Status Explanation

The “Fate” franchise is a vast and continually expanding universe. While core storylines like the “Fate/stay night” routes have reached their conclusions, the broader Nasuverse, particularly through spin-offs and the immensely popular Fate/Grand Order, regularly releases new content across various mediums, making it a vibrant and ongoing saga.

Watch Order

Navigating the “Nasuverse” and the “Fate” series can seem daunting due to its interconnected nature and various adaptations. For the main “Fate/stay night” storyline, here’s a recommended sequence to fully appreciate the narrative without major spoilers:

The Recommended Path: Many fans wholeheartedly suggest starting with the Fate/stay night Visual Novel. This original source material allows for the deepest dive into the story, exploring its three distinct routes (Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven’s Feel) as intended by the creator.

If you prefer to start with anime, consider this order for the primary narrative:

  1. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV Series 2014-2015): This adaptation by ufotable is a fantastic entry point. It’s visually stunning and covers one of the main routes from the visual novel.
  2. Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel Trilogy (Movies): Following Unlimited Blade Works, these three films delve into the third, often darker, route of the original story, offering a different perspective on the Holy Grail War.
  3. Fate/Zero (Prequel): Crucially, watch this after the main Fate/stay night adaptations. While it’s a prequel, it was written with the expectation that viewers already know the original story, and watching it first contains significant narrative revelations.
  4. Fate/stay night (TV Series 2006): This earlier Studio Deen adaptation of the “Fate” route is generally considered less polished than later versions but can be watched if you’re interested in experiencing the original anime take on the story’s initial path.

This approach ensures you experience the narrative beats in a way that respects the original author’s intent for reveals and character development, providing a richer understanding of the world.

Similar Animes

Once you’ve explored the core “Fate/stay night” story, a whole universe of spin-offs and related works awaits within the “Nasuverse” or from its creator, Kinoko Nasu:

  • Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya: A lighter, magical girl spin-off that offers a fun, alternate-universe take on some familiar characters.
  • Fate/Apocrypha: An alternate timeline story focusing on a large-scale Holy Grail War involving two factions of Masters and Servants.
  • Fate/Grand Order (various adaptations): Based on the incredibly popular mobile game, these anime adaptations explore different historical and mythological settings as humanity’s fate hangs in the balance.
  • Today’s Menu for the Emiya Family: A heartwarming and relaxing slice-of-life series featuring characters from Fate/stay night in a cooking show setting, perfect for a cozy watch.
  • Tsukihime: Another foundational work by Kinoko Nasu, sharing thematic elements and a similar dark fantasy vibe within the broader Nasuverse, though its anime adaptation is not highly regarded.
  • The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai): A series of mystery-horror films also by Kinoko Nasu, set in the same universe as Tsukihime and sharing stylistic and thematic ties with the Fate series.