Fate series (and the Nasuverse)
Anime
If you are reading this and are new to the Fate series, the biggest advice I can give you is to just pick the one that sounds interesting to you and start it.
I think the thing most people seem to forget is that you don't need to know every single intricate detail of the lore to be able to enjoy this franchise. Just treat each one as its own story set within this expansive world and you can experience them in any order you want.
Yes, one of the most satisfying parts of being a fan is to figure out how they all connect to one another. But that's not really something someone new to the series really needs to worry about, so just pick one, any one, and start. The only thing you will need to do is to watch entries with the same sub title together in order to get the most out of their respective stories, eg Fate/Stay Night (Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Bladeworks etc), Fate/Grand Order (Fate/Grand Order: Babylonia etc),
With that said, the following is my personal suggested order. The one last important thing to note is that Fate is only one of franchises that's set within this fictional world, it's just the most popular and most expanded upon. This shared universe is named the "Nasuverse" after it's creator, Kinoko Nasu. I have included as much of the other series in the Nasuverse in this list as well, as they really help expand upon the world building beyond what we see in just Fates Holy Grail Wars. If you are only interested in Fate itself, then feel free to skip over them, but you'd be missing out on some great stories in their own right.
The only things I haven't included are some of the shorts, specials or recaps as I don't think they are absolutely essential, and this has a limit of 50 entries, so it is what it is.
I think the thing most people seem to forget is that you don't need to know every single intricate detail of the lore to be able to enjoy this franchise. Just treat each one as its own story set within this expansive world and you can experience them in any order you want.
Yes, one of the most satisfying parts of being a fan is to figure out how they all connect to one another. But that's not really something someone new to the series really needs to worry about, so just pick one, any one, and start. The only thing you will need to do is to watch entries with the same sub title together in order to get the most out of their respective stories, eg Fate/Stay Night (Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Bladeworks etc), Fate/Grand Order (Fate/Grand Order: Babylonia etc),
With that said, the following is my personal suggested order. The one last important thing to note is that Fate is only one of franchises that's set within this fictional world, it's just the most popular and most expanded upon. This shared universe is named the "Nasuverse" after it's creator, Kinoko Nasu. I have included as much of the other series in the Nasuverse in this list as well, as they really help expand upon the world building beyond what we see in just Fates Holy Grail Wars. If you are only interested in Fate itself, then feel free to skip over them, but you'd be missing out on some great stories in their own right.
The only things I haven't included are some of the shorts, specials or recaps as I don't think they are absolutely essential, and this has a limit of 50 entries, so it is what it is.
Movie, -,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Not currently out, so skip over it for now, but will be the single best place to start when released. Without going too heavily into the lore, the holy grail wars, servants etc, this serves as a great introduction to the magic system used throughout the franchise.
Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
The start of a series of movies further delving into the lore. Just be aware these are a lot darker than other entries, and much more slower paced and heavy on the philosophical, which might not be for everyone. A character from Mahoutsukai no Yoru features prominently in these films which works great as a follow up.
Release order is not chronological, but is recommended for first viewing.
For those curious, or for those looking for a new way to rewatch, chronological is movies 2-4-3-1-Extra Chorus-5-6-7-8-Mirai Fukuin.
Release order is not chronological, but is recommended for first viewing.
For those curious, or for those looking for a new way to rewatch, chronological is movies 2-4-3-1-Extra Chorus-5-6-7-8-Mirai Fukuin.
Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Flashback movie showing how the two protagonists first met.
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Tackles some very dark themes in this one, so just be aware.
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Another flashback showing Shiki first gaining her powers.
Special, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Some short bonus episodes that help wrap up certain characters arcs. You can watch it alongside the Mirai Fukuin film, but I think it fits well in it's (mostly) chronological place too
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
The best, and one of the longest, of the kara no kyoukai movies.
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Probably the closest we have to filler in the series. Not terrible, but not really anyones favourite either.
Movie, 2009,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
The finale of the main kara no kyoukai movies
Special, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
An epilogue to the kara no kyoukai movies.
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
A bonus movie released a couple of years later. Movie is split into two, the first half taking place in middle of the other movies' events, the second, several years after the ending.
TV, 2003,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Not a great adaptation, but it is still an important entry in the franchise, so I would recommend the manga (or the VN) instead. Introduces the other side of the nasuverse, that being Vampires and the church. The protagonist of Mahoutsukai no yoru also makes a brief, but significant, appearance.
TV, 2006,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
And we finally get to Fate itself. Starting with the first of three different routes that make up the Fate/Stay Night storyline, focusing on Sabers character arc and acting as an introduction to the 5th Holy Grail War and its characters.
This may be a controversial pick, but it realistically is the only place to start. Stay Night's routes, while seemingly separate, need to be played in order, with each succeeding route building off of the previous' plot developments and reveals. Skipping this would be skipping over a whole third of the overarching story. While dated, this is still essential viewing. Just don't expect Ufotable quality animation.
This may be a controversial pick, but it realistically is the only place to start. Stay Night's routes, while seemingly separate, need to be played in order, with each succeeding route building off of the previous' plot developments and reveals. Skipping this would be skipping over a whole third of the overarching story. While dated, this is still essential viewing. Just don't expect Ufotable quality animation.
TV Special, 2014,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Prologue to the Unlimited Bladeworks TV series. Sometimes listed as episode 0.
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The second route of Fate/Stay Nights storyline, delving deeper into characters and their motivations. Focuses more heavily on Rin Tohsaka, Archer, Caster, Gilgamesh, and Shirou Emiya himself.
TV, 2015,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:10
2nd season for Unlimited Bladeworks
Special, 2015,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
An alternate ending to Unlimited Bladeworks from the VN, giving Saber more spotlight.
Movie, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Fate/Stay Nights third and final route. Much more darker, focusing heavily on Sakura Matou and her family, as well as the origins of the Holy Grail Wars.
Movie, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
2nd movie in the Heavens Feel trilogy
Movie, 2020,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:10
3rd and final movie in the Heavens Feel trilogy, as well as the ending to Fate/Stay Night as a whole.
The ending does rely on some knowledge of the Kara no Kyoukai series, but it isn't essential.
The ending does rely on some knowledge of the Kara no Kyoukai series, but it isn't essential.
ONA, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:9
A slice of life spinoff starring the cast of Fate/Stay Night. A well earned rest after Heavens Feel.
OVA, 2011,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
A parody series starring the casts of both Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime. Surprisingly works incredibly well, and is a hilarious time.
Bonus EPs include the EX Season, HibiChika, and Illya's Castle.
There are also Carnival specials for a number of the spin-offs, Prisma Phantasm for the Fate/Kaleid series, and Fate/Grand Carnival for Grand Order. Obviously watch those ones after finishing the respective series they are linked to.
Bonus EPs include the EX Season, HibiChika, and Illya's Castle.
There are also Carnival specials for a number of the spin-offs, Prisma Phantasm for the Fate/Kaleid series, and Fate/Grand Carnival for Grand Order. Obviously watch those ones after finishing the respective series they are linked to.
TV, 2011,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:10
These next few are ones that build off of Fate/Stay Night, further expanding that world (though not always set within the same timeline). The first if which is Fate/Zero a prequel that follows many of the FSN casts parents and mentors as they wage their own battles.
Some people do say to start with this over FSN, and while there's nothing *wrong* with doing so, it does take almost all of the major reveals from the original and builds a story off of that, effectively revealing them all within the first few episodes. Watching this first can lessen the impact of FSNs story and for some, even make FSN fall flat entirely.
Some people do say to start with this over FSN, and while there's nothing *wrong* with doing so, it does take almost all of the major reveals from the original and builds a story off of that, effectively revealing them all within the first few episodes. Watching this first can lessen the impact of FSNs story and for some, even make FSN fall flat entirely.
Special, 2012,
6 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A short series of specials that fill in some of the backstory and inner workings of the Holy Grail Wars.
TV Special, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Pilot episode for the Lord El-Melloi II Case Files series.
TV, 2019,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Ten years have passed since Fate/Zero, and there are talks of the next Holy Grail War fast approaching. One of the characters from Fate/Zero has settled into their new role as a Lord, teacher, and detective.
TV Special, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
A bonus episode continuing on Lord El-Melloi's story, with brief appearances from another old face, blending together Fate/Zero and Kara no Kyoukai.
TV Special, 2023,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Hour long prologue to Fate/Strange Fake. It takes place roughly a few years after Fate/Stay Night. Placement on the main timeline is debatable, but there's plenty of references to the main entries, such as starring one of the students of Lord El-Melloi II.
TV, -,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
TV series following on from the Whispers of Dawn special. Not yet aired.
OVA, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Now we're jumping into a few of the more out there spin-offs, generally taking place in alternate timelines very different than the main continuity. This one is a short OVA showing the original concept for Fate/Stay Night. Its interesting for what it is, but you don't really need to watch it.
TV, 2017,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A spin_off set in an alternate timeline. It's decent, there are some good fights, but it isn't necessarily held in the highest regard by most fans. Still, it introduces us to some fan-favourite characters, such as Jeanne, Mordred, Karna and Astolfo, which alone makes it worth the watch.
TV, 2013,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A magical girl spinoff series. Has heavy amounts of fanservice, and can be very slow going. Not to everyones tastes, but it genuinely does get pretty good from its 3rd season onwards.
TV, 2014,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:6
The 2nd season for the Prisma series. This is the part with the most fanservice and slice of life, but does introduce a prominent character going forward.
TV, 2015,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:6
2nd cour for Fate/kaleid liner prisma Illya 2Wei
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Prismas 3rd season, and where the story really starts to pick up.
Movie, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
A flashback movie set before the start of the Prisma series. Genuinely really good, so much so, I'd recommend even to people who aren't interested in the rest of Prisma. As it is a prequel, it works well enough as a standalone.
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Follow up movie to both 3rei and Sekka no Chikai.
-, -,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
Currently unreleased Prisma sequel.
TV, 2018,
10 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Yet another spinoff, this time taking the sci-fi angle and being set far into the future. Not great, but not terrible. Can be confusing to those who haven't played the Fate/Extra games beforehand, as this is a sort of sequel to them.
TV, 2018,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The final few episodes of Fate/Extra were released as OVAs. Essential for finishing the TV series storyline.
TV Special, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
I've kept Grand Order til last as its basically the "Avengers Endgame" of Fate, bringing in characters from across the franchise. One thing to note is that the anime does not cover every chapter from the game, however most of the chapters are standalone stories anyway. Personally, I think this is one of the better Fate spinoffs, so I would recommend to watch it anyway, theres only a few details that get skipped over, but the anime does slip in several flashbacks that should give you a basic idea.
Special, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Was released as the prologue to Babylonia, but was actually part of the Camelot chapters of the game. Reveals the backstory of the main heroine, Mash Kyrielight, as well as briefly showing what happened during the chapters the anime skips over.
Movie, 2020,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
The camelot chapter is split into two movies, which does make the first film suffer slightly from being solely set up, but the payoff from the 2nd film makes it worth it.
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
2nd movie of the camelot chapter.
TV, 2019,
21 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The Babylonia chapter is just great, not much else to really say except it helps flesh out series regular, Gilgamesh, even more.
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Finale to the first story arc of Fate/Grand Order, and a direct sequel to the Babylonia chapter.
TV Special, 2017,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Prologue to the 2nd story arc in the Grand Order mobile game.
