Fate Series Watch Order & Chronological Order (2022)

Although the ‘Fate’ series is massively successful for its storyline and animation quality and also its absolute demonic front, beginners find it hard to go through this anime series. Often things get confusing as beginner weebs do not understand Fate series watch order. Studio Deen was the one who started the anime adaptations of Fate, but it was Fate/Zero by Studio Ufotable that began all the craze! Even Netflix has some of its original Fate series!

The Fate anime series gets so confusing at times that even the most hardcore fans find it difficult to follow the completely different timelines interwoven with complex characters. So, we present to you the complete guide to watch the Fate anime series.

What is Fate?

Fate was originally a visual light novel which is an interactive computer game where the players interact with a story and take different Fate route depending on their choices. The original plot offered three routes which were later adapted as different anime series. Another game called Hollow ataraxia was also released in 2005.

Many spin-offs, light novels, manga, anime, and more set-in alternate timelines and universes have since been released as part of the Fate series. Fate anime series are tied together by the Holy Grail war, which is a battle royal between seven Masters and seven Servants they summon. Each Servant is based on a legendary hero from the past like Hercules, William Shakespeare and others, though their names are different.

It has been running for quite a long time, for which catching up with all the parts of the Fate anime series might be quite hectic right now. However, there are some ways you can watch it all in chronological order. There’s a chronological way to watch the completely different timeline of the Fate series, which is based on the release time.

However, if you do not want to enter the Fate universe, we have an order for you to follow while you watch the Fate series. The story revolves around the Holy Grail wars, and the Fate world begins in the Fifth Holy Grail war. Of course, there are certain spin-offs and movies too. We will explain everything as we proceed with the article!

Chronological Order to Watch the Fate Series

1. Fate/Zero

• Director: Ei Aoki, Takahiro Miura, Takuya Nonaka
• Writer: Akira Hiyama, Takumi Miyajima
• Cast: Ayako Kawasumi, Kari Wahlgren, Sayaka Ôhara
• IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation

The first in the Fate franchise is Fate/Zero, a light novel by Gen Urobuchi. It is the prequel of Fate/stay night and tells the story of Fate 10 years ago. It was also a game produced by Type-Moon. Watch Fate/Zero at first to understand the Fate anime series better. The first Fate/Zero is the place where everything began and should be the first in the fate series watch order.

Starting from the Masters and Servants- all the events about the Holy Grail war, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s feel started here. It features the younger versions of the Fate/Stay Night characters. The protagonist is Kiritsugu Emiya of the Emiya family, the foster father of Shirou Emiya, and stars other characters like their parent’s relatives.

You will understand the Fate series the best if you start with Fate/Zero as it tells the story of obtaining the Holy Grail, a magical chalice.

2. Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works

• Director: Takahiro Miura
• Writer: Akira Hiyama, Tatsuki Ichinose
• Cast: Noriaki Sugiyama, Kana Ueda, Bryce Papenbrook
• IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works occurs after Fate/Stay Night. This timeline differs from Fate/Stay Night’s actual plot. The story picks up with Rin Tohsaka, a mage girl from Shirou’s school. She could use magic quite fiercely. Rin summons Archer w Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works’ route proceeds with the protagonist- Archer as the servant of Rin.

Following the events of Fate/Stay Night, when Lancer almost kills Shirou, Rin gets Sakura Matou to revive him. After many struggles, Archer and Saber are successful in destroying the Holy Grail. Unlimited Blade Works’ True Ending shows that Rin and Saber go to London and get into a relationship while studying magic.

3. Fate/Stay Night

• Director: Kristi Reed, Yuji Yamaguchi
• Writer: Jukki Hanada, Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Noriaki Sugiyama, Kate Higgins, Kari Wahlgren
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll

Next is to watch Fate/stay night was actually a visual novel. Type moon developed the game Fate as a trilogy with three Fate routes. The three Fate routes are Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel. Studio Deen later made the anime version in 2006. This is the fate franchise’s original Fate/stay night TV anime.

The manga series was developed after the visual novel, which gained immense popularity. This part is about the Fifth Holy Grail War, where warriors fight at the behest of some families and summon heroes throughout human history to combat their opponents. The battle is for the Holy Grail, where Masters call on a Servant to fight on their behalf.

The simple teenager- Shirou Emiya, enters the war. He trains himself to become a mage to fight in the Holy Grail War. He has to do so because Lancer chased him and witnessed the Holy Grail war. The Servant wins by killing the other Servants or by eliminating their Master.

Saber comes to his aid at the last minute, and the story starts! Shirou enters as a Master after the emergence of some markings on his palm. Saber is extremely powerful, and we later get to know that the winner of the Fourth Holy Grail War was Saber.

4. Fate Grand Order: Zettai Majuu Sensen Babylonia

• Director: Toshifumi Akai
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tomokazu Seki, Rie Takahashi
• IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation

The final edition in the Fate anime series is Grand Order: Zettai Majju Sensen Babylonia. After winning the Camelot Singularity, Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight are transported to the last Singularity. They embark on a quest to ensure the survival of humanity in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Ritsuka and Mash must now work together to destroy the three wicked Goddesses’ alliance and put an end to the bloodthirsty creatures that are threatening humanity’s future. Uruk, a fortress city that acts as the forefront in the struggle against the monsters, is humanity’s last stronghold amid chaos and terror.

King Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, is in charge of the battlefront. The foundations of mankind have been set ablaze by the Mage King Solomon. Chaldea, a secret guild of magicians dedicated to rescuing humanity’s destiny, predicted humanity’s demise in 2015. The operation to restore the Singularities in history produced by Holy Grails spread throughout time and space began with Effort Grand Order.

5. Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel

• Director: Tomonori Sudô
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu, Jalen K. Cassell, Akira Hiyama
• Cast: Bryce Papenbrook, Noriaki Sugiyama, Noriko Shitaya
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix

This is the third final route of the original Fate series. After the Unlimited Blade Works events, the anime picks up its pace with Sakura Matou. We later get to know that she is actually Rin’s sister. Produced by Studio Ufotable, Sakura and Shirou deal with the hurdles of the war of the Holy Grail, helping each other.

The visual novel of Type-Moon: Fate/Stay Night was adapted by Studio Ufotable to turn into a trilogy. Having three parts set in an alternate universe, Shirou and Sakura fight hard, and Shirou saves Sakura two times. This is the main order of watching Fate.

You can watch different routes later to understand more about the events of Fate. Of course, there are other spin-offs and movies of the anime series. But, if you watch these, all your questions will be answered.

6. Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya

 

• Director: Takashi Sakamoto
• Writer: Katelyn Barr, Hiroshi Hiroyama
• Cast: Shelley Calene-Black, Molly Searcy, Carli Mosier
• IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll

Next in the series Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya, which follows an elementary student. Illyasviel von Einzbern is a regular elementary school student who transforms into a magical girl after the magical Kaleidostick Ruby decides she is a better master than Rin Tohsaka, the sorceress. The wizard Zelretch told rin to gather the Class Cards containing the Heroic Spirits from legend.

She finds herself unable to persuade Ruby to change her mind and must instead supervise Illya in accomplishing the mission. During Illya’s adventures, she meets Miyu, the contractual master of the Kaleidostick Sapphire, which had abandoned its former master and Rin’s competitor, Luvia Edelfelt, in a similar fashion.

Kuro, a dark-skinned girl who bears a striking likeness to Illya, appears and complicates their life by attempting to eliminate Illya. Irisviel, Illya’s mother, appears suddenly and states that Kuro would’ve been the Holy Grail in the Holy Grail War.

The trio encounters Gilgamesh, Class Card 7, who reveals that Miyu was the Holy Grail in a parallel world before she got absorbed. Illya gives Kuro the mana she needs to keep her physical form alive and welcomes her into the Einzbern family. Bazett Fraga McRemitz, previously in-charge of obtaining the Class Cards, attacks the group. A truce is agreed upon when Rin reveals an eighth Class Card.

Illya transforms into Kaleido Liner Zwei by combining the Kaleidostick Ruby and Sapphire, giving her the ability to fight Gilgamesh and save Miyu. This triumph is short-lived, as Miyu is abducted and carried away into the parallel universe by the Ainsworth family.

7. Fate/Grand Order (Anime Movie)

• Director: Kei Suezawa
• Writer: Ukyô Kodachi, Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Robbie Daymond, Aya Endô, Tetsu Inada
• IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Streaming Platform: Netflix

After Prisma Illya, next in chronological order is an anime movie called Grand Order. The year is 2015, and this is the final age of magic. Caldea is an organization created to keep an eye on both the magical and scientific worlds and prevent humanity’s extinction.

The organization issues a Grand Order for a “Holy Grail Expedition” intending to explore, expose, and possibly destroy the singularity that caused humanity’s extinction.

Ritsuka Fujimaru will have to make some tough decisions and sacrifices that will affect whether they become a savior or a killer. Ritsuka has been tasked with overseeing the Singularity Subspecies once more and uncovering the deeper mysteries of their existence. Goredolf Musik would then be in charge of Chaldea.

Goredolf was revealed to be a scapegoat in a hostile takeover by an unknown organization working with the Foreign God to destroy Chaldea and contemporary human history, reverting the globe to the Age of Gods. Ritsuka, Mash, and the other Chaldea members boarded the Shadow Borde, an autonomous warship.

8. Fate Apocrypha

• Director: Yoshiyuki Asai
• Writer: Erica Mendez, Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Maaya Sakamoto, Rumi Okubo
• IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix

Next in the Fate series is Apocrypha. Fate/stay night occurs in a parallel universe to Fate/Apocrypha. Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia captures the Greater Grail during the Third Holy Grail War. The Yggdmillennia clan launches war on the Mage’s Association, pitting two teams of Servants against one another. Kairi Shishigou, a necromancer hired by the Clock Tower, summons the Saber-class Mordred.

Shirou and his Servant, Semiramis, conquer the other Red masters by absorbing their command spells. Yggdmillennia relies on homunculi to provide the mana required to keep the Servants alive. Astolfo aids a fleeing male homunculus. Siegfried makes the ultimate sacrifice by giving the infant his lovely heart when the homunculus is badly damaged during the escape attempt.

9. Fate Extra Last Encore

 

• Director: Yukihiro Miyamoto
• Writer: Erica Mendez, Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Cherami Leigh, Vic Mignogna, Cassandra Lee Morris
• IMDb Rating: 5.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll

Another wholly separated timeline is that of Extra Last Encore in the Fate series. In a parallel universe, the 50-year-old theft of the Holy Grail sparks a new conflict between the Mages Association and the rebellious Ygdillemna Family. Tsukimihara Academy is populated by Earth-projected souls with even the tiniest chance of becoming a “Master.”

The Academy begins a purge after selecting all of the Masters, destroying all living lifeforms. After waking up in a pool of his own blood, Hakuno Kishinami refuses to die. He resolves to fight for his life, motivated by enigmatic feelings of hatred.

While attempting to elude a relentless pursuer, Hakuno uncovers a crimson sword hidden in the ground; by retrieving it, he summons his Servant, Saber, who kills his pursuer in a shower of rose petals. Hakuno now has to continue his journey to the Moon.

Release Order of The Fate Series

1. Fate/Stay Night (Anime)

• Director: Yuji Yamaguchi
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Noriaki Sugiyama, Kate Higgins, Candice Moore.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
• Streaming Site: Netflix
• Year: 2006

In order to get the Holy Grail, there is a fight between employers and laborers. Each expert may attack one worker, and their mission is to eliminate other employees, either by defeating them or murdering their boss. When there is just one expert or worker remaining, the individual is granted the Holy Grail, and whatever wish they have will come true.

2. Fate/Zero (Anime)

• Director: Ei Aoki
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Ayako Kawasumi, Kari Wahlgren, Sayaka Ôhara.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: N/A
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2011

The Quest for the Holy Grail – This is a challenge in which seven magicians bring seven Heroic Spirits to seek the might of the “Sacred aim,” which grants a miracle.

The fourth confrontation in the war that has been postponed three times now begins. Among the wizards, there was a man who was always alone and couldn’t figure out what was going on in his life. Kirei Kotomine was his name.

Kirei felt bewildered, not understanding fate’s guiding, and had continued to wonder why someone like him was granted the Command Seals. Nonetheless, a foe approached Kirei. Kiritsugu Emiya is the person in question.

A cruel mage murderer and assassin-for-hire who sought the Holy Grail miracle for the sake of his wife’s family, the Einzberns.

This is the Fourth Holy Grail War, which occurred ten years previously and is just narrated in fragments in Fate/stay night. The truth behind the struggle between Shirou’s non-permanent father, Rin’s father, and the younger Kirei Kotomine has finally been revealed.

3. Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works (Anime)

 

• Director: Takahiro Miura
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Noriaki Sugiyama, Ayako Kawasumi, Junichi Suwabe, Kana Ueda, Hiroshi Kamiya.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.0
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2014

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works is a Japanese animated dream action film released in 2010. In order to combat and win the Holy Grail, a group of seven magicians chooses to become bosses of seven classes of heroic spirits.

The plot is mostly around two young mages, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, and their employees, who are involved in the Holy Grail War. During the fights, Shirou regularly encounters Rin’s worker, Archer, who, although being a partner, seeks his demise.

4. Fate/Grand Order-First Order (TV Anime Movie)

• Director: Hitoshi Nanba
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Rie Takahashi, Madoka Yonezawa.
• IMDb Ratings: 5.7
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: N/A
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2016

It is the year 2015, the last year in which magic might still have an impact. Caldea is an organization founded to raise awareness of the magical world and the cosmos of science – as well as to prevent humanity’s annihilation.

Humanity is guaranteed an extra 100 years, or until the future realm is seen by Caldea evaporates into thin air. Caldea is now persuaded that mankind will not survive past 2017, according to events in the Japanese city of Fuyuki in 2004.

The group gives a Grand Order for a “Sacred Purpose Expedition” to explore, locate, and maybe eradicate the singularity responsible for the annihilation of humanity.

5. Fate/Apocrypha (Anime)

• Director: Erica Mendez
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Maaya Sakamoto, Rumi Okubo.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.6
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: N/A
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2016

In an alternate universe, the theft of the Holy Grail 50 years ago sparks a new fight between the Mages Association and the rebellious Yggdmillennia Family. With the activation of the Greater Grail, 15 Servants are assembled for another Holy Grail War combat royale.

6. Fate/Stay Night Heaven’s Feel (Movie Trilogy)

• Director: Tomonori Sudô
• Writer: Kinoko Nasu
• Cast: Yu Asakawa, Mai Kadowaki, Jôji Nakata.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2017

The concluding installment of Heaven’s Feel trilogy. Angra Mainyu has practically commandeered Sakura Matou. It is entirely up to Rin, Shirou, and Rider to cleanse the grail, or the world and magecraft as we know it will perish.

The plot picks up directly after Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel II. lost butterfly, and is the last episode of a trilogy of films based on Heaven’s Feel movies, the third and final course of the visual novel Fate/stay night.

7. Fate/Extra Last Encore (Anime)

• Director: Yukihiro Miyamoto
• Writer: Robina
• Cast: Atsushi Abe, Christine Marie Cabanos, Jessica Gee-George.
• IMDb Ratings: 5.3
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
• Streaming Platform: Netflix
• Year: 2018

Waking up in a bizarre virtual world with no knowledge of the past, Hakuno finds himself forced to battle for existence in a struggle he doesn’t understand for a prize beyond worth; the chance to have one’s desire granted. With only an enigmatic “Worker” on his side, Hakuno Kishinami will have to fight both friends and foes to the death in order to not only get a mysterious artefact known as the “Sacred goal,” but also to learn the answer to the most important question of all: “Who am I?”

Fate/Stay, Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero are the three authentic main routes incorporated in the visual novel. There are three main routes, each route having an individual love interest. The spin-off series is as follows:

• (2013) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
• (2014) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei!
• (2015) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei Herz!
• (2016) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya 3rei!!
• (2017) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: Oath Under Snow

Other than these spin-off series, another web-based anime series that airs monthly is Today’s Menu for the Emiya family. This series doesn’t focus on the Holy Grail War at all. Rather it shows anime fans their favorite Fate characters preparing home-cooked meals together. It showcases traditional Japanese home recipes explained cutely by Shirou.

You can avail all of the best Fate Anime Series spin-offs on Netflix.

What Route Should You Follow?

For beginners who are planning to get started with the Fate anime, this is the main and original route to follow. Fate/Zero- Fate/stay night- Fate/Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works- Fate/stay night Heaven’s Feel is the ultimate order if you want to know the entire series in a short period of time. You can watch the side stories or a spin-off later at your convenience.

There are other ways of starting Fate-

1. You can Complete the Series by Watching Only the Anime.

Studio Deen and Studio Ufotable made all the TV anime series. Here, it will be easier for you to navigate through the series as the movies, spinoffs, and OVAs might be too difficult to grasp together at once. Out of which, you are bound to enjoy the Ufotable version more as fans claim it makes more sense.

2. You can Include Visual Novels too.

The unadulterated route of Fate can only be found via its visual novels. You can avail all the information about anime best if you start through this route. You can play the games and then starts with the Blade Unlimited Works.

3. You can Follow that Anime with Regard to the Release Order

Different versions of the anime have been released at different times with an individual routes. Many fans try to do this, but the popularity of this method varies from person to person.

The fanbase of the anime series- ‘Fate’ is vast indeed. So, you won’t face a problem getting any help once you start watching Fate. Comment down below which Fate series anime adaptations are your personal favorite, and don’t forget to share with your friends! Do let us know if we have missed out on anything.