When you get into Fate for the first time, it can be daunting. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s a vast and complex world that often leaves newcomers scratching their heads, unsure of where and how to start. And understandably so, with so many different anime series, offshoots, and spin-offs to explore. There is also a real fear that you will spoil one Fate series by watching another Fate series, which is possible if you just jump in without any defined place to start.
I’m a big fan of the Fate franchise, so I wanted to do this post to help others get into this long-running franchise and experience all that it has to offer. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll not only walk you through the Fate universe step-by-step, beginning with the first route in the story, Fate/stay night, but I’ll also explore in-depth its other routes, sequels and spin-offs.
This guide only focuses on the Fate anime series, but there’s a lot more in the franchise you can explore, including visual novels, mobile games, and manga to name a few. Fate is a popular and extensive franchise, so there’s a lot you can dive into, but the anime is one of the best places to start, especially if you are new to it all.
My goal is to make the Fate series approachable to newcomers, but also guide those who may be confused on where to turn next in the series. Fate can seem overwhelming at first, due to the sheer number of series that have been released, but it’s not as daunting as it may seem once you get into it. That said, here’s my beginner’s guide to the Fate series. I’ll walk you through the optimal Fate watch order, give you a bit of background on each series, let you know the best titles in the franchise and more.
Important Things to Know About Fate
The Holy Grail War, Servants, and Masters
Before getting into Fate, there are a few things that you need to know. First off, the central theme of Fate is the Holy Grail War, an intense battle royale that pits Servant/Master duos against one in their endeavor to win the sought-after Holy Grail, which is said to grant any wish. Mages known as Masters summon Servants, who are legendary heroes that fight alongside them with their abilities and weapons, including their powerful Noble Phantasms, which are representations of their heroic spirit and the legends that humanity has created about them over the years.
This is why Servants often try to hide their Noble Phantasm from others, because it would reveal their true name. In turn, revealing to their opponents their strengths and weaknesses. King Arthur and Iskander, the King of Conquerors are just a few of the names that pop up in this series. Most of the Servants are modeled after true legends and historical figures that were prominent throughout history.
These Servants are broken into seven main classes, Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Berserker, and Assassin. Depending on the relic the Master holds, or their nature, they summon one of the following Servants to fight alongside them. Each Master is chosen by the Holy Grail due to their potential. The Servants and Masters often mirror each other in both their motivations and ideals.
The Masters, and their stories, are just as important as the Servants. The War is a complex landscape that pits these duos against one another, so of course, there are bound to be alliances and betrayals along the way. Fate is like a puzzle with each piece adding to the larger picture. We get a lot of backstories along the way, as well as details about the Holy Grail War and its origins, that add to your understanding and knowledge of the Fate universe, so if you ever find yourself confused while watching, this is most likely by design as many series within the franchise build further and further upon the lore.
That being said, I want to kick things off with the series that I consider to be the best introduction to Fate, Fate/stay night and then I’ll discuss further entries in-depth, including their watch order. I’m going to talk about the recommended order to watch Fate/Grand Order in particular, but I’ll also talk about Fate spinoffs, like Fate/Apocrypha in this post. I’m splitting out Fate/stay night since it seems to be the most debated when it comes to an optimal watch order and it is where I recommend starting if you want to get into Fate.
Recommended Fate/stay night Watch Order
- Fate/stay night (2006)
- Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015)
- Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel (2017-2020)
- Fate/Zero (2011-2012)
Fate/stay night (2006)
Fate/stay night animated by Studio Deen is the first series I recommend watching, despite differing opinions among fans. Based on the 2004 visual novel, it adapts the first route and serves as the perfect introduction to the franchise, laying out the series’ key concepts, characters, and themes. It’s not required that you watch it, but I recommend doing so because it is the first route in the story. If you want the complete picture, this is the first series you should watch in Fate, but if you absolutely want to skip it, you can head straight into watching Fate/stay night: Unlimited Bladeworks.
While it may not boast the same level of animation, pacing, or storytelling you’ll witness in later entries like Fate/Zero or Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Fate/stay night is still worth the watch, especially given that it is the first route of Fate/stay night that focuses on Saber. If you want to see the Saber route, you’ll want to give this 2006 release a watch. If you jump into Unlimited Bladeworks without watching Fate/stay night, you won’t be confused by any means, but you will be skipping into the second route of the story that is centered around Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka.
The story of Fate/stay night centers around the Holy Grail War, which is a fierce battle royale where seven mages, also known as Masters, summon legendary heroes, called Servants, to fight alongside them to obtain the Holy Grail. Our protagonist, Shirou Emiya unexpectedly finds himself thrust into this deadly contest. Together with his powerful Servant, Saber, they navigate the challenges and perils of the war.
One of Fate‘s biggest appeals is its action and battles. But, Fate/stay night, along with the other titles in the series, are so much more than that. They explore themes and messages, such as what it means to be a hero, destiny and free will, and more. The 2006 series has its highs and lows, particularly when it comes to pacing and animation quality, but it is a vital starting point that will allow you to better understand the themes, characters, and world and it gives you more insights into Saber’s story and her relationship with Shirou.
With any long-running anime, it is important to establish a strong foundation, and this is exactly what Fate/stay night is given that it is the first route in the story. You can watch it via the Blu-ray or you can stream the series now on HIDIVE.
Where to Watch
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (2014-2015)
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, which is animated by Ufotable and is complete with 25 episodes and an OVA titled Sunny Day, is one of the best series in the Fate franchise. It adapts the second route of the original visual novel by Type-Moon and is set in Fuyuki City, where the Holy Grail War, a battle between seven Masters and their Servants, takes place.
The series focuses on Rin Tohsaka, a powerful mage, and her Servant Archer, as well as Shirou Emiya, who is an unexpected participant in the war, and his Servant Saber. The story highlights their relationship as they work together to navigate the war. This series has top-tier animation, dynamic battles, and incredible storytelling, which is only further enriched by its lore. It explores themes of heroism, moral ambiguity, and the human condition, so it’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining to watch.
As to when you should watch UBW, I recommend watching the 2006 Fate/stay night anime first, as it covers the first route of the visual novel and sets the stage for Unlimited Blade Works. However, it’s not essential to the understanding of the story, and starting with Unlimited Blade Works is okay. But, keep in mind that if you do so you will be missing that first route that highlights Saber and Shirou’s relationship. That being said, I do recommend watching it after Fate/stay night, but if you’d rather just watch Unlimited Blade Works that’s fine too.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is an absolute must-watch since it’s one the most pivotal and best Fate anime to release to date. Ufotable’s animation, which you may also know for their work on Demon Slayer, is crisp and detailed and the battles are exciting. The storyline is well-crafted. The series has well-developed characters too, particularly Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, whose interactions and growth are central to this route of the story.
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is a masterpiece in the Fate series. It’s one of the best in terms of animation and the battles are some of the most unforgettable in the franchise, but it also has interesting themes and characters as well. It’s currently one of the best action anime you can watch on Crunchyroll, but you can also collect the series via the Aniplex of America Complete Box Set if you prefer physical releases.
Those are just my brief thoughts on Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works. I dive deeper into its themes, lore, and more in my spoiler-free review of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works if you’d like to learn more about the series.
Where to Watch
Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel (2017-2020)
Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel is a trilogy of movies, Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] I. presage flower, Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel II. Lost Butterfly, and Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel III. spring song, that was released from 2017-2020. They adapt the final route of the visual novel and it is centered around Sakura Matou and Shirou Emiya’s relationship.
As far as the story goes, I’m only going to talk about the first movie, because the following movies are sequels and their synopses will spoil the events of the story. Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] I. presage flower is set ten years in the future after the fourth Holy Grail War that takes place in Fate/Zero. Much like in the other Fate/stay night routes, it takes place in Fuyuki City, where The Holy Grail War, a fierce battle waged by Masters and Servants to obtain the wish-granting Holy Grail, unfolds.
Shirou Emiya, the adopted son of Kiritsugu Emiya who participated in the previous war, is leading a seemingly peaceful life. He cherishes his time with people close to him, particularly his underclassman Sakura Matou, whose kindness brightens his otherwise solitary existence. However, the onset of a new Holy Grail War shatters his everyday normal life, thrusting Shirou into a tumultuous battle where fate and conflict intertwine. As mentioned earlier, this route highlights the relationship between Shirou and Sakura.
The Heaven’s Feel movies are some of the darkest entries in Fate. They are some of the heaviest and most mature in terms of their content, but these movies also dive into new elements as well as the origins of the Holy Grail more than its predecessors.
I can’t talk about why without spoiling anything, but it dives into certain Servants’ backstories more and gives us a look into the Matou family, who are one of the prominent mage families in this series. I also didn’t think Ufotable could step up the animation more than they did in Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, but they did in the Heaven’s Feel movies. In my opinion, these movies have the best animation and battles in all of Fate.
As far as when to watch it, Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night are deeply connected, but I think Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel is the most deeply connected to Fate/Zero of them all. Because of this, it is often debated whether you should watch Fate/Zero or the Heaven’s Feel trilogy first. Both of them spoil each other in some way or another, but after seeing both in their entirety, I personally would rather have Fate/Zero spoiled than Heaven’s Feel.
With that in mind, I recommend watching the three Heaven’s Feel movies before you watch Fate/Zero. Watching Fate/Zero would make the climax of Heaven’s Feel much less impactful and this is why I recommend watching the films first.
Either way, the Heaven’s Feel movies are some of the best in the franchise, in addition to Fate/Zero, which I’m going to talk about next. You can watch it via the three Blu-ray box sets released from Aniplex of America.
Where to Watch
Fate/Zero (2011-2012)
Fate/Zero is one of the highest-rated anime in Fate and this is largely thanks to its intricate lore, exceptional character development and backstories, and stunning animation by Ufotable (Fate/stay night Unlimited Bladeworks). The series is set in Fuyuki City and takes place during the intense and brutal Fourth Holy Grail War. This war features seven Masters, each summoning a powerful Servant to fight for the ultimate prize: the Holy Grail, a mystical relic capable of granting any wish. Central to this particular story are Kirei Kotomine, a conflicted soul searching for purpose, and Kiritsugu Emiya, a man desperate for the Grail’s miracle. Their rivalry and the ensuing battle are important to this story.
Fate/Zero has strong character backstories and relationships, particularly between Masters and Servants. Each character, whether a Master or Servant, is given a rich, detailed backstory, making them feel like main protagonists. Even more so than other Fate anime series, Fate/Zero dives into the lives of its characters. The series excels in humanizing the Servants, who are larger-than-life figures, showcasing their lives beyond the battlefield. This depth of character exploration, when paired with the series’ exploration of complex themes like heroism, morality, and the nature of good and evil, makes Fate/Zero one of the best in Fate.
As far as when to watch it, even though it is a prequel to Fate/stay night, I recommend watching Fate/Zero last after you watch Fate/stay night (2006), Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, and The Heaven’s Feel movies. This order enhances the understanding and enjoyment of the series, as Fate/Zero spoils certain events in Unlimited Blade Works as well as Heaven’s Feel. While Heaven’s Feel and Fate/Zero both spoil one another in some ways, I feel like the climax in Heaven’s Feel would be much less impactful if you watch Fate/Zero before watching the three films.
The series is not only a masterclass in storytelling and character development but it also features top-notch battles, music, and pacing. Fate/Zero is well-known for its mature themes, rich lore, and its engaging story, and it’s for these reasons and more that it’s a near-perfect anime. It’s available for streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll or you can watch it via the Blu-ray box set from Aniplex of America.
These are just my brief thoughts on Fate/Zero. If you’d like to learn more about the series as well as its themes and lore, check out my spoiler-free review of Fate/Zero.
Where to Watch
Recommended Fate/Grand Order Watch Order
Next, I want to talk about Fate/Grand Order, which is based on the mobile game of the same name. In Fate/Grand Order, science and magecraft have combined, creating a new universe that dives into concepts, such as time travel theory. A focal point of Fate/Grand Order is the Chaldea Security Organization, where this research is being carried out. Essentially, each iteration of Fate/Grand Order sees our main characters traveling to a new singularity to prevent the destruction of humanity. Because of this, I think of them as isekai Fate.
The Chaldea Security Organization’s main goal is to prevent the extinction of the human race by observing CHALDEAS, which can view the fate of humanity 200 years into the future. I want to talk about the movie Fate/Grand Order: First Order first, because it is based on the prologue chapter of the mobile game and it is the first entry in Fate/Grand Order that you’ll want to watch.
Before venturing into the world of Fate/Grand Order, though, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the Fate universe. In my opinion, the cornerstone for this is Fate/stay night. To fully appreciate the depth and nuances of Fate/Grand Order, I highly recommend following the order I’ve outlined for Fate/stay night above. These series will provide the necessary background and they will only add to your experience watching Fate/Grand Order.
- Fate/Grand Order: First Order
- Fate/Grand Order Camelot films
- Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia
- Fate/Grand Order: Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon
Fate/Grand Order: First Order
Fate/Grand Order: First Order is the first series you should watch in Fate/Grand Order. It is a special that adapts the prologue chapter of the mobile game, on which the series is based.
It’s set in a world where the boundaries of magic and science blur. Here, the Chaldea Security Organization stands as humanity’s last bastion. Their main goal is to ensure the continuation of human history, but something happens that paints a dire future for humanity. Believing Fuyuki to be the epicenter of this existential threat, Chaldea issues a crucial directive: to explore, investigate, and if necessary, obliterate this anomaly. This mission, which is centered around the pursuit of the Holy Grail, is known as the Grand Order—a desperate bid to salvage the future of humanity.
This special is an essential starting point in Fate/Grand Order, because it is the foundational series that introduces the main characters in this story. It’s crucial to begin your journey here, as this special not only sets the stage but also provides vital context and understanding of the series’ world. Fate/Grand Order: First Order is a quick watch that only serves as a setup for future anime in Fate/Grand Order, so it’s not the best you’ll watch in the series, but it is essential nonetheless.
You can watch it via the Blu-ray released from Aniplex of America or you can stream the movie now on Crunchyroll.
Where to Watch
Fate/Grand Order Camelot films
Up next on the watchlist are two films, Fate/Grand Order: Divine Realm of the Round Table – Camelot Wandering; Agateram (2020) and Fate/Grand Order: Divine Realm of the Round Table – Camelot Paladin; Agateram (2021). Signal.MD (Recovery of an MMO Junkie) animated the first film and Production I.G (Psycho-Pass) animated the second.
These films adapt the sixth chapter (Singularity 6) of the mobile game and you’ll want to watch them in order of release. While the anime, as of now, does not adapt Singularities 1-5 of the game, you won’t necessarily be confused if you jump from Fate/Grand Order: First Order, which adapts the prologue chapter, to these films.
Fate tends to adapt things out of order in terms of popularity. Since Singularity 6 is a fan-favorite that lends itself well to an anime adaptation, it makes sense that they would choose this one over the previous 5. That said, though, if you want the whole picture, you can play the mobile game, but it is not required you do so to enjoy these films. As long as you watch the prologue, Fate/Grand Order: First Order, beforehand you will get along just fine.
The first film is set in the year A.D. 1273, in a time when Jerusalem has transformed into a vast desert, a stark transformation that has uprooted its people amidst the chaos of war waged by three dominant powers. In this desolate landscape, the Knights of the Round Table rally to defend the Holy City and their revered Lion King.
In this setting of conflict and intrigue, Bedivere embarks on a mission to the Holy City, under the Lion King’s dominion. His journey leads him to Ritsuka Fujimaru, humanity’s last Master, who has ventured into Jerusalem with his Demi-Servant, Mash Kyrielight. Together, they are on a perilous quest to restore human history, navigating a world where allegiances are uncertain, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Since they are films, I will say that they did rush the events a bit in comparison to the mobile game, but I think they did an amazing job at bringing specific moments to life in the anime. They made some things more emotionally impactful and the animation is beautiful.
Overall, I am happy with these films and think they are great watches, but I think an anime series with more episodes would have given them time to provide even more background and context. I’ll go more in-depth about my feelings in a future review, but these films are much better than people give them credit for.
You can watch the films via the Blu-ray box sets released from Aniplex of America. Want to learn more about the series? Check out my full review of the Fate/Grand Order Camelot films.
Where to Watch
Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia
Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia adapts the seventh singularity in the mobile game, so it is the series you’ll want to watch next after the Camelot films. CloverWorks (Bocchi the Rock!, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai) animated the series.
While the previous entries I talked about were a special and two films, Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia is an anime series that is complete with 21 episodes. It is set in the land of Uruk, which was ruled by King Gilgamesh. Prosperity reigned in Uruk until an unprecedented crisis emerged: The arrival of three powerful goddesses and a horde of Demonic Beasts, who put this once-thriving kingdom on the precipice of ruin.
Fujimaru and Mash embark on a journey using Rayshift—a technology enabling travel across time and space—to reach Uruk. Upon arrival, they are confronted with the fortress city’s stark reality and the Absolute Demonic Front, a battleground where a relentless war against the Demonic Beasts unfolds.
Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia is one of my favorite series in Fate/Grand Order. Not just because it is centered around one of my all-time favorite servants, Gilgamesh, but also because it has one of the best stories in Fate/Grand Order. You can watch it now via the Blu-ray box sets released from Aniplex of America or you can stream it now on Crunchyroll below.
Where to Watch
Fate/Grand Order: Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon
And finally, we have Fate/Grand Order: Final Singularity – Grand Temple of Time: Solomon, which is a sequel film to Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia, so this will be the one you want to watch last in the series. Since this is a sequel to Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia, I don’t want to talk about the synopsis for fear of spoilers, but just know that you will want to watch this one after to get the continuation of the story.
You can watch it via the box set released from Aniplex of America or you can stream the movie now on Crunchyroll.
Where to Watch
Fate Spin-Offs
Fate has several spin-offs that you may want to check out in addition to the main series I’ve listed above. Some of these series are set in alternate universes, like Prisma Illya, while others are set in the same universe as other Fate series, like Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note. I’ve included all of the current Fate spin-offs as well as when you should watch them below!
- Prisma Illya
- Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note
- Fate/Apocrypha
- Fate/Grand Carnival
Prisma Illya
Prisma Illya is a spin-off of Fate/stay night, which is adapted from the manga of the same name, that features characters we’ve met in other series. While there aren’t any prerequisites necessarily to watching the anime in Prisma Illya as it is set in an alternate universe to Fate/stay night, I highly recommend watching all of the anime in Fate/stay night that I’ve listed above to get the most out of watching it. You will understand the references, jokes, and nods in Prisma Illya more if you do. Plus, its main characters, Rin Tohsaka and Illyasviel von Einzbern aka Illya are two of Fate/stay night‘s most important characters.
The story of Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya is centered around a familiar face, Illyasviel von Einzbern, whose ordinary life takes a turn when she encounters the Kaleidostick Ruby, a magical wand that’s seeking a new master. Ruby, having parted ways with her previous owner, sees in young Illya the potential to become the next great magical girl.
This sudden change in Illya’s destiny comes as a surprise, especially to Ruby’s former master, Rin Tohsaka. Rin, whose been tasked with finding the seven legendary Class Cards, finds herself without her wand and in a bind. So, she enlists Illya’s help.
The plot thickens as Miyu, another young girl, is chosen by the Kaleidostick Sapphire to be a master. Sapphire’s choice, however, doesn’t sit well with her previous master, Luviagelita Edelfelt, who is Rin’s arch-rival. Prisma Illya is unique because it sees Fate heading into the magical girl genre.
Prisma Illya Watch Order
When to watch Prisma Illya: While not required, I do recommend watching all of Fate/stay night before getting into Prisma Illya. The watch order of Prisma Illya is as follows:
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya (10 episodes)
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei! (10 episodes)
- Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei Herz! (10 episodes)
- Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!! (12 episodes)
- Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Vow in the Snow (movie)
- Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya: Licht Nameless Girl (movie)
Where to Watch
Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya is streaming now on Crunchyroll. They have a 14-day free trial if you’d like to try their platform out. Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei! is streaming now on HIDIVE. You can watch Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei Herz! via the Blu-ray collection from Sentai Filmworks that also comes with its first season Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei!. As of now, Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei Herz! isn’t available to watch any anime streaming services.
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Vow in the Snow is currently streaming on HIDIVE, but it also has a Blu-ray release. And finally, as of now, Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Illya: Licht Nameless Girl is only available to watch via its Blu-ray release.
Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note
Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files is a spin-off series of Fate/Zero that is set 10 years in the future following the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War and it is centered around one of its main characters, Waver Velvet. It is adapted from the light novel created by Makoto Sanda and Mineji Sakamoto.
Since Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files takes place after Fate/Zero, you want to Fate/Zero first. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to follow the Fate/stay night watch order I’ve listed above if you plan to watch Fate/Zero. After doing so, you’ll want to watch Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note, which consists of 13 episodes. Then, you’ll want to watch the Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files [Rail Zeppelin] Grace note Special.
As mentioned earlier, the story of Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note follows Waver Velvet, who was the youthful and ambitious Master of Iskandar, the King of Conquerors in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Now, he bears the esteemed title of Lord El Melloi II. In this new role, he finds himself deeply entrenched in the intricate and enigmatic workings of the Clock Tower, the revered epicenter of the magecraft world.
Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files Watch Order
When to watch Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: I recommend watching Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files after you watch all of Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero.
- Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace Note
- Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files [Rail Zeppelin] Grace note Special
Where to Watch
Fate/Apocrypha
When to Watch Fate/Apocrypha: I recommend watching Fate/Apocrypha after you watch all of Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero.
In Fate/Apocrypha, the Greater Grail has been seized by the Black Faction, who are driven by their deepest wish to be independent from the Mage’s Association. In response, the Mage’s Association forms the Red Faction to counter this move. Set in Trifas, Romania, this series follows the Great Holy Grail War, a war between two factions, each summoning 7 Heroic Spirits. At the forefront of this all is Shirou Kotomine, a Master of the Red and the War’s Overseer. Shirou’s actions play a pivotal role in shaping the war.
Fate/Apocrypha is essentially a 7v7 battle royale between the Black and Red factions. One faction is depicted more as the “good side” and the Servants represent heroes, while the other is the “bad side” and the Servants represent villains. While I recommend watching all of the anime I mention in my Fate/stay night watch order before watching Fate/Apocrypha, it’s not required. You can get by watching Fate/Apocrypha on its own, but I still highly recommend getting a strong foundation in Fate by watching all of Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero and acquiring some knowledge on the series and its lore before jumping in.
Where to Watch
Fate/Grand Carnival
When to watch Fate/Grand Carnival: I recommend watching Fate/Grand Carnival after you watch Fate/Grand Order.
Fate/Grand Carnival is a spin-off that parodies Fate/Grand Order. That being said, you will need to be familiar with Fate/Grand Order, whose watch order I’ve outlined above, to fully enjoy the comedy in this series. Fate/Grand Carnival turns the Holy Grail War into a fun event that sees Servants battling it out in a more festival-like setting.
Since it’s a parody, the jokes will be lost on you if you don’t watch Fate/Grand Order first. This series isn’t required, but it is a fun watch if you love Fate/Grand Order and are looking for a humorous, lighthearted series to get into. You can watch it now on Crunchyroll or you can pick it up via the box set released by Aniplex of America.
Where to Watch
Conclusion
Now that we’ve gone over all of the important anime series in Fate, and everything you need to know before getting started, I hope you are excited, rather than reluctant, to dive into these series. I am passionate about Fate, so I’m always excited to see more and more newcomers getting into this franchise. As you spend countless hours watching every episode, spin-off, and sequel, like I did, I hope you’ll find your journey with Fate to be as amazing and rewarding as mine has. There’s a lot to get into, but this is a big reason why Fate is such an incredible series.
This guide, in part, has been a way for me to share my love for Fate with you, but I also wanted to break down what, at first, might seem like an overwhelming endeavor into something more accessible. While this guide is a great starting point, the Fate universe is vast, and it’s full of gems beyond just its anime, including visual novels, mobile and video games, light novels, and manga to name a few. I’ll be exploring the games as well as manga series in future posts, but for now, I hope you enjoy these series, and your time watching them as much as I did.
