Fate/stay night Movie: Heaven's Feel - I. Presage Flower

The Fate franchise is well known for being ridiculously confusing for beginners. Fate/stay night originated from a visual novel and later evolved into different mediums with varying stories and characters, as seen in a few manga, fighting games, a gacha, and the tens of anime entries you may find here on MAL. What makes it so confusing is... where to start?

While some can certainly blind pick and still enjoy the Fate franchise, I suggest this order may be better for those looking to get into Fate with minimal spoilers and maximized fun. So, here is a very basic guide I have made if you are planning on starting (and maybe completing) the Fate franchise via the anime. I will not include specials, OVAs, PVs, or recap movies unless they are their own separate series or need to be mentioned for clarification. I will also not include sequels (2nd season, for example), unless needed for further clarification.

Note: After Fate/Zero, the next anime in the Fate franchise is entirely up to you, as every other series can be watched in any order. However, I listed them in an order I have previously seen them in (at least, most of them).

This is the order that I find to be the best way to experience the main Fate plot (Fate/stay night and Fate/Zero).

Other than reading the visual novel first, no anime-only order is ideal and there is always going to be a sacrifice made somewhere. This order attempts to minimize as many forward references (spoilers) as possible and acknowledges the original order that the source material was released.

The major downside of this order is skipping the adaptation of the 1st route from the visual novel, the Fate route. There is an adaptation for this done by Studio Deen, however it attempted to bring in many elements from the other two routes, Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel. This means that by watching it, some major twists in those later routes are completely ruined. It is my subjective opinion that the losses from skipping the Fate route are less than the losses from learning about events in Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel.

A comprehensive watch order of the Fate series, which includes every entry of the Fate franchise and the Nasuverse. Courtesy of AEGC (Fate Guide): https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1866055

Since interest stacks only allow a maximum of 50 items, I'll do this one (1-50) and make another stack (part 2) which will include the remaining items that need watching (51-73)

Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/226

AEGC Interest Stack index: https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2017008

no sequels

minimum requirement for FATE series

Real bangers that will leave you on the edge of your seat, your mind blown or your eyes tearing up.

Despite the Fate franchise sprawling tons of new spin-offs, reimaginings, and much more interpretations than the unacquainted person can grasp or handle, this media giant had a humble start - the original Fate/Stay Night visual novel.

I do believe this topic has been discussed and overanalyzed in the fandom far too much to say with absolute certainty if there is a correct answer. However, what I would like to present is the way I got into it. What I enjoyed about it and what I feel might be interesting for newcomers of the franchise.

I'd like to specifically cover the "main" shows which covered the three routes of the visual novel; The Saber route, named Stay Night, the route with Rin, Unlimited Blade Works, and the Sakura route, Heaven's Feel.

There's a lot of other media in the Fate franchise, but I personally believe that if you feel like you want to experience what this franchise is about at it's core, these shows presented are where you should begin.

(Written by Tyrrael, redacted by SophTheCommander)

Anime that is adapted from a video game.

These animes were the landmarks in anime industry. Critically acclaimed shows and popular for its story, characters, development, and the amazing experience that the audience might feel. Some of them are old and modern, but it has the same level of "masterpiece" that I've seen so far.

The "Scotland Loves Anime" film festival takes place annually in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It was started in 2010 and includes the "Golden Partridge" jury award and audience-voted awards.

The past winners of the Golden Partridge Award are as follows.

2016: Kimi no Na wa.
2017: Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta
2018: Penguin Highway
2019: Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara
2020: n/a

In 2017, the live action Tokyo Ghoul film had its UK premiere at SLA.

In 2019, Isora Iwakiri's film The Sacrament had its UK premiere at SLA.

In 2020, the festival was hosted online. It also included Penguin Highway, Production I.G.'s short film collection and Weathering With You.

who am i kidding fate fans will never agree to anything.

Anime that contain mature themes and elements, complemented by fantastical elements. Typically action-packed and contains a deep plot

*Addition: CASTLEVANIA (available on Netflix). Not an anime but it's one of the best dark fantasy cartoons)*

This is the watch order I used the main anime of the Fate franchise. As Fate is highly infamous for having many different watch orders, I do not claim this order to be the only one possible, however from my experience this order is optimal in the sense of minimizing spoilers. As Fate is originally a visual novel, I recommend watching the first three routes in order and save the prequel for last. The list does not include spinoffs, which are obviously only meant to be watched after you have completed the main series.

A numbering of the core Fate/Stay Night titles in the order you should watch them. Should be seen in the format where you can see the notes I made.

Alternatively, just play the visual novel and then go on to Fate/Zero. Sadly, Fate/Stay Night's sequel, Fate/Hollow Ataraxia, is not here due to having no anime adaptation.

Anything not here can be watched in any order after you have, in some form, finished Fate/Stay Night+Fate/Zero, with the obvious exception of not watching Kaleid Season 2 before Season 1, and Carnival Phantasm, which is a crossover with Tsukihime and so requires you to have read through that.

I researched a lot about fate watch order before watching it and this is what i think is the best watch order if you don't want to get confused from the beginning.

Lord El-Melloi II Sei no Jikenbo: this one is skip able because it's story revolve around a character from fate zero but i personally suggest it because this series has lots of characters that you are going to see in another spinoffs.

And as for spinoffs you can start with any one you want!

If you liked unlimited and zero then go on.