Look, I get it. Trying to figure out the Fate series order to watch feels like deciphering ancient magic runes while blindfolded. When I first tried getting into it back in 2015, I made the classic rookie mistake – jumped straight into Fate/Zero because Netflix recommended it. Big mistake. Imagine watching Star Wars starting with Episode I instead of IV. That's what it felt like.
So why's this so messy? Back in 2004, Type-Moon released Fate/stay night as a visual novel with three branching story routes: Fate, Unlimited Blade Works, and Heaven's Feel. Each route reveals different secrets about the Holy Grail War when played in that order. But anime studios didn't adapt them chronologically, and now we've got prequels, spin-offs, alternate universes – it's a glorious mess.
Why You Should Care About Watch Order
Get this wrong and you'll spend half your time googling "who is that golden guy?" or "why did that character just randomly die?" (Been there.) The Fate series order to watch matters because:
- Spoilers everywhere: Later entries casually reveal twists from earlier routes
- Characters reappear: Servants like Gilgamesh pop up across multiple series
- Worldbuilding layers: Magic systems and grail war rules build progressively
Seriously, I met a guy at Anime Expo who watched Heaven's Feel movies first and thought Saber was a minor character. The horror.
The Core Fate/Stay Night Routes Explained
Everything revolves around these three core stories. Think of them as parallel universes – same starting point, wildly different outcomes.
The Fate Route (Saber's Route)
Where it all began. Focuses on Shirou and his servant Saber. The 2006 Studio Deen adaptation... well, let's be honest. It's rough. The animation hasn't aged well, it awkwardly mashes elements from other routes, and Shirou's voice acting makes you want to mute sometimes. But it's the only animated version of Saber's story. If you can tolerate early-2000s jank, watch it. Otherwise, read the visual novel or wait for that rumored remake (please, ufotable?).
Unlimited Blade Works (Rin’s Route)
This is where most people start now – and for good reason. ufotable’s 2014-2015 adaptation is gorgeous. Explores Rin Tohsaka and Archer's dynamic. The cooking scenes? Weirdly satisfying. But here's my hot take: some fights drag on too long. That final battle between Archer and Shirou? Could've been 5 minutes shorter. Still, mandatory viewing.
Heaven's Feel (Sakura’s Route)
These three movies are the crown jewels. Darker tone, incredible animation, and finally gives Sakura the spotlight she deserves. Warning: The third movie gets disturbingly graphic – not for kids. I made the mistake of watching it during a flight... awkward explaining those scenes to my neighbor.
Your 3 Best Fate Series Watch Orders
Let's cut through the noise. After rewatching everything twice (madness, I know), here are the only orders that make sense:
Option 1: The Release Order (Purist Approach)
How I wish I'd done it first time. Follows how audiences experienced the story:
| Series/Movie | Why This Order Works | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fate/stay night (2006) | Sets up basic grail war rules despite flaws | Netflix, Crunchyroll (sub only) |
| 2. Fate/Zero (2011-2012) | Prequel - watch AFTER stay night to avoid spoilers | Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu |
| 3. Fate/stay night: UBW (2014) | Modern remake of second route | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| 4. Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel movies (2017-2020) | Conclusion to original trilogy | Crunchyroll (rent/buy) |
Major downside? That 2006 version is rough. When Shirou does his "people die when they are killed" line... yeah.
Option 2: The Chronological Order (Timeline Nerds)
For those who can't handle flashbacks:
- Fate/Zero (takes place 10 years before)
- Fate/stay night (2006)
- Unlimited Blade Works
- Heaven's Feel
Here's the problem: Zero spoils every major twist in Heaven's Feel. Like finding out Snape kills Dumbledore before reading Half-Blood Prince. I tried this order with my cousin - he couldn't understand why Heaven's Feel treated its reveals as shocking.
Option 3: The Ufotable Order (Most Popular)
What most fans recommend today:
| Step | Series/Movie | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fate/Zero (Seasons 1-2) | 25 episodes |
| 2 | Fate/stay night: UBW (Seasons 1-2) | 26 episodes |
| 3 | Heaven's Feel I-III | ~6 hours total |
Notice something missing? Yeah, we're skipping the 2006 Fate route entirely. Controversial? Absolutely. But let's be real - after seeing ufotable's animation, Deen's version feels like watching through Vaseline. You lose Saber's backstory though. Maybe watch YouTube recaps for that?
Pro Tip: Always watch post-credit scenes! The Heaven's Feel movies especially have critical mid/post-credit scenes. I missed one and had to rewatch the whole movie.
Spin-offs Explained (Where They Actually Fit)
Once you finish the core trilogy, dive into these. No strict order needed:
| Series | What It Is | When to Watch | Personal Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fate/Apocrypha | Alternate timeline grail war | After UBW | Great action, terrible ending. That final battle still annoys me. |
| Fate/Grand Order | Mobile game adaptations | Anytime | Babylonia arc is peak Fate. Solomon movie made me cry. |
| Lord El-Melloi II Case Files | Zero sequel starring Waver | After Zero | Surprisingly good magic detective stories. |
| Carnival Phantasm | Comedy parody | After core trilogy | Needed therapy after Heaven's Feel? This fixes you. |
Warning: Do NOT watch Today's Menu for Emiya Family until after Heaven's Feel. Seeing characters happily cooking together hits different when you know what happens.
Fate Series Order to Watch: Your Burning Questions
Should I watch Fate/Zero first?
God no. Imagine starting Lord of the Rings with The Silmarillion. Zero assumes you know the grail war's outcome. When Kiritsugu talks about "that fire," it means nothing if you haven't seen Stay Night.
Can I skip the 2006 Fate/stay night?
Technically yes, practically no. You'll miss Saber's emotional arc and key lore. But if you absolutely can't stomach it: 1) Watch UBW 2) Read Fate route summary 3) Proceed to Heaven's Feel. Not ideal but workable.
Are the Heaven's Feel movies standalone?
Absolutely not. Tried showing movie 3 to my friend - she thought Shirou was having a mental breakdown (okay, partially true). You need UBW context minimum.
What about Fate/kaleid liner?
Magical girl spin-off. Watch whenever, but know it parodies main series characters. That Illya vs. Saber fight in 3rei? Worth the weirdness.
Brutally Honest Tips From a Fate Veteran
- Sub vs dub: Stick with subs. The English VA for Shirou in 2006 will make your ears bleed. Modern dubs are better though.
- Where to watch legally: Crunchyroll has most content. Heaven's Feel movies require rental ($3.99-$4.99 HD on Amazon/YouTube).
- Time commitment: Core trilogy is 50+ hours. Skip filler episodes? Not really an option - even "filler" has lore drops.
- Biggest mistake: Watching in chronological order. Ruined Heaven's Feel for me. Don't be like past me.
At the end of the day, choosing your Fate series order to watch depends on tolerance for old animation. Got patience? Release order. Want eye candy immediately? Ufotable order. Just please don't start with Carnival Phantasm like that one Reddit guy. Watching Gilgamesh as a chibi before knowing his menace? Sacrilege.
The journey's worth it though. When you finally understand all the memes, when you spot a Command Seal reference in another anime, when you cry at that one scene in Heaven's Feel III... that's magic no grail can replicate.
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