Fate Watch Guide

This guide will help explain how to watch the Fate series. If you want to jump straight in without any context click on the Recommended link, however I will be omitting content that is "supplemental" to the main series. If you would like context, on what is "main series", which are spinoffs, and what can be skipped, scroll down to Context.

Each image is interactable and will take you to their respective MyAnimeList entry

Recommended Order "Chronological Order" Full Sweep Watch Spinoffs Carnival Phantasm Content I Missed

Context

This will explain what Fate is

The Fate series is a collection of games, anime, and books based on the original visual novel Fate/Stay night. The stay night visual novel has three sperate routes which are played in this order: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel. Each route has it's own anime adaptation.

The Unlimied Blade Works route has a movie, prologue, and 2 seasons. The movie can be skipped as it is a worse version of the 2 seasons (same story but in a rushed format). The prologue can also be skipped, you will still be able to understand the plot of the 2 seasons without it.

At a bear minimum you need to watch these to see every route

Consider these supplemental content

If you want to watch the prologue, watch it either before you watch UBW or after everything.

Watch the Limited Blade Works movie only AFTER you watch everything else. Also watch it in DUB because it is a lot funnier. (It's actually called Unlimied Blade Works, but because it is so bad we refer to it as limited)

You can watch the main line series in any order, but.....

• Heaven's Feel should be watched after the Fate and UBW routes
• Either watch the UBW prologue before UBW or just skip it
• Limited Blade Works should be the final thing you watch, but it can also be skipped

Spinoff Context

Everything aside from what I showed above, and a few OVAs, is a spinoff and can be ignored. The spinoffs are all completely unique stories that can be enjoyed by themselves. The most recommended spinoff is Fate/Zero as it is closest to the main line series. Zero should be watched AFTER main line series, but you can watch it before if you want.

I will put any spinoff that I can find at the bottom of this list.

Recommended Order

Overall the best introduction to the series

This is the best introduction for new fans with only essential content. UBW and Heaven's Feel are both easier for new users to watch compared to (2006) Fate which can come off as dated. The (2006) Fate route also has spoilers for UBW.

If you want to add the Zero spinoff, watch it after (2006) Fate

"Chronological Order"

Only the essential content in "Chronological order". This is just the original VN order and release order. (2006) Fate does have some spoilers for UBW, and can be a harder entry for new viewers.

If you want to add the Zero spinoff, watch it before (2006) Fate

Full Sweep

Same as recommended but with the UBW prologue, this does not skip any relevant main line content. You can move (2006) Fate to the begining, but read the "Chronological Order" before you do.

If you want to watch Limited Blade Works (the bad UBW movie) watch it after everything else

If you want to add the Zero spinoff, match with the Zero comment for whatevery order you match above

Spinoffs

The spinoffs should be watched after you complete the main line series. The spinoffs can be watched however you want, but some do have orders that they follow. I will list the spinoffs and put the images in the correct watch order

Fate/Zero

The most recommended and debatable

Should Watch

Considered the main series prologue. Many people start the Fate series with this entry not knowing that it is a spinoff. Builds on some characters from the main series.

Today's Menu for the Emiya Family

Should Watch

A cooking spinoff featuring the cast from the main series. It is a silly slice of life with short 10 minute episodes. Despite it's nature, it still had a few parts that made me sad.

Fate/Extra

Recommended

Adapts the Fate/Extra game. Adapted by Shaft, meaning it is creative and ambitious, but the plot can be harder to follow.

Fate/strange fake

Should Watch

Grail War, but in America. Gil is my guy.

Fate/Apocrypha

Recommended

Grail war but x2. Introduces some of my favorite characters to the series (Ruler and Astolfo), but also some of my least favorite (Assasian of Black and Berserker of Black). Features a fight with MS Paint man.

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya

Not Recommended

I cannot in good faith recommended this spinoff to "normal" people. It is magical girl fate. It does have some decent character development and an ok plot, but also a lot of questionable loli content. Wath the Vow in Snow movie and skip the rest.

Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files

Should Try

Waver spinoff. I love Waver, but am not a fan of his spinoff.

Fate/Prototype

Should Try

Original Fate concept. Shirou is a girl, Saber is a guy.

Fate/Grand Order

Watch If You Play The Game

Gacha game lore. Guadako is funny.

Carnival Phantasm

Main series and a few spinoffs have silly crossover episodes with other series from the Nasuverse. These should be watched after you complete the main series and each respective spinoff.

Content I Missed

I skipped OVAs for both the main series and spinoffs. Most of the OVAs are nonessential filler / supplemental content. Fate is always coming out with new stuff so there will be some new spinoffs not on this website. Apreggi made a good list of most of the Fate content and it includes what I missed.