gacha before watching this.
Movie, 2020,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
The Camelot 1 and 2 movies adapt the sixth singularity of the gacha. Should be good to watch after First Order and before Babylonia.
Special, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Initium Iter serves as the prequel to the seventh and last singularity before Solomon, short name Babylonia. 22 episodes including Initium Iter and Babylonia TV anime.
Personally, this is one of the better animated works outside of original F/SN, and it has a great story too.
Personally, this is one of the better animated works outside of original F/SN, and it has a great story too.
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Solomon wraps up the F/GO story for Arc 1. This features characters from the previous seven singularities, so it is your decision as to whether you want to see characters you may not know in a sort-of epilogue.
OVA, 2020,
4 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Carnival Phantasm, but for F/GO. Should be a pretty interesting watch for those who are already acquainted with the characters in F/GO in the gacha.
TV, 2017,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Basically F/SN, but with different characters and a slightly different setting. Honestly, you could come into the Fate franchise with this anime, and it would spoil next-to-nothing about any other Fate-related anime.
TV Special, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Good pseudo sequel to F/Z about a certain character from F/Z. 13 episodes, 1 prologue/special episode (this one), and a special episode which ran for 52 minutes.
TV, 2013,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:5
The spin-off for everyone's favourite girl, Illya!
Kaleid Liner (F/KL) focuses on Illya and friends, adds new characters, adds a different story, and changes various relationships and ages for a magical girl adventure. Can be a hit or miss for some.
Note that this is one of the larger Fate series outside of the original F/SN, featuring multiple TV seasons, movies, specials, and OVAs.
Kaleid Liner (F/KL) focuses on Illya and friends, adds new characters, adds a different story, and changes various relationships and ages for a magical girl adventure. Can be a hit or miss for some.
Note that this is one of the larger Fate series outside of the original F/SN, featuring multiple TV seasons, movies, specials, and OVAs.
Movie, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Supposed 'prequel' to Fate/kaleid liner. I recommend that you watch this after 3rei!!, since it is not supposed to be seen before the first season of F/KL.
Movie, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Carnival Phantasm, but with an addition to F/KL? I do not know much about this, but that's what it seems. I guess you should watch this after seeing the main F/KL series.
TV, 2018,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:4
Similar setting to F/SN, some identical and same characters as the original F/SN as well. Very... Shaft-like anime. An interesting watch for those who are well acquainted with other Shaft anime. 13 episodes, which includes 3 special/sequel episodes.
Note that this doesn't exactly follow the game, Fate/Extra CCC, as it stands more on its own.
Note that this doesn't exactly follow the game, Fate/Extra CCC, as it stands more on its own.
OVA, 2011,
1 ep
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Author:-
Not so much a series as it is a teaser PV for what seems to be a manga and a light novel. Features different characters in a similar setting as the original F/SN.
TV Special, 2023,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Finally, the adaptation we've been waiting for since the random PV aired years ago! This entry serves as the prequel to the TV series, so this should be watched first before it. Consider watching this after Lord El-Melloi (and F/SN of course) as some characters from both of these reappear for strange Fake.