As a fan of the Fate series, it can be intimidating to dive into the world of numerous Fate anime adaptations. However, not all Fate series are connected, so it’s important to know the right order to watch them. In this guide, we will discuss the correct timeline to watch the Fate series and which anime to start with.
Chronologically, Fate/Zero’s story happens before Fate/Stay Night. But, Fate/Zero’s story was written by Gen Urobuchi, not Kinoko Nasu, who wrote the Fate/Stay Night series. Therefore, Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero can be considered separate timelines. Fate/Stay Night anime has three adaptations, including Fate/Stay Night, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel. The first adaptation by Studio Deen combines the three visual novel routes into one series, while Unlimited Blade Works has two adaptations, and the Heaven’s Feel trilogy from Ufotable focuses on the respective routes of Tohsaka Rin and Matou Sakura.
If you want to start with Fate/Stay Night, you can begin with the Studio Deen version. Although the animation quality is inferior to the Ufotable version, FSN Deen has a complete story for beginners. After that, you can choose to watch Fate/Zero, which is a prequel spin-off, or UBW and Heaven’s Feel, which can be considered a different route of Shirou’s story. Alternatively, you can play the visual novel first, then choose which anime adaptation to watch.
For Fate/Grand Order, it starts with Fate/Grand Order: First Order, which covers the prologue of the popular mobile RPG game with its unique gacha mode. However, the films and anime adaptations can be confusing since Babylonia, which happens after Camelot in chronological order, was released before Camelot. For the chronological story after Fate/Grand Order: First Order, watch Fate/Grand Order THE MOVIE Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot, then continue with the Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia series. After that, you can watch Fate Grand Order: The Grand Temple of Time.
If you’re interested in Fate/Extra: Last Encore, which stands alone as an adaptation of Fate/Extra, you might enjoy the series more if you’ve played the game. Lastly, There are also non-canon anime adaptations from the Fate universe, such as Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/Prototype, and crossover series like Carnival Phantasm. Most of these are standalone stories, and you can enjoy them separately. Although it’s better if you understand the concept of Fate/Stay Night first, you can still enjoy titles such as Fate/Apocrypha without watching any other Fate series.
In conclusion, the recommended watch order for the Fate series is Fate/Stay Night (Deen version), Fate/Zero, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel, Fate/Grand Order: First Order, Fate/Grand Order THE MOVIE Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot, Fate/Grand Order – Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, Fate/Extra: Last Encore, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, Fate/Apocrypha, Fate/Prototype, and Carnival Phantasm. We hope this guide helps you to understand the Fate series better.
